CSD Board Briefing
Cambrian School District, May 21, 2020
Budget: Governor's May Revise, Update and Reductions Follow Up
With the recent release of the Governor's May Revise for the 2020-21 budget cycle, the Fiscal Stability Plan revised on May 7, 2020, has been updated with additional recommendations for the Board to consider and approve.
As information is constantly evolving and changing, we continue to mitigate and understand the reality of what may be our “new normal” and the difficult decisions we will be forced to make in these uncharted waters. This pandemic has ruptured our state economic structure and we are faced with dire consequences in our local school budget. With the recently announced 10% reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula and other education-related budget proposals in the Governor’s May Revise, Cambrian is facing a loss of approximately $2.7M in the upcoming fiscal year budget. That loss potentially grows to roughly $3.9M over the following two fiscal years as we anticipate continued flat funding at the very least.
Staff will continue to provide recommendations to the Board as we mitigate these drastic State fund reductions that directly impact our students' programs and the District as a whole. As the Board approves changes along the way, the changes will be implemented with the adoption of the budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. This plan will continue to evolve and change as we monitor the fiscal environment and make reductions to mitigate our losses and allow us to remain fiscally solvent.
At the May 21, 2020 meeting, the Governing Board of Trustees approved reducing the music teacher position vacancy for the 2020-21 school year and restructuring the Elementary Music program, at a savings of $102,000. Please see below for additional information regarding the Elementary Music Program.
Please click here to view CSD's Fiscal Stability Plan.
Elementary Music Program for 2020-21
COVID-19's impact has had huge implications on the district budget, our programs, and services in the coming years. As part of the Cambrian School District Fiscal Stability Plan, a recommendation was brought to the Board for consideration and it was approved at the May 21, 2020, Board meeting to not fill the 1.0 FTE Elementary Music vacancy for the 2020-21 school year.
As such, CSD staff will be reconfiguring the current elementary music program to a different model for the 2020-21 school year that will continue to provide general music education to students at all 4 elementary sites and K-5 students at Steindorf. Be assured that all students in grades TK-5 will continue to receive music education next school year equitably. CSD recognizes the importance of music education and the multiple positive effects it has on the development of the whole child. We are committed to continuing to provide high-quality music education to all students in the most innovative way possible. Look for more detailed information to come in future district communications.
Borrowing of Funds for Fiscal Year 2020-21
The Governing Board of Trustees voted to participate in the California Cash Reserve Program for the issuance and sale of Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN). This will be done as a means to borrow funds for cash flow purposes to mitigate the effects of potential severe budget reductions and cash deferrals in the 2020-21 fiscal year. Resolution 19-20-07 allows Cambrian School District to participate in the California School Cash Reserve program. The funds shall not to exceed $8,400,000. With current interest rates this recommendation is relatively cash neutral at a cost of approximately $99.00 for interest and issuance costs.
Technology Plan Update and Planning for Fall 2020-21
- Update on CSD 5 Year Technology Plan. We are just completing year 1.
- Summarized progress on the three main initiatives of the Technology Plan: Digital Curriculum, Assessment, and Tools; Instructional Practices and Professional Learning; Infrastructure, Hardware, and Security.
- Provided an update on actions taken to support distance learning to date.
- Presented priorities moving forward and noted that the impact of COVID 19 will continue to influence our priorities and choices as we move into the summer.
Among the information reported was results from the CSD LCAP Survey (Feb/Mar 2020) - Technology Highlights:
- Technology impact on Quality and Performance of student work went up
- Parents who said they “Do not know” regarding tech impact went down
- Benefit from online learning such as Imagine Learning: 80%!
- Concerns around Privacy, Cyberbullying, Screen Time went up slightly (55-60%)
- Overall positive, with general agreement on next steps
- Seesaw underused for its value, especially in elementary
- Data Dashboard for teachers important to improve data-driven decision making
District Learning and Planning for the Future
In preparing for the 2020-21 school year, staff is currently assessing the distance learning model. Surveys and assessment of data is underway to determine possible next steps as we plan for the potential of the distance learning model to continue in the fall. More information is to come at the next Board meeting on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Resolution 19-20-08: Reduce or Eliminate Classified Staff, Confidential Staff, and Classified Management Positions
Due to extreme budget cuts and a potentially unstable fiscal environment, the Governing Board of Trustees approved a revised Fiscal Stability Plan on May 7, 2020 and thus on May 21, 2020 voted and approved Resolution 19-20-08 to eliminate or reduce hours for five positions within Classified Staff, Confidential Staff, and Classified Management at this time due to lack of work or funds, no later than July 31, 2020.
Farnham Painting Project: Award Bid for Painting
Staff recommends awarding the Farnham painting contract to VLA Construction, Inc. based on their low bid in the amount of $142,900. n connection with the 5-Year Facilities Plan approved by the Board, District staff moved forward with obtaining bids from various vendors to paint the exterior of Farnham Elementary School for this summer. The results of the bid opening on May 13, 2020, are attached.
FundingThe funding for this project will come from our Building Fund (210) and is not a part of our general operating funds.
To view the bids for the painting of Farnham Elementary School, please click here.
Next Board Meeting
CAMBRIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Email: foremand@cambriansd.com
Website: www.cambriansd.org
Location: 4115 Jacksol Drive, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408) 377-2103
Facebook: facebook.com/CambrianSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @Supt_Andrews