Monterey, Calif.-The Monterey County Office of Education said 9 school districts and community colleges could be owed up to 8 million dollars in redevelopment funds.
Results of a preliminary study were presented to the board Wednesday morning.
The 9 school districts that may be owed redevelopment funds include: Gonzales Unified, Greenfield Union, King City Joint Union High, Monterey Peninsula Unified, North Monterey County Unified, Salinas City Elementary, Salinas Union High, Soledad Unified, and Monterey County Office of Education.
Additionally, Alisal Union, King City Union, Pajaro Valley Joint Unified, Washington Union, Cabrillo Joint Community College, Hartnell Community College, and Monterey Peninsula Community College share common areas with known underpayments and may also be owed money.
"Recouping funds that we are owed is very important and certainly ensuring that in the future, all of the funds that are due to the state schools are received by the schools for our children is important," said Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County Schools Superintendent.
In 2008, Assembly Bill 1389 enacted a statewide audit on certain redevelopment payments. The audit revealed that California Redevelopment Agencies have underpaid school districts and community colleges (Local Educational Agencies – LEAs) approximately $98 million from 2003/2004 to 2007/2008.
In October 2009, many school districts received a letter stating that they underreported their redevelopment revenue and as a result, they owed money to the State.
The outcome prompted the county and other LEAs to hire a consulting group to do a forensic analysis of redevelopment agency funds.
The consulting group, Dolinka Group LLC, said California Redevelopment Agencies short changed school districts between 2004 and 2009. The group blames confusion over state laws and a switch from paper to computer programs.
"We did not look at 9-10 or 10-11 and the trend is that more than likely will also be underpayments in those two fiscal years," said Benjamin Dolinka, CEO of Dolinka Group LLC.
Right now the schools are focused on working with the agency to make sure this doesn't happen again and they get their money back.
"There would be funds that would be restricted for facilities and other funds that would then be available for the school district to use with no restrictions for the purpose that they need to serve our children," said Kotowski.
The district plans on holding public meetings in the near future to allow you to voice your concerns. As soon as we find out about those dates, we'll let you know.
