Dear NUSD Colleagues and Community

Several of you were able to attend the Board of Trustees meeting last night, some watched from home, and others were not able to watch the meeting that adjourned at 11pm. I received emails this morning letting me know some of you fell asleep while watching, which I totally understand!

The budget reductions were discussed as presented from the Budget Advisory Committee recommendations. Trustees intentionally discussed, analyzed, and came to consensus on each item to meet the $4 million in reductions per our agreement with the Marin County Office of Education. The MCOE conditions of budget approval for NUSD reflect a required budget reduction of $4 million. Trustees upheld the NUSD/MCOE agreement on January 25, 2022, with the approval of the reductions.

We received several emails of advocacy and we always appreciate hearing from everyone. I am hoping we can all come together to accept the necessary reductions due to the challenge of declining enrollment, increased pensions costs, and the deficit spending that has plagued us for the last few years for a variety of reasons. As an LCFF district that depends on ADA to fund our district vs enrollment or property taxes like neighboring districts, we need creative solutions to budgetary issues as we maximize one-time funding to support school programs.

I want to share the Trustee’s approved budget reductions that will be included in the Second Interim Budget report that will go to MCOE in March to demonstrate compliance with the $4 million dollar reductions required to continue to receive an approved budget from MCOE.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Budget Reduction Savings
Warehouse Manager

There is no longer a warehouse. The employee is currently helping out in Food Service.

 $79,000
Benefits Specialist

This is an open position and the services are being pursued through NUSD insurance carrier.

 $106,000
Director of Student Success

This is a vacant position in Education Services. This position will not be filled.

 $100,000
Technology Supervisor

This is a vacant position and supervision of staff is being assumed by the Director of IT.

 $151,000
Groundskeeper

This is currently a frozen position that will not be filled.

 $67,500
Reduce Elementary Prep

Elementary Prep will be aligned with the student/ teacher ratios outlined in the NFT contract.

 $200,00
Reduce Asst. Supt to Director for HR

The HR position is currently being filled by retirees. It will be changed to a Director level.

 $48,000
Eliminate 30 teacher positions

NUSD is currently overstaffed and the student enrollment and teaching positions do not align with the NFT contract. Positions are reduced to align student/teacher ratios.

 $3,000,000
Re-establish the Middle School Dean positions

Align high school and middle school Counselors positions to provide academic and mental health services to students and to access other funding sources rather than the general fund expenditures.

 $241,200
Reduce overtime for emergencies only

Reduce the cost of overtime to focus more on emergencies.

 $50,000
Reduce department/site discretionary budgets

Reduce the general fund contributions to departments and sites

 $100,000
TOTAL SAVINGS $4,142,700

NUSD has completed the budget process reductions for the 2022-23 school year as required by the NUSD/MCOE agreement to receive an approved budget. The total reductions are $4,142,700. We appreciate the work of the Budget Advisory Committee, led by Lois Standring with the support of Ashley Albertson. We also appreciate the input both written and in-person of all stakeholders. The Trustees had a tremendous task to select reductions from the list provided by the Budget Advisory Committee. Extensive Trustee analysis and discussion resulted in a collaborative process for the common good. This is never an easy task, but it was achieved with the best interest of the district and all stakeholders in mind.  I am grateful for everyone’s input and participation.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent