Finance Flashcards
0
Q
The district superintendent must be replaced when
A
The amount of the districts revenues or exceeded by the district financial obligation
1
Q
In most school districts the following percentage of the budget is for personal salaries and benefits
A
85%
2
Q
The purpose of the district budget calendar is to guarantee fiscal solvency true or false
A
False
3
Q
The major intent of a AB 1200
A
Impose greater fiscal accountability controls on school districts
4
Q
Budget
A
A spending plan to accomplish instructional objectives
5
Q
The constitutional deadline in California for the state legislative to adopt the state budget
A
June 15
6
Q
What is NOT used to estimate how much a district will need to plan for the following years expenditures
A
The amount of lottery money available
7
Q
All districts must conduct a public hearing on the budget each year true or false
A
True
8
Q
Categorical funds are earmarked for specific funds true a false
A
True
9
Q
Danger signals a district may be in financial trouble
A
Number one in adequate beginning and ending budget balances,turnover in administration, collective-bargaining with ties to revenues or expenditures
10
Q
Who or what is the only thing that can change the revenue limit
A
State legislature
11
Q
The largest share of federal funds comes from what funding and what is it also known as
A
Title I/no child left behind
12
Q
The ADA plays an important role in determining the mound of revenue a school district receives as part of the revenue limit true or false
A
True
13
Q
SB90 established limits on the amount of general revenue money a school districtcan receive per-pupil true or false
A
True true
14
Q
The required number of school days
A
180
15
Q
Prop 98
A
Established a minimum base funding for K – 14 to almost 40% of the state budget
It could not be changed by local school boards
It could be suspended by the state legislature and govenor in times of fiscal emergency
16
Q
With the recent school bond measure’s passing, school facilities needs have been adequately addressed true or false
A
False
17
Q
The gann limit is a constitutional amendment passed has a part of the
“—–”
A
Taxpayer revolt
18
Q
Prop 13 was considered A tax payers revolt because
A
It shifted funding for schools from local property taxes to the state
19
Q
Lottery
A
Generates funds to support public Ed
20
Q
Vouchers
A
Parent choice initiative twice defeated in 93 and 2000
21
Q
A mega budget item
A
A relatively new approach to the block Grant approach given certain funds to school districts it is not a good way of increasing the allocation for school districts with you excused absences
22
Q
What is categorical aid for?
A
Specific educational objectives and is to supplement funds
23
Q
Where does the largest amount of funds in California come from?
A
Income taxes and sales taxes
24
Into thousand California exceeded all of the states in the number of students in rolled in public K-12 schools true or false
True
25
During the last two decades 1980 to 2000 the trend has been to increase the amount of general revenue funding for schools true or false
True
26
what percentage of school districts budget comes from Gen. revenue money
65%
27
Serrano versus priest
Using property taxes to fund public schools was unconstitutional.
Per-pupil expenditures had to be equalized
Property taxes made per pupil expenditures unequal
28
The class-size reduction (CSR) in 1996 resulted in California's public school class size becoming one of the lowest in the nation true or false
False
29
School districts get most of their funding from where?
The states general fund
30
What is categorical aid
It is for specific purposes and my supplement a district budget
31
Court decisions have had very little impact on school financing true or false
False example Serrano versus priest
32
One in 10 students in California require special Ed services t or false
True
33
California school finance system is largely controlled by what?
