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School Finance Update and Informational Links
School Finance Update
Here is a little bit of info to help with understanding the process of the budget cuts and
how to interpret what we see and hear on the topic. We all hate seeing these
important programs and services on the chopping block. One is not more important
than another. All are integrated and make our schools great.
The projected PUSD budget deficit for the
2011-2012 school year is 7.7 million
The district must notify certificated staff of the possibility of lay off in March. If the
positions are indeed cut, final notices are issued in May. This is why you are
hearing about the 2011-2012 budget cuts NOW.
The list of cuts based on what the district KNOWS right now (totals $3,545,000). The
list is not ranked. The list has been available since 2/8 and finalized on 2/22. To see
the proposed 2011-2012 Budget Cuts, click HERE.
Also, please review the Budget Challenges and Solutions presented on Feb 8th,
see link: HERE. Pay special attention to page 3 Budget Solutions. The items that
are checked are categories that PUSD has some control over. The unchecked
items are NOT the district's control and cannot be used to prepare a
balanced budget. Also, please note, page 5 - the items that were brought back
using one time funds (PSEE/CORE fundraising campaigns). Tech and Library will
revert back to the 'adopted budget' hours of service. The Elementary
Band/Strings program is NOT funded for 2011-2012.
The programs that were eliminated or reduced will be brought back as KNOWN
funding is established. For instance:
-Measure E: if it passes in May, that will bring back ~ 2 Million in services and
programs.
-California Tax Extensions: IF these are brought to ballot in June AND pass, then
the 7.7 million deficit number will be lower, therefore, the cuts will be less severe and
more programs and services can be restored. We need to be paying attention to what
is happening in Sacramento. These are NOT new taxes, they are EXTENSIONS
which provide $$ to the district. It would result in a loss of $$ currently coming
from the state per pupil.
-Teacher(APT) and Classified Staff(CSEA) contract negotiations. These are in
process right now. The district cannot assume a dollar amount here to figure into the
budget. Teachers/staff concessions last year were HUGE, over $5 million together for
2010-2011.
-CORE/PSEE fundraising: IF the $$ are brought in before the budget for 2011-2012
is finalized, then those $$ can be used to bring back programs/services. Funds
raised would have an early JUNE deadline. Fundraising is going on NOW for 5th
grade band/strings program. CORE fundraising to start immediately after
Measure E results are finalized. Categories to fund raise against will be
determined after establishment of list of remaining unmet needs.
That, in a BIG nutshell is the situation.
What can be done RIGHT NOW to reduce the impact of the cuts?
-Help to pass Measure E -- Donate/Phone Bank/Precinct walk. This will bring in ~2
million/year for 4 years to help stabilize the budget. $98/year=2million/year of
sustainable income for the schools. The PE teachers came in as a group to help
phone bank one night and brought with them so much energy! Maybe another group
can come in too. Barton Volunteers? School Counselors? Librarians? Your bunco
group? Professional Networking Group? 12-15 is a good number. The dates are
organized by school, but it doesn't matter, sign up for a slot that matches your
schedule. To sign up, click HERE.
-Write/Call your legislators and tell them that YOU, their constituents, want the
people to decide if the taxes that provide revenue to the schools should continue. Do
this NOW, they will vote on Mar 10th or 11th--this is just a vote to get it on the
ballot--to let the people decide, otherwise the extensions will expire and the revenue
$$ will expire too. To find out how to contact your legislator, click HERE. For a
sample letter, click HERE for a phone script, click HERE.
-For 5th Grade Band/Strings - Donate to PSEE or support the program by getting
the word out about their upcoming fundraiser. Here is that website: www.psee.org.
To understand why PUSD chose to pursue a parcel tax, watch this Slideshow.
No one wants more taxes but it is the only way that to retain some LOCAL control over
education dollars.
Here is a little bit of info to help with understanding the process of the budget cuts and
how to interpret what we see and hear on the topic. We all hate seeing these
important programs and services on the chopping block. One is not more important
than another. All are integrated and make our schools great.
