Town Hall Meeting
Have your voice heard and ask questions at our Town Hall meetings.
We will be holding two Town Hall meetings with representatives from the District, teachers, PTAs, and the Peninsula Education Foundation (PEF). Please join us onThursday, March 18th, 7:00pm at Ridgecrest Intermediate School MPR.
You are a valued member of the education community within the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. The last seven years of State funding reductions have been difficult on public education. However, because of our community’s local funding support with Parcel Taxes, Save Our Teachers Now campaigns, donations to the Peninsula Education Foundation, PTAs, Booster Clubs and more, we have been able to mitigate the effects of the budget deficits.
The state budget challenges persist which means our local schools continue to be impacted. The time is now for all stakeholders to collaborate to save teacher jobs, keep class sizes as small as possible, and retain instructional programs that give our high school graduates a competitive edge. These goals must be the priority during these difficult times.
A budget overview that was presented at the most recent School Board meeting (February 11, 2010) can be found at the District website - www.pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Despite all of the cost cutting measures and local fundraising efforts undertaken these past few years, the dismal State budget will force the District to identify an additional $7 million in cuts to be implemented over the next two years in order for the District to remain solvent. This is over and above the $10 million in cuts implemented the past two years! Considerations include:
- Calendar changes to reduce the school year from 180 to 175 instructional days
- Eliminate one non-instructional day for teachers
- Increase class sizes as a result of teacher lay offs
- Freeze built-in pay increases based on service years
- Reduce psychologists, counselors, nurses, librarians, & special education staff
- Cut clerical, office, custodial and other support staff
- Eliminate athletics, music, drama, AVID, and reduce elective courses
No one wants to see reductions, but $7 million in cuts will have to be made somewhere. Because there are no easy solutions, the PTA Council wants to inform the public and foster an open, respectful dialogue and alliance between all stakeholders so that the best, most informed decisions can be made on behalf of all students. Decision making will require thoughtful compromise by all parties.
Get informed, express your viewpoint, ask questions and stay involved! Attend PTA meetings, visit the District website, and be present at upcoming School Board meetings.
PVP Council of PTAs |
