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Recent Happenings: Meeting with Fred Keeley, Meeting with Senator Bruce McPherson
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Basics | Members | Resolutions | Meetings | In the news | Write to Sacramento! Recent Happenings: Meeting with Fred Keeley, Meeting with Senator Bruce McPherson
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Meeting with Assemblyman Fred Keeley
On October 12, 2001, the LAC met with Assemblyman Fred Keeley to introduce our concerns to him. Overall the meeting went very well and Assemblyman Keeley was very receptive to what we had to say. Here is a summary of how the meeting went:
Introduction: Allison Niday
General statement of what the LAC has been doing and our purpose for meeting with him. Introduction of topics to be discussed.
Categorical vs. Unrestricted funds: Caroline Bombardieri
Expressed need for more flexibility in how our school district is allowed to spend the funds we get. Example: District received money for library materials but was not allowed to spend it on what we really need- a librarian. Our rationale is that we are a high performing district so we should be able to have more control over spending. We could be more effective if we had more control.
Assemblyman Keeley was understanding of our views and expressed that over the last 2 years there has been more intent in the legislature to increase the districts' discretion in terms of funding. He would like some financial information to see how categorical and unrestricted funds are split in our district. Superintendent, Steve Fiss said he would get that information to Mr. Keeley.
Full Funding of State Mandated Programs: Allison Niday
Discussed the problem that state doesn't fully fund all mandated programs. Money is pulled from general fund to supplement. In addition, SVUSD families often provide monetary support for programs where the district falls short. Examples: Class size reduction, special education and special ed transportation, food programs and scoliosis and vision screening.
Assemblyman Keeley again expressed that the Legislature intended to fully fund those programs. We agreed that the mandated cost settlement did improve our situation but not completely. Mr. Keeley wanted to see the impact analysis of the settlement's impact. Superintendent Fiss will get that analysis to him.
Facilities: Caroline Bombardieri
Expressed the need for new and improved facilities in our disctrict. Our dilemma is that we have grown from 1600 students in 1992 to 2400 now. Currently, the biggest need is for a new middle school. We also need multipurpose rooms for our two elementarty schools to be used for cafeterias and assemblies. There is also an issue of the older schools not being very handicap accessible. We are trying to put a bond issue on our spring ballot, but would like to count on our available funds from the state.
Assemblyman Keeley said that the Governor is considering a bond which is possibly the largest in the history of the state. The Legislature is working on this issue.
Energy Crisis: Mark Stone
Increased cost of energy decreases the general fund, meaning less money for many programs. We expressed our concerns on this issue and Assemblyman Keeley was receptive.
Redistricting: Allison Niday
Expressed our concerns that the new State Senate redistricting will affect our ability to communicate our needs to our representatives. Instead of being one large district that stretches down to Monterey and includes mainly central coastal towns, our district will be split into three parts, all of which will be a small part of larger districts that stretch into Silicon Valley and other areas. Our needs as smaller towns will not be heard as easily as they are now, with our very receptive and local representatives.
Assemblyman Keeley shared our concerns and said that he was working toward a possible, but not likely, solution. He has filed an appeal to the redistricting.
Basics | Members | Resolutions | Meetings | In the news| Write to Sacramento Recent Happenings: Meeting with Fred Keeley, Meeting with Senator Bruce McPherson