Healdsburg Unified School District Approves 2012-2013 Budget

The economic downturn of the last few years has affected virtually every business and individual. Schools and local government are not immune to the consequences.

In addition to the woes Healdsburg Unified School District shares with all California schools -- decreased governmental revenues -- Healdsburg schools are also faced with declining enrollment.

At their monthly meeting on June 20th, the HUSD school board adopted a budget reflecting these difficult circumstances.

In 2011-2012, HUSD enrollment declined 62 students, making it a major factor in the board's considerations. An additional decline of 40 students is expected in the coming year.

Since 1995's high of 3238, enrollment last year dropped to 1919 students.

Working with the Healdsburg Area Teachers Union (HATA), the District has reduced staffing and increased class sizes. Reflected in their numbers is the reduction of five full-time certificated employees.

Moreover, one work day and five classroom days have been eliminated. Class sizes have been increased by 10%

In California, the bulk of school district money comes from property taxes.  The crisis in the real estate market caused a 2010 decline in property tax revenue.

Revenues for tax year 2010-2011 remain uncertain. The District's budget reflects an assumption that tax revenues will be 98.6% of the Sonoma County Treasurer's November 2011 estimates. Projections call for property tax revenues to remain flat for the foreseeable future.

The future of Governor Brown's tax measure on the November ballot remains unknown. The measure proposes to restore funding to schools. However, if the measure is defeated, HUSD estimates an $800,000 plus loss of revenue.

"If the tax measure fails," noted Superintendent Jeff Harding,"we will need to use reserves to cover some of the shortfall."

Harding emphasizes that the school board has made a strong commitment to maintaining the enrichment program for grades K-5, as well as arts, music and athletic programs. 

The school board prepared two budgets, one presuming passage of the November ballot measure, the other presumes failure. The adopted budget reflects the worst-case scenario.

"It's difficult to predict what's going to happen 3-4 years down the road," observed Harding.

"If you had told me only a year ago that Redevelopment Agencies would be gone, I couldn't have imagined that," he continued.

The loss of Healdsburg's Redevelopment Agency has a direct impact on the school district, as some of those funds were proposed for the purchase the former Foss Creek School as a community center.

According to Harding, the district is in ongoing talks with the City to consider how to proceed. The funds are held in an escrow account while both agencies await a determination from the State Department of Finance.

Positive aspects of the current budget include the District's work with the Healdsburg Education Foundation on fund-raising. Their efforts raised approximately $520,000 last school year.

In addition, while some agencies grapple with employee pensions, Harding notes that HUSD has no pension obligation. Es employees hired after 1994 receive no retiree benefits.

Current planning and budget challenges include the transition of students to the demands of the 21st century.

"We need to examine the curriculum," Harding commented. "Simply learning names and dates is not relevant to current or future needs.

"So much information is available now on smart phones or the internet, we need to make sure we're preparing students to be self-starters, problem-solvers and how to work effectively together," he continued.

"Students will be entering a competitive workplace, and we need to make sure they have the skills to enter a global economy," Harding ended.

Students need inter-personal skills as well as technology knowledge. While many of today's maufacturing jobs involve the use of technology, inter-personal skills and the ability to make effective presentations will both be essential.

"Our goal is to be a model school district," Harding said. "We want people to seek out our community not just because of our great wineries, but because of our great schools."