BUDGET

San Marcos Unified Files Positive Budget Certification

Building on budget stability measures taken over the past several years, in December 2022 San Marcos Unified was proud to file a Positive Budget Certification, which is the highest level of budget certification a district can achieve, signifying a district is in good financial standing.

MOODY’S INVESTOR SERVICE UPGRADES SAN MARCOS UNIFIED’S CREDIT RATING

In fall 2022, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the district’s credit ratings, and revising the rating from negative to stable. This positive outcome came largely due to the improved outlook of the district’s financial position resulting from actions taken by the Governing Board and Administration to eliminate ongoing deficit spending in 2022-23 through implementation of its fiscal stabilization plan. In its published credit opinion, Moody’s noted the “new leadership team has shown commitment to improving operations through the implementation of tighter position controls, an emphasis on transparency and engagement with the Board and community.” Similar to an individual’s credit score, a higher credit rating helps lower interest and issuance costs, directly translating to taxpayer savings.

HOW FUNDING IS SPENT *

$329.1M Budget Revenues

$300M Budget Expenditures

9.29% Reserves

3% minimum reserves required by the State

83.4% Employee salaries & benefits

10.9% Services & Operating

4.8% Supplies

0.9% Capital Outlay

It is common for school district budgets to have Employee salaries & benefits as the largest expense

New Home to School Transportation Funding

For the first time in more than 10 years, the 2022-23 enacted State Budget included additional funding for Home to School Transportation providing San Marcos Unified with additional funding of approximately $2.8 million per year to either expand Home to School transportation or absorb the funds into the existing Transportation Budget. At San Marcos Unified, our team jumped at the chance to develop a plan to expand service, which was unanimously approved by our Governing Board.

The State specifically requires school districts to prioritize the funding to provide Home to School Transportation to low-income students in TK-6th grade for free, while also giving non-eligible students the opportunity to utilize the transportation for a fee.

SMUSD is working to implement Home to School Transportation as quickly as possible, with the first phase of the plan to begin this fall, at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

San Marcos Elementary School Receives Grant Funding to Transform into a Community School

San Marcos Unified has received a California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSSPP) planning grant in the amount of $200,000 to begin the process of transforming San Marcos Elementary into a Community School. A Community School is a collaboration of school & District resources, outside community agencies, and social services, to ensure students are whole and healthy so they can be prepared to learn and thrive academically. This includes enhancing and elevating strategies and current practices to address basic needs like, housing, food, healthcare, transportation and more. As the Community School transformation at San Marcos Elementary continues, additional implementation and extension grant funds will be available.

San Marcos Elementary School families are faced with unique challenges that the community school initiative will address.

88% of the student body at San Marcos Elementary meet the state criteria of high-need “unduplicated” pupils, these are:

■ Emergent Bilinguals

■ Eligible for free or reduced meals

■ Foster youth

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