• Needs 2/3rds vote for passage
• In 2008, June 3rd and November 4th
are the election dates
• Board must approve a resolution to
place item on ballot 88 days before the
election
– March 7th or August 8th
• Board would have to act at either its
February or July meeting
This information was supplied by the Superintendent on page 45 of the School Closure Report dated December 11, 2007
http://www.crpusd.org/Superintendent/Timeline%20updates/Board%20Meeting%2012.11.pdf
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Ask Senator Boxer to help with ADA
I am pleased to inform you that a member of my staff will be holding office hours on Thursday, January 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Office of Mayor Pam Torliatt at the Petaluma City Manager's Office, located at 11 English Street in Petaluma. As your Senator, I can help you in contacting and working with federal government agencies. The office hours allow my staff the opportunity to consult with constituents who are seeking assistance with matters involving the Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, or any other federal agency. Anyone who is seeking casework assistance is encouraged to visit the Petaluma City Manager's Office. Providing government services to my constituents is one of my most important duties as a United States Senator. I look forward to the opportunity to learn more about issues of importance to you and your community and resolve any problems that you may have with a federal agency.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer United States Senator
If anyone is interested, this looks like a great opportunity to talk to her about increasing ADA (even though there are current budget cuts it can't hurt to start the process). Please post if anyone is interested in coming up with some talking points.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer United States Senator
If anyone is interested, this looks like a great opportunity to talk to her about increasing ADA (even though there are current budget cuts it can't hurt to start the process). Please post if anyone is interested in coming up with some talking points.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
If Only Our District Had the Lifeskill of Perseverance
In February, 2006, Federal Way Schools put a $245 million bond on the ballot. Although it received a nearly 54% “yes” vote, school funding measures must pass by 60% of the vote in Washington State. Following the election, the school district had an independent survey conducted about the district’s performance and building issues. The majority of the respondents gave the district high marks, but said that the bond measure asked for too much at once.
The district went back to the drawing board and put together a reduced bond measure for the schools most critically in need of rebuilding. That measure was on the ballot in November 2006, and failed to achieve the 60% supermajority by fewer than 100 votes. The measure was again presented to the voters in May, 2007, and passed with nearly 65% voter approval.
On May 15, 2007, voters approved a $149 million construction bond measure for Federal Way Public Schools. By 2013 – in just six short years – the district plans to get a lot of work done on schools and other facilities.
This $149 million bond has NOT increased property owners' tax rate. Because other debt is being paid off as these construction projects are begun, the district will be able to maintain the current average tax rate.
The district went back to the drawing board and put together a reduced bond measure for the schools most critically in need of rebuilding. That measure was on the ballot in November 2006, and failed to achieve the 60% supermajority by fewer than 100 votes. The measure was again presented to the voters in May, 2007, and passed with nearly 65% voter approval.
On May 15, 2007, voters approved a $149 million construction bond measure for Federal Way Public Schools. By 2013 – in just six short years – the district plans to get a lot of work done on schools and other facilities.
This $149 million bond has NOT increased property owners' tax rate. Because other debt is being paid off as these construction projects are begun, the district will be able to maintain the current average tax rate.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Trustees Terms Expire Soon
Does anyone know what their official job descriptions are?
The Trustees terms expire in November
Leffler Brown 2010
Ed Gilardi 2008
Eric Kirchmann 2010
Karyn Pulley 2008
George Steffensen 2010
The Trustees terms expire in November
Leffler Brown 2010
Ed Gilardi 2008
Eric Kirchmann 2010
Karyn Pulley 2008
George Steffensen 2010
Monday, January 14, 2008
Letter of Support from Senator Migden
California State Senate
Senator Carole Migden
Third Senate District Democratic Caucus Chair
Labor & Industrial Relations Chair
December 11, 2007
Trustee Leffler Brown
Trustee Ed Gilardi
Trustee Eric Kirchman
Trustee Karyn Pulley
Trustee George Steffensen
Dear Cotati-Rohnart Park School District Trustees:
I have strongly supported public education and worked for increased state funding of our schools, many educational programs and backfilling school district budgets adversely affected by charter schools.
Neighborhood schools are the backbone of our communities, providing support and opportunity for youth close to home. Rohnert Park, as one of the first planned communities, designed each of its neighborhoods around a park and a school. The city plan provides cohesion and stability for the city's families and makes it a desirable place to live.
I am aware of the current enrollment and budget situations faced by the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District.
Both Gold Ridge and La Fiesta Elementary Schools are important pieces of the fabric that make up their respective neighborhoods and have served Rohnert Park and its children for generations.
I urge you to take another look at Gold Ridge and La Fiesta, before a final decision is made on January 15th.
Sincerely,
Carole Migden
Senator, 3rd District
Senator Carole Migden
Third Senate District Democratic Caucus Chair
Labor & Industrial Relations Chair
December 11, 2007
Trustee Leffler Brown
Trustee Ed Gilardi
Trustee Eric Kirchman
Trustee Karyn Pulley
Trustee George Steffensen
Dear Cotati-Rohnart Park School District Trustees:
I have strongly supported public education and worked for increased state funding of our schools, many educational programs and backfilling school district budgets adversely affected by charter schools.
Neighborhood schools are the backbone of our communities, providing support and opportunity for youth close to home. Rohnert Park, as one of the first planned communities, designed each of its neighborhoods around a park and a school. The city plan provides cohesion and stability for the city's families and makes it a desirable place to live.
I am aware of the current enrollment and budget situations faced by the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District.
Both Gold Ridge and La Fiesta Elementary Schools are important pieces of the fabric that make up their respective neighborhoods and have served Rohnert Park and its children for generations.
I urge you to take another look at Gold Ridge and La Fiesta, before a final decision is made on January 15th.
Sincerely,
Carole Migden
Senator, 3rd District
Tell the Board Not to Close Our Schools
The Board has been asked to consider closing two schools within the Cotati-Rohnert Park District. Unfortunately, board members have not been given the correct facts to make its decision. We are asking that the board members take the time to review the information carefully and the best way is to table the matter for one year.
The Board has been told that schools must be closed because although there will be sufficient funds to run the schools, the district will not be able to meet its reserve requirements. You should note that the “FCMAT projection indicates that the district will be able to meet the 3% minimum required reserve level in the current and projection years.” The financial shortfall for funding the reserve is not expected until 2009-10. Therefore, there is just a minimal financial impact fueling the request to close schools.
In addition, money held in Fund 17 may be used to help meet the required reserve level if the funds have not already been committed elsewhere. The district’s 2006-07 unaudited actuals reflect a balance of $1,386,588 in Fund 17, Special Reserve for Other Than Capital Outlay.
Based on the FCMAT Management Review dated October 22, 2007 , the facts we have presented the board, the letters of support, the signed petitions, and the positive commitment from involved parents, it is apparent there is a strong desire to save our schools. The District should do its due diligence and take into account the information we have gathered so far, and to continue questioning the data which was incorrectly provided to it. There is sufficient money to keep La Fiesta and Gold Ridge Elementary schools open one more school year, and the many supporters have volunteered to help raise more funds to keep them open for many years in the future.
The Board has been told that schools must be closed because although there will be sufficient funds to run the schools, the district will not be able to meet its reserve requirements. You should note that the “FCMAT projection indicates that the district will be able to meet the 3% minimum required reserve level in the current and projection years.” The financial shortfall for funding the reserve is not expected until 2009-10. Therefore, there is just a minimal financial impact fueling the request to close schools.
In addition, money held in Fund 17 may be used to help meet the required reserve level if the funds have not already been committed elsewhere. The district’s 2006-07 unaudited actuals reflect a balance of $1,386,588 in Fund 17, Special Reserve for Other Than Capital Outlay.
Based on the FCMAT Management Review dated October 22, 2007 , the facts we have presented the board, the letters of support, the signed petitions, and the positive commitment from involved parents, it is apparent there is a strong desire to save our schools. The District should do its due diligence and take into account the information we have gathered so far, and to continue questioning the data which was incorrectly provided to it. There is sufficient money to keep La Fiesta and Gold Ridge Elementary schools open one more school year, and the many supporters have volunteered to help raise more funds to keep them open for many years in the future.
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