Educational leaders in California have an opportunity to leverage our state funding for the programs and services that we value most at the local level. The supplemental and concentration grant funds can have broad application to support our children with the greatest needs. And, after several years of significant funding increases, today’s decisions are even more critical as revenues have flattened and resources for ongoing programs have become scarce, not to mention the reintroduction of cash deferrals. One-time federal funds are a temporary respite, but must be used with care. Combining all of that with school closure and re-opening as a result of COVID-19, local agency finances are more challenging than ever.

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

The number one area for findings in an audit report are those in the area of Associated Student Body. 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.

Prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, more than half of all local educational agencies (LEAs) experienced declining enrollment trends. In addition, the current pandemic-induced recession resulted in a precipitous decline in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee in the middle of 2019–20 that resulted in deferrals in the 2020–21 State Budget. Absent a robust recovery and a vaccine and effective therapies for COVID-19, declining enrollment trends are forecasted to continue and the 2021–22 budget for education is likely to include additional deferrals or spending cuts.