By Scott Turnbull, Superintendent Soquel Union Elementary School District
Another school year is upon us at Soquel Union Elementary School District (SUESD). This month finds students and their families enjoying the last vestiges of summer, as are teachers and school staff. As I write this, maintenance staff is busy preparing schools for the first day. Office staffs are pouring their energies into helping parents with enrollment and making sure everything is organized. Teachers are ensuring that their classrooms are ideal learning environments. School Site Administrators are overseeing everything!
In this, my first year, it has been an honor to get to know and work with SUESD’s Site Administrators. They know their schools inside and out and work tirelessly on behalf of their students and families. Who are these fearless leaders? I’m glad you asked:
At Main Street Elementary; Ms. Annette Bitter is the Principal
At Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary; Ms. Kerry le Roux is the Principal (Ms. Le Roux also serves as the Principal at Opal Cliffs School)
At Soquel Elementary; Ms. Gerri Fippin is the Principal
At New Brighton Middle School; Mr. Craig Broadhurst is the Principal and Mr. Andrew Wright is the Assistant Principal
What is the condition of the school buildings that all these hard-working folks and students report to each day? That leads me to a very important subject for SUESD. On the November 8, 2016 Ballot local voters will weigh in on Measure C, the SUESD $42M General Obligation School Bond. SUESD Board of Trustees has been discussing the Bond for over a year now. They have been very carefully and methodically considered the amount of money necessary, projects, and tax rate. A survey was conducted approximately six months ago to determine community support. This feedback from the community informed the Board that the time is now for this bond measure.
Measure C addresses the immediate need for facility and infrastructure projects primarily driven by replacement of 40 portables. These portables are over 30 years old; they have failing foundations, and represent more than one-third of SUESD’s classrooms. Other projects that Measure C addresses are:
Significant roof repairs
Technology networking infrastructure buildouts and technology equipment to provide increased technology access to students
Replacement of outdated play structures in our district (most need replacing)
Upgrading inadequate electrical infrastructure in all district classrooms
HVAC repairs and upgrades
Playfield repairs and upgrades
Numerous additional health, safety and security improvements plus plumbing and sewer projects
Harley Robertson, SUESD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services and Jim Dupre, SUESD Maintenance Supervisor and their staffs have worked diligently to identify the projects of highest priority. Most of these projects were needed at least three years ago. Internal studies have been ongoing the last few years and there is a sense of urgency in getting these repairs and projects completed. It is also important to note that SUESD will leverage bond dollars with any available state matching grants for which they may qualify. If voters approve Proposition 51, the $9B Statewide School Bond (Proposition 51) there will be new opportunities to stretch bond dollars. Pictured are just a few of some of the facilities that are in need of repair or replacement.
Should the public have any questions, please feel free to call me at 831-464-5639 and I can answer any questions. Thank you and I look forward to a great school year.
