January 18, 2008

School Scene

School Superintendent Report

By Manny Barbara
Superintendent Oak Grove School District
Special to the Times

By now you probably have already heard the negative news of our state economy. Public education is directly affected by the condition of the state economy.

When the economy flourishes, we receive funds as guaranteed by Proposition 98. When the economy falters, our funds can be drastically reduced. Just like individual households who have to cut back when resources are limited, so must we in education.

The Governor has made his initial recommendations for a $4 billion cut to education. This will have a significant impact on our own District budget. Our budget priorities have been to maintain our 20 to 1 teacher-pupil ratio at grades K-3; our Extended-day Kindergarten Program at all schools; our Visual and Performing Arts Program in grades four through six; and our counseling and after school sports programs for grades seven and eight.

As we look at reducing our district budget, the aforementioned programs will remain a district priority. This would be an excellent time to once again thank you, the Oak Grove community, for supporting our schools through the passing and subsequent renewal of the $68 annual Parcel Tax. It is only because of those additional funds that we can maintain our core programs. Furthermore, the facilities bond measure, first passed in 1995, allowed us to modernize our facilities.