On Jan. 25, the Campbell Union High School District held its first community discussion on how to spend a proposed $3.4 million that will come into the district from the passage of Measure M on the November 2004 ballot. Administrators, teachers and parents from all the high schools--including from Branham High--gathered in the district boardroom to brainstorm on how the funds could be used to address four key areas: Class size reduction; retain and expand courses; recruit and retain teachers; and implement school safety.

The five-year, $85-per-year parcel tax will be levied on property owners living in the district boundaries beginning in 2005.

During the evening, Patti Gregory, Campbell Union High School District assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, divided the group into four tables to brainstorm ideas in each of the four categories. After a half-hour, Gregory had the groups rotate to review the ideas of the initial group and add more of their own. By the end of the night, each group had discussed the four key areas.

"Everyone wants more for the kids. This is a great time to hear a cross-section of ideas," said Karen Stoneham, a teacher advisor in the district.

Those at the meeting were given no limit to their ideas, except that it had to pertain to the four categories, and for many, the session became an exercise in imagining the perfect school. "It's dreaming, I guess," Stoneham laughed.

The 32 people envisioned nearly 100 ways to improve the school district.

In the area of class size reduction, people suggested keeping the core classes to a teacher-student ratio of 20-to-1, allowing larger classes for elective courses and physical education, and in larger classes have both a credentialed teacher and a paraprofessional to reduce teacher-student ratio. They also suggested limiting advanced placement and honors class size based on the instructor's workload.

In an effort to recruit and retain teachers, suggestions included competitive pay and benefits, equitable compensation for activities and sports and recognition for quality teachers. There was also a suggestion to consider loan assistance for purchasing or renting a home.

To make the schools safer, the parents', teachers' and administrators' wish list recommended that two full-time police officers be assigned to each school, security cameras be installed in parking lots and that each school had a full-time nurse. Those at the meeting also suggested funding at least 50 percent of the cost to train teachers in CPR and first aid.

In the area of retaining and expand class offerings, parents and teachers recommended eight periods, supplemental classes offsite or at junior colleges, advanced placement courses for sophomores, bringing back in-class driver's education classes and an expansion of the work-experience programs.

Stoneham said she knows that implementing the majority of the ideas would exceed parcel tax revenue. And for the most part it's a massive list. But if there was one item the former math teacher would like to see become a reality, it's a 20-to-1 student-teacher ratio in Algebra I.

Test scores, Stoneham said, show that students are not retaining their algebra knowledge and it hinders their ability to succeed at the higher courses, such as Algebra II, trigonometry and calculus.

Marti Wallwork, mother of two daughters currently attending Branham, is hoping the district will consider expanding its science offerings. One of her daughters is currently struggling through chemistry, but would have gladly taken an alternate science course if it was available, she said.

Wallwork says she found the small brainstorming groups a good way to approach the issue. And she added, "I would love to have smaller class sizes and love to have honors classes and AP classes for sophomores."

Campbell Union High School District Superintendent Rhonda Farber thought the meeting was an significant first-step in determining how the monies will be spent.

"For me, it's important to mingle, watch and listen," Farber said. "It's an opportunity to gather this info."

As for when the wish list will become a reality, the district will not receive the money until January 2006. But the district is planning to implement improvements beginning in September 2005. The district will have to decide on improvements before the June 30 budget deadline.