[EVSD News] Superintendent's Newsletter 5.27.09

[Jodi Brown]

May 27, 2009
 
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.  
 
At our previous meeting Director June Sine announced that she would not
seek re-election to the East Valley Board of Directors.  Ms. Sine has
been a board member for 18 years and her service to the district has
included thousands of hours.  She will be sorely missed.  
 
June resides in Director District number 3, if you are interested in
running for June’s Director position you may contact the district office
for details. The filing date is June 1-5, 2009.    
 
Last night the board reviewed all of the input that was given at the
four community meetings.   First, I would like to thank the community
for the turn out.  Every meeting was well attended and the ideas and
thoughts that were expressed were very positive.     
 
We do have some better numbers with regard to federal stimulus money
but we are still expecting an overall reduction in funding of $1.5
million.   However, after carefully weighing all options and based in
large part on what the board heard at the four community meetings the
board would like to ask for input on the following plan: 
 
1)     The district will make cuts to staff in the central office and
to district wide programs.
2)     The district will use additional dollars generated by federal
stimulus money to reduce the number of teachers who are laid off. 
3)     The district will use a portion of cash reserves to mitigate
lay-offs. 
4)     The district will develop a budget that identifies a 10% across
the board cut to non-salary items. 
5)     The district will forestall some curriculum adoptions and
purchases.
6)     The superintendent is directed to: Explore innovative and
creative ways of increasing and stabilizing enrollment, pursue grant
opportunities, and develop partnerships that can reduce costs and
enhance programming. 
 
The Board of Directors believes that the steps outlined above, along
with a voluntary reduction in salary that has been offered by the
administrative staff will allow the district to respond to the wishes
expressed by the community:
 
1)     Continue the employment of the teachers who have demonstrated
outstanding talent but face lay-off. 
2)     Continue to move forward to provide and develop innovative
programs that offer both the opportunities to challenge gifted students
and remediate those students in need of extra help.
3)     Continue to provide an array of high quality experiences for
students in the performing and fine arts. 
4)     Continue the work of developing partnerships and connections to
the larger community to improve learning for all students. 
 
The Board of Directors recognizes that this course of action has some
risk.  They are however committed to providing the best education
possible and believe this course of action is the best alternative
currently available for reaching that goal.  
 
It should be noted that if the board adopts the recommendations listed
above I believe we will be able to avoid any reduction in force.   I
also believe that the proposed changes will allow the district to
operate with only a moderately reduced level of service and that the
proposed cuts will not have any negative impact on student achievement. 
 We need to seek ways to replace those items that are cut.   
 
At 7:00 PMnext Monday night, June 1, 2009, in the district boardroom,
the Board of Directors will hold a special meeting to seek final input
on the proposal listed above.  Based on the input received the Board
will then take action to accept or modify a proposal to enact the
modified educational plan.    
 
If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to give input on this
matter, please contact me.  As always you can reach me by calling the
district office at 924-1830 or at home 928-0519.  You may also contact
me via e-mail GlenewinkelJ at evsd.org.  
 
John
 
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