Cotat-Rohnert Park Unified School District  

Elementary School Closure(s) Updates and Information

 

Portable Classrooms at Evergreen School

New Proposed Boundaries

School Closure Criteria Matrix, Recommendation, & Response to Community and Board Questions

Demographic Study

Community Forums

Timeline and Updates

Community Information

Declining Enrollment - Frequently Asked Questions Update (5-23-07) (Español)

Parent/Community Leaders Letters

District Takes Approach
to School Closings PD Editorial

Questions & Answers

Declining Enrollment - Frequently Asked Questions Update May 23, 2007 (Español)

1. The School District has a "reserve" for economic uncertainty" that exceeds $1.6 million. Can't some of that money be used to keep schools open?

NO. The Education Code requires that for districts of our size, we must maintain at least a 3% reserve for economic uncertainties. To maintain this required 3% reserve, the District must cut over $600,000 for the 2008-2009 school year.

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2. Is it true that CRPUSD receives less money per student (ADA) than neighboring school districts?

YES. Districts receive a base revenue limit for each ADA based upon a funding formula that dates back to passage of Proposition 13 in 1977. Comparatively, high school districts receive the highest amount per ADA funding followed by unified school districts and elementary school districts. All unified districts in Sonoma County receive more funding per ADA than CRPUSD.

CRPUSD receives $5,150 per ADA as compared to Geyserville which receives $5,530 per ADA.

When comparing CRPUSD to the other high school districts in Sonoma County, there is even a greater discrepancy:

  • Santa Rosa High School District $5,980 per ADA
  • West County High School District $5,941 ADA
  • Petaluma High School District $5,888 per ADA
  • CRPUSD $5,150 per ADA

This discrepancy in annual funding only adds to the fiscal challenges of declining enrollment.

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3.How does the District spend the money it receives? Is there a way to cut down on "extras" like instructional supplies and materials?

Over 85% of the District's annual budget is spent on employee salaries and benefits. Education is a people business. The District, just like other private agencies and public businesses must plan for increasing health care and utility costs.

Currently the District pays an average of $8,647 per employee, with the District cost for some employees at $13,106 for health benefits. The District currently pays an average of $5,295 for health care per retiree, per year.

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Community Update #3, May 1, 2007 (Español)

1. Now that the three forums have been conducted, what happens next?

At the May 8 meeting of the Board of Trustees, staff will present the draft of a monthly timeline that outlines the planned activities and action specific to declining enrollment and potential recommendations for school closure.

Additionally, the District has contracted with the Fiscal Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) for objective evaluation and assistance. FCMAT helps California's local educational agencies fulfill their financial and management responsibilities by providing fiscal advice, management assistance, training and other related school business services.

FCMAT will collect data from the school district including, enrollment trends & projections, the 711 committee report, facilities utilization reports, budget and programmatic information. The District expects to receive the FCMAT report in September 2007.

2. What is the direct fiscal impact when the district loses the number of students equal to a class of students?

Doing the Math

  • Reduced enrollment (30 students) = ($157,416) lost revenue
  • Offset by the following:
    • 1 teacher $56,743
    • Classroom materials $ 667
    • Miscellaneous costs $ 400

Total Expense Reduction $57,810

  • NET DISTRICT LOSS ($99,606)

For each group of students that represents one classroom of students, the District has a net loss of $99,606. This additional funding loss must come from the District’s General Fund, ultimately resulting in budget reductions

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3. How does this budget information impact the District budget?

Based upon current projections, the district has identified a need to cut at least $600,000 from the district’s General Fund operating budget for the 2008-2009 school year.

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Community Update #2, April 3, 2007 (Español)

1. There are a number of new housing developments planned to be built within the school district boundaries. Will these new homes bring children to the school district to counteract the declining enrollment?

Yes and No. New residential housing developments north of Rohnert Park Expressway (University District Specific Plan) and on the old Agilent property (Sonoma Mountain Village) have been tentatively approved by the City but have been put on hold until the resolution of a lawsuit brought by the several parties over water sufficiency related issues.

Settlement of this lawsuit is expected by the end of this calendar year. If these housing projects are allowed to move forward, approximately 2,000 new homes could be built over the next three to ten years. It is expected that these homes would increase the District’s student population somewhere around 600 students K-12 over a multi-year period. To date, the district has lost some 1500 students.

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2. How does the district determine student enrollment projections for future years?

Student enrollment numbers are tracked from grade level to grade level and the changes become the basis of future projections.  For incoming kindergarten students, we analyze the birthrates in Cotati and Rohnert Park and then match the student attendance five years later.  We also work with a demographic consultant to validate our projections. No. New residential housing developments north of Rohnert Park Expressway (University District Specific Plan) and on the old Agilent property (Sonoma Mountain Village) have been tentatively approved by the City but have been put on hold until the resolution of a lawsuit brought by the several parties over water sufficiency related issues.

Settlement of this lawsuit is expected by the end of this calendar year. If these housing projects are allowed to move forward, approximately 2,000 new homes could be built over the next three to ten years. It is expected that these homes would increase the District’s student population somewhere around 600 students K-12 over a multi-year period. To date, the district has lost some 1500 students.

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3. How can I learn more about declining enrollment and the potential impacts it may have in future years?

The District has scheduled three Community Meetings to provide information to members of the school community. You are invited to attend any of the scheduled meetings. Meetings are scheduled:

  • Monday, April 16, 2007, Mountain Shadows Middle School 7:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Monday, April 23, 2007,Creekside Middle School 7:00-8:00 p.m.
  • Monday, April 30, 2007, La Fiesta Elementary School 7:00-8:00 p.m.

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4. How can I get accurate information?

Any member of the school community can check our District’s website for regular updates at www.crpusd.org

Information regarding the District’s enrollment trends and facility use can also be found on the website under “Second Interim Report”.

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Community Update #1 March 14, 2007 (Español)

1. Is the District going to close a school in the 2007-2008 school year?

No. All district schools will remain open for the 2007-2008 school year.

2. Why is the District even talking about school closure?

CRPUSD continues to experience a decline in student enrollments. Over the past seven years, the district has lost approximately 1500 students. We expect this trend to continue up and through 2010-2011. Reduced student enrollment results in reduced revenue for district operations.

To maintain fiscal solvency, the District must be proactive and plan for projected future revenues and expenditures. Given the projection of a reduced number of students, part of this planning will include how the district uses its facilities. Given our current budget assumptions, the District must cut $600,000 effective in the 2008-2009 school year.

3. Has the District identified which school(s) might be closed at some point in the future?

At this time, the District has developed neither a process nor a timeline to identify potential schools for closure.

These items would be presented at a public school board meeting for discussion and approval by the Board.

4. How can I get accurate information?

Any member of the school community can check our District’s website for regular updates at www.crpusd.org

Information regarding the District’s enrollment trends and facility use can also be found on the website under “Second Interim Report”.

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Join any of the following meetings for roundtable discussion planning for declining enrollment

 

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