The West Sonoma County Union High School District Board of Trustees has placed on the ballot the question of whether the District should levy an education parcel tax for the specific purposes stated in the full text of Measure A. Few people came to the in-person meeting Wednesday, but west county residents tuned in through the school districts YouTube channel, trading opinions on social media. All the districts would have a perspective, he said. Fadave is a retired teacher of 40 years across high school and higher education. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Particularly now, what are they going to do in the future? Recall supporters submitted petitions by the deadline, but the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters found that only 3,084 signatures had been submitted, which ended the recall effort. And the results may look different for different districts, Herrington said. of Sevastopol and stating that Nagle supports the controversial consolidation of Analy and El Molino high schools. They will hold a . The school board will use the coming months to prepare to transition from the current at-large model to a by-trustee area model. That would be approximately a month before most final budget decisions are made, and nine months before the regularly scheduled November election. Opponents contended the spot should have been filled by someone who represents rural western Sonoma County. West Sonoma County Union High School District Next. Ferdinandson started at the district in 2000 as an English teacher and in 2021 became principal of the school, which had just been renamed West County High School in an attempt to rebrand it after its merger with El Molino High School. Being in the classrooms, being there, being a former Analy student, actually working at Analy was a really unique position to be in, Gleeson said. We will remove any comments or commenters that do not follow this commenting policy. Both said they did not plan to run for re-election. [1][2] Fadave resigned in July 2021, citing personal reasons. To be clear, a feasibility study does not obligate anyone to consolidate, it doesnt obligate anyone to unify, West County Union High School District Superintendent Toni Beal said Wednesday. (707) 824-2300 | Fax: (707) 827-7936 Board members Julie Aiello and Angie Lewis voted against it, and the motion passed in a 3-2 vote. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");if(t)(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; March 9: Pocatello-Chubbuck School District No. www.wscuhsd.org/o/analy, Laguna High School (9-12, Continuation) Therefore, talk of cost-cutting or cost-saving moves likely goes straight to staffing. No off-topic remarks. 462 Johnson Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472. With your help, I'll be tackling the questions that vex us: (the funny, the mundane,andthe irritating.). "I just felt that that was really a huge plus for our district, (that) being one of our greatest issues our budget, she said. West Sonoma County High School District The recall organizers need to gather a minimum of 7,187 valid signatures to get the issue to a ballot, Proto said. A parent of five Analy High graduates, she taught in the English department there for 17 years and served as department chair for eight years. West Sonoma County Union High School District . The West County high school district includes Analy, El Molino and Laguna high schools and has an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students. Yet, OConnor said he thinks the board needs to face the reality that budget cuts that reduce services might have to happen and that the board must consult the community or face conflict. We started talking about this in the spring, but then COVID hit.. Gravenstein Union School District Superintendent Dave Rose said he wasnt surprised by the high school districts move. Public policy. Three longtime Analy High School administrators to leave district Analy's principal, Shauna Ferdinandson, and vice principals Erin Elliott and Rachel Lasek have accepted positions at. Citizens of west county have the opportunity this election season to vote for two new members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) Board of Trustees, the board that oversees Analy, El Molino and Laguna high schools. West Sonoma County Union High School Districts board of trustees voted 4-1 Wednesday night to no longer consider rebranding West County High School, which was supposed to be a temporary name after Analy and El Molino merged as the district seeks to address a growing budget deficit. And they absolutely refused to work with us.. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Unhappy over plans to consolidate Analy and El Molino high schools, advocates of trying to reverse the decision say they have about half the signatures they need ahead of an Aug. 28 deadline. However, she said the board would need to think creatively and explore the feasibility study on consolidating districts. A study asking the same question in 2006 found that combining the 11 districts would save at least $200,000 a year, but those findings are moot now in part because the structure of school funding was radically shifted in 2013, calling into question the financial benefit for some to merge. Recall supporters had 120 days to collect signatures equal to 20% of registered voters in the school district, a total of 7,187 signatures. Treading back and forth across the street had secured a step toward his and a group of residents goal to put three school board members in the West Sonoma County Union High School District up for recall over their votes in March to consolidate El Molino and Analy high schools. Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. I understand their sense of loss and the uncertainty about how this will affect their children. We appreciate their leadership implementing the positive improvements that are happening at our high schools, Aiello said. I want to assure our school community that we will manage these transitions with a commitment to protect the wonderful educational climate that exists, and continues to grow, at our schools.. In Person and Virtual En Persona y Virtual Tuesday April 25th 2023 6:00-8:00 pm Buttke declined to provide an exact number of signatures collected so far because she said petitions are constantly coming in from sites and residents across the region. This column is about the story behind the story, a place to shine a light on who we are, what makes us a community and all of the things that make us special. How to run for office | In Winter 2021, the districts attempt to rebrand the two schools into West County High School failed after strong opposition from parents and alumni who wished to keep the schools legacy. But