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July 2007
Hard Work Pays Off
Board Approves Balanced Spending Plan

Careful budget planning by schools and central offices has paid off. A balanced spending plan for the 2007-08 school year was approved by the Board of Education on June 27. In addition, no deficit spending is projected for the next two years.

The Board met a June 30 state-imposed deadline for submitting an approved budget. But, since the district receives more than two-thirds of its funding from the state and federal governments – neither of which have yet to approve a budget – amendments are expected. In addition, negotiations with the district’s labor unions have just begun.

July 23 is the next milepost in the budget process, when the Board will hold a workshop on budget issues. In approving the budget on June 27, trustees said they wanted further discussion of several provisions, including a plan to add an additional 40 landscape worker positions.

The spending plan includes several initiatives approved by the Board over the last few months. These are: Attendance Intervention Center staffing, the Board of Education “paperless” agenda, expansion of seven schools to K-8, and the addition of a full-time equivalent of 28 new school custodians.

Funding for opening three new schools – Lincoln, Rodriguez and Joyner – is also included.

In a report to the Board of Education, Chief Financial Officer William Kowba said the district is expecting revenues to keep pace with inflation but allow no further growth. He also noted that enrollment is projected to drop for the seventh straight year.

Other budget highlights include coverage of the 7.6 percent increase in the cost of employee benefits, handling a projected 22 percent hike in utilities costs, $16.1 million more for growth in the Special Education program, contributions to fully fund the Worker’s Compensation liability, and $1 million toward replacement of school buses.

For Board of Education agenda information, check the district’s web site at http://www.sandi.net/indices/board.htm.