Menlo Park school district financially stable, but salaries, benefits continue to outpace revenues

Instead of trying for another Parcel Tax try balancing the budget. Enrollment is down slightly over the past few years and is predicted (by the district) to remain flat. Property taxes are up (house prices continue to rise and the amount of taxes increase with every sale). So that means the district has more money to spend on less children and they still can't keep a balanced budget. I for one will oppose a new parcel tax and I am sure the district will spend tens of thousand of dollars, if not hundreds of thousands, to hire consultants to get it passed. Is that really how we want our money spent?

In the district's budget report, it says quite clearly "A key component of increasing personnel costs is the rising cost of pensions."

The employee pension funds are forcing the district to contribute higher percentages to make up for shortfalls in their investments.

All the high property tax growth is being consumed by the increasing pension costs. That's the reason why reserves will decline in the future despite fast growing property tax revenue.

I agree with Brian. Why can't the district figure out how to balance the budget? Maybe they need a few astute business people on the Board to show them that this, indeed, can be done and how to do it. In addition, why are they adding personnel at this time when enrolment is projected to be lower? Unfortunately, it will likely be the case that the District will hire consultants, do a number of phone surveys, float a new parcel tax and continue to spend, spend, spend. Luckily, I am now over 65 so I can opt out of parcel tax payments for schools.

There is NO justification for a 5th parcel tax.

1: We already approved Measure X, under the guise promoted by the district that it would help account for increasing enrollment and pension costs. But enrollment is DOWN since then, not up.

2: Revenue/student has easily outpaced student population growth and inflation:

Since the 2000/02 school year:
* Student population growth has averaged 2.27%/year.
* Revenue/student growth has averaged 3.79%/year.
* The CPI (ie inflation) has averaged 2.67%/year.

As you can see, revenue growth has outpaced population and inflation. MPCSD is exceedingly well funded. Additionally, MPCSD has THE HIGHEST AVERAGE TEACHER SALARY out of ALL bay area elementary school districts. Observe: Web Link


Say NO to 5 parcel taxes!

The elephant in the room is unfortunately CALSTRS. This is the state teachers' retirement system, and is in a similar place as CALPERS - about 65% funded, with mandatory contributions showing a significant increase every year.

If you want to get budgets under control, the key is to rip off the pension band-aid and move to defined contribution retirement plans - the sooner the better!

I can see it now!!!

"JUST a latte a day (for the next 10 years) to pay for teachers guaranteed pensions." ooooppps I meant its for the children,,,,,, and for property values,,,,,,, and if you care about the future,,,,,,, and (((insert winning slogan here)))...

Let's not forget that the Parent Teacher Organization and the Menlo Atherton Foundation also hit up the parents for about $1500 per child in "voluntary" donations that they put a lot of pressure on people making. It seems to me that the School district board and superintendent to go back to school and take some basic classes on budgeting and financial management. You spend what you have and if you have to make tough calls you do.

I did a little digging through the financials over the last few years. In a nutshell, using the district's own numbers and estimates, comparing the 2016/17 (pre-Measure-X) school year vs 2019/20 school year:

* Student population DROPS 72 students in 2019/20;
* Contributions to CalSTRS will be roughly $2 million higher in 2019/20;
* Revenue (property+parcel+misc taxes) will be $8.2 million higher in 2019/20;

There is no need for 5 parcel taxes. None.

Vote NO on another parcel tax.

(sources: Web Link Web Link )

"Vote NO on another parcel tax."

Agreed. Counting the days until the board comes forward saying we "must" pass another parcel tax "for the kids" or it will be the "end of the world". More of the same BS they used to pass the last parcel tax. Wasn't necessary then and DEFINITELY not necessary now.