For the moment, the school is poised to make it through this academic year unscathed financially says superintendent Paul Turnbull, who is less certain about the long term. “We don’t want to start speculating on who or what can be cut, but focus instead on what the numbers are going to be,” he told the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District Board at this week’s both regular and annual organization meeting.
But first on the agenda was the election of officers for the next calendar year. Elected as president was Bruce Porter, whose initial act in office was to thank outgoing president Christine Burtness for her many years of service to the school and community.
Burtness continues on the board as both a Trustee and one of two Representatives for Negotiations. The other representative is Marc Owens, who was also elected Clerk. The representative to the County Committee on School District Organization is Kyle Abello, with Jerry Swanitz elected as alternate.
The schedule for board meetings for the next calendar year was set, including two meetings for January. The regular meeting will be held Jan. 17 with a special meeting following two days later. Both will commence at 5:30 p.m., though the board may revisit meeting times at its Feb. 21 regular meeting.
Student board representative, Mia Nelson, reported that students will be sending each other holiday grams this week for $1 apiece. “Snowcoming,” the winter formal, will be held on Feb. 11 at the Marriott. Prom, for which the theme had yet to be set, will take place May 12 at the University Club in Santa Barbara. ASB students are working with Cheryl Lee to create a drug awareness video, Nelson concluded.
The Social Science Department presented the board with a report on their many activities, which will be detailed in a later edition of the Journal.
In his report, Mark Swanitz – the school’s principal — reported that it’s “been a crazy, busy month.” He reiterated his warning to parents that there are only four and a half weeks left in the term, only two of which are academic. It is important that students continue to pick up the books over the break.
He provided the board essentially the same report regarding the WASC and Program Improvement steps that are underway as he did during his Coffee with the Principal. A one-time expense of $20,550 was approved later in the evening, over the objection of Owens, to cover the cost of a report –required by Program Improvement mandates – to be made by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
Turnbull, who in a cost-savings move is also the principal at Refugio High School, commented that in preparing the numerous reports presently required of the school, every effort is being made to ensure that all of the components of the reporting can be overlaid. “Everything literally has been tied together,” he said.
With the passing of the consent agenda, the board accepted the resignation letter of Ken Gruendyke as varsity head football coach. The entire board expressed their thanks for his many years of service to the school and community and plan to “drag him kicking and screaming,” into a future meeting to be honored, said Turnbull.
Of note is that the cafeteria, under the direction of Harold Litwiler, was showing a profit of $12,995.28 so far this school year. New Point of Purchase equipment and software has been received and is in the process of being implemented. When fully up to speed, it should move students through lines much more rapidly and confidently.
Due to Col. John Connolly’s deployment until June, 2012, the school needs to hire a long-time substitute to take his place, Turnbull said. The board approved Christine Mroz for that position. Mroz is known to the school and is working on earning her credential. “I’ve seen first-hand that she has an incredible connection with kids – all kids,” says Turnbull. The school advertised as required but was unable to find a suitable credentialed teacher for the temporary position.
Established during the meeting was the calendar for adoption cycle of the 2012-13 school budget. Michelle de Werd, a parent, expressed her concern over what appears to be deficit spending, especially in the areas of health insurance for the teachers, books and supplies, some capital outlays and service provisions.
Nicole Evenson, the Business Manager, explained that the school’s budget for this year anticipated cuts by Sacramento that would be deeper than they are now projected to be. The items de Werd identified will be covered as one-time expenses to be paid from surplus from this year’s budget.
Each year, coinciding with important state budget information releases and mandated reporting requirements, the district proposes a budget calendar for the following year’s budget adoption cycle. The 2012–13 Budget Calendar, approved at the meeting, represents a first draft submitted for review and input.
A preliminary district budget is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the board on April 17, 2012. This preliminary budget is subject to change pending the release of the governor’s May revision state budget proposal. The second draft budget is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Board of Education on June 5.
All 2012-13 district budget documents must be ready and available for public review by June 14, 2012. The public hearing on the 2012-2013 district budget is slated for June 19.