Budget Cuts Q&A Spring, 2011

What do my funds to ESF do?

• Relieves district money to spend on other things such as high quality teachers and programs
• Without ESF money, the district would be forced to make a choice between enrichment programs such as libraries, music, technology and teacher training or, class size, saving teacher jobs and other areas. With ESF donations they are able to maintain the quality programs your children deserve.
• Last year, ESF raised and donated over $526,000 to the EUSD. With that money, ESF was able to save Librarians, technology and other core enrichment programs that the students in the district need for a well rounded education, as these programs had been eliminated from the district general fund budget.
• Last year, only 1/3 of EUSD parents contributed to the AGC campaign (approximately $200,000). This year ESF is asking for donations of $25 per month and is hoping for 100% participation from all families. This year the district is counting on these funds to support the entire cost of computer technicians, librarians, classroom music, extra-curricular choir and band programs, after-school sports programs, the Spanish program and the summer teacher professional development program.
• Without strong parental support and a generous contribution to Annual Giving, EUSD may have to substantially reduce or eliminate these programs for the 2011-12 school year. These programs keep the district desirable and strong, while providing your children with a well rounded education.

But I give to PTC why do I need to give to ESF?

Both community funding groups are equally important to the quality of education in EUSD. However, PTC and ESF fund different things, all which directly affect your child. While PTC funds are more local to each school, ESF funds help with technology, libraries, teacher training and other district-wide enrichment programs. This helps to relieve money for the district to focus on other areas such as supporting the smallest class sizes possible, reading specialists, counselors, and the longer-day kindergarten. Without these programs, it will be tough to maintain a high quality, desirable school district that offers your child a well rounded, globally competitive education.

How does ESF affect the day to day classroom in K-3?

ESF funds several programs such as libraries and technology. Librarians help teachers gather materials to support classroom teaching and activities. They also offer programs and materials that encourage and engage reading. They fund computer lab, where students engage in different methods of learning and technology. They help the success of the Challenge 21 program with promethean boards and N Computers, which not only help to gets kids ready to be successful both in and beyond the classroom through project and problem based learning, but also help teachers keep students engaged in multiple learning activities without the help of instructional aides.

What amount of money is it going to take to keep our district from making such drastic program cuts and to help the district with funding gaps from the state? Can money be used to keep class sizes low?

As the district’s budget gets smaller, the importance of ESF gets larger; giving makes a direct impact on your child’s education on a daily basis. If every parent wrote a check for $300 dollars ($25 per month) ESF could come up with approximately $700,000. With what ESF raises at all of their events, close to an additional $400,000, they could contribute over $1 million to the district funding gap. It is up to the school board to allocate extra money received by ESF beyond enrichment funding. However, the current school board has stated numerous times that low class size is their top priority.

Why does ESF hold so many events throughout the year?

ESF events are not just about money. They are for the community to come together, celebrate and help retain what EUSD offers. Not all events are right for everyone either. ESF wants to engage all parents and community members by offering numerous ways for the parents and community to participate and engage in fundraising and supporting the children of EUSD.

Why did ESF institute directed Giving and will my donation really go to the program of my choice?

Directed giving was instituted for the first time this year based upon parent response and requests to Annual Giving and their desire to fund a particular program. ESF has accounts set up for all of the directed giving options, and directed funds will be tracked and placed in their respective accounts as received.

ESF consistently communicates the need for donations however we haven’t “seen” anything really cut?

Here are the cuts that we have seen in the last year, and the proposed cuts for next year:

The main cuts last year included:

• Instructional aides
• .8 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Nursing time
• .4 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Psychologist time
• 50% funding cut to ESF funded programs: librarians, technology tech, classroom music, 4-6th grade band and choir, and athletics – these programs had been eliminated completely from the district general fund budget

This year’s proposals include:

• Raise K-3 class size from 21.5 to 23.5
• Ongoing 100% cut to ESF funded programs: librarians, technology tech, classroom music, 4-6th grade band and choir, and athletics
• 30% cut to materials and supplies district wide
• 100% cut to support of Summer Institute Funding (teacher training) not funded by ESF donations (limited in the current year to ESF funding)
• Substantial reductions to operational budgets to focus support on educational programs. This includes direct cuts to the school site materials.

The District is counting on ESF to raise the $650k to fully fund library staff, technology support staff, music, band, choir, athletics; raise approx $30k to fund the summer institute; this is in addition to what ESF raises to support the Spanish program ($118k). That’s $798k without any contribution to class size reduction ($285k), or school site grants ($32k).

So…..

- 650,000 (music, library, tech, band, choir, athletics)
- 30,000 (summer institute)
- 118,000 (Spanish*)
- 285,000 (class size reduction)
- 32,000 (school site grants)
- 3,600 (accompanists)
$1,118,600 (needed for full funding for everything)

*ESF administers the Spanish program and subsidizes the cost to keep the enrollment cost as low as possible

How much of the district budget revenue comes from ESF?

The current cost of the programs supported by ESF, including the Spanish program, is about $833,000, which compares to about 3.5% of the $24 million general fund budget.

What is the purpose of PAAC?

The Program Analysis and Advisory Committee (PAAC) is comprised of approximately 35 people representing all stakeholders -parents, principals, teachers, classified staff, and administrators. They meet several times a year, starting in the fall, to help determine the best ways to implement reductions in spending. They are the district’s functioning budget committee and look at the district as a whole to direct resources to best serve the educational programs and goals of EUSD. Traditionally, the Board has adopted the recommendations resulting from the work of the committee.

For additional Budget Questions and answers, please click here (http://www.eurekausd.org/BudgetQandA)