GO Board Watch: April 11, 2018
Welcome to GO’s School Board Watch for the meeting taking place Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
This week’s agenda includes the following key items:
- 2017-18 Budget Revision 4
- Appointment of Marcus Battle as Chief Business Officer
- School Safety Resolution
- Layoffs/Additions/Net of Classified Positions for Fiscal Year 2018-2019
Budget
The Board will hear an update on the 2017-18 Budget Revision 4 as of 4/4/2018. This reflects mid-year adjustments input into the financial system from 2/1/18 to 4/3/18. Total unrestricted expenses increased by $3.7 million, primarily due to the Health Benefits Governance Board Agreement ($2 million), PEC Transportation ($1 million), the Oakland Athletic League ($0.3 million), and Fiscal Leadership Placement ($0.2 million). Based on these increased expenses, OUSD is now 0.6 percentage points short of meeting the state-mandated 2 percent financial reserve and 1.6 percentage points short of the Board-mandated 3 percent financial reserve. Ending the school year with a less than 2 percent financial reserve puts OUSD at risk for state takeover.
Appointment of Marcus Battle as Chief Business Officer
The Board will vote whether to approve an employment agreement for Marcus Battle to serve as the Chief Business Officer. The Chief Business Officer will “provide leadership in planning, supervising and directing the business and operations of the District.” Marcus Battle has served as the Associate Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District in San Jose since 2011.
Board Governance
The Board will hear a second reading of a resolution for school safety in response to school shootings. The resolution calls for the United States federal government to make sweeping changes to reduce gun violence, including banning the sale, purchase, possession, and use of assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition cartridges, expand universal background checks for firearm possession, and to appropriate adequate new funds to school districts to enhance and expand safety measures. It further states that OUSD is opposed to arming teachers and calls on the Superintendent to find ways to safely secure classrooms and offices from the inside by authorized staff and to create a 24-7 tipline/helpline.
District Employees
Layoffs/Additions/Net of Classified Positions for Fiscal Year 2018-2019
Due to uncertain funding and the continuing financial challenges that OUSD faces, the District will be making reductions in classified positions for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Individuals in positions affected by layoffs/reductions will receive a layoff notice, but may retain employment through reassignment. The net reductions in full-time employment will be -41.4 FTE from central-office-funded positions and -13.73 FTE from school-site-funded positions.