School District Grapples with Looming Pre-School Cuts

Vanishing state support for pre-school poses a double threat to parents, and could strain elementary education at a time of plummeting resources, the San Bruno Park school board heard at a somber special meeting Wednesday night.

The district is bracing for a worst-case scenario: A 25 percent reduction in pre-school funding.

That means slots for children will decrease and several sites may close down entirely, documents show. In addition, one of several budget trailer bills signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown would raise the income eligibility limits for pre-school from 70 percent of the state median income to 75 percent. The median income statewide for the 2010-11 school year for a family of four is roughly $76,000.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Superintendent Dr. David Hutt, adding that the waiting list for one pre-school program alone numbers nearly 100.

The district has served all its pre-school personnel with layoff notices, although most could be rehired after the revised budget in mid-May.

The ideal circumstance would see no decrease in funding; more likely is a 10 percent cut, said Assistant Superintendent Lynn Orong.

A brainstorming session produced some eight ideas for sparing slots and staff cuts, although it is too early to say which could pan out, she said.

“I just think it is a sad state of affairs,” said board member Jim Prescott. “It’s actually pretty disgusting.”

Without the stimulation of pre-school, many children may require more classroom attention in later years, Hutt said.

In another action, the board approved recommended cuts in clerical staff brought about by decreases in enrollment at some schools.

A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed most Californians fear further cuts to K-12 education, and Brown has hammered home the importance of education funding as he promotes his game plan for closing the state’s $15.4 billion deficit. His plan includes spending cuts and increasing taxes and fees.