http://www.djusd.net/district/business/budget/1112budgdocs/1112scdintbudgpres

There are at least 3 sections of music classes being cut. That has been broadcast for many months. Further, there may be a larger cut based on a full time teacher who is retiring (and other potential changes) and there not being any move toward a new hire in music at this point (meaning that we would have 5 sections – one full time teacher) of cuts out of 10 total full time teachers.

Also, there may be a couple lower enrolled classes in music, but there are many classes with between 36 and 63 students at the junior highs (choirs, bands, and orchestras), and several music classes with 50-80 at DHS.

To pit program up against program is only a true disservice to everyone and insulting to the students that love the programs we offer in our schools. Everyone has their opinion about what they see as a priority. No one is wrong about what they think should be a priority. My opinion is that it all is a priority and should all stay as a priority, so we can keep the great educational opportunities that we are so lucky to still have here in Davis.

Most recently, this value of ours was stated loudly and proudly by this community through the passage of Measure C, which funds $6.5 million worth of varied programs at all levels-core, elective, and educational support. The Davis community stated with 72.3% YES vote, that they wanted the affected programs continued and funded to at least some level. Again, to now create division though pitting program up against program in a time when we need even more so to stick together to get through these tough times is not the way to solve anything.

Let’s also remember to keep in mind some larger picture issues. The source of a large portion of the cuts this district has had to endure over the last years came from cuts made by the state. And next year, we face two major hurdles regarding school district funding, locally and statewide:

1) STATEWIDE: If the governor’s tax doesn’t pass in November, there will be a $350 per student cut in funding to all districts from the state. Here in Davis, with over 8000 students, that would translate in to a cut amounting to over $2.8 million of potential cuts. We have the ability to prevent this by voting to support the governor’s education tax. A yes vote on this tax proposal is mandatory.

2) LOCALLY: Measure A funding sunsets after the 12-13 school year, which currently provides about $2.5 million of funding. That measure was passed over a year ago as an emergency measure to counter cuts from the state.
Either of these cuts could again produce a lousy situation for everyone and must be considered in how we move forward. I ask everyone to keep our collective focus on the larger picture of making sure that the state continues to fund education at the already way too low level that it does. This really is a big deal, and the last thing anyone wants is a creation of division going into a time when we all will need to stand together to support education on a statewide level like we did so loudly and proudly 2 months ago locally with Measure C.

I am incredibly grateful to the community for their amazing support of education and know that with so much passion about so many aspects of the education system, we will be able to continue to provide the rich offerings we currently offer.

Greg Brucker
Teacher, Harper and Emerson Jr. High