Difficult decisions lie ahead for the Patterson Joint Unified School District, which faces millions in proposed budget cuts for the upcoming school year.

On the heels of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s promise in his State of the State address to protect education, a recently proposed budget plan would still have school districts and community colleges lose a projected $2.4 billion in state funding.

And, like many other districts across the state that have watched their budgets dwindle, Patterson Unified will be no exception in enduring a third consecutive year of cuts.

Under the governor’s new plan, the district expects to see a more than $2 million shortfall — a loss of funding equal to about $225 per child, and $1,700 per child less than the national average. Without stimulus money to pad budget cuts this year, district officials said they may be forced to impose as many as 26 layoffs and five more furlough days, increase class sizes, offer fewer electives and slash salaries.

“The governor’s promises remind me of the promises to the Jews written above Auschwitz, ‘Work will make you free,’” said Superintendent Patrick Sweeney. “When he made a vow to protect education, we were hopeful, but then we realized the fine print.

“His promises have become double-talk and lies.”

In response to state budget cuts, administrators and confidential staff have taken a 4 percent cut in salary, while teachers and classified employees have taken a 1½ percent decrease in salary to date. Sweeney said teachers and classified employees might be asked to take a 4 percent decrease in salary for the upcoming school year.

Other cost-cutting suggestions will be considered by a budget advisory committee and taken before the school board at its Monday, Feb. 22, meeting.

Some of the suggestions include a four-day work week, beginning school a week later to save on energy costs, cutting district expenses by 10 percent, and suspending second-grade testing, among many others.

At Walnut Grove School, Principal Steve Charbonneau said he expects the cuts will force the school to increase class sizes, offer fewer electives and not provide sufficient funding to the already struggling athletic program.

“As the monies available this year were minimal at best, next year looks to be one of the most challenging years public education has ever faced,” Charbonneau said. “Of course, the greatest concern is for the students we serve, but the cuts are likely to be so deep, that it will affect what happens in the classroom.

“It hits me right in the heart.”

The crisis is one that is replaying over and over in public schools across California and the nation, as state governments continue to tackle massive budget gaps brought on by high unemployment, declining real estate prices and slow retail sales.

And though the $100 billion federal stimulus package for education provided additional fiscal support last year, coming into this fiscal year, schools likely won’t be so lucky. According to a recent report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 41 states will face a total of $35 billion in midyear budget cuts.

“Sometimes it’s hard to know how much more we can take,” Sweeney said. “California is one of the largest economies in the world, and to be funded (as) one of the worst — is just unacceptable.”

To get involved

• Superintendent Patrick Sweeney has encouraged parents and community members to write to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and members of the state Legislature. To find a list, visit the district’s homepage at: www.patterson.k12.ca.us/.