The Sacramento City Unified School District is looking to shave $6 million from its central administration costs next year, according to a preliminary budget released this week.
That would amount to 20.1 percent of the district's administrative costs – a cut that would surpass Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's edict earlier this year that California school districts cut administrative costs by 10 percent. In his January budget address, the governor said he wants districts to keep cuts out of the classroom.
But, with a $30 million deficit, Sacramento CityUnified Superintendent Jonathan Raymond said it's impossible to avoid cutting programs that directly affect students.
The district's total 2009-10 budget is $384.2 million.
Raymond's proposed budget would increase class sizes from 25 to 30 students in kindergarten through third grade, trim adult education and eliminate all school counselors and psychologists.
Raymond told hundreds of anxious parents and teachers at a school board meeting Thursday: "Increasing the number of students in the classroom will remain an option if the employee organizations do not work with us to find other areas to reduce
