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Trustees approve $55 million budget for schools

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Ramona Unified School District trustees approved a $55 million budget for the 2015-16 year that includes raises for teachers and administrators and money to buy math and English textbooks.

The budget is $5 million more than last year and also includes a new emphasis on career technical education, civics at all grade levels and college and career readiness, and money for professional development, Assistant Superintendent David Ostermann said during his budget presentation on June 25.

“We have support for facility improvements (and) continue with full funding of the routine restricted maintenance account — that’s something we haven’t had for a few years,” said Ostermann.

Successful refinancing of the district’s $26 million loan in the form of certificates of participation means the district now has level annual payments and will save about $7.2 million in the next 17 years, added Ostermann.

The district has a tentative agreement with its support staff, represented by Chapter 733 of the California School Employees Association, said Ostermann. Once the district and CSEA ratifies an agreement, it will be incorporated into the budget.

“Did we budget anything for online courses?” asked trustee John Rajcic.

About $22,000 will go toward online coursework, said Ostermann.

The district anticipates spending $52.9 million this year. With a projected ending balance of $3.2 million from the 2014-15 year, Ostermann projects an ending balance of $5.3 million for June 30, 2016.

He also projects positive ending balances for the next two years in the multi-year projection the state requires.

“We’re maintaining that positive certification,” he said.

In its multi-year projections from March 25, 2010, until the 2014-15 school year, Ramona Unified declared “qualified status,” meaning it was uncertain if it would meet its financial obligations. A combination of declining enrollment and the recession that started in the 2007-08 year contributed to the uncertainty.

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