City Council Endorses Ballot Initiatives, Approves Boulder Bay Park and Knickerbocker Road Improvements, and Will Look Into Bingo Payouts

Big Bear Lake, CA — At this week’s meeting of the City Council of Big Bear Lake, the full Council supported a ballot measure for the November 2 election that would allow Big Bear Lake voters to determine whether they are in favor of a city charter amendment to extend Department of Water and Power Board requirements to all DWP customers, Valley-wide.
Council, at their meeting on March 8, also lent their support to a ballot initiative proposed by the League of California Cities Mountain Desert Division, billed as the Local Taxpayers, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act. The state budget presentation by Nancy Cisneros of the League of California Cities reiterated that in fiscal year 2009/2010, the state borrowed $2 billion in property taxes from local governments, resulting in a trickle down effect for Inland Empire communities, some of which have been forced to close libraries, while also making cuts to fire and law enforcement agencies, and delays in road and infrastructure projects, just to name a few. Her presentation was essentially a request for Big Bear Lake’s endorsement of the ballot initiative which, Cisneros said, “would protect local tax dollars by keeping them local.” Mayor Pro Tem Bill Jahn, who serves as the League’s Vice Chair of the Mountain Desert Division says that there are about 10 reform initiatives proposed for the Statewide General Election but, he added, “This particular initiative aims at the heart of the problem.” Mayor Liz Harris expressed her support, noting that the state’s “raid on cities and education is really criminal.”
In other news from Council this week, the unanimously adopted Consent Calendar included approval for construction of a fishing pier for Boulder Bay Park, and an expenditure of $31,000 for surveying and engineering work for the Knickerbocker Street improvement project; this project at the east of the Village will include street widening, sidewalks and parking stalls.
During Public Comment, Jennie Boyington, on behalf of “we, the bingo players of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City” asked that the City might consider extending bingo payouts up to $500 as allowed by California state law; at present, Big Bear Lake, home to bingo at the Big Bear Senior Center and the Elks Club, only allows for payouts up to $250. City Manager Jeff Mathieu said that city staff would continue to look into the matter.
Mayor Harris adjourned the March 8 Council meeting in memory of local historian Tim Sweet, who had passed earlier that day.

BVUSD’s School Board Expresses Their “Deep Regret” While Approving Pink Slips for 26 of 134 Teachers

Big Bear Lake, CA — Of the Bear Valley Unified School District’s 134 full-time teachers, 26 can expect pink slips come March 15, which is the day that school districts are mandated to notify certificated staff members that their positions could be eliminated in the coming school year. This decision, to eliminate 26.8 teaching positions, was made at last night’s Board of Trustees meeting. Though a painful decision, it was also unanimous and consistent with the school district’s three-year budget reduction plan that was recommended by the Budget Advisory Committee and then approved by the school board in November. It was at that time, back in November, that Beverly Grabe, a former teacher who has since been named Board President, said of their decision, “I think that this is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever been a part of, especially when it affects kids and it affects jobs.”
One of 24 budget cut recommendations was to increase all class sizes in school year 2010/2011. In this current school year, grades kindergarten through third have a student/teacher ratio of 24.94 to 1 and this will be increased to 30 to 1, while fourth through sixth grades will have a 32 to 1 ratio in 2010/2011. This will account for the elimination of 15 full-time classroom teachers at the elementary level, of the 26 who will receive the March 15 notifications. Reductions at the middle school will amount to eight teaching positions and, at the high school level, this amounts to 3.8 positions. The teacher/student ratios at the secondary grades will effectively go from 160 to 180 student contacts per day.
No specific individuals were cited for layoff notices at the March 3 BVUSD meeting; rather, the Board agreed upon the particular services that would be eliminated, after unanimously approving a resolution indicating how tie-breakers would be determined in terms of seniority related to certificated layoffs. Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright and the Board of Trustees, which includes Beverly Grabe, Ken Turney, Randall Putz, Debra Sarkisian and Paul Zamoyta, posted a letter to BVUSD staff this morning, which reads “that this is one of the hardest things they have had to do and want each of you to know that this was not a choice. It is required because the Governor and the Legislature are not taking education seriously.” The statement goes on to encourage participation and input during the budget review process and closes with, “once again, the Board of Trustees wishes to express their deep regret for the action they were required to take and plead for your understanding.”
In other news related to teaching positions, the Board did accept resignation notices from three certificated staff members, those being BBMS teacher Robert Williams, Baldwin Lane Elementary’s Harry Steimer and Tina Thompson from Big Bear Elementary.

