April 4, 2008

 

Last week the Board of Trustees conducted its annual finance study session in an uncertain fiscal environment for all California school districts.  This special message intends to keep you in touch with the budget development process and the opportunities and challenges it brings for the Mill Valley learning community.

 

The story is straightforward and one that we have discussed before. Increased student enrollment and smaller increases in property taxes are significantly impacting our bottom line, given that 89% of our budget comes from local sources and our district does not receive additional revenue for additional students.  On top of that, the impact of state budget cuts creates additional unforeseen challenges for us.

 

Currently, state cuts to our district are about $270,000, with the biggest impact on kindergarten to third grade class size reduction and special education support.  While we won't compromise either of these areas, other reductions will be required to offset the loss of state revenue.  Last week the Board reviewed approximately $700,000 in potential budget reductions necessary to close an overall funding gap between $700,000 and $850,000. These possible reductions include support staff, primarily classroom aides, who do so much to support our teachers in the classroom; and library support aides, who assist our great teacher librarians and help our classes in the library when the librarian is not at a particular school. 

 

Other options we are considering include significantly reducing our professional development program, suspending our computer hardware replacement program, eliminating general education summer school, eliminating the middle school alternative program, 'Navigating Educational Trails', and further reducing District-wide supplies and materials (20% reduction taken in current school year).

 

Some very good news is that Kiddo!, the District's educational foundation, voted at their most recent Board meeting to step up their fund raising efforts this next year to help fill the funding gap the District faces.  Kiddo!'s specific focus will be to help the District save classroom and library aides by fully funding library aides and paying for the District contribution toward classroom aides. To do so, it will take about $250,000 to $270,000. Look for the Kiddo! campaign to get underway right after spring break.  Additionally, we have heard very positive reports from our PTAs indicating they are ready to step up and help fill the gap as well.

 

First and foremost, the Board of Trustees and leadership team will create a responsible and responsive annual budget, one that preserves the core mission of the District.  I am confident that the Mill Valley community will do what it always does so well and continue to generously support high-quality education, as already evidenced by Kiddo!'s and PTAs' wonderful support.

 

Much more will unfold in the coming weeks and months.  You can do three things right now. 

 

1) Stay informed about the District's financial needs and encourage and help others to do the same.  Find out how our district is funded and what shortfalls we are facing and why. 

 

2) Give as generously as you can to Kiddo! and your school's PTA as we all work to bridge the gap for 2008/09. 

 

3) Get educated about a possible parcel tax measure in November 2008, which is one of the very few ways Districts can receive additional revenue that provide long-term solutions to funding shortfalls.

 

Finally and significantly, while school districts must approve budgets by the end of June 2008, the legislature and Governor are not held to that same standard.  You can support kids by letting elected officials know how important those kids are - and how important it is to approve a responsible and responsive state budget in a timely fashion that supports kids.

 

As always,

 

Superintendent