3/18/16 Budget Update

Dear Mariposa Family and Friends,

Wednesday evening, the Mariposa County Unified School District (MCUSD) and Mariposa County Office of Education (MCOE) governing boards conducted their regular monthly meetings, and made some important decisions regarding necessary budget adjustments for next school year and beyond. After careful analysis of budget projections for the next three years, staff recommended the implementation of reductions of $736,089 in the District budget, and $386,483 in the County budget for 2016/17. These reductions  will result in a total savings of $1.5 million over the next two years, and will allow our organization to improve its fiscal health overall. Not only will it mean an end to the unhealthy practice of using carryover (unspent funds from previous years) to cover current year expenses (i.e., deficit spending), it will allow us to establish the means to reinvest in our extremely “tired” facilities.

Maintaining fiscal strength is imperative to creating the foundation and stability for our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), school sites, and our district-wide educational initiatives.   Given concrete salary increase investments in our MCUSD/MCOE family over the last two years, we have taken action to balance our budget with the following adjustments:

Eliminate a currently vacant Categorical/Special Projects Coordinator position

Utilize revenue from Foster Youth Grant to fund 15% of an Educational Services Director position

Eliminate a currently vacant Educational Services Department Director

Eliminate Alternative Education Assistant Principal vacancy caused by retirement, to be replaced with a Lead Teacher position

Eliminate two vacant EOC Positions

Utilize revenue from Adult Education Grant to fund 43% funding of the Alternative Education Principal position

Savings achieved through attrition associated with MCUSD teacher retirements

Eliminate 1 full-time teaching position by creating a combo class at WD or MES, based on class size projections and vacancies

Eliminate currently vacant WD/MES Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) positions

Eliminate/reduce Special Education Aide position/hrs., based on reduced student needs

Eliminate future $250K contribution toward Facilities Budget which had been necessary to fund needed roof repairs in 2015/16.

As a result of the Board’s actions, our organization will have a path towards financial stability in future years, all while having invested in recruiting and retaining dedicated staff by providing salary increases. There is no doubt that these reductions are extremely difficult, and despite not filling valuable support positions, our core educational programs will continue to be sound.  With a balanced budget and minimal turnover, our organization’s foundation will be strong, ensuring our ability to maintain focus on our LCAP priorities and district initiatives.

Making reductions is always difficult, and this work can only be done with a supportive and dedicated team. Mariposa is known for its “can do” spirit, and our staff exemplifies that reputation. All District staff is to be commended for their hard work, suggestions, and support for responsible budgeting with a long term vision and success in mind.

Sincerely,

Jeff Aranguena

Mariposa County Unified School District
Director of Human Resources and Student Services

THANK YOU BOB!

Last Friday night when Jacob Baca hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the Section Championship boys basketball game into overtime, the entire Mariposa crowd started jumping up and down and screaming as if they were all at a rock concert! (Jacob Baca’s Buzzer Beater)

While everyone was losing their minds, Coach Jaekle was playing it cool.  He started rounding up his stunned yet excited players, and prepared for overtime.  I thought to myself in the midst of pandemonium, “How can this guy stay in the zone with all this craziness and excitement?"

Then It became clear to me.  

Not only has Coach Jaekle’s ability to keep calm under pressure brought Mariposa its first basketball Section Championship in school history, it has also allowed him to be a successful teacher in one of our county's most essential, yet challenging programs.  




Coach Jaekle, or “Mr. Jaekle,” works with students in our County Behavioral Intervention Class (also known as BIC).  It’s a highly demanding assignment for a teacher, one that Director of Special Services Marcia Miller says Mr. Jaekle has handled with compassion and sincerity:

“Mr. Jaekle has stepped up and provided an environment for our students who feel supported, engaged, and most of all, safe.  He has stepped up into teaching position that requires patience, empathy, heart, and kindness, and done a fantastic job.”

Veteran coaches also speak highly of Coach Jaekle’s skill set as a mentor and coach.  I was fortunate enough to watch Friday night’s game with two of Mariposa’s greats, Coach Lloyd Hobby and Coach Trace Desandres (Desandres Grizzly Spell Out).  Desandres spoke of Coach Jaekle’s influence on his athletes:

“Bob is an exceptional coach and a positive leader.  There is no doubt that his team will be remembered as one of the greatest.  His players will look back at this moment for as long as they live, and remember everything Bob has taught them. I am very proud.”

So as we celebrate bringing the Division V Championship banner to Mariposa, I would like to say on behalf of our students, staff, and community, THANK YOU COACH JAEKLE! (Celebration Time)

Jeff Aranguena

Director of Human Resources and Student Services

https://twitter.com/MrAranguena