Agenda - 06-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 State Mandates (Continuation Budget) Salary increases mandated by Legislature $1,210,00.0 The 1999 -2000 fiscal year will be the third of four years scheduled for the full implementation of the Excellent Schools Act. The Governor has proposed increases that will average eight (8) percent for teachers and principals and three (3) percent for other staff members. We have every reason to believe that the legislature will continue to support this commitment. Increase in health insurance premium increase $297,000 For the past seven years, the state has not increased the employer's share of the cost for employees' health insurance. The state budget office has advised us to budget a thirty- five (35) percent increase this year in anticipation of a new contract that it is negotiating. Substitute teacher pay increase 1 $44,000 Effective January 1, 1999, the state increased the pay rate for substitute teachers, which previously was woefully inadequate. The new rate is pegged to the first step of the teachers' salary schedule; therefore, it will increase when teachers' salaries are raised. Special education. $185,824 As the Board is well aware, the district is legally obligated to provide a free and appropriate education to all of its students identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This is a growing population of students. Based upon our projections for next year, we will need four (4) additional staff positions to provide identification and educational services: one pre- school autistic teacher; one -half school psychologist position; two high school resource teachers; and one -half inclusion assistant. This increase, which totals $185,824, is lower than those requested in recent years, and represents the minimum amount that will allow us to operate within federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines. Total for State Mandates $19736,824 Proficiencv Standards (Expansion Budget PREP Academies $540,000 This summer will mark the first time that students must demonstrate proficiency in the essential skills of reading, mathematics, and writing in order to be promoted to middle and high school. Proficiency is assessed through the State's ABC testing program and locally developed, performance -based assessments. Four major strategies will be implemented to support our students and reduce the'risk of retention. PREP Academies will be instituted between the fifth and sixth grades and the eighth and ninth grades to accelerate the learning of students who are not prepared to embark on a middle or high school course of study. PREP Academies will provide a reduced class size of 10 to 14 students, teacher assistants, reading teachers, part-time family specialists, tutors, and integrated technology. The cost to operate two PREP Academies at the middle school level and one at the high school level is $540,000. Summer School $105,540 For the first time this summer, all non - proficient students in grades 3 -8 will be required by board policy to attend summer school in order to be considered for promotion to the next grade level. In addition, the summer school model has been revised to allow us to provide summer school services in all of our elementary and middle schools rather than at a central site. This will greatly enhance the continuity between the regular year and 7 — `2-