Frequently asked questions

Managing cluster funds

1. How is cluster funding allocated and managed? How can we be assured that students’ needs are being met?
2. Can lead schools capture the RTLB resource?
3. Some students are provided with LSF-funded teacher’s aide support. Is this kind of support still there?
4. Does the transformed service support students in secondary school?
5. Can RTLB with specialist skills be paid extra?
6. Are RTLB travel reimbursements calculated from base school to venue?
7. What guidelines are there for lead schools regarding the leasing of cars for RTLB who are travelling long distances each week?
8. What do the various collective agreements say about motor vehicle allowances?

1. How is cluster funding allocated and managed? How can we be assured that students’ needs are being met? All cluster operational funding is allocated to lead schools to manage. Lead schools are charged to ensure that funding is allocated based on evidence-based needs analysis. This ensures that funding is prioritised to support those students who need it the most within the cluster.

2. Can lead schools capture the RTLB resource? No. The funding and service agreement ensures all funds are used appropriately and the RTLB service is allocated to meet the needs of students across the cluster with the greatest needs. The cluster advisory committee also provides advice on meeting the needs of the community.

3. Some students are provided with LSF-funded teacher’s aide support. Is this kind of support still there? Lead schools were allocated all the cluster operational funding from the start of 2012 and charged to ensure that funding is allocated based on evidence-based needs analysis. RTLB were asked to note very carefully those students that may require teacher’s aide support for the start of Term 1, 2012 and alert the new cluster managers, once appointed, before the end of 2011.

4. Does the transformed service support students in secondary school? Yes. The transformation programme continues to have a focus on improving services to secondary schools. The approach to effective provision for secondary schools is different to how the service might be provided in a primary school. The Years 11-13 Fund is one way to provide support to secondary school students and this separate fund remains in the transformed RTLB service. The funding and service agreement will ensure the:

• Years 11-13 Fund is used appropriately
• RTLB service is meeting the needs of all secondary schools in the cluster
• fund is allocated to meet the needs of students with the greatest needs.

RTLB with specialist skills:

5. Can RTLB with specialist skills be paid extra? There are two options. Schools can:

1. allocate a unit from their staffing entitlement
2. use a 3R payment from within their own funding.

There is no other funding provided to the school for extra staffing or funding RTLB with specialist skills.

Travel claims:

6. Are RTLB travel reimbursements calculated from base school to venue? Yes. And this includes PPTA members. The difference in distance between home, school and venue is paid.

Lease cars:

7. What guidelines are there for lead schools regarding the leasing of cars for RTLB who are travelling long distances each week? For RTLB who are mainly urban based, it would be difficult to justify a lease car. For RTLB working in mainly rural settings it could be justified. The best way to decide this would be to look at historical mileage claims. If the cost of reimbursing RTLB reasonable private mileage exceeds the costs of petrol + maintenance + lease costs + fringe benefit of a lease car, then there is a case for a lease vehicle. It would be useful to get an accountant’s advice on this.

It should also be realised that if a vehicle has not been well cared for as a lease vehicle, many companies have an additional end-of-lease charge. Remember to factor in the costs of fringe benefit tax if RTLB take the cars home at night. Many RTLB have received ‘advice’ that fringe benefit tax is not liable in these circumstances but the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is the final arbiter and it is the board of trustees that is liable for fringe benefit tax.

Your lead school administrator/finance person should be able to advise.

Collective agreements and vehicle allowances:

8. What do the various collective agreements say about motor vehicle allowances?

Note: In some circumstances, owing to IRD requirements, payment of reimbursement above certain levels may be subject to PAYE tax.

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