2008-09 Advance Apportionment Letter

Dear County Superintendents of Schools, Auditors, Treasurers, and Special Education Local Plan Area Directors:

2008–09 Advance Apportionment

Towards the end of July, county treasurers will receive a warrant that reflects state aid for programs included in the 2008–09 Advance Apportionment for elementary, high, and unified school districts; charter schools; and county offices of education.

The State Controller is precluded from disbursing funds without an enacted budget bill or emergency appropriation except for funds with associated appropriations found in statutes and provisions of law other than the budget bill. Accordingly, given the absence of a signed state Budget Act for the 2008–09 fiscal year, the funding for the Advance Apportionment is limited to the state-aid portion of the revenue limits for school districts and county offices of education and the general-purpose entitlement for charter schools funded under the charter school block grant, as well as other continuously appropriated programs.

As provided in California Education Code Section 41330, the 2008–09 Advance Apportionment is based on the 2007–08 Second Principal Apportionment state aid. Adjustments, such as a cost-of-living increase and estimated 2008–09 statewide growth rates, authorized in current statute were then applied to the state aid. Enclosed is a summary of the method by which the 2008–09 Advance Apportionment was calculated.

Please note that the Advance Apportionment does not take into account any proposed statutory measures to reduce/change the statutory cost-of-living increase or possible deficit factor that would significantly reduce revenue limit funding. A recertification of the Advance Apportionment will be made upon enactment of the Budget Act for the 2008–09 fiscal year and implementing legislation, and at that time the monthly payments will be adjusted accordingly.

As you may be aware, Assembly Bill 4 (Chapter 2 of the 2008 Third Extraordinary Session, ABX3 4) defers a portion of revenue limit funding. The normal payment for July for most LEAs is 6 percent of the total amount estimated to be owed for the whole year. ABX3 4 reduces the amount of the July payment to 0.9 percent of the amount owed, and increases the September payment by the amount deferred. This change affects the 2008–09 fiscal year only. Some LEAs are exempt from the deferral, specifically those receiving payments pursuant to Education Code sections 14041 (a)(7) and (a)(8).

A copy of this letter and the applicable apportionment exhibits are available on the California Department of Education Principal Apportionment Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/pa/index.asp. County superintendents should advise districts and charter schools of this apportionment as soon as possible by providing them a copy of this letter.

If you have any further questions regarding this apportionment, or need assistance, please contact the Office of Principal Apportionment and Special Education, at 916-324-4541.

Sincerely,

Peter Foggiato, Administrator
Office of Principal Apportionment and Special Education

PF:ed
Enclosures