Saratoga NewsLettersAll Saratogans deserve to be a part of the community I am writing in response to the recent articles regarding school redistricting. I attended the public forum on April 26. At the forum, there were numerous Saratoga residents whose homes lie within the Cupertino Union Elementary School District/Fremont Union High School District. It appeared that of those in attendance, all of us support the switch to the Saratoga Union Elementary School District/Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union School District. As Saratoga residents, my husband and I want the best education for our children. We want them to be part of the greater Saratoga community. We want them to attend the Saratoga schools, play on Saratoga sports teams and participate in the community with our neighbors. Since our home lies within the Cupertino school district, we cannot have these things unless we move. According to the April 23, 1997 issue of the San Jose Mercury News, 82.7 percent of the Saratoga High School students exceeded the national average for SAT or ACT college entrance exams, while only 64 percent of the Lynbrook High School students exceeded the national average. It is difficult to feel like a member of the Saratoga community when all of the handouts at our son's school (Christa McAuliffe) are geared toward activities in Cupertino, not Saratoga. Neighborhoods are not as cohesive as they could be if residents didn't have to send their children to private schools in search of the best education. Half of the school-age children on my block attend private schools. In the past, the state Board of Education and the Santa Clara County Committee on School District Organization have approved requests to change school boundaries on a piecemeal basis. In May, 53 Twain Court area residents were granted approval to change their school boundaries from Campbell to Saratoga. This street-by-street approach is not equitable to all Saratoga residents and leads to greater fragmentation of the community. We believe that the school boundaries should be redrawn to coincide with city lines. All Saratogans deserve to be part of the greater Saratoga community.
Elizabeth Dillon Thanks to donors to Saratoga High School Grad Night Party The Saratoga High School Senior Class parents wish to thank the many donors from our community who have contributed to the annual all-night Grad Night Party. Once again, our local businesses, neighbors, friends and families have graciously come to the assistance of our committee and donated goods, prizes, materials and services. You are all invited to the Preview Open House on Thursday, June 12, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. We hope the entire community will come to see the magical transformation of the high school which has come about because of the dedicated work of many parents and the generosity of our donors. Thank you for contributing to a safe, fun, and unforgettable celebration for our great sons and daughters--the graduates of the class of '97.
Chris Frisna Saratoga Union School District official answers a reader's questions We are so glad you asked about the need for Measure D, Mr. Sirvatka (May 7, Saratoga News). After calling you personally, we welcome this opportunity to give you and Saratoga News readers information to answer your questions about our local schools. Who evaluated the condition of our schools? The district hired an independent architectural firm, HMC Architects of San Jose, to evaluate our schools' needs. They worked with a task force of 28 representatives of the local community, teachers and staff, parents and the board of trustees in a series of public forums. The result is a Facilities Master Plan which outlines $25 million for repairs and upgrading of our four schools and $15 million for construction to house the enrollment increase of 500-1000 new students in the next 10 years. Copies of this detailed plan are available at each of our schools or the district office, which we invite you to read. Do unsafe conditions really exist in our schools? Any condition that is unsafe is immediately repaired or students are removed from the area. This was done with the Argonaut Library two years ago (found to be structurally unsound), the previous Redwood office (did not meet earthquake codes) and seismic upgrades in the 1970s to meet the Field Act. Our schools, built with local bond money, were constructed to state codes that are now 40-70 years old. Children deserve the safest possible schools. Passage of Measure D would provide the funds for all our schools to meet current codes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Where is the money from the sale of Congress Springs School? A reserve fund of $3.8 million was established when the Congress Springs School site was sold. Interest from this fund has been an important source of income. Even after the deep budget cuts that remain in effect today, some of the principal has been spent to keep critical programs, fund repairs or buy needed equipment. Today, the fund balance is $1.9 million, its level for the last five years. Where have Saratoga's tax monies for educational needs gone? This year, property taxes within our district's boundaries generate $6.8 million of revenue. California's Proposition 98 mandates that our district should receive $7.6 million in what is known as revenue limit income, so the state supplemented local taxes with approximately $800,000. We depend on other sources, including federal and state programs, the state lottery, the Saratoga Education Foundation and interest from the Congress Springs reserve to provide the remaining funds to meet our $9.7 million operating budget. Eighty-five percent of the budget goes to pay salaries and benefits for our high-quality teachers and staff. And, finally, will Saratoga residents have an opportunity to participate in the purchase of these bonds? The answer is yes. The plan to make these bonds available to members of our local community is an important criterion when we select our bond underwriter.
Ellen Tipton Thanks to Saratoga community for helping teen center stay open As the school year draws to a close, the Saratoga Youth Commission would like to thank Saratoga's residents and businesses who have contributed $9,510.25 to the Warner Hutton House Teen Center. The center offers a free after-school program open to all middle-school-age students. An average of 58 students drop in daily for tutoring, games, snacks, crafts or just to hang out. To reopen the center this year, the Saratoga City Council gave $8,400 and asked the Youth Commission to raise the second $8,400 needed. This year, 108 Saratoga residents and businesses made donations between $25 and $200. PG&E gave $1,000, and La Mere Michelle and Fresh Choice at Westgate co-sponsored successful fundraisers. Additionally, the Youth Commission held a golf tournament, sold sodas at the parade and held many small fundraisers to meet their goal. Hundreds of students and parents have benefited from your generosity, and we thank you wholeheartedly. As Saratoga's teen population continues to grow, it is fortunate we have the center to meet our community's needs. Please join us at the Warner Hutton House Teen Center May 28 and 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for our fifth-grade open house, 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
Beverly Tucker
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This article appeared in the Saratoga News, May 21, 1997. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||