She said while they understand the financial problems confronting the commonwealth, the government should also understand the needs of the school.
“If the government can assist PSS so it can give us the funding that we need then we can provide our students with better resources, curriculum and personnel,” Masga said.
Last week, the Board of Education submitted a $38 million budget request for fiscal year 2010, which is $14 million lower than the original budget it recommendation for PSS.
Katrina S. Lizama, San Antonio Elementary School principal, said they will not stop school programs that are already in place.
“We cannot cut our personnel,” she said, adding they may adopt again the austerity measure on power consumption.
The school can continue to conserve energy by restricting the use of air-conditioning units.
During the previous years when the school adopted a similar scheme, Lizama said they able to reduce 10-15 percent of their power consumption.
On weekends teachers who make their lesson plans at school will not be able to use air-conditioning units, she added.
Despite their budget problems, Lizama said they will pursue the renovation plan for Building C by requesting federal funds for capital improvement projects.
Masga said she has already submitted their projected budget to PSS and is hopeful that the government will accept it.
If there’s a reduction their of budget, she said, they will have to prioritize.
“But right now we’re waiting to hear they will say and see what we will get,” she said.
“A principal has to plan ahead so that next year we can have the staff that we need and provide the instruction our students need,” she added.
When asked if they have other austerity measures they an implement at Hopwood, Masga said they will wait for PSS’ instructions.
She said if government officials, parents, educators and other members of the community will get together they could find fix the school’s financial problems.
