CASBO Connect

Purchasing departments across the state are dealing with supply shortages, price increases, and contracting new services to deal with the pandemic in addition to meeting the usual needs of schools in a year that was supposed to open more normally--but didn't. We talk to three experts on how they are addressing these problems and what advice they have for districts to overcome these challenges.

Guests:
Leeann Errotabere, Former CASBO President, Director of Purchasing - Clovis Unified School District
Sharon Clay, Director, Purchasing, Warehouse & Duplicating Services - Cajon Valley
Tony Crapo, Director of Purchasing & Support Services - Sequoia Union High School District

How can dedicated teams of leaders, school business officials, educators, and entire school communities allocate resources to better meet the needs of all students?

That’s the story we’re sharing in this new limited series presented by CASBO and WestEd. In each episode, our host Jason Willis welcomes education leaders and practitioners to discuss funding, educational improvements, and advancing resource equity across all levels of California’s public education system. We’ll explore their motivations, the tools they’re using, and what’s working, and what they’ve learned. Join us to tap into the experiences of guest experts and colleagues who are doing the work every day of ensuring a more equitable allocation of resources. It’s valuable insight you won’t want to miss!

Visit the CASBO website to listen and subscribe. 

The way California provides funding for students with disabilities has not changed in decades and is the largest remaining categorical program in the state.  WestEd has been researching alternatives that could provide more efficiency in how existing resources are distributed to school districts along with better accountability to enhance services and improve outcomes for students.  The WestEd study on special education finance has been released.  We talk to one of the study authors on their findings and recommendations to rethink the state's funding model and align it with other current accountability systems.

Guest: Jason Willis, Director, Resource Planning, WestEd

While most of California has moved "Beyond the Blueprint," it is anything but business as usual for schools.  This summer, we will highlight the challenges in different areas of school business as we prepare for full reopening this fall.  In Nutrition Services, in-person service will continue under the current USDA waivers.  We talk to three CASBO members about what this will mean for their programs, what logistics issues they are dealing with, and the big news from Sacramento this week on the deal reached to continue no-cost meals for all students next year.

Guests:
Jennifer Marrone, Food & Nutrition Services Business Manager, San Diego Unified School District, CASBO State Director
Ralph Peschek, Chief Business Officer, William S. Hart Union High School District, CASBO Legislative Committee Member
Dominic Machi, Director of Food & Nutrition Services, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, CASBO State Nutrition Services Professional Council Chair

Following a week of good news for education, the governor released the May Revision to his 2021-22 budget proposal. CASBO's advocates, Sara Bachez and Elizabeth Esquivel discuss the highlights in the budget and the outlook for increased funding and programs.

Guests:
Sara Bachez, CASBO Chief Governmental Relations Officer
Elizabeth Esquivel,  CASBO Senior Director of Policy & Governance

This is a Call to Action!  Unemployment Insurance rates charged to school districts in 2021-22 will increase by 2,400% and divert over $550 million dollars meant for students to the Economic Development Department of California.  Learn how the new rates will siphon off school funding in this episode.  Follow the links below to see the potential impact on your school district and contact your legislator to take action to preserve school funding.

• Find your Legislator - Enter your Zip Code in the "Find your elected officials" box
• Sample Letter to Legislator - Halt UI Rate Increase

Guests: 
Richard De Nava, CASBO President and Assistant Superintendent of Business, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Darrin Watters, Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, Hemet Unified School District
Sara Bachez, CASBO Chief Governmental Relations Officer

In a normal year, and even with good relations, negotiating sessions with our labor partners can be challenging. Then the pandemic came along and we've been negotiating ever since. In this episode, we talk with two seasoned negotiators about their experience in the last year, what issues are on the horizon as we reopen schools, and how to make the best use of state and federal funding over the next school year.

Guests:
Matt Phillips, Director, Management Consulting Services, School Services of California
William Diedrich, Partner, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo,

In this episode, we'll go behind the scenes to talk about the school reopening bill and run through the highlights of this year's proposed legislation with three leading education advocates who work directly for school districts and county offices of education. Join Santa Clara COE Director of Government Relations Amanda Dickey, San Diego USD Director of Government Relations Enrique Ruacho, and Riverside COE Chief Governmental Relations Officer Jeffrey Vaca as they discuss strategies for working with elected officials to advance, modify and kill bills.

Guests:
Enrique Ruacho, Ed.D., Director of Government Relations, San Diego Unified School District
Jeffrey A. Vaca, Chief Governmental Relations Officer, Riverside County Office of Education
Amanda Dickey, Director of Government Relations, Santa Clara County Office of Education

School district networks are critical systems that support student and financial information, human resources and instructional media. They’re also under constant attack by insiders and outsiders hoping to gain access to sensitive information, deny service or extort for ransom. In this episode, San Diego County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent & CTO Terry Loftus and Santa Clara Unified School District Director of Information Technology Joe Ayala talk to two experts on steps districts should take to prevent attacks, recognize when you’re being exploited and recover from an incident.

Guests:
Terry Loftus, Assistant Superintendent & CTO, San Diego County Office of Education
Joe Ayala, Director of Information Technology, Santa Clara Unified School District

Register for the CASBO Technology Summit
Friday, February 26, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Registration Open Through February 23

The cost to deliver a high quality education for students with disabilities is far higher than the funding provided by the state and federal government. School districts must navigate a complex funding system that is inadequate and inequitable and cover the shortfall. In this episode, we'll talk about how the funding system was designed, what the cost pressures are, and where the funding model is headed.

Guests:
Brianna Garcia, Vice President, School Services of California
Michelle McKay Underwood, Vice President, School Services of California