Fact or Fiction
As we all have experienced, rumors can cause a great deal of anxiety and take us away from our most important work- the academic achievement of our students. This web page is an attempt to clear up misinformation and provide accurate information in its place. You can submit your fact or fiction item by emailing factorfiction@twinriversusd.org. We check this email on a regular basis, and look forward to hearing from you.
Latest Rumors
Is it true Twin Rivers doesn't need to make the personnel cuts this year?
Response: (March 22, 2011)
Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty with the State and Federal education, adult education, and preschool funding, our district must prepare for the worst in order ensure we can remain fiscally stable. In fact, our State Superintentendent had warned all districts to do just that.
Our board and leadership are not happy about the cuts our district is preparing to make. If the tax extensions are not placed on the ballot, those cuts could be even more drastic. There are some informational resources available in our Budget Watch section, including:
A graphic explaining our 3 budget scenarios for next year
An expanded presentation on our budget situation
There are also links to regional and statewide resources on the topic. Please keep in mind that the preliminary notices are based on losing $330 per student for this year if the extensions do not pass. Any changes to that scenario will impact the level of cuts. In addition, the retirees from this year may also impact the level of cuts, allowing our district to hold onto more talented staff.
I recently read that Superintendent Porter took a 2.5% raise. Is that true?
Response: (March 22, 2011)
Not taking the increase would have an impact on the retirement schedule. However, the Superintendent is directing the raise toward Project DREAM, the district's educational foundation in the form of monthly payroll deductions. Project DREAM makes mini-grants to teachers and program leaders, including more than $80,000 provided this year alone.
Unfortunately, in the recent newspaper article and other sources, the Project DREAM donation and 5 furlough days that cabinet has taken was not included.
Is it true that the relocation of Harmon Johnson Elementary to Las Palmas and moving the Adult Program from Las Palmas to another site is costing the district millions dollars?
Response: (December 10, 2010)
The District is currently in negotiations with Pacific Gas and Electric to have them pay for the relocation of Harmon Johnson. In addition, the District filed paperwork with the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) to assist with the cost of the emergency move. Any immediate expenses will be paid for with bond money - there will not be any impact on the district's General Funds.
Is Twin Rivers Considering Mid‐Year Classified Staffing Cuts?
Response: (November 8, 2010)
The Sacramento County Office of Education requires school districts to provide a projected three‐year balanced budget. Given the current cuts we are experiencing from the State, this is a challenge for all California districts. Read more.
Is Twin Rivers planning to close additional schools?
Response: (October 31, 2010)
In an effort to address the severe budgetary challenges created by our State's education cuts, Twin Rivers adopted a plan in 2009-2010 to close six schools and reinvent school programs to build and sustain student enrollment. Last year, our district and community worked collaboratively to determine the two schools to be closed prior to the 2010-2011 year. The schools were located in the Rio Linda and North Highlands neighborhoods. In addition, another 18 schools in our district implemented a variety of program and grade level changes based on parent input.
The six school closures are built into our district budget and will help us preserve more resources (approximately $450,000 per campus.) The fewer campuses that our district is maintaining, the more funding is available for staffing and programs that impact students. We know this is a very difficult emotional issue because our families are very connected to our schools. We hope that our staff and community will work with us to make the best possible decisions based on data, and help us create the smoothest possible transition for students and families.
For the latest update on potential school changes, please visit:http://www.twinriversusd.org/depts/facilities/facilities_advisory_committee
Is it true that Twin Rivers may have to lay off employees in January 2011?
Response: (October 31, 2010)
The Sacramento County Office of Education requires school districts to provide a projected three-year balanced budget. Given the current cuts we are experiencing from the State, this is a challenge for all California districts.
Unfortunately, if our district negotiations team is unable to reach an agreement with our employee group negotiators to help us reach a three-year balanced budget through concessions, that gap will have to be made up through mid-year lay-offs in January.
For updates on negotiations with classified staff, please visit:
http://www.twinriversusd.org/depts/hr/classified_employees/
For updates on negotiations with certificated staff, please visit:
http://www.twinriversusd.org/depts/hr/certificated_employees/
What does the custodial staffing look like at Twin Rivers schools?
Response: (October 31, 2010)
The current educational budget and lack of a contract with the classified union has made it a challenge to provide support services in a number of areas. We are re-tooling and shifting staff around to adjust to the limited funding levels now available. Our State education funding has been cut more than 20% each of the past three years, and our service levels are being affected at every level.
For now at elementary sites and district offices we have 1 day-time head custodian and ½ of a night custodian (night custodian covers two schools each night). Some sites with small enrollment/classroom utilization have less than the standard 1 ½. High schools are larger and have more staffing, from 2 to 3 ½.
