Letter to the editor: June 6, 2007

Editor:

For the past several years I have attended the board meetings of the Anderson Union High School District. I am interested in the educational process and especially in Anderson High School. My daughter graduated from there and it was a very positive experience for her. I became friends with some of the teachers, and was a member of the Booster Club for a number of years where I served with many parents who also had children attending Anderson High School.

I am very dismayed to see this excellent institution decline when at one time it was the top high school in the north state. Because of my disappoinment, I have taken steps to try and understand what might be happening to Anderson High School.

I obtain agendas, attend Board meetings, and closely study and research important issues. Despite the information received, gaps remain that make it difficult to reach a firm understanding of the true financial picture and, more specifically, the exact expenditures of the district.

I have researched the State Superintendent of Schools web site as well as the district’s financial statements. I have discussed this information with District Superintendent Randy Palomino, several board members and then presented it at two regular board meetings. The question that remains unanswered is, “Where has the money gone?”

The enrollment declined from 2,224 (2002-03) to 1,916 (2006-07), but total revenue remained about the same at $19.5 million. In this same period, total expenditure for certificated salaried teachers declined from $8.7 million to $7.2 million. This was a reduction of $1.5 million and led to an approximate reduction of 30 teachers. This reduction in teachers resulted in larger class size, loss of elective classes, elimination of foreign language classes and more.

With the decrease in total certificated salaries and total revenue remaining the same, it is difficult to understand where the revenue is being expended.

My examination covered two specific expense categories: (1) Books and supplies: 2003-04 expended $0.94 million; 2006-07 projected $1.58 million. The two-year period (2005-07) saw an increase of $588,000 or an approximately 60 percent increase.

(2) Services and other operating expenses: 2003-04 expended $1.94 million; 2006-07 projected $3.18 million. The two-year period (2005-07) saw an increase of $1.33 million or an approximately 72 percent increase.

The district’s expenditures in these two categories exceed the statewide average by about 30 percent, or approximately $1 million per year.

I shared the results of my examinations with the Superintendent and the board. To date, I have received no response.

As a taxpayer I have to ask, is the district using public funds effectively to educate our children? Why have the expenditures increased in some areas and decreased in others? Are the priorities of the district designed to promote the best interests of the students?

The administration should be able to answer these questions. If you share my concerns, call District Superintendent Randy Palomino at 378-0568.

Richard G. Urban, Anderson