News from the Superintendent: April 5, 2011

April 5, 2011

Good morning.

Since you received the last issue of Perspective, the New Mexico Legislative Session has ended and schools have received the budget call. However, the message I sent Saturday morning and media reports you’ve seen over the weekend indicate that things may still change.

This is why I always caution that budget numbers are fluid.

I know how confused and concerned you must feel when you hear projections that seem to keep changing. I understand the angst it’s creating in our schools and for our employees, parents and students. You all have important jobs to do, and worrying about whether you’ll have a paycheck next school year or how big your classes will be doesn’t make doing those jobs any easier.

Our budget picture had been taking shape, and we believed that APS’ budget shortfall looked to be about $26 million. This included about $10 million less in state funding, and a $16 million increase in fixed costs like utilities, insurance and increases in teacher pay because of the tier system.

School principals are working on their budgets, factoring in a 4.9 percent cut. Non-school departments will need to cut 12.8 percent from their budgets. As I said Saturday, I encourage principals and department heads to continue working. Even as our situation may change, the work they do now gets the process started and lays a foundation.

The Finance Department is gathering information on how this latest funding news will affect APS. This new challenge is unexpected, but it is being addressed.

Further information will be passed along as soon as we have it, either through direct messages or by posts on the APS website. In the meantime, we need to take a deep breath and remain focused.

Thank you for your continued feedback and support.

Have a good week.

Winston Brooks
Superintendent