School District Works with Nonprofit to Offset Budget Cuts

The Millbrae Education Foundation, a local nonprofit, is hoping to raise enough money for Millbrae schools to help offset the school district's shrinking budget.

Although the district Interim Chief Business Officer Michele Dodge reassured the public and the board that the school district is solvent, she explained that the state is under-funding the district by about 18 percent. The shortfall amounts to $2.4 million for the 2012 fiscal year, as the state is expected to provide only $11.1 million of the state’s $13.5 million funding obligation. Dodge was also not optimistic about the potential $780,000 that would be raised if tax extensions were to be passed.

District efforts to increase class size averages to 28 students, though, are projected to save nearly $465,000 and federal grants added about $358,000 to the district’s balance, enough to provide for three teachers in the next couple of years.

“If we’re looking at the deficit, our only choice is to really look at compensation,” Dodge added, indicating that 74 percent of the overall general fund expenses are due to compensation—which amounts to 90 percent of the unrestricted general funds that aren’t dedicated to predetermined uses.

Meanwhile Deirdri Gladwin, speaking for the Millbrae Education Foundation, said that the MEF had only raised $92,000 so far.

“We set our goal at $168,000, which is what we raised last year,” said Gladwin, adding that if each family of each student in the district gave $71, the MEF would reach its $168,000 goal. And, if each gave $107, then the MEF could reach its more ambitious goal of $225,000.

With the budget shortfalls, the district is looking to use MEF funds to help provide needed resources. What resources can be provided depends on how much MEF can raise. It consulted with teachers and principals around the district on specific needs and presented findings to Superintendent Linda Luna.

Possibilities range from a “shoot for the moon” plan of supplying five full-time certified teachers, as well as five part-time aides—which would cost an estimated $540,000 for 2012 alone; to a more frugal one full-time teacher and four part-time aides—which would cost about $172,000 for the year.

Even if it can raise sufficient money, the board will still need to decide if teachers for music, or physical education, or perhaps counselors would be priorities.

“I would love to see physical education put back in the elementary schools,” said trustee Caroline Shea, though other board members did not weigh in on the subject.

The board would also have to decide whether the district can afford aides, who work only four hours per day for about $18 per hour including benefits, for 175 days of the year or only for 167, or 162 after state imposed furlough days are considered.