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Governor’s Budget Summary for 2012-2013

Trigger Cuts will be Enacted

AB114 DOF Projections

Gov. Brown Announces More “Trigger” Cuts if Tax Increase Fails

Gov. Brown Releases Tax Proposal

Marin IJ article: December 2, 2011 “As state funds fall short, Marin schools prepare for the worst”:
http://www.marinij.com/ci_19459022?IADID=Search-www.marinij.com-www.marinij.com

  Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) Announces $3.7 billion Shortfall:
Legislative Analyst's Revised 2011-12 Revenue Forecast is $3.7 Billion Short of the Budget Estimate

AB114 - LAO Projections

AB114 – Mid Year “Trigger” State Cuts

The state implemented cuts targeted at Basic Aid school districts in 2009-10.  The Basic Fair Share resulted in state revenue cuts of $441,054 in 2009-10, $672,975 in 2010-11 and $1,025.263 in 2011-12.  The Basic Aid Fair Share is likely to continue in the future. Here is a link to the Basic Aid Fair Share calculation:
Fair Share Calculations

Past State Budget cuts and Impact to Dixie School District


 

BUDGET NEWS

The Department of Finance announced on December 12, 2011 that its revenue forecast was calling for the 2011-12 budget trigger to be pulled but that the effect of this reduction would hit K-12 schools far less than previously thought.  The total shortfall is $2.204 billion.  The trigger will result in Tier I cuts to higher education and social service programs.

 The revenue shortfall forecast by the Department of Finance today exceeded $2 billion, resulting in Tier II cuts to K-12 education by the following:

•     $248 million cut to K-12 Transportation; this cut will go into effect on January 1, 2012.

•     $79.6 million ($13 per student) in school district revenue limits; this cut will go into effect on February 1st.

 These are the statutory reductions as set in AB114, and as adopted with the State’s budget in June.

 During his press conference, the Governor also indicated that there will be additional reductions as part of the 2012-13 budget release in January.  We should have more details when the Governor releases his January Budget proposal on January 10, 2012.

Here are some talking points that may be helpful to you…

 1.  Regarding the trigger cuts, this is NOT good news.  On top of over $18 billion in reductions to K-12 education over the past few years, this is another cut that will further reduce services to students.  It is helpful that the cut is less than we had feared, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that this is another cut on top of all the other reductions that have been made to education.

 2.  The cut to school transportation is extremely inequitable and needs to be corrected.  CCSESA has joined ACSA, CSBA, Small School Districts, State Superintendent Torlakson, and many others in urging the Governor and Legislature to seek alternatives that avoid the disproportionate impact of this reduction to districts in different parts of the state.

 3.  These mid-year cuts are another indicator that the budget shortfall cannot be solved through cuts alone and that revenues must be part of the solution in order to avoid even deeper cuts to education in the future.

 It is important to note that we expect significant discussion in the Legislature and the Governor’s Administration about replacing the $248 million cut to transportation with an across-the-board cut to K-12 education.  On average, such an across-the-board reduction would be about $42 per ADA. The problem is that the transportation cut is very inequitable, with some districts suffering no cut while others face losing more than $300 per ADA.  Although the Department of Finance determination today resolves the question of the magnitude of the mid-year “trigger” cut, the precise allocation of the reduction will probably not be known until January.

 What does it mean for the Dixie School District?  This cut has a potentially serious impact on transportation.  The reduction to the revenue limit is approximately $23,400, but could result in an increase to the Basic Aid Fair Share.  The recent Marin IJ article gives the impression that there is very little damage to districts and probably confuses the public.

 Thomas J. Lohwasser, Ed.D.

Superintendent