BOARD CONNECTIONS: A brief review of key highlights from the most recent meeting of the Board of Education. For a complete look at the agenda.

Presentation of Student Recognition

Menifee Mayor, Mr. Bill Zimmerman recognized 26 MUSD students (one boy and one girl from grades 5 and 8 in participating schools) who received a Citizenship Award given by the Rotary Club of Menifee. The Rotary Club asked the staff of the schools to select students who had exhibited the characteristics of good citizenship paralleled in the Rotarian “Four Way Test” of the things we think, say, and do by:

• Telling the truth
• Doing things that are fair to everyone
• Making friends and getting along with others
• Doing good things for others

Mayor Zimmerman expressed his appreciation to the students for their positive behavior in their school community, and will award a Certificate of Achievement to each student.

45 Day Budget Revision Brings Short-Term Good News; Long-Term Challenges
Following extensive and collaborative efforts, the 2020-2021 45-Day Budget Revision was presented by Mr. Walter Con, Interim Chief Business Official. This report adjusted the district’s budget to reflect changes made when the state approved its final budget.  The adopted state budget was a bit better than the May Revision assumptions, resulting in MUSD’s projected ending balance in 2020-21 increasing by $4.4 million to $11.9 million. 

Along with this good news came some challenges.  The state balanced its budget by deferring $11 billion in 2020-21 apportionment allocations into the next fiscal year. School districts across the state will need to find ways to fund this temporary gap in order to cover 2020-21 expenses.  In MUSD, staff is developing a contingency plan that is likely to include inter-fund borrowing of district resources as well as a Tax Revenue Anticipation Bond (TRAN) in preparation for the deferral.  Of greater concern, multi-year forecasts project a need to cut MUSD spending by more than $7 million in 2021-22; $15 million in 2022-23. 

Cultural Resources Treatment and Tribal Monitoring

In compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the District will allow a Pechanga tribal representative to be present during the Cultural Resources Survey of the potential Elementary school site located near the intersection of Briggs and Wickerd Rd. This monitor will be responsible for identifying potential cultural resources and artifacts.

Next Board Meeting: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 4:30 PM