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To Our Subscribers
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The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that our parents, community and partners are fully informed on all district matters.
Through the use of our electronic newsletter, we are able to communicate more effectively and frequently than ever before while at the same time being mindful of our precious resources to do so: time, talent, and money.
Thank you for being a part of our flow of information. If at anytime you change your email or your preferences (such as which e-newsletters you would like to receive throughout our district), please click on the "Update Profile and Email Address" link at the bottom of this email.
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District News
January 8, 2009
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Budget Up-Date
State Budget Crisis Will Severely Impact Public Education
The State Legislature finally approved the State Budget in September for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. This posed many problems for state agencies throughout California who are required by law to adopt their operating budgets by June 30 each year, only to have to make adjustments after the fact. The San Marino Unified School District worked very proactively in anticipation of the final 2008-2009 budget in order to preserve those people and programs that define our excellence. With the help of our incredibly supportive community we were able to open our schools with minimal adjustments.
Even before the 2008-2009 school year began in August, the Board of Education and the District Administration were working to resolve the anticipated impacts of the 2009-2010 budget. We are committed to once again take all necessary steps to mitigate these negative impacts to our "world-class" educational programs.
On December 31, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger released highlights of his Proposed State Budget for 2009-10. Unfortunately, the State's fiscal condition has gone from bad to worse, and the State's shortfall is now estimated at $41.6 billion over the next 18 months. If an agreement between the Governor and Legislature is not reached relatively soon, the deficit figure will grow, and the proposed funding cuts in K-12 Education could be even deeper than currently projected.
Governor's Proposal for Mid-Year Reductions for 2008-09
Although we are uncertain of the implementation timing of any of the proposed mid-year reductions, should they be passed by the Legislature the following is a short list of mid-year adjustments that could be made to this year's budget:
· Elimination of the .68% COLA for K-14 Education. SMUSD would lose approximately $125,000.
· Further reduction of the K-12 revenue limit funding of $1.6 billion or 4.5%. This equates to a loss of $300 per student in the current year. SMUSD would lose about $960,000.
· State funding is received by school districts in intervals during the year. The proposal asks to defer $2.6 billion in cash payments to school districts from February to July 2009. Based on this deferral and other funding already deferred SMUSD will lose $100,000 in interest revenues.
· Eliminate State deferred maintenance funding which is a loss of approximately $120,000 for SMUSD.
Governor's Proposed Budget 2009-10
· No Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for K-12 Education to offset annual statutory salary and benefit increases. School districts in California are required by law to have a salary schedule which accounts for years of service to the district in addition to increases in professional credentials/degrees. For SMUSD, our negotiated union salary schedule effects an annual average increase of approximately 5%. SMUSD would lose approximately $1 million and incur additional costs of $500,000-$700,000.
· Eliminate five instructional days from the 180 day school calendar. We are still obligated to pay our full employee contracts. The Governor's proposal would reduce revenue limit funding for students while justifying this reduction. However, not only do we do a tremendous disservice to our students when we eliminate instructional opportunities, but school districts are obligated to pay full employee contracts as negotiated. This would have a negative impact for SMUSD of approximately $600,000.
· Continuation of the proposed 2008-09 mid-year reductions. SMUSD would lose about $1.3 million.
· Replace lottery funding with revenue limit funding. The impact is unknown at this time.
· Further reduction in Proposition 98 K-12 revenues and categorical program funding (i.e., K-3 Class Size Reduction, School Improvement, and Instructional Materials). SMUSD would lose approximately $1 million.
Building our District budget based on theoretical assumptions is a very challenging process, one that profoundly affects the legacy of excellence we have worked so hard to build. Based on the Governor's proposal, the State's funding cuts would result in a District budget gap for 2009-2010 of between $4-5 million.
The Superintendent is preparing his recommendations for the SMUSD Board of Education's consideration and action and the Board of Education and the Superintendent are exploring every possible future avenue for preserving the excellence of our schools, which is the foundation of our community.
You can follow our progress via our Budget Watch. As additional information is available updates will be provided.
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Titan Heroes
Parents Making a Difference for our Kids
 Over the past few months, many parents have personally led efforts to make facility improvements for our athletic programs. We are extremely grateful to Dean Watanabe who organized a beautiful new entrance to the Lady Titan Softball field, Dave Link who orchestrated a renovation to the swimming complex stadium seating, and Lee Haslam for renovating space for the Titan baseball team under the football bleachers to function as a team room. Many parents and district staff have additionally been involved in these projects. To all of you, THANK YOU for your extraordinary contribution to the Legacy of Excellence at San Marino High School!
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