Reflections on Graduation 2009
Dr. Michael Watenpaugh, Superintendent
As
Superintendent of Schools, one of the best parts of my job is attending high
school graduation ceremonies. During the last week of school I participated in
both the Madrone and Terra Linda High School graduations. (As graduation
ceremonies for SRHS and TLHS occur at the same times, I attend each school's
graduation ceremony every other year) At
each event, I had the chance to watch from the sidelines as the coordinated
components of graduation unfold; the bustle of pre-graduation activities, students
and staff donning their caps and gowns, the band setting up, proud parents,
friends and family members arriving, all under the watchful eye of the high
school administration, keeping their fingers crossed that all goes as planned...MORE
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Board of Education Adopts 2009-10 Budgets
State of California Fails to Pass
Budget by June 30 Deadline
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Board Adopts 2009-10 Budgets
The failure of leaders in Sacramento to develop and reach agreement on equitable budget solutions has left the Board of Education with no choice but to make devastating cuts to our local school programs.
Based on current information, both the Elementary School District budget and the High School District budget are balanced, and demonstrate our ability to meet our fiscal obligations for 2009-10 and for the two successive fiscal years.
The development of balanced budgets was only accomplished by significant budget cuts to staffing and programs. Copies of each budget, the assumptions, projected revenues, and projected expenditures can be located at:
The failure of the State of California to adopt their budget by June 30, 2009, will likely result in budget adjustments, and may include additional reductions for 2009-10
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STATE FAILS TO ADOPT BUDGET
Statutory Deadline of June 30th Passes Once Again
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On June 30, 2009, the last day of the state fiscal year, agreement could not be reached by the Legislature and the Governor.
On July 1, 2009, the Governor called a special session of the legislature to address the continuing fiscal emergency. The failure to adopt a budget results in:
- Projected budget shortfall grows to $26.3 billion
- Governor proposes suspension of Proposition 98 (the voter approved minimum guaranteed funding for education
- If Proposition 98 is suspended, schools would be cut by an additional $1.4 billion and beyond.
- The Revenue Limit deficit factor for 2009-10 is already 18%, with the suspension of Prop 98 the deficit factor would increase to 20%
- The last time Proposition 98 was suspended, the state's economy did improve and the effect was that schools were unable to benefit from that economic improvement. Governor Schwarzenegger kept those funds for other purposes and had to be sued by the California Teachers Association and others in order to recover the diverted funds
San Rafael City Schools, and schools across California have already taken major cuts. We should not be denied the revenue increase in the constitutional Proposition 98 minimum guarantee for education funding. Even with the minimum guarantee funding, schools have, and will need to make additional cuts for the 2009-10 school year.
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 Staying ConnectedSan Rafael City Schools continues our efforts to provide timely, accurate and informative communications to members of our school community. We continue to demonstrate a transparency in the work and the business of the school districts. Outlined below are some communication tools that you may find of interest. (Click on the title to be linked to that resource.) - School Board Agendas On-line:
The complete agenda for each public Board Meeting can now be viewed and
downloaded from our website. The agenda includes all of the detailed
back-up information that supports those agenda items being considered
by the Board of Education. Public agendas are posted no later than 72
hours before the meeting.
- Board Policies, Rules Regulations: The
Board of Education has responsibility for establishing the policies of
the school district. The policies and accompanying rules and
regulations guide the work of our staff, as well as the overall
operations of the school district. Formerly, Board Policy Manuals were
maintained at each school site. The complete policy manual, including
rules, regulations, and exhibits is now available on line with 24/7
access. Polcies may be accessed by number, or through a key word
search. (Look for the heading "Board Policy" for log in directions and password.)
- School Site Websites - Common Layout Format:
We have worked to format each school homepage so that visitors can find
the same information in the same place, for example, the link for
School Accountability Reports is found in the right hand "menu"
column. Our goal is to provide a common format so visitors can move
from one school to another and be able to find the same information,
yet you will not that each school homepage reflects the individual
school's "personality".
- San Rafael City Schools E-News:
We are distributing a regular electronic newsletter to parents, staff
and community members. To join, or manage your account, click here
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Summary
Staffing and Program Cuts for 2009-10
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Presented below is a summary of some of the budget cuts included in the adopted and approved district budgets for 2009-10. As we prepare to open school, the true impacts of current and future budget cuts will become both noticeable and real.
A partial list of some impacts are listed below, however, the ramifications will be greater than just these listed.
- Reduced office hours
- Increased response time to parent & public inquiries
- Reduced administrative/management staff -
- Reduced discretionary site funds - hard choices for Site Leadership Teams
- Reduced custodial services
- Reduced library time at all K-8 sites
- Reduced classroom supplies
- Reduced levels of technical support for sites and district
- Possibility of significant reductions to Home:School transportation
- Elimination of School Linked Services programs
- Increased class size, Grades K-3 (23:1)
Every effort has been made to keep budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Given that goal, a significant number of management and administrative positions have been reduced or eliminated. In a two year period, seventeen positions have been eliminated. Five positions have been re-positioned to provide broad support for a wide range of programs...LEARN MORE ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE CUTS
The duties, roles and responsibilities of the remaining twelve positions are being reassigned as part of an administrative realignment of all site and district level administrative positions to be effective July 1, 2009
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July & August
What Happens Next?
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The lack of a State Budget creates the next series of questions and dilemmas for school districts in California.
As we receive pertinent information we will continue to post News on our district website, www.srcs.org, and will send out periodic E-News updates.
With the exception of Summer School, our school sites are closed for the summer. School offices will reopen in early to mid-August. During these summer months, you can obtain information at the San Rafael City Schools District Office.
In the last E-News I shared the following, which I believe bears repeating:
I would suggest that now is a time for us to exercise patience and understanding. In particular, please do not participate in circulating rumors and conjecture. These are difficult times, and we do not need to add to our challenges by succumbing to unwarranted FEAR - False Expectations Appear Real.
Given the fact that our schools are closed, and parents, staff and community members have limited access to information, there is the potential that rumors may spread through our community as if they are factual. Please exercise your own best judgment as you hear things that don't sound "just right".
Before we know it, our schools will be preparing for the opening of the 2009-10 school year. We already know that the coming year will present many changes and challenges. I look forward to working with our entire community as we address these concerns together.
Still hoping for the best
Mike
Michael Watenpaugh, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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