Use Raley Gr8 Table Strategies

1) Refer to "Governor's Budget" for real projected increases or decreases in revenue.

• • In 18-19:

    • pg. 21

    • Funding is at an all time high

      • Rapidly Increasing rate that old debt (2011-2013) to schools is being paid down

      • LCFF fully funded, 2 years early!!!:)

    • pg. 28

      • Specific investment in Teacher Workforce

    • pg. 30

      • Block grants allow flexibility for one time $

        • Local discretion

          • Content standards implementation

          • Technology

          • Professional development

          • Induction programs for beginning teachers

          • Deferred maintenance

          • Employee benefits

        • Increased flexibility for "Developer Fees"

    • pg. 32

      • 2.51% COLA (cost of Living Adjustment) and (discretionary) unrestricted one time funding and one time discretionary funds

      • Restricted funds are limited to :

        • Special Education

        • Child Nutrition

        • Foster Youth

        • American Indian Education Centers

        • American Indian Early Education Centers

      • One-Time Discretionary Funding

        • "Will offset any applicable costs"

        • Since 2014-15

2) Compare enrollment and revenue projections to Unaudited Actuals

• • Not uncommon to find gross underestimations

  • 3 years is a pattern

  • Credibility is in question when:

    • • Revenues regularly exceed "deficit budgets"

      • Districts increase expenses mid-year and then claim they are "deficit spending" but their ending balances increase

      • Easy to rebut with real data

      • Deficit spending is a way to spend down large reserves with little if any oversight

• • • Districts share out metadata from ultra fiscally conservative School Services and ACSA

      • Dues for participation often paid for by district

      • Agencies have all day every day to organize and get out message

3) Question everything.

4) Separate "spin" from truth

• • Look at actual data not budgets or projections.

  • Know districts have a buffer year to deal with decling enrollment

    • Can use current year or prior year's numbers for funding

  • Analyze ending fund balances to determine if new revenue is ongoing or one time.

• Counter "The district says..." with

  • Out one-sided "me too" practices

    • From 2010-2016, state average admin salaries increased 27%, teachers' increase 15%.

  • Out ability to sell off surplus property to repair current facilities and minimize liability.

  • Out the creation of revenue streams; funds intended to educate children, not create jobs for adults

5) Ultimately, clear slate (use for maintenance and or bonus), come up with formula for the future, and get back to teaching.