“This budget gives us the flexibility we need to meet the challenges and the changing needs of our students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic while investing in the people we depend on to ensure our students are successful,” Superintendent Steve Flores said.
The 2020-21 budget includes funds for new technology in light of the evolving education landscape due to COVID-19. Coupled with funding from a voter-approved 2018 bond, the budget accounts for the purchase of Chromebooks to allow for the transition to a one-to-one device model.
“We are fortunate as a school district to have the financial capacity to adapt to these changes while demonstrating successful student outcomes are the priority for resource allocation, ” Flores said.
Approximately $13 million will be allocated to employees, with $12 million in compensation increases and $1 million to employee medical insurance. In addition, the 2020-21 budget directs $4.5 million toward currently unfilled staff positions.
The adopted budget has a projected deficit of $9.9 million.
"The district has historically beat its budget by at least $10 million in each of the last 5 years," a June 19 news release states. "If that trend continues this year, the deficit will not be realized."
The board is expected to vote on a tax rate during in September. As it stands, the projected rate will decrease from $1.23 to $1.22 per $100 valuation.
