EDITOR: Incomplete information continues to be the modus operandi with regard to the issue of the Jefferson school district budget cuts. Here is the rest of the story. The Editor's note following my letter to the editor, entitled "Press spreads half-truths," published in "The Tracy Press," on Tuesday, April 30th, references district estimates that put the ending balance after two years at 'about $450,000.' These estimates do not include a $400,000 amount defined by the district as (EC 42124), nor do they include the $5,000 Revolving Cash account. Counting all funds, the ending balance after two years, without any cuts, would be closer to $855,000 – not $450,000 as suggested.
The district's definition of next year's budget deficit includes two transfers from the general fund – one this year at $120,000, and one next year at $127,000. The actual difference between revenue and expenses next year is somewhere between $21,000 and $66,163 – again – before any cuts are made, including the music program for the primary grades K-4. At the end of this June, the district will have in reserve almost $1.2 million, with over $500,000 of that unappropriated. See www.musicforjefferson.org/budget.asp for the whole story, including the budget projections themselves.
As far as Roy Troglia and Mary Evans not having 'received a pink slip or termination,' the truth is that both have received tentative notices of the possible elimination of their programs – Mr. Troglia in more than one of prior years. These notices are required by law to be presented by March 15 to anyone whose position with the district may be eliminated. So it would appear that the board has in fact, in the past considered the elimination of the award-winning band program. If left unchecked, do you really believe the board will not consider this again in the future, when faced with a deficit – real or exaggerated?
Dan Wells
Tracy