So somewhat as predicted, the information I gave you yesterday is wrong today -- such is the matter in Sacramento. The new new formula distribution as proposed in SB 847 does NOT equally distribute money on a per ADA (student) basis which would be obvious and equitable. Instead the money according to this proposal would be distributed to districts based on last year's Revenue Limit (RL) -- which vary from district to district.
Theoretically, the winners and losers in the matter would look like this:
"Losers"
- Elementary School Districts -- They have a lower RL to begin with
- Growing or Flat Enrollment Districts -- Overall they will have more students than their RL from last year
"Winners"
- High School Districts -- They have the highest RL of all districts, so they will get more per student
- Declining Enrollment Districts -- Because their funding would be based on the prior year -- even though they have fewer students this year
It would appear, as we have been a slightly declining district, that we will be a "winner" in this competition. But wait, that of course is based on the potential passage of SB 847 --
by TONIGHT -- when the legislative session ends -- and this is Sacramento. So failing passage tonight,
who knows what how these dollars will be allocated or WHEN they might actually get here.
Will the board agenda continue to be posted online (district website) prior to the board meetings? One has not been posted since the Aug 9th meeting...
ReplyDeleteThank you
On the topic of budgets, I'm concerned about Kindergarten class sizes. My daughter is at Twain elementary. We were told that class sizes would be about 26 this year in kinder. We started there. Now all the K classes are up to 29 and climbing. With the additional students means additional funds which should equal another teacher to reduce class size. At the very least a combo class. My hope is that the district is working on this. As you know, Twain is a half day program. There are just to many students even with all the parent help for these student to have a proper learning environment.
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