November 13, 2023

Dear Piedmont USD Families,

This week's Piedmont Pulse will focus on three topics:

1. Showcasing PUSD Schools
2. APT Impasse Document Filed
3. PUSD Budget - Expenditures

Have a wonderful week, and a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday next week! The next issue of the Piedmont Pulse is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28th.

In Partnership,

Jennifer Hawn, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Thanks to our administrators, our parent clubs, our Superintendent's Advisory Council, our staff, and our Board, we are moving forward with many great strategies for showcasing our PUSD schools. We now have information nights and tours scheduled at all of our schools, starting with our Tri-school information night: 11/14 at 7PM - Havens Ellen Driscoll Playhouse.

We are in the process of posting information about tours and information nights on our school websites, including the district website, linked HERE.

This work is still in progress, but most of all I am super-excited and grateful to our team for their efforts to mobilize around showcasing our schools. With declining enrollment a fact across the state, including Piedmont, highlighting the great work of our teachers and staff will undoubtedly maximize our enrollment. Please share with anyone you think might be interested. Thank you!

Several weeks ago, I shared an update on APT negotiations, including APT's decision to file for impasse. To summarize, filing for impasse means that the two parties have tried but are unable to come to an agreement. When this happens, one or both sides may declare impasse. Impasse includes filing a “Request for Impasse Determination/Appointment of Mediator” form with the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). If PERB determines APT and PUSD are, in fact, at impasse, a state mediator is assigned to assist in resolving the matters to come to an agreement. If the mediator is unable to bring both parties to an agreement, either party may request a fact-finding panel. Fact-finding involves a three-person panel to conduct an analysis (typically of the union contract, district budget and other relevant information) to make recommendations in a report. At this point, the union and district may come to an agreement. If no agreement is reached, the two parties could continue negotiations, they could delay and revisit at a later date, or the union could strike. PUSD is committed to collaborating with APT on a resolution that supports our APT staff members.

I have linked the impasse document below for your review. If you have questions about the information in the document or about APT negotiations, please respond HERE, and I will be happy to circle back to you.

APT Impasse Document Linked HERE

This week's Piedmont Pulse will focus on budget expenditures. Last week, our CBO, Ruth Alahydoian, provided a presentation on district expenditures to the Budget Advisory Committee. Meetings are open to all, in person or online via Google Meet. The meeting schedule can be found HERE. This month's meeting focused on expenditures, including the purpose of BAC, an overview of expenditures, and types of expenditures.

Purpose of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC)

• The Budget Advisory Committee is a standing committee with representatives from all stakeholders in the District.

• Its purpose is to:

• review the District’s Budget,

• share the information with constituent groups, and

• generate recommendations for Board consideration in the budget development process.

• The BAC is a vehicle to disseminate information to as many parents, students, staff, and community members as possible.

Types of Expenditures

• Unrestricted expenditures can be any expense that the District needs to fund.

• Semi-Restricted expenditures are those that are allowable under a semi-restricted resource such as PEF, Parcel Taxes or parent donations.

• e.g., field trips funded by parent donations.

• Restricted expenditures are those that are allowed under the most restricted rules as directed by the source or by the law.

• e.g., federal funds, State facilities funds.

2023-2024 Expenditures

• Approximately 84% of the budget is salaries and benefits.

• Salaries & Benefits are shown together, with Administration broken out.

• Most reports show Benefits separately and combine salaries for Administrators with Certificated or Classified.

The Slides Below

In summary, the slides below show the presentation of information on expenditures at this month's BAC meeting. Budget information is also presented quarterly (or more often) at Board meetings to show the cycle of the budget over the course of the school year.

If you have topics you are particularly interested in, please reach out to me at jhawn@piedmont.k12.ca.us.

Native American Indian Heritage Month - PUSD and the CDE recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. To our Native American Indian students, staff and families, we honor you now and ALWAYS.

Piedmont Portal - For all of the latest school and community events, please visit the Piedmont Portal linked HERE

PEF - The Giving Campaign - We are grateful to our community for their support of our outstanding programs. If you are able to give, go HERE. And, the grade level challenge is on-- check it out HERE.

Thanksgiving Week/Holiday - 11/20-11/24 - No students. 11/23-11/24 - Thanksgiving Holiday. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Witter Field Renovation Project Updates - For updates on the Witter Field Renovation Project, please go to our Facilities page on our PUSD website.

Community Pool Construction Update - Safety measures around the Community Pool Project construction site on Magnolia Ave. across from PHS/MHS are currently in effect. Visit the City of Piedmont's website for details.

Work for PUSD - PUSD is seeking candidates for a variety of positions. Visit the District's Edjoin page for a complete list of jobs available and to apply online.

Substitutes Needed - Support students while earning up to $200/day. PUSD seeking substitute teachers for the 2023-24 school year. Visit the District's EdJoin page for more information and to apply.

Archived Piedmont Pulse Newsletters - All editions of the Piedmont Pulse are linked HERE

Follow PUSD - Please read our school newsletters sent out weekly for update to date information. The District Facebook (@piedmontunified), Twitter (@piedmontunified), Instagram (@piedmontusd) and Threads (@piedmontusd@threads) pages are active.

Email: communication@piedmont.k12.ca.us
Website: www.piedmont.k12.ca.us
Location: 760 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, CA, USA
Phone: 510-594-2600