Services

Fiscal Health Analysis
Fact-Finding and Collective Bargaining Assistance
Organization and Efficiency Studies
Unification and Territory Studies
Budget Review and Multi-year Projections
Consulting Projects and Client References (Updated June 2008)

Fiscal Report and Fiscal Services
Community College Update and Services
Comprehensive Mandated Cost Information Services
School Construction Accounting
How to Become a Client

Legislative Advocacy

Exceptional knowledge of the legislative process, combined with an in-depth understanding of public education's strengths and challenges, makes SSC one of the strongest legislative teams at the Capitol--a team that acts quickly and effectively on behalf of clients, keeping them informed of all legislative decisions.

Whether helping solve a client's unique legislative problem or working with coalitions to impact major statewide education policy and fiscal matters, SSC advocates are regarded as credible participants and reliable sources of information in the decision-making process. This reputation, along with years of experience and a diverse network of contacts, enhances SSC's ability to help clients meet their legislative objectives.

As term limits make an ever-increasing impact on the way business is done under the Capitol dome, SSC's technical expertise and reputation for solid policy and budget analysis become increasingly valuable in the legislative process.

Management Consulting

The SSC professional staff is always available as consultants who lend their extensive range of expertise to school agencies confronting particular challenges.

Whether facing unification issues, organizational demands, business office staffing concerns, a hostile news media, or issues of internal budgeting controls, SSC's consultants bring with them both experience and the ability to recognize the uniqueness in every situation.

SSC's Management Consulting Services include:

Fiscal Health Analysis
Fact-Finding and Collective Bargaining Assistance
Organization and Efficiency Studies
Unification and Territory Studies
Budget Review and Multi-year Projections

Consulting Projects and Client References (Updated September, 2005)

Fiscal Report and Fiscal Services

The cornerstone of SSC's integrated services, the Fiscal Report provides late-breaking updates on issues affecting the finances and management of K-12 school districts and county offices of education. This essential resource keeps clients informed of the status and potential ramifications of impending state government actions, both legislative and regulatory, as well as state apportionments, court decisions, elections, and other education-impacting events.

Transmitted over the World Wide Web, and followed by hard-copy versions every two weeks, the Fiscal Report is just one facet of SSC's fiscal service. Clients also receive one-on-one assistance with fiscal, business, and legislative questions. In most cases, quick-query callers receive immediate answers over the phone or via e-mail. If a question requires more research, SSC relies on a broad range of in-house expertise, research materials, and personal contacts for quick follow-up and response.

As part of the Fiscal Report services, SSC clients receive a bank of consulting hours that can be used for selected SSC services. Additionally, clients receive discounted "client rates" on numerous other SSC products, publications, conferences, and workshops.

Community College Update and Services

A vital resource for community college clients, SSC's biweekly Community College Update series delivers timely and useful information on fiscal and policy issues. The Update features in-depth articles on topics such as the state budget, Proposition 98 allocations, capital outlay, Lottery estimates, bonds, student fee questions, and much more. The Update contains summaries and analyses of all major legislation introduced that has an impact on community colleges. Clients can receive copies of bills and committee analyses, both online and in hard copy.

In addition, the Update tracks actions of the Community College Board of Governors, the State Chancellor's Office, and other state regulatory agencies that affect community colleges.

SSC also provides community colleges with consulting support that is strengthened by a direct link to government policy actions. This assistance is tailored to specific client needs concerning legislative, fiscal, management, and business matters.

Comprehensive Mandated Cost Information Services

SSC's Mandated Cost Information Service (MCIS) is a client service designed to maximize reimbursements for mandated program costs, while minimizing the amount of time needed to submit the necessary claims. This service includes online information and client query options, help in submitting claims, assistance on Incorrect Reduction Claims, advice on preparing for an audit, and other timesaving assistance.

In addition, SSC's e-newsletter--The Mandate Report--keeps clients apprised of any action taken by the State Controller, the State Legislature, and other agencies regarding reimbursement of state-mandated costs. The updates are sent to MCIS clients via e-mail as soon as the news is available, and are posted to the MCIS website for easy access and printing.

Clients of the service also benefit from an annual training session, software for documenting and filing mandated cost claims, access to California's recognized leader in providing state-mandated cost claim preparation and cost accounting services-- Axiom--and SSC's step-by-step manual: Reimbursement of State Mandated Costs: Demystifying the Process. The annually updated manual provides clear explanations for increasing the size of reimbursement claims, strengthening those claims to withstand Controller audits, and simplifying the overall state mandate reimbursement process.

Individual districts can utilize some of their client "mandate hours" for in-district training to improve or establish cost accounting systems and data collection strategies. Maximized reimbursements are achieved by developing expertise in district employees. These training costs are fully reimbursed through the mandate reimbursement process.

School Services and Axiom provide school districts and county offices of education with the most comprehensive state-mandated cost claiming services available in the state. Click here for the Commission on State Mandates (COSM) Website.

School Construction Accounting

With billions of dollars pouring into local educational agencies, the need for proper accounting is a given. School Services is pleased to offer on site training and compilation of all of the state reports required by the Office of Public School Construction including the SAB 184 and the SAB 50-06 Expenditure reports.

Some of the areas emphasized in the training portion of this service include:

Establishing proper accounting practices

Developing an account code structure that is easy to follow and allows the users to track all expenditures

Creating a filing system for easy retrieval of documents

E-mail access after the training is over

Each training or report compilation service is unique. Pricing for these services will be based on the needs of the district.

How to Become a Client