Burbank educators report funding increase
Burbank school officials revealed a district budget more than $10 million bigger than previous years — it’s part of a $4.75-billion state budget for the following year.
School officials say they expect to receive a total of $125.6 million for the 2014-15 fiscal year, but expect to spend more, leaving a deficit of about $1.4 million. Officials expect to make up that shortfall by dipping into a $14.4-million reserve fund. The budget for the current year is $115 million.
The vast majority of that money, 94%, will come from the state. An additional 4% will come from the federal government and 2% will be sourced locally, officials said.
David Jaynes, assistant superintendent of administrative services, said that while there is a “huge dependence upon the state for our funding,” overall, state education funding amounts to “more than we anticipated,” he said.
Burbank Unified plans to receive $673 more to spend on each student compared to last year, although that amount comes in $56 less than the California average.
Burbank school officials will receive $8,441 for each student in kindergarten through third grade, and $7,759 for kids in grades fourth through sixth. The district will receive $7,990 for seventh and eighth graders and $9,489 for each high school student.
The new state-funding method aims to close the achievement gap among certain student subgroups. School districts with at least 55% of total enrollment made up of low-income students, those learning English and those in foster care receive additional dollars.
In Burbank, 42% of the district’s roughly 15,000 students qualify under that criteria.
In neighboring Glendale, about 57% of the district’s 26,000 students meet those qualifications, qualifying that district for additional funding.
In total, 84% of its 2014-15 spending will go toward Burbank Unified employees’ salaries or benefits.
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Follow Kelly Corrigan on Twitter: @kellymcorrigan.
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