Highlights of My Four Years on the CUSD Board of Education

By Jann Reed

Canyon View High School * Small Learning Communities * Revenue Sources * Superintendent

CANYON VIEW HIGH SCHOOL

After reviewing the data outlining the costs of operating another high school, and listening to the concerns of the Chico community, a decision was made by the school board to allocate the remaining Measure A bond money for facilities improvements at the existing high schools. This will provide much needed funds for new high school facilities, which will benefit the same population of kids as Canyon View would have.

1. Remaining funds from first allocation of Measure A bond $$ are being used to build the Chico Unified Performing Arts Center to be located at Pleasant Valley High School.

2. $13 million has been allocated to build new permanent classrooms at Chico High to eliminate the need for portable classrooms at that campus.

3. $17 million remains to be allocated. Current possibilities: improving sports facilities, new classrooms at PV to eliminate need for portables, improving the CHS theater.

SMALL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

During my term, the school board approved additional small learning communities at the high schools. Both Chico High and Pleasant Valley High Schools have small learning communities to give students the opportunity to focus on a specific subject area (e.g., agriculture, architecture, studio art or culinary arts) or take classes with a small subpopulation of the high school and a core group of teachers. Students get to know their teachers better, form friendships more easily with their classmates, and learn in depth about an area of study.

REVENUE SOURCES

The school board has been looking for new sources of revenue to bring much needed monies into our schools. In the last four years we have started a foundation through the Chico Community Foundation where community members can make tax deductible contributions to CUSD. After a 20 year hiatus the school board approved the collection of developer fees on commercial development. This will provide another source of money for improving facilities in CUSD. Hooker Oak K-8 School

For years the debate has gone on in Chico about the best way to educate our 11-14 year old students. One of the first decisions I took part in on the school board was to approve the first K-8 school in CUSD. This decision has provided another educational option for 7/8 graders in a small learning community environment.

SUPERINTENDENT

I have worked with three superintendents in the last four years and was on the board sub-committee to seek each replacement. With Chet Francisco we established Professional Learning Communities to engage all teachers in best practices of teaching and to provide collaboration among their peers. CUSD's current superintendent Kelly Staley is focused on academic achievement, communication, and community involvement in our schools. I believe the Board has put the District in good hands.