This workshop focuses on the changing environment of all  employee benefits (pension, health, Workers’ Compensation, etc.) New and revised laws and regulations, along with ways to address the continued increasing cost of employee benefits, will be addressed in an effort to provide school agencies with the information and tools to better manage the full spectrum of employee benefits. We will also be covering the provisions of employee leaves and the implementation challenges that local education agencies can face.

As expected, 2013-14 is shaping up to be yet again, another  interesting year for school administration and finance. This  workshop provides the information needed to close the books for  2012-13 and to finalize the district budget for 2013-14, which is assured to be chock full of last minute changes as we continue through these tumultuous times. The May Revision is a statutorily required action by the Administration and is an opportunity for the Governor to recast his Budget proposals and present new  proposals in view of a revised revenue outlook. We expect it to  incorporate the results of revised revenues, finalize the cost-of-living adjustment (if there is one) and deficit factors for 2013-14, and present the progress of the state toward balancing the State Budget.

School Services of Caifornia, Inc. and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Team (FCMAT) have teamed up to provide a free online workshop on fiscal solvency.

Hear from Joel Montero, Ron Bennett, and John Gray as they discuss the various aspects of district financial management including:

• Multiyear planning
• Negotiations
• Cash management
• Other budgetary challenges facing school districts today

The state of California provides funding to school agencies based on actual  attendance, which indicates that school agencies do not receive funding for  students who are not in school. The funding received for students attending school is a significant portion of school agencies’ operating revenue. California school agencies have been hit hard by the economic downturn and any adjustments to funding, no matter how small, can be significant. The importance of understanding the regulations for attendance is at an all-time high. There is too much at stake—academic achievement and funding.

In an effort to continue to meet the changing demands on our clients, we are now offering the Fiscal Implications of School District Reorganization as an online workshop. This format provides many benefits, including ease of viewing at your desk, viewing the presentation at a time that is convenient to you, and eliminating the need to travel to a location outside of the area.

Many districts are struggling with collective bargaining issues this year, but they also face very tight travel and professional development budgets. Some months ago, in anticipation of this situation, School Services of California, Inc., (SSC) made a commitment to change the mode of delivery on some of its foundational workshops. The “Fiscal Aspects of Negotiations” workshop, which we have presented in a face-to-face format for more than 20 years, has been completed and is now available as a 100% online offering.

The number one area for findings in an audit report are those in the area of Associated Student Body (ASB). It is critical that district- and site-level staff receive training in this area on a regular basis to ensure that the district as well as the employees, are being protected.

There have been changes to regulations over the last  several years related to food sales. Site-level staff need to become familiar with these regulations as they work with students and fundraising events. This format will allow the school agencies to build capacity within its organiza-tion by expanding the number of employees that receive training who are involved in the handling of ASB funds.