Budget Reduction Decision Process
Ross Valley School District
Budget Reduction Decision Process
Part II - February 17, 2011
As discussed in our last budget process update, Budget Reduction Decision Process Part I – January-February 2011, the Ross Valley School District continues to face annual, severe revenue shortfalls as a consequence of the State’s financial crisis. To address our district’s $1 million annual structural deficit and create a balanced and sustainable budget, in December the Board of Trustees voted to reduce district expenses by a minimum of $500,000, $500,000, and $400,000 over the next three years. Since that decision, state revenues have declined further, and existing tax-based revenue is due to expire.
Update: Preliminary Budget Reductions Identified
On February 12, 2011, during a special open board meeting, Trustees identified preliminary on-going budget reductions which will begin with the 2011-2012 school year, so the District could provide any required notices to employees in March. The Board relied upon survey-based input from a majority of RVSD staff, Round Table members (Parent Club presidents; Site Council Presidents; Principals), and varied financial advisors and personnel, as well as over 1,000 stakeholder survey responses in Spring 2009. These 2011-2012 reductions, and the rationale supporting their selection, include:
| Action | Anticipated Savings |
|
I. Increase 3rd grade class ratios from 20:1 to between 20-25:1
|
$77,000 |
|
II. Reduce library services/personnel by 20%
|
$53,800 |
|
III. Reduce kindergarten aid time (play yard and classroom) by 50%
|
$87,000 |
|
IV. Increase 6-8th grade class ratios from 25-27:1 to up to 29 students per classroom
|
$173,000 |
|
V. Reduce Program Aids in Special Education services by 25%
|
$74,000 |
|
VI. Reduce overall supplies budgets by 5%
|
$105,000 |
|
VII. Eliminate three instructional days for all district students and employees
|
$204,000 |
Next Steps
- Update and Refine Sustainable Budget Plan
i. Late February 2011 - The Board would like to hear from you regarding these preliminary decisions. Please provide input at your convenience, via email, comments at board meetings, Round Table, site council and parent club meetings to ensure the plan reflects our community’s priorities while operating within the limitations we face. Supplemental back up materials are available via the district website, www.rossvalleyschools.org, and at the district office.
- Formally Adopt District Budget and Multiyear Projections
i. March 2011. At the March 1st board meeting, the Trustees will adopt a preliminary Sustainable Budget Plan for the academic year 2011-2012, in time to issue layoff notices if necessary. Multi-year projections will also be developed. This budget will be based on current information, and will be subject to change as new information becomes available.
- Continue to Seek Input Until Formal Budget Adoption
i. Feedback. The Board will continue to ask for community feedback throughout March and April through various channels, so that Trustees may consider as much information as possible before making final budget decisions in May. Details of meeting forums will be provided.
- Addressing Revenue Shortfalls – What We Can Do
i. Support extending temporary taxes. Governor Jerry Brown has proposed extending for five years temporary taxes currently due to expire in 2011. To do so, Californians will need to pass a referendum on this June’s ballot. On February 12th, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in support of Governor Brown’s ballot initiative. Passing this referendum will directly support funding for Ross Valley schools, and reduce the magnitude of future cuts.
ii. Increase short term revenue. The Board of Trustees is aware of the strong interest within our community to find ways to address these cuts with additional revenue. In the short run, anyone can contribute to our school district’s independent YES Foundation. This allows for immediate financial support, and could let YES provide additional resources to programs that might otherwise be threatened or eliminated. The Board and the YES Foundation leadership are working closely together to provide coordinated, mutual support for district programs.
iii. Support long term revenue sources. The RVSD’s current parcel tax expires in 2014. A long term approach to stabilizing revenue is to pass a supplemental parcel tax measure. Such a measure could be structured to support short term shortfalls between now and 2014, as well as to ensure long term increased revenue. The Trustees will be discussing this option at a regular board meeting this spring.
Your RVSD Trustees deeply appreciate the time, effort, and thoughtful input
so many of you in our community have provided:
professional teachers and staff, volunteers, parents, and other members at large.
Making informed decisions and working together will ensure we retain and build upon the rich programs and elements so critical to our children’s growth and education.
