DTA's Budget Solutions

Developed by Dublin Teachers Association

Step 1: Correct the Errors in the Budget Projections

• Use accurate, up-to-date enrollment & average daily attendance (ADA) data

• Ensure current enrollment data is accurate and updated for the 25-26 budget projections

• Ensure enrollment data used to create the 26-27 budget projections is accurate

  • Create an enrollment period for TK and Kinder like all other neighboring districts to avoid inaccurate projections

• Update revenue projections for 26-27 to align with the Governor’sJanuary Proposal and avoid continuing to underestimate revenue by 7 million or more (which is what DUSD has done for the past 5 years)

• Hobbs is not using the updated recommendation 2.41% COLA for 26-27 budget projection

• Update next year’s revenue projections to better reflect some of the January Governor’s proposal

• Budgeting Practices that Need Revision to increase accuracy of projections

• Request a monthly actuals report on the board agenda. This should show YTD actuals and encumbered expenses compared to the amount budgeted, so that there is transparency and interim budget reports can be more accurate.

• Unrestricted GF increased by $2.9 million this year when the board voted to rescind the future solar loan commitment.

Step 2: Make Budget Cuts that are easily reversible & not tied to layoffs

Cut projected spending on Consultants & Contractors by $3 million.

This cut would bring DUSD back to 22-23 spending levels

• The amount DUSD invests in consultants and contracts has risen from just under $5 million in 21-22 to nearly $13 million!

• June Adopted budget agreed to reduce this spending

• First interim increases the projected amount spent here again

Cut projected spending on Books & Supplies by $1.5 million.

• This is an expense DUSD historically overprojects.

• A breakdown and discussion of all 4000s projections and revisions is a conversation worth having. Since the creation of the C & I Department, spending on new curriculum adoptions and the related trainings that go along with them have skyrocketed

Cut district office staff wasteful spending that doesn’t serve students

The amount management spent last year on high end hotels (Hilton, Sheraton, Disneyland Hotel), uber rides, airfare, door dash, and management’s yearly winery retreat would have been enough to save the summer credit recovery program.

Cut investment in District Management by $500,000

Furlough Days for District Office Staff

Teachers only work 185 days, but district office staff are paid to work 15-40 days more than teachers!

District Office Leadership: bring all D.O. staff to 210 work days (site admin-not reduced) NOTE: When more funding becomes available, this is easily reversed!

Step 3: Implement Revenue Enhancement Plans at No Cost to Families/Taxpayers

• No risk Early Retirement Incentive Plan

• Update Independent Study & Saturday School to recoup funding lost from absences.

  • DUSD reports losing approximately $7 million in revenue per year due to absences

  • CA Department of Education delineating all strategies/laws for attendance recovery to increase ADA.

  • Management should set a 26-27 school year goal for increasing ADA (recommend 1% improvement) recouped by change to independent study and factor this goal into budget projections and work to ensure the goal is met. Yes, this will require work. DTA is happy to partner in this work.

ADA improvement = Revenue improvement

ADA increase

% of absences recouped

Revenue Generated

1%

20%

$1,342,800

2%

40%

$2,685,600

3%

60%

$4,028,400

• Secure newly available reimbursements for applicable Health Services (i.e. initial IEPs, mental health supports, student and parent education, mental health assessments).

  • ACOE: Alameda County Office of Education webpage on School Health Billing.

  • DUSD has received a grant to train educators on the process

  • We have members with experience in medical billing from working in other districts who have valuable insight on how to make the process as streamlined as possible; union partnerships are key to efficiency here

  • Some data around Health Services Billing:

    • CA Dept of Health Care Services states that over $4 million have been reimbursed this year already to LEAs. Few are taking full advantage of this.

    • List of LEAs enrolled and receiving reimbursements

      • Note: DUSD is not on the list at all

      • The following comparable neighbors are: Alameda Unified, San Leandro Unified, Berkeley Public Schools, Pleasanton Unified, Antioch Unified, Castro Valley, Mt. Diablo Unified