• Del Norte Unified School District supports the results of the Fact-Finding report. We have done the calculations on what affects the recommended 6% over 3-years would have on the budget. These calculations do not include the additional raises in the Fact-Finder's report based on increased ADA contingencies. (The factfinder recommended a 3-year contract based on contingencies being met and gave raises up to the following: Year 1 - 2%/ Year 2 - 3% / Year 3 - 3%) 

    Going with the recommendations from the Fact-Finder's report would have a huge impact on District Reserves. Click the following graphs to see a detailed breakout. 

     

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    Factfinding Recommended Multiyear Increase Revenues and Expenditues

     

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    Factfinding Recommended Multiyear Increase Impact on DNUSD Budget

    Why does the state of California provide COLA funds?

    • The state of California provides a COLA to School Districts that may increase revenue in order to maintain current services, and is used for, but not limited to:
      • Employee Health & Welfare
      • Employee Retirement
      • Salary Schedule Increases
      • Facilities Maintenance
      • Equipment Costs & Maintenance
      • Energy Costs
      • Student Education Programs
      • Student Health & Wellness Programs
      • Transportation Services
      • Student Materials
      • Liabilities

     

    How much is the Cost of Living Increase Adjustment (COLA) for the 2019-20 school year?

    • The 2019-20 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is 3.26%. 
    • A 3.26% Cola equates to a 2.4% increase to the district’s overall revenue for the 2019-20 school year
    • To maintain the current, budgeted costs, including payroll, student services, transportation, utilities and other expenses, the district would have to have received a 4% COLA. 
    • For more information, go to https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/lcffcola.asp.

    Is COLA different from revenue?

    • Yes.  Increases in COLA do not necessarily mean increased revenue for the district.
    • While COLA may increase or decrease in each year, the district is funded through LCFF, which has its own funding calculations that have meant varying increases each year.
    • Additionally, COLA is applied to LCFF, which is driven primarily by enrollment and student attendance. 
      • For instance, if the state sets a high COLA, but enrollment drops, there may be no additional revenue to the district to current or increased costs.
      • However, if a COLA is low, but enrollment increases over projections, the district may have more funds to offer during negotiations.
    • In terms of actual revenue, the District received a net 2.4% increase of funds for the 2019-20 school year.

    Why are teachers being offered 2% instead of 3.26 (COLA)?

    • The state of California expects school districts to use the COLA to pay for the various rising costs of the district each year. These funds need to be spread out appropriately to avoid canceling critical student services due to a lack of funding
    • Over the last 5 years, COLA revenue has been used to fund raises for staff, as a result, the increasing costs of other district programs and services have not been properly addressed
    • A 3.26% COLA equates to a 2.4% increase to the district’s overall revenue for the 2019-20 school year

    What amount of Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) has the district received from the 2014-15 school year to the 2018-19 school year compared to the raises teachers received during the same time period?

    • During those 5 years, DNUSD has received a total 7.29% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase and gave 13.6% in raises:
      • 2014-2015 .85% COLA vs 3% raise
      • 2015-2016 1.02% COLA vs 3% raise
      • 2016-2017 0% COLA vs 3.6% raise
      • 2017-2018 1.56% COLA vs 2% raise
      • 2018-2019 3.7% COLA vs 4% raise
      • 2019-2020 3.26% COLA vs 1% guaranteed, and 1% conditional raise 
    • https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/lcffcola.asp