EYE ON EDUCATION A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District
15110 CALIFORNIA AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029
Superintendent’s Message: As you know our entire educational system is facing the worst fiscal and economic crisis in the history of California. In November the State declared a nearly $42 billion budget deficit. As a result Paramount Unified School District has been forced to make mid-year cuts in 2008-09 and is currently facing a $4 million budget deficit for the 2009-10 school year. The 2008-09 mid-year cuts were accomplished through reduction in expenses relating to the District office and categorical reductions. In order to prepare for this budget crisis, the Board instructed me to collect suggestions, ideas, and feedback from our District Budget Committee which consisted of representatives from CSEA, TAP, administration, parents, and students. The Paramount Unified School District Board of Education has reacted to this fiscal crisis with tremendous prudence and balance while still keeping in mind their priority of “minimizing staff reductions”. The following is a description of the actions taken by the Paramount Unified School District Board of Education at the March 10th Board meeting to respond to the State budget reductions. In 2009-10, Paramount Unified School District ... • will utilize categorical funding flexibility to restore permanent certificated staff affected by the March 15th employment notices. • will modify K-3 class size reduction (CSR) to a 22:1 ratio thereby saving 66 permanent teaching positions. • will cut Curriculum Coaches and TOSAs by approximately 1/3rd. • will decrease substitute teacher pay by $25.00 per day. • will utilize any savings due to any
operational reductions such as Vernon Security. • will utilize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Federal Stimulus Funds) when available. In addition there is a need to continue labor negotiations perhaps not at the same level the District first thought was necessary, in order for the District to face and be prepared for significant future budget reductions as forecasted by the State. This can only be done in a shared and collaborative manner which will include the Superintendent and all Paramount Unified School District employees. Paramount Unified School District has faced difficult budget reductions in the past. I am confident that by working together, communicating, and harvesting our best thinking we will be able to weather the challenges facing us. David J. Verdugo, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Yessenia Orozco Award Winning Teacher
APRIL 2009
Paramount Unified School District Welcomes Middle Schools in 2009-10
The Paramount Unified School District will convert three schools to middle schools in September, 2009. Alondra, Paramount Park and Zamboni Schools, which currently enroll students in kindergarten through eighth grade, will enroll students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades next year. Students who attend grades K-4 at these schools this year will attend neighboring schools next year to complete their elementary years. Hollydale will continue to be a K-8 school, and Jackson will continue with grades 4-8. With the addition of three middle schools, the District will be able to focus on the academic needs of middle school students in order to better prepare them for high school. In addition to offering challenging instruction in English Language Arts, mathematics, history, and science, students will be able to participate in elective classes that includes Art, Spanish, Computer Technol-
ogy, Instrumental and Choral Music. Sixth grade students will experience a variety of these different elective classes for shorter periods of time in order to introduce them to these subjects. Seventh and eighth grade students will have the opportunity to learn more about their elective choices through classes that last for a semester or year. By learning about the arts, foreign language and technology, students gain a richer education and are exposed to skills they can apply in high school and beyond. The Paramount Unified School District is committed to making changes that provide the best possible academic preparation and education for families and students. The District’s website (www.paramount.k12. ca.us) includes information about school reconfiguration for parents and staff. Dr. Deborah Stark, Director Curriculum & Instruction
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES April 28, 2009 The Board of Education and Superintendent David Verdugo recognized Yessenia Orozco, the winner of the CATE (California Beginning Teachers of English) Virginia Reid Scholarship Award. The award honors excellent beginning elementary teachers responsible for teaching English and the language arts.
Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public