GOVERNOR BROWN’S BUDGET BRINGS NEW FUNDS TO LAUSD + (…or is it minus?) smf’s (negative) 2¢

From the Associated Administrators of L.A. Weekly Update - Week of January 19, 2015 | http://bit.ly/15cO1pv

Jan. 15, 2015  ::  On January 9, 2015, Governor Jerry Brown issued his preliminary budget that provides increased Proposition 98 funds to LAUSD. These funds will reduce the District’s previously anticipated $321 million shortfall for 2015-2016 to an estimated deficit of $88.4 million. Funding for California K-12 education will increase by $7.8 billion more than funded for 2014-2015.

With increased state revenues, Proposition 98 per-pupil expenditures for 2015-16 will increase by $306 over 2014-2015, bringing per-pupil expenditures, from all sources, from $13,223 in 2014-15 to $13,462 in 2015-16.

A major portion of the state’s new money, about $4 billion, funds the Local Control Funding Formula. The District, with its high numbers of English learners and low-income students, stands to gain much-needed LCFF dollars to adequately support our students.

Brown’s budget also includes $1.1 billion in one-time dollars to districts to encourage spending for implementation of Common Core standards in English language arts and math, the new English Language Development Standards for English Learners and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Other highlights of Brown’s education budget include: $15.3 million for a projected increase in Special Education ADA, a one-time $100 million for additional investments in internet connectivity and infrastructure, $59.5 million for projected ADA growth in charter schools, a one-time $273.4 million for the Emergency Repair Program and a one-time $900 million for eliminating outstanding deferral debts, a priority of the Governor’s.

Superintendent Ramón Cortines, in a news release issued on January 9, 2015, indicated he was “grateful” for the Governor’s commitment to education. The new funds will help the District meet student needs and balance the District’s budget.

Dr. Judith Perez, AALA President, commented, “We appreciate Governor Brown’s demonstrated commitment to public education and share Superintendent Cortines’ optimism about the budget. We are hopeful that the Governor will find ways to increase funding for preschool and adult education, both of which are essential for the improvement of student performance throughout the state.” Dr. Perez anticipates that the District may receive more funds due to the continual rise in State revenues.

Education funding also includes non-Proposition 98 funds to support improving California’s teacher preparation programs, updating teacher performance assessments (TPAs), streamlining and improving teacher induction programs and developing an Administrator Performance Assessment to verify educator quality and determine the effectiveness and quality of administrator preparation programs.

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This is all very warm+fuzzy  thinking… but here are the facts:

• All this smoke+mirrors ‘generosity’ means that the state of California – from which almost all school funding flows – next year will pay school districts and charter schools 87% of the amount it paid in 2007-08, the year before the recession began and this batch of wholesale budget cutting started.
• The state is paying back money owed-but-not-paid to school districts (borrowed without permission!) and calling it ‘new money”.
• California funds K-12 public education at either 44th or 49th in the national spending - depending on whose numbers you use.

• Under the Prop 98 guarantee and Prop 30 and the Local Control Funding Formula using the promised Target Year ‘07-08 LAUSD should be getting $11,583 per student (ADA) next (‘15-16) year.
• Under Governor Browns Jan  9th budget proposal the state will be paying $10,103.