By Staff Writer
Voice & Viewpoint
Completing her first year as superintendent, the San Diego Unified Board of Trustees unanimously approved Cindy Marten’s $1.2 billion “students first” spending plan.
“When the Board hired me last year, my task was to reevaluate every dollar to ensure we are focusing expenditures on proven methods to create quality schools in every neighborhood, improve student achievement and close the achievement gap,” said Marten.
At the same time, the Board approved the district’s LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan). It now goes to the San Diego County Office of Education for final approval.
Despite lingering effects of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the 2014-15, $1.2 billion operating budget has no layoffs, reduces class sizes in lower grades, redirects staffing to classrooms, implements Common Core and focuses on English-language learners.
“I have always believed that however much money we have, in both good times and bad, we have a responsibility to improve the quality of education while serving as good stewards and promoting student achievement,” she said. “I am confident that we will meet the needs of our students and support our educators and employees, while living within our means.”
