Alameda County Board of Education

By Jerry Grier Wiggins

President Cobb provides overview/insight into the ACBE budget development process

Re-elect Jerome Wiggins For County School Board

January 2002

Dear Friends of Education:

I write in response to the budget issues addressed by the Alameda County Board of Education.

As a long-time member of the Board, I am disappointed by lack of understanding of the budget development process, the mandated role of the Board in that process, concerning the 2001-2002 budget adoption which occupied many, many hours of Board members' time this past spring and summer.

A quick review of the facts (documentation is available should anyone be interested):

1. Viability of the County schools:

The Administration of the County Office of Education proposed budget cut roughly 1 million dollars from student programs, including reductions in teaching staff, classroom materials and supplies. Since the number of young people entering the juvenile justice system is growing, the majority of the Board considered these cuts inappropriate, at best.

Moreover, there was no countervailing, coherent educational plan presented by county staff which would have led to the Board to conclude that the massive cuts were prudent or responsible --- or, in my view, moral. The Board restored teaching positions and other classroom resources to the budget which was later approved by State Superintendent Delaine Eastin.

2. Teacher salaries:

Contrary to popular belief, the Board consistently supported salary increases for both teachers and classified staff and set these monies aside in a "reserve" pending the outcome of negotiations with the unions.

3. Management of resources:

This is an area of great concern to the majority of Board members, with the 1999-2000 budget showing an unprecedented (in my experience) deficit. The independent audit for that year revealed that the county office reserves were at the lowest point in years.

The Board's ability to oversee management of the budget has been hampered by the Administration of County Office of Education and it`s failure to present budget transfers/adjustments (including transfers from the reserves) for Board approval --- a requirement of state law.

Other fiscal red flags have included expenditures of lottery money contrary to established policy, the growth of an administrative infrastructure (particular, communications/public relations, human resources) at the expense of other urgent, classroom-based priorities.

In its last report, the Alameda County Grand Jury strongly echoed the Board's concerns relative to the financial management capability of the county office.

4. Services to local school districts:

Again, the budget adopted by the board maintains all mandated services to local districts. However, we continue to question the wisdom of continuing to direct resources to services for which there is no evidence of district need, utilization or satisfaction. Provide to the board from county staff.

5. State approval of the budget:

Delaine Eastin returned the originally adopted budget for 2001-2002 because, after the Board restored funding for student programs. Delaine urged us to "work it out" utilizing help from out statewide association, California County Boards of Education.

That process resulted in a final, negotiated budget which addressed most of the major concerns of the Board. And, it was approved, with great relief, by the state. End of budget story (though I could go on and on.....)

I invite all others to attend our Board meetings, participate in the dialogue and help us to fulfill the mission of "promoting student achievement and development through leadership, innovation and accountability...."

Gay Plair Cobb, President Alameda County Board of Education

List of Endorsers (Partial List) B. Lee (Congresswoman); M. Skinner (Albany USD); K. Worthington (Berkeley City Council); M. Shriek (Berkeley City Council); K. Carson (Alameda County Board of Supervisors); Gay Plair Cobb (President ACBE); V. Fukson (former Berkeley City Council); S. Hodges (former OUSD Board); Carole Davis (former Berkeley City Council); A. Schornaienchi (former ACOE Superintendent of Schools); C. Hightower (former ACOE Superintendent of Schools); A. Chandler (former Berkeley City Council); J. Anthony (BUSD Teacher); J. Hower ton (Lee Advisory Comm.); B. Thomas (former Treasurer Dellums); B. Woodstock (Community School Advocate, Berkeley); B. Patterson (EBMUD); K. Epstein (Educator); C. Robinson (former Berkeley Commissioner); Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 192; G. Hazzard (Community Activist); S. Shabaka (Community Activist); B. Traylor (Community Activist/OUSDTeacher); S. Dyke (Berkeley Businessman), A. Abbott (former OUSD Board); L. Halterman (Lee Campaign); J. Cecil (School Advocate, Berkeley); R. Stevenson (Break the Cycle);D. Spees (Oakland City Council); N. Nadel (Oakland City Council); L.Reid (Oakland City Council); R.Brauer (former Dellums staff); G. Newport (former City of Berkeley Mayor); A.Creason (former Piedmont Mayor and current AC Transit Director);W.Brown(Mayor SF);S.Lustig(former BUSD board);T.Bates(former Assembly member);M. Peoples(Minister);G.Hodge(OUSD Board;