Guidelines for Retention of Programs and Services. A. In determining the financial resources available, the District shall:
(1) Continue to solicit cooperation and funding from local, state and federal sources.
(2) Maintain cash reserves at a legal minimum.
(3) Review donation of funds. Any such donation, which is limited to the support of any specific position, will not be accepted if it circumvents seniority as applied under this article.
B. If the educational program and services of the District must be reduced because of lack of financial resources, the following guidelines shall be taken into consideration in determining the program and services to be retained, reduced or eliminated:
(1) The student is the most important factor to consider, and the certificated employee has the most profound effect upon the student, therefore, the program to be retained shall attempt to minimize the consequence of staff and program reductions upon the students.
(2) Priority will be given to providing books and supplies used by students in fulfilling basic classroom objectives.
(3) When revenues are categorical and depend upon actual expenditures rather than budget amounts, every effort will be made to maintain these programs to the limit of this categorical support (e.g., Special Education, Federally Supported Programs, etc.)
(4) Student activity programs funded by the District will be eliminated.
Guidelines for Retention of Programs and Services. Highest priority shall be given to maintaining the strong basic education program offered during regular school operating hours and minimizing the effect upon students of any reductions made. If the educational program and services of the District must be reduced due to lack of financial resources, the following guidelines shall be followed in determining the programs and services to be retained, reduced or eliminated:
A. The Board will consider and initiate budget reductions in non-instructional areas prior to the lay-off of any certificated staff;
B. The District agrees not to reduce the present salary schedule as a means of maintaining the current educational program, except when agreed to by both the Association and the Board;
C. Priority will be given to maintaining books, supplies, and equipment used by students in fulfilling basic classroom objectives;
D. Efforts will be made to maintain programs, which are dependent upon categorical revenues and local expenditures (e.g., special education, vocational education, Title I). Priority will be given to those programs directly related to basic program objectives;
E. Student activity programs funded by the District are recognized as an integral part of the District's total education program. Some activity programs may be continued at a reduced level of funding. Activity programs which cannot be continued at a reduced level of funding shall be eliminated;
F. Elimination of supplemental extra-curricular and/or extended day contracts not mandated by retained programs shall occur before the number of certificated personnel is reduced. Exceptions may be made for supplemental extra-curricular and/or extended day contracts deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the District;
G. Modification in the District transportation program, beginning with the high school level, will be considered as an economic measure prior to the reduction in number of certificated personnel.
H. When possible, the District shall maintain the ratio of administrative positions to the total number of non-administrative positions existing on the opening day of the current school year.
