Dear Mariposa Family and Friends,
At the March 2nd and 9th Board meetings, two important decisions regarding bargaining unit negotiations and necessary budget adjustments took place for next school year.
First, the Board approved the Tentative Agreement between MCUSD management staff and the Mariposa County Teachers Association (MCTA), which will provide for the third consecutive year a salary schedule increase for our teachers. In February, the Board approved the Tentative Agreement between MCUSD management staff and the California School Employee Association (CSEA). This agreement also provides for the third consecutive year a salary schedule increase for our classified employees.
Second, the news that Mariposa County Office of Education (MCOE) will be receiving a significant reduction in Special Education funding, created a new paradigm regarding budgeting for Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD). The certain loss of funding represents a significant challenge as Special Education continues to encroach into Mariposa County Unified School District's general fund budget. This encroachment results in fewer dollars available for district wide programs and services.
The 2016-17 school year marks the second consecutive year that reductions in Special Education funding combined with negotiated salary increases have forced MCUSD to align our anticipated reduced revenues with expenditures. Dramatic increases in employee retirement plan contributions (STRS and PERS) and health care costs, along with automatic step and column salary increases, have made this task even more challenging for staff and our school board.
The reductions are based on the following key factors:
- Focus on reducing personnel costs
- Start the reduction furthest away from the classroom, beginning with the district office
- Utilize attrition (retirements and resignations) to avoid hurtful layoffs and maximize savings
- Negotiated increases for bargaining unit employees
- Declining enrollment
- Reduction in SELPA funding
- Reduction in funding from Fresno ROP
- Reduction in funding from federal Secure Rural Schools (forestry funds)
- Reduction in funding from Probation “JAG” grant
- Monitor and plan for STRS, PERS, and rising health care cost increases
Given our fiscal reality and salary investment in our employees, we have taken action to balance our budget with the following district wide adjustments for the 2017-18 school year:
District Office - eliminated and consolidated vacant administrative position
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MCHS - eliminated vacant certificated teaching position; based on school class size projections
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LDPE - eliminated current vacant classified secretary position; based on school site enrollment
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Greeley Hill - eliminated vacant certificated teaching position; based on school site declining enrollment
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Last year, given our fiscal reality and salary investment in our employees, we took action to balance our budget with the following district wide adjustments for the 2016-17 school year:
District Office - eliminated and consolidated vacant Special Projects Coordinator position
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District Office - eliminated vacant Educational Services Department Director; hired part time Interim Director
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District Office - eliminated vacant Alternative Education Assistant Teaching/Principal
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Alternative Education - eliminated two vacant certificated teaching position; based on school class size projections
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Woodland - eliminated vacant certificated teaching position; based on school class size projections
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MES - eliminated vacant certificated teaching position; based on school class size projections
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Special Education - eliminated/reduced Special Education Aide position/hrs; based on reduced student need
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As you can see reductions over the past two years span across our entire district. Although our resources are declining, unfortunately our requirements are not. Staff works hard to comply with underfunded mandates, as well as keep up with state accountability systems and other requirements. This all must be done while supporting our students at the highest level. Meeting these mandates takes time, energy, and money. Staff goes above and beyond to meet these demands on a daily basis.
In my weekly site visitations, I see how hard our team is working. I witness the commitment, dedication, and care from all staff who make our schools such great places for kids, regardless of limited resources. We appreciate all the hard and important work you all continue to do on a daily basis.
Warm regards,
Jeff Aranguena
Mariposa County Unified School District
Director of Human Resources/Student Services
