Riding the Rapids: Preparing for Rough Times - Watch this budget presentation video for an example of a simple, inexpensive and effective way to keep stakeholders up to date about how your district is dealing with the economic crisis. Note the "fireside chat" aspects of this well-done video of Lincoln County School District Superintendent Tom Rinearson’s budget presentation. (Used with permission.)
Budget Reduction
Coming to Grips with Less for Everyone - As fiscal reality worsens with each economic forecast, boards and unions face the challenge of “living within our means.”
Budget Communication Tools - Inform and involve your community in the process of setting spending priorities with these user-friendly and plain-English resources. Includes tips for communicating during budget reductions.
Ending Fund Balance: How much is enough? - Ending fund balance is an essential tool that districts can use to limit current and future risks such as revenue shortfalls and unexpected expenditures.
Subcontracting (14k ) - Employee contracts control how and whether you can replace staff such as custodians with contract help. Learn about waivers and bars in your contracts, interim vs. regular bargaining - and how to approach this touchy subject from the start.
Brief summary of the recovery act related to idea (19k ) - Information on the additional IDEA funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus package). Includes a summary of the expected overall increase in funding, what the Maintenance of Effort will be, and the issues of supplement/supplant. This information is from the Council of State Chief School Officers.
Unemployment Insurance Costs FAQ - Frequently asked question on the impacts of unemployment and how shorter years affect unemployment and education issues.
Sample Funding Clause - Contains language that can be included in a collective bargaining agreement as a safety net. Allows a re-negotiation of the economic portions (salary, insurance, etc.) of a labor agreement if there is insufficient revenue to fund the agreement.