I waited until after the March 2nd Primary Election to write this monthly update on District happenings since much of Vista Unified's future is tied to several ballot propositions. Passage of Propositions 57 and 58 were essential for the continued financial support of California School Districts for next year. Thankfully, both these Propositions passed with substantial support from the voters. While the anticipated funding for our district is now more assured, we still have to wait for the State Legislature to adopt a final State Budget to complete our budget plan for next year. Unfortunately, even with this temporary financial fix by the State, VUSD still faces the prospect of cutting approximately $6 million from our budget for next year. A budget committee composed of teachers, classified staff, administrators and parents has been meeting weekly to brainstorm ways to trim costs. Adding to our financial woes, VUSD is still in a fourth year of declining enrollment, which further reduces our revenue from the State.
Proposition 55 was also critical to our District since it provides the source of State Matching Funds for our local Proposition O bond funds. As of this writing it has passed by a very narrow margin (50.6% Yes - 49.4% No) with 100% of the precincts reporting. I will remain on the edge of my seat until all the absentee ballots are counted!
I would also like to share several other important issues currently being discussed or finalized in our District. At the last regular board meeting, the School Board adopted school calendars for the 2004-05 school year. A calendar committee led by Susie Bristow met for nearly three months to design a single calendar for all schools in the district. This was not an easy task since many schools and staff members had become accustomed to about eight different calendar schedules over the past thirteen years. The final recommendation I presented to the board allowed for a small compromise between unique needs of the K-8 schools and the 9-12 high schools. The net result of the difference between the two calendars is that K-8 schools will begin three days before the high schools and finish their year one week after the high schools end their year. The K-8 schools will have two separate week long breaks in the Fall and Spring that the high schools will not have. The calendars are available at this link:
http://ns2/news/Pages/2004-2005Calendars.aspx
With the anticipated opening of Foothill/Oak elementary next year, another boundary committee has been working overtime to adjust boundaries in an effort to balance enrollment at our elementary schools. Once again this has been a very difficult process since many families do not want to disrupt the current school attendance areas for their children. The committee plans to present a recommendation to the board at the March 11 Special Board meeting at Temple Heights Elementary School and then ask the Board to approve the revised boundaries at the March 25th board meeting.
On a final note, I want to highlight Rancho Buena Vista High School Soccer Coach Dave Whiddon for being named as one of only fourteen Model Coach Award winners in the State of California. This is an elite honor bestowed on only a select few coaches by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). CIF recognizes coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities and who have exhibited the traits apparent in the principles of Pursuing Victory With Honor. Congratulations Dave!
Enjoy March and the gateway to Springtime!
Sincerely,
Dave Cowles, Ed.D.
Superintendent