San Ramon Valley Schools to Host Community Forums to Discuss the State budget Crisis

It seems like it just keeps getting worse and worse for local schools, even those in districts in affluent areas like Alamo, Danville, and San Ramon.

With the state facing a mammoth $42 billion shortfall and the governor and legislators once again unable to reach a solution, San Ramon Valley Unified District officials will hold four forums in the new year to gain community input on how the district, teachers, and parents can respond.

A press release from the district reads:

“The state of California is in a very serious financial crisis, and as a ‘ward of the state’ this school district and this community face an extremely grim financial situation,” said Superintendent Steven Enoch. “The district also has the added challenge of a parcel tax election this spring. The combination of the state economic meltdown and the prospect of a failure of the parcel tax will result in a drastic reduction in the quality of education in our district. It is for these reasons that we need to talk with our community.”

The forums will provide the district with opportunities to share more details about these challenges and to hear community input related to the preservation of local public education. The Board of Education will most likely act in late January to place a parcel tax on the ballot in the spring, so the forums will give parents and community members an opportunity to help shape the measure before it goes to the voters. The district’s existing parcel tax is set to expire in June 2009.

“We are also strongly encouraging community members who do not have children in the district to attend the forums, as the quality of our schools has a direct impact on property values and the overall quality of the communities our district serves,” said Enoch.

The forums are designed to last approximately about 1 ½ hours and will include information about the district budget and financial projections, as well as time for community input and small group discussion. Each forum will be identical in content so parents and community members can attend the forum that best fits into their schedule. To RSVP, visit the San Ramon Valley Council of PTA’s website.

For more information, you can also contact school office or the district office at (925) 552-2933.

Here are the following dates for community forum nights that will take place, 6:30-8 p.m. in each of the schools; libraries.

• January 12: San Ramon Valley High School, 501 Danville Blvd, Danville
• January 15: California High School, 9870 Broadmoor Dr., San Ramon
• January 20: Monte Vista High School, 3131 Stone Valley Rd., Danville
• January 22: Dougherty Valley High School, 10550 Albion Rd., San Ramon