June 3, 2024
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Finance (CACF) presented their end of year report to the board. CACF projections indicate that in 2026 and beyond, compensation increases are only affordable if annual property tax growth increases to the historic average of 5%. The committee also urged the board to address urgent maintenance needs, to raise funds for overdue facility upgrades, and to develop and maintain an expenditure plan to meet capital needs on a long-term basis.
Mr. Walukiewicz, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, presented the 2024-25 District Budget. Key assumptions include a 4% property tax growth rate and parcel tax revenue of $10.4 million. The estimated fiscal impact of Bullis Charter School (BCS) includes a transfer of $10.6 million in-lieu of property taxes as well as $625,000 of parcel tax funding. Portable rentals for BCS are estimated to cost the district $865,111 in ’24-25. While certain programs such as TK and special education are expected to cost the district more than in previous years, reserves are expected to increase thanks to increased parcel tax revenue, grants from the state, staffing reductions, and thoughtful use of restricted funds. The reserves are estimated to be at 26.5% in ’24-25 and are projected to increase in future years without additional raises.
June 10, 2024
Mr. Walukiewicz, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, proposed facility projects to be completed this summer. Projects include some lighting replacements ($100,000), parking lot maintenance at all sites ($170,000), state required parking lot upgrades at Gardner Bullis ($165,000), and the removal of 9 portables at Covington and Springer ($275,000). The district was also fortunate to receive a $1 million Cal Shape grant to pay for HVAC maintenance and repairs which are expected to yield future energy savings.
Bullis Charter School has submitted their charter renewal petition to the Santa Clara County Board of Education. The county board will hold a public hearing on the matter on July 17 and a decision hearing on August 26.
June 24, 2024
The board voted unanimously to approve the Final Environmental Impact Report for the 10th site project. All identified impacts were addressed through mitigation measures.
CAW Architects presented the board with a draft of the Facilities Master Plan, which includes the 9 existing LASD campuses but does not include the 10th site. The architects explained that the estimated construction cost for a project is only about 65% of the total cost. The remaining 35% include contingencies and expenses for passing and managing general obligation bonds. The full Facilities Master Plan is expected to cost $468 million, which would require the passage of $689 million in bonds. Since that exceeds the district’s current bonding capacity (around $380 million), the projects will need to be completed in two phases. The first phase is expected to cost $158 million, which requires $236 million in bond revenue.
Campus modernization is expected to cost $83.3 million and was agreed upon as the top priority. Board members stated their preferences for other priorities to be included in Phase 1, including middle school model expansions at Blach and Egan; Kinder and TK facilities at Almond, Santa Rita, and Oak; as well as Multi-Purpose buildings at Santa Rita and Oak. To view the full list of projects under consideration, please use this link: Facilities Master Plan
Stella Kam, Observer