CASH SAB Alert – May 27, 2020
Today, the State Allocation Board held a meeting to conduct routine business, including the approval of Priority Funding apportionments and appeals.
Deeper Focus: Routine Restricted Maintenance Account
The Routine Restricted Maintenance Account (RRMA) has been the primary source of funding for school maintenance departments, and it has had a long history of being underfunded and suspended during difficult budget times. A brief history of RRMA funding shows that it has been consistently underfunded, “flexed” (i.e. allowed to be used for any one-time school expenditure not related to maintenance) during the 2008 Great Recession, and was folded into the LCAP when it was created (not technically cut but requires engagement in the LCAP process to justify maintenance funding related to the LCAP’s Eight State Priorities). CASH was critical in the creation of the RRMA, and continues to be key in defending its existence when necessary.
Call for Nominations – Legislative Advisory Committee
The CASH Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations to fill three (3) public sector seats and three (3) private sector seats on the Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC).
The LAC is advisory in nature with the purpose of providing the CASH Board of Directors (Board) with recommendations on action/positions to be considered by the organization on existing or pending legislation. The Board policy for the LAC states that the Nominating Committee shall solicit names from the general membership and present a slate of candidates to the CASH Board for approval. Self-nominations are encouraged.
Estimate of State General Fund Revenue and Operating Deficit
Thank you for your continuing support of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH). One of our goals is to provide you with accurate budget and education policy information throughout this pandemic.
Message from the Chair – Tough Times Don’t Last – Tough People Do!
As with every aspect of American life, COVID-19 has changed the game for the education community, including the school facilities and maintenance sector. California schools are confronted with questions on procedures and processes about cleaning and disinfecting to ensure learning environments are clean, safe and healthy. The opportunities and challenges presented by the necessity of distance learning, providing food to under-served students who might not otherwise have access to meals, and significant State funding challenges on the horizon. CASH was born in conflict, and we are meeting these challenges as we always do through education and advocacy.