California Department of Education

Report to the Legislature, Department of Finance, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office: Ravenswood Budget Report

Prepared by:

Special Education Division

Student Support and Special Services Branch

January 2017

Description: Ravenswood Budget Report

Authority: Item 6100-161-0001 of the 2016–17 Budget Act, Provision 12

Recipient: The Legislature, the Department of Finance, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office

Due Date: January 1, 2017


California Department of Education

Report to the Legislature, Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Governor: Ravenswood Budget Report

Table of Contents

Executive Summary 1

Program Summary 2

California Department of Education

Report to the Governor, Legislature, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office:

Ravenswood Budget Report

Executive Summary

The Ravenswood Budget Report is required by the Budget Act of 2016–17, Item 6100-161-0001, Provision 12. This report updates the planned use of additional special education funds provided to the Ravenswood City School District (District) pursuant to the Emma C. et al. v. Delaine Eastin et al. settlement agreement. This report also provides the best estimate by the California Department of Education (CDE) of when supplemental funding will no longer be required.

Planned Use

The supplemental funds are used for salaries and benefits, consultant costs, district operating costs, and Court Monitor costs associated with the settlement agreement.

Continuing Need

The CDE expects a continuing need for supplemental funding as the District is unlikely to certify completion of all remaining Ravenswood Self Improvement Plan requirements during the 2016–17 fiscal year. The CDE anticipates responsibility for $1,480,000 in 2017–18.

You will find this report on the CDE Special Education Laws, Regulations, and Policies Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/lr/. If you need a copy or have any questions regarding this report, please contact Donna DeMartini, Administrator, Special Education Division, by phone at 916-327-3696 or by e-mail at .


California Department of Education

Ravenswood Budget Report

The Ravenswood City School District (District) is required to fulfill the Ravenswood SelfImprovement Plan (RSIP) pursuant to the settlement of Emma C. et al. v. Delaine Eastin et al. The total cost of implementing the RSIP in 2016–17 is $2,993,790.14. On May 31, 2016, the District and the California Department of Education (CDE) agreed that responsibility for the cost of implementing the RSIP, including the Court Monitor’s expenses, would be allocated approximately 80 percent to the District and 20 percent to the CDE during the 2016–17 fiscal year.

The Budget Act of 2016–17, Item 6100161-0001, Provision 12 includes an appropriation of $1,480,000 for the State’s share of implementing the RSIP. The Budget Act requires the CDE to report on “the planned use of the additional special education funds.” The Budget Act also requires the CDE to provide the “best estimate of when this supplemental funding will no longer be required by the court.”

Planned Use

On May 31, 2016, the United States District Court, Northern District of California, approved the parties’ stipulation concerning the 2016–17 RSIP and Court Monitor’s Budget. The purpose of that budget is to fund expenditures necessary to implement the RSIP in compliance with the First Amended Consent Decree. Approximately 69 percent of the CDE’s share of the approved budget is intended for staff salaries and benefits. An additional 8 percent of the CDE’s share is for District operating costs. The remaining 23 percent of the CDE’s share is for costs associated with the Court Monitor’s office.

Continuing Need

The CDE expects a continuing need for supplemental funding as the District is unlikely to certify completion of all remaining RSIP requirements during the 2016–17 fiscal year. The CDE anticipates responsibility for $1,480,000 in 2017–18.

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