The govenor and state legislature
34
Three of the highest priorities in the state education budget in recent years has been improving student treatment accountability and teacher quality two or false
True
35
Linking expenditures for public education to outcomes is often a public concern t or false
True
36
State courts have held that individuals don't have a right to an education true or false
False
37
What for groups of students represent the greatest impact on school budget
LEP, minority, special needs and low socioeconomic
38
Education is regarded as both a public and private good true or false
True
39
Increases or decreases to the revenue limit are determined by The District school Board true or false
False
40
Over the last several years California student enrollment has been steadily increasing
True
41
Of the four sources of revenue for school districts in the lottery provides the second greatest source of income
T or f
False
42
The state provides a beast revenue limit for all of California school district. This base revenue limit can be increased by a vote of the citizens of a school district
False
43
Lottery money provides what percentage of most schools budget
1-3%
44
The percentage of English learners in California public schools
25%
45
Greatest challenges to fix the problems with California state budget
2/3 required of State legislator to increase taxes
The passage of the ballot measures to earmark revenue in state budget
The enactment of term limits for the legislature that deprives the legislature Branch Of institutional memory
46
California spends less than other states on school administration
True – because there is a penalty imposed on school districts if they exceed the state formula for admin costs
47
The number of school districts in California
1000
48
The federal government has generally been involved in education by supplementing budgets for special needs and national priorities
True
49
The property tax has historically been the major source of revenue for schools
True
50
The charter school movement has been successful in California
True
51
California leads the nation in the amount of her people expenditures it allocate for public education
False
52
Most school districts in California are unified K-12
True
53
The API ( Academic performance index) and the AYP ( adequate yearly progress) are both accountability measures and have the same purpose, however they originate from different levels of the government
True
54
California ranks near the bottom when compared with other states in terms of the amount of taxes collected from its citizens
False
55
What causes enrollment growth in California
High birthrates, immigrants entering the state, migration from other states
56
In California most of the funding for K-12 comes from the state
True
57
Which of these taxes is considered to be the most regressive toward the general population
The sales tax – the percentage on any taxable good is the same for the rich or poor
58
Court decisions are requiring more and more states to equalize statewide funding for school districts
True
59
Vouchers for students to attend private or parochial school is...
- an indication parents want more options
- A political issue
- a major issue in financial support for public Ed
60
Class-size reduction has had positive effects on districts capacity to provide adequate classroom space
False
61
According to AB 1200 a fiscal advisor maybe assigned when he district can't meet its financial obligation
True
62
A school districtS ADA is generally slightly higher than its student enrollment
False
63
Enrollment projections are one of the most important indicators of future income
True
64
What factor is the most significant in determining the per people cost of education
student-teacher ratio
65
Average size school districts in California are required to set aside this amount for economic uncertainties
3%
66
What must a school district do on oct 31 and jan 31
Submit an interim financial report to the county
67
User fees
Help provide additional funds to school districts
68
The purpose of COLA
Help school districts keep up w inflation
69
School districts are not required to meet budget deadlines as long as they make sure their budgets are in balance true or false
False
70
Most school districts the most school districts's are required to include a 10% reserve for unforeseen expenses true or false
False it's 3%
71
If the school district does not submit a budget by sept 15th the county superintendent is required to develop one and Bill the district
False recent legislation has given more oversight power to the county office of education
72
The budget practice in most school districts is incremental or historical
True
73
Based on recent California court decision school districts me ask parents to pay for their children's text books and school supplies
False
74
What are line item budgets?
The most commonly used method of keeping track of expenditures
75
All school district revenues are placed into which account
8000 series
76
A budget contains both revenues and expenditures
True
77
The major portion of a school districts income is from
The revenue limit
78
The chief business officer (CBO) of a school district should have expertise in which four areas
Business operations, collective bargaining, accounting and economics
79
The general fund includes both restricted and non restricted expenditures
True
80
The amount of categorical aid received by school districts is quite similar
False
81
The areas into which the school districts budget is organized is prescribed by
CDE- ca dept of Ed
82
Revenue limit I one is what 3 things
Makes up most of the districts general fund
Is mostly unrestricted
Is the amount of money a district may receive for general purposes
83
The PPBS System of program budgeting is fairly simple to use and allows for site-based budget decisions
False
84
The California school accounting manual contains the account codes school district must use for revenues and expenditures
True
85
In California the proportion of school district funds that K-12 education receives from the state is about what percent
67%
86
The property tax is an example of a regressive tax
False
87
The object code categories which compromise the largest expenditures and mow school district budgets are
1000-3000 series ( salaries and benefits)
88
Each line item in the general fund must be marked restricted or unrestricted
True
89
School district should classify each expenditure by designating the appropriate codes on your requisitions
True
90
Most school districts spend at least what percentage of their budget for personal costs
85%
91
What are the major sources of information that must be reviewed in order to determine how much money (revenue) the district will receive the following year
The enrollment projections, ADA projections, categorical funds and the lottery
92
The revenue limit
The specific amount of state and local taxes the school district may receive per people for its general education fund
93
The County superintendent of schools office has no significant role in relation to school district budgets
False
94
How does collective-bargaining between the school district in its employee organizations impact the budget?