The projected PUSD budget deficit for the
2011-2012 school year is 7.7 million
The district must notify certificated staff of the possibility of lay off in March. If the
positions are indeed cut, final notices are issued in May. This is why you are
hearing about the 2011-2012 budget cuts NOW.
The list of cuts based on what the district KNOWS right now (totals $3,545,000). The
list is not ranked. The list has been available since 2/8 and finalized on 2/22. To see
the proposed 2011-2012 Budget Cuts, click HERE.
Also, please review the Budget Challenges and Solutions presented on Feb 8th,
see link: HERE. Pay special attention to page 3 Budget Solutions. The items that
are checked are categories that PUSD has some control over. The unchecked
items are NOT the district's control and cannot be used to prepare a
balanced budget. Also, please note, page 5 - the items that were brought back
using one time funds (PSEE/CORE fundraising campaigns). Tech and Library will
revert back to the 'adopted budget' hours of service. The Elementary
Band/Strings program is NOT funded for 2011-2012.
The programs that were eliminated or reduced will be brought back as KNOWN
funding is established. For instance:
-Measure E: if it passes in May, that will bring back ~ 2 Million in services and
programs.
-California Tax Extensions: IF these are brought to ballot in June AND pass, then
the 7.7 million deficit number will be lower, therefore, the cuts will be less severe and
more programs and services can be restored. We need to be paying attention to what
is happening in Sacramento. These are NOT new taxes, they are EXTENSIONS
which provide $$ to the district. It would result in a loss of $$ currently coming
from the state per pupil.
-Teacher(APT) and Classified Staff(CSEA) contract negotiations. These are in
process right now. The district cannot assume a dollar amount here to figure into the
budget. Teachers/staff concessions last year were HUGE, over $5 million together for
2010-2011.
-CORE/PSEE fundraising: IF the $$ are brought in before the budget for 2011-2012
is finalized, then those $$ can be used to bring back programs/services. Funds
raised would have an early JUNE deadline. Fundraising is going on NOW for 5th
grade band/strings program. CORE fundraising to start immediately after
Measure E results are finalized. Categories to fund raise against will be
determined after establishment of list of remaining unmet needs.
That, in a BIG nutshell is the situation.
What can be done RIGHT NOW to reduce the impact of the cuts?
-Help to pass Measure E -- Donate/Phone Bank/Precinct walk. This will bring in ~2
million/year for 4 years to help stabilize the budget. $98/year=2million/year of
sustainable income for the schools. The PE teachers came in as a group to help
phone bank one night and brought with them so much energy! Maybe another group
can come in too. Barton Volunteers? School Counselors? Librarians? Your bunco
group? Professional Networking Group? 12-15 is a good number. The dates are
organized by school, but it doesn't matter, sign up for a slot that matches your
schedule. To sign up, click HERE.
-Write/Call your legislators and tell them that YOU, their constituents, want the
people to decide if the taxes that provide revenue to the schools should continue. Do
this NOW, they will vote on Mar 10th or 11th--this is just a vote to get it on the
ballot--to let the people decide, otherwise the extensions will expire and the revenue
$$ will expire too. To find out how to contact your legislator, click HERE. For a
sample letter, click HERE for a phone script, click HERE.
-For 5th Grade Band/Strings - Donate to PSEE or support the program by getting
the word out about their upcoming fundraiser. Here is that website: www.psee.org.
To understand why PUSD chose to pursue a parcel tax, watch this Slideshow.
No one wants more taxes but it is the only way that to retain some LOCAL control over
education dollars.
Local funding measure--Senior and SSI Exemption forms
The proposed local funding measure (Measure E) that will be before voters on a mail-in ballot
(due May 3) includes a provision for an exemption for seniors and those who receive SSI for a
disability.
Click here for the Senior Exemption form.
Please click here for the SSI Exemption form.
For additional information about the measure, click on the Local Funding Information link to the
left of this page.
The proposed local funding measure (Measure E) that will be before voters on a mail-in ballot
(due May 3) includes a provision for an exemption for seniors and those who receive SSI for a
disability.
Click here for the Senior Exemption form.
Please click here for the SSI Exemption form.
For additional information about the measure, click on the Local Funding Information link to the
left of this page.