Striving to positively impact Family Partnership Charter School’s 2012-13 budget, the school’s administrative team recently requested they be furloughed for five days during the upcoming school year.
Todd Mitchell, Mark Palmerston, and Suzanne Clark submitted their proposal at the June 19 meeting of the charter school’s governing council, which expressed its appreciation and then unanimously approved the pay cut. The furlough equates to a salary reduction of more than 2 percent.
According to information from School Services of California, statewide average per pupil funding has decreased by 17 percent from $5,821 in 2007-08 to a projected $4,789 in 2012–2013. This decrease includes a loss in funding of $441 per student should Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax initiatives fail in November. California currently ranks 47th in the nation in funding K through 12 public education.
“Ultimately, we want the public to know that despite challenges, we are finding creative solutions to continue to provide high quality educational opportunities on the Central Coast,” said Family Partnership Charter School Executive Director Todd Mitchell.
Administrators are hopeful certificated staff will join them in considering possible furloughs or salary reductions.
Family Partnership Charter School is a tuition-free public school program serving students and families in grades K through 12 in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
This article appears in Jul 5-12, 2012.