One year ago it was my pleasure to thank Torrance voters for their overwhelming support of Measures Y and Z – the comprehensive bond measures to modernize and renovate our aging school facilities. A year later, it is with great excitement that I report a highly successful first year of planning, design, and construction. So much has happened since we passed Measures Y and Z last November. Construction on all four high school athletic fields has been completed; Hull Middle School is completely demolished and on its way to begin construction early next year in order to be completed by September 2011. We have had numerous community, planning, and design meetings for South High, Magruder Middle, and Walteria and Fern Elementary Schools, and are on schedule with planning and design for those sites. Another exciting development in our bond process is the recent credit upgrade TUSD received from Standard & Poor’s credit agency, which translates in a $12.8 million savings for tax payers over the life of the bonds. TUSD is proud to be a financially stable District even during these difficult economic times.

 

Unfortunately as we continue to make progress, the state’s revenue projections continue to falter. According to reports from the Department of Finance, the state’s first quarter revenues (July-Sept) are $948 million below estimates on which the current budget is based. The federal ARRA funds we received helped us for the current and next school year, however these were one time funds and the 2010-2011 school year will have no stimulus dollars. We once again move towards uncertainty because of the state’s inability to manage their budget. We continue to communicate with our representatives in Sacramento and voice our concerns over this ongoing budgetary crisis. I will continue to provide updates to parents and community members as I receive them. As we continue to "do more with less" I urge parents and community members to remind their state leaders that education cannot afford any more financial hits.

 

During these difficult economic times everyone is making cutbacks. However, Torrance is fortunate to have strong community partners – businesses, service organizations, and parent volunteers. Organizations like the Torrance Rotary Club, which donated over $13,000 to the high school music departments; Henessey’s Tavern, which donated $8,000 to South High for teacher development and supplies; and ExxonMobil, which provides a myriad of monetary and professional development support – are but a few examples of the community commitment to education in our city. Our Torrance Council of PTAs is yet another resource, without which programs like red ribbon week, the annual college fair, and elementary art programs would not exist. I sincerely thank all our partners and volunteers for their continued support of TUSD and the education of our kids.