BVUSD School Board Approves 2010/2011 Calendar and Is Poised to Move Forward with Union Negotiations

Big Bear Lake, CA — The new school calendar, for Bear Valley Unified’s 2010/2011 school year, was approved at this week’s meeting of the Board of Trustees, and eight snow days have been factored in to the calendar for the school year that begins on Tuesday, August 3. The calendar also maintains the minimum day Thursdays for Big Bear Middle School and the elementaries, to allow for teachers’ strategic planning in the afternoons, while also maintaining the roughly twice-a-month late start Mondays for Big Bear High School. (FYI, Monday the 22nd is a late start day at BBHS.)
The February 17 meeting also included a public hearing with regard to the initial proposals that BVUSD presented to the unions, BVEA for certificated staff and CSEA for classified staff, on February 3; as there was no comment, either for or against, these proposals, negotiations will begin though no meetings with either union have yet been scheduled. As presented to the bargaining units, the school district has, loosely put, proposed “adjusting and/or restructuring the current salary schedule in an amount that will protect the fiscal integrity of the district.” For classified staff in CSEA, the bargaining proposal also suggests requiring certain employees to work on days when snow removal is needed; for teachers in BVEA, adjustments to class size and staffing ratios are proposed.
The Board of Trustees, led by President Beverly Grabe, also approved the hiring of Carol Craig, a secretary in the Healthy Start program, to assume the position of the high school counselors’ secretary; Sima Mills was hired as a special education instructional aide.
BVUSD’s Budget Advisory Committee also met this week, on Thursday, and though no actions were taken, the BAC is planning to hold informational meetings for both staff and the community; the next regular meeting of the Budget Advisory Committee is scheduled for March 2 at 1:30pm at the district office. Those with input regarding budget cuts are welcome to attend the BAC meetings; agendas and minutes are posted on the school district’s website.

Public Input Welcome on School District Budget and Non-Marina Kayak Rentals; BVUSD and MWD Meetings on Thursday

Big Bear Lake, CA — This week’s meetings include opportunities for the public to comment, one among those being tomorrow afternoon’s Budget Advisory Committee meeting for the Bear Valley Unified School District. In a conversation with the school district’s Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright earlier this month, she told KBHR, “Because our district has lost approximately $3.5 million, or about 15% in funding, over a period of the last two years, we need some input from our community as we take a look at the budget and what our priorities need to be.” The Budget Advisory Committee, which includes Dr. Wright, will meet at North Shore Elementary School on Thursday, February 18 at 1pm, during which time proposed budget reductions and potential revenue enhancements will be discussed.
At the same time tomorrow, 1pm on the 18th, the Board of Directors for the Big Bear Municipal Water District will receive a report from their Operations Committee concerning kayak rental businesses and marinas on the lake, as initially discussed with public input in October. Those with concerns on this matter are encouraged to provide written or verbal comment during the regular board meeting of the MWD, which takes place at the MWD offices at 40524 Lakeview Drive tomorrow afternoon.
The Planning Commission for the City of Big Bear Lake, which generally meets on first and third Wednesdays, will not be meeting this afternoon. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for March 3 at 1:15pm in Hofert Hall.

