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Schools

Banning Unified School District to discuss budget with community

The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Hemmerling Elementary School.

On Thursday, March 17, Banning Unified School District parents and community members are invited to attend a meeting to discuss the looming budget crisis.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. inside of the multipurpose room at Hemmerling Elementary School, 1928 W. Nicolet St., Banning.

District leaders decided to hold the meeting to inform the public on what is happening to school funding.

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“Parents and the general community need to know the dire straight we are facing in education,” said Superintendent Lynne B. Kennedy.

In a letter to parents, Kennedy explained that “the economic conditions throughout California have not improved and are predicted to continue until 2015. As a result, the impact on the Banning community and the Banning school district is bleak, at best and at the worst, devastating....It is disheartening to continue to have conversations around further budget cuts to public education. Instead, as a state, our focus should be on increasing our investment in our children.” 

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According to the letter, the information presented at Gov. Jerry Brown’s January budget workshop indicated that a reduction of approximately $350 per student will begin in July. The reduction would result in a loss of more than $1.5 million for the Banning Unified School District.

To generate revenue and avoid further cuts, Brown wants a special election to be held in June, where voters can decide whether or not to extend certain taxes that are set to expire this year. Some Republicans are saying they will not vote for the election to be held, and educators are urging the public to send letters of support.

“We need their help in contacting state legislators to let them know how important it is to implement and support a reliable, consistent and protected revenue source for education,” Kennedy said.

For more information on the meeting, call the Banning Unified School District at 951-922-0201.

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