MPC's scheduled to approve "place holder" budget Wednesday

Trustees with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District are scheduled to approve Wednesday a "place holder" budget (in the words of President Doug Garrison). Unlike the budget approved for the 2011-12 year, which was based on a "worst case" scenario, this one takes a more measured approach. If you are so inclined, I highly recommend watching President Garrison explain it all in these three videos here , here and here.

Some of the highlights:

* MPC has lost $4.5 million in revenue since 2009
* A downward trend on enrollment translates into less money for the district
* The "February surprise" the mid-year budget cut, translated into a $670,000 cut for the district.
* If Gov. Jerry Brown's tax measure doesn't pass, MPC would have to cut another $2 million from its budget.
* When all the potential cuts are added, the district could be in line to lose $4.2 million.

Besides approving a budget, trustees are scheduled to approve a 2 percent salary reduction for teachers and a 2 percent cut for classified employees through furloughs.

District administrators are scheduled to revise the budget and present a final version in August. Maybe by then California legislators will have already pass a budget.

The meeting Wednesday begins at 4 pm at the Sam Karas room in the library building.