Teachers concerned after Fresno Unified reveals $40M budget shortfall
FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE) – Concerns are circling across Fresno Unified School District as the district is facing an almost $40 million budget shortfall and is considering cutting hours, positions and programs.
The district is trying to calm fears and concerns about the shortfall, but staff are speaking out.
Teachers say that the focus should be on what students need.
“As COVID hit, the district was bragging about having over $130 million stashed away in rainy day funds. Well if we are having budget issues, that is a rainy day, “ said Jason Stansell, a teacher at a Fresno Unified School.
Fresno Unified teachers made their case at the district’s board meeting this week. They mentioned why budget cuts will hurt students.
“It just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense,” said Fresno Unified’s Nikki Henry.
Due to lower attendance rates, declining enrollment, state funding cuts, and the changes in the Fresno Teacher Association contract agreement, Fresno Unified faces a mounting $38 million budget deficit.
Henry says to make up the difference, the district is considering cutting days, hours, and positions or program services.
“That is scary when you see it on a board agenda. We want to be clear is that there might be some movement and readjustment that our staff will continue to be employed at Fresno Unified,” Henry said.
While there are proposals on the table, a decision will not be made until June during the budget approval process. Until then, Henry says the district will tap into the district’s reserve fund. They will implement a 7% budget cut across the board for all departments.
Henry says staff might see changes in the future.
“We don’t expect anyone to lose their jobs because of this, they will still be employed with us, they just might be in a different position next year,” Henry said.
The teachers association president opposes the cuts and said at the meeting that at least one of them violates the FTA contract.
