SCUSD Answers Budget FAQs; Forums Scheduled

The Sacramento City Unified School Distrct knows it's going to get a lot of questions about the , and is seeking to answer some in advance on a frequently asked questions website.

For example, how does Superintendent Jonathan Raymond's $241,628 salary compare to other districts? The district's FAQ site calls it "the sixth lowest salary among the superintendents of the 17 largest school districts in the state.

"The superintendents of neighboring Elk Grove and San Juan Unified have higher wages than Superintendent Raymond and receive compensation for benefits," the district writes.

And what about that so-called "executive chef" that works in the district's headquarters?

"The district employs a cafeteria manager who is paid from federal nutrition funds – money that cannot be used to pay teachers or to balance our budget," the district says.

And can't the district reduce some of its spending on contracts with outside vendors to save some jobs?

"The majority (77 percent) of funds spent on outside vendors is restricted in use by law and cannot be used to address the district’s budget deficit," the district says. "This includes services such as Special Education and federally mandated tutoring for students in Program Improvement schools."

reduces or eliminates 19 contracts with outside vendors, according to the district's website.

Rosemont parents, students and community members with other budget-related questions that aren't answered on the district's website will have a chance to ask them on Jan. 31.

That's when the district's budget forum series will come to . It will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the school's big theater.

Related: Sacramento Bee: Sac City Unified to hold budget forums at five high schools