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.

California has made its cash problem your problem! The  current effect of California’s economy on school districts and county offices will continue to make it challenging to manage budgets and cash flow. This workshop will offer solutions to rein in the bad and the ugly of cash flow. It will provide  methods to improve forecasting and analyzing cash flow, as well as clear explanations of complex  processes and practical examples for improving and implementing cash flow models. This workshop will also provide  districts and counties with the tools they need—in an  environment that is far from normal—to evaluate and  analyze current cash needs and improve practices to meet those needs. Join us in finding the good among the bad and the ugly.

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.

Charter schools have continued to increase in enrollment and in the number of charter schools. The growth in California charter school enrollment by more than 10% a year for the last several years is not anticipated to change much in the near future. The number of active charter schools is approximately 982 for the 2011-12 fiscal year.  Traditional school agencies approving charter schools need to be prepared with knowledge regarding the considerations that come along with charter schools—possible liability issues, Proposition 39 requirements, and related changes in state law.

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.

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.