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Conejo school officials discuss State of the District
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More from Other NewsDespite declining enrollment and impending state budget cuts, Conejo Valley Unified School District officials said they plan to continue providing quality education for their 22,000 students.
District Officials spoke about the budget, test scores and future programs and construction projects during the first annual State of the District address Wednesday night at Thousand Oaks High School's performing arts center.
The district's annual report was also provided for about 40 audience members who attended the event.
"The district is committed to serve all the needs of students," said Superintendent Mario Contini. "We leave no children behind."
Contini said declining enrollment and the high cost of housing are just some of the factors that have contributed to declining enrollment in the district.
Deputy Superintendent Jeffrey Baarstad said about 60 percent of school districts in the state are experiencing the same problem.
Baarstad said the district estimates Conejo Valley Unified could loose 350 to 400 students next year.
Declining enrollment and shrinking financial coffers are some of the reasons why officials made the decision to close Meadows and University Schools by fall 2009.
The district stands to loose about $8 million because of budget cuts proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Officials during Wednesday night's presentation only briefly mentioned school closures during the presentation and instead focused on future programs and construction plans.
Some of those new projects include a new Junior Kindergarten program, the construction of a Child Development Center, a Community Learning Center and the establishment of magnet schools.
"We are fortunate to live in a community that believes children are our future," said board president Dorothy Beaubien. "There are many hurdles still to overcome but we have to do what's right for the kids."
Posted by koolwhazzup on April 17, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The 2 biggest "hurdles" are Beaubion and Didio-
Please vote them OUT in November!!!
Posted by DoctorDude on April 17, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The district stands to "loose" about $8 million
I believe it's "lose", not "loose". I learned that by going to Conejo Schools!
Posted by Poppa on April 17, 2008 at 8:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You both sound like idiots, you must have gone to private school. The hurdles are people like koolwhazzup who can only spew hatred, never can they do anything good or constructive. Just because it rains on your parade everyday don't rain on our wonderful Conejo Schools!
Posted by mandynathan on April 19, 2008 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good point, Dr. Dude! They probably will also "lose" students, not "loose" them! (At least not until they graduate high school.) Wake up proofreader! (Or should I say "profreader"?)
Posted by JohnGC on April 19, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
..."Conejo Valley Unified School District officials said they plan to continue providing quality education for their 22,000 students."
Their definition of quality really needs to be fleshed out and defined. Looking at their "products" I would say their QA system needs an overhaul.
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