Dear Members of the San Rafael City Schools Community:
There is still no resolution or good news about the budget crisis coming out of Sacramento. The possibility of adding to revenues remains bleak, and as each day passes the deep cuts to education and other social services seem more likely.
Those that have been following the progress of the San Rafael City School's budget development know that since December 2008 we have been providing on-going factual fiscal information to our entire school community. The feedback we have received from parents, staff, students and community members has been incredible.
From the beginning we have been "hoping for the best, but planning for the worst." It now appears that the "worst" that we have been preparing for is becoming our reality...
...READ MORE
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Elementary School District Funding
Loss of Approximately $1000 per Student
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OVERVIEW - CUMULATIVE LOSS OF REVENUE
2008-2010
2008-2009 (current fiscal year, ends June 30, 2009)
· Cut to Revenue Limit/Categorical funding $400 per ADA On-going
· Cut to Revenue Limit (Deferral of funding) $225 per ADA One-time*
*Expected to be deferred indefinitely - (never funded)
2009-2010 (new fiscal year, effective July 1, 2009)
· Cut to Revenue Limit/Categorical funding $120 per ADA On-going
· Additional cut to Revenue Limit $240 per ADA On-going
· Additional cut to Revenue Limit $ 80 per ADA On-going
· New cut to Home to School Transportation $ 67 per ADA On-going
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TOTAL LOSS OF FUNDING $1132 per ADA*
*($225 of total is one-time reduction)
SUMMARY
Given these reductions, the base funding (base revenue limit) we receive from the State of California, will drop from approximately $5900 per ADA (Average Daily Attendance) to approximately $5300 for the current year, 2008-2009.
This base funding will decrease even further for 2009-2010, (new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009) to approximately $5000 per ADA.
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NEW - Basic Aid School Districts to Be Cut
High School District Plans for Reduced Revenues
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 An Unexpected Change in Direction
Over the past two weeks, this assumption has changed dramatically. Basic Aid districts, like San Rafael High School District, have already incurred cuts to our categorical programs consistent with the categorical cuts imposed on our revenue limit school districts like San Rafael Elementary. Consideration of a "fair share" proposal addresses the revenue limit component of school district funding. The determination of a "fair share" contribution would reduce revenues for the San Rafael High School District.
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Presently there is not an agreed upon formula for how Basic Aid school districts will be impacted. This proposal has been forwarded to the Budget Conference Committee for consideration.
If this proposal were to be accepted, the loss of revenues to the San Rafael High School District are estimated to be:
2008-2009 = Approximately $180,000
2009-2010 = Approximately $1.2 million
TO READ MORE....
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| Planning and Preparing for the Impacts
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K-12 Budget Cuts
Planning for the Anticipated and the Unanticipated Outcomes
The end of the 2008-2009 fiscal year is just two weeks away. Over this very short time period the true impacts of current and future budget cuts will become more noticeable and for all, very real.
A partial list of some impacts are listed below, however, the ramifications will be greater than just these listed.
- Reduced office hours
- Increased response time to parent & public inquiries
- Reduced administrative/management staff -
- Reduced discretionary site funds - hard choices for Site Leadership Teams
- Reduced custodial services
- Reduced library time at all K-8 sites
- Reduced classroom supplies
- Reduced levels of technical support for sites and district
- Possibility of significant reductions to Home:School transportation
- Elimination of School Linked Services programs
- Increased class size, Grades K-3 (23:1)
Every effort has been made to keep budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Given that goal, a significant number of management and administrative positions have been reduced or eliminated. In a two year period, seventeen positions have been eliminated. Five positions have been re-positioned to provide broad support for a wide range of programs...LEARN MORE ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE CUTS
The duties, roles and responsibilities of the remaining twelve positions are being reassigned as part of an administrative realignment of all site and district level administrative positions to be effective July 1, 2009.
Once the Board of Education has approved the 2009-2010 budgets, we will summarize the revenue reductions and the accompanying budget cuts.
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Board of Education Schedules
Review and Approval Dates for 2009-2010 Budgets
The San Rafael City Schools Board of Education is scheduled to review the Preliminary Budgets for both the Elementary and the High School Districts on Monday, June 22, 2009.
The adoption of the 2009-2010 budgets is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
Complete Agenda packets and information can be downloaded from the District website. Agendas are posted by 6:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the Board Meeting.
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As we move through the process of making dramatic cuts in our district, the most damaging aspect of the budget crisis is the potential to harm relationships. With decisions being made to reduce positions and services, there will be strong feelings and emotions about the choices.
I would suggest that now is a time for us to exercise patience and understanding. In particular, please do not participate in circulating rumors and conjecture. These are difficult times, and we do not need to add to our challenges by succumbing to unwarranted FEAR - False Expectations Appear Real.
If you have a concern or question, ask the person most responsible, or ask me. Together we will get through this mess.
I look forward to what I believe will ultimately be a ground swell for public education, if not for next year, then very soon. People who care about children and our future will eventually see and understand the true impacts of these budget reductions. I expect that in the near future the public outrage will be triggered and the demand for ensuring all students receive an excellent public education will resonate across our state.
Still hoping for the best
Mike
Michael Watenpaugh, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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