A few our salaries, employee benefits and class-size. The percentage of salary increase in the cost of fringe benefits has a tremendous impact
95
Which type of fund is required for all school districts
The general fund
96
The incremental or historical budget means
The starting point is the prior years budget
97
School district budget expenditures are shown in the object code series 1000–7000
True
98
School districts are not permitted to raise local funds through the lease of school property
False
99
One of the advantages of zero-based budget (ZBB) is
Annual eval of all programs
100
Program budgeting
Looks at each program and its effectiveness
101
The major portion of school districts budget is allocated to salaries and benefits
True
102
Restricted items are those were the monies are here marked by state or federal law for specific objectives
True
103
School districts that have shown responsible financial accounting for a substantial number of years are not required to conduct an audit every year
F
104
The general fund contains both restricted and unrestricted monies
T
105
Funding for special education comes from both federal and state sources.. The federal funding is adequate and only requires a small amount of state and district funding
F
106
Which is the largest and most Active fund of a school district which contains such expenditures as salaries, benefits, textbooks and instructional supplies
The general fund
107
Two of the highest is funded categorical aid programs from the federal government include
ESEA title 1 ( NCLB) and child nutrition.
108
School district audits may be conducted by in-house financial advisors
F
109
The amount and type of categorical aid is evenly distributed among school districts
F
110
What does a financial audit provide for school districts
A financial condition of the district, accounting method used by staff and compliance with laws and regulations
111
Budget decisions for school site budgets are clearly defined and consistent among various school sites and districts
False
112
In most districts principles are responsible for the allocation and management of the school personnel budget
F
113
Categorical funds may be distributed based on enrollment, competitive grants or eligibility formula
LR
114
One can gain a sense of the districts or schools priorities by examining the budget
T
115
Categorical aid programs tend to require greater control then do general aid programs
T
116
The ratio of general to special-purpose aid to school districts during the past 15 years has changed considerably. Categorical aid has…
Increased steadily
117
Keeping track of encumbrances is not as important in school site budgets as it is with the district budget
F
118
The capital outlay fund includes office supplies and instructional materials
False
119
The fee for the annual audit is paid by district funds and is usually based on the districts ADA
True
120
AB1200 was passed as a result of the bankruptcy of some school districts and was intended to impose greater fiscal control on school districts
True
121
Categorical aid does what 3 things
Helps school districts accomplish specific educational objectives, highlights special programs and addresses kids w special needs
122
School site budgets should contain expenditure codes that correlate with the district budget codes
True
123
One of the advantages of contracting out student transportation services is that it saves money on bus drivers
True but the greater cost is the capital outlay for Buses
124
One of the positives of the class-size reduction legislation include
Positive teacher attitudes
125
Special education encroachment on the general education budget in school districts is usually what percentage
20-25%
126
Sale of food items on a campus must be authorized by the schoolboard
True
127
What must student body organizations do to make sure they are properly and legally functioning
Have a constitution stating the purpose of the organization, keep minutes of all meetings, establish policies and procedures for elections of officers, fundraisers and expenditure approvals
128
A major impediment to implementing CSR has been the need to find enough facilities and teachers
True
129
PL94-142 and the IDEA are specifically for
students w. Disabilities
130
An annual external audit of student body funds is not required- only periodic internal audits
F
131
With some exceptions it is generally legal to charge students a fee for supplies in the academic program
False
132
There is conclusive research that the class-size reduction of the 20:1 has had a positive impact on improving student achievement
False
133
The student council sponsor has total accountability for the student body accounts
False
134
What is a legal fee a district may charge students
For a damaged or lost text book
135
The ca Supreme Court recently ruled that schools may charge fees for extra curricular activities
False
136
How are student body organizations valuable to school
Provides training for students in leadership, provides valuable source of information and guidance on issues, help set a tone, assist in the education program for all, help with serious matters like drugs and alcohol, strengthen school morale and pride
137
Student body funds may be used in an emergency to purchase district adopted textbooks
False
138
Student body funds should be spent to benefit students who are currently enrolled in the school
True
139
One major advantage of contracting out bus transportation services is that it saves money on capital expenditures for Buses
True
140
Who must approve all fundraisers?