City Council Prioritizes Local Needs for Community Development Block Grant Funding

Big Bear Lake, CA — A host of local social service agencies and non-profits were in attendance at Monday’s City Council meeting, to make their pleas for federal funding through Community Development Block Grants, which are administered by the County of San Bernardino based on recommendations made by the City Council of Big Bear Lake. Prior to presentations from 10 different groups, the City’s Jim Miller explained to Council’s Mayor Liz Harris, Bill Jahn, Michael Karp and Darrell Mulvihill (Rick Herrick abstained from the discussion due to conflict of interest), “We are faced with a few new challenges this year… last year, we basically had enough money to fund all requests we received.” The City of Big Bear Lake has roughly $40,000 in CDBG funds to distribute to agencies that, among other criteria, principally benefit low and moderate-income residents while also meeting urgent need. Part of the limitations for this current year is that a $10,000 threshold must be met, meaning that recipients must receive that minimum amount (whether funded wholly by City allocations, or from City and County), whereas last year, the City could administer CDBG funding at $5,000 per applicant, so there were 10 beneficiaries sharing in roughly $50,000 in funding.
Presented with this, the Council of four heard presentations from the MOM Project, BVUSD’s Healthy Start, Soroptimists on behalf of Rainbow Kids Club, U.S. Adaptive Recreation, the Hummingbird Project, Lutheran Social Services’ phone outreach for seniors, Kiwanis Club on behalf of the Medical Alert program for seniors, family therapy services through DOVES, the Big Bear Library’s literacy program, and the senior nutrition program offered through the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District. As noted by Councilmember Jahn, “This is one of the toughest jobs we have; there is such a great need, and so little money.”
While noting that “this is an agonizing process,” Mayor Harris asked fellow Councilmembers to prioritize their choices for funding, in case there could only be four local recipients. Of those, the three garnering the most support were the free parent education and support classes offered through the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District’s MOM Project; the Healthy Start counseling and referral services which, per the program’s Tanya Perry, serviced more than 650 BVUSD students and their families last year; and the Kiwanis-sponsored Medical Alert services for low-income and disabled seniors. In a tie for fourth, Council selected the Big Bear Library’s literacy program, which also offers free math and computer tutoring, and the efforts of Soroptimists, who provide tuition subsidies for families who utilize Rainbow Kids Club day care, especially as the Rec and Park District has lost key funding grants to assist in full tuition for 40 families this year. The Big Bear Hummingbird Project, which provides for low-income students’ school supplies, shoes, haircuts and recreational tuition scholarships, placed sixth on Council’s priority list.
To have heard the pleas from each non-profit was heart-wrenching, as each provides such vital services so, in an effort to continue these important local programs (as well as the Lighthouse Project’s educational gardening project), City Manager Jeff Mathieu proposed that for each agency that was not selected for CDBG funding, the City of Big Bear Lake would allot them at least $5,000 from the General Fund during upcoming budget considerations, a decision that the Council supported.

BVUSD’s Superintendent Dr. Wright: “We Need Input From the Community As We Take a Look at the Budget”

Given the challenges of cuts to public education, Bear Valley Unified School District is looking at ways to keep important programs in place while also maintaining teaching positions. According to the district’s Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright, “The bottom line is our community expects a comprehensive education for our kids, and our students deserve it. Our challenge is with the major reductions coming from the state level.”
Prior to Proposition 13’s passing in 1978, California ranked in the country’s top five for educational spending though, at present, our state now ranks 46th in spending on schools, per a report from BVUSD’s Director of Business Services Walter Con. This translates to BVUSD as, per Dr. Wright, “Fourteen-and-a-half billion is being eliminated from K-12 education and, with those kinds of reductions, it is causing every school district to have to make very painful cuts. It will diminish our educational services and it will eliminate positions. I’m really grateful for the members of our Board of Trustees, because they have closely followed and monitored the state budget and subsequent effects for our school district.” In November of 2009, the Board, which includes Beverly Grabe, Ken Turney, Debra Sarkisian, Randy Putz and Paul Zamoyta, approved nearly $1.5 million in cuts for BVUSD, while also recognizing that the district will be spending down nearly $4.4 million in reserves through school year 2012.
“We are now at the point,” Wright tells KBHR, “where we need some input from our community. We want to maintain small class sizes. We want to continue to emphasize and improve reading, math and science skills in all grades. We want to prevent teacher layoffs and continue to provide our teachers with training programs, and expand and provide more computer and technology instruction. We also want to maintain library services, and music, art and performing arts programs, as well as our transportation program. We need to maintain school counseling, including support for our students at risk of failure and dropping out and, in addition, it is important for us to provide career development and job training programs for our high school students, because they need to be a skilled work force and have job training opportunities in the community.”
Given these important programs and less state funding to provide for them, the school district is seeking input from the community, as well as encouraging student attendance, which results in improved learning as well as ADA funding (which amounts to $33.88 per student per day). “Now,” Wright says, “because our district has lost approximately $3.5 million, or about 15% in funding over a period of the last two years, we need some input from our community as we take a look at the budget and what our priorities need to be. So the Board of Trustees is working with a company that will be conducting a feasibility study to provide the school district feedback from our community.”
Parents and community members are encouraged to participate in school board meetings, which take place on the first and third Wednesdays of the month (including this evening at 6:30pm at BBHS); board agendas are posted on the BVUSD website and are also available from the school district offices on Moonridge Road. The future of BVUSD schools will be a community effort and, adds Wright, “Our kids are worth it.”

