With $6 million in cuts looming for the district over the next
three years, the Hollister School District’s new Citizens Action
Council on Budget and Finances met for the first time on Thursday
to begin discussions on how to balance the district’s budget.
Hollister – With $6 million in cuts looming for the district over the next three years, the Hollister School District’s new Citizens Action Council on Budget and Finances met for the first time on Thursday to begin discussions on how to balance the district’s budget.

The Citizens Action Council, formed by Hollister School District Interim Superintendent Ron Crates, consists of 16 to 18 teachers, parents and community members. Hollister City Councilman Doug Emerson and San Benito County Supervisor Reb Monaco will also be on the Citizens Action Council.

“We have a very good group that is very diverse,” Crates said.

The council was brought up to date on the district’s finances with presentations from the district’s Director of Business and Operations Jack Bachofer and San Benito County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent Lawrence Elrod.

“I was very pleased, people want to jump into solutions, it was very lively,” Crates said Friday. “It will be easier to make decisions.”

Crates decided to form the council several months ago in order to provide the district’s Board of Trustees with guidance on future financial decisions, he said.

“It’s important for us to be transparent about our budget and finances,” Crates said. “It’s crucial for the district to be seen in a good light.”

The district, which has been using reserves to balance its budget for the last three years, will need to submit a plan for balancing its books to the County Superintendent of Schools within the next month or face state intervention.

Cutting expenses by millions of dollars in a district with already high class sizes, declining enrollment and outstanding labor negotiations could have dire consequences for the district’s 6,000 students and nearly 600 employees, district officials have said in the past.

Cuts won’t have to be made this year, but will start with $1 million in cuts during the 2006-2007 and increase by $1 million each year through the 2008-2009 school year, according to recent budget projections.

The goal is to make sure the district has enough money in its coffers after expenses to meet the state-mandated 3 percent reserve for economic uncertainty.

The council will be a valuable asset to the board of trustees in reaching this goal, board member Dee Brown said Friday.

“Input from the community is always important,” she said. “The more information we can give and get the better.”

The district has projected it will have $42 million in expenses this year. With about 585 employees and more than $2 million in monthly payroll expenses, Hollister School District is San Benito County’s largest employer, Crates said.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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