Spreckels Union School District

1. Spreckels Union School District Community Presentation Improving the Quality of Education at our Local Schools

2. SUSD Mission The mission of the Spreckels Union School District is to be the premier district in Monterey County by providing all students an innovative education in a traditional, small town setting.

3. SUSD Goals • SUSD offers a well-rounded education which enables our students to excel in diverse learning environments.  • SUSD provides excellent academic instruction for its students by attracting and supporting quality teachers and staff.  • SUSD will adopt a balanced budget that supports innovative educational programs.  • SUSD builds upon and embodies the positive and wholesome image of the District community.  • SUSD promotes open communication between the District, school sites, parents, and the Spreckels community.  • SUSD provides a safe environment and well maintained facilities.

4. About our Local Schools Spreckels Union School District oversees: • Spreckels Elementary School • Serves students in K to 5th grade • Located in Spreckels • Adding a Transitional Kindergarten Program this fall • Serves approximately 650 students • 30 Classrooms • Supporting a growing school lunch program • Provides home-school bus transportation, as needed • Buena Vista Middle School • Serves students in 6th to 8th grade • Located in Salinas • Has portable classrooms to accommodate large number of students • Serves approximately 350 students • 16 Classrooms • Supporting a growing school lunch program • Provides home-school bus transportation, as needed

5. About our Community Support • Spreckels Union Educational Foundation • Fund our entire Music Program • Pay for our Technology Coordinator who oversees both schools’ technology needs • Raise additional funds and contribute crucial supplies and lab equipment, when possible • Spreckels Parent Teacher Organization • Fund teacher supplies, assemblies, and field trips • Other special projects, like a playground resurfacing • Buena Vista Bobcat Club • Fund teacher supplies, lab needs, assemblies, field trips, sports program and other special needs, when possible

6. School Challenges • State Budget Cuts Impact our ability to: • Improve student safety • Enhance student achievement • Strengthen the quality of education in our local schools • Retain the best teachers • The State has taken $1.2 million – or more than 20% of our Budget – from just our schools alone in the past 5 years.

7. Steps to Reduce Costs • Consolidated administration positions • Entered into joint-use agreements with community organizations to maintain school fields and bring in additional revenues • Worked closely with parent groups to maintain current student programs and technology with limited resources • Acted responsibly, by maintaining a conservative reserve in order to avoid the need for temporary loans to compensate for sate budget deferrals

8. What are the current needs at our Schools? • Improving student safety • Upgrading safety / fire alarms and 9-1-1 security systems • Addressing technology needs: • Increasing student access to classroom technology / instructional technology • Equipping teachers with the technology to teach more effectively • Repairing roofs and ventilation systems in school facilities • Improving our classrooms and school sites to retain quality teachers Partial List

9. Examples of School Needs Damaged Roofs and ventilation systems

10. Examples of School Needs Upgrading safety/fire alarms & Improving Student Safety

11. Examples of School Needs Addressing Technology Needs and Improving our classrooms and school sites

12. Our Plan • We are working with parents, teachers, principals and community members to develop a fiscally responsible School Improvement and Funding plan to present to our Stakeholders and the Community. • One likely possible solution is a Spreckels Union School Bond measure that could pay for many of the repair and upgrade needs, while helping us qualify for state matching funds that would otherwise go to other districts.

13. Why a Bond Measure? As a Proposition 39 General Obligation Bond, any Measure placed on the Ballot would: • Require public review of all expenditures and be subject to annual, independent financial audits • Prohibit all funds raised by the measure from being used for administrators’ salaries and pensions • Create a citizens’ oversight committee to monitor how funds are spent • They also make our schools available for their fair share of state matching funds, which are only available to schools that put up their OWN funds • Bond funding can be used for urgent facility needs such as safety and technology. By addressing these needs through a bond, the District can focus its other funding for teaching and instructional needs, rather than infrastructure.

14. How Does this Improve Education? • Investing in our classrooms and school sites allow us to retain quality teachers and reduces the impact of state budget cuts on our schools. • Upgrading our school facilities and improving access to technology enhances our children’s learning environment. • Equipping our students and teachers with the technology they need to teach and learn in today’s competitive environment can enhance student achievement.

15. Benefits to Community • Local schools play an important role in determining property values. • By funding school repairs and upgrades, together we can help strengthen our community’s individual home property values.

16. How you can help • Fill out the Community survey today, with your input and questions. • Do you belong to other organizations that need this information? Let us know! • Tell your friends and neighbors what you’ve heard. • Volunteer to keep informed and help in the future.

17. Questions?