Fiscal Accountability

By Debra Vinson

There must be clear and transparent accountability for how the public's money is spent in our public schools in Antioch.

This year LCFF changed how much is designated to make education equitable for under served low performing students and foster youth. The money that was received in our District was designated for activities other than students and out of 126 million dollars only 1 million has been allocated to meet the needs of marginalized populations of students.

The LCAP that AUSD initially presented did not focus on students needs in a manner that was acceptable to parents and community stakeholders. After a letter and pressure from Public Advocates, AUSD adjusted and changed the LCAP so that the details of service that will be provided focused on high need and at risk students in the district.

It is not fair that the community had to conduct a "scavenger hunt" to find monies designated for non-duplicated pupil services. It is not fair that the community had to contact an attorney to get the district to come up with more money to meet students needs for the school year and to change the LCAP.

The community wants to know where the money is going.

There must be accountability for how the money is allocated and spent; line items must make sense. When elected, I will work to be inclusive so the parents and community will know how the money is being spent in the district. I want parent input to be included before making the budget final, after all it is tax paying dollars and ADA that sustains the district.

I respectfully ask for your vote on November 4, 2014!