[CALIBK12] Concerning budgets cuts at Corona-Norco

[Stephen Krashen]

Sent to the Press-Enterprise, March 1, 2009

I was sad to read about the proposed cuts at Corona-Norco ("Corona-Norco to consider cutting 165 certificated positions," Feb. 28). 

Local districts throughout the state are being forced to cut positions and reduce services in areas known to help children. For example, Corona-Norco is considering dropping five school librarians; there is strong evidence that library quality, library staffing and the presence of a credentialed school are related to reading scores.  California has among the lowest reading scores and the fewest school librarians per student in the nation.

 At the same time, the state continues to fund budget items that are at best useless and may be harmful. Right now, California taxpayers pay for a High School Exit Exam, high-stakes standardized tests for second graders (No Child Left Behind only requires tests starting at third grade), and a fancy computerized PE test (the "Fitnessgram"). Research has so far failed to find any benefit for these tests.

Dumping these useless (and painful) tests would save a billion dollars every few years, and take some of the financial pressure off school districts. 

Stephen Krashen



Corona-Norco to consider cutting 165 certificated positions

10:00 PM PST on Saturday, February 28, 2009

By DAYNA STRAEHLEY
The Press-Enterprise

The jobs of 165 teachers, counselors, administrators and other certificated employees have been identified as possible cuts in the Corona-Norco Unified School District.

The district must cut almost $12.2 million from this year's budget and $15.7 million from 2009-10, and the school board will consider a resolution at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday that identifies 165 full-time positions for elimination.

The resolution includes 65 elementary school teaching positions, 14 high school math positions and 15 high school English jobs.

Corona-Norco now has a 20-to-1 ratio of students to teachers for kindergarten through third-grade classes and for freshman English and math.

At a special meeting two weeks ago, Superintendent Kent Bechler and Assistant Superintendent Sherry Mata said the district could save almost $2.3 million by increasing primary classes to 22-to-1 and cutting 55 teachers. Ratios of 25-to-1 would save the district $7.6 million and cut 136 positions, according to the information presented Feb. 17.

The Corona Norco Teachers Association represents about 2,600 certificated staff members, according to its Web site.

The resolution also lists 17 high school counselors and seven intermediate school counselors, four student advisers, seven opportunity classroom teachers and eight teachers on assignment, which includes teachers temporarily doing administrative work.

Six music teachers, five librarians and two psychologists are targeted, as well as high school teachers in several subjects: two in fine arts, two in Spanish, one in agricultural science and two in social studies. Eight administrators are on the list.

Notices of termination will be issued on the basis of seniority, with credit for special or additional credentials, certifications, those teaching in program improvement schools or those in "hard to hire" positions such as math and science.

Last year, the district sent 138 preliminary notices in March but was able to rescind them by May by offering early retirement incentives. This year, Bechler said, he doesn't expect to rescind as many and expects fewer retirements.

Reach Dayna Straehley at 951-368-9455 or dstraehley at PE.com