Did you know??

In 2014, Proposition 2 passed which created a state Rainy Day Fund to protect schools from financial downturns. When the Rainy Day Fund is full, districts must cap their reserve (savings) account at 10%. GUSD is at 29.7% and growing! Will GUSD do the right thing and invest in the classroom?

Despite its consistent projections of doom and gloom, the District has grown its total UNRESTRICTED Reserves by 23% since 2013-14, which is 2nd most in Santa Clara County behind Santa Clara Unified. Keep in mind that Santa Clara Unified's funding is bolstered by tax revenue generated by Levi Stadium. Read on to find out how GUSD UNRESTRICTED Reserves can reach 2nd place in the county.

When analyzing a budget it's easy to see what the priorities are just by looking at where the money is spent. In a school district that talks about supporting students and closing the achievement gap, one would expect the priority expenditures to be classroom focused. Not so in GUSD. The focus in on a savings account far away from any classroom.

Many districts, including GUSD, rely on a demographer to make projections for future school enrollment. While there are many factors to consider in regard to enrollment, GUSD has relied heavily on a single factor: Birth Rates. For several years birth rates in Gilroy were declining. According to the latest report, that is changing!

What is the very first item any person looks at when job hunting? The pay! Educators are no different when seeking district employment. They want to work where educators are a budget priority, not an afterthought.

While GUSD continues to improve salaries, other districts do too. The only way to fill schools with qualified educators is to attract them.

The District's ONGOING LCFF Revenues have increased 54% since 2013-14!!

Has any study ever found that 1500+ students to 1 nurse results in quality care? In a high school of 1800 students, 4 counselors are working tirelessly to guide students. After giving 100% of yourself, what's left? There is a solution.

Multi-year projections can be a useful tool to plan for the future. Of course, projections beyond today are only as good as the data used to make the projections. If the data used is always inaccurate, what good are the projections?

Districts all across the county have experienced declining enrollment for several years. GUSD has been no exception. With the passage of the requirement for districts to offer Universal Transitional Kindergarten, that is all about to change!