The principal and the student council
141
Food items on an elementary school campus
Maybe sold after the noon meal has been served
142
A school district they charge a fee to transport participating students to an athletic event
False
143
A primary project for student body organizations is fundraising
True
144
Funding provided by the state of California for class size reduction has generally been adequate to implement this program
False
145
Student organizations receive an allocation of revenue from the district to operate their programs
False
146
The California Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for school districts to charge parents for student transportation to and from school unless parents or guardians are "indigent "
True
147
Encroachment is not a problem for school districts
False
148
The legal framework for student body organizations is found in the ed code
True
149
Who has the legal responsibility to establish regulations and procedures for student body organizations and student body funds?
School boards
150
The following are legitimate fundraisers for student body organizations
Raising funds for special academic awards for outstanding
151
The California Department of Education has very little role in directing the procedures for proper accounting of student body funds
False
152
What are three ways to increase revenue for the food services program?
Monitor personnel costs, supplies and equipment inventory, food carts and specialty centers
153
Research shows that there is little correlation between the cleanliness of the school and educational outcomes
False
154
The child nutrition program is administered by
U.S. Dept of agriculture, the ca dept of Ed and local school districts
155
The school district policies on maintenance and operations
Should include the philosophy regarding the contracting out of services
156
Food service monies are placed in a special, restricted fund
True
157
School districts have a master plan for equipment replacement will help keep emergency repairs to a min
False- equipment lasts for about 5 years due to wear and tear. There needs to be a plan to replace obsolete and equip that can't be repaired
158
One of the major financial goals of food services is to make the program self supporting
True
159
President Harry Truman started the school lunch program after world war 2
But breakfast was added in 1966
True
160
One important function of the maintenance dept of a school district is the repair and replacement of fascilities and equips
True
161
Ca has provided no incentives for districts to participate in the school bfast program
False
162
Trends in food service include
Decentralization- customer satisfaction plays a big part in the success of the food service program
163
In Controlling personnel costs in the maintenance and operations dept what are important considerations?
Encumber costs in the beginning of the year, overtime and extra duty hours and substitutes
164
The federal govt subsidizes only free meals
False
165
A work order system
Helps track labor hours and material costs spent on repair jobs
166
What are three ways to increase revenue for the food services program?
Monitor personnel costs, supplies and equipment inventory, food carts and specialty centers
167
Research shows that there is little correlation between the cleanliness of the school and educational outcomes
False
168
The child nutrition program is administered by
U.S. Dept of agriculture, the ca dept of Ed and local school districts
169
The school district policies on maintenance and operations
Should include the philosophy regarding the contracting out of services
170
Food service monies are placed in a special, restricted fund
True
171
School districts have a master plan for equipment replacement will help keep emergency repairs to a min
False- equipment lasts for about 5 years due to wear and tear. There needs to be a plan to replace obsolete and equip that can't be repaired
172
One of the major financial goals of food services is to make the program self supporting
True
173
President Harry Truman started the school lunch program after world war 2
But breakfast was added in 1966
True
174
One important function of the maintenance dept of a school district is the repair and replacement of fascilities and equips
True
175
Ca has provided no incentives for districts to participate in the school bfast program
False
176
Trends in food service include
Decentralization- customer satisfaction plays a big part in the success of the food service program
177
In Controlling personnel costs in the maintenance and operations dept what are important considerations?
Encumber costs in the beginning of the year, overtime and extra duty hours and substitutes
178
The federal govt subsidizes only free meals
False
179
A work order system
Helps track labor hours and material costs spent on repair jobs
180
What are three ways to increase revenue for the food services program?
