Thread by @PPSSFBoardWatch

We are popping into the SFUSD Board of Education Budget and Business Services meeting. We missed the presentation and public comment on the PEEF presentation. go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… Joining as commissioner remarks begin. #BoardWatch

Commissioner Sanchez is concerned about funds being shifted around from one line-item to another. Edwin Diaz who is PEEF director shares info about the process. #Boardwatch

Working to incorporate regular updates on where the district is in terms of funding, but have not regularly shared info on use of fund balance. Isn't because we don't want to, just have not built that into the update process. Plan is to incorporate this moving forward #BoardWatch

Commissioner Sanchez: what programs in the recent past have been discontinued because the committee has found low efficacy or not a good fit for the district. Diaz: nothing in recent memory that CAC has recommended not be funded by PEEF #Boardwatch

Sanchez wonders what evaluation process of programs is. Diaz: this year suspended the evaluation program because of COVID, working to revamp the process going forward. In the past have done an evaluation report. #Boardwatch

PEEF CAC member Lainie Motamedi concurs that there have not been programs that have been recommended for termination, but have wanted more data. These recommendations usually come to the board. #Boardwatch

That said, we don't have much say in what comes up, it is what the Superintendent proposes. This year some things were taken off of PEEF funding, that doesn't necessarily come from the CAC. #Boardwatch

As a CAC, don't always get to see why unspent funds occurred - was it because program was more efficient? they couldn't hire people? or they didn't do what they should have been doing. #Boardwatch

Motamedi: An example Q1 of athletic spending was dramatically down this year, for obvious reasons. When spending isn't happening, to me that means students are not getting served. This predates the pandemic #Boardwatch

President Lopez wonders if the extension in reporting is just because of COVID or if it will continue. Diaz: It is our hope that this is a permanent change. Created more efficiency in district budgeting to have timeline aligned. #Boardwatch

Discussion between Commissioner Alexander and Mr. Diaz about building more transparency about why funds are not being spent, when and why funds are shifted from one line item to another. #Boardwatch

Commissioner Alexander has concerns about cuts to world languages. Thought we were trying to avoid school-based cuts this year. Diaz: rather than lowering # of staff, cuts coming in supplies etc. Realize this will have an impact. #Boardwatch

Commissioner Moliga is interested in putting more funds into athletics. See that funds are being increased. Are those allocated with a particular purpose? #Boardwatch

Diaz agrees to pull together spending on athletics and PE and last 3 years. Ann Marie Gordon, ED of Budget Services says some of this info was shared in response to a board information request about unspent balances. #Boardwatch

Commissioner Lam, would like some additional information about the possible restructuring of world language pathways, how does this play into funding shifts. #Boardwatch

Chief Wallace explains a bit about the reason that funds have been shifted-part of long-term strategy to balance budget. Making shifts in ways that are allowable under PEEF authorization. #Boardwatch

Next item: calendar for Budget and Business Services committee, this is a standing item. Here are slides go.boarddocs.com/ca/sfusd/Board… #Boardwatch

Last meeting is June 2, will share budget, LCAP, and hope to give update on enrollment #Boardwatch

Next is standing item on school reopening. Looking at standing costs and looking ahead to next year cost to be keeping an eye on. $4.3M remaining COVID reserves. Anticipated expenses for this year from $4.5-8.8M. One big example of uncertainty is substitute teachers #Boardwatch

Some schools have been providing aftercare on Wednesday early release days, these estimates have come down a bit. May be additional costs coming in for ventilation improvements, particularly in HS. #BoardWatch

Estimates are higher than reserves but have received first tranch of ESSER II funds (Fed recovery funds), can draw down if needed, but the less used the more there is for next year. #BoardWatch

Looking to next year. The federal stimulus funds are more than addressing the projected shortfall, but looking to be smart about budgeting and how we can put current expenses from unrestricted sources to more restricted sources. #Boardwatch

Looking at Prop J to maybe cover some operating expenses. Learning recovery dollars, have many ideas of new ways to spend funds, but also already provide services to students that align with these uses so could use to cover current operations. #Boardwatch

Know there will be ongoing costs related to opening schools under COVID 19-- improvements to sites, ventilation, custodial, testing, adaptations to classrooms. There is also some demand for additional distance learning for students who have done really well under DL. #Boardwatch

In talks to see if other funding sources, like FEMA for testing. Potentially could actually have a reserve that could help address the FY 22-23 deficit. #BoardWatch

Commissioner Alexander wants clarification for the public as to why the structural deficit is going up. Chief Wallace, one driver is cost of doing business goes up every year. Salary step and column increases, benefits, pension costs, inflation on utilities etc. #Boardwatch

Wallace: also budget includes assumptions about one time funds going away. Expenditure growth and changes in revenue create the significant jump. #Boardwatch

Commissioner Lam wonders about possible timing of FEMA reimbursement. Wallace: the window is narrowing. Eligible as long as there is a determined "state of emergency" - likely approaching the end of window of eligibility. Partnership with city is biggest factor. #Boardwatch

Lam wonders if there will be changes because of shifting guidance around cleaning, disinfecting, etc. Wallace says they are working with facilities team to determine what real need is. Facilities team has learned a lot. #Boardwatch

Wallace: Would dare to say some of that budget is ongoing. Some of what we have said is COVID 19 is actually needed to meet a higher level of cleaning that should be sustained longterm. #BoardWatch

Lam: wonders about state and federal recovery funding, in what areas will need to demonstrate impact (additional services) and what areas can be used for existing programs #Boardwatch

Lam mentions that Governor's May Revise is coming out on Friday, he has put out some statements today indicating interest in "reimagining public education." #BoardWatch

@threadreaderapp unroll :)