We also added back some positions because the work load at the high schools and some other sites is excessive. The federal Education Jobs Funding has allowed us to re-hire 20 teachers and 4 custodians. Our re-hired custodians will form two-person teams as a pilot project to team clean our high schools on alternating nights. If this approach allows us to provide better service to our school sites, it is one we will look at as we bring more re-hired custodians back to work.
I heard there are no limits to the number of students in an elementary classroom
Response: (October 29, 2010)
Though the District and TRUE (Twin Rivers United Educators) both agreed to a negotiated agreement in which caps on class sizes do not exist this year and next, questions have surfaced regarding enrollment, class sizes, and the "overflow process" for our elementary schools. A common question asks about the process the District is using to address impacted class sizes. The answer is that there is a cap on class sizes, but it is a "soft cap". The soft cap means that in some cases classes may run a couple of students higher because there are no other options in placing the extra students. Read more.
I've heard that Twin Rivers is spending a lot of money on consultants and attorneys. Why does Twin Rivers need to spend so much on consultants and attorneys?
Response: (April 1, 2010)
While Twin Rivers is striving to decrease the funds being utilized in consulting and legal fees as we resolve many of our unique start-up circumstances, it is important to know that this initial investment has protected a lot of educational funding in our district. For example, negotiations on the ill-timed ENEC project, disputing the Grant Administrator buy-outs, and resolving a portion of the 20 inherited lawsuits (18 GUHS, 1 RLUSD, 1 NSSD), our attorneys have saved TRUSD approximately $104 million - more than a third of our annual budget. Read More
Will Twin Rivers always have to spend so much money in legal fees?
Response: (April 1, 2010)
Many of the legal and consultation fees are a result of our unique and historical merger. "Consultants" is a broad term and could include everything from two-hour workshop presenters to financial consultants to emergency services consultants, as well as attorneys, architects, trade contractors, and engineers. Please note: There are many consultants that are paid by a grant or other restricted funding sources, such as all the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) providers and after school programs. Learn More
How many personnel cuts does Twin Rivers plan on making this year?
Response: (April 1, 2010)
While certificated staff and managers saw cuts in the 2009-10 school year, our classified staff has been protected under education code until June 2010. In March, the Board of Trustees approved personnel cuts in certificated and classified staff and management positions. Although we expect the actual cuts to be less then what the Board approved in March, some cuts are inevitable due to the difficult budget Twin Rivers (like all districts) is facing. How many preliminary cuts were brought to the board? Click here to find out.
Classified and certificated staff received notices in March but is the Twin Rivers administration taking their share of cuts?
Response: (April 1, 2010)
Twin Rivers has drastically cut the number of central office administrators since unifying four separate districts. From over 105 managers employed by previous districts in 2008 down to 68 in Twin Rivers this year, our administrators are working hard to keep programs running smoothly and provide the very best opportunities for our students. In total, we will have reduced 7 cabinet level employees and 63 management employees by June 30, 2010. This will have an impact on the level of service we will be able to provide from the central office, but departments are working to try to identify the most valuable activities to continue despite lower levels of staffing. Dig deeper to see the exact numbers of administration cuts over the past two years.
What is the current status of school closures and how will decisions be made?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
The Superintendent's Facility Advisory Committee (SFAC) has been meeting and made initial recommendations about potential realignments and consolidations. The preliminary recommendations were shared at the Principals' Meeting on November 12 and principals shared the information with all schools on November 13. Principals also sent letters home to students and placed information on their site web pages about the recommendations along with invitations to community input forums.
As part of the public input process, there were six community meetings throughout our district in December and early January. Hundreds of community members attended these forums and provided valuable feedback that will shape the recommendations. All of the information gathered during these forums will be discussed with the SFAC in mid January and final recommendations will be given to the Superintendent to review and bring to the TRUSD Board of Trustees on January 28, 2010.
Many factors are being evaluated when determining what schools will be on the potential realignment and consolidation list, including API, AYP, PI Status, acreage of site, enrollment, site capacity, special programs, Special Education, physical condition of site, whether or not it can have portables added to the site, environmental factors, etc. The SFAC is made up of 25 people from throughout our district, including teachers, CSEA member, police officer, parents, community members, principals, district office administration, TRUE member, and charter school representatives. On www.twinriversusd.org under Quick Links, click on the Facilities Advisory Committee for additional information.
We are concerned about our highly qualified employees being bumped and less qualified employees placed in their positions. If needed, how will layoffs work?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
Layoffs are governed by California Education Code and collective bargaining Agreements negotiated contracts. Layoffs are currently driven by seniority.
What is the status of the ENEC building?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
Unfortunately, this project has burdened our district with significant debt that may eventually impact our general fund and has affected our credit rating (from an A+ to an A). The project was slowed and approximately $100 million was saved from the project scope.
The ENEC was initiated by a former district and was inherited by our district. The project is a 'work in progress' that has encountered a number of significant challenges related to the economic slow down and the Natomas Basin flood control concerns. We chose to stop construction until the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has lifted the ban on construction and neighboring development catches up.
