Initial reports heard tonight
By Kathleen Acuff, Town Crier Staff Writer
With parcel tax authorization expiring in 2007, the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance has shifted gears and accelerated to pass reauthorization of the allocation widely seen as necessary to prevent further slowdowns in the Los Altos School District’s funding.
The group plans to meet every other Wednesday from today through mid-December to produce a six-year financial forecast and strategic recommendations to present to district trustees and staff at the first school board meeting in January.
Members have reorganized subcommittees with an eye toward building community support for the reauthorization. Trustees and staff want to begin districtwide Phase 2 construction and renovate Bullis-Purissima Elementary School, slated for reopening in the fall of 2007.
A new Parcel Tax/Communications Subcommittee, headed Bill Soward, refocuses the former Communications subcommittee to help present the case for the tax to voters. With the financial impact of Bullis Charter School, now in its second year, known, a Facilities subcommittee, led by Pablo Luther, replaces the Charter School Impacts and Rents/Locations subcommittees. The Operational Metrics subcommittee is now the Operational Analysis subcommittee, headed by Matt Cuson.
The Parcel Tax/Communications, Property Taxes and Enrollment/Staffing subcommittees plan to present preliminary reports at tonight’s CACF meeting. Amy Gaffney heads the Property Tax subcommittee, and CACF Vice Chairman Mark Goines leads the Enrollment/Staffing subcommittee. Preliminary reports from the Facilities and Operational Analysis subcommittees will follow Nov. 16. The first review of the new six-year financial forecast is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 30. The forecast is expected to take final form Dec. 14 with presentation to the school board Jan. 9.
The CACF normally meets only twice in the fall, but members have tripled their usual pace to deliver budget recommendations to the school board at its first meeting after the winter holidays. That report is to include advice on restoring funding for long-term facilities maintenance.
District trustees reappointed veteran members to the committee last week. Dick Hasenpflug, one of the founders of the committee 18 years ago and its chairman until his resignation at the end of the last school year, continues as an emeritus member of the Parcel Tax/Communications subcommittee. Lou Becker, who served as chairman of the Benefits subcommittee, and Doug Aherns, a member of the Rents/Locations subcommittee, have also resigned. Becker’s and Ahern’s constituents will nominate their successors.
The CACF meets at 7 p.m. today in the district board room, 201 Covington Road.
