Sacramento City Teachers Association proposes $60 million in SCUSD cuts
Amid Sacramento City Unified School District’s dismal financial situation, the Sacramento City Teachers Association proposed its plan Thursday evening to balance the budget while also funding student programs.
The teachers union presented its “Students First Budget Rebalancing Proposal” at a Board of Education meeting, claiming that it could save the district $60 million, balance the budget, improve student experience, and still have cash left over afterward.
SCTA’s proposed savings would come in part through cuts to administration, including $16 million from reducing the number of central office administrators from 267 to 190, and $600,000 from reducing administrators’ pay to “a more reasonable level.” The proposal also outlined $16 million in health care savings that the district has already voiced interest in.
SCTA submitted a previous savings proposal in September that also called for significant cuts in administration shortly after the district’s budget was rejected for the first time ever. That proposal was not adopted by the district.
SCTA president David Fisher said he is optimistic the district will be open to discussion on the new proposal going forward in part because the union believes it offers comprehensive steps to improve the district.
After saving $60 million through administrative cuts, eliminating vacation buyouts for administration and management, limiting the use of third-party services and reducing health care costs, SCTA suggested the district focus on “students first priorities” with its funds.
Of those savings, $16 million would go toward balancing the budget and $24.4 million toward improving learning by reducing class sizes, implementing professional development practices for teachers — which would include cultural sensitivity training to CONTINUE READING: Sac City Teachers Association: $60 million in SCUSD cuts | The Sacramento Bee
