SOME OF LESLIE'S MAJOR ISSUES CONFRONTING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

By Leslie A. Wachtel

Our district predicts continued increased enrollment for several more years while at the same time there is decreased state funding for our schools.

The three most significant budget drivers for our district have historically been our secured property tax growth, our student enrollment and staff compensation increases. Our enrollment is going up. Our property tax revenue, which for many years had annual growth of 6% to 7% or even higher, is now down to below a 1% annual increase and looks to remain flat for the next few of years. And the district assumes a 1% annual salary increase for our teachers and staff.

The combination of the above factors together with the rising cost of health benefits and decreased state funding create an opportunity for our administration, our teachers, our parents and our community to come together to work to insure that our schools continue to provide an excellent and well rounded education for our students. At the same time we need (1) to continue to attract and retain great teachers; (2) to maintain safe facilities for our students; and (3) to continue to promote innovation, excellence and accountability in our district. There is no easy answer to this problem but it is one we will have to face starting now.

2) Enhancing outreach to the community during major school remodeling projects

Next summer the school district will commence construction at Park, Strawberry Point and Edna Maguire Schools. And in future years there are plans to update the facilities at Mill Valley Middle School. Our neighbors in those communities will be rightfully and legitimately concerned about these construction projects. There may be disruptions, and construction traffic and the thought of "change" is always scary. It is crucial for the school district to use its best efforts to go out of its way to keep our local community a part of the process. We need to be inclusive. We need to take the community's concerns, fears and suggestions into consideration.

To do this we should set up a "renovation" page on the MVSD website where we will place all documentation concerning a project and allow the community to submit their ideas and comments so everyone will be equally informed. Only through procedures like that can we hope to work with the neighborhood and school communities with regard to these necessary remodeling projects. This inclusiveness is essential to the success of these projects and the School District as a good neighbor.

3) Continuing to support the financial alliance between the District, Kiddo! and the PTA

Our district has been very lucky over the last 25+ years to be supported by our Kiddo! Foundation and our PTAs through generous donations from our parent community. Kiddo! (The Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation) was created over 25 years ago to support art, music and drama in our K-8 school district. Over time Kiddo! has added funding to provide poetry, dance and technology support (among other programs) which continue to enable the district to provide a well rounded and excellent education to all students in the district. I was Chair of Kiddo! for 3 years so I understand how it can successfully work with the school district. The PTAs at all school sites have worked tirelessly to supplement our students' learning environment through programs at which support s the faculty, administration and student learning. With the financial issues now facing the district we need to make sure that all three groups stay connected and work together so that any cuts are kept as far from the student learning environment as possible. I have worked at all levels of Kiddo! and our local PTA which will help me keep the relationship aligned, focused and productive.

Other Issues:

• Continuing to attract and retain excellent teachers Integrating technology to support best educational practices;

• Continuing to support the financial alliance between the District, Kiddo! and the PTA; and

• Broadening the District's environmental stance and green practices.