Board adopts 2008-09 recommended budget amid discussion of rainy-day funds, Prop H in-kind options and Chinese immersion concerns

The San Francisco Unified School District Board adopted the superintendent's recommended budget for fiscal year 2008-09 on June 24 after a lengthy presentation and discussion.

Staff explained that assumptions included a projected $18.2 million contribution from the city rainy day reserve and emphasized the need to plan on a three-year horizon so the district can maintain at least a 2% reserve through 2010-11. The board authorized the superintendent to convert district budget forms to official state forms and to make transfers as necessary to correct account classifications.

Commissioners and staff discussed a range of issues raised during the budget committee process: (1) the possibility that supervisors may seek to amend Prop H's spending plan to include in-kind services valued at between $1 million and $2 million, (2) carryover and SLAM (site-level) balances that may or may not be available, (3) identified central-office cuts of approximately $2 million, and (4) risks associated with sales-tax and other revenue projections. Staff said they would pursue follow-up meetings with the city controller's office to clarify the rainy-day fund mechanics.

Public commenters included students from Hoover Middle School urging preservation of Chinese immersion and elective programming; students asked why the district would adopt a new Chinese curriculum while cutting immersion classes at some sites. Board members acknowledged the tension and staff described plans to strengthen immersion pathways through elementary, middle and high school coherence and multilingual initiatives.

The board voted to adopt the amended budget and also approved several related budget management provisions. Staff announced a community budget workshop the following evening to educate the public about the adopted budget.