 | | Featured Article | | The Safe Routes to Schools program will encourage more students to walk or bike to school. |
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May Budget Revision Means Continued Uncertainty for Schools
Although there was some good news for schools in Governor Jerry Brown's May budget revision proposal, state funding for K-12 education remains relatively flat for  2011-2012. The good news -- an additional $6.6 billion in revenues in the state's coffers, mainly due to higher than anticipated personal income tax collection -- means an increase of $3 billion in Prop. 98 funding and no additional cuts.
But the proposal does not translate into any additional funding at the local level. The Governor recommends using the additional funding to reverse $2.5 billion in K-12 deferrals and provide $220 million to fund mental health and out-of-home care for special education students, an expense that was previously funded by county mental health services.
"There were no real surprises in this May revision. Although there is an increase in state revenues, the Governor proposes to pay back deferrals which means there is not an increase in expenditure authorization to schools," notes Denise Porterfield, Deputy Superintendent, Fiscal and Operational Services at the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE). "We are advising school districts to reserve $330 per ADA in their 2011-2012 budgets to cover possible reductions and any changes as the Governor's budget proposal makes its way through the state legislature." There is the possibility that the legislature will not approve the Governor's proposed tax extensions or the elimination of deferrals, so school districts will need to remain conservative in preparing their budgets, which must be finalized by June 30.
"It's still a grim picture for schools," adds Porterfield. "We're looking at an unfunded COLA and we'd like to have back our $9 billion in school funding that has been used to balance past state budgets."
Check here for more details on the state budget and how it will affect local schools.
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Promoting Walking to School With Safe Routes to Schools
More San Mateo County public school students will soon be walking and biking to school, thanks to a $2 million grant from the San Mateo City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) to the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) for the Safe Routes to Schools program.
Safe Routes to Schools is a national program, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The goal of the program is to enable community leaders, schools and parents across the United States to encourage more children to walk and bicycle safely to school. In the process, programs are working to reduce traffic congestion and increase safety around school sites as well as improve health and the environment.
The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) is responsible for the overall coordination of the program and is gearing up to have it in place for the 2011-12 school year. SMCOE will make grants to local schools, districts and school/city partnerships to set up Safe Routes to Schools programs. "We want to get these resources out to schools," says Peter Burchyns, Special Advisor to the Board and Superintendent at SMCOE. "We're encouraging parents, PTAs and school site councils to be highly involved in implementing projects that meet local needs." SMCOE will then act as a catalyst and support for school and district programs, as well as provide a way for schools and districts to share ideas and resources.
"The Walking School Bus" is one type of program that a school or district might adopt. Instead of a school bus, parents designate walking routes to school with designated pick-up points. Parents are stationed along the route to provide safety and guidance. Schools that have heavy automobile traffic congestion might consider designating a site a few blocks away for student drop-off in conjunction with a Walking School Bus program. "The Bicycle Train" is a similar program, providing safe bicycle routes to school. Some communities have created bicycle recycling programs to pass along bicycles that children outgrow, as well as bicycle safety and repair clinics.
Learn more about the plan to implement Safe Routes to Schools here.
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SMCOE Workability Resource Center Receives Kent Award
On May 23, 2011, the San Mateo County School Boards Association (SMCSBA) honored the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) with the J. Russell Kent Award for the Workability Activity Resource Center  Special Education Program at El Portal. In addition, 18 other winners from school districts across San Mateo County were honored at the annual awards dinner held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City.
Kent Awards are given each year to outstanding and innovative programs, either in the classroom or outside the classroom, and to district-wide programs in San Mateo County public schools. "We're really looking for transferability and uniqueness," said Shelly Masur, the San Mateo County School Boards Association president.
"We are excited to celebrate the wonderful and innovative school programs across this county," noted Masur. "Despite ever declining resources for public education, innovation is alive and well in San Mateo County schools and we applaud all those who devote their life to the service of children."
At the Workability Resource Center, students in County Special Day Programs learn job skills based on their interest and abilities in a safe, supportive environment. They learn cooking and tasks related to restaurant work, how to use the die-cut and shredder machines, how to manipulate DVD and CD cases, and more. They work with training assistants, job coaches and a transition specialist.
Learn more about the Workability Activity Resource Center and the Kent Awards here. |
SMCOE Facilitates Shared Services Model
As school districts across the county face devastating budget cuts, a shared services model may be one option for reducing costs. The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) is working to facilitate and encourage shared service collaboration among districts and county agencies.
Last summer, SMCOE and a broad coalition of organizations, including the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the County of San Mateo, and the San Mateo County School Boards Association, contracted with School Services of California to do a study of shared services in San Mateo County. The study was also supported by the City Managers Association of San Mateo County.
The School Services report, presented to SMCOE in November 2010, highlighted existing examples of shared services and made recommendations for areas of potential collaboration. The survey results noted that collaboration among school districts and cities is likely to be more promising in the area of administrative and operational services.
Local districts find collaboration works
Since 2006, the North County Collaborative (which includes Bayshore, Brisbane, Jefferson Elementary, Pacifica, San Bruno Park, Millbrae and South San Francisco School Districts) has developed a system for sharing special education services. "Each district focuses on its strong programs," notes Wendy Tukloff, Pacifica School District Superintendent. "In Pacifica, we have a strong program for autistic students, so we will take students from other districts. It's a cost-saver for other districts to send students to our program. It saves on transportation costs as well, and the children benefit by not having to travel as far to receive services."
Matteo Rizzo, Jefferson Elementary District Superintendent, has been looking at a number of options for shared services. In the school district's business office and curriculum department, he has added and upgraded positions with an eye to the future. "We're positioning ourselves for the future," he says. Many districts hire consultants to help with E-rate, medical administration and reimbursement, where the Jefferson Elementary District has the capacity to handle these functions in house. "Eventually, we can provide these services to smaller districts," he notes. In the curriculum area, his district has added support personnel in English Language Development, English Language Arts and Math. Down the road, he foresees his curriculum team working with other districts to provide support and staff development.
"It just makes sense for districts to come together to explore ways to share services, especially in these tough economic times," notes County Superintendent Anne Campbell. "The County Office stands ready to assist districts and to facilitate such collaboration."
Learn more about the School Services Report on shared services, and other examples of collaboration here.
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Expand Your Tech Skills at Krause Center
Looking to update your technology skills? The Krause Center (KCI) at Foothill College will be offering professional growth classes for educators this summer. Sample offerings include: Introduction to Blogs and Wikis, Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age, and Google Tools for Educators. The Krause Center, in operation for over 10 years, offers inexpensive, short classes with an emphasis on how to engage students with 21st-century skills. Teachers are trained to integrate technology, problem-solving, and project-based learning into the curriculum.
All classes are located at the Krause Center for Innovation (KCI),Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Road in Los Altos Hills.
To see the full summer class schedule and sign up, check the Krause Center website. |
About the San Mateo County Office of Education
The San Mateo County Office of Education provides a variety of instructional, business and consulting services to the County's twenty-three public school districts, charter schools, the Community College District, and County Office of Education staff.
Believe In Tomorrow: Think Green Today
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