City of Big Bear Lake, CSD, MWD and Airport District to Receive Proposition 1A Receivables in January; Districts Choose Bond Option Over State Payment in 2013

Given the State of California’s fiscal crisis, municipalities and districts entitled to tax revenues were this year given the option of selling eight percent of funds due them. The option available was to contract with the Proposition 1A securitization program, wherein these districts could sell the future funds through the California Communities bond option. For entities that made this choice, the amount of tax funds due them will be paid by California Communities—otherwise, funds would be held, or borrowed, by the State and not paid until 2013, though with the incentive of two percent interest. The Big Bear Municipal Water District, just one local agency that would otherwise have to hold out for a portion of tax revenues due them until 2013, opted to participate in the Prop 1A bond option and, as General Manager Scott Heule shares with KBHR, they can now expect 50% of their distribution on January 15, 2010 and the second portion on May 3, 2010. The MWD was not the only local district to participate in the program; other Boards that voted in favor of the bond option are the Big Bear Airport District, the City of Big Bear Lake, and the Big Bear City Community Services District, bringing the total number to 804 special districts from throughout California to sign on for the program. Though forfeiting the potential, eventual two percent interest offered by the State, districts will receive funds due them now (or in January) rather than in 2013 which, as CSD reasoned, would serve them as, say, these funds could be utilized for capital improvements before that time or in another, more immediate fund with returns that could be greater, or at least assured, in a timely way.

BVUSD Moves Forward With Painful Budget Cuts, Including the Elimination of Teaching Positions in 2010/2011 School Year

