Proposed ABC classroom cuts brings concerned parents to Board Meeting

By Jerry Bernsein

An estimated 500 seniors and parents attended the ABC school board meeting Mar. 1 to seek a continuance of the District’s Adult Education programs and the District’s Elementary music education programs.
Board President Maynard Law opened the budget discussion by saying no decision would be made that night. “This is an open meeting in which board members will listen to your input and/or suggestions. “ He reminded those present that unlike the federal government, the board cannot print money to cover the $3-$10 million deficit the District faces, depending on the education cuts coming down from Sacramento. “We have to have a balance budget.”
Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts said the Board must submit two balanced budgets to the Los Angeles County Board of Education. He said Budget “A” would be based on a continuance of the existing taxes the governor is seeking. This will result in an estimated District deficit of $3.5 million. Budget “B” will be predicated on the tax extension being defeated. That will leave the District with an estimated $10 million deficit if the governor carries out the cuts he has said will be necessary to balance the state budget.
Dr. Smuts said at the next board meeting he would submit the two budgets. The board may adopt them or they may make changes. “However they still must adopt two plans so they can be submitted to the County Board of Education. Nothing will be done after they are submitted.”
He said the Board would not take up the budget again until June 1. At that time they will know which budget to adopt. He reminded those present this was the fifth time the Board has had to do this. He said the state has already cut $28 million during the last few years from ABC’s budget. He said there isn’t any fat left to cut. From now on we have to start cutting the meat.
Four graduating high school seniors in attendance said they were present because they care. “We want the kids coming up behind us to have the same opportunities we had.” One student said when he joined the band at his elementary school; he was so bad they other kids gave him a nickname. But as the year went on, he became a better player. He said the band taught him he could reach out and communicate with the other kids. Other students asked the board to retain the elementary school [band] music program, saying the programs gave them confidence. It also teaches the importance of teamwork. One mother said Band [music] classes help the kids their entire life. Music makes the brain work.
One parent said the music programs helps the students become adults as they progress in the school program. Another said 84 percent of the elementary school in the country has dropped music education. “Are we going to be part of the 16 percent that has music programs or join the 84th percent?
Those enrolled in the District Adult Education School warned the board members if deeper cuts were made into the Adult Education program the school would not be able to offer quality education. They said just because many of the students are seniors, they should not be discarded. Other, who have children in elementary school but whose first language is not English said the ESL classes have not only helped them communicate with their children but their teachers too. Others said it has helped them on the job, with one gentleman saying because he can speak English better he has been promoted at work. Seniors in the water aerobics program said it was one of the few program seniors with back problems or arthritis can participate in without pain. “It’s good for our health.”
One teacher, who has taught for 41 years inquired about the proposed District Foundation. She said people will make donations to such a foundation if they know the money will be used for things they like such as the elementary school music programs, adult education classes etc. It was later explained the District has filed to make the foundation non-profit.