Secure Additional Funds and Grants to Support Our Schools

By Dale Petrulis

All California school districts struggle with the realities being underfunded and not knowing what their income will be when they are planning for the next year. It is difficult to make long range plans when funding is unstable, underfunded and unknown when planning takes place. Small school districts, such as Redondo Beach, have few choices when making cuts from their budget. Creative solutions and outside funding are needed to augment and support needed instructional programs.

With tight budgets and the pressures of accountability, school districts face many difficult and challenging decisions. School districts must make decisions about funding each year without knowing their income. Can you imagine running a household budget that way-making decisions about where to spend without knowing your income and avaialable funding? That is how school districts operate every year. Prior to making cuts, creative and comprehensive steps to enhance and support budgets must be taken.

Solution:

• Explore other sources of funding, including private foundations, state and federal grants, education foundations, and other community collaborators to provide funding
• Clarify district and program goals so that when outside grants and monies are solicited, the district/program goals match the goals of the foundation or state program being asked for funds e.g. interests in music, interest in college counseling, etc.
• Solicit input and provide feedback on all issues. Focus on the exchange of information and ideas to build trust and inspire confidence in a fair decision-making process
• Explore alternative methods of delivering services, examining all structures to see which administrative, consultant, and other positions can be consolidated, while still providing needed services and supports, keeping cuts as far from the classroom as possible
• Plan and promote ways to increase student attendance (to support instruction and increase revenues as schools are funded on POSITIVE (actual) attendance per day through April of the school year. The funds are allocated in the next year. Institute an aggressive recruitment of additional students from private schools; provide attendance incentives; and solicit parental cooperation to increase attendance and revenues
• Build a more collaborative and cooperative relationship with the City of Redondo Beach to increase financial support to the school district and develop a shared responsibility for the education of our students
• Take advantage of the state reimbursement for professional development when training is related to standards-based materials
• Continue discussions with Manhattan Beach Unified School District regarding attendance at Mira Costa High School
• TEACH AND ENCOURAGE ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO DEMAND APPROPRIATE FUNDING from the State of California