KELSEYVILLE — Kelseyville Unified School District is planning a series of community meetings to explore ways to configure its facilities for the 2011-2012 school year.
The district faces declining enrollment as well as cuts to state revenue.
The first meeting took place Tuesday night. Board President Rick Winer introduced the discussion, saying, “We want to investigate and take all the data we can.”
According to District Superintendent Dave McQueen, discussion has been ongoing for four or five years concerning the district”s declining enrollment and how to maximize use of its facilities. McQueen said that the district wants an open process for configuration that looks at every viable option and includes community input. “We need to look at this as a community and do what is best for the district.”
Chief Financial Officer Tiffany Kemp said that declining enrollment and cuts in state revenue are not unique to Kelseyville. “Kelseyville has been in a trend of declining enrollment since 2003 and is pegged to continue declining through 2016.”
Kemp said that KUSD took in $13.07 million into its general fund for 2010-2o11. The district”s total expenditures were $14.05 million. It had an ending balance of $1.04 million, or a 7-percent reserve.
“KUSD is ?deficit spending” because it is spending more than it takes in,” Kemp said. “Without addressing KUSD”s ongoing deficit, the district will go negative by 2011-2012.”
Kemp said KUSD is required to maintain a 3-percent reserve. She added that the district will have to reduce its expenditures by $950,000, or 6.5 percent, in 2011-2012 and by $910,000, or 6 percent, in 2012-2013 in order to meet this requirement.
A district configuration committee is being formed to explore configuration options. The committee will include certificated and classified employees from Kelseyville High School, Mountain Vista Middle School and from Kelseyville and Riviera elementary schools. It will also include Parent Teacher Organization and site council representatives, business people, the district superintendent, CFO and maintenance supervisor, three site principals and a representative from the Lake County Office of Education.
Information meetings have tentatively been scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 14, Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 at the Kelseyville High School student center. The schedule may be subject to revision at the board”s next regular meeting on Aug. 17.
According to Kemp, the criteria that the district will use when evaluating its options is to look for financial savings, maximize the potential of district sites and programs, minimize potential impacts to the community and businesses and look at long-term plans and goals.
No action will be taken by the board until its regular meeting on Nov. 16; configuration will take effect for 2011-2012.
The school district invites questions, comments and suggestions by calling 279-1511, faxing 279-9221 or by sending an e-mail to suggestions@kusd.lake.k12.ca.us.
