Support is our charge

The California Constitution established county

offices of education (COEs) to provide a
support infrastructure for local schools and
districts.
 State mandates set the terms

ACOE fulfills State mandates to audit district

finances, register teacher credentials, certify
school attendance records, and develop
countywide programs to serve special student
populations.
Fiscal oversight is critical

The fiscal resources needed to operate public

education in Alameda County are overseen by
Alameda County Office of Education’s
Business Services division.
Budget review is part of the
process

State law requires each county office of education to

review budgets and the overall fiscal solvency of local
school districts.
 A 3-year Plan

ACOE Business Services ensures that each

district will meet financial obligations now and
for two upcoming years by reviewing and
approving budgets and interim financial reports.
ACOE supports OUSD every
day

ACOE has worked closely over several years with OUSD

leadership & Board to support the District’s efforts to stabilize
their long-term fiscal outlook.
Specifically, it made support, training and development
available to OUSD District staff to ensure effective systems &
ability to provide the Board with critical information for
decision-making
 OUSD has local control

OUSD’s Board has local control and its elected

Board has been making decisions for the District.
All Boards across California face decisions based
on the fiscal oversight of the COE.
Budget communication is
essential

OUSD recently received budget letters from ACOE as part of

a prescribed schedule of budget communications. Budget
communication occurs annually between COE and all school
districts. All other districts received budget approval letters
during the same period of time. The most recent letter sent to
OUSD approved the district’s budget.
 AB 1840 funds are State funds

AB 1840 Funds are state-allocated funds and the state

determines whether OUSD will receive it. AB 1840
legislation was created, in part, directly to provide
support to OUSD during time of fiscal distress. The
funding was conditioned upon the Board continuing to
move forward with its Fiscal Vitality Plan.
OUSD fiscal distress alert

The district’s current financial state is being buoyed by

COVID-related funding, which is one-time money that is not
intended to be used to fund ongoing expenses, such as salaries
or the maintenance of facilities.
 School consolidations

School consolidations are painful decisions that

can be made during times of fiscal distress. The
OUSD Board made tough decisions on the
number of school sites it can manage and
sustain. The ability to provide robust programs
and services is part of the equation.