Los Altos Hills Public Education Update A public forum to update the citizens of Los Altos Hills on efforts to Reorganize Public Education in Los Altos Hills November 15, 2006

Tonight’s agenda Councilmember StatementsCouncilmember Statements Presentation of background and information on the reorganization processPresentation of background and information on the reorganization process Questions and answers (related to above)Questions and answers (related to above) Public Forum (public input)Public Forum (public input) Resolution(s)Resolution(s)

Some fundamental beliefs Public education is a key element of the American experiencePublic education is a key element of the American experience Neighborhood elementary schools are very important for the development of our children and our communityNeighborhood elementary schools are very important for the development of our children and our community Public properties should be used for public educational purposesPublic properties should be used for public educational purposes Private school attendance at 35-40% levels is not healthy for public educationPrivate school attendance at 35-40% levels is not healthy for public education Passivity by LAH does not workPassivity by LAH does not work

What is our Town’s goal for public education? “We seek a permanent solution providing excellent, locally-controlled and locally- available public K-8 education for every resident family in Los Altos Hills. These schools should also provide recreational space for the residents of our Town.”

Where to start There is a line that divides our town in twoThere is a line that divides our town in two Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) K-12 serves part of our townPalo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) K-12 serves part of our town Los Altos School District (LASD) K-8 serves the other part of our townLos Altos School District (LASD) K-8 serves the other part of our town LASD feeds into Mountain View/Los Altos (MVLA) high schoolsLASD feeds into Mountain View/Los Altos (MVLA) high schools

The map is the basic issue…

All 4 LAH schools have closed Fremont Hills closed in now leased by PAUSD for >$1m/yearFremont Hills closed in now leased by PAUSD for >$1m/year Purissima closed in sold by LASD, complete housing developmentPurissima closed in sold by LASD, complete housing development Eastbrook closed in late 70’s - fields sold by LASD in 1986, buildings leasedEastbrook closed in late 70’s - fields sold by LASD in 1986, buildings leased Bullis-Purissima closed in extended-day K, special ed, private daycareBullis-Purissima closed in extended-day K, special ed, private daycare

More on this Problem Displacement of elementary school-aged students in their communityDisplacement of elementary school-aged students in their community Loss of community and neighborhood support systemsLoss of community and neighborhood support systems An exodus of LAH children and families out of the public school systemAn exodus of LAH children and families out of the public school system LAH is the largest city in the Peninsula NOT to have a local public school (smaller communities than ours – like Atherton, Woodside, and Portola Valley have their own schools)LAH is the largest city in the Peninsula NOT to have a local public school (smaller communities than ours – like Atherton, Woodside, and Portola Valley have their own schools)

The Public Education Committee (PEC) assessed needs/options Public meetings (3) and Mail-in survey Mar 2004, Godbe telephone survey Oct 2004, History of public ed in LAH Dec 2004, Active in LACF CPR Oct 2004 – Mar 2005, … more than 10 different and formal presentationsPublic meetings (3) and Mail-in survey Mar 2004, Godbe telephone survey Oct 2004, History of public ed in LAH Dec 2004, Active in LACF CPR Oct 2004 – Mar 2005, … more than 10 different and formal presentations A total of seven options were vetted including:A total of seven options were vetted including: –LASD & PAUSD work formally together –Jointly-run schools in the Hills –Joint PAUSD/LASD charter

The PEC voted unanimously for a reorganization (redistricting) Define a K-8 territory for an LAH districtDefine a K-8 territory for an LAH district Provide for high school attendance to be as currently defined between PAUSD and MVLA (preferred option)Provide for high school attendance to be as currently defined between PAUSD and MVLA (preferred option) Failing an ability to maintain current high school boundaries, attend PAUSD exclusively (acceptable alternative)Failing an ability to maintain current high school boundaries, attend PAUSD exclusively (acceptable alternative)

LAH Council took action… Approved the Resolution on March 23, 2006 to be delivered to the County CommitteeApproved the Resolution on March 23, 2006 to be delivered to the County Committee At the request of the districts, delivery was postponed to allow time for a negotiated settlementAt the request of the districts, delivery was postponed to allow time for a negotiated settlement Multi-lateral discussions ensued between LASD, PAUSD, MVLA, LAH, and BCSMulti-lateral discussions ensued between LASD, PAUSD, MVLA, LAH, and BCS LASD failed to deliver on the term sheet and PAUSD would not participate beyond a 1-year MOU on fundingLASD failed to deliver on the term sheet and PAUSD would not participate beyond a 1-year MOU on funding Resolution delivered June 20, ad-hoc committee formedResolution delivered June 20, ad-hoc committee formed

An LASD K-6 at Bullis is not a real solution Does not eliminate the lineDoes not eliminate the line Will have to be filled with a large number of Los Altos childrenWill have to be filled with a large number of Los Altos children Ignores PAUSD students beyond IDTsIgnores PAUSD students beyond IDTs Ignores BCS’ LAH enrollmentIgnores BCS’ LAH enrollment Bullis will always be the smallest, most vulnerable school within LASDBullis will always be the smallest, most vulnerable school within LASD

The High School Issue PEC and town council were not trying to solve a high school issuePEC and town council were not trying to solve a high school issue Unless Gunn is part of the solution, the Council will not support redistrictingUnless Gunn is part of the solution, the Council will not support redistricting No Gunn = No council support and no ballot voteNo Gunn = No council support and no ballot vote

Steps in Approval Process Resolution delivered to Santa Clara Office of EducationResolution delivered to Santa Clara Office of Education County Committee on School District Organization holds hearings starting on Dec 7 and then votes to take on the project of defining an LAH K-8 district, or notCounty Committee on School District Organization holds hearings starting on Dec 7 and then votes to take on the project of defining an LAH K-8 district, or not Staff thoroughly investigates our “9-criteria” hurdleStaff thoroughly investigates our “9-criteria” hurdle Approved resolution goes to State Board of Education where more hearings are held. If approved, the State issues a ballot numberApproved resolution goes to State Board of Education where more hearings are held. If approved, the State issues a ballot number Area to be reorganized (LAH) votes in next election after State Board approval. Majority vote (50% + 1 vote) passes the measure with new district effective in July of the following yearArea to be reorganized (LAH) votes in next election after State Board approval. Majority vote (50% + 1 vote) passes the measure with new district effective in July of the following year

We can pass the 9-criteria 1.Adequate number of students 2.Organized on basis of substantial community identity 3.Equitable division of property and facilities 4.Will not promote racial/ethnic discrimination or segregation 5.Insignificant cost increases to the State 6.No significant disruption to ed programs/promotion of sound ed performance 7.No significant increase in school housing costs 8.Not primarily designed to increase property values 9.No substantial fiscal impacts on existing districts

Final Thoughts Any solution needs to take the entire town into accountAny solution needs to take the entire town into account Pressing for change can be very difficult but necessaryPressing for change can be very difficult but necessary LAH-based neighborhood elementary schools need local controlLAH-based neighborhood elementary schools need local control Many of us feel we have the opportunity to do what is best for our children and for the future of LAHMany of us feel we have the opportunity to do what is best for our children and for the future of LAH

The map is the basic issue…