we also look to local schools to do much more than teach children; they are tasked with feeding them, socializing them and offering skills in leadership and civics. This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. The West Sonoma County Union High School Board of Trustees appointed Sebastopol resident Patrick Nagle as a new trustee at a special meeting Wednesday night. Regardless of whether the recall is successful in west Sonoma County, the school district board is due for a shake-up with the November election. Steve Griffith, a Forestville resident and parent to two El Molino alumni, was the only applicant from a river community to apply for the open seat. But another motivation exists, Ame Nultemeier said: to let the school board members know the community is dissatisfied with their decisions, and that the voters are willing to do something about it. Fadave said shed like to regularly meet with students to hear their ideas. www.wscuhsd.org, Analy High School (9-12) I support the goals of Portrait of a Graduate. A group of vocal El Molino parents responded in April by filing a lawsuit in Sonoma County Superior Court challenging the validity of the consolidation process under the states bedrock environmental law; the court date for that case is set for Sept. 22. In Fall 2021, the Analy High School and El Molino High School consolidated to address a growing budget deficit, which the district blamed on declining enrollment and not enough state funding to meet costs of both schools. Analysis is expected to include, but not be limited to, transportation, existing district-specific voter-approved bonds, the varying property tax structures between districts, differing state funding formulas based on student population, union bargaining agreements, the state of facilities and enrollment trends, among other factors. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. But I have to stand by the fact that I feel we have to do whats in the best interest of the kids, not alumni., Noe also stands by her votes on consolidation and pursuing a rebranding, though that timeline was delayed. He said he views enrollment as more periodic and up-and-down than static or permanent since the board only knows the current situation and near-future projections. The departures of Analy Principal Shauna Ferdinandson and vice principals Erin Elliott and Rachel Lasek come after they led the school through the controversial consolidation with El Molino High, a failed attempt at rebranding, a teachers strike, multiple fires and the pandemic. Debbie Ramirez for Trustee, West County High School District click here to see full list of endorsements My Priorities (click to expand) Student Success School Climate & Equity Fiscal Responsibility My Qualifications & Strategies Experience Engagement Passion for Public Education Make a Donation Thank you for your support! Discussions between board members and the public about that idea and other possibilities to cut costs or increase revenue were from the outset full of passion, fear and anger. Heading into the 2020-2021 school year, the West Sonoma County Union High School District was facing a structural deficit of $1.2 million, which would surpass $2 million if unchecked by the 2022-2023 school year. Ethically, its probably been harder for me than anybody else on the board, she said. Measure A proposes a special tax of $48 annually per parcel for each parcel of land within the District's boundaries. Still, she calls the situation awful., None of us are happy about this, she said. The school board interviewed all three men in a round-robin format, asking the same five questions to each. . Board members approved consolidation in March. His seat will come up for reelection in November 2022. An opportunity for geographic representation was missed tonight, Hopkins said in a Facebook post. Because the whole educational scenario has changed so drastically because of COVID.. Analysis An effort to recall three of the five members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District board of trustees did not go to a vote in 2021. SANTA ROSA HIGH SONOMA SFP - Career Tech GRANT 55/70920-00-004 SCOTTS VALLEY UNIFIED SANTA CRUZ SFP - New Constr. West Sonoma County Union High School District measure to levy $48.00 per parcel annually for three years be adopted, raising $1,150,000 . I need to focus on my family, focus on my kids and this has been very emotional and hard for all of us.. No off-topic remarks. The result is a deepening of the hurt and frustration already felt by many rural families., The group that tried without success to recall three school board members earlier this year said in a statement it is looking into the necessary steps to circulate a recall petition to remove Patrick Nagle from his appointed position.. "Theyre not listening to the community, said Loretta Castleberry, an Analy alumna. Talk of consolidation and merging can make people nervous that specialized programs would be lost, he said. Learning is a transformative experience. Both seats are four-year terms (2021-2024). Schools . Youre not voting tonight, Josh Nultemeier said to many of the people he approached that evening. Beal acknowledged that talk of consolidation runs through many conversations as school districts in the area face ever-increasing financial pressure and steadily declining enrollment. The Sonoma County Elections Office approved the recall petitions for circulation. Member of Tax Payer Association Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee . The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) will have two seats open in November. Over the years we have done a lot to maintain the two-school model, Noe said, including funding a marketing position to try to attract more students first to El Molino, which was experiencing the bigger enrollment decline, and then the district as a whole. His term will run through December 2022. Or will it help the district? We said so many times, If you could just work with your community and find solutions together and create a budget that works for all of us, we would drop everything, she said. West Sonoma County School Board Meeting 8-25-21 (Screenshot from livestream). While Zoom board meetings provide the community opportunities to engage, she said it wasnt an ideal situation. Board members Kellie Noe, Jeanne Fernandes, and Laurie Fadave were named in the notices of intent to recall. Dont destroy all the Analy history that weve all created, said one caller who described himself as a member of its class of 1980. They all begin in July. While at the Sebastopol Union School District, Aiello served as teachers union president and chief negotiator for eight years. Sometimes, were just trying to figure things out. Hi there, Nultemeier said cheerfully each time someone opened their front door July 29. The County of Sonoma has a service that allows you to look up your district by street address. Still, high school district officials said this week that a new analysis would be beneficial for all schools involved. