According to Mark Twain Superintendent Julia Tidball the Governor's proposed budget "proposes significant changes to the way schools are funded. We would
receive a base funding per student with additional
funding based upon our English Learner population, students receiving
free and reduced meals and foster youth. Of the three populations, the
“free and reduced” group would provide the majority of the additional
funding for our district." The time frame for the funding changes is progressively over 7 years.
Currently MTUESD is not proposing any additional cuts to programs and Tidball states that "we have been increasing staff mid-year. We are
purchasing curriculum
that aligns with the new Common Core Standards and are committed to
continue to lower our class sizes."
Superintendent of Calaveras County Schools Kathy Northington stated that the "budget does not include any “new” money for districts,
however, it may start paying some of the owed money to districts. The
way of funding schools will have an impact on our districts since we
don’t have all the populations he addresses in the large quantities as
other districts in our state."
Also according to Tidball the budget remains 10% lower than the 2007-08 school year with a deficit factor of 20% due to "past cuts and unpaid cost of living adjustments."
