My name is Josh, and Im out here collecting signatures for the recall against the board members who voted to close our high school.. READ MORE > Summer School Information READ MORE > MAP OPTIONS FOR CVRA TRANSITION FROM "AT-LARGE" TO "BY-TRUSTEE AREA" ELECTIONS The West Sonoma County Union High School District Board of Trustees recently voted to study consolidation of the district with some or all of its 10 feeder districts. We have an incredibly supportive parent association that funds a set of enrichment activities and specialists that add to our school day, he said. On Twitter @alana_minkler. Heading into the 2020-2021 school year, the West Sonoma County Union High School District was facing a structural deficit of $1.2 million, which would surpass $2 million if. The school board is in the process of moving from an at-large model to a by-trustee area composition and is working with a demographer to determine boundary lines in the coming months. The Sebastopol school has 1,466 students enrolled this year, according to the California Department of Education. I feel like I need to do everything I can to make sure they dont control our futures any longer, she said. Lasek, Analys vice principal since 2021, will begin as vice principal and curriculum director at both Park Side School and Brook Haven Middle School in Sebastopol on July 1, said Sebastopol Union School District Superintendent Linda Irving. Long-term fiscal perspective to ensure students a rich educational experience and protect jobs even with unpredictability of state funding. Menu . Steve Griffith, a Forestville resident and parent to two El Molino alumni, was the only applicant from a river community to apply for the open seat. To be clear, a feasibility study does not obligate anyone to consolidate, it doesnt obligate anyone to unify, West County Union High School District Superintendent Toni Beal said Wednesday. To combine districts is to put more students into a count, which could mean some districts that once met thresholds for additional funding would no longer. 25, Idaho, Idaho Falls School District 91, Idaho (Elizabeth Cogliati), & Nampa School District, Idaho (Mike Kipp) The three leaders have accepted positions at neighboring school districts, confirmed Julie Aiello, board president of West Sonoma County Union High School District. Board member Angie Lewis dissented following a discussion that lasted nearly two hours and reflected the tumultuous year of protests, lawsuits and recall efforts in response to the consolidation. EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the date Nagles term on the school board expires. Working with administrators, getting to know administrators, and then also working with administrators the last three years, with my foreign exchange students that Ive had either in my home or in other homes.. The school districts financial woes only grew, though. Our board members are very attuned to this discussion. West Sonoma County Union High School District Board Member Harmony Union School District Board Member Oak Grove Union School District Board Member 4 Year Full Term Board Member 2 Year Short Term Rincon Valley Union School District Board Member Roseland School District Board Member City of Santa Rosa High School District Dont destroy all the Analy history that weve all created, said one caller who described himself as a member of its class of 1980. But that has now been lost.. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. I think I have the ability to listen and work with all kinds of different people.. [3] www.wscuhsd.org/o/analy, Laguna High School (9-12, Continuation) I understand their sense of loss and the uncertainty about how this will affect their children. West County High School will return to being called Analy High School as early as next year after officials ended a rebranding effort that arose from a controversial consolidation with El Molino High School in Forestville. At the next school board meeting, Noe, Fernandes and Fadave voted in favor of consolidation. Cities | We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. While Zoom board meetings provide the community opportunities to engage, she said it wasnt an ideal situation. Ballot measures, Who represents me? They all begin in July. The members of the board will interview the three candidates and then they will make their decision. Please see below the most current map options for WSCUHSD - Trustee Area Scenarios. Sonoma is a popular tourist destination, owing to its . Fernandes, who served on the school board from 1997 to 2010 and then was elected again after running unopposed in 2016, pointed also to what she described as insufficient funding from the federal and state government. Youre just helping to put it on a ballot so we can vote on it.. 462 Johnson Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472. And while I will not discuss specific personnel situations, in general, I want to encourage all members of our staff to reach out if they ever have an employment concern so that it may be addressed promptly and responsibly.. A demographers report will help determine where the boundary lines will fall. Its counterproductive.[7], Recall supporters issued notices of intent to recall all three board members on March 26, 2021. You can reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at colin.atagi@pressdemocrat.com. I want to encourage the development of curiosity, empathy, resilience, balance, creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills. Im confused as to how we went from going from a temporary bridge name to it being permanent, she said. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Analy and El Molino high schools merged earlier this year. They will hold a meeting to discuss three west county residents who submitted applications for the vacant seat. (707) 824-2300 | Fax: (707) 827-7936 Only 36,035 people, about 12% of the countys more than 300,000 registered voters, are eligible to weigh in on the recall question against the West Sonoma County Union High School District school board members, said Deva Proto, Sonoma County registrar of voters. The vote directs Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Steve Herrington to begin the process of hiring a firm to conduct the study, which Herrington estimates could take as long as a year to complete. The remaining students abstained or chose other.. Measure A proposes a special tax of $48 annually per parcel for each parcel of land within the District's boundaries. And they absolutely refused to work with us.. West Sonoma County Union High School District Next. All rights reserved. 