Schools

Dr. Sieu: Brighter Budget Forecast for Next School Year

ABCUSD Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu talks about next year's budget forecast.

Written by ABCUSD Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu

To the ABC Community:

We are heartened to see additional revenues for education next year as proposed by the Governor in his released May Revision. For the past four months, the state has experienced multibillion dollar increases in General Fund Revenues and in turn current year cash receipts. The Governor has maintained his focus on reforming education finance with the new Local Control Funding Formula. Some of the key changes in the May Revision include the following:  

  • $1.9 billion to begin implementation of a new school finance formula (Local Control Funding Formula)
  • $1 billion one time funding to implement the common core state standards 
  • $413 million for energy efficiency projects in schools from Prop.39 revenues 
  • $100 million increase for K-12 Mandate Block Grant to fund the Science Graduation Requirement and Behavioral Intervention Plan mandates 
  • $62.8 million for a 1.65% COLA for selected categorical programs.  
The Legislature is expected to adopt a budget by June 15, 2013 and the Governor is expected to sign it by July 1, 2013.

The May Revision proposes to maintain the status quo for Adult School for the next two years. The Governor’s earlier proposal was to move it under the community colleges. The budget provides funding the Adult School only in the areas of English as a second language, citizenship, high school diploma, general education development (GED) and workplace education.

Under the new Local Control Funding Formula, ABCUSD is expected to receive approximately $6 million in additional funding.  We also especially welcome the allocation of $3.4 million to ABC Unified School District for implementation of the new Common Core State Standards. The one time funds will be used for professional development, instructional materials and technology.  The infusion of new funds for technology is critical as we prepare for the new computer adaptive tests under the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium in 2014-15.  We will be working to ensure that every school has the adequate technology in order for the students to take the tests.   

On May 21st, as a result of the brighter budget forecast for next year, the Board of Education approved the 2013-14 calendar that restored the instructional days to 180 days for students and eliminated furlough days.  

School will begin earlier next year. The first day of school next year will begin on September 3, 2013 immediately following Labor Day. The last day of school will be June 18, 2014.   

- Dr. Mary Sieu Superintendent
ABC Unified School District


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