Mark Sutton, Selma Unified Superintendent: "Everything we're doing right now, we're looking what we can do, how we can save, any amount of money."
We showed Superintendent Mark Sutton how a little digging online could reveal some unexpected funds for his schools.
Christine: "Was this ever something you ever thought to look up?"
Sutton: "Not really no."
The State Controller's office is holding onto $5.7 billion in unclaimed property for individuals as well as businesses and governments. A search of the website http://scoweb.sco.ca.gov/UCP/Default.aspx by simply typing in "Selma" -- turned up over $4,000 owed to Selma Unified. It's not a huge amount compared to the district's $50 million budget but ... Sutton said, "Every little bit helps. Could be library books, any instructional material, software."
It's like finding $20 in your coat pocket. It already belongs to you, but it's a pleasant surprise nonetheless. We also found $2,000 for Firebaugh Middle School, over $1550 for Parlier Unified, and another $800 for Mendota Unified. From textbooks to teeter totters, the possibilities are endless. The trick is, knowing where and how to find it.
Fresno County's Auditor Controller Vicki Crow said, "It's great! It's like finding treasure." Her office checks the State Controller's website twice a year. Crow: "We're shaking down the couches and the cushions for all the change in the cushions." But as Crow learned, it's not as easy as just typing in "Fresno County": "It could be County of Fresno, Fresno County, or Vicki Crow Auditor Controller. You have to do all kinds of name searches to find all the money. It doesn't make sense to let it go or have the state keep it because they take a lot of our money already." Her last search netted a $22,000 claim. 8 months later our search revealed more money waiting for the Fresno County Library ($2367) ... The County Courthouse ($2,287) ... as well as the Sheriff's Department ($1731).
So for any cash-strapped county, school, or city, there's nothing to lose ... and maybe hundreds, even thousands to gain.
Once you file your claim, it can take several months for your money to arrive. You should also watch out for services that charge a fee to locate your property. The search and the claiming process is free.
