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To Our Subscribers
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The Board of Education is committed to ensuring that our parents, community and partners are fully informed on all district matters.
Through the use of our electronic newsletter, we are able to communicate more effectively and frequently than ever before while at the same time being mindful of our precious resources to do so: time, talent, and money.
Thank you for being a part of our flow of information. If at anytime you change your email or your preferences (such as which e-newsletters you would like to receive throughout our district), please click on the "Update Profile and Email Address" link at the bottom of this email.
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News of the District
January 21, 2008 |
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Parcel Tax
Save Our Schools From Deep State Budget Cuts
The state's financial situation continues to worsen, with resulting reductions in education revenue expected to total $5,000,000 in San Marino alone.
This 20% reduction in our budget would be devastating to the educational experience of San Marino's children.
Julie Boucher,
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, recently provided a
detailed update of the State's budget process and its anticipated
impact on our district. We have made the presentation available for you to view.
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Stoneman Site
Update
In these dire financial times for our State and our District, it is critical that the Board of Education evaluate every viable option to maintain the depth and breadth of our educational programs so that our students will continue to be well-prepared for their futures. Compromising our programs today will compromise their futures tomorrow.
What we know today:
· Stoneman School ceased being an active school site for the district in the early 1990s. In the 1990's the School Board at the time, determined that the site was too small to be a viable school site for the district. The costs to operate the site as a comprehensive school site are financially unfeasible.
· The site has and continues to serve a number of district and community needs.
· The age and condition of the buildings is a concern. The District does not have the capital resources to modernize Stoneman.
· The site is currently leased [to the City of San Marino] for an amount far less than a [fair] market rental or value. Although alternate renters have been sought, capital costs necessary to support their need has made those considerations cost prohibitive.
On October 30, 2008, the Board of Education distributed an email with a comprehensive up-date on the State's fiscal crisis as it relates to status of California's K-12 education funding. Within that context, we outlined the Board's alternatives to address the projected substantial reductions in State funding of the San Marino Unified School District. You may read this archived newsletter by clicking here. The last paragraph of the District Budget section sets the stage for the Stoneman evaluation process.
One of the areas of study was a review of the Stoneman site to determine how that site could be optimized. On December 09, 2008, the Board of Education received the formal recommendation from the Stoneman Site Task Force, which include the most likely three alternatives:
1. That we work with the City to utilize the property for at a market rate of return.
2. That we exchange the property for a higher income producing property.
3. That we determine the feasibility of residential development on the site.
It is also possible that some combination of those alternatives could be considered. Following the presentation of the recommendations, the Board of Education has continued to discuss the options available to meet the goals of the Board to provide maximum financial benefit to the District as well as maximum use opportunities recognizing our primary goal is to ensure the highest quality comprehensive education for all of the students we serve.
As an elected board responsible for the education of our community's children, we must explore every option available to us to ensure that our students, for generations to come, receive an education that prepares them for their futures. Given the very challenging financial condition of the state, it would be imprudent for the board not to consider optimizing all of our resources. Please rest assured, however, that we are committed to doing so with appreciation for the history of the district, as well as a long look towards the future to ensure that our decisions stand the test of time.
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Michael White Adobe
Update
Given the worsening financial outlook of the district, the board has tabled further discussion regarding the Michael White Adobe until the district's budget for 2009-2010 has been resolved.
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