Tough Times Ahead for Manhattan Beach Schools

The past has been bright for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. But the future is dim.

"We're doing our best," Superintendent Beverly Rohrer declared during a recent school board meeting, pausing to hold back tears. "We didn't cause this. We're not responsible for it. Yet all of us together, our staff, our students, our parents, and our community will suffer."

Next year, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District may look very different than it does today.

Facing a budget shortfall of $4 million thanks to a reduction in funding from the state, the district is cutting teachers and inflating class sizes. Pink slips are set to go out by March 15th.

"It's wrong and we can sit and cry about it—but it is the reality," said Ida VanderPoorte, school board president.

This initial round of cuts eliminates 57 full-time positions, increases K-12 class sizes, and reduces days for specialist positions. But it may not be enough. VanderPoorte has asked the board to look for more.

"We need to worry about having additional cuts from the state, which could come at any time," said VanderPoorte, who recommended an additional $2 million reduction in the district's $51 million budget. "We need to cut deeper given the uncertainty."

Adding to the district's woes, two supplemental revenue sources have curbed spending. In 2009, the City of Manhattan Beach donated $1.3 million to the schools, which helped the board to balance an ailing budget. This year, however, the city itself is facing a deficit of $2.5 million. The likelihood of a donation from the city is low. Councilman Wayne Powell says that elected officials have stopped attending school board meetings to avoid any awkward requests.

"Last year we did have a deficit when we gave the money, but it's nowhere near the deficit we have now," Powell said.

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation has raised a total of $4.1 million in donations from parents and community organizations, which has already been included in the budget composed by the school board. However, as Vice President of Fundraising Nina Patel reminded board members at a recent meeting, they may have jumped the gun.

The grant is not discretionary—it will be earmarked according to the results of a parent survey and awarded depending on proposals for its use. The foundation's board has yet to meet internally, which will be followed by negotiations with MBUSD on the use of the grant. A simple survey will first be sent to parents to determine what they feel the priorities for their children are, and how they want their money spent.

"We at MBEF have a responsibility to our donors to use their hard-earned dollars towards improving their children's education," said Patel. "We need to know that the money we bring to the table will be spent on programs and salaries that will benefit our students."

Teachers like Rachel Thomas are fearful of what is to come.

"We know that this district is squeezing blood from a turnip," Thomas told members of the school board. "We are too. We've spent the last year trying to figure out how to do more with less."

Teacher salaries have been steadily declining in real dollar value for the past decade, according to Thomas. Despite the $1,164 average yearly increase for MBUSD teachers, the cost of living has been escalating at a faster rate. The workload has become progressively more cumbersome, with class sizes growing and the number of teachers dwindling. Yet, despite the adversity, API scores in the district have still been improving. MBUSD ranks as one of the top 10 school districts in the state.

"We have been fighting tooth and nail to give our kids the best possible education," said Thomas.

Nevertheless, more than 50 teachers were highlighted for layoffs in the Budget Reduction Proposal, and only 1.87 administrative positions. VanderPoorte says that after years of slimming down, there is no more administration left to cut.

"We are very lean compared to L.A. Unified and other districts," said VanderPoorte. "I know we can't cut too much more and it may mean that we have schools without principals. It's a sad situation."