From the Desk of Brian Balcom

By Brian J. Balcom

I have been an active volunteer in this District for many years, starting with my efforts on the Spreckels School Site Council about 8 years ago. I have also served on the architect evaluation and selection committees for the Spreckels renovations and the Buena Vista multipurpose room construction. However, I believe that my most important contribution has been to the School Board, where I am currently the Vice President. I took a lead role in framing the composition and voting guidelines for the Budget Advisory Committee, and I have served as Board representative on the BAC since its inception. I have also represented the Board in various capacities, including sitting on the Technology Committee. Needless to say, the budget is one of my areas of greatest interest and, at times, greatest consternation.

The SUSD has seen several challenges over the past four years, including declining enrollment, serious fluctuations in funding, and encumbrances from special education and health and welfare benefits. These issues are not unique to our District -- they are occurring throughout California. As a low wealth district, we start the budget process every year at a significant disadvantage relative to our more affluent neighbors. The Board has responded to these issues with difficult decisions -- we have been forced to cut programs, we have pushed classes to their maximum, we have left positions unfilled for budget reasons. In spite of these problems, this District continues to excel. We run a very efficient and frugal District. We have a positive certification for our budget, our high standardized test scores continue to increase every year, and we have efficient, friendly, safe, and productive school sites. We have maintained Class Size Reduction -- a win-win situation for the students, teachers, and the District. And we have retained a core of experienced, highly qualified teachers and staff. We are on the right track, but we need to do better.

I have a strong commitment to public education. I have a strong commitment to maintaining a balanced budget. I have a strong commitment to keeping highly qualified teachers and staff. I have a strong commitment to high academic standards and performance. And I am proud to see students from this District move on and excel at the next level.

In terms of my vision for the future:

• I will actively pursue the return of our lost programs + for example, the exploratory program at Buena Vista, and more school-supported field trips and assemblies for both schools.

• I will work to see our teachers and staff paid a more competitive salary.

• I want to see more stability in our budget and I will investigate all potential funding sources.

• I want to keep District families in our schools, by their choice, and will work to expand the recognition of our schools' excellence and the retention of students who may otherwise transfer to other Districts.