6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472 Three longtime Analy High School administrators to leave district Analy's principal, Shauna Ferdinandson, and vice principals Erin Elliott and Rachel Lasek have accepted positions at. No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. While the circumstances driving the division in the west county may be unique, frustrated residents turning to recalls as a political tool is not. Phone: 707-824-6403, Fax: 707-823-2629. Its not new to Sonoma County and not a surprise, given that in a county of our size we have 40 different school districts, he said. I am saddened, however, by the hostile and negative statements that have been directed at board members. When the board doesnt listen, thats our only recourse.. However, I think the perception of equal representation is important as well.. What would the pros and cons be for each district? Districtwide, the student population fell nearly 12% over the past five years and about 32% since 1981. I think a school board needs to have parents on it, retired teachers, you know, business people, it should reflect the community, and I think I am a person who can reflect a unique position in the community, and thats of a teacher that dedicated her life to advocate for children, Aiello said. I looked at it saying we might be able to get through the 2021-22 school year without consolidating, but it might do more damage to go that route than if we just went ahead and consolidated, Nagle said. I think its high time that we take a good, fresh look at this again, West County trustee Ted Walker said Wednesday. School districts | Will it save us money? The school board will use the coming months to prepare to transition from the current at-large model to a by-trustee area model. Member of Tax Payer Association Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee . West Sonoma County Union High School Districts Superintendent Chris Meredith wished them the best, but deflected questions on any issues the administrators might have had prior to their resignations. [3] The effort against Noe and Fernandes did not collect enough signatures. Talk of consolidation and merging can make people nervous that specialized programs would be lost, he said. She assisted with communicable disease follow-ups then, and now has concerns about the quality of distance education and containing COVID-19 transmission when schools reopen, her paid candidate statement said. The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) will have two seats open in November. (707) 824-6485 | Fax: (707) 829-7910 She said she wanted to involve staff, teachers, parents and students in decisions and meet with stakeholders informally as well as during formal board meetings to hear their perspectives. Being in the classrooms, being there, being a former Analy student, actually working at Analy was a really unique position to be in, Gleeson said. You have to have an atmosphere where people feel the freedom to express themselves and ideas without judgement, and that we look at everything intellectually and that we put everything out on the table, and we discuss it, he said. Thats absolutely possible. El Molinos number would have been around half as much. My job is to help you make sense of K-12 education in Sonoma County and beyond. It is important for the new school board to work diligently with school administration and community stakeholders to identify ways to balance the budget while also aligning with community values and priorities. This school district is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive . It would also require approval from voters. She also chastised her fellow trustees for falling back after so much progress had been made after the consolidation. California schools, while required to follow many statutory practices, also have a great deal of leeway in the form of "Local Control." The West Sonoma County Union High School District is deeply grateful for their "tireless effort and energy they have given to our entire school community, Aiello said, adding that the board wishes them the best in their endeavors. I have solid background in the classroom. This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. The school district is in financial distress as enrollment continues to falter and funds run dry, to the point that the board is examining feasibility studies on the possibility of consolidating Analy and El Molino High Schools into one campus or consolidating numerous west county school districts. I personally love the tradition of names and longevity and I honor that. All timelines considered, its likely that the election would be held sometime in February. Further controversy arose in September when the board appointed Sebastopol resident Patrick Nagle to fill the vacancy. Ethically, its probably been harder for me than anybody else on the board, she said. Facing budget challenges and declining enrollment, West Sonoma County Union High School District has launched a study to examine the feasibility of consolidating with any or all of the 10 districts that feed into the high school district. I question the savings if you do that.. community member, retired teacher Small Business Owner . Today's graduates will need more than academic excellence to thrive in the 21st Century. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. West Sonoma County High School District 462 Johnson Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472 (707) 824-6403 | Fax: (707) 824-6499 www.wscuhsd.org I do think its not a bad thing to ask the question: Is there a better way to deliver education? said Sebastopol Union Superintendent Linda Irving. No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. . Analysis is expected to include, but not be limited to, transportation, existing district-specific voter-approved bonds, the varying property tax structures between districts, differing state funding formulas based on student population, union bargaining agreements, the state of facilities and enrollment trends, among other factors. 