The Redwood City School District is facing some deep budget cuts. The District faces estimated cuts of $4.7M - $10.6M, the wide range is due to the uncertain nature of the Governor's upcoming proposal. In the past some budget cuts have been retroactive so the uncertainty reaches both into future revenues and current reserves. The District is trying to work with the Teacher’s Association, but appears to be at an impasse. The Association wants to continue on with the existing contract until the end of the school year and then perhaps negotiate. Meantime, the district's reserves are now projected to be 3.69% at the end of the current school year.
The District is proposing teachers receive 5 days less pay (approximately equal to 2.5% of their salary) by actually working 5 days less. Another option to reduce expenses substantially in the current school year is to release temporary teachers in February and to layoff some classified staff. Then credentialed teachers who are currently serving in other capacities throughout the district would fill the vacant classrooms.
This is a sad mess for our kids and for homeowners. As a real estate broker, I can tell you that one of the main questions I get when people ask me about different areas of the city is, “How are the Schools?” Neighborhoods with lousy schools are not often in as much demand. Homebuyers are willing to pay a slight premium for homes in good schools zones because it saves them money over private schooling and they believe the areas to be safer.
I know we have made some great gains over the past few years with our test scores, but sadly we cannot compete with some wealthier communities nearby. In the past couple of years, I know several people that have purposely moved out of Redwood City due to the poor quality of their own neighborhood schools. Rather then send their children to private school, they elected to buy more expensive homes in places like Burlingame or Palo Alto to provide their kids a better public education.
I bring all this up to point out that we have a dual interest in our schools continued success. First, our kids deserve access to a good education, but also that our own home values are dependant on the quality of our schools. Even individuals without children have a vested interest in their neighborhood schools continued success if they want their home’s value to appreciate. Businesses may also find it difficult to attract key employees if those folks have children and they are concerned about the quality of the schools in the area.
Despite the fact that we are facing a fiscal crisis in our community, we cannot let it impact the quality of education we are offering our children. It’s a competitive world and the only remaining edge the US has is our ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. Without a good educational foundation to give flight to our ideas, we will be in deep trouble in the very near future.
What do you think? Email me you thoughts.
