City seeks school district
help in funding programs
June 10, 2015
By Brian D. Wilson
Santa Paula News
Mayor John Procter and other city officials have come to the Santa Paula Unified School District Board, asking for assistance in funding city-operated programs, especially those involving children.
Procter was accompanied by councilwoman Ginger Gherardi, fire department Captain John Harber, police Commander Ismael Cordero and Community Interim Community Services Director Ed Mount.
The school district is looking forward to a large increase in funds for the upcoming fiscal year, while the city is looking at a deficit of over $100,000. “We have a number of programs that are in jeopardy,” Gherardhi said. She added that it would be natural for the school district to pick up these programs because they involve the youth of the community.
Fire Captain Harber told the board about the department’s fire inspections and the fire safety program offered to all 4th grade students. Mount asked the district to help pay for youth programs, such as youth summer sports, T-Ball and summer camp. Cadero discussed funding needs for bringing back the DARE program, which was cut several years ago, and paying for cross-training resource officers at the schools in the DARE program.
Mayor Procter asked the board to give serious consideration to the city’s requests. He added, “It’s easy for me coming here because we’re asking for help. And I know you have to make the tough decisions.”
Assistant Superintendent Donna Rose told the board in an earlier discussion that the district is slated to get $1.2 million under a new funding formula and she added they are expecting another $3.1 million in one-time funds.
Rose presented a list of areas she proposed be funded, including transportation for sports and music programs, adding more elementary school counselors, more professional development for teachers and making upgrades to science labs and literacy centers.
Board President Michelle Kolbeck, responding to the city requests, proposed setting aside $75,000 to $100,000 of the new revenue to help the city programs. She noted that could be accomplished by cutting 10 percent off a couple of the items on the list, such as transportation and high school summer programs.
School Board member Christina Urias said she felt the city’s request was too last minute and she said she didn’t know if she could support funding city programs. Board member Diana Ponce Gomez wanted more specifics on what the city wants and Superintendent Alfonso Gambino said he would meet with city officials to get more information.
