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Bass Lake board approves $820,000 in cuts, will not backfill one PE specialist
Summary
Trustees approved resolutions to implement roughly $820,000 in budget reductions, including not refilling a retired PE specialist post; parents and teachers urged the board to reconsider and warned of impacts on student supports.
The Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District board voted to approve a set of budget reductions the superintendent said total about $820,000, adopting resolutions that authorize elimination or reduction of specific classified and certificated positions.
Superintendent Michelle Townsend opened the discussion by explaining that the cut package flowed from earlier direction to reduce between $800,000 and $850,000 from the general fund and that the formal resolutions were the legal mechanism to implement those choices. She said the district “must work within a complex system” of legal and restricted‑fund constraints and warned that one‑time incoming funds could not be relied on for permanent staffing. The board later announced the motion carried.
The PE program became the central flash point of debate. Multiple public commenters urged the board to keep a full‑time PE specialist in each school. Student Jacob Krause told the trustees, “We all love her,” and described the specialist’s role in coaching teams, running rallies and supporting ASB. A parent who identified herself as Stacy recounted volunteer experience and emphasized that PE helps students’ mental health and gives teachers prep time.
The superintendent and trustees said alternatives could be considered if supplemental one‑time funds become available; S2 noted they would be transparent about whether any incoming money is ongoing or one‑time and that human‑resources processes (seniority lists and probationary rules) would determine how reductions are implemented. The superintendent also flagged recent unanticipated obligations that have increased the district’s deficit by “about $250,000” in the previous weeks.
Teachers and their representatives voiced frustration. A classroom teacher speaking on behalf of staff presented a signed letter and told the board “we are very disappointed that you authorized the cutting of teacher positions,” urging trustees to look for administrative savings instead. Trustees acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, with one member saying it was among the hardest of her tenure.
The board did not set a guaranteed timeline to reinstate any eliminated positions but said they would revisit staffing if sustained additional revenue materializes. Next procedural steps noted by the superintendent include human‑resources notification and the second interim budget update at the next meeting.
