For Sonoma Valley schools big budget cuts still loom

Along with other business at their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District board of trustees heard about the need for vitamin D, honored two Sassarini students, recognized the contribution of outgoing trustee Sandra Lowe and braced for possible mid-year cuts.
“Make no mistake,” said Lowe, “a $1,700 cut per kid is devastating. You’ll get through this year, but next year …”
Assistant Superintendent Justin Frese expressed concern for next year, and the year after that. “I think the wild card is the mid-year budget cuts,” he said. “Rumor has it that the state will run out of money by February or March.” He said indications were that there would be possible cuts in addition to the cuts already experienced. This could affect the class-size reduction program, he said, but at this point, they just don’t know. “This is really a unique time. We’re in uncharted territory.” Bad as conditions may become, Frese said he felt glad the district had a positive ending balance. “It’s going to save us. But even then, it’s scary.”
Board president Camerino Hawing said he hopes that before word comes down from Sacramento, the board will be given a “heads-up” so they can get prepared and start coordinating meetings to work out options. Frese agreed. “The real question is whether we’re going to be having this conversation about next year, or about this year and next year.”
“You’ll get through this year,” said Lowe, adding that next year will be a problem. “But it’s not our fault; we did everything right.”
Trustee Helen Marsh said, “It’s not like this everywhere. We’ve got a problem here. Our priorities are not being expressed [in California] in the way our government is being run.”
Lowe expressed the hope that with the incoming administration there may be a possibility for some federal assistance. After all, “When you cut schools, and when you cut jobs in schools, that is the opposite of economic stimulus.” She said the people in government have to recognize that keeping the schools well staffed is essential for the health of the whole community.
On the brighter side, the board of trustees recognized two Sassarini Elementary School students as Students of the Year. Anika Ljung, daughter of Angela and Denis Ljung, a fifth grader and Sassarini student since kindergarten, was described as thoughtful, compassionate and warm, with a “spirit that shines.” Her teachers say she is someone who is always willing to help. She has been part of the student leadership as secretary and has run for president of the Sassarini student body. Her favorite subject is math, because, she says, it challenges her thinking. Her hobbies are flamenco dancing, nature activities, ballet and learning Spanish.
Fifth-grader Eduardo Hernandez, son of Adriana Garcia and Nestor Hernandez, came to Sassarini in the second grade, moving from dual-immersion to an English-only classroom. His teachers praise his extraordinary determination and perseverance, qualities that have enabled him to achieve a “full acquisition” of English. They say he is kind to his peers, has strong leadership skills and a positive, caring attitude toward life. His favorite subject is math because, he says, it is challenging and fun. He said he would like to become a professional soccer player in the Mexican League.
In other business, the trustees approved, with minor revisions, the Athletic Program Handbook, which is designed to “centralize the policies and procedures associated with the district’s extra-curricular athletic programs at the 6-12 levels.  They approved the Consolidated Application Part I, for FY 2008-2009, which is required by the California Department of Education in order to receive related categorical funding. They also acted on several expulsions.
Trustees’ tributes to outgoing trustee Sandra Lowe were heartfelt but low-key, at her request. “People who know me know that I’m not fond of talking about personal things or awards, it makes me uncomfortable.”
Trustee Nicole Abaté Ducarroz read from a prepared statement, “Over the last four years, I’ve learned so much from her. I’ve learned she is a beautiful person inside and out, and most of all, I’ve learned that she is for children first.” Trustee Dan Gustafson said, “I think it’s safe to say that Sandra’s probably forgotten more about education than many of us will ever learn. We will miss her. But on the other hand, we have her e-mail and her phone number.”
Despite her gloom on the budget scene, Lowe listed programs she hopes will stay. “Two-way immersion is a good program; I hope it succeeds. I hope we can build a pool. I hope one day I can jump in it. Another is the teen-parent program. That was almost cut, but we fought for it. The mentor program is a model program in the state.” She said she was very busy and that it was “awkward” to say goodbye. “You’ll be fine, only because you’re good people, and you’re honest, and you fight for kids.”