Big Bear High School Art Program Needs Votes In Vans Shoe Contest To Win $50,000

Big Bear, CA , April 25, 2012, 8:00am - The Big Bear High School Art Program is competing in The Van’s Custom Culture shoe design contest for high school art students. The grand prize winner will get $50,000 and each runner up will get $4,000 for their school’s art program. The Big Bear High School Art program made it to the top 50 semi-finalists out of a thousand high schools in the nation, and now they need online votes to make the top 5 and a chance to win up to $50,000 for the Art Program. National shoe retailer Journeys has teamed up with Custom Culture this year to choose their favorite Local Flavor themed pair of shoes and award a separate $5,000 prize to that school along with $1,000 to each of the four runners up. With the current California budget crisis this is a great opportunity for students in the Bear Valley Unified School District. Voting ends May 3, and you can only vote once from an IP Address, so vote online at home, at work, and through your cell phone. Visit http://www.vans.com/customculture/ and cast your vote for your favorite shoes designed by Big Bear High School students. Your votes will decide which five schools will travel to Los Angeles for the exclusive final event at the Long Beach Museum of Art in May.

 

 

 

These are shoes designed by Big Bear High School students, look for them in the California Region when voting.

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Elementary School Assemblies Highlight Cycling and the Return of the Amgen Tour of California

Big Bear, CA, April 18, 2012, 3:00pm - In an effort to educate Bear Valley students about the upcoming Amgen Tour of California as well as promote a healthy lifestyle and enlighten students about cycling as a sport, Paul Zamoyta, Board Trustee for the Bear Valley Unified School District and avid cyclist, hosted assemblies at the three elementary schools last week and this week.  Joining Mr. Zamoyta were Connor McCutcheon and three South African top amateur and professional cyclists who are currently training in the Big Bear Valley.  McCutcheon grew up in Big Bear and, along with fellow team mate, Louis Meintjes, are representatives for the Simple Green American team.  Jos le Roux, a member of the South African National Team and Christiaan Kriek, professional cyclist for the Jelly Belly team, discussed some of the equipment, clothing (known as kits), training, and race day practices used by these and other amateur and professional cyclists.  Worthy of mention, Louis at age 20, is the U23, or under 23 time trial champion of South Africa.  Additionally, the students were informed of a Bike Safety Check event at the Sheriff’s Station on May 12^th.  The Amgen Tour of California is an 800 mile/8 day bike race with Big Bear hosting the Stage 6 event on May 18^thwith the day’s ride ending at Snow Summit.

Big Bear High School Fashion Club Presents “The Rhythm of Fashion”

Big Bear, CA, April 17, 2012, 12:00noon - The Big Bear High School Fashion Club is hosting it’s second annual fashion show entitled “The Rhythm of Fashion” this Friday evening, April 20^th, at the high school beginning at 7pm.  The theme is based on the styles of musical artists such as The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Kati Perry and more.  The Fashion Club consists of seven designers whose collections consist of recycled clothing that has been privately donated or purchased at thrift stores and remade and embellished with the designer’s personal flair.  The designers and 70 models in the show are all high school students.  The Fashion Show is a fundraiser for the Fashion Club and tickets are $1 for under 12, $3 for students, $5 general admission and $10 for limited VIP seating along the runway.  VIP tickets needs to be purchased in advance by contacting Tena Dekker at 909-963-9374.  All other tickets will be available at the door.  Refreshments will be available to purchase during intermission.

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Bear Valley Unified School District Board Adopts Measure for Parcel Tax This Summer

Big Bear, CA, April 3, 2012, 8:00am - The Bear Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees held a Special Board meeting on Friday, March 30^th for the purpose of adopting a resolution calling for a parcel tax in order to continue to provide a quality education for the students of Big Bear Valley.  Already $3.3 million dollars have been cut from the school budget by the State over the past two years and cuts to education are expected to continue.  A dozen community members were in attendance with many expressing their concerns and opinions about the tax, which will be a July 10^th mail ballot election with many suggesting long-term planning and solutions instead of a band-aid to the current financial problems facing the District.  Following discussion, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution, which will be called the Bear Valley Quality Education and Core Academics Measure.  The measure states that the parcel tax will be $49.50 for four years with exemptions for certain seniors and disabled persons that, if passed, will yield the school district $1.45 million annually. The money will be used to sustain quality core academic instruction in reading, writing, math and science; reduce class sizes where possible; avoid further elimination of qualified teachers; maintain safe student transportation; keep school libraries open; provide career development and job training programs for high school students and provide computer and technology support, expansion and instruction.  Additionally, it was noted, that under no circumstances would the parcel tax dollars be used for administrator’s salaries and benefits.  Kurt Madden, BVUSD Superintendent, emphasized that there would be strict accountability measures put into place including an independent citizens oversight committee to ensure the funds will be properly spent.  The parcel tax, which needs approval by at least two-thirds of the vote to pass, would provide locally controlled funding for our schools that could not be taken away by the State.

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Bear Valley Unified School District to Conduct Public Hearing on Special Tax

Big Bear, CA, March 28, 2012, 12:00 noon – Bear Valley Unified School District has given notice of a public hearing on March 30, 2012, at 6:30 p.m.at the Bear Valley Unified School District Office located at 42271 Moonridge Road in Big Bear Lake. The District’s Board of Trustees will conduct this public hearing and consider adopting a resolution proposing to establish a qualified special tax, in this case, a parcel tax to be submitted for voter approval on July 10, 2012, in an amount not to exceed $99 per year for six years for a variety of educational programs, including the maintenance of programs in math, science, reading, writing, art, music, as well as for the retention of qualified teachers and keeping schools safe and clean, and guaranteeing an exemption for certain seniors and disabled persons.

Grant Awarded To Discovery Center’s Nature Explore Classroom

Fawnskin, CA, March 26, 2012, noon - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the USDA’s continuing commitment to get kids outdoors and connected to the natural world around them with $1 million in cost-share funding from the US Forest Service to enhance children’s programs in 18 states. Some of the Forest Service grant funding will be distributed to the agency’s More Kids in the Woods and Children’s Forests program which includes activities and programs designed to spark curiosity about nature and promote learning. One of the More Kids in the Woods grants is $25,000 awarded to the Big Bear Discovery Center’s Nature Explore Classroom. The project will engage underserved youth of non-traditional and diverse backgrounds. Workshops will be designed through a partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest Association. Once implemented, the classroom will provide formal environmental education programs for 2,000 students and reach up to 250,000 visitors annually.

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Bear Valley Unified School District Holds Second Community Meeting Tonight on Parcel Tax

