Forward Movement

We’ve got good budget news as we head into Spring Break!

The District Office announced this afternoon  that 10 programs were approved by the Board of Trustees  on April 9 for inclusion in the 2009/2010 RVSD budget.  All the items approved match the recommendations made by the Budget Advisory Committee based on the priorities voiced by the majority of the community.

Many of the approved line items affect staff and, as such, will mean that the District will maintain most of the positions that were previously noticed as possible layoffs.

1. Class size reduction in grades K-3 of 20 students (this will maintain our grade k-3 classes at approximately the same sizes as we have had in recent years)
2. Class size reduction in grades 4-5 (this will maintain our grades 4 and 5 classes at approximately the same class sizes as we have had in recent years)
3. Library Services at current levels at all school campuses
4. Class Size reduction in grades 6-8 (this will maintain our grades 6-8 classes at approximately the same sizes as we have had in recent years, and adds one teaching position  in grade 6 to accommodate the larger incoming class)
5. Instructional Aides in Kindergarten  (this will maintain our current extended-day Kindergarten model, with classroom aides funded at current level)
6. Instructional Aides in grades 1-5 at current funding level
7. School Nursing Services at current level
8. White Hill pre-period day (maintains funding at current level)
9. District contribution to music program (maintains funding at current level for the district contribution)
10. Title 1 Basic Grant funding (this maintains the district contribution to supplement restricted Title 1 funds for instructional intervention services)

There are many other items on the list to still be considered, and the Board of Trustees will continue to discuss and act on additional budget items in the upcoming weeks. The next Budget Advisory Committee meeting is April 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Progress update + next BAC meeting

The BAC has met twice in as many weeks to discuss the 47 items that are not part of the core budget as established by the District Office and approved by the Board. These are the same line items that the community was surveyed about in March.

Based on the collective community feedback — teachers, admiistrators, classifed staff, parents — the BAC recommended to the Board that it move the following four items back to the core budget:

1. Maintain K-3 class size as it is today.

2. Maintain 4-5 class size as it is today.

3. Maintain libraries as run today.

4. Maintain 6-8 class size as it is today.

The Board has not yet voted on these items but is expected to do so in the coming weeks as the rest of the items are evaluated, and as more information about the State budget is confirmed. The final RVSD budget is dependent on the final State budget.

Meantime, the BAC continues its work to make recommendations to the Board based on the priorities voiced by the community during meetings and via the survey. Everyone is welcome to attend the next working session:

Tuesday, April 7

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

District Office at 110 Shaw Drive in San Anselmo

Survey Results + Next Steps

First a big thank you to everyone who completed the budget survey and to those who have sent thoughtful emails with suggestions and information to the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) members.

Many have wondered, what’s next? This week there are two meetings scheduled to move the budgeting process ahead. Mark your calendars for this Thursday, March 26:

:: 4 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Budget Advisory Committee Meeting.

The results of the survey will be discussed.

:: 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting.

Facilities and budget issues are on the agenda.

Both meetings are in the District Office Conference Room at 100 Shaw Drive in San Anselmo. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Thank you + survey reminder

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend one of the community budget meetings this week. All those post-it notes where you voiced your comments are being compiled and a plan for sharing the feedback developed.

Again, this is just the beginning of the process and there will be more opportunities to provide ideas and opinions. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the budget survey. The survey is an ideal way to give the Board of Trustees your input.

But hurry! The survey closes at 3 p.m. on Monday, March 9 to allow review before the March 12 board meeting.

Community Budget Meetings This Week

RVSD has about $750,000 to cut from the 2009/10 budget. What programs stay in? Which go?

We need your ideas and opinions about how the available money should be spent to best serve students in our school district.

District Announces Pink Slip Process

In a budget letter to the community dated February 10, 2009, the Ross Valley School District announced that it would begin issuing pink slips to teachers at the end of the month. The timing and process is required by law.

Board Meeting February 12

The next RVSD board meeting is Thursday, February 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the district offices. The 2009/10 budget is expected to comprise the bulk of the meeting time.  See full agenda.

Welcome to the RSVD Budget Forum

Hello and welcome to the Ross Valley School District blog. This is a blog for parents, teachers, staff, administrators and the local community to get the facts on the budget situation and process for 2009/2010.