New resources for districts with qualified or negative certifications
Published: July 9, 2012
Due to budget cuts and deferrals, 188 school districts have already received qualified or negative budget certifications. Many more are poised for peril if the revenue initiatives fail this fall and the trigger cuts take effect. To help districts that have already earned these certifications and to support those that may find themselves in this situation, CSBA has launched a webcast series and resource guide to equip board leaders with the information they need to ensure fiscal stability.
Teri Burns, senior director of Policy and Programs at CSBA and a 26-year member of the Natomas Unified School District board who was one of three experts featured in the first broadcast, urged board members to take action now by making necessary cuts. Deputy Superintendent Jim Thomas of the San Joaquin County Office of Education and John Gray, vice president of School Services of California, discussed other valuable resources, including county offices of education and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team. All three urged board members to avoid a state loan.
“We view the webcast and guide as useful tools for all our members. Even if the tax measures [on the November ballot] pass, the funding problem will persist due to rising operational costs and stagnant revenue levels,” explained Vernon M. Billy, CSBA executive director. “This is why we need all governance teams working with us this fall to raise public awareness of the funding crisis and the policy implications of the trigger cuts.”
View the archived broadcast and access the resource guide at http://bit.ly/KpQewE.