The Local Impact of Unfunded Liabilities: Lessons from Sacramento and Marin County

In this seminar, Pivot Learning will discuss two case studies aimed at better understanding the ways in which unfunded liabilities and other cost pressures impact school districts’ ability to serve students. The cases explore the impact of this budget squeeze in two unique locations: the Sacramento City Unified School District and in Marin County. These briefs find that, in Sacramento, soaring health care costs and a massive unfunded liability have led to deficit spending and cuts to programs and services. In Marin County, local parcel taxes have begun attracting more organized opposition due to increasing public perception that tax dollars will go to unfunded liabilities, rather than to students. Arun Ramanathan, Carrie Hahnel, and Hannah Melnicoe will share findings from these case studies, and expert panelists from Marin and Sacramento will reflect on the findings. Panelists will also discuss implications for state and local policy and revenue generation for education.

Speakers:

• Carrie Hahnel - Independent Consultant
• Terena Mares - Marin County Office of Education
• Hannah Melnicoe - Pivot Learning Partners
• Arun Ramanathan - Pivot Learning Partners
• Jesse Ryan - Sacramento City Unified

Please note this event starts at 12:00pm with lunch served starting at 11:30am.