Glendora Unified Drafts Budget, Determines Layoff Criteria

Glendora Unified district officials moved forward on drafting a budget based on projections of a $19 drop in average daily attendance funding per pupil, even though the planning could be irrelevant should a proposed June special election not receive legislature support and voter approval.

No decision between the Governor and state legislature has been made on a June special election involving ballot measures that would put to vote an extension of taxes.  Without the continuation of these taxes, the district could potentially lose $349 in ADA funding per pupil -- 18x the current projection.

“We don’t even know where we truly are going,” said Glendora Unified school board President Doug Ferrell, in reference to the ambiguity surrounding the proposed June special election.  “This is where (the budget is) going today, but that could change next week (if there is no special election).” 

In his third term as school board president, Ferrell said the district has never had to prepare a budget based on projected numbers that could be so potentially irrelevant given the circumstances.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding state education funding, Marc Chaldu, assistant superintendent of business services, said budget planning continues.

“We still have to adhere to (regulations), but at the same time we don’t have the proper information to really deal with it…,” Chaldu said.  “There are so many variables that it is difficult to keep our hands on (reality).”

During the Tuesday school board meeting a set of criteria to decide how to layoff certificated employees that are hired on the same day was approved by the board.

The criteria would award points based on an employee’s credential, years of service and degree.  The employee with the most points would be considered senior to an employee with fewer points. 

The “tie-breaker criteria” was put in place with the understanding that a dramatic decrease in funding could potentially mean staff cuts.    

The interim budget report already takes into account a decrease in state revenue at this point in the calendar year and the expiration of federal funding derived from the American Recovery and Relief Act. Federal money allocated for those with special disabilities associated with special education, the federal jobs bill, and federal preschool funds will expire in the coming year, Chaldu said.

The expired ARRA funding had been used to put an end to furlough days.

Moving forward, the district could potentially look at ways to reduce supplies and potentially contract services, along with other measures, Chaldu said. 

“We are powerless,” Ferrell said.  “We are sitting here as pawns.  We are players on a chest board waiting for some to make a move.  All we can do is react (to what the Governor and legislature decides).  That’s what makes it so very, very difficult.”