[EVSD News] Superintendent's Newsletter

[Jodi Brown]

November 5, 2008
 
The purpose of this newsletter is to update you on events that are happening in the district, provide information to address issues or rumors and provide you a forum to communicate with me on items of interest. If you are receiving this e-mail you are either an East Valley Staff member, you have signed up for this service, you have sent me an e-mail or have had some form of contact that we think would cause you to want this information. If you do not want to continue to receive this information you may unsubscribe by clicking the link below or contacting the district office.  
 
Time is flying. It seems like only yesterday that I wrote the last update of this letter and now I am already a bit late in the most current edition. There are so many exciting things going on with the district that I guess I lose track of time. Since my last correspondence we have had the Booster Club Auction at East Valley high School. The auction raised close to $32,000. What a tribute to the generosity of our community!  Our Volleyball and Football teams have moved into post season play and our cross country team will be represented at state. The Fall Harvest Festival that was held at East Valley High School was a phenomenal success and we have had several very good concerts and music programs. Trust me when I say that you can find something exciting to do every night of the week in the East Valley School District. 
 
At the last Board meeting the district closed the books on the 2007-2008 fiscal year. We ended the year with a total reserve balance of about $2.1 million. This figure represents several things: 1) it is about 4.2% of our budget 2) it is a healthy reserve but not an excessive reserve 3) it will allow us to weather our current slight downturn in enrollment. Most importantly, this reserve represents the hard work and sacrifice that the administration and staff committed to last year to reach a fiscally responsible outcome. 
 
As mentioned in the previous paragraph our enrollment has decreased for this month.  This is not a reason for panic, but it is a concern. My concern with this decrease is not because of a loss of revenue but rather because we have lost some students. We will be working to see if the reasons for these departures are preventable. 
 
The replacement levy continues to take shape. At this point it looks like the Board is giving strong consideration to a four year levy. The rate would be projected to be level throughout the four years. The estimated rate of about $2.53 would be less than the current rate per $1,000 of assessed value. The date for this election will probably be February 3, 2009. More information will be available as the plan continues to develop.   
 
The Board is also strongly considering putting together a bond proposal to run with the levy. The current bond is set to expire in 2009. The bond would be designed to provide funds to upgrade schools to ensure that the learning spaces are safe and healthy.  The Board will be seeking more input on this subject and you are strongly encouraged to submit your thoughts to the board members or to the superintendent.   
 
At the last Board meeting the Board adopted the school improvement plans for all of our schools except East Valley Middle School. Because of federal requirements that plan is more complex and will take slightly longer to develop.  
 
The board ratified the Public School Employees Union contract. They recognized our outstanding employees for the month of November and had a good discussion about the new graduation requirements that are being proposed by the State Board of Education.  We will keep you posted as developments occur in that arena. 
 
I hope you will contact me if you have any questions or concerns about issues facing the district. You can call me at the district office at 924-1830 or my home at 868-0087. You may also contact me via e-mail at GlenewinkelJ at evsd.org.  I hope each of you is having as much fun as I am having. It is a privilege to be part of this learning organization.    
 
John
 
 
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