Last Wednesday evening, the School District’s Community Budget Advisory Committee, known as CBAC, held our second meeting of the school year.
By a timely restructuring of our Measure T bonds, well before the global financial meltdown in mid-September, the School District has about $6 million available for “capital” expenses (facilities).
CBAC made a prioritized list of recommendations a few years ago, most of which the School Board adopted and completed.
Last Wednesday, we discussed some major venues for potential expenditures, but we also discussed the need to look at revenue these facilities might generate for the School District as a result of upgrades and repairs.
Six million is a lot of dollars.
But it is not enough to cover all of the facilities requiring upgrade or repair, such as the Robert Frost Auditorium or the athletic facilities.
A sub-committee was formed to engage in deeper investigation of the various projects that could be addressed with an eye towards increasing revenue as well.
The subcommittee will report back, and CBAC will make its recommendations early in 2009.
Many in the community are not aware that the School District budget is required to be balanced, unlike our state or federal governments.
The Color Is Red
And they must be balanced for three years out.
Last year, on CBAC’s recommendation, the District increased its mandated reserve fund from 3 percent to 4 percent, and it also set aside $250,000, from a onetime windfall, for our unfunded Employee Retirement Fund.
Even after using these set-aside funds, the District is currently anticipating being $500,000 to $600,000 in the red in the academic year of 2010-2011.
Legally this cannot remain. So once again we will be looking to shave about $250,000 to $300,000 out of our budget each of the next two years to make ends meet.
Even with such reductions there would be no money available to provide raises to our School District employees.
If the state of California cuts billions from the education budget, the short hand is for each billion the state cuts, the District will have to cut a million from our budget.
Shrewdly Balancing Budget, Desires
Last year the District found a way to cut the budget and still provide a 1 percent increases to employees. This amount was less than the “average” of other better-heeled districts in salary.
But the benefits Culver City teachers and employees receive is at or close to the top. These benefits are pre-tax, and they result in greater disposable income and less out of pocket expense than districts where more than a 1 percent increase was provided. Wouldn’t it be great if our little district could afford to provide not just the top benefits but the top pay as well?
Sigh…
CBAC needs your input.
We are going to be forced to make additional cuts again.
We have no fat left to trim, no programs we want to eliminate.
We do not wish to reduce the number of teachers. As it is, we have too few on our support and administrative staffs.
What are we going to have to live without to pay for that without which we cannot live?
Your input is valuable. All ideas need to come forth. Nothing is sacrosanct.
Educating our children in a safe environment must come first.
Public Input
What are your ideas?
CBAC has also discussed ways to generate money for the School District.
There are limitations to what the District, as a public entity, can do.
But what are your ideas for generating more money? Both items will be discussed by CBAC in the coming months.
Please put forth your ideas. As a community we can find a way to cut more costs, provide increased wages, continue advancing our outstanding academic achievements and provide enrichment opportunities for our youth?
Feel free to send your suggestions to me and I will bring them all forth at our next meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 17.
You may email me at aelmont@ca.rr.com
