𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵
The district is running a $𝟭𝟬𝟮𝗠 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁, under state oversight, and cut $114M last year. Another round of cuts hits by June. Their own budget page warns that funding raises with one-time dollars “would destabilize the District and result in worse outcomes for both students and educators.”
So naturally they did it.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 “𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲” 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁
The union pointed to a $𝟰𝟮𝟵𝗠 “𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲” as proof the district can pay. That number is fund balance, not reserves. Half of it is restricted funds locked to specific federal and local programs. The rest is one-time money already earmarked to plug the structural deficit and prevent layoffs. Once it’s spent, it’s gone. The actual reserves? $𝟭𝟯𝟵𝗠, well below the state-recommended 17%. Using one-time dollars for permanent raises is buying a house because you have a down payment with no idea how to cover the mortgage.