No summer school in Rocklin? It’s among the possible cuts the district will discuss

Rocklin Unified School District is considering cutting staff, janitorial services, music program staff and summer school as it tries to slash $3.3 million dollars to close its budget gap.

The district says the deficit is due to increased pension costs and that it received less funding than projected by the state. The district is also is projecting slower enrollment growth in the coming years, which will affect its funding.

The final decision to lay staff off and cut educational services won’t be made until a March school board meeting, but board members will meet Tuesday night to explore their many options on reductions and how they could impact students.

Eliminating summer school would save $120,000 over the course of three years, but would negatively impact students from disadvantaged backgrounds and English learners, according to the district’s presentation.

The district is considering cutting staff positions to its elementary music program to save about $800,000 and removing one district librarian, leaving only one to roam between 16 schools.

“The recommendations are difficult and could have impacts throughout the district,” read a district statement to The Sacramento Bee. “There has been a deliberate effort made to keep reductions away from the classroom and schools, which is why increasing class size, reductions in mental health support for students, and reduction in safety measures are not being recommended.”

Rocklin Unified will hold its board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 2615 Sierra Meadows Drive in Rocklin.

The district will approve the budget reductions and possible layoffs at its March 4 board meeting.

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 1:53 PM.