SF Board of Education Adopts 2015-16 School Year Budget

Press Release

June 24, 2015 (San Francisco) – At its regular meeting last night, the San Francisco Board of Education adopted unanimously its 2015-16 budget, which reflects increased funds for schools due to the state’s improving economy.

The San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) operating budget for next year totals $787.5 million in expenditures, an increase of about $71 million over last year. Approximately $465 million in revenue will come from the state’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), compared to $403 million from the state last year. The LCFF accounts for the majority of state funds for SFUSD.

While SFUSD’s budget shows large increases, the school district has been grossly underfunded by the state throughout the recent recession. And, while voter-approved funds  -- such as the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) has made it possible to keep things such as sports, libraries and arts in the schools and funds to renovate buildings – it was noted that it will take several years to restore SFUSD’s budget to adequate levels.

“This is definitely a move in the right direction,” said Myong Leigh, SFUSD’s deputy superintendent for policy and operations.

The board also approved its Local Control Accountability Plan, which all school districts are required to adopt. The document shows how SFUSD will spend its supplemental funds.

Similar to how SFUSD looks to the community for input on school site budgets and plans, parents, community members, and organizations were consulted during the creation of the district’s LCAP.  The district worked with the Board of Education’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC), the District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC), and other organizations to hold a series of focus groups and public forums.

“This has been a robust process,” added Superintendent Richard A. Carranza, “It required a tremendous investment in time by many, and the level of involvement has been impressive.”

Highlights of the 2015-16 Budget

The Local Control Funding Formula gives school districts more flexibility to address academic needs at each school. For SFUSD this coming school year, approximately $4 million will continue restoring school budgets – which suffered during the recession due to decreased state funds – as well as provide additional support for schools.

By far the largest increase in spending will be for employee salaries, at just over $22 million. This includes a 12 percent raise for teachers being phased in over the next three years. Another $400,000 will be used to transition temporary workers in Student Nutrition to permanent Civil Service positions.

In addition, $5.5 million will go to employee pensions (Cal-STRS), a cost that will continue to grow as the state mandates districts to contribute increasingly larger portions (SFUSD is expected to contribute as much as $24 million more by the year 2021).

Approximately $11 million will be used to continue student programs and to begin new ones. This includes a new Family Academy, Special Education Services, Foster Youth Services, Ethnic Studies, College and Career Readiness, Safe & Supportive Schools, as well one-time technology initiatives.

Also, state funds to support implementation of Common Core State Standards have ended for schools districts across the state. As implementation continues, the district will provide its own funds.

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Page updated on 06/24/15