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Petaluma board confronts $6.1 million in proposed cuts as county demands plan
Summary
Petaluma City Schools staff presented a budget plan that would require roughly $6.1 million in reductions, targeting positions added with one-time funds and site allocations; staff said cuts are forced by the end of pandemic funding and rising special-education costs, and the board scheduled follow-up meetings for Feb. 24 and Jan. 27 to finalize details.
Petaluma City Schools officials on Jan. 13 outlined a plan to reduce district spending by just over $6.1 million next fiscal year, saying the action is necessary to respond to the loss of one-time pandemic funds and continued growth in special-education costs.
"This is not something that any of us want to be doing right now," Superintendent Matthew Harris said as he framed the budget shortfall and the countyofficerequirement for a detailed plan. Chief Business Official Amanda Bonner presented multi-year projections that, even after an initial $5 million target, still showed structural deficit spending without additional cuts.
The budget-advisory committee recommended converting positions funded temporarily by restricted or one-time dollars back to a non-recurring status and removing them from the…
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