Modesto schools officials discuss budget process

By Michelle Hatfield
mhatfield@modbee.com

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Swine flu, finances and enrollment were discussed at Monday night's Modesto City Schools Board of Trustees meeting.

Budget manager Julie Chapin presented the final budget for 2008-09 and discussed ways to cut spending for the 2009-10 school year. A district advisory committee of 35 staff and community members will meet today to look at areas to save money.

The district's 2009-10 budget received conditional approval from the Stanislaus County Office of Education. Chapin said that status was given based on earlier numbers and that updated figures should help give a clearer picture of the district's financial solvency when officials talk with the county.

"They don't know how we closed out our books (on 2008-09)," Chapin said. That fiscal year ended June 30.

Although it's difficult to drastically cut a budget once the school year starts, officials are looking for ways to reduce spending this year.

"Every dollar you can save today is $2 next year and $3 the year after," Chapin said. "We're looking at every opening as it comes about."

Officials estimate they'll need to cut $15 million to $19 million from the $250 million budget for the 2010-11 school year. Trustees will hold a budget workshop Oct. 26.

The trustees also voted 6-1, with Trustee Cindy Marks opposing, to approve a reorganization of the business services department.

Two business directors

After the buyout of former Deputy Superintendent Debbe Bailey's contract, officials studied how to best divide those responsibilities. They've decided not to fill the vacancy, but to employ two directors of business services. Director Dennis Snelling remains at that post, and Chapin gets promoted to director, with her pay increasing from $90,000 to $120,000 a year.

Snelling will be in charge of operations in departments such as construction and nutritional services, and Chapin will oversee the fiscal side, such as accounting and payroll.

Marks said the district should have one chief business official to manage the district's complex budget. Trustees who voted for the reorganization said having two directors would save the district money.

Employee union representatives urged trustees not to approve the changes. Megan Gowans, executive director of the teachers union, said it was not fair to other employees to give someone a salary increase who is not working more hours or days.

"What you're telling your other 3,000 employees is that their increased pressures are not worth a dime," Gowans said.

Also Monday, administrators presented the district's guidelines on preparing and responding to swine flu cases among students and staff. Officials detailed how many surgical masks and how much hand sanitizer has been ordered.

They also reviewed how officials will communicate with parents and staff. When emergency calls home are needed, most phones are reached with a recording within 45 minutes, said Stan Trevena, district director of information and technology services.

Working with the county health department, the district will offer four clinics for seasonal flu shots in October and November for students, staff and community members. The cost will be $20 for adults and $10 for children, but no one will be turned away, said Aurora Licudine, head of school nurses at the district.

The shots are not for swine flu, but vaccinations for swine flu should be available soon on a limited basis, Licudine said.

Thorough cleaning urged

Classified employees union President Aaron Castro urged officials to restore spending on custodians to ensure the best cleaning of bathrooms, trash cans, desks, cafeterias, offices and sports facilities.

"Custodians don't clean (based on student attendance). Custodians clean by square footage," said Castro, a Modesto High School custodian.

Officials had good news on enrollment Monday night. More students have enrolled in schools than officials estimated. Enrollment is 160 students more than projected, at 29,215 students as of Friday.

Although officials were happy to beat estimates, enrollment still is down by 383 students compared with the end of the fourth week last fall.

Districts get the bulk of their funding based on student attendance.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.