Merced schools expecting the worst in funding

It might be described as the lull before the storm.

Tuesday's two-hour public forum and short meeting of the Merced City School District Board of Education were relatively low-key affairs, the participants say, but discussions in the next few weeks of how to erase a $9 million budget deficit may be more lengthy, spirited -- or troubled.

"Some options will be really unpleasant," said Greg Spicer, assistant superintendent. "Preliminary statistics will come out next week and they may make some people nervous."

Spicer stressed that stakeholders in the budget process -- board members, administrators, parents, teachers, classified employees and residents -- would be kept informed during discussions. He characterized this week's sessions as fairly uneventful.

Board member Darrell Cherf was matter-of-fact about the upcoming budget dilemma. "It's just not a good situation," Cherf said. "Teachers don't want to hear it. Nobody wants cuts."

He said cuts across-the-board and furlough days, both negotiable items with the district's bargaining units, are options. He said those reductions will have an effect on every member of the district.

"You have to be living under a rock if you don't understand things are bad for the state and schools," board member Susan Walsh said.

"We're lucky we have great teachers and classified. There is no additional funding and not a lot of creativity left."

Superintendent RoseMary Parga Duran said she has talked to other school superintendents in California and some are experiencing worse conditions than Merced.

"Some have already done class-size increases and furloughs," Duran said. "Where will they go next? We have to be careful we are equitable across the board for everyone."

Board member Gene Stamm said study sessions and future board meetings will have more concrete information on potential cuts. The district must prepare a worst-case scenario budget and can't wait for the passage of a possible tax increase in November.

"This is the hand we've been dealt," Stamm said. "We have to be understanding that there isn't as much money and something will have to give. It's going to be very hard. This is going to affect children and there is no other way to do it."

Stamm said local planners must assume Brown's November tax initiative, which would benefit public education, may not pass.

Walsh said the board will work with parents, bargaining units and others to figure out a way for students to be safe and successful.

"We don't presuppose anything. Over the last 3½ years, we have done our best to serve our students," Walsh said.

Cherf said other options must be explored before the district depletes its reserves.

Over the last several years, the district has reduced its top administrators to three from five and it's hard to gauge where any more cuts could be made.

Reporter Doane Yawger can be reached at

(209) 385-2407 or dyawger@mercedsunstar.com.