Surviving our District's 2.7 million dollar budget cut.

By Tim Gearhart

The state government is cutting 2.7 million dollars from our District's budget, and cuts must be made. I will fight to keep these cuts away from the classrooms while protecting our sports, music, drama and other elective programs. I favor a well rounded education for all of our students.

I have taught in the elementary grades for fourteen years, as well as in the middle and high school levels for twenty-one years. I know what basic concerns, needs and procedures are typical at each of these levels and can identify administrative or Board decisions that might be of benefit to one level but detrimental to another. To minimize these problems requires better communications between elementary, middle school, high school, support staff, site and district administration, parents,and the Board. We are all in this together. We shouldn't be isolated into PRPE, CSEA or Administration, but working collegially toward solutions to the problems challenging our district.
I've also had training on budget issues and how to read and analyze a district's budge. I've worked with this district's budgets over the last fourteen years as a member of the Negotiations Committee. I am familiar with what it takes to successfully run a school district and am dedicated to keep budget cuts OUT OF THE CLASSROOMS. We must preserve the quality of education our students receive, and this includes the sports, music, drama and other elective classes that exist at our school sites now. To do this, it's necessary to think "outside of the box", with solutions that will be financially responsible while protecting existing jobs.
I have the leadership experience needed to support our teachers, support staff and administration in their efforts to help educate our children. I was the president of PRPE, vice president and grievance chairman for many years. During my tenure, we were able to settle contract negotiations and improve the quality of the certificated contract without putting the district into budgetary distress. We solved many grievances that arose without any cost to the District. I'm a problem solver who helps develop solutions that "work" for all of the parties involved.
I have been actively involved in working with the youth of this community for over twenty years as 4H leader, Sunday School teacher, Neighborhood Council member and officer, Leadership teacher who's members cleaned streets, collected over a ton of canned food for Loaves and Fishes, and collected coats and donated clothing to local groups. As a drama teacher, we produced plays that raised over $900 for the tsunami relief fund. I'm presently a board member of the PRHS Band Backers, and help our high school band at the games and competitions around the state.
I believe that I would make an excellent board member for PRJUSD. I'd appreciate your vote.

Tim Gearhart