Why can’t the total gross funding to VPS from E2SSB 6362 (legislators response to McCleary) be used for teacher salaries?

Total gross funding to VPS from E2SSB 6362—$46 million per year—includes money designated to special purpose programs.

• • CTE – Career and Technical Education
  • Bilingual education
  • Materials, supplies, operating costs (MSOC)
  • Learning Assistance Program

The $46 million per year also includes pass-through funding, which the district is required to pass directly to employees or community colleges.

• • Medical insurance premiums
  • Employee retirement contributions
  • Running Start

After backing out the designated and pass-through funds for the items listed above, the net new discretionary McCleary funding allocated to VPS is $52.4 million over the next three years.

• • 2018-19 – $24.4 million
  • 2019-20 – $14 million
  • 2020-21 – $14 million

All available net new discretionary money from E2SSB 6362, and more, would be invested in VPS’ Aug. 26 teacher contract proposal to VEA, which would cost the district $57.7 million. The $5.3 million shortfall would require budget-cutting and spending from the district’s financial reserve, or ending fund balance.