Monitor personnel costs, supplies and equipment inventory, food carts and specialty centers
181
Research shows that there is little correlation between the cleanliness of the school and educational outcomes
False
182
The child nutrition program is administered by
U.S. Dept of agriculture, the ca dept of Ed and local school districts
183
The school district policies on maintenance and operations
Should include the philosophy regarding the contracting out of services
184
Food service monies are placed in a special, restricted fund
True
185
School districts have a master plan for equipment replacement will help keep emergency repairs to a min
False- equipment lasts for about 5 years due to wear and tear. There needs to be a plan to replace obsolete and equip that can't be repaired
186
One of the major financial goals of food services is to make the program self supporting
True
187
President Harry Truman started the school lunch program after world war 2
But breakfast was added in 1966
True
188
One important function of the maintenance dept of a school district is the repair and replacement of fascilities and equips
True
189
Ca has provided no incentives for districts to participate in the school bfast program
False
190
Trends in food service include
Decentralization- customer satisfaction plays a big part in the success of the food service program
191
In Controlling personnel costs in the maintenance and operations dept what are important considerations?
Encumber costs in the beginning of the year, overtime and extra duty hours and substitutes
192
The federal govt subsidizes only free meals
False
193
A work order system
Helps track labor hours and material costs spent on repair jobs
194
Replacing lawns is part of the operational function of the school
False
195
Operations refers to a school district housekeeping routines to keep school plans functional
False
196
Contracting out for food services has been shown to be superior both in terms of food quality and financial success
False- still to early to tell
197
Two major expenses for the food services program are administration and equipment
False
198
The national school lunch act of 1946 was of historical significance but it no longer relevant today
False
199
School lunches much provide what % of RDA
33%
200
What are ways to better the financial status of the cafeteria fund and balances and help make the food service program self supporting
Adopt a client centered approach to serving meals, contract food services out to private companies and calculate the meals served per labor hour
201
The function of the operations department staff is to be sure classroom and facilities are clean
True
202
The advantages of COP ( certificate of participation) loan is that it can easily be paid back by the district
False
203
Currently what is the major way of financing school construction in Ca
General obligation bonds
204
Under special circumstances lottery money can be spent for school construction
False
205
In November, 2000, voters approved prop 39 which required a 55% approvals for local school districts to pass general obligation bonds
True
206
Over 50% of CAs school buildings were built over 25 years ago
True
207
The advantage of using the parcel tax for school construction, smaller classes and technology etc is it only requires a 55% voter approval
False a parcel tax requires a 2/3 vote
208
Deferred maintenance funds require a 2/3 voter approval for use by a school district
False
209
In General the state bond issues have been adequate in the past to fund school construction
False
210
Court decisions related to school construction have generally been unfavorable to school districts
False
211
State funds required 2/3 voter approval
False
212
One of frequently used methods for local school districts to finance facilities construction and remodeling is
Sale of general obligation bonds
213
District who are approved to get construction funds from the states Leroy Green lease/purchase program must
Meet eligibility requirements, provide matching local funds, go through a complex process
214
One disadvantage for using portable classrooms is that they are more expensive to heat in the winter and cool in the summer
True
215
The amount of money collected from developer fees is inadequate to build new schools
True
216
The state of California gives higher priority for receiving construction funds to school district that operate on a year-round schedule
True
217
Building new prisons competes with building public schools for dollars
True
218
The Mello-Roos law is used most often when there is vacant land in the school district
True
219
before proposition 13 how did school district fund their school construction
Through local property taxes
220
California's facilities problems were caused primarily by the recent class-size reduction (CSR)
False
221
The primary effect of proposition 13 on financing school construction has been
A shift of local control to the state
222
The gann spending limit
Amendment passed in 1979 limiting the amount of money in tax dollars that the state, cities, counties, school districts may set aside
223
What are signals that may lead to fiscal insolvency
A small beginning and ending balance, unrealistic collective bargaining contracts. Lack of experience of key personnel
224
Which factor is the most significant factor in deterring the per pupil cost of education?
Student:teacher ratio ( class size)
225
Unencumbered balance
The portion of an appropriation or allotment not yet expanded or obligated
226
All school districts in Ca must conduct a public hearing on the budget each year
True
227
The chief financial/business officer of the school district is required to have a credential
False
228
Education is regarded as a public but not a private good
False
229
In California the proportion of school monies for K-12 education which comes from the state is about what percent
60-80%
230
The value of land, homes, businesses set by the county assessor for property tax services
Assessed valuation
231
AB1200
A bill passed in California in 1992 to impose major physical accountability controls on school districts
232
Encumbrances
Monies that have been obligated to be paid In the form or purchase orders, contracts, salary commitments etc
233
Block grant
A lump sum allocation of funds in which two or more special purpose funds are lumped together
234
Expenditures
The cost of goods delivered and services rendered
235
Capital outlay
Amounts paid for the acquisition of or additions to fixed assets such as buildings grounds and equipment
236
Funds from the state or federal government granted to qualifying school districts in addition to the revenue limit for students with special needs or special-purpose programs
Categorical funds/Aid
237
Prop 98 established a constitutionally based minimum funding floor for K-14 education
True
238
Ca receives the largest amount of funds from the sales tax and income tax
True
239
What is the purpose of COLA
To help school districts keep up w inflation
240
Equalization
Funds allocated by legislature the legislature to raise school districts with lower revenue limits toward the state average
241
The revenue limit
The specific amount of state and local property taxes the school district may receive per pupil for its general education program
242
Line item budgets are the most commonly used by the school districts for their general fund budget
True
243
A school districts ADA is usually slightly greater thank it's student enrollment
False
244
The period for the purposes of budgeting in Ca from July1- June 30
Fiscal year
245
The revenue limit is based on the ADA generated during this period from July 1st through the last full school month ending on or before April 15
P-2 second period attendance
246
The number of assigned to sources of revenues or expenditures is called the
Account codes
247
An initiative passed in 1978 that amended the ca constitution and was related to property tax and a required 2/3 to add new taxes
Prop 13
248
Certificates of participation [cops]
A way to provide loans ( long term financing) for school districts
249
A charge per square foot for construction in a community which school districts may levy to help build or renovate schools
Developer fees
250
Funds allocated by the legislature to raise districts w lower revenue limits toward the statewide average
Equalization
251
Expenditures that are incurred for interest on and redemption of bonds
Bonded indebtedness
252
Equalization
Funds allocated by legislature the legislature to raise school districts with lower revenue limits toward the state average
253
The revenue limit
The specific amount of state and local property taxes the school district may receive per pupil for its general education program
254
Line item budgets are the most commonly used by the school districts for their general fund budget
True
255
A school districts ADA is usually slightly greater thank it's student enrollment
False
256
The period for the purposes of budgeting in Ca from July1- June 30
Fiscal year
257
The revenue limit is based on the ADA generated during this period from July 1st through the last full school month ending on or before April 15
P-2 second period attendance
258
The number of assigned to sources of revenues or expenditures is called the
Account codes
259
An initiative passed in 1978 that amended the ca constitution and was related to property tax and a required 2/3 to add new taxes
Prop 13
260
Certificates of participation [cops]
A way to provide loans ( long term financing) for school districts
261
A charge per square foot for construction in a community which school districts may levy to help build or renovate schools
Developer fees
262
Funds allocated by the legislature to raise districts w lower revenue limits toward the statewide average
Equalization
263
Expenditures that are incurred for interest on and redemption of bonds
Bonded indebtedness
264
Economic Impact Aid ( EIA)
State categorical aid for districts with students who are bilingual, transient or from low income families
265
Food services monies are placed in a school general fund
False
266
What are the greatest challenges facing ca school finance in the next 5 years
Student absences, declining enrollment, unnecessary spending and sources of funds/revenue
267
In order for school to receive school improvement fund the school must have a school plan developed by the school site coucil
True
268
The special ed encroachment on the general fund budget and school districts is usually what percentage
20-25%
269
What are the requirements of the CA master plan for special education
Least restrictive environment, IEP, seek individuals with exceptional needs
270
State bond issues require a simple majority voter approval
True
271
What are two way to determine weather parents or guardians are indigent
Qualify for a free lunch /receive AFDC
272
There continues to be much discussion about doing this to improve flexibility in categorical programs funded both by California and the federal government.
What is this called
Consolidation
273
To pass a STATE bond you need what to pass
Simple majority-50%
274
To pass a DISTRICT bond you need what percentage?
55%
