School Board Approves Contingency Plans For Brown's Budget Cuts

The small but packed ABC School District Office board room erupted in cheers on the evening of March 15, after the ABC School Board agreed to proceed with Contingency Plans A and B once Gov. Brown’s budget proposal is implemented. The district has prepared itself for the worst.

The past two school board meetings have been dedicated to rallying the city’s educators, students and parents to save the district from taking a huge hit by budget cuts that offset the state’s deficit.  

“If these cuts go through, the children in California schools will receive $3,000 beneath the average of what the states are paying for their education,” Superintendent Gary Smuts said.

Contingency Plans A and B were first proposed to the school board during the Feb. 22 meeting. Voters will determine which plan will be used.

Plan A will result in the district taking $9,000,000 in cuts if voters agree to a tax extension by Gov. Brown in a special election held in June. If the state doesn't agree to an election and voters reject a tax extension, then Plan B will be utilized and the district will take a whopping $15,000,000 in cuts with elementary school music programs and adult school programs taking a bulk of the hit.

Boardmember Armin Reyes was impressed by the response to the budget cuts from area residents, especially from the homemade sign-bearing students and teachers at the Feb. 22 meeting, who were adamant about not letting go of their beloved bands and classes.

“Without your input . . . without your concerns, the superintendent and his cabinet would not be able to come up with his proposal today,” Reyes said. “I’m hoping for the best. Everybody came out here – parents, teachers, students of voting age.”

Newly-elected Cerritos councilmember, , shared his thoughts on the contingency plans – his last piece of input on district matters, as a board member.

“The unity that you show . . . the solidarity that you show tonight teaches our entire community what the power of people can do,” Pulido said. "If we believe in something . . . if we share a common belief, and that belief is in public education, then we can prevail against all odds, against all adversity. When I look at Plan A, I don’t even like this. This is not the better of anything. It’s bad.”

Pulido delivered a heartfelt speech following his board resignation to continue as a city councilmember. Each board member reluctantly  yet supportively approved his official resignation.

“Much like graduating from high school, full of hope and excitement, and that I felt I was ready for the world, ready for any challenges that come before me, I feel that same way tonight," Pulido reflected. “Hopeful yet very sober about the future, filled with warmth of family – extended family that has embraced me for the past decade on this board. So, I say that I will never forget my roots here at ABC, and I will continue to be an advocate and a champion for public education, our local schools and most importantly, our children."

Pulido officially took his seat on the Cerritos City Council on .