-PDBM/FXT gram, which once operated with 117 hours of instructional time, Continued from page 1 was shaved down to 60 hours in January. Stefanski proposed an additional 30-hour reduction and in 1995, was set to expire in 2024. said that Hope Services, which Administrators say keeping the tax helps runs the program, had agreed rate the same has resonated with to backfill some of the cut services. those they’ve talked to. “I personally feel ... that we had “Your tax rate will be no higher way too many hours to begin with than it is today,� Groves said, “and anyway,� she said, adding that it will extend from 2024 to 2030.� she believes the program will still Adult School budget “As a board, we wanted to provide Also at Monday’s meeting, trust- provide students with practical for our schools’ future without cre- ees heard a presentation from Laura academic training and courses for ating a heavier tax burden on local Stefanski, head of the district’s independent living skills. taxpayers,� said school board presi- Adult School, regarding potential Also among the proposals was dent Joe Mitchner in a statement. cuts to her programs. a 5 percent reduction in hours in “This bond would provide career services, where 30 ample planning for a smart, percent of costs are covered fiscally conservative plan by program fees. before the schools become “Your tax rate will be no higher “We pretty much froze overcrowded, without an that program instead of than it is today, and it will increase in the tax rate.� growing it like we wished The primary purpose of extend from 2024 to 2030.� to,� Stefanski said. the bond is to build new Other programs proposed BARRY GROVES classrooms to accommoto take small cuts are the date for growing student Young Parents Program, enrollment. Groves said which provides support for Monday that projections estimate In the last two years, she said, the teens with children, and a program the student population of the Adult School has seen a 25 percent that helps both adults and high district’s two comprehensive high reduction in funding due to cuts school-age students get their diploschools will grow by 900 in the next from the state. No new cuts were mas. Stefanski said her staffers are 10 years — a 25 percent increase. approved Monday, but the propos- receiving fewer referrals for those If that projection holds, adminis- als presented, Stefanski said, would programs due to online learning, trators say, the facilities at Mountain be an extension of several cuts that and that despite the reductions they View and Los Altos high schools began last spring. are striving for the “same standards will be overcrowded by 2012. Joe White, the district’s associate of learning.� The bond would also pay for superintendent of business, said The state cuts have been espeadditional restrooms, earthquake that despite those cuts approved cially difficult in light of the bad and fire safety upgrades, security in April, “When we received our economy, she said. systems upgrades, updated wiring allocation (from Sacramento) for “We’re cutting the very things for classroom technologies and 2009-10, it was $160,000 less than that people want and need,� she told the conversion of teacher offices to expected.� the board. “Hopefully I’ll come science labs. Some “green� renovaTo make up for the shortfall, Ste- back in a few years and talk about tions are also on the bond project fanski proposed several cuts from building programs instead of dislist, including the installation of various programs, amounting to mantling them.� photovoltaic solar systems, improv- 5.2 full-time employees and a savE-mail Kelsey Mesher at ing installation and replacing or ings of about $192,000. kmesher@mv-voice.com upgrading inefficient boilers. The Adults with Disabilities Pro-
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Those upgrades could save the district $400,000 annually in energy costs, administrators say. From now until June, the district will work to promote the bond and address concerns the public may have. Because it creates its own oversight committee, the bond will require only 55 percent voter approval to pass.
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Photo of the Dossantos Family with the Mayor of Sao Nicolau in Cape Verde, West Africa. Take a photo with the Mountain View Voice on your next trip and email to digitalads@paweekly.com
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â– MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE â– MARCH 12, 2010