SHIRLEY KIMBERLIN Everything I list turns to SOLD! 805-886-0228 skimberlin@aol.com
This week’s listings on the back page
CUSD ends year in the red, projects surplus for 2015-2016
Cars and stars and stripes
BY LEA BOYD
Carpinteria Unified School District will end this fiscal year requiring an $878,000 scoop into its reserves but expects to sit pretty next year with a budget surplus of $443,000. In a unanimous vote at a June 25 meeting, the CUSD Board of Education adopted a 2015-2016 budget that anticipates $22.58 million in revenues, including a $1.2 million onetime windfall from the state. “The state is really flush right now,” said Assistant Superintendent Cindy Abbott in her budget presentation to the school board on June 23. California’s budget, which was signed by Governor Jerry Brown on June 24, includes massive public school funding boosts. Long and acrimonious negotiations between the district and the teachers union recently led to a 4 percent teacher raise that went into effect retroactively for 2014-2015. The salary hike nearly doubled the district’s deficit for the 20142015 budget, but it still leaves CUSD with more than triple the state-required reserves of 3 percent of the operating budget. “I’m always amazed that the state thinks that an adequate reserve for a school district our size is $750,000,” said Board President Andy Sheaffer. Reserves at the close of 2015-2016 are anticipated to be $3.2 million, or 11.63 percent. A controversial state law mandates that school districts maintain reserves of no more than twice the standard of 3 percent after the state makes a deposit into its education stabilization fund, a savings fund for education that captures state surpluses. That hasn’t happened yet, Abbott said, but it could in 20152016, “which would put us in a situation where we’d have to spend our reserves down or do something with them for the year after that.” Boardmember Terry Hickey Banks asked what the consequences would be should the district refuse the state’s required reserve reduction, to which Abbott joked, “I don’t think I’d look good in orange.” CUSD’s adopted budget is based on a best guess estimate of 5 percent growth in property tax revenues. Basic Aid districts, in which property tax revenues exceed the state’s funding formula based on average daily attendance, typically
The salary hike nearly doubled the district’s deficit for the 2014-2015 budget, but it still leaves CUSD with more than triple the staterequired reserves of 3 percent of the operating budget. have low numbers of socioeconomically challenged students. Abbott described CUSD as “pretty unique” for being a Basic Aid district in which 68 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced meals, are English learners or foster children. Health insurance premiums have steadily climbed over the last several years, but this year the toll on the district budget only amounts to a 1.4 percent increase due to a switch to an 80/20 plan from a higher end 90/10 plan. Insurance coverage will cost $17,555 per teacher. In 2016/2017, health insurance costs are expected to go up 6 percent. At the bargaining table, it was decided that an increase will be split 50/50 by the district and teachers. The teachers’ portion, however, will be absorbed into their salary schedule and result in a small raise to accommodate for any cost increases. Under consideration for next year’s budget is the district’s special assignment teachers, whose salaries are no longer covered with restricted funds. Abbott projected a savings of $120,000 by reducing the number of special assignment teachers. CUSD is also working to provide its own pre-K special education services at Carpinteria Children’s Project at Main instead of using programs operated by Santa Barbara County Education Office. That change could shave about $200,000 off the 2016/2017 budget.
See SCHOOL DISTRICT continued on page 3
GLENN DUBOCK
The annual Rods & Roses classic car show had admirers flocking to ogle the bright bodies and big engines of the impressive entries on Linden Avenue on June 27. Lynn Harrison’s 1969 Chevy Camaro SS impressed judges the most and garnered the “Best of Show” trophy. Following the celebration of muscled machines, Linden Avenue became parade central and hosted a steady stream of patriotic praise of the USA. See pages 12 and 13 for parade coverage and page 16 for Rods & Roses.
For your safety Any possession, sale, or use of fireworks in the City of Carpinteria is illegal. Have a safe & happy Independence day.