January 22, 2010

Dear Families, Students, and Staff:

This letter is a second communication regarding the Durham Unified School District as we prepare to respond to the fiscal crisis facing the state of California and our nation. The Governor's Budget was released Friday, January 8, 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year. In his statement he indicated that he would protect public education. While this is partially true as it relates to Prop. 98, his words don't match the music. Part of the Governor's plan to balance a budget with soaring deficits ($21billion for 2010-2011) is a resultant ongoing reduction of 23% for Durham Unified, along with all other school districts in California. Durham Unified has lost $1.4 million in funding, ongoing for at least the next 5 years, if the legislature implements the proposed cuts in the Governor's Budget. As a result, we must reduce $ 950,000 over two years (fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-2012) from the general fund. Knowing that nearly 90% of our general fund is anchored in staff, the loss of people is inevitable.

To begin to address the budget shortfall, I have recommended a school reconfiguration and administrative restructure as a beginning point for budget reductions. Initially, the recommendation was to move from four schools to two by reconfiguring to a K-6 elementary school and a 7-12 Junior/Senior High School, and closing Mission High School where those students would also attend Durham High School. At last night's Board meeting we had many staff and parents speak to a preferred reconfiguration based on research and proven practices. The overwhelming majority of the community present recommended the following reconfiguration:

            A K-8 school with K-5 remaining at the present site and grades 6-8 remaining at the intermediate school site with the school office at the intermediate school remaining open with the school secretary attending to attendance, health and other student needs that occur daily with the 6-8 students. The "Middle School" would continue to operate as a school-within-a-school under the tenants of "Taking Center Stage", which is the most recent middle school reform document. The K-8 principal would serve the students, staff, parents and school community.

The senior high school (Grades 9-12) would remain as is with possible lead teacher providing additional support to the high school principal in a variety of areas including athletics, discipline and student activities.

The Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation position would be eliminated. Assuming the responsibilities would be a part-time administrator serving as an assistant principal for grades 6-12 who would be responsible for M&O scheduling, supervision and support, acting as athletic director, and teaching one period at the high school or middle school.

The various models/options under consideration would provide an ongoing savings in a range from $200,000 at the highest to $100,000 at the lowest. I remain convinced that we have to become creative and innovative and work together as we seek to resolve these challenges.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our appreciation to the teachers, support staff, parents and community members who attended last night's Board meeting and the valuable input provided. I am offering staff, parents and community members another opportunity to meet with me in a public input forum on Monday evening, February 1 from 6pm to 8pm at the Durham High School library to continue this very constructive dialogue and help me reach a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees on this topic and other budget reductions. The Board will receive additional community input at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on February 4, 2010 at 7 p.m. before deliberations and taking action on the school reconfiguration and administrative restructure that evening.

As always, my door is open to you.

Sincerely,

John T. McIntosh