SMUSD's Superintendent Letter to Community

Superintendent Letter to Community

Good Sunday Afternoon,

It is with great sadness that I report to our SMUSD community that over 40 teachers and counselors are receiving layoff notices this weekend as a result of the failure of the renewal of Measure E by 120 votes. These amazing, talented, passionate and committed individuals have given their all to our students, schools, and community over the years and now they head into the coming months not knowing what the future holds for them and their families. Principals must now reconstruct master schedules to accommodate extremely large class sizes and fewer program offerings for our middle and high school students. Dr. De La Torre and I will begin meeting with noticed employees and will be providing them support and letters of recommendations as they seek employment in nearby school districts.

This situation however, is not over… NOT BY A LONGSHOT. Here is what you need to know as we head into the immediate future.

I will be discussing with the Board of Education a plan to place a new measure on the ballot in one of the two remaining possible election dates in 2021 — August 31 or November 2. We will actively seek input from the community as to what San Marino is willing to support and educate those who need information about State and District funding and spending issues that have led to the difficult decision our Board had to make on March 9, 2021. While moving towards a next election date, to right the ship we will diligently and energetically work to raise funds to save positions while further reducing costs. We will also examine all possible revenue sources that might be available to help fund teaching positions.

Earlier this week, Dr. de la Torre and I met with San Marino Schools Foundation trustees to discuss a special campaign to save teaching and counseling positions. The Foundation will take on the important task of raising funds to return 33 positions to the District prior to the May 15, 2021 final layoff of unfunded positions. Please alert my office or Foundation Executive Director James Lau or any SMSF Trustee of your willingness and desire to help in this great endeavor.

Finally, District personnel will continue to examine and reduce as many expenditures as possible while still maintaining safe and secure facilities, basic programs, and the ability to meet all mandates and compliance requirements from the Los Angeles County Office of Education and California Department of Education.

In the coming days, I will be working on and communicating a multi-faceted Revenue Recovery Plan in light of the recent defeat of Measure E. Some have asked, “why was there no backup plan?” With 85-90% of all California school districts’ expenditures dedicated to employee salaries, benefits and pensions, there are only two mechanisms or contingency plans to address a sudden funding cliff like this $4.1 million annual revenue that will end in June 2021 — high fiscal reserves or employee reductions. As of July 1, 2019, SMUSD had a $3.7 million structural deficit (spending $3.7M more than we were bringing-in) with a state required 3% minimum in reserves for economic uncertainties (lowest % allowed under the law). In 20 months, we have reduced District expenditures by 11% ($4.5 million) starting at the district administrative level. We currently expend one of the lowest percentages of certificated administrative costs (3.15%) of any unified school district in the State of California. Compared to La Canada (4.90%), South Pasadena (4.63%), Temple City (4.49%) and Arcadia (4.48%), we have allocated far greater resources to the classroom and away from the District office. Prior to the defeat of Measure E, we were poised to experience fiscal stabilization and to begin building healthy reserves for the future.

All is not lost… WE CAN STILL GET THERE! Let’s pull together as the great community we are, rise above and resist the urge to point fingers and find blame. Instead, let’s focus our energy on finding creative and constructive ways to build bridges and inspire trust. When I first arrived in San Marino as your Superintendent, I heard from many different stakeholders about all the ways in which San Marino is special and how the community has a long-standing tradition of valuing education and supporting their local school district. I truly believe that this community cares about education and will not step aside allowing our great school district to falter. I cannot imagine a better time for us to stand together in unity to protect and preserve our school district’s outstanding programs and educators. We have recently celebrated a highly successful reopening of our elementary schools and are preparing to reopen Huntington Middle and San Marino High Schools. Our students deserve the absolute best education that we can provide for them. While the state of California falls woefully short in funding our schools, the one thing the San Marino Community has are resources — in the form of both monetary and human ability. Let’s get involved, let’s open our hearts, minds and wallets for the benefit of our incredibly talented students, teachers, counselors, staff and community.

Blessings to you and your family,

Dr. Jeff Wilson