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By Tom Chorneau
Monday, August 12, 2013
Uncertainty over how schools can spend billions of new state dollars delivered under a new funding formula is generating both conflict and complication between labor and management as districts statewide seek new collective bargaining agreements.
After five long years of recession, California schools this month received their first share of new money distributed under the governor’s Local Control Funding Formula – but the regulations that will ultimately determine how the money can be used won’t be ready for months.
“This is becoming a really difficult process,” said Rob Ball, director of business support at Twin Rivers Unified. “Everyone thinks we are getting more money and of course we are getting some, the problem is that we believe most of it is going to be restricted.”
While it is unclear how LCFF spending uncertainty has affected specific contract negotiations – there has been significant effort in recent days aimed at calming anxieties.
Last week, a guidance memo was issued by state board president Mike Kirst and schools chief Tom Torlakson giving schools some broad priorities for spending while work proceeds on the regulations.
School advocacy groups have also weighed in – especially the California School Boards Association, which held a workshop earlier this month that included a cautionary note when it comes to labor negotiations.
Also last week, the CSBA, along with the Association of California School Administrators and the California
A recent entry on Dawn Rhoades’ Facebook page sums up the shift that is taking place in schools this year across California as well as other parts of the country: “Who needs No. 2 pencils anymore? New requirement for entering sixth-graders is a lap-top!”