Superintendent's Message for June

It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to an end. The time has gone by quickly and I have enjoyed every minute!

As a first year superintendent and new to the district and community, I have appreciated the overwhelming support, guidance, and collaborative spirit that I have experienced. A special thank you to the Pacifica School District Board of Trustees who as extremely passionate and reflective educational leaders have inspired and challenged us to keep focused on providing the best education possible for our students. Additionally, our goal of preparing students for an evolving world cannot be fulfilled without the partnership and collaboration that include our labor partners, LSEA and CSEA; the PTO/PTAs; the foundations, Rob Schneider Music Foundation and Pacifica Education Foundation; volunteerism such as Pacifica School Volunteers; advisement such as Site Parent Councils, 7/11 Advisory Committee, and the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee; and advocacy guided by Saving Pacifica Schools.

State of Fiscal Emergency

Our Week of Action may be taking root! A special thank you to our labor partners, LSEA and CSEA, and Saving Pacifica Schools for their support. Please continue your advocacy for education. Saving Pacifica Schools’ website (www.savingpacificaschools.org) may be a great resource for you.

The current discussions in Sacramento reflect that education cannot afford to take any more cuts.  The Governor’s May Revision of the California Budget, 2011-12 includes a reduction in the extension of revenues request due to a 6.6 billion increase in State revenues.  Another positive is the elimination of deferrals that would have cost education 2.1 billion for the 2011-12.  The actual budget has yet to be adopted.  Our hope is that there is flat funding for our school districts so that we maintain the same per pupil revenue of $4,982 that is still an insufficient amount to educate our students.   

Reflection for the Month of May

School Personnel Appreciation Month:  As I toured the schools, not only did I observe a day focused on Staff Appreciation, but full weeks of activities.  Thank you to the PTO/PTAs for helping to make our staff feel so fantastic about their hard work and dedication.

Information Gathering: 

• Pacifica Education Foundation has completed the survey with an excellent response rate of approximately 40%.  They will use this feedback to guide their decision-making for fundraising and appropriations.  A couple of areas to highlight is the overwhelming response for the importance of a Foundation to support our district-wide initiatives and that an overwhelming majority of our families expect the child to graduate from high school and continue their studies beyond!
• Godbe Polling has also been completed to assist the Board in decision-making for a Parcel Tax renewal.  A formal presentation will be held during the June 29, 2011 Board Meeting.  As shared, despite the fiscal issues in the State, we in Pacifica continue to be solution oriented.  Five percent of the eight percent of local funds are from the Parcel Tax, with the remainder coming from Foundations and Parent Teacher Organizations.

Thank you Rob Schneider Music Foundation (RSMF):  After 15 years of support to the PSD music program, the RSMF has come to an end as we know it.  PSD owes much to RSMF for reinvigorating the music program and building a strong foundation from which we can build upon.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Schneider Family and thank the Pacifica Education Foundation (PEF) for providing the needed support to the music program as our devoted members of our community continue our emphasis that Music Matters in Pacifica.

As we come to a close of the 2010-11 school year, I would like to bid a heartfelt farewell to our eighth grade students moving on to their high school years.  It is our hope that we have prepared each and every one of you for this exciting next level of educational experience. 

I wish you all a wonderful, fun, and restful summer.