Introduction to
the Weighted Student Formula
And Site-Based Budgeting
Spring 2012
1

What is the approach to budgeting in SFUSD
Weighted Student Formula (WSF)

Mechanics / How the WSF Works

Steps in Academic Planning and Budgeting
2




The WSF distributes resources to schools based on
individual students’ attributes
Money follows each student to his/her school, and
each school’s budget is expressed in dollars instead of
FTE’s (positions)
School Site Councils develop academic plans,
budgets, and staffing plans tailored to their school’s
specific academic needs
The Central Office trains, assists, and monitors
School Site Councils in their work
3
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


Provide more flexibility to local schools to fit unique
objectives, circumstances, strengths, weaknesses,
and strategies
Build authentic participation of school community
stakeholders
Coordinate, simplify, and improve local school
planning process and make site plan more helpful
Build a facilitative relationship between central
offices and sites
4

The Weighted Student Formula provides the
following for each school:
 a foundation amount for every school equal to the
cost of a principal and a clerk
 a specific dollar amount for each student
 an additional dollar amount for students with
specific characteristics
 ‘floor plan’ funding to allow all schools to achieve
required basic staffing levels
5

Schools’ budgets are based on:
 Total dollars available for the WSF
 Foundation allocation
 Equivalent to salary and benefits of a principal and a
clerk
 The Base Funding Factor
 The dollar amount associated with a 1.0 weight
 Weighted factors and respective weights
 Grade levels
 English Language Learners
 Low Socio-Economic Status students
 Special Education students
 Floor Plan funding
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
Each school’s budget =
 Foundation Allocation
 Plus numbers of students X respective weights X Base
Funding Factor
 Plus Floor Plan funding

Allocations are initially based on projections, then
adjusted in the fall based on actual students

Discretion is bounded by provisions of collective
bargaining and state and federal regulations
Note: Schools continue to receive non-WSF resources and support, such as transportation, facilities support, State and
Federal funds, and support to STAR schools
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1
San Francisco Unified School District
Pro-Forma Weighted Student Formula Factors for SY 2012-2013
The weight times the
base funding factor equals
the dollar amount for
each student in that
category.
Grade Level
-----------------------------------
Kindergarten
Primary (1-3)
Intermediate (4-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Weights
Base
ELL
Long-Term
NonBeginning/ Advanced /
Redesignated Intermediate Transitional
SocioEconomic
Status
Special Education (Materials & Prof. Dev.)
Resource
Special
Special
Specialist
Day Class
Day Class
Program
Non-Severe
Severe
---------------------
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
---------------------
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
1.2640
1.2640
1.0000
1.1402
1.1900
0.0843
0.0843
0.0702
0.0702
0.0702
0.0843
0.1861
0.0544
0.0544
0.0544
0.0544
0.0544
0.0900
0.0900
0.0900
0.0900
0.0900
0.0097
0.0097
0.0097
0.0097
0.0097
0.0179
0.0179
0.0179
0.0189
0.0189
0.0315
0.0315
0.0315
0.0328
0.0328
Dollars Based on Base Funding Factor of $2,847.62
Grade Level
-----------------------------------
Kindergarten
Primary (1-3)
Intermediate (4-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Base
ELL
Long-Term
NonBeginning/ Advanced /
Redesignated Intermediate Transitional
SocioEconomic
Status
Special Education (Materials & Prof. Dev.)
Resource
Special
Special
Specialist
Day Class
Day Class
Program
Non-Severe
Severe
---------------------
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
---------------------
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
$3,599
$3,599
$2,848
$3,247
$3,389
$0
$0
$0
$240
$240
$200
$200
$200
$240
$530
$155
$155
$155
$155
$155
$256
$256
$256
$256
$256
$28
$28
$28
$28
$28
$51
$51
$51
$54
$54
$90
$90
$90
$93
$93
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The enrollment in each
category times the base
funding factor times the
weight (previous slide)
equals the school’s
dollar amount for that
category.
SAMPLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Preliminary Weighted Student Formula and TIIBG Allocation for SY 2012-13
Enrollment
Grade Levels
---------------
Total
Enrollment
--------------------
Kindergarten
Primary (1-3)
Intermediate (4-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
LTNR
--------------------
SES
RSP
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
65
181
111
Total
ELL
Beg. / Int.Adv. / Trans. Total
53
136
46
11
21
53
147
67
235
32
267
Total
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
59
165
102
7
17
10
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
357
Special Education
SDC-NS
SDC-S
7
17
18
8
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
326
34
8
42
Allocation of Dollars Based on Base Funding Factor of $2,847.62
Grade Levels
---------------
Kindergarten
Primary (1-3)
Intermediate (4-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
Basic
Education
--------------------
$
233,960
651,489
316,086
--------------------
Total Student Allocation$ 1,201,535
LTNR
ELL
Beg. / Int.Adv. / Trans. Total
SES
Total
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------- -----------------------
$
- $ 10,600 $
- $ 10,600 $
27,200
1,705
28,905
9,200
3,255
12,455
15,121 $
42,287
26,141
259,681
722,681
354,682
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------- ------------------- -----------------------
$
- $ 47,000 $ 4,960 $ 51,960 $
83,549
1,337,044
Foundation Allocation
"Floor Plan" Funds
Total Weighted Student Formula Allocation (Excluding Special Education)
RSP
Special Education
SDC-NS
SDC-S
Total
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
$
193 $
470
276
- $
408
- $
193
470
684
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
$
939 $
408 $
- $ 1,347
189,930
$
1,526,974
WSF Sp. Ed. Allocation
$ 1,347
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What resources and responsibilities should be
included in the WSF as a site-based responsibility vs.
a centrally budgeted and administered responsibility?
What student characteristics should be weighted?
What should relative weights be for each student
characteristic?
How should schools and programs of various sizes be
impacted and/or accommodated?
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Site Budget Responsibility
Central Office Budget Responsibility
General education teachers, ELL school-based teachers and
paraprofessionals
Elementary Advisors and Parent Liaisons (non-STAR schools)
Special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service
providers
STAR schools staff (except Parent Liaisons)
High-school librarians;* additional time for middle- and
elementary-school librarians*
Counselors*
Part-time librarian for elementary and middle schools*
Building administration – Leadership
Food and nutrition staff and services
Building administration – Office Support
Paraprofessionals (EXCEPT SPECIAL EDUCATION)
Custodial, maintenance and other facilities staff, supplies, and
overtime**
Noontime supervisors (elementary)**
Substitutes – staff development absences
Substitutes – non-staff development absences
Extended calendar for non-athletic student activities
Athletics coaches
Security aides, other than those out of general funds
General Fund Security personnel
Salary/benefits for all positions funded by site
Salary/benefits for all centrally funded positions
Vocational Education and ROP staff
Half time nurse, social worker or learning support specialist for
elementary schools
Part-time arts teacher for middle schools
* For more details, see the discussion of the Public Education Enrichment Fund on page 43 of the site based budgeting guide.
** These items will continue to be provided centrally at a base level, but sites may supplement the centrally provided level of 11
service or items with their WSF funds.
Site Budget Responsibility
Central Office Budget Responsibility
Instructional materials
Equipment (Purchase, Repair and Maintenance)**
Library books
Furniture (Purchase, Repair and Maintenance)**
Replacement textbooks (for lost and damaged textbooks)
Basic textbooks (for new core adoptions and additional
enrollment)
Information technology network support and technical
assistance*
Assistive technology for Special Education
Computer hardware
Special education professional development and supplies
(excluding assistive technology)
Optional test preparation or other assessment-related activities
Extended learning opportunities (after-school and Saturday
school programs)
Language translation for school-based communications and
events
School based Professional Development
District-wide assessment
Transportation
Telecommunications / telephones
Professional Development Institutes
Business services, Human Resources, Legal services
Capital Outlay – parts and materials**
Utilities
Library materials (limited)
* For more details, see the discussion of the Public Education Enrichment Fund on page 43 of the site based budgeting guide.
** These items will continue to be provided centrally at a base level, but sites may supplement the centrally provided level of 12
service or items with their WSF funds.
Spring
 School sites receive budget allocations and guidance from central
offices
 Sites hold community meetings to gather input on school site plan and
budget
 School sites develop and submit site plans and budgets
 Central offices review and approve plans
 Human Resources implements staffing decisions
Fall
 Budget allocations are adjusted to match actual enrollment
 School sites implement the plan
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Q: Is there a “per pupil” amount for each student?
A: The amount per student is based on the grade level of the student and the
characteristics of the student. A conservative estimate would be the base
funding factor times the weight for the grade level of the school. (See
slide 8 for details.)
Q: My school is projected to grow (or shrink) next year. How were the
projections developed?
A: For each school, the existing students serve as the basis for the projection.
All non-transitional grades (i.e. K-4 in elementary and 6-7 in middle) are
moved up one grade level and the entering grade (i.e. K in elementary) is
repeated. In high school, the non-transitional grades are adjusted for
average attrition rates for the last five years. If there are programs or
classes added, adjustments are made for those changes. Other
adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis based on school-specific
circumstances.
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Additional questions?
Email [email protected]
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