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Copyright 2023 West Sonoma County Union High School District. They will hold a meeting to discuss three west county residents who submitted applications for the vacant seat. The cost to the district for that election could range from $90,000 to $162,500. Rialto Theater raises more than $78,000 through GoFundMe, Measure DD, a transportation measure, is one of several tax questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. . Were definitely on the road to meeting our goal, she said. Sonoma County has the third-highest rate of declining enrollment in the state behind only Alpine and Los Angeles counties. Gavin Newsom and District Attorney Jill Ravitch. Another caller, who identified herself as a current sophomore, said reverting back to Analy would take away one last piece of identity among the former El Molino students. This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone. No off-topic remarks. Sonoma County (/ s n o m / ()) is a county located in the U.S. state of California.As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 488,863. In accordance with the provisions of Education Code Section 5323 and 5340-42, a consolidated governing board member election, is to be held in our district on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 and will be ordered . West Sonoma County Union High School District . Sonoma is a popular tourist destination, owing to its . District officials pointed to community fear that consolidation leads to school closures. Citizens of west county have the opportunity this election season to vote for two new members of the West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD . Sonoma County lost slightly more than 5% of its enrollment between 2016-17 and last school year, according to School Services of California. When theres instability at the top, it shakes things all the way down, McElroy said, noting that the revolving door of teachers and administrators in the past few years has caused confusion and stress among staff and students. [4][5], The recall effort began after the three board members voted on March 10, 2021, to approve a plan to consolidate Analy and El Molino high schools. EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SANTA CLARA SFP - Charter MISC 54/69427-00-005 EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SANTA CLARA SFP - Charter MISC . My job is to help you make sense of K-12 education in Sonoma County and beyond. I understand the west county, I never left the west county other than when I was in the military, he said. West Sonoma County Union High School Districts Superintendent Chris Meredith wished them the best, but deflected questions on any issues the administrators might have had prior to their resignations. Tell me about it. But area families have come to expect options as well as intimate involvement in school programming, Rose said. I am familiar with the tools to ensure that these things happen, such as fostering robust school site councils, seeking stakeholder engagement around the annual planning document, the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), and ensuring that the English Learner Advisory Committee meets regularly and provides meaningful insight to administration. The Sebastopol school has 1,466 students enrolled this year, according to the California Department of Education. I always have a line item in my budget for this because you never know when its going to come, he said. Milan Mimi Buttke, a Forestville resident and one of the lead organizers, said the group is aiming to collect closer to 9,000 signatures to ensure they have enough to qualify. For now, Nagle and some of his critics plan to meet and talk about things. I think its high time that we take a good, fresh look at this again, West County trustee Ted Walker said Wednesday. He said he understands Analy alumnis attachment to their schools name, but students were supposed to have a new start after the merger. Menu . READ MORE > Summer School Information READ MORE > MAP OPTIONS FOR CVRA TRANSITION FROM "AT-LARGE" TO "BY-TRUSTEE AREA" ELECTIONS Noon-1PM, Sonoma Valley Grad Debuts First Full-Length Film on Streaming Services, California Pauses Home Loan Program Over Demand, California's Largest Electric Companies Looking to Change Billing, Preschool Fair this Wednesday for Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County Will Not Report Daily Covid Counts Anymore. He is a Sebastopol resident. The board broached the topic of consolidation by the 2021-2022 school year last fall. At the next school board meeting, Noe, Fernandes and Fadave voted in favor of consolidation. Budgets are increasingly stretched and enrollment is falling across the county. School District County Category Phase Application No./Site Name; . I was inspired to run while I was thinking about ways to give back to the community, said Noe, who now lives in Sebastopol. She taught at Analy High School for 17 years. But I also feel schools can reflect the broader community if the opportunity comes up, Griffith said. Opponents filed a lawsuit in April to stop consolidation, but a Sonoma County Superior Court judge ruled they did not meet a 35-day window to file legal challenges or successfully argue why the school district hadnt followed the law in implementing consolidation. District officials expressed understanding of West Countys motivation. In addition, she wants to promote a drive to increase enrollment with the three schools diverse programming as a draw for youth looking for an alternative education. So, I have training in how to read a budget, and I understand it. And while I will not discuss specific personnel situations, in general, I want to encourage all members of our staff to reach out if they ever have an employment concern so that it may be addressed promptly and responsibly.. Elementary districts "feed" into high school or unified districts. Im not one to evade or talk around it, he said. I think I have the ability to listen and work with all kinds of different people.. The study will include all 10 districts that feed into the West County high school district: Fort Ross, Montgomery, Guerneville, Monte Rio, Forestville, Harmony, Oak Grove, Sebastopol, Twin Hills and Gravenstein. On Twitter @alana_minkler. UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: Residents of the rural parts of west Sonoma County reacted unfavorably on social media after a Sebastopol man was appointed to a vacant school board seat.