Once again, our powerhouse academic decathlon teams received many accolades in the L.A. County competition, with West High School as the lead contender in first place, putting them on their way to the state competition. In addition to the team coming out on top, two of the three highest individual scores went to West High students - Jordan Smolinsky and Patrick Xiao. Additionally, South and Torrance High will be joining West in the state competition. I am so proud of our students’ consistent hard work and dedication. They represent the best of Torrance Unified.

Academic decathlon is just one example of the numerous programs in which Torrance students have the opportunity to participate and excel. These programs are possible because of the collection of extraordinary and passionate educators, classified staff, and administrators who work in our District. However, the on-going economic crisis in our state now threatens to destroy our ability to preserve our high education standards. School districts receive forty percent of the state’s budget, yet sixty percent of the cuts made by the state have been to education. The state has fiscally crippled us, but has not taken away a single mandate. TUSD has already been forced to cut $35 million over the last two years and is now looking at another $24 million over the next two years. These are unprecedented cuts, the likes of which I have never experienced in my many years as a superintendent and educator.

I, along with the Board of Education am frustrated --- we are more than frustrated, we are angry. We are angry that our collective voices against these devastating cuts have fallen on the deaf ears of the Governor and Legislature. As they continue to play their political games in Sacramento, our students continue to endure larger class sizes, loss of programs, and services, and fewer opportunities to excel. Our valuable teachers and classified employees continue to be subjected to uncertainty and layoffs.

I have consistently urged parents, teachers, classified employees, and community members to call, write, and email their concerns to our state legislative leaders, reminding them of their responsibility to govern our state in the best interest of the citizens of California, and not their political agenda.

As we move forward in the budgetary process, I will continue to provide the TUSD employees and community members with updates. Please sign-up for our e-blast so that you can stay informed on the imperative issues facing our District and our students.