October 27, 2011
VOL. 125, ISSUE 42
50¢
Ramona Sentinel
1
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011
Inside
20
For the Holidays
School district faces deep budget cuts Proposal includes benefit or pay cuts
Tree Lighting Hundreds filled Collier Park for the Ramona Chamber of Commerce’s 19th annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Photos on page 5.
Index
P.O. Box 367 Ramona, CA 92065
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Ramona CA Permit No 136
Our Town.....................7 Letters.....................9 Entertainment............12 Country Living...........15 Business News...........18 Sports........................24 Classifieds.................27
By ROBERT W. GRAEFF, Ed.D. Superintendent Ramona Unified School District As superintendent of our local school district, I have been asked daily for the past several weeks about the status of our district budget — especially when other districts in the San Diego area have been making headlines on a regular basis related to mid-year cuts, school closures, bargaining,
and potential insolvency. In spite of our very unpleasant circumstances in the midst of our most challenging era since the Great Depression, it is important for parents and community members to know exactly where our local schools stand. As approved in June, our district’s current $50 million budget once again calls for expenditures which are $3.7 million more than our anticipated revenue. Since the beginning of the state’s budget woes several years ago and the ensuing massive cuts to public education, the district has consistently been experiencing annual budget
Woman admits guilt to DUI, not charged in cyclist’s death of David Bruce Menea,
Cyclist, under influence 54, of Ramona, who was of alcohol, drove bike killed on Sept. 11, 2010, on Main Street. Menea’s in front of vehicle By NEAL PUTNAM A woman who was driving under the influence of methamphetamine when she struck and killed a bicyclist in Ramona pleaded guilty to being under the influence of methamphetamine and driving under the influence. Suzanne Nicole Reed, 33, was sentenced on Nov. 29 to 90 days in jail and was remanded immediately into custody. She is housed at Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility, and the sheriff’s department said her projected release is Jan. 28, 2012. Reed was not charged with causing the death
blood/alcohol was .17 that night, the prosecutor told the judge on Tuesday. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Aguilar told El Cajon Superior Court Judge Sharon Majors-Lewis that his office conducted a long investigation before concluding Menea’s actions “were definitely the primary cause for the collision.” “He crossed in front of her. He violated her right of way,” said Aguilar to the judge. “She veered right to avoid him.” Aguilar said Reed was driving a Toyota 4Runner around 9 p.m. and her vehicle struck Menea and See GUILTY PLEA on page 13
shortfalls — in spite of employee layoffs, elimination of key programs, and reduced supplies and materials for our classrooms. With nearly 90% of our expenses tied up in people (salary and health insurance), we have been buoyed by a large reserve fund (now depleted), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (now depleted), and the Federal Jobs Bill (now depleted). In the current year, we entered July with $980,000 above our legally required minimum reserve fund of 3.0%. That small reserve excess will be exhausted before year’s end. Assuming there are no mid-
year budget cuts provided by Sacramento (a big gamble), we will end the current year with an ending balance of $2.1 million. Assuming the state maintains our current revenue stream for next year, issues no mid-year cuts this year, and provides a cost-ofliving increase to public schools (all highly optimistic assumptions), the district is still pointed toward a budget shortfall of $4.9 million. The increasing deficit is due to three annual factors: declining student enrollment, rising health insurance costs for employSee RUSD BUDGET on page 14
Mounted Patrol volunteers, part of town’s safety net By DIXIE PETTIT Volunteers with a unique skill set are charming shoppers in this equine community this holiday season. Members of the sheriff’s mounted patrol leave the trails and, with their horses decked out in holiday hats and jingle bells, bring their unique brand of safety to town. “It is really good for community relations,” said Sgt. Christina Bavencoff with the San Diego County Sheriff Department’s Ramona Substation. “You will notice them more during the holidays, patrolling See PATROL on page 39
Sentinel photo/Dixie Pettit
Trish Roberts, Ramona resident going through the application process, rides with seasoned patrol volunteers through shopping centers in town.