Superintendent: enrollment dip prompts 31 staffing reallocations; $41M bond refunding priced

Superintendent Dr. Howard on Sept. 16 reported district enrollment at 29,329 — about 772 students short of projection — and said the shortfall factored into staffing adjustments the district is beginning to implement. "We're 772 students below projection," she said, and added that the district has identified 31 positions for deletion that will mostly be reallocated rather than resulting in immediate layoffs.

Dr. Howard reviewed class-size ratios used in staffing allocations: prekindergarten 22:1 (no change), kindergarten increased from 22 to 24, third and fourth grade increased from 24 to 26, and grades five and six remain at 28:1. She said those ratios are part of a routine enrollment-staffing-budget process that begins in October and that campuses have latitude to prioritize tested subjects when deploying FTEs.

On capital finance, bond program staff reported that a $41,000,000 refunding priced Sept. 15 will accelerate payoff and generate approximately $48,000,000 in savings; total reported savings from refunding and defeasing since 2012 now total about $157,000,000. Bond construction activity is widespread, with packages for new high schools, elementary and middle schools in design or mobilization stages and GMPs expected in the coming months.

Dr. Howard also addressed payroll concerns raised at public comment and said a new payroll director had started this week and staff were checking individual salary verifications to resolve outstanding pay questions. She said the district would follow up with parents and staff where specific issues were raised.