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General Info > Budget Crisis

Here is the latest update that I have regarding the State budget:

  • The “rumor” that the State budget deficit has increased was confirmed this week by the State Legislative Analyst. The immediate concern that raises for our district is how the increased State deficit will affect the dollars coming to us from the Federal Fiscal Stability Plan. At this time, the LAO is recommending that the State consider holding on to most of the Federal dollars to cover state education program costs rather than sending the funding on to districts. The LAO is saying that the funds would potentially provide needed state budget relief and avoiding still deeper cuts to education.
  • We checked with the Associate Sup of Finance at the County Office of Education, Barney Finley, and he confirmed that he was hearing the same and that it is possible that any federal money coming as part of the Federal Bail Out, may be used by the State, just to keep districts at their current funding level, without any of the Federal funding increase actually reaching us.

Response to new questions or concerns:

 

How much is needed to be able to bring back class size reduction for “Kinder”?:

  • Approximately $730,000 additional dollars would be needed to add class size reduction back for Kinder.

How much is needed to be able to bring back class size reduction for Third Grade?:

  • Approximately $750,000 additional dollars would be needed to add class size reduction back for Third Grade.

Can money that has been allocated for textbooks be used to fund something else and can we just “not have textbooks”?:

  • In regular years, textbook money is allocated from the State and can ONLY be used for textbooks. Given the current financial crisis, the State has given flexibility to this funding as part of the current State budget package. Assuming that the district is able to qualify for a “textbook waiver” since we are a “program improvement district”, an additional $1 million dollars from the textbook funding has already been added into the current district balanced budget.
  • The William’s Lawsuit requires all school districts have a textbook meeting current standards for every student, in all subject areas. This requirement is monitored yearly by the County Office of Education.

Is the District negotiating with PVFT and what has been discussed?:

  • The District and PVFT have been negotiating. The two negotiations teams have met 7 times so far, including one Saturday. They have two more dates scheduled at this point, 3-24 and 3-31.
  • PVFT has proposed the following items for current discussion:
    1. Binding Arbitration language
    2. Those elementary teachers who teach combination classes shall be excluded from supervisory duties within the workday. Current contract language has the school staff voting to approve the exclusion of duty of teachers with combos.
    3. Regarding compensation, PVFT has proposed that the district pay for the salary of the Union President at a fixed amount, step 5/class II, no matter what the actual salary would be.
  • The District has proposed the following items for discussion:
    1. Alternative binding Arbitration language.
    2. The District proposes that the current language regarding duty and combination classrooms stay the same, which would require a vote of staff.
    3. Various “cost savings” items for consideration to affect the current budget crisis including the following:
      • Retirement incentive: (1 million savings)
      • Freezing step & column (1.5 million savings)
      • Furlough Days (approx. 351,000 per day)
      • Changes in the benefit plan ( resulting in a savings of

Is the District negotiating with CSEA and what has been discussed?:

  • The District and CSEA have been negotiating and have two more dates scheduled: 3-25 and 3-27.
  • CSEA is seeking input from their membership regarding items for discussion.
  • The District will be bringing forward cost savings items for consideration to affect the current budget crisis including the following:
    • Furlough days
    • Freezing step and column
    • Benefit plan changes
    • Retirement incentive is still being explored.

 

Dorma Baker
Superintendent