Thunderstorms this morning, mainly cloudy during the afternoon with a few showers. High around 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..
Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 54F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated: April 10, 2026 @ 8:40 am
With one battle just behind it, the war-torn San Mateo-Foster City School District is entering another minefield as it starts to identify about $1 million in cuts needed to balance its budget.
The list of possibilities will likely include guidance counselors, music programs and a possible increase in class size - all things that are guaranteed to provoke a public outcry, said Superintendent Pendery Clark.
But failing to balance its budget for the sixth year in a row will land the district at ground zero next year, trustees said at a board meeting last night. As things stand, the district will deplete all its reserves by the end of next year if it carries on without reducing expenditures.
"We're two (board) meetings away from adopting a budget," said Trustee Mark Hudak. "I think the community deserves to see the list of options it would take to truly balance the budget."
The items that will be put on the list - like music and sports programs - are ones that were identified to be funded by the parcel tax residents passed this summer. As such, putting their fate up in the air again will no doubt incite community outrage, trustees said.
That doesn't mean everything - or anything - on the list will necessarily be cut. Trustees said they simply wanted to present the community with the options before it.
"Either we make these cuts now or a year from now when we have no choice," said Trustee Charles Perry.
Spending its last dollar of reserves will leave the district with no options at the end of next year, Hudak said. With the following years looking no better, Hudak said it's a situation that could quickly lead to state intervention.
"Next year is the end of the line," Perry said. "Then we don't have any choices. We're out of options."
Essentially, Perry said the district has a year to prevent that situation.
As painful as it will be, Clark said the administration has become adept at putting together lists of cuts.
The decision comes immediately following the settlement of a bitter contract dispute with teachers. That settlement - which cost the district about $1.1 million - has put the district in an even tighter financial spot, trustees said.
"With the contract built into the budget, that doesn't leave us any more wiggle room," Hudak said.
A list of possible cuts will be presented at the next board meeting in two weeks.
Yunmi Choi can be reached by e-mail at yunmi@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 109. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.
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