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A Message from the
Superintendent
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Dear Parents,
As we embark on another school year, we are excited to see the
accomplishments of our students continue despite the funding
challenges related to the state budget crisis.
Dixie District students continue to excel in
science, math, reading and writing, and we are proud of their success.
Each of our four schools earns API (Academic Performance Index) scores
well above the state benchmark for excellence.
Our District, however, is facing unprecedented state budget cuts. Over the
past few years, the state has systematically reduced funding for our
local schools. As we have made reductions to
programs, we have done our best to limit the
impact on classroom instruction.
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In the 2008/2009 school year, the State cut
$200,000 from our schools.
In 2009/2010, an additional $1.1 million was cut, and an additional
$1.1 million will be cut this year.
Our reductions have included:
* Furloughs for employees,
including administrators, teachers and staff
* 15% reduction in school site,
administration, maintenance and custodial budgets
* Canceling summer school
* Cuts to transportation staff
* Cuts to staff and professional
development
* Reductions in purchases of
up-to-date textbooks and instructional materials
* Reductions and freezes to salaries
We know that the State will continue to reduce funding for our schools.
As this happens, we will be left with no choice but
to make reductions that will directly impact the classroom.
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Stable Local Funding For Our
School |
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Since 1989, voters in Dixie School District
have supported a local parcel tax measure that has helped to provide
stable
local funding to attract and retain qualified teachers, keep class sizes
as small as possible, maintain counseling services,
maintain elementary science, protect electives and music and art
programs. This funding is set to expire in June 2012.
If this funding does expire, Dixie District schools stand to lose $1.4
million each year in addition to the State cuts described above. To protect the quality of our local schools and
keep quality teachers in our district, the Dixie
School District Board of Education is considering placing a parcel tax
renewal and increase on the ballot in the Spring of
2011. Parcel taxes are the only option for providing local funding for
our schools that cannot be taken away by the State. |
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As parents and community members, we value
your opinions and continued participation in our schools. Our students
could not achieve their high level of success without your dedication.
As the District continues to review the budget and
plan for a local funding measure, we hope that you participate and share
your opinions. Please feel free to call or email
me at
DixieParcelTaxInfo@marin.k12.ca.us
or 415-492-3700 if you have any questions. Please come to our parent
forum
on October 28th at 7pm at Miller Creek Middle School.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tom Lohwasser
Superintendent Dixie School District
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