Dec-20-Jan-21-Advisor

BUDGETING

14 CEA ADVISOR DECEMBER 2020 - JANUARY 2021

CEA BUDGET SUMMARY: STRATEGIC PLAN AND BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021

2020 CEA Financial Report/ Treasurer’s Statement CEA is required by its Constitution, Article V, Section E.12, to present an annual financial report to the membership. CEA retained the firm of Whittlesey, P.C., of Hartford, to perform the audit. Representatives of Whittlesey, P.C., presented the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, to the CEA Board of Directors in October 2020. The auditors presented an overview of the report and made no recommendations for changes in CEA’s accounting practices.

The CEA Constitution, Article X, Section D.3, requires a summary of the adopted CEA budget to be published in an official CEA publication. The budget for fiscal year 2020- 2021 is balanced with estimated income and expenses of $22,598,477. The approved budget includes a contingency expenditure of $25,000. The current membership level is based on a full-time equivalent (FTE) membership of 36,759 (600 FTE increase from last year). Existing programs were reviewed to help limit the dues impact as much as possible. The increase in income of $351,860 was due to the increase of FTE membership and NEA’s UniServ reimbursement and a small decrease in income from Capitol Place rent. Some program reductions were made to offset increased expenditures in other areas. The program expense budget decreased by $176,800, and personnel expenses increased by $675,696. The total increase in expenses was $498,896. The personnel area had an overall increase of 4.1 percent due to contractual agreements and a significant increase to the pension plan to meet the required AFTAP funding level. The net effect was a $4 dues increase. The following represent ongoing budget commitments as reflected in

the final 2020-2021 budget as approved by the 2020 CEA Representative Assembly: • Local Enrichment Grant Program, including the Urban Intern Program • Resources for NEA state delegate expenses associated with the NEA RA • CEA/NEA Orientation, New Teacher Conference, and Summer Conference • Resources related to professional issues for new and experienced teachers • Retirement workshops for members and resources to assist locals hosting retirement workshops • Resources for members to attend minority special interest caucus meetings • Resources for building coalitions for political involvement • Contractual obligations, including staff salaries and insurance benefits • Maintaining appropriate computer and communication technology within CEA, as well as a disaster recovery site • Property management and maintenance of CEA building • Operation and staffing of UniServ field offices • Legal representation for our members

David Jedidian CEA Treasurer The final audit report indicates that CEA adheres to generally accepted accounting principles that follow the recommendations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board in its Statement of Federal Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 117, Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations. CEA was issued a favorable audit opinion. Key factors in the financial statement are: • Income gain of $730,000 due to an increase in investment income, membership, and NEA income • Net expense savings of $1.5 million • Non-cash depreciation expense of $826,000 • Pension and post-retirement insurance liability increase of $9.671 million due to change in discount rate • The financial statements reflect a $3.4 million decrease in net assets for the year CEA’s crisis reserve is $11.6 million, and designated reserve balances are $2.4 million as of June 30, 2020. Whittlesey, P.C., also audited the Connecticut Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF), the Connecticut Education Association Political Action Committee (CEA-PAC), and the Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. They found that all of these entities also conformed to generally accepted accounting principles, and all received positive audit opinions. In summary, this year’s audit report reflects CEA as a financially stable organization. CEA’s accrued pension and other post-retirement liabilities increased, total income increased, and expenses were within or below budget. The actuarial calculations are all standards with the adoption of the Federal Accounting Standard (FAS) 158. Total operating income other than investments and total expenses remained well within the budget. Even in these difficult times, CEA will strive to provide organizational consistency and maintain a solid financial position for the future of the organization.

U.S. Postal regulations require that the CEA Advisor Statement of Ownership be published annually.