Funds Will Assist LB Employees During Economic Crisis
It was a very sobering meeting on the Long Beach Board of Education tonight (1/26/09). The topic was to be the huge cuts coming to education funds once Sacramento has its way. Of course, the Long Beach librarians were there in number. We know from experience that when budgets get tight, our funding is always quietly called into question, and we want them to know we’re paying attention.
There was bleak fact after bleak fact presented by Kim Stallings, our CFO. Long Beach will loose another $20 this year in funds. We have already cut $20 million, so this $20 is just extra added pain. No relief in sight for next year, or perhaps the year after that. Glazed expressions and furrowed brows abounded throughout those present.
However, noting was more surprising than the final announcement made by Superintendent Chris Steinhauser : he stated that he would voluntarily be taking a 10% pay cut effective for the 09-10 fiscal year. That funding would be set aside specifically to assist Long Beach employees who were struggling through the economic crisis. He was visibly full of emotion as he reminded us “we’re all a family, here.” He spoke about his own experience growing up through tough financial times, and felt the need to personally answer President Obama’s call to pitch in. He received a standing ovation, both from the board and from the audience, after this unexpected announcement.
As I am writing, this, I still don’t know where to begin responding to this completely unforeseen event. This act of kindness comes at a time when financial stress has us all pointing fingers and worrying about our own futures. I would predict that very person who was at that meeting attended with a (understandably) fearful heart. Whose job would be safe? Whose program would be spared? I know I personally mull over the implications of our library closing almost on a daily basis. Whatever one’s opinion may be of the governance of our school district, and there are many, I have new found respect for our Superintendent. At time when all of us are wondering “Why doesn’t someone just do something;” it seems, at least here in LB, someone has.
