Schools
Water District To Help Fund School Science Program
Next school year, Las Virgenes Unified will get a much-needed funding boost from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.
The board of directors voted 3-2 Wednesday to partially fund a $396,000 science program for fourth and fifth grade students of the .
In response to a $3.8 million deficit for the 2011-12 academic year, the school district recently submitted a request to the water district to fund its science team, comprised of four teachers who have not been issued layoff notices.
Dan Stepenosky, the school district's assistant superintendent, said water district funding would help trim the budget shortfall and go toward rescinding notices of layoff for 51 teachers and counselors.
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The science program costs encompasses a library book program, a wastewater education initiative and a secondary school outreach, among other offerings.
However, the board of director's staff stated during the meeting it would most likely fund $107,000, which would cover portions of the program that only relates to the water district.
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Stepenosky, the school district's superintendent, said the LVUSD conducts more water education than the water district assumes and that more money would ultimately be granted.
“Their staff and our staff need to sit down and verify the actual figures,” he said.
Approximately 2,200 fourth and fifth graders would benefit district-wide, according a water district staff report.
More than 60 LVUSD staff, members of the board of education, parents, elementary students and community members filled the jam-packed meeting room at the water district's headquarters.
The board of directors, led by president Lee Renger, listened in rapt attention during the public comment portion of the meeting as several parents made impassioned pleas to the board. The common theme was “help save our science program.”
Rose Dunn, the district's director of elementary education, also spoke up and underscored the “great partnership” between the school district and the water district. She also vowed to continue educating the students on water-wise ways and planet preservation.
Stepenosky also brought up some important points during his turn to speak. Aside from praising the current fourth and fifth grade science team, Stepenosky said he was “looking forward to increasing the partnership between the two entities” and also getting the “stewardship and water conservation message” across more powerfully to the students, their parents and their friends.