As the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) is near to finalizing difficult decisions surrounding budget reductions, it stands with many other districts across California facing the same predicament. A combination of declining enrollment, expiring federal relief funds from COVID-19, and drying funding from Measure E, has led to the need for these reductions. As a result, with the district’s spending exceeding its revenue, it has to account for a $35.1 million budget deficit. The budget cuts could vary by around 1% (around $5 million), and ongoing meetings are being hosted by the FUSD Board to come to decisions about resources that will be cut. Information contained in this article is subject to change, as proposed budgets are dynamic.
The Fremont Unified School District has made multiple proposed budgets, accounting for several factors. A leading cause centers around chronic absenteeism, which can cost the school lots of money if it accumulates over time— one absence can cost the district $65. Decline in enrollment also plays a major role, as the number of students enrolled in FUSD schools has reduced by more than 2,000 students since the 2019-2020 school year. Staffing reductions have not kept up with the enrollment decline, and the district hires more staff than it can afford. To make up for the budget shortfall, FUSD has to cut down on many of its unrestricted funds, which include funding for supplies, staff, and facilities. Many other school districts such as San Diego Unified School District have estimated around 240 layoffs to combat a $114 million deficit.
In totality, FUSD will need to account for around $35.1 million dollars in budget cuts for the next year. Teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and other utilities stand at the top of the list with cuts. As of now, 85% of the school district’s unrestricted budget is used for staff. $22 million in the reductions are anticipated to come from staff, which is equivalent to around 200 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
The proposed reductions in schools will impact unrestricted funds, but it is currently unclear what will be cut specifically. The Voice contacted members of the Board for comment but did not receive a reply. Kristen Winmill, the Library Media Technician (LMT) at Hirsch Elementary, has voiced her concerns on the issue as elementary school libraries are one subject of discussion with budget reductions.
Between the start of the school year and now, Winmill has checked out over 6,000 library books with a school of just 440 students. She added, “I’m constantly getting books for the curriculum being taught in the classroom. Teachers do not have the budget to keep getting resources for students when they’re already working outside of their contracted hours,” states Winmill. “I know at my school, teachers are frustrated.” With so many students and teachers relying on the library, she is concerned for the future if the library will be included in the district’s cuts. “If they are closed, what is going to happen to literacy rates?” she questioned.
FUSD’s Board has put out a timeline for their decision-making process, with the final proposal being scheduled to be presented on January 8th. Until then, most of the proposed budget cuts are mainly speculation, so the numbers are constantly changing to have a more specific idea of exactly how much money will be cut in reductions. On one side, there’s recognition that budget reductions are necessary to address the financial shortfall. Yet, on the other, there is worry about the impacts of these cuts on student resources, like libraries. FUSD’s decision will reflect how it can balance financial requirements and the educational needs of its students.
