Schools
School Board: Budget Update, New President, Holiday Cheer
Tuesday's school board meeting included a performance by Marin School's fourth grade choir. See videos of their songs here. Read more about school budgets at http://albany.patch.com/topics/School+Budget.
The got a new president Tuesday night, heard songs from a grade school choir and got an update on the 2011-12 budget.
was elected board president, and , who was not in attendance, was selected to be vice president.
The board also received a special performance from 's fourth grade choir, under the direction of . (See videos of several of their songs to the right.)
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Assistant Superintendent Laurie Harden offered a report to the board about the status of 's budget.
The district has maintained a 14.26 percent reserve fund of about $5 million but, said Harden, state cuts could hurt the district's finances in 2012.
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Harden said, depending on the state budget, "trigger reductions" could lead to a cut of $737,000 in ongoing funding, or $200 per "Average Daily Attendance," or ADA.
The district could also face a reduction in funding for child care, though Harden said what this might look like remains to be seen.
Whether or not the cuts happen will depend on the revised 2011-12 state budget revenue forecasts prepared by the Legislative Analyst's Office, Harden told the board.
The state requires a 3 percent reserve for each district, according to Harden's presentation.
Given the state's uncertain financial situation, however, she said many school districts are holding onto much larger reserves to fill any gaps in their budgets.
Many districts have reserves closer to 11 percent, she said.
Adult Education "," said Harden. The district's program will be evaluated at the end of fall quarter for solvency.
"The program may require substantial downsizing and/or fee structure increases," according to Harden's report. Adult Ed classes in 2011-12.
The also may face mid-year reductions or restructuring, Harden said. At this time, she said, the center is self-supporting and operating with "a little profit."
Harden noted other concerns that could affect the budget, such as $350,000 in Federal Jobs Funds that will expire in 2011-12.
A $1.3 million Emergency Parcel Tax is set to expire in 2015.
Changes to district enrollment also could affect the budget, as well as "escalating health care costs for employees."
Board member Pat Low said more should be known about the state budget in the coming weeks.
"We'll need to figure out how we're going to act to protect our students," she said.
Harden said the state Department of Finance will release budget projections later this month, and the governor's proposed 2012-13 budget is expected in January.
Albany Teachers Association President David DeHart said the district is "in paradise" with its 14 percent reserve. He urged the board to stop adding programs for students at the expense of teacher raises.
"We haven't had a raise since 2006," he said, adding that the situation is "a little disturbing."
(Teachers do receive pay increases in line with their negotiated contract, depending on experience and training.)
"Teachers have had it," he said. "Morale is low. We work extremely hard."
He said there are always threats of cuts from the state, but added that this doesn't justify a failure to raise teacher salaries.
"How long are you going to have all this program you offer to kids year after year after year," he asked, "and there's no thinking about compensation for salary?"
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Read more about stories related to the Albany Unified School District budget at http://albany.patch.com/topics/School+Budget.
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