 SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS) -- Three years ago, California state budget cuts forced San Jose Unified Schools to cut back on their programs and spending. This year, school officials say they are being forced to dip into their reserve funds in order to stay a float.
For the next three years, the school district will disperse $5 million dollars from reserve funds each year until California lawmakers can settle on a budget which education leaders hope will offer more funds for student programs.
A district spokesperson told KCBS that the schools were all ready operating on budgets that had been “cut to the bone,” and wouldn’t be enough to get the district through the coming school year.
Officials at DeAnza College also plan to use reserve funding so they can continue to offer the same number of programs to students. DeAnza College President Brian Murphy says he too is very disappointed in the lack of funds and support from the state.
“I’m at an institution that has a phenomenal work ethic, …but I have to say that the fatigue level, and the sheer sadness of being associated with a state that appears enormously wealthy and can’t fund the services these students need is very disheartening.”
DeAnza’s enrollment has increased 10 percent this summer and the school has be unable to hire any new staff.
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KCBS' Matt Bigler reports
