NUSD: 1.26.22 Community Connections: Budget Update

Press release from the Novato Unified School District:

lbenjamin

January 26th, 2022

1.26.22 Community Connections: Budget Update

Dear NUSD Colleagues and Community

Several of you were able to attend the Board of Trustees meeting last night, some watched from home, and others were not able to watch the meeting that adjourned at 11pm. I received emails this morning letting me know some of you fell asleep while watching, which I totally understand!

The budget reductions were discussed as presented from the Budget Advisory Committee recommendations. Trustees intentionally discussed, analyzed, and came to consensus on each item to meet the $4 million in reductions per our agreement with the Marin County Office of Education. The MCOE conditions of budget approval for NUSD reflect a required budget reduction of $4 million. Trustees upheld the NUSD/MCOE agreement on January 25, 2022, with the approval of the reductions.

We received several emails of advocacy and we always appreciate hearing from everyone. I am hoping we can all come together to accept the necessary reductions due to the challenge of declining enrollment, increased pensions costs, and the deficit spending that has plagued us for the last few years for a variety of reasons. As an LCFF district that depends on ADA to fund our district vs enrollment or property taxes like neighboring districts, we need creative solutions to budgetary issues as we maximize one-time funding to support school programs.

I want to share the Trustee’s approved budget reductions that will be included in the Second Interim Budget report that will go to MCOE in March to demonstrate compliance with the $4 million dollar reductions required to continue to receive an approved budget from MCOE.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent

There is no longer a warehouse. The employee is currently helping out in Food Service.

This is an open position and the services are being pursued through NUSD insurance carrier.

This is a vacant position in Education Services. This position will not be filled.

This is a vacant position and supervision of staff is being assumed by the Director of IT.

This is currently a frozen position that will not be filled.

Elementary Prep will be aligned with the student/ teacher ratios outlined in the NFT contract.

The HR position is currently being filled by retirees. It will be changed to a Director level.

NUSD is currently overstaffed and the student enrollment and teaching positions do not align with the NFT contract. Positions are reduced to align student/teacher ratios.

Align high school and middle school Counselors positions to provide academic and mental health services to students and to access other funding sources rather than the general fund expenditures.

Reduce the cost of overtime to focus more on emergencies.

Reduce the general fund contributions to departments and sites

NUSD has completed the budget process reductions for the 2022-23 school year as required by the NUSD/MCOE agreement to receive an approved budget. The total reductions are $4,142,500. We appreciate the work of the Budget Advisory Committee, led by Lois Standring with the support of Ashley Albertson. We also appreciate the input both written and in-person of all stakeholders. The Trustees had a tremendous task to select reductions from the list provided by the Budget Advisory Committee. Extensive Trustee analysis and discussion resulted in a collaborative process for the common good. This is never an easy task, but it was achieved with the best interest of the district and all stakeholders in mind.  I am grateful for everyone’s input and participation.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Novato Unified School District
1015 7th Street
Novato, CA 94945

415.897.4201

[email protected]

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

This press release was produced by the Novato Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.