How much money does the district spend on salaries?

McFarland Unified spends about 78% of its budget on employee salaries and benefits each year. This percentage may change a bit from one year to the next, but it always represents the largest expense within the district — as it should be. The district is proud to invest in the men and women who work hard every day to support our students and their learning. 

How does the district decide what to spend money on?

Budgets are developed based on both revenues (money the district expects to take in) and expenses (money the district expects to spend). To be fiscally responsible, the district cannot plan to spend more money than it will take in. District leaders must look at factors such as state funding, enrollment numbers and fixed costs such as employee salaries and benefits to determine a fiscally responsible budget. 

The Deputy Superintendent for Business Services & Operations is responsible for preparing and administering district budgets, with input from other administrators throughout the school district. The budget must then be approved by the Board of Trustees, and submitted to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools for review.

For 2024, district leaders have identified three key priorities: 

• Preserving student-centered programs like Early College, band and music, robotics, career technical education, elementary athletics, and Saturday and after-school programs; 

• Providing students and staff with safe, comfortable, and efficient school facilities; and 

• Preserving student-centered roles that support the health and wellness of our students, including school counselors, school psychologists, school resource officers, student affairs specialists and health clerks.

Why can’t the district use bond money to pay teachers more? 

In 2020, voters in the McFarland Unified School District authorized the district to issue $30 million in bonds. The bond language was specific, allocating funding for the modernization, construction and repair of classrooms, restrooms, roofs, and other school facilities. However, the bond also specified that no money would be used for salaries. Therefore, the district is bound to utilize the $30 million in bond funding only for the purposes approved by voters. To do otherwise would be a violation of the district’s legal and ethical commitment to taxpayers. 

Why does the district have thousands of dollars in savings? 

Just as you might put money aside in your household budget for “a rainy day,” the district can save money from year to year. The state sets limits on how much money can be saved, and how and when that saved money can be spent. 

Holding some money in reserves helps the district prepare for unexpected expenses that might arise, like storm damage or other events. Reserve funds also help the district maintain programs and services even when state and federal funds get cut, as they are expected to this year. 

District leaders are responsible for developing a balanced budget, where any ongoing spending (like salaries) is funded by incoming revenues. District leaders want to avoid dipping into the district’s savings to fund ongoing spending, since this could drain the district’s savings quickly and create problems in the future.  

Who has access to district financial records?

The McFarland Unified School District’s financial operations are a matter of public record. Detailed budget statements for each school year going back several years are available here: https://mcfarlandusd.com/District/Department/962-Business-Services-Operations/151744-Budget-Reports.html

Salary scale information for all positions can be found here: https://www.mcfarlandusd.com/District/Department/937-Human-Resources/151544-Untitled.html 

How does state funding impact McFarland’s budget?

The state of California has projected a $68 billion shortfall for 2024. This could have a significant impact on McFarland’s budget, since most of the district’s funding (78%) comes from the state. (About 4% of district funding is local tax revenue, and about 18% comes from federal funding.) Because the district relies so heavily on state funds to support its programs and services, any cuts to state funding could have a significant impact on the district’s financial status.

Is McFarland facing declining enrollments?

Unfortunately, the decline in population (and subsequently school enrollments) being felt across California is also impacting McFarland. Our student enrollment is down again in 2023-24 over the previous year, and we anticipate a continued decline in enrollment based on current trends. 

As enrollments decline, the district will continue to review staffing levels to ensure that student-teacher ratios are appropriate and fiscally responsible. The district is also continuing to develop strategies to effectively retain and support students. 

What is the district doing to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers?

McFarland Unified is impacted by the nationwide teacher shortage and the overall population shifts impacting the state and the region. That’s why the district has identified recruitment and retention of skilled teachers as a key goal in our Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). 

We have invested more than $150,000 to recruit and retain teachers, including offering release time, training and mentoring; as well as more than $500,000 to support data teams and PLCs. We have also invested into district facilities to ensure a safe, comfortable working environment at all our school sites.

The school district is committed to offering competitive compensation to our teachers, with our average teacher salary now at $82,081.61, while preserving programs that serve the best interest of our students and safeguarding the district’s fiscal future.

As a result of these actions, the district saw an increase in the percentage of teachers who are fully credentialed from 74% to 85%. In addition, the district has made significant investments into facilities to help ensure that MUSD employees have a suitable and pleasant working environment.

We hope that these and other measures will help McFarland recruit and retain qualified teachers who can help our students succeed.