MJUSD releases 2017-18 fiscal year budget

The Marysville Joint Unified School District’s next budget will rely on state funding through the Local Control Funding Formula to the tune of $81.7 million

According to the proposed 2017-18 fiscal year budget, the district’s total revenue is expected to be about $128.3 million compared to about $127.1 million the year before. General fund expenses are proposed to be about $122 million compared to the previous year’s estimated $120 million.

The new budget is available on the district website and will be taken up by the board of trustees at their meeting June 20 at the MJUSD Office.

Superintendent Gay Todd summarized the budget:

“It’s always good to have funds available to do the myriad of things districts need to do. Using the funds as they are designed to be used to improve student achievement.” Following are highlights:

With the uncertainty of increased state funding continuing past 2020, Todd said the district is maintaining reestablished programs cut during the recession years. Feedback has been that the programs are improving student learning and success, she said.

“We’re just kind of staying the course,” she said. “All of those things have made a positive impact on making sure students make achievements at higher levels.”

The greatest progress might involve the increase in graduation rates, the decrease in student suspensions and an increase in student performance in language arts and mathematics.

Salary expenses for teachers and support staff will constitute almost 75 percent of the budget. That equals $92.6 million for the coming fiscal year, compared to 86.5 million last year.

Ryan DiGiulio, the assistant superintendent of business services, said the increase is due to district contributions to CalPers and CalStrs.

“The rate keeps going higher and higher and you’re paying more out to that,” DiGiulio said. “It’s a little different way of doing things but that’s the model now.”