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August/September 2009
Dear Parents
and Community Members:
As I finish my first year as Superintendent, I am very proud of the outstanding school district
we have. Our success comes from a high level of community support combined with talented teachers, dedicated support staff,
capable administrators, and a caring School Board. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Meadows Valley School District.
In spite of
the financial upheaval across the nation, our learning community has shown the level of determination it takes to provide
a quality education for our students. The opportunities our students enjoy rival much larger districts. They receive the type
of attention that allows them to not only survive but thrive in this rapidly changing world.
For now it is time for teachers
and students to celebrate the end of a successful year and get rejuvenated for next fall. Please enjoy a safe, relaxing summer
break.
Sincerely,
Glen Szymoniak
Fall 2009 Dear Teachers, Parents and Community Member,
The 2009-10 school-year at Meadows Valley
is off to a smooth start. Everyone settled into classroom routines and activity schedules quickly as new teachers and students
were welcomed into the community by returning veterans. There seems to be a whole new look and feel to
the school that is fresh and vibrant. This is not by accident. During the summer, a team of people went beyond expectations
to create a positive environment at the school. Below are some examples. - Interview teams contributed personal time to screen and select the candidates who they believed would have a lasting
impact at Meadows Valley School. The newly hired teachers are adding to the excitement and positive energy at the school.
- The building
is safer because of the fire suppression system that was installed with funds from the plant/facility levy. It is also safer
because of the respectful relationships that teachers promote between adults and students.
- People can take pride in the appearance of the school. The building
has a fresh look with newly painted halls, offices and classrooms. Outside the grounds remained green and trimmed throughout
the summer and ready for the return of students.
- Communication is enhanced with the upgrade of the District Web Page. While this is an ongoing effort, Debbie
Flaming breathed life into the program by updating the school’s information on the internet.
- Most importantly, the community can take pride in the students
of Meadows Valley School. They are actively participating in their own education. They showed up for school with enthusiasm
for learning and are involved in extracurricular activities.
It
is a long haul between the first week of school and the last week of the year. However, we are off to a fantastic start and
all the pieces are in place to make that journey a pleasant and rewarding experience for everyone. I invite parents and community
members to join us in making this year a memorable one. Please check with the teachers or the office to see how you can get
involved.
Glen Szymoniak
Spring 2010 Superintendent’s
Message
When Governor Otter announced
a 2% holdback for education in this year’s budget, it caused concern for districts across the state. Below is a brief
explanation of the current status of the Meadows Valley District and a few comments about next year’s budget.
Good News This Year
Given the unsteady nature of the economy, the
district prepared a very conservative budget for this year. We also built in a contingency amount that would allow us to cover
unexpected incidents such as utility rate increases, revenue holdbacks, and legal settlements. If there are no additional
surprises and we adhere to our planned expenditures, the district will be able to cover the holdback without making program
reductions this year.
Next Year
The economic downturn continues to impact the
district. The preliminary projected enrollment for Meadows Valley School District next year shows us holding steady. However,
the Governor is talking about implementing a 7%-10% reduction in funding. As state revenues decline, we will need to review
all of our programs and spending with a critical eye. It will become increasingly important for us to evaluate the cost and
benefits of everything we do. Solving the upcoming challenges will require productive conversations at the state and local
level. We look forward to working with patrons and legislators to get through these difficult times.
Glen Szymoniak, Superintendent
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