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| School district finalizes slashed operating budget |
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| Written by Maddy Houk | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Friday, 20 June 2008 | |
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“My guess is, and this is just a guess, is the state budget will be better in the fall than the May revise.” — Patrick Sweeney Superintendent of schools It will take $41.4 million to run the Patterson Unified School District in 2008-09, according to the final budget passed by district trustees at Monday night’s school board meeting. The total comes in at 8 percent less than what was spent in 2007-08, allowing for state cuts announced earlier this year and more than $1 million in local budget cuts. “When we heard what happened in January, we were devastated,” said Steve Menge, assistant superintendent of administrative services. “The May revise (of the state budget) brought back $200,000 to the district. So, we will not have to cut sites as severely as we thought we had to.” Menge told the board that besides reduced funding for categorical programs, which are programs that focus on individual needs of students such as English Learner that helps students achieve English proficiency, there will be no cost-of-living allowances for the 2008-2009 year. A special local budget committee was formed in January after word arrived that the state budget would slice education money for public schools. The committee met frequently to address how to tighten the district’s belt while sparing jobs and meeting classroom needs. In certain cases, office staff and teachers moved into other positions when employees left the district or retired. Some custodial and high school counselor positions, however, were casualties of the pared-down budget. Menge reminded the board that in 20 years, California legislators have completed the state budget on time, by July 1, only twice. It could take until August or early fall to settle on a final document, he said. “My guess, and this is just a guess, is the state budget will be better in the fall than the May revise,” said Patrick Sweeney, superintendent of schools. “I have confidence those positions will come back.” Patterson Unified has more than 5,600 enrolled students and more than 500 employees on its payroll. Sales tax and property tax make up the biggest pieces of the revenue pie for the district, with $30.9 million expected next year. Federal revenue should come in at $2.2 million, while the state share totals $5.3 million. Other local sources — such as interest on district accounts and rental of school facilities — should provide $2.9 million. The $41.4 million budget includes $32.1 million in unrestricted funds — money the district could budget for whatever was needed, such as staff development, payroll or books and materials. The remaining $9.3 million in restricted funds was designated for specific programs, such as anti-drug efforts or school improvement. Salaries and benefits make up most of the district’s spending, $31.3 million for district employees at all school sites and offices. The budget also allows $2.8 million for books and supplies and $5.8 million for other operating expenses, such as utilities and such as district consultants. Capital outlay for items such as computers comes in at $464,907, which is down almost 30 percent from ’07-08 levels. The budget also contains $1.7 million for “other outgo,” which can cover other accounts that do not have sufficient funds to operate. The district’s general fund does not include money from developers. Developer fees go into a separate cache, called a facilities account, that has its own budget and addresses growth in the district by providing new portable classrooms and building the in-progress Walnut Grove School in eastern Patterson, in the proposed Villages of Patterson development. To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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