As you are likely aware, many changes have been made in reflection to California’s economic crisis. Public schools around the state of California have been hit hard with drastic budget cuts and have been asked to do more with less.

The Kernville Union School District saw a projected cut of $750,000 from the Governor’s May proposal. We have reduced our staff and the result is larger class sizes. We are not happy about this and know that it makes the teacher’s and student’s jobs much harder. As classes reach their maximum capacity, intra and interdistrict transfers are being held, and families are asked to make changes that affect their lifestyle. The Wallace cafeteria has become a central kitchen that serves all of the schools in the district. The breakfast is served once a day, either before school or during morning breaks. There is no longer a “snack bar” and meal prices have increased .25 to.50 per meal. You will also see changes due to the downsizing of secretarial personnel, (specifically in the area of student services), and custodial staff, which results in fewer cleaning hours. The cut in administration, one less principal, resulted in Kernville Elementary having a part-time principal and Dean. Mr. Haines, Mrs. Alten and I will make sure that your students at Kernville Elementary continue to receive the top notch education experience you have come to know at the Kernville school.

Mrs. DeLapp, principal of Wallace Elementary, and Mrs. Costa principal of Wallace Middle School, Rio Vista Community Day School, and Director of Special Education, will continue to provide services that will be in the best interests of their students and provide the best education possible at Kernville Union School District. We do need your help. With the cuts and the adult-to-student time lessened, we are asking for parent volunteers to help teachers and staff with bulletin boards, paper work, tutoring students, running lunch time sport activities and much more.

Mrs. DeLapp will hold a volunteer orientation on Sept. 2 at Wallace School at 9:00 a.m. in the cafeteria, and on Sept. 3rd at 8:30 a.m. in the Kernville cafeteria. Please attend this class and sign-up for volunteer opportunities so that together we can continue to make a positive educational experience for the children of the Kern River Valley.

Our dedication to your children remains the same. As we move through this economic crisis, be involved in the game and not a side-line judge. Though it may be easier to criticize the game from the stands, it is more rewarding to become a part of the team. Regardless of whether or not you can volunteer, please help your child with his studies at home, especially reading and math. Communicate with their teachers and attend meetings such as Back to School Night, Open House, etc., so that your child knows that their education is important to you, making it important to them! It is extremely important that they attend school every day. With a larger number of students in each class, there will not be time to re-teach what they have missed. More than ever, daily attendance is crucial!

Our goal is to not only survive, but to thrive this year. Let us keep the lines of communication open and our patience long. “Outlook, Outdo and Outcome” is the KUSD theme for the 2010-2011 school year. TOGETHER we can and will make a difference in the lives of our children.

Robin Shive

Superintendent, Kernville Union School District