Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop will be held here at the school Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.  Santa's Workshop is an opportunity for students to purchase inexpensive gifts for family and friends.  Gifts will range in price from one to three dollars.  Purchases will be put into gift bags.  Students will have to opportunity to visit Santa's Workshop during morning and lunch recesses tomorrow and Wednesday.  This program is run by volunteers to help students experience the joy of giving during this season.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school office.

Winter Program Returns

Raymond-Knowles Elementary will again hold a Winter Program this year.  The event will be held on Friday, December 14th at 6:00 P.M. in the cafeteria.  There will be holiday music, poetry recitations, a short dramatic presentation, and technology presentations.  We hope you will make plans to attend with your family and friends.

Proposition 30 and Budget Update

At the RKUESD December Board of Trustees meeting, the district’s first interim budget will be shared.  This is the second of four annual budget documents that is approved by the school board.  All four of these budget documents include a multi-year projection for the current budget year and two subsequent fiscal years.  Each school district must show that they will be able to maintain a positive fund balance for each of those years. 

The 1st interim that will be reported to the board at the December meeting demonstrates the required fund balance for this year and the two subsequent years.  This budget is based on our current enrollment remaining steady, however.  It is extremely important that your student(s) maintain good attendance habits.  Schools are given money based on actual attendance in school, not on the number of students enrolled. 

As you are aware, California voters passed Proposition 30, which will help all districts maintain their solvency for the next few years.  Many people believe that this will solve the school’s budget crisis, but this proposition only made it possible  to maintain funding at last year’s levels.  There is not any new funding as a result of the proposition. 

For RKUESD, the passage of proposition 30 will result in the reduction of our deficit spending by about $30,000 for this fiscal year. 

Another Board Vacancy

The Raymond-Knowles Union Elementary School District has another vacancy on its Board of Trustees.  After many years of dedicated service, Susan Patterson has resigned from her seat on the board. 

Since we recently accepted applications and conducted interviews for an open seat, we know of several candidates who are interested.  If you or someone you know might be interested in this important position in school governance, please contact Mr. Johnson or Mrs. Hutchings by Friday, December 7th.  The Board will consider candidates at their meeting on December 11th.