Why are we making moves to rent out district facilities on Grand Ave?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
Our district is looking to rent out facilities to accommodate our partnership with American River College (ARC). This will strengthen career pathways for students and bring additional revenue to our district.
Why are we renovating the upstairs of the Winona building? Don't we rent this building?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
Our district owns the Winona site where the Central Warehouse,
Print Shop, Purchasing, Nutritional Services, Book Adoption and Adult Education
occupy space.
The former district rented out a portion of the second floor to a tenant that left in the summer of 2008. To consolidate our facilities services for operational efficiencies and cost savings, we began renovation of this portion of the second floor in early 2009.
How do we remedy the loss of students to other districts due to lack of programs?
Response: (January 11, 2010)
To address the loss of students to other districts, our principals have been working to actively bolster and publicize the program offerings at their sites and reach out to the feeder schools in their area.
There are a number of excellent programs and relevant course offerings at our high schools. For more information on high school programs, please review our high school web pages and the Twin Rivers Unified School District webpage. There are also high school fact sheets available at the Twin Rivers district office and in our high school offices as well as on our website. In addition, our new 2010 Community Report highlights our unique career technical academies and innovative programs at each high school.
This year we are looking into improved access to honors and advanced placement courses on our campuses and the Superintendent's Facilities Advisory Committee (SFAC) has suggested some interesting high school program expansions. More information on their recommendations is available on our Twin Rivers website in the "Links" section. We look forward to continuing to capture interest in our schools one student at a time.
Is it true that Twin Rivers is going to outsource or cancel transportation, like neighboring districts are doing?
Response: (October 23, 2009)
Twin Rivers is planning on maintaining our own bus driving force. We know that our students depend on bus transportation and it doesn't make financial sense to make it more difficult for our families to get students to class. In addition, our bus drivers are exceptionally qualified in safe driving techniques and effectively managing student behavior on buses. In fact, we are always looking for additional bus drivers. The positions are posted on www.edjoin.com.
Is it true that Twin Rivers is going to outsource all custodial services?
Response: (October 23, 2009)
Twin Rivers is not looking at outsourcing custodial services. Our custodial staff have a unique blend of skills and capabilities - to meet the everyday cleaning and maintenance needs of aging schools and work collaboratively with school site teachers and staff. We are grateful for their work and depend on their consistent service each day at schools and department sites.
Is it true that Twin Rivers is going to outsource all technology services?
Response: (October 23, 2009)
While our technology department routinely works with outside firms to provide specialized services in areas we don't have experience, there are no plans to outsource all technology services. In fact, we have been working with local partners like Heald Business College student interns and our Foothill HS Mouse Squad interns to work with our own experienced technology force and learn on the job while helping with workload.
Did the cost of the central office and training facility impact Twin Rivers general fund?
Response: (October 21, 2009)
The Dudley Boulevard central office and training facility is funded through facility bonds (Measure G) approved by voters for the construction of a new district office. The funds can only be used for the facility projects listed in the bond and cannot be used for staffing. Although $20 million was originally set aside for the project, we spent just over $14 million to refurbish an existing community building instead of building new. In fact, purchasing and renovating space at Dudley represents a significant cost savings compared with building and furnishing a new office building ($179.65 sq ft versus $350 sq ft for new.) In addition, we no longer have to rent space for large meetings, events, and trainings.
Our central office building was purchased through a lease/purchase agreement. The leasehold interest converts to a clear title of bays A, B and C as soon as McClellan Business Park completes the office condo split of the building. There are no monthly payments being made by the district for the building or the land. The land is currently owned by the US Air Force until their cleanup of the soil is complete. Once clean, the land is transferred to our ownership at no additional cost.The original term of the lease/purchase agreement was 92 years.
The spaces originally used by the unifying districts will be put to good use for other program and/or education purposes. For example, the former RLUSD office will provide additional space for full-day kindergarten; the former DPHSD office is now an extra classroom; the former NSSD office will allow our Student Services staff and community partner agencies to have a presence in one of our most at-risk neighborhoods, and the former GJUHSD office will allow the Twin Rivers Police Department and Adult Education Program additional space, house several American River College health programs, and offer better community access to Child Protective Services and dentistry services.
Is Twin Rivers planning a $50,000 or $1 million water feature for the central office and training facility?
Response: (October 21, 2009)
There are a couple of different rumors about a new water feature in our central office. We are working with our secondary art teachers to involve art students in a water feature design, materials will be contributed by business partners, and students will build the feature. In the meantime, we have accepted the generous loan of a large painting from Peter Tkacheff, art teacher at Highlands Academy of Arts and Design and it should be hanging in our offices soon. We look forward to sharing Peter's talented work with our district visitors.