7050 Covey Road, Sebastopol, Sonoma 95436 The consolidation was proposed last year as a potential solution to the districts projected $1.2 million structural deficit. In her closing comments, Lewis noted she attended Analy but criticized Analy alumnis insistence that their alma maters name be retained, stressing that a name doesnt affect the quality of a school. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. Recall supporters had 120 days to collect signatures equal to 20% of registered voters in the school district, a total of 7,187 signatures. The world is filled with stories that inspire compassion, wonder, laughs and even tears. My job is to help you make sense of K-12 education in Sonoma County and beyond. The school board interviewed all three men in a round-robin format, asking the same five questions to each. But she said the group is generally at the halfway point.. She said as a board member, she would want to go through the budget line by line to unearth the details of more vague areas of the budget where a difference could be made to uphold the priorities of teachers, parents and students. Both seats are four-year terms (2021-2024). Translate . You are going to have to take into consideration 20 different agreements. Based on that report then we can, and other districts can, decide if they want to do anything about it. Opponents filed a lawsuit in April to stop consolidation, but a Sonoma County Superior Court judge ruled they did not meet a 35-day window to file legal challenges or successfully argue why the school district hadnt followed the law in implementing consolidation. Not that anybody couldnt represent all areas. CLOSE OUT 51/75432-00-001 . Few people came to the in-person meeting Wednesday, but west county residents tuned in through the school districts YouTube channel, trading opinions on social media. Elementary districts "feed" into high school or unified districts. How to vote | The pandemic has really underscored the extent to which public schools are more than just education institutions, Flint said. May 18: Idaho Falls School District 91 recall, Idaho (Lara Hill) & Nampa School District, Idaho (Kim Rost) Sonoma County Union High School District Board of Trustees has placed on the ballot the question of whether the District should levy an education . Emails were sent to parents and Whether it spurs other districts, I dont know., You can reach Staff Writer Kerry Benefield at 707-526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com. The families of west county have had to endure more than their share of trauma over the last few years, Fadave said. We really consider ourselves the hub of the community and that local control, that input, theres fear of that being lost.. The district assigned her to find ways to save money in either curriculum development or textbook adoption, Fadave said. U.S. President | The Sonoma County Clerk and Registrar tells the Press Democrat the recall groups failed to get enough signatures to have a recall election of Board President Kellie Noe and Vice President. West Sonoma County Union High School District is looking for an Administrative Assistant for the Special Education Consortium. All the districts would have a perspective, he said. On Friday, an email to parents by Cloverdale Unified School Districts new superintendent, Steve Jorgensen, announced Ferdinandson will be the next principal at Washington Middle School. He said he understands Analy alumnis attachment to their schools name, but students were supposed to have a new start after the merger. Local Control requires a commitment to actively seeking and evaluating community stakeholder input. Board Agendas COVID-19 Information . Therefore, talk of cost-cutting or cost-saving moves likely goes straight to staffing. Even then, talks about the district budget were tense, Noe said. Unified districts provide K-12 education. The West County high school district includes Analy, El Molino and Laguna high schools and has an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students. [1], Noe also said, Were trying to make the best of an awful situation and make sure that our kids have sports, our kids have music, that our kids have art. West Sonoma County School Board Meeting 8-25-21 (Screenshot from livestream)The West Sonoma County Union High School District Board of Trustees will appoint a new member tonight. I understand their sense of loss and the uncertainty about how this will affect their children. The seat was held by Laurie Fadave, who left in July. Whats worse, an opportunity to bring the community together by empowering a rural voice on the Board was missed. Still, she backed the idea of fact-finding and expressed hope the study would examine the question of consolidation from a variety of perspectives, including whether merging would benefit the smaller districts. She taught at Analy High School for 17 years. His seat will come up for reelection in November 2022. You can reach Staff Writer Kaylee Tornay at 707-521-5250 or kaylee.tornay@pressdemocrat.com. Milan Mimi Buttke, a Forestville resident and one of the lead organizers, said the group is aiming to collect closer to 9,000 signatures to ensure they have enough to qualify. Create New Account. West Sonoma County Consortium News Sonoma Community Advistory Commitee In Person and Virtual En Persona y Virtual Tuesday April 25th 2023 6:00-8:00 pm 5860 Labath Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Zoom Link: https://sonomacoe.zoom.us/j/87354155941 . In Winter 2021, the districts attempt to rebrand the two schools into West County High School failed after strong opposition from parents and alumni who wished to keep the schools legacy. A perspective, he said that we take a good, fresh look at again! Representation is important as well.. What would the pros and cons be for each district our futures longer. The perception of equal representation is important as well.. What would the pros and be! 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