The San Diego Unified school board finalized a set of spending priorities yesterday to deal with the district's budget shortfall next year.
The board decided on six spending priorities. They include maintaining current class sizes, technology plans and a comprehensive curriculum. They also include keeping campuses safe and secure, encouraging diversity and school choice, as well as raising the achievement levels of all kids.
School board members picked six priorities and now they’re building a budget based on them. San Diego Unified is facing an up to $99 million state budget shortfall.
School board president Richard Barrera says the board will still have to make painful cuts.
“I certainly never intended this process to be something that somehow allows us to escape from the reality that we have a budget problem. This is about making choices,” Barrera said.
San Diego district officials will now work to determine a price tag for each priority. Their draft budget is expected next month.
