E-Update from Salem-Keizer Public Schools for June 24, 2009

[Kyle J. Sexton]

First ... the State Legislature has not approved a funding level yet for public schools; however, we are required by law to have an adopted budget by June 30. This means the adopted budget approved on Tuesday night is based on our best estimate of the upcoming state public education funding level.

With that said ...

Salem-Keizer School Board approved the district's budget for 2009-10 last night. This adopted budget includes about $27 million in cuts. To balance the budget, reductions were made in central services, reserves and instructional services all with the intent to have as little impact on students as possible. Plus, all effort was taken to preserve jobs.

You can see a summary of the cuts in the Budget Message (pages 10, 11 and 12): http://www.salemkeizer.org/system/files/Budget+Message+2009-Final_0.pdf

In addition, all employees are helping Salem-Keizer with the $27 million shortfall.

>>> Classified, administrative and confidential staff are all taking a cut to their cost-of-living increase, either taking a smaller increase or no increase at all.

>>> Classified and licensed staff are taking three un-paid leave days.

Please note that the State Legislature is still determining a statewide funding level for public schools. Depending on what they settle on, this could impact our budget.