Time to Invest in District's Infrastructure

The schools in the Berryessa School District are all more than 35 years old, and a few are more than 50 years old.  As a result, our students spend their days in outdated facilities.  Some of our school libraries are too small and some schools don't have a true stage for performances.  The electrical systems are unable to handle modern demands.  In some cases, fuses blow when more than 2 computers are plugged in at the same time.  Our plumbing needs an overhaul.

Other key pieces of the infrastructure are beginning to fail.  Last year, Sierramont Middle School's boiler shut down during the coldest part of winter, and the district had to spend nearly $200,000 for temporary and permanent fixes.  Last week, the power went out in a portion of Vinci Park Elementary School for an hour.  There are leaky roofs in the district office.  The district's central kitchen is small and the lack of modern equipment limits the kinds of meals we can serve in our school cafeterias.

Our maintenance team does a great job keeping things working, but a time comes when major upgrades are in order.  In addition, the maintenance yard is so old that it isn't a safe place to work.

The integration of 21st century technology into our schools requires modernization of the electrical systems and internet backbone and new models on how to structure classroom learning.  We started the process of upgrading our internet infrastructure a few years ago, and used a series of bonds and loans to finance it.

Becoming more energy independent will save the district money from our general fund.  Installing solar can reduce our monthly energy bill, freeing up resources to pay for critical classroom needs, as well as ensure that our salaries are competitive with other districts in Santa Clara County.

Addressing all of these needs will require the community to invest in our schools.  That is why the School Board is considering placing a bond on the ballot in 2014.  Polls show that we have strong support from the community to address all of the things I outlined above.  Anyone who cares about educating our children and has been watching the state of California school support knows that this investment is necessary.

Bond money could not be used to augment our general fund, as the money would be earmarked for facilities upgrades and additions.  Given all the unfunded needs in our classrooms, we have not been able to set aside the money needed to make these upgrades.  The modest parcel tax that property owners pay in the district augments our classroom funding, but is unavailable for infrastructure spending.

There is a misperception floating around that because we are a declining enrollment district, we don't need to invest in our schools.  While our district has gotten smaller by about 200 students, that is no reason to deny the 7,800 who remain the best possible facilities so that they can become a key part of the 21st century economy.  And the large amount of development occurring in Berryessa, particularly at the flea market, means that it is likely we will be serving even more students in another decade.

It is time to make important infrastructure investments in our schools.  Our Berryessa children deserve nothing less.

Science Camp and Other School Activities

There has been a lot of confusion reigning since AB 1575 was adopted this year, codifying into California's Education Code the rules governing how schools collect fees from students.  The rules were required after a lawsuit (Jane Doe and Jason Roe v. The State of California) found that California was illegally allowing students to be denied opportunities in school based on their ability to pay fees.  The lawsuit reaffirmed the principle that public schools must afford an equal opportunity for all students to participate in anything related to the educational mission.

A great summary of the issues raised by AB 1575 can be found in an EdSource report written in March of this year.  Many school districts reacted with abundant caution earlier this year when evaluating how to proceed with various programs that cost money and that couldn't easily be covered out the districts' general funds.  For example, how will schools pay for all the supplies needed by students in the classroom, musical instruments needed for band, uniforms for PE and sports, and enrichment trips by clubs and music programs?  There was some temptation to cancel programs rather than risk being on the hook for all the money that used to be collected from students.

One thing has always been clear.  It is still ok to ask those participating in school activities to make donations and raise money to help fund them.  But is it ever ok to simply charge people to participate?

A management advisory published by the California Department of Education helps clarify this questions, providing a list of 20 things for which a district CAN charge, including Science Camp and Field Trips.  It is ok to charge students for their participation in these activities, as long as no student is denied participation if they are unable to pay.  Therefore, it will still be necessary to raise money in order to cover the students who will not be able to cover their own costs.  (Anyone who would like to make a donation to their neighborhood school in order to cover  those students who can't afford to pay, please visit the school office and ask them how.)

One of the most memorable activities for 5th graders in the Berryessa School District is Science Camp.  Each of our schools sends 5th graders for a week at one of the local outdoor science camps.  Most schools attend Walden West in the beautiful redwood forest above Saratoga.  As our elementary schools prepare for this year's trip, they can continue to charge students as they have in the past. 

It is very important that our students continue to be afforded the educational opportunities of music, PE, science, and field trips as part of a well-rounded school program.  I will continue to work with the Board of Trustees and district administration to make sure that we find a way to continue to offer all of these programs.