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For the 2008-09 fiscal year we anticipate $41.9
million of revenue. 58% of the district’s revenue comes from
local property taxes. State categorical funding amounts to 11% of
total revenues. Only 2% of our funding comes from the federal government.
1% ($630,000) comes from the state lottery. The remaining 28% of
funding is local in nature. This district is unusual in that 22%
of its general operating revenues comes from local community support
of our schools — through the local parcel tax and from the
Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF). Most districts do not have
such high contributions from the local community. Since most districts
in California receive approximately the same amount of per pupil
funding from the state (for general operating purposes) it is our
district’s local support, which enables us to run such a high
quality program.
The chart below shows the 2008-09 budgeted sources
of revenue.
85% of our budget is spent on staff, 70% of which is spent on teachers'
salary and benefits. We believe in small neighborhood schools and
small class sizes. Our expenditure patterns reflect our commitment
to those ideals.
The Budget Review Committee is a board advisory committee that meets
every spring to review the budget for the upcoming school year and
to make recommendations to the board. In lean years, the committee
is charged with developing a set of recommendations enabling the
district to maintain a balanced budget. Usually this includes a
prioritized list of possible expenditure reductions. In other years,
the committee focused on key issues such as the impact of the construction
program on district finances and long-range financial projections.
During the upcoming year the committee will be reviewing our long-range
financial projections.
By law committee meetings are open to the public
and are posted in advance. If you are interested in becoming a member
of this committee, you may contact the Business Office at 650-947-1164.
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