Overview of the pusd/pcoe financial situation

By Dan Kearns

​​In light of the fact that many are becoming aware of PUSD's financial situation, the following is intended to assist those who wish to dig into this topic.

​It is not surprising that PUSD finds themselves in financial dire straits. They are known to spend money on things that are unrelated to their stated Mission, Vision, Values and Goals such as purchasing and managing rental property. The Taylorsville Elementary campus, which has been used as a campground for Sierra Institute's summer programs for many years, sits empty all school year (despite the fact that the lights and heat are on). This inappropriate use (and wasteful non-use) flies in direct conflict with the wishes of the residents and taxpayers of Indian Valley. While the district spends money buying new buildings,​ the existing building is not in use for the education of our local kids. Additionally, there is the national issue of overspending on administrators. Student populations have grown by 7.6% nationally between 2000 and 2019. While the number of teachers as grown by 8.7%, the number of administrators has grown by 87.6%. Could the increased cost of unjustified administrators be part of the problem too?

The turnover rate of district superintendents is alarming for several reasons. The fact that so many have quit over such a short time raises concern over why they may be doing so. Frequent changes in leadership also create instability in the workplace, which one would only expect to trickle down hill into the teaching ranks and classrooms. Additionally, the district has hired a consulting firm to help fill the superintendent position. How much is this costing taxpayers?

All of this financial trouble comes after the district has received, roughly, an extra, unbudgeted $5.7 million over the past few years. That's right, as they announce a $2 million deficit, they cannot account for where this roughly $5.7 million has gone. This extra $5,712,005 in income comes in the form of $3,712,005 in ESSER III funding (covid relief) received between 2021 and now and $2 million in PG&E good faith funds given to the Plumas County Office of Education Foundation (PCOEF) in 2022. Where has this money gone? That is a question you may be able to have answered at the next PCOE/PUSD board meeting scheduled to be at Greenville Elementary School on March 12. Closed session begins at 4pm, open session starts at 5:30PM. What will happen to the $1.2 million in additional insurance money received from a Dixie Fire insurance claim? That is up to us to keep track of.

Perhaps the following information is part of the explanation as to how the district has lost control of their finances. After submitting a Public Records Act Request to PUSD for the district's bank statements, it was learned that the items in PUSD's bank statements are encoded. As such, it is impossible to know what each deposit/withdraw was from/for without the code which is held by an IT tech for the county. According to the district's Chief Business Official, Mallory Marin, not even she can read it. So how is the Chief Business Official able to keep track of income and expenditures if she is unable to read district bank statements? Additionally, it was discovered that control of the districts accounts lies within the Plumas County bureaucratic system. This means that income for the district is sent to Plumas County and deposited in the appropriate account. When the school district needs to make a payment, an invoice is sent to the county, who them makes the payment. This means that the districts accounting responsibilities rest almost solely withing the bureaucracy of Plumas County.

Additionally, it seems that the PCOE/PUSD board members would rather take more money from county residents to cover their deficit than they have created than hold themselves and the district accountable for their failure to manage district finances. This ordinance was rescinded by the board after receiving major backlash from county residents and officials.

In conclusion, Plumas Unified School District's board of directors and administrators have misused funds, wasted assets, lost control of the budget, lost millions of dollars and tried to force the taxpayers to cover their mistakes. It is time we took control of this board and ensured that they refocus on their self-appointed duties of inspiring every child in every classroom every day, ensuring an exemplary education, having a balanced budget and being responsible and accountable for their actions and the results.

To view the most recent board meeting, go to: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFjCmmo-gKE

To contact your representative board member, go to: https://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/BoardMembers

To contact district administrators, go to: 
https://www.pcoe.k12.ca.us/apps/contact/