ADMINISTRATORS’ UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

from the AALA Update | Week of May 7, 2012 | http://bit.ly/K4sUZR

May 5, 2012  ::  LAUSD‟s Second Interim Budget, which was submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education in mid-March 2012, included four plans to address the then-projected $377 million deficit for 2012-2013, based upon potential revenues and some program restorations. The Superintendent‟s memo to the Board accompanying the budget mentioned that two critical factors were considered in development of the District‟s strategy: (1) The high level of uncertainty about next year‟s budget; (2) The need to send RIF notices to employees, as required, by the mandatory deadlines.

For the past couple of months, AALA members have continued to remain in the dark about many budget-related issues that affect them both personally and professionally. Will they have jobs next year? When will they know? Should they retire or continue working? Further, they worry about the safety and welfare of students and staff at their respective sites. They question whether or not they can do the quality and quantity of work they demand of themselves, especially since cuts to administrative staffing over the past three years (over 600 AALA positions) have dramatically increased their workload and decreased the amount of support they receive. As we have stated before, morale is at its lowest ebb ever.

For next year, the District has voted to make major cuts to early education, options, adult education and supervisory administration. These cuts, should they be finalized, will have a negative impact on the neediest students in the District as well as on their families. They will lessen the opportunity for many students to earn diplomas and will contribute to increased poverty in our city. The loss of well-trained supervisory personnel will further decrease the leadership and support provided to schools.

Now that it is May and the end of the school year is looming, we are requesting that senior staff provide substantive answers to the following questions being asked by our members. We will publish their answers in an upcoming issue of Update.

1. Given the fact that $60 million has been restored to the District budget due, in part, to UTLA‟s furlough arbitration settlement, how many of AALA‟s adult education positions will be restored? What plans are being considered by the District to raise additional revenue to support adult education programs beyond the minimum currently being considered? If the number of adult education administrators is reduced, who will take responsibility for recruiting adult students?

2. Will schools be able to purchase administrative positions in the category of School-Determined Needs?

3. Why do none of the plans mention the potential restoration of early education sites and administrative positions? How many sites can an early education administrator reasonably be expected to manage?

4. How optimistic are District leaders regarding the full restoration of all options programs as a result of the Governor‟s May Revision?

5. What plans does the District have to ensure the safety and accountability of students and staff members, given the extensive cuts to the administrative ranks?

6. If the Governor‟s May Revision provides higher revenues than anticipated, what administrative positions will be added? What if the Governor‟s initiative and/or LAUSD‟s parcel tax passes in November?

7. What is the District‟s target for revenue efficiencies and enhancements? What amount will be allocated for administrative positions?

AALA continues to await the District‟s response to our requests for negotiations. Mr. Superintendent, how much longer must we wait? Our membership is the glue that holds this District together. Strong leadership is essential to lasting progress.