Budget cuts are coming to Bear Valley Unified School District, given a financial climate that deems a reduction in spending necessary for all schools within California, which currently ranks 46th in the country for financial investment in education (this per BVUSD’s Director of Business Services Walter Con, who also notes that pre-Proposition 13 in 1978, California ranked in the top five in education spending). Con presented the financial picture for the school district’s Trustees and the Budget Advisory Committee, which is chaired by new Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright, and recommended that the district make cuts of $1.45 million through school year 2011/2012, in order to assure BVUSD of having a small but positive fund balance and, thereby, local control of the district at the end of the three-year financial picture. What is important to note is that though the district, going into Monday’s special Board meeting, was poised to make nearly $1.5 million in cuts, the district will also be spending down roughly $4.4 million in reserves through school year 2012.
Before the budget cut recommendations were discussed by Trustees Debra Sarkisian, Ken Turney, Beverly Grabe, Randy Putz and Paul Zamoyta, Dr. Wright acknowledged the commitment of the Budget Advisory Committee and said, “This evening is a culmination of many hours and certainly many difficult conversations.” As outlined in a budget review meeting on November 9, Wright noted that “input from all stakeholders was heard and considered in this process.” Still, cuts had to be made in order to keep the district financially solvent, so top considerations, per Wright, were the health and safety of students; to keep from negatively affecting ADA funding and; in her words, “offer a comprehensive program for every child every day.”
Thirty-year school board member Dr. Ken Turney suggested that BVUSD look into a second bond measure to fund the district, though Dr. Wright noted that the process takes about 18 months to two years, and would require a concerted effort to get the community on board—a process she has been involved in before, and would be willing to undertake here in the Big Bear Valley.
In the meantime, budget cuts—24 of which have been outlined by the BAC, to be implemented over three school years—are imminent. Summing up the thoughts of her fellow Board members, former teacher Bev Grabe noted, “I think that this is probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever been a part of, especially when it affects kids and affects jobs.” Prior to Board vote on the cuts, which was recommended by Con with the proviso that the School Board direct staff to look for alternatives in the interim, BVEA teachers union President Alan Caldwell told the Board he would support them in public outreach, though noting, “This impacts my members a great deal.” School Board President Sarkisian was moved by Caldwell’s support, and left the dais to shake his hand, saying, “It feels good to know that we are all working together. We are all feeling it, and it is a lot of pressure.”
Despite their visible reluctance, the Board voted 4-1 (with Turney the dissenting vote) to adopt the BAC’s budget cut recommendations. Those cuts, to be implemented over three years, include: the elimination of one high school counselor; a reduction in hours for the BBHS librarian; a $36,000 reduction in instructional materials; reductions in the conference and travel budgets, including $10,000 from the high school travel budget over two years; three management furlough days; and, in school year 2010/2011, the increase in class sizes for all grades which will effectively translate to the elimination of 14 teaching positions; and, in year three, the “realignment” or closure of a school site which, at this point, is still in the conceptual phase.

School Board Scheduled to Approve Budget Cuts in Evening Meeting; Today Is a Late Start Day for BBHS Students

School district budget cuts, as proposed by Bear Valley Unified’s Budget Advisory Committee, will be approved in this evening’s special meeting of the district’s Board of Trustees. As outlined last week, budget cut recommendations offered by the BAC, which is chaired by new Superintendent Dr. Nancy Wright, included the increasing of class sizes for all grades in the 2010/2011 school year, as well as management furlough days, and the potential reduction of one counselor at Big Bear High School. This evening’s BVUSD meeting will be held at 5:30pm at the school district offices, located at 42271 Moonridge Road in Big Bear Lake. The Board of Trustees will meet there again on Wednesday, when they hold their regular Board Workshop meeting; open session on the 18th is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.
In other school-related news, today is a late start day for Big Bear High School students.

BVUSD’s Budget Advisory Committee Outlines 24 Budget Cut Possibilities; School Board to Vote on November 16

Since assuming the position of Bear Valley Unified School District’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nancy Wright has also chaired the district’s Budget Advisory Committee, which has met 10 times since October 25 to discuss potential budget reductions, amounting to nearly $1.5 million through school year 2011/2012. As outlined by Dr. Wright for BVUSD’s Board of Trustees, which met on Monday evening, November 9 to review budget cut recommendations, “Each Budget Advisory Committee representative met with their respective staffs and/or groups and heard the concerns and recommendations for budget reductions. I assure you, input from all stakeholders was heard and considered in this process.” Though the School Board will not take action on the proposed cuts until they meet next Monday, November 16 at 5:30pm at the school district offices, proposed recommendations include the elimination of a high school counselor and a reduction in hours for the librarian; reductions in budgets for professional development, travel and conferences; a $10,000 reduction to the BBHS athletic travel budget over two years; management furlough days; and, for next school year, increasing class sizes in grades kindergarten through 12th; and, in the 2011/2012 school year, the possibility of a school realignment. The district will also consider creating an attendance officer position, which would serve two purposes: generating additional revenue through ADA (average daily attendance) and improving student education by increasing attendance. There are a total of 24 suggestions that were offered by the BAC, given the dollar figures necessitated by the Board, but, again, no cuts will be approved until the November 16 meeting. As Wright further explained of the Budget Advisory Committee, “Their recommendations are well thought out, and are consistent with the priorities of the health and safety of students and staff, improving ADA and maintaining a comprehensive instructional program for all students.”

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