Amador Valley High School is confronting potential budget cuts amounting to $8.6 million, prompting concerns about the impact on students, staff, and essential programs. Director of Communications Patrick Gannon emphasized the urgency of understanding how funding changes affect the community.
“We want our community to be part of this conversation because it is going to be difficult. We need to ensure that our community understands why those decisions have to be made,” said Gannon.
Community Engagement
As the district navigates these financial challenges, it’s crucial for families and students to engage in the discussions. Acting Principal of Amador Valley Jr Yee noted that the budget situation remains uncertain, but acknowledged the potential impact on staffing and resources.
“We’re trying our best to be efficient, but staffing could be impacted, along with materials for curriculum. Extracurricular activities may also face changes, but we hope to minimize disruptions,” said Yee.
In light of these challenges, the district is actively seeking ways to communicate effectively with the community. Gannon highlighted the importance of transparency regarding financial decisions, stating that the new website aims to clarify funding issues and encourage community involvement.
“It’s a complicated topic, and we want to make sure that the community understands the constraints we face. Our goal is to keep the impact as far away from the classroom as possible,” said Gannon.
The district commits to providing updates and addressing misconceptions based on feedback from students and families. The district’s efforts to foster a collaborative environment will be key as it navigates this turbulent financial landscape.
“Communication is vital. We need to work together to understand the best avenues for supporting our students,” said Yee.
Raising Funds
While the district does its part when it comes to applying for grants, as well as raising funds, the PTSA also does anything they can to alleviate the budgeting issues that Amador Valley faces.
“In our budget this year, we supplied after school tutoring to help our students. We have also given items towards classes, including chromebooks,” said PTSA executive board member Kelly Cantu.
As Amador Valley moves forward, the community’s engagement will be essential in overcoming the budgetary hurdles ahead. It is a shared challenge that demands collective action and understanding for the benefit of all students.
“Both the district and our schools have been working to very publicly communicate that there are changes, right? There are changes coming, and just being realistic about that fact, and providing information that comes with data, reasoning, and rationale as to why we’re in this situation is important,” said Yee.
