Update: A summary of Board discussion on this item at the December 8th meeting prepared by Board Member June Monarch may be found here.

The Piedmont Unified School District has posted its First Interim Report for 2010-11.  It confirms that its budget shortfall will be $4 million over the next 2 years, rather than the $5 million initially projected.

There are no reserve monies available to resolve the $4 million shortage.  Reserves will stand at $3 million at the end of 2010-11.  Reserves of approximately $2 million (3%) are required by the State.  Expenditure of excess reserves above the $2 million required minimum will occur in 2011-12 and this > Click to read more…

Update: The Board of Education voted to limit the Citizens’ Advisory Committee’s charge on December 8th.  See Recap of Meeting

On December 8th the Board of Education will vote on whether to revise the Citizens’ Advisory Committee’s current Charge.  Board Member Ray Gadbois, together with former member of the CAC Eileen Ruby, have argued for limits on the Committee’s ability to make recommendations to the Board and its fact-finding research. Details in previous article: “A Call to Limit Citizens’ Advisory Committee Input“. > Click to read more…

On Thursday, November 18, 2010, a group of approximately 60 Piedmont Middle School parents heard presentations from School Board Member Ray Gadbois, School Administrators, and parent leaders.  Highlights included the good news that > Click to read more…

Differing views have arisen regarding the proper scope of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC) reports and the process for generating them.  (CAC Members)  Following the resignation of CAC members Ad Brugger, Cathie Geddeis, and Eileen Ruby in September, on October 27th Ruby asked that the Board of Education limit the scope and charge of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee in two ways. > Click to read more…

A Letter From Mary Ireland, President of the Associated Parents Clubs of Piedmont

Education is big news these days – whether you’re talking about the local, state or federal scene – school budgets, teachers, unions, along with education reform and change are big headlines. In Piedmont we’re digesting the news about our own budget shortfall and the difficult decisions the District faces in order to trim another 15% of our $29 million/year budget over two years. > Click to read more…

To reduce reported noise and traffic problems caused by unauthorized adult use of Witter Field on Sundays, the District is developing a proposal for authorized Sunday use of Witter Field in the fall and spring for Under-14 soccer games.  Community sports groups have offered to > Click to read more…

The expected District shortage over the next 2 years has been reduced to $4 million from the $5 million previously expected, according to Assistant School Superintendent Michael Brady at the October 27th Board of Education meeting.  This good news results from increased Federal and State funding allocations for Piedmont schools.  Cost savings have not yet been addressed and mid-year cuts later this year may still be necessary. Materials Available: Board packet; Video (item VII A); Informational summary of portions of the October 27^th meeting prepared by School Board Member June Monarch.

The Piedmont Middle School Parents’ Club is asking a parent from each PMS family to attend a meeting on Thursday, November 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the PMS Multipurpose Room.  The meeting will present the state budget situation and the district’s response to its multi-million dollar budget shortage.  Speakers will include:

> Click to read more…

The Board of Education will hold a Closed Session Workshop on Tuesday, November 2, conferencing with the School Superintendent on union contract negotiations as they begin their efforts to address an estimated $5 million budget shortfall over the next 2 years.

Community Input: The School Board has requested input from residents on options for savings (at p. 21) identified by the School Superintendent.  Residents may email the Board of Education or comment publicly prior to closed session at 2 p.m. in the Piedmont Unified School District Administration Office at 760 Magnolia Avenue.  > Click to read more…

The Board of Education will be holding a regular meeting on October 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont.  The agenda and meeting materials include the Superintendent’s recommendations for Sunday use of Witter Field (at p. 9-10) and a useful four page explanation of California’s funding of schools entitled “Pocket Budget ’10-’11” (at p. 27-30).