San Leandro Focus

On April 1, 2010, the San Leandro school district dedicated a new extension to the library at San Leandro High School. In addition to enlarging the library, additional windows were added to the original structure, adding substantially more natural light to the library.  This is the beginning of an unique period in the school district's history with the 9th grade campus opening in August and the Arts Education Center set for completion in January 2011. On a different matter, I want to offer my congratulations to the San Leandro school board, administrators and the San Leandro Teachers Association for reaching an amicable resolution of the teachers' contract. The SLTA agreed to three furlough days and other contract modifications for next school year. As a result, students in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade will have a 28-to-1 student teacher ratio, not a 30-to-1 class size ratio that was planned for next year. Layoffs to art, music and physical education teachers have been resc

California ranks near the bottom of all states in spending per student when accounting for regional cost differences. Over the past two years, Sacramento has cut billions in school funding resulting in more crowded classrooms , teacher layoffs and fewer programs for students. More cuts are likely this year , despite assurances by the Governor that his budget protects public education. Local communities, however, can enact ballot measures that provide stable, reliable funds for their schools. These measures, called parcel taxes, provide funds which cannot be taken away by Sacramento. Yet, passing such measures is often difficult and has proven impossible in some communities. The reason why is that the California Constitution requires 2/3 support for school parcel taxes. A minority of voters - just 33% plus 1 voter - can defeat the will of a community to support its public schools. A new initiative - called the Local Control of Local Classrooms Funding Act - would change this