/ Modified jan 30, 2013 2:17 p.m.

TUSD Board OKs $10M in Cuts

School system trying to cover expected $17M deficit next year

The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board Tuesday night approved cuts that, together with the closure of 11 schools, could help the district erase an expected $17 million budget deficit next fiscal year.

At a special board meeting, the district's chief financial officer presented a proposal that includes cuts to central administration, all-day kindergarten, health insurance coverage and assistant principals, among other positions.

John Pedicone portrait TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone.
AZPM

The proposal called for an increase in class sizes by one student for fourth through 12th grades, saving $1 million. The board voted to not increase class sizes from kindergarten through third grade. Increased class sizes could mean the need for fewer teachers.

All other recommendations were approved, to bring the savings to $10 million.

The board voted last month to close 11 schools for a savings of $4 million as part of the deficit-reduction plan. Those school closures are subject to review by a federal judge overseeing a TUSD desegregation order, and plaintiffs in the case have filed an objection.

For further potential savings, the board gave district administrators the green light to explore outsourcing janitorial, grounds maintenance, human resources, technology operations and transportation.

TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone has said the district's expected deficit comes because of state legislative cuts and reduced enrollment. The effects of those are catching up with the financial picture, which has been bolstered by reserves and one-time federal stimulus money.

He said the expected deficit factored in no increase in state funding in the next school year. Gov. Jan Brewer has asked the Legislature for more educational funding statewide, but legislators have said the budget will be very tight.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona