May 19, 2008

School District Report

Manny Barbara,
Superintendent
Oak Grove School District

Each year our Board of Trustees devotes the second meeting in May for public input to the 2008-2009 school year priorities.  This year the date of this meeting will be Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Oak Grove School District Office.  All public is welcome to attend and participate in the discussion.

Registration for kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year is well under way.  We encourage parents to register early to ensure a spot at their neighborhood school.  The Junior Kindergarten Program, for parents wishing to allow their children an extra year before starting regular kindergarten, is accepting registrations as well.  Only students eligible for kindergarten in the fall with August-December birthdays may be registered for the Junior Kindergarten Program.  The current Junior Kindergarten Program, currently housed at Frost School, will move to Santa Teresa School for the 2008-2009 school year.

As you might have heard from the media, California is facing a critical funding shortage.  The education community is fighting to maintain the minimum funding provisions of Proposition 98, passed by the voters in 1988.  California ranks high among states in the standards students are expected to achieve, but among the lowest in funding.

At the April 24 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, our Board approved a “no tax rate increase” bond measure for the November 2008 election.  Unfortunately, bond funds cannot be used to address the state budget crisis and the impact of funding on schools.  A bond measure provides funding which can only be used for facilities and some technology.  These facility areas are clearly identified in advance.  The Oak Grove School District has benefited greatly from the original $75 million bond measure passed in 1994.  Schools have been renovated with new playgrounds, bathrooms, library and media centers, new roofs, painting, and safety retrofitting, among other projects.  However, the facility needs remain as sites age and need to be upgraded.  The proposed bond measure would generate as much as $125 million without a tax rate increase.

As always, please feel free to contact me through the regular channels: Email:  superintendent@ogsd.k12.ca.us Phone:  (408) 227-8300 ext. 202