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School to Community Connection |
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Issue 98 Schools Still in Fiscal Crunch The values and traditions that make Healdsburg such an attractive place to live and such a wonderful community are reflected in the public schools here in Healdsburg. Whether we have children in our public schools or not, we all benefit from the community the schools and the town of Healdsburg have built together. The Healdsburg Unified School District has a long and proud history of excellent public schools. This is evident in the traditions within the schools and with the greater community, from sports events to high school graduation at Recreation Park where anyone from the community can attend. It is also evident in the generations of students who come to our schools, whose parents and grandparents also attended Healdsburg schools. This fall a young boy entered 7th grade at Healdsburg Junior High (HJH) whose mother graduated from HJH and HHS and whose grandmother was valedictorian of her high school graduating class. As a teacher, it is always fun to have the children of former students come into classes. While it is still true the Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) is in financial difficulty, the people of Healdsburg, represented by folks from all segments of our community have stepped forward to help in a variety of positive and productive ways. The libraries at all four school sites are staffed for this year. The school district paid for 20% of the funding; the School Site Councils made up the difference. Then, our new SB 825 Block Grant money paid back the School Site Councils and additional money from the grant has been put aside to fund the libraries for the next school year, too. Due to extraordinary efforts on the part of supporters of our sports programs, we have officially paid for all but $20,000 of the total $140,000 athletic budget for grades 7-12. The funds come in part from the school district budget, from funds donated by the Dry Creek Rancheria, from money transferred from individual sports funds at the high school and from donations from the past school year. We are confident that the remaining $20,000 will be funded--there are additional monies expected from the Healdsburg Education Foundation (HEF) that are to be allocated to sports and the community continues to be very generous to our student athletes. Our elementary music program was funded from a huge donation from Band of Parents, the two elementary school parent clubs and with donations through the Healdsburg Education Foundation (HEF). The District provided the remaining 20% of the funding. Keeping the elementary music program means future musicians for the outstanding music programs at HJH and HHS. Walk past Fitch Mountain School (FMS) at University and Sanns Lane and you will see the walls of the new elementary school going up. FMS is a CHPS school (Collaboration for High Performing Schools) which means it is built with environmentally compliant materials and designed to promote optimal learning with the use of natural lighting. Wright Construction is on target to finish the school by next July, ready for the next school year. It is very exciting! The plans for the new kindergarten wing (funded by Bond Measure H) at Healdsburg Elementary School (HES) have been sent to the State for approval and construction should begin next summer. The new lobby at HHS Smith Robinson Gym (funded by Bond Measure G) will be completed in time for the annual Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament (REIBT) in December. At the November regular school board meeting we will decide how we will house our sixth grade at the soon to be Healdsburg Middle School. The junior high and sixth grade teachers have met to begin planning the transition. The middle school will open next year, Fall 2006. This year we are operating with a balanced budget. However, HUSD is still in financial difficulties and faces another round of budget reductions of $500,000, mostly due to a decline in enrollment for Healdsburg schools. The Board is working on the sale of Foss Creek School, evaluating a possible parcel tax on the June 2006 ballot (this is complicated by our being a Thompson District), and other means to formulate a Financial Recovery Plan. It will only be with the continued support of everyone that we will make it through these bleak times for public education. We greatly appreciate Mark Van Pelt and Van Pelt Construction for continuing to shepherd us through the complicated processes of rebuilding and modernizing our facilities. The company has saved us large amounts of money and time. We are grateful to the restaurants who have hosted two Eat Out for Education fundraisers; the business partners and individuals who have donated so much through HEF; the businesses and Chamber of Commerce who are planning a major event next May; and an incredible group of volunteers who are working on marketing, communications, and establishing endowments and other financial support for our schools. With all of us working together, Healdsburg will continue its tradition of strong public schools. Thank you! By Judy Velasquez, HUSD School Board Member and retired HUSD teacher
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