Proposal to Update District Financial Reserve Policy - October 2024
The official document
What the district published
This is the source material — exactly as released by RUSD. The plain English translation below is this site's version, written for community members who shouldn't need a budget degree to understand where their school dollars go.
Original PDF coming soon — check reedschools.org for the source document.
In plain English
What this document actually says
This presentation proposes updating Reed Union School District's reserve policy to better formalize how the district manages its fund balance. The district currently holds a AAA credit rating and receives significant local funding through property taxes (about $9.1 million above state-required levels), a $2.8 million parcel tax (Measure E), and $1.5 million from the Reed Schools Foundation. The proposal would create a formal "Community Funded District Special Reserve" (Fund 17) to protect against catastrophic events like tax base loss, economic downturns, or changes in state law. The presentation compares Reed to 10 similar wealthy districts, noting Reed is the only one without Fund 17. Current reserves include state-required minimums plus board designations for special education, technology, and other priorities.
What this means for your family
This policy update would formalize how the district protects its strong financial position, which directly supports competitive teacher salaries, high-quality educational programs, and instructional materials that families value. The reserves act as a safety net to ensure programs continue even during economic uncertainty. While this is primarily an administrative change, it helps ensure long-term financial stability that keeps class sizes small and programs funded.
Summaries are AI-assisted and based on the original district document shown above. Nothing has been editorialized — interpretations are clearly labeled. This site is maintained by Lina Godfrey's campaign as a community resource.