SPECIAL BOARD MEETING: March
4, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Board: April Treece,
Administrative Staff: Superintendent
1.
CALL TO ORDER: President Treece called the meeting
to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theater at
2.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
3.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing and Plan
of Action to Address Decrease in Revenue from the State of
With the Governor’s proposed cuts to K-12 grade education,
funding for public education is expected to be reduced by $4.4 billion
statewide. For
Staff report McHenry used a Power
Point presentation to explain the impact of the Governor’s proposal on the
District and to show the budget reductions proposed and approved to date as
well as some ideas for revenue enhancements, such as a parcel tax, a mechanism
other districts are using to generate revenue.
Public hearing Treece opened the
public hearing at 7:24 p.m. With no requests to speak, Treece closed the
hearing.
4.
BUSINESS
Consider Approval of
Budget Reductions
In November 2007 the District began a process of budget
reductions to provide increases in compensation for all employees. By early January
the Board of Education had approved approximately $3.5 million in expenditure
reductions. Then, on January 10, Governor Schwarzenegger announced a $14.5
deficit in the state budget and declared a statewide fiscal crisis. Because
school districts and all public agencies receive funding from the state, the
budget shortfall has a tremendous impact: the entire education budget has to be
reduced by $4.6 billion in 2008-09. The amount the
At this meeting, McHenry recommended additional reductions
for Board consideration. He noted that though the Board has reduced the budget
by $9 million, another $5 million must be cut. District staff must present the Second
Interim Report to the Contra Costa County Office of Education by March 15. That
report must include financial projections showing that the District is able to
meet its expenses this year and for the following two years in order to receive
a “positive” certification. If the District can meet expenses for two years, it
will receive a “qualified” certification; if it meets expenses for only one
year, it will receive a “negative” certification and be assigned a Fiscal
Advisor by the state.
Recommendation
Approve the following items: 2, 20, 31, 39, 45, 46, 47, 58,
59, 60, 61, 62
Public comment
Several individuals spoke in favor of the 4th and
5th grade instrumental music as a valuable education program and
urged the Board not to cut it. Speakers included parents Joseph Lyons, Jacqueline
Travers, Loretta McNulty, Kavitha Narayan, Gary Platt, Margaret Vercammen, and Lori
Rogala; student musicians Riley Travers and Mariah Collazo of Westwood Elementary
and Lizbeth Brown of Concord High; and music teacher Monica Maddern.
Elise Ervin, parent, asked the Board not to cut any programs
that touch higher level learning. Arnie Hermes, parent, suggested revenue
enhancements such as corporate sponsorships and advertising on school busses. Jenny
Crosthwaite, parent, urged everyone in the Northgate High community and the District
to stop bickering and work together on behalf of students.
Board comment
Strange commented that budget decisions have been pushed
upon the Board by the state government, which does not take education funding
seriously. He encouraged people to contact the Governor and state legislators. Noting
that all the items on the budget reduction list would hurt students, he said
the list shows how much programs and services cost and can be used to provide
talking points when individuals speak to their legislators. He stressed the
District’s need for a parcel tax.
Mayo reported that parents and community members throughout
the state are organizing to voice objections to budget cuts, not just in
education but in health and service areas as well. She said the California
State PTA, the Education Coalition, the California Budget Project, and other
organizations each has a website to help with advocacy efforts, providing information
about the budget and for contacting and sending messages to legislators. Commenting
on a suggestion that the Vehicle License Fee, which the Governor eliminated, be
reinstated, she explained that voters would have to pass an initiative to
restore it.
Eberhart said he was pleased to see so many people attending
the meeting and speaking to the Board. He encouraged parents to lobby for
programs they support and commented that “balancing budget is something we have
to do.”
Allen thanked parents, staff, and students for attending the
meeting. He said he’s been a strong advocate for extracurricular activities,
including sports and marching bands. He has talked to State Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier
and State Senator Tom Torlakson, who say the Legislature will not accept the Governor’s
proposal. He called this “a stressful time for all” and noted that the Governor’s
Budget Revise on May 15 could change all the figures. As Chairman of the
Concord Chamber of Commence Board this year, he announced that the Chamber
would support a District fundraiser.
Treece pointed out that at the end of June the Board must adopt
a budget that shows a positive balance for the next three years. She said the
way in which schools are funded in
Board action
Board/Staff: Before considering any of the recommended items. Strange
said he was reluctant at this time to make reductions that are not necessary
before March 15 because they will not be included in the Second Interim Report.
McHenry explained that he is trying to get as close to $14 million in
reductions as possible. Certificated personnel must be notified by March 15 of
a possible job change next year. Not all managers will receive a notice as some
are in positions that cannot be cut. In response to Eberhart, Nicoll said the
formal Second Interim Report will include cuts approved by the Board as of
February 25, but he will be providing a supplemental accompanying report that
reflects cuts approved on March 4 and 11.
Item 2: Reduce Director of Special Education position.
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve.
Fiscal Impact: $130,000.
Item 20: Utilize the amount budgeted for MDEA medical benefits for the 2007-08
school year since the money cannot be used for the 2007-08 school year.
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board voted 3-2-0
(Eberhart, Strange, no) to approve. Fiscal Impact: $1,800,000.
Board/Staff: Eberhart said the
District has budgeted money to be spent on medical benefits to MDEA and on
medical benefits to the other employee units. The other employees will be
receiving benefits even though their contract is not settled. That is not the
case for the teachers. McHenry explained that provisions of the non-MDEA employee
contracts require payment of medical benefits. Eberhart believes the District
should not spend this money. Strange agreed, saying that “it sends the wrong
message to teachers.” Mayo said that using this money now will save 32 teaching
positions. Teachers in those positions would not have jobs next year without
this money. With other districts also making cuts, teachers who are laid off
will have a hard time finding new work. Allen said that when contract
negotiations resume, the offer of medical benefits will be on the table.
Item 31: Reorganize Maintenance, Landscape, and Custodial Services. Reduce one
(1) FTE management position.
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 3-2-0 (Eberhart,
Strange, no) to approve. Fiscal Impact: $104,497
Board Strange said he is not
comfortable making cuts in positions that do not have to be noticed by March
15. He wants to see three-year projections before acting on cuts. McHenry said
staff will submit the Second Interim Report, based on Board actions as of
February 25, by the County’s deadline and follow up with an amended report
based on Board actions after February 25. Nicoll explained that the Second Interim
Report is due March 15. The County is allowing the District to submit an
electronic report by the 15th and the official Board-approved report
after the March 18 Board meeting. Staff will recommend that the Board approve a
“qualified” certification on March 18 and then will produce a Third Interim Report
in May to try to get to a “positive” certification.
Item 39: Reduce 1 (one) FTE Curriculum Specialist position.
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
approve. Fiscal Impact: $60,000 Unrestricted; $40,000 Restricted
Item 45: Reduce two (2) PM Custodian positions.
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 3-2-0 (Eberhart,
Strange, no) to approve. Fiscal Impact: $96,857
Item 46: Reduce one (1) Warehouse Truck Driver position.
Eberhart moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve.
Fiscal Impact: $71,240
Item 47: Reduce one (1) additional Psychologist position.
Allen moved, Strange seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve.
Fiscal Impact: $96,621
Item 58: Reduce General Purpose funding for two (2) FTE, 183-day nurses; fund
through Medi-Cal.
Strange moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0
to approve. Fiscal Impact: $140,000
Item 59: Reduce one (1) Intermediate Typist Clerk position.
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 4-1-0 (Eberhart,
no) to approve. Fiscal Impact: $50,000
Item 60: Reduce one (1) Administrative Secretary position in the Special
Education Department.
Allen moved, Mayo seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve.
Fiscal Impact: $60,000.
Item 61: Reduce one vacant Resource Specialist position at
Mayo moved, Allen seconded, and the Board voted 5-0-0 to
approve. Fiscal Impact; $55,290
Item 62: Reduce two (2) six-hour Special Education Assistant positions in the
Bridge program (1.50 FTE).
Mayo moved, Eberhart seconded, and the Board voted 3-2-0
(Eberhart, Strange, no) to approve. Fiscal Impact: $66,000
Action on additional items—43a, 43b,
and 55: Eberhart asked
if Items 43a, 43b, and 55 (4th and 5th grade instrumental
music and freshmen sports) would be presented to the Board for consideration on
March 11. McHenry said he is trying to avoid recommending any activity-based
program. It will depend on how much was reduced at tonight’s meeting and how
much still needs to be.
Eberhart moved, Strange seconded, and
the Board voted 2-3-0 (Allen, Mayo, Treece, no; motion did not pass) to remove
Items 43a, 43b, and 55 from the Budget Reduction List. Mayo said she cannot
support the motion at this time as she believes it is necessary to keep all
options open. She finds other items on the list to be distasteful, too, but has
not asked that they be removed.
Board announcement Eberhart reported that
he had submitted a request for information under the Public Records Act to the Board
president and superintendent.
5.
ADJOURNMENT
Treece adjourned the
meeting at 9:15 p.m.