Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore public policy alternatives utilized by other states relating to fiscal solvency and the perception of California school business officials as to their potential impact on California school districts. Methodology. The type of research utilized in this study was descriptive. The law in each of the other forty-nine states was researched to find at least one public policy alternative for fiscal solvency in each state, for a total of forty different public policy alternatives. A panel of experts added five more public policy alternatives. The population was chief business officials in California school districts with more than 2,500 ADA. The random sample size was 100. The response rate was 75 percent. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test utilizing the SPSS computer program. Findings. The chief business officials perceived eliminating special education deficit as having the highest impact for resolving California's fiscal solvency needs. The second highest impact was in eliminating state deficits for revenue limits. The third highest impact was in funding the entire cost of new programs. Recommendations. Legislators must consider fiscal reform in California. Areas for reform include: (1) full funding of all programs, old and new—class size reduction, special education and transportation; (2) revenue limit/full funding model; (3) simple majority on bonds; (4) fully funded state salary schedule; (5) option for union-free district; (6) training for board members; and (7) credentialing for chief business officials.