The program, which was passed by the state Legislature in 1985 and known as SB-65, was originally approved to provide programs that support attendance, academic achievement and overall success of at-risk students at elementary, middle and high schools.

Outreach consultant Celeste Connolly oversees the program at Willow Glen High School, helping students and their families find housing, food, and clothing. She also steers high schoolers with poor grades toward the school's Student Study Team, which involves teachers, a grade-level adviser, and Connolly, who meet to develop a plan for the student's success in the classroom. And she leads a Student Assistance Program that meets once a week to discuss at-risk students. Connolly said that during her five years with the program, at least 3,000 students, including 500 students during the 2003­04 school year, have benefited from SB-65.

Despite the program's success, Connolly says the future of SB-65 could go in three different directions for the 2004­05 school year. Funding could be eliminated altogether, the money could be put into a block grant that would be given to school districts to use at their choosing, or SB-65 could be partially funded by the state. Each year, Connolly writes a grant to the state to request SB-65 funding for her position. This year, the school was awarded $50,000.

Connolly is concerned that the state might opt for doing away with the program completely, eliminating her job and the help that it provides.

Willow Glen High School Principal Elaine Farace also is worried that the program is at risk of elimination but said SB-65 is vital to the campus because it "provides services for students that they cannot get any other way."

She adds, "This is a very [structured] approach, and it's much different than a traditional parent-teacher conference. We look at students' strengths and concerns and figure out what we can do to help. Many times, students are depressed, have social issues or issues at home they need help dealing with."

Associate Superintendent Jerry Matranga said that although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature should have a statewide budget passed by the beginning of July—the start of the state's fiscal year—the school district might not know SB-65's fate until July, August or September.

The money that supports the SB-65 program comes from one of two types of funding sources in district and school budgets. Categorical money makes up about 35 percent of district funding and must be spent specifically for its designated purpose. This type of funding differs from general-purpose funds, which are spent at the district's discretion to meet its educational needs.

The government would like to consolidate these funds, Matranga said, but this concept never been successful.

San Jose Unified School District Director of Finance Rosemarie Pottage said the district is planning for the receipt of SB-65 money but "nothing is certain." She also said just over $1 million was awarded to the entire district for SB-65 during the 2003­04 school year.

Those interested in learning more about the program's success are invited to attend the semimonthly district board meeting on April 22 to hear SB-65 representatives, including Connolly, address governing board members and the general public. The meeting will be held in the district office's board room, 855 Lenzen Ave., at 6:30 p.m.