Lakeside Joint School District. Town Hall Meeting

Transcription

1 Lakeside Joint School District Town Hall Meeting

2 Town Hall Agenda Lakeside Program School Funding and Budget Challenges and Options Survey and Study Group Feedback Parcel Tax Recommendation

3 Lakeside Programs A great school in the mountains Academically out-performed local school districts in state testing Top 5% in the State of California Ranked 10/10 on greatschools.org Rated A+ by homefacts.com Strong scores on Spring 2016 CAASPP Academic program includes: Reading, writing, math, science, special education Who supports these programs? District Funds Enrichment programs such as: physical education, hands-on science, music, dance, art, theater Who supports these programs? PTA (Parent Teacher Association) Lakeside School Community Foundation

4 Lakeside Funding Model Lakeside Funding Current parcel tax Lakeside is Basic Aid, or community funded, district. The majority of our funding comes directly from property taxes. Only 15% of our funding is from State and Federal sources. (These funds have restrictions and may only be spent on specific programs or projects.) Property taxes, state and federal funds Donations Current parcel tax

5 Lakeside Funding Challenges State and federal funds do not fully fund: Common Core training and instructional materials State assessment preparation and implementation State retirement unfunded liability for all school districts Special education expenses are growing: The District is responsible for special needs students from age 3 through 8th grade State and federal funds only provide 11% of the cost for special education. Our District contributes 89% from our General Fund. Special needs expenses increased by 298% in , and may continue to increase in subsequent years. Districts statewide are seeing similar trends. Middle school cost increases Increased facility maintenance costs $600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $- Special Education Expense 2013/ / / /2017

6 Thousands Lakeside Revenue and Expense Forecast / / / /2019 Revenue Expenses Reserves With diligent management of expenses and future cuts, reserves will be adequate for the current school 2016/2017 year, plus the 2017/2018 school year. The Key Challenge Beyond this school year and next, Lakeside will not be able to sustain our current program and will have to explore alternatives.

7 Lakeside s Future Options Option A Option B Option C Option D Put a parcel tax on Spring 2017 ballot Continue with current funding Territory transfer process Lapsation process Pass No Or Or Or Yes Lakeside sustainable Lakeside dissolves

8 Community Feedback & Outreach Community Survey Conducted 8/29 9/30 Sent to ALL Voters with 15 open-ended questions and comments on: Lakeside priorities and finances Knowledge and feelings on parcel taxes Measure J reach and results Demographic information Community Study Sessions Feedback sessions within local communities Lakeside Community Center Beardsley Road Zayante Bear Creek Reviewed essential / enhanced program options Feedback on Measure J

9 Community Survey Results The community wants to maintain a school on Black Road 86% agree (83% of non-parents) Having an elementary school on Black Road is important for our mountain community 77% agree (72% of non-parents) Maintaining Lakeside Joint School District should be a top priority, even if it means raising taxes Sensitivity about the amount 46% agreed While I care about Lakeside, $820 is just too much money Informal feedback from some no voters that they would have voted for a lower amount, ranging from less than $500 to in the $600s Polling last fall on amounts identified 1-2% of voters as being price sensitive. Enough to swing the election, given that Measure C passed by less than 1% and Measure J failed by less than 1.5%

10 Community Study Group Results Essential Program Science Reading Writing Math Maintenance and Facilities Basic staffing Special Education Teacher training Enhanced Program Art (dance, visual, theater, music) PE Library Garden Counseling Science specialist Field Trips Lunches School Nurse

11 Community Study Group Results We needed to better communicate why we need a parcel tax We needed to better communicate the need for the increase from $311 to $820 We thought that $820 was just TOO much We don t want to pay for fancy laptops and advanced technology or extra programs Why aren t parents contributing more? The last campaign did not fully express the critical nature of the parcel tax; that we might lose the school without one

12 Community Risks for Alternate Options Lakeside will no longer exist as our community school district If Lakeside transfers/ lapses into another district(s), the Black Road Campus will be shut down We don t know what will happen to the Lakeside campus; the community will have little-to-no control on how the district(s) will use or to whom they might sell We will lose control of our community center and Red Cross Shelter and it may go away entirely You will still have to pay the parcel tax for whatever is already in existence and is approved in the future for the districts we lapse into - neighboring districts are exploring new parcel taxes and bond measures Home values may decrease; it depends on which school district your home will end up being merged with (i.e., San Lorenzo Valley )

13 Parcel Tax Goals Provide an educational program comparable to our neighboring districts while building on Lakeside s unique advantages Provide adequate funding for current program essentials and state mandates Continue to rely on community and parent donations for enhanced program (PE, Music, Art, Dance, Library, etc.) Enable Lakeside to become fiscally stable Stop deficit spending Rebuild reserves to recommended levels Be acceptable to at least 66.7% of voters

14 AHPT Committee Recommendation $647/ year for 8 years Recommended Use of Parcel Tax Proceeds (will be in Board Resolution) Protect high-quality essential educational programs in reading, writing, math, and science for all students Provide comprehensive education for middle school students Attract and retain high-quality teachers Provide a safe and well maintained learning environment Keep classroom core technology and instructional programs up to date to enable student learning and testing

15 So What changed from $820 to $647? Measure J did not pass at $820 Feedback from the community was that $820 was too high The district has made additional cuts to the program outline: Facility upgrades Teacher training Technology Note: While these are still considered "vital" programs, we will depend on outside contributions for funding

16 Open Discussion

17 Thank You All For Coming!!!