To assist the Board of Education with planning for the future, community members are invited to give us your best thinking regarding local education programs and budget priorities.
PAUSD has had to grapple with some very difficult budget issues over the last several years. Over $6.5 million has been cut from the budget in the last 3 years. With the support of the community, the Measure A parcel tax passed in June 2005 to help restore $2.3 million of those cuts. However, $4.2 million in cuts have not been restored.
Additionally, over the past 10 years our student body and the demographics of the community we serve have changed significantly.
- Student enrollment has increased by 21%
- PAUSD’s student body has become more diverse with an 85% increase in minority students
- The number of students who speak a language at home other than English has grown by 64%
- The number of English language learners has increased by165%
- PAUSD students from low income households has decreased by 5%
Over the same ten year period of time, PAUSD’s average SAT College Board scores have improved from 597 Verbal and 628 Math to 619 Verbal and 659 Math. Over 90% of PAUSD graduates participate in the SAT test and the percentage of our graduates meeting UC/CSU eligibility criteria has increased from 69% to 73%.
Each year, as part of our budgeting process, we consider new programs, reduction or elimination of existing programs, and appropriate levels of support and services at each of our school sites. Given limited resources, the district budgeting process presents difficult trade offs and requires a clear sense of priorities.
As PAUSD plans for the future, we want to hear the community’s priorities to help shape our budgeting decisions. We invite you to share your priorities and opinions in the following ways:
1. Attend an upcoming Community Workshop to hear more about the state of the district and offer your input
Terman Middle School Feb. 8, 2006 - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 655 Arastradero Road
JLS Middle School Feb. 9, 2006 - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 480 E. Meadow Drive
Jordan Middle School Feb. 15, 2006 - 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 750 N. California Avenue
2. Visit www.pausd.org and complete the on-line survey
or
3. Pick up a survey from any PAUSD school site starting in February 6
Thank you in advance for your time and input. Your ideas will help shape the future of our schools. |