Because of an ongoing $5m shortfall in state funding, the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education is facing the difficult task of selecting budget cuts required to remain solvent. We, the undersigned members of the CUSD community wish to express our support for the board, the district management and the employee groups during this difficult process, and wish to remind them that our support is contingent upon their demonstrated ability to remain true to their student-centered mission. Inasmuch, we request and expect the board to conduct a deliberate, thorough and transparent evaluation of all of the budget actions available to them.
We, the undersigned members of the Cupertino School District community, urge the Board of Education, district management, and all employee groups to remain true to the student-centered mission of the district. We respectfully request and expect the following:
* A deliberate process - Give all of the constituents time to consider alternatives and, if necessary, negotiate alternative solutions; provide time for the conditions at the state level to further stabilize; and just as importantly, provide time for the community to understand the alternatives and consider them in the context of our values. Employee notification deadlines occur and are managed conservatively every year. This year more than ever, we urge you to take the time required to explore all of the alternatives carefully.
* A transparent process - The board and the community deserve to see a complete list of the budget alternatives, the funds each could yield, and the rationale for their priorities relative to the mission and values of the district. The board should request a public position statement from each of the management and labor constituents on all of the alternatives available to them. This community expects to know where every group stands and why. So should the CUSD Board.
* Adherence to the district mission - We, the undersigned, fail to see the student-centered rationale for prioritizing firing of scores of teachers over alternatives that better protect the classrooms, such as a shortening of the work year and across-the-board wage adjustments. We understand that all of the alternatives are unfortunate and that employment agreements are complex and delicate, but we expect a decision process that goes to maximum lengths to protect our classrooms, and a rationale for action that is student-centered, true to our mission and values.
We thank you for your attention and your service to the community.
Respectfully,The Undersigned...
