PASO ROBLES, Calif. -- The city
of Paso Robles has projected a surplus for its budget in the coming years but
the Paso Robles Joint Union School District is struggling to stay on its feet.
With an estimated $3.7 million
dollars extra to spend in the city, how can its school struggle to pay its
bills?
"The major difference is because
the way cities and counties are funded as compared to school districts," says
San Luis Obispo County Superintendent Dr. Julian Crocker.
"Cities and counties have a direct relationship to
local taxing sources like sales tax and property tax. School districts are very
dependent on the state."
So dependent that the school district had to
create 12 furlough days this year to stay afloat.
"Basically, the two choices the
districts faced is either everybody taking a reduction in compensation or laying
off personnel," says Crocker.
And the superintendent
says the furlough days have worked. The Paso Robles Joint Union High School District has been able to get out of its deficit
and replenish its reserves up to 5%.
He says funding to schools
are largely dependent on the governors budget this year.
"Our governor is
projecting the state economy will get better and return to fiscal stability," says Crocker.
