Publications

SSC provides information and updates regarding school finance, legislation, and issues affecting operations and management through a variety of publications.

Fiscal Report

The cornerstone of SSC's integrated services, the Fiscal Report, provides timely updates on issues affecting the finances and management of K-12 school districts and county offices of education. This essential resource keeps clients informed of the status and potential ramifications of impending state government actions, both legislative and regulatory, as well as state apportionments, court decisions, elections, and other education-impacting events.

Transmitted over the World Wide Web, and followed by hard-copy versions every two weeks, the Fiscal Report is just one facet of SSC's fiscal service. Clients also receive one-on-one assistance with fiscal, business, and legislative questions. In most cases, quick-query callers receive immediate answers over the phone or via e-mail. If a question requires more research, SSC relies on a broad range of in-house expertise, research materials, and personal contacts for quick follow-up and response.

As part of the Fiscal Report services, SSC clients receive a bank of consulting hours that can be used for selected SSC services. Additionally, clients receive discounted "client rates" on numerous other SSC products, publications, conferences, and workshops.

Go to Fiscal Report | Become an SSC Client

Community College Update

A vital resource for community college clients, SSC's biweekly Community College Update series delivers timely and useful information on fiscal and policy issues. The Update features in-depth articles on topics such as the State Budget, Proposition 98 allocations, capital outlay, Lottery estimates, bonds, student fee questions, and much more. The Update contains summaries and analyses of all major legislation that has an impact on community colleges. Clients can receive copies of bills and committee analyses both online and in hard copy.

In addition, the Update tracks actions of the Community College Board of Governors, the State Chancellor's Office, and other state regulatory agencies that affect community colleges.

SSC also provides community colleges with consulting support that is strengthened by a direct link to government policy actions. This assistance is tailored to specific client needs concerning legislative, fiscal, management, and business matters. 

Go to Community College Update | Become an SSC Client

Books

Revenues and Revenue Limits: A Guide to School Finance in California - 2010 Edition
By the School Services Team

Billions of dollars, intriguing lawsuits, lost riches-the plot of this year's holiday  blockbuster? Or the story of California school finance exclusively told in the 2010 edition  of Revenues and Revenue Limits? For nearly 30 years, School Services of California has published Revenues and Revenue Limits, the authoritative guide on California school  finance. Each new edition includes updates on changes to revenue limit, special educa-tion, categorical funds, and other state and federal revenue. If you're faced with questions or just curiosity regarding any of the following, the 2010 edition of Revenues and Revenue Limits is a must read: 

  • How much was cut from revenue limits in 2008-09 and 2009-10?  
  • What portion of the reductions to revenue limits are ongoing versus one time? 
  • Which categorical programs were reduced and how much does our district receive? 
  • If we reduce the school year, how does this affect our revenue limit and other funding? 
  • How much American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding is provided to schools and how should it be used?  
  • How does Proposition 98 work when the state’s facing Budget deficits?  
  • How do I explain to my school board and/or community the basics of California school  finance, what just happened with the State Budget, and what may come? 

Why This Year’s Edition is a “Must Read”

Proposition 98 more than ever is at the heart of school funding. The 2010  Edition discusses the downward spiral of Proposition 98 funding for 2009-10, along with a recent forecast for the  future showing a potential conflict  between higher funding required  under Proposition 98 even though the state continues to struggle under huge State Budget shortfalls. 

Revenue Limits and deferrals evolved over the course of the  2008-09 and 2009-10 Budget  process. The small cost-of-living  adjustment (COLA) that we started with in 2008-09 evaporated with unprecedented levels of reductions added to the mix. Read about the way in which revenue limit funding was  reduced to manipulate Proposition 98 and federal stimulus funding and what this meant for local educational  agencies (LEAs).

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funding was the only new resource available to LEAs in 2009-10, but most of it has gone to  replace cuts by the state. Find out how much really is “new” to LEAs and read a complete description of the components of ARRA and how they affect LEA revenues.

Categorical Flexibility is the state’s  aspirin for the Budget headache. It  doesn’t make the problem of State Budget cuts go away, but it does  provide options to adjust programs to the high priority needs of the LEAs. Get a comprehensive overview of the categorical flexibility options and how they affect LEA financial management and operations. 

 PDF Order Form for the 2010 Edition  On-Line Secure Order Form

Revenues and Revenue Limits: A Guide to School Finance in California - 2009 Edition

By Maureen Evans, Michele Huntoon, CPA, Jannelle Kubinec, Robert Miyashiro, and Lewis Wiley, Jr.

The only book devoted to California's unique school finance system has been updated for 2008-09 and is available now.

Since 1981, School Services of California's books on school finance have helped tens of thousands of people understand every-thing from the basics to the intricacies of California's unique school finance system. This year's 29th annual edition continues that tradition. With updates covering the latest information on Proposition 98, revenue limits, special education, transportation funding, and categorical programs-plus a new chapter by Lewis Wiley on charter schools-the 2009 Edition will definitely be an outstanding reference, training, and planning manual.

Like previous editions, the 29th edition is detailed enough to be of use to the most experienced reader, yet clear enough for newcomers to the field. By helping readers make the most of 2008-09 and plan for the future, the 2009 edition of Revenues and Revenue Limits will be of value to everyone interested in California school finance.

PDF Order Form | Discounted Old Editions On-Line Secure Order Form

Impacting the Legislative Process

By Nancy LaCasse

Impacting the Legislative Process: A Practical Guide for Public School Representatives, written by SSC’s Associate Vice President Nancy M. LaCasse and first published in 1995 and updated in 2001, has assisted numerous school officials in becoming active participants in Sacramento’s legislative decision-making process on K-14 education issues.

On-Line Order Form 

Doing More With Less 

A Guide to Effective Resource Management in California K-12 Education
Third Edition

Doing More With Less is a compilation of ideas and strategies to economize and reduce school agency costs from chief business officials, superintendents, personnel administrators, and board members throughout the state.

As local educational agencies in California lead through the most challenging economic crisis since the Great Depression and work to build and sustain quality education systems, the goal of Doing More With Less is to provide ideas on how to effectively expend increasingly limited resources. It is impossible in a guide like this to cover all of the imaginative and creative ideas on how California public education can effectively and appropriately expend its limited resources. While Doing More With Less attempts to capture the essence of some of those ideas, it is hoped that the publication gives heart to creative ideas that would not otherwise be considered. The ideas in this book may seem elementary to some or impossible to accomplish to others, but, in either case, the ideas will stimulate thinking that may lead to more effective management of scarce resources at the local level.

This third edition of Doing More With Less contains dozens of new ideas in an updated easy-to-use format. For the newest to the most experienced educational leader, this guide will be of value. If your district's address is in California, then this guide is a must read.

PDF Order Form  On-Line Secure Order Form