State Budget Cuts May Affect Band

Summer School Update (from the SJUSD website), Feb. 27, 2008

Summer school in San Juan Unified will look different this year following the adoption of a reduced program adopted by the Board of Education at its Feb. 26 meeting. Due to changes in the funding rules for summer programs and the Governor’s 2008-09 budget proposal, the San Juan Summer School Program faces a shortfall of more than $1.7 million.

The proposal was modified from the staff recommendation presented at the Feb. 12 Board Meeting. Tenth grade students were added to the priority for admission to summer courses needed for credit retrieval and specialized program (i.e., band, International Baccalaureate) participation. The program will also expand its offering of “PE 2” to include 9th and 10th grade students with a priority for students enrolling in specialized programs.

The slimmed down program will still require a budget augmentation from the district of more than $850,000 this year. The program was approved for this summer only with staff directed to research other options for next year.

"We are committed to finding viable alternatives to serve our students summer needs," said Director of Extended Learning Melissa Bassanelli. "That includes looking at online and college level courses in addition to ensuring we offer quality programs within the District."

To view full details of the summer school program including locations and registration visit www.sanjuan.edu/summerschool08.

Previously:

On February 12, the SJUSD Board voted to table the discussion about the elimination of enrichment summer school until the February 26 board meeting. Before the board is a proposal to reduce selected district programs and transfer money from the general fund to pay for the following summer school priorities (Source:  attachments to 2/12/08 board meeting agenda):

• First Priority--9th-12th grade SJUSD students in ELA/math courses who are not making sufficient progress towards passing the CAHSEE.
• Second Priority--11th and 12th grade SJUSD students who are deficient in credits, have an F grade in a core content area or who have not passed the CAHSEE and are not on track for high school graduation.
• Third Priority--11th and 12th grade SJUSD students who need to take a course to maintain enrollment in a specialized program (i.e. AVID, IB, Civitas, Student Government, Band, ROTC, ROP, etc.). Priority will also be given to 9-12th grade SJUSD students enrolled in AVID who need to take a course to remain AVID eligible.
• Fourth Priority--Non-SJUSD students who reside within the SJUSD boundaries and meet the first priority enrollment criteria (if space is available).
• Fifth Priority--Non-SJUSD students who do not reside within SJUSD boundaries and meet first priority enrollment criteria (if space is available).

The board voted to table the vote pending further research into and consideration of some of the alternatives proposed by parents making public comments at the Feb. 12 meeting. Please continue to voice your concern!

In his message to parents on the San Juan Unified School District website, Superintendent Enoch has several suggestions for ways in which parents can communicate their dissatisfaction with the state proposed budget to legislators.

Thank you for your continued support.