RIPON – When Ripon Superintendent Louise Nan opened an envelope from the Sacramento desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, she knew that the news wasn’t going to be good.
Based on early projections, the letter stated, the Ripon Unified School District is facing a cut of $1,011,661. It is a gargantuan amount for a district the size of Ripon that has only one public high school and half-a-dozen elementary schools.
Even with a hiring freeze currently in place and discretionary spending serving as the norm for the district, Nan is hoping to discuss the issue when the Board of Education meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Ripon High multi-purpose room.
While the cutting out of more than $1 million is troubling, there is also talk of the state having to go as far as issuing IOUs to employees because it might run out of cash – something that may signify that their isn’t any light at the end of the tunnel.
Former Superintendent Leo Zuber warned about the possibility of catastrophic budget shortages due to the loss of students to other districts – making huge impacts on the ADA money received to help fund school operations.
It’s a scenario that is being monitored closely under Nan’s administration. And every effort is being made to conserve money as the district approaches what could be a very rocky financial future.
With Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lisa Bojé resigning from her position, district officials have decided not to refill her position but break it up among three other administrative posts to save what might amount to $160,000 over the next two years.
Also listed on Monday’s agenda is a revised list of district office job descriptions that will fall in line with the proposed organizational chart and will blend positions together in a move that will help the district conserve even more money.
A copy of the agenda can be obtained by visiting www.riponusd.net.