Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Education

S.D. Unified Mandates Spending, Hiring Freeze

Spend less money, hire fewer workers. That's the mandate the San Diego Unified School Board handed down to district employees yesterday.

San Diego Unified is facing a state budget shortfall next year that's estimated to be anywhere from $90 million to $180 million.

Trustees say approving a spending and hiring freeze now is the first step in trying to balance next year's budget.

Advertisement

District officials say San Diego Unified has about $220 million that has yet to be spent in this year's budget. Trustee John Evans says whatever the district saves now will make a big difference later.

"One person we hire this year, could result in two layoffs next year," Evans says. "One item that we purchase now could result in two less items next year. So we're really trying to look at this very early and preserve what we have."

Essential services and positions, including teachers, could be spared. Unions representing school support staff are against the freezes. They say the district should be hiring more workers to help the existing staff manage heavy workloads due to previous cuts.

Fact-based local news is essential

KPBS keeps you informed with local stories you need to know about — with no paywall. Our news is free for everyone because people like you help fund it.

Without federal funding, community support is our lifeline.
Make a gift to protect the future of KPBS.