In his December message, WCCUSD Superintendent Bruce Harter conveys the heartfelt gratitude of every West County education leader. The passage of Prop 30 and Measure G stayed vicious cuts into our schools’ core functions. Community support carries us through the most tumultuous financial conditions in living memory, demonstrating your belief in our students. When uncertainty pulls many to withhold, you voted to invest in our future. For this generosity and forethought, we thank you.
Our gratitude for this fall’s success is tempered by the magnitude of endured cuts. Current school funding is a fraction of revenues anticipated prior to the economic downturn.
School Services of California’s infamous alligator chart shows the difference between expected funding levels and actual revenues. Note that current revenues are lower than actual ’07-’08 levels. Note also that the ’12-’13 mid-year trigger cuts did not happen thanks to Prop 30.
WCCUSD lost $40 million from 2007. We shepherded funds to keep instructional minutes intact and preserve programs like music and adult school –albeit in reduced form. The price was paid in higher class sizes, sharp reductions in employee compensation and decline in curriculum beyond the three R’s.
West County entered the Great Recession with significant challenges. We believe all of our students are capable of great things, yet we acknowledge not all have the resources to cultivate this potential. Neither our federal nor state systems adequately compensate for our greater task. Our per pupil funding is among the lowest in the nation, completely inadequate for a community with high living costs, yet the situation stands.
This Wednesday, December 19, the WCCUSD Board of Education will host a workshop from 6-8 pm at the LaVonya DeJean Middle School Multi-purpose room. Our purpose is simple. We will listen to people’s priorities ahead of our annual board retreat scheduled for January 5, 2013. Your voice is valued in setting new directions. Come to the workshop and let your views be known.
Areas of focus might include:
- Class size reduction through the grades
- Increased support for school safety
- Improved professional development for staff
- Enhanced preparation for the new academic standards
- Intervention for students in most need
Unfortunately, we cannot speak of restoring schools to their former functioning. That day will hopefully come in the near future as the economy improves. We must focus on the high-leverage elements that drive student success. We need your insight.
I am so very proud to live in this community. Time and again, West County residents stand up to shoulder the responsibility of seeing all children succeed. You know that the development of the nearly 30,000 students in our system can’t be forestalled. Their futures cannot be put on hold until days brighten.
Education done right can shift the arc of the individual and community. It is arguably the most important role of government. A strategic focus of effort and resources will tide us through these tough times. This board welcomes your thoughts on the issues.
I can’t make the meeting this Wed. but would love for you to pass on these three priorities: class size reduction, funding for increased staff development around the adoption of common core standards, and continued focus on school safety. Thanks!
and just to toss it in there…how about a discussion on lengthening the Kindergarten day? Many area districts have lengthened their day and I am wondering if WCCUSD has plans to lengthen the day as well?
Kensington Hilltop Parents of a current first grader and incoming kindergartener.
Thanks!
As an El Cerrito High parent and district volunteer for 12 years, I feel like I’ve been consistent in my message on how to support our students and teachers. I’m cautiously optimistic that perhaps the current board will actually listen to the vocal supporters of programs in our schools. It was disheartening to watch the school board blatantly disregard the many speakers at this summer’s ‘community input’ meeting; as a result, we are now repeating the priorities we shared in July- smaller class sizes through secondary school- that were promoted in the Measure K campaign. The literature of Measure K indicated that it was well thought out- some of those components are now covered through Measure G. Don’t reinvent the wheel- Measure K nearly passed- unfortunately WCCUSD confused voters with Measure G- but I believe if you focus on class size reduction throughout the grades- you will allow teachers to focus on students. Don’t promise the world. Keep it simple.
Hi Todd.
I have some thoughts to share soon about the workshop. I am somewhat disheartened. It seems the parcel tax gives us nothing to cheer about. I found it hard to believe we were even asked if Class Size Reduction was a priority. Isn’t it always? Isn’t the goal to always reduce the ratio of students per teacher?
What I am observing is that the function of these workshops is to introduce the taxpayer to the difficult decisions having to be made by our board and district staff, that parents and district employees have competing priorities.
The Superintendent and school board is telling everyone to plead our cases and fight for what we want. It is a funny way to manage a school district. I do not see our Superintendent taking charge like a true leader. I do not hear him telling us exactly what he needs to get the job done. I do not hear him telling us what he needs to do with what money he has at his disposal.
We are not the experts. He is. I am afraid that too many of the decisions being made are political.