Following recommendations of a special committee looking into the future of Hermosa’s cash-strapped public schools, trustees will look further into a worst-case “barebones curriculum,” as they continue to await further potential state budget cuts.
Some school board members said further pay cuts for teachers could be in the offing. Teachers and other school employees have agreed to take five unpaid furlough days for the current school year, representing a 3 percent pay cut and saving almost $250,000.
Board member Carleen Beste said she would not support a potential parcel tax for the schools without a “change in the pay schedule” for teachers, and member Lisa Claypoole said pay cuts “may be something we have to consider.”
Board member Ray Waters “strongly” disagreed, saying teachers pitched in more money with the furlough days than community members are asked to pay to keep the two schools going.
Parents and other private fundraisers cover 8 percent to 10 percent of the district’s $10 million annual budget.
Despite that, the school board has cut programs in the last few years including class-size reduction in lower grades, a vice principal’s position, kindergarten-through-fifth grade music, computer and technology aids, library hours and clerical hours.
Educators in Hermosa and across the state await the outcome of Gov. Jerry Brown’s effort for a ballot measure that would extend current tax increases to fund education.
Projections of state budget cuts to the Hermosa district range from about $430,000 to $1.3 million, depending on whether Brown is successful.
Los Angeles County Office of Education officials have said school districts including Hermosa’s could be unable to meet their payrolls within two years if Brown fails.
Following recommendations by the special committee, the Hermosa school board agreed to continue studying a possible merger with another school district, the conversion of district schools to charter schools, a possible ballot measure to levy a parcel tax on Hermosa properties, and what a “minimum” educational program would look like.
The board is seeking volunteers to serve on study committees by emailing volunteer@hbcsd.org, or write to HBCSD, 1645 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, with a brief resume and a letter telling which committee the volunteer is seeking to join.
Members of the special committee also raised the possibility of raising money through large raffles — which some other school districts have conducted — with items like homes as prizes. ER
