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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.
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News of the District
MAY 17, 2009
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BUDGET UPDATE
THANK YOU:
In what the Los Angeles Times referred to last Sunday as huge special election turnout, San Marino Unified School District supporters passed Measure E with 71% voter approval. To offset state reductions in school district revenues, our parcel tax will enable the district to receive ~$4M in additional funds for the next 6 years. We are very appreciative of your confidence and support of our schools. With this parcel tax, we will be able to retain the award winning programs, Advanced Placement and Honors classes and class sizes that distinguish our school district and provide a competitive advantage to our graduates.
Board of Education Strategy:
During the parcel tax election, the Board shared with the community that the actual decrease in state funding for the school district is $5M. Research and analysis prior to the Board calling for the Measure E election indicated that the maximum parcel tax the community would support was $795 (and that would require an extensive campaign.)
The Board was confident that cost cutting measures already in place would cover the difference between the $4M in additional revenue provided by the parcel tax and the actual reduction of $5M in state funding. Since the cut in funding was anticipated over a year ago, the Board and Superintendent Gary Woods, initiated a number of expense cutting measures; including an early retirement offering, the elimination of all conference and other travel, and a hiring freeze. These savings along with some minor changes in our class sizes and program offerings are expected to be enough to ensure that the world class legacy of education expected by our students remains in 2009-2010.
On May 6th, the Board began the 1st of a series of meetings and study sessions to build back the district budget. In March, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) required that we submit the 2009-10 budget without the parcel tax revenue. The budget we sent to LACOE is our starting point. Our first meeting included a presentation to the Board by each of the principals and directors detailing the priority of positions and programs they wished to re-instate. From this meeting, the Board asked Julie Boucher, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, to layer the requested additions into the district budget for further review by the Board in a special budget study session on 5/19 at 7PM. The Los Angeles County Office of Education requires the district to submit a final budget by June 30. The Board will meet as often as necessary in order to finalize all of the district budget decisions. All meeting dates and times will be posted within 72 hours of any scheduled meeting.
Many parents and students are asking when we will be able to provide a complete list of what programs and staff will be retained. Although further refinement of revenue and expense projections will continue through June, on May 19, we will have a good idea of the expense total associated with budget additions. While the May 19 meeting should be definitive, the Board will not rescind the associated layoff notices until the middle to end of June. While we appreciate the uncertainty this creates for those teachers impacted, we must ensure that the budget reflects every requirement of the changing state economy. It is important to know that our current information suggests that all programs and the vast majority of teachers will be retained.
How Do You Decide Which Teachers Will Be Retained?
We don't. The Board, in conjunction with district staff and site principals, determine what programs/classes are re-instated. There is no latitude in determining which teachers are retained. Personnel decisions are directed by Education Code (state law) which details how staff is laid off and if the layoff notices are rescinded, how they are rescinded. Credentials and seniority are the determining factors. For example, if you are a credentialed English teacher with 8 years of experience, you will be returned to your position before another credentialed English teacher with 6 years of experience.
State Crisis Continues:
With reductions in property, sales and income tax receipts, California's budget woes continue to worsen. The numbers are staggering, with economists suggesting that depending on the outcome of the May 19 special election, revenue projections will be short between $8-20 billion. Governor Schwarzenegger has published 2 draft revisions to his earlier budget projections for 2009-2010, both include the additional cuts he intends to make after the results of the 5/19 election are known. Both revisions currently include ADDITIONAL cuts to education.
What About Federal Bailout Funds?
President Obama's Administration designated bailout funds for California in February. A portion of the bailout money was specifically earmarked for education. These funds were to go to the state and be allocated to districts based on specific criteria. For the most part, the designating criteria provide funds to low performing, socio-economically challenged districts. However, we anticipate that we will be eligible for ~$250K for special education needs. In addition to these funds, a delegation of educators went to Washington, D.C. in April to make a special plea to the Secretary of Education to help save education in California. This contingency was extremely successful. Additional funds for education were granted and have been sent to local offices of education to be distributed to local school districts. SMUSD's apportionment of these funds is ~$860K.
What Do the State's Continued Economic Challenges Mean to SMUSD?
At
this point, it is impossible to say. Educational advocacy groups don't
even agree on whether or not educators should support the ballot
measures on May 19. What we do know is that we are in for a year of unknowns.
The Board has taken the position that we will continue to monitor the
state's fiscal situation, and as information is confirmed, we will
address the budget impacts. To provide the district with the capacity
to handle these cuts without affecting program offerings, the current
plan is to designate the bailout funds of $860K into our reserve
account. State education law already requires that the district
maintain a 3% reserve. These funds would be incremental to this 3%,
and would provide the district with some flexibility if the Governor
cuts the budget in the middle of the year-which is expected. In school
district financing, mid-year cuts are especially devastating, as
districts have already committed to year-long teacher contracts that
cannot be cancelled if funds disappear.
What Can You Do?
Stay informed. Continue to support your PTAs and the Schools Foundation. And, let your voice be heard in Sacramento.
Quite honestly, this community has already done something tremendous by passing the parcel tax. Amidst the horrible state economy, SMSUD families know that we are in a much better position that ANY other school district in California. That's something for which we can all be extremely grateful.
As a school community; however, we must continue to do the things that ensure SMUSD continues to be the great district it is. By supporting and volunteering at your school sites and for the PTA's, you provide incredible benefit to the site and our students.
Continuing to support the Schools Foundation is critical. Our district budget includes a sizeable donation from the Schools Foundation. This donation is part of our general operating budget and must be sustained to ensure that we can continue to offer all of the programs we currently offer. If you haven't donated this year, we hope you will. And, if you are planning your expenses for next year, we hope you will plan for a continued donation to the foundation.
And, be informed. Please read our newsletters and if at all possible, come to our Board meetings. For us to make it through this economy, the Board will have to make some tough choices. Some have already been made-like the decision to ask the community for a parcel tax. As we build back and refine our budget, we will be working to build a sustainable budget. To do so, as we have said throughout the parcel tax election, our educational offerings may look a little different; however, we are committed to ensuring that EACH and EVERY student receives a world class education.
To make your voice heard in Sacramento:
GOVERNOR Arnold Schwarzenegger
EMAIL
Sacramento Office:
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 445-4633
Local Office:
300 S. Spring Street Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Fax: (213) 897-0319
Web page: http://gov.ca.gov
STATE SENATOR-22ND SENATE DISTRICT Gilbert Cedillo
EMAIL
Capitol Address:
State Capitol, Room 3048
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
(916) 445-3456
District Address
617 S. Olive St. Suite 710
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 612-9566
Fax: (916) 445-0413
Web page: http://democrats.sen.ca.gov/senator/cedillo/
STATE ASSEMBLYMAN-49TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT Mike Eng
Capitol Address:
State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0049
Phone: (916) 319-2049
Fax: (916) 319-2149
District Address:
1255 Corporate Center Drive Suite PH 9
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Phone:(323) 981-3426
Fax: (323) 981-3436
Web page: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a49/
Email link is located on the left side of his homepage.
Thank you,
The Board of Education
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