The state-caused financial crisis is hurting California students. I have the business and leadership skills to get the district through these very difficult times.
Fontana Unified has a long history of fiscally conservative operation. There has never been a time, even in these very trying financial times, when the required 2% reserve was not in place. With regard to construction, the District has an A2 Moody's rating on general obligation bonds and the highest possible rating of MIG-1 related to Bond Anticipation Notes. District oversight of construction projects, and a hard line stance by the Board of Education on change orders, has resulted in the completion of construction projects within accepted cost norms. Of special note is Jurupa Hills High School that was completed on time and under budget.
Public school finance is complicated. Funding consists of grants, categorical funds, construction funds and the general fund. Spending of grant, categorical and construction funds are tightly controlled. Uses for the money are very limited. For instance construction funds can not be used to pay employees.
This is part of the problem the district faces at this time. While there is money in the areas mentioned above it does very little good in terms of meeting general fund needs such as paying employees and utility bills.
These are serious financial times for all school districts in California, including Fontana Unified. The District has done its part. The State of California has failed to do its part. The State has taken $55 million from Fontana and delayed $6 to $8 million in Federal Jobs Bill funds. In addition, the State is delaying sending the money that was not cut. The monthly payroll for Fontana Unified is $22 million. Even a slight delay causes major problems.
Fontana Unified will make payroll and employees will be paid but the situation is very serious. Hard collaborative work by management, classified employees and teachers will get us through the current financial nightmare but it is imperative that all of us contact our State Assembly and Senate members and demand that they restore the money they took from Fontana schools. I have and would ask that you do so too.
I have the mindset, toughness and business experience to understand the intricacies of school finance. I will make the decisions and provide the leadership necessary to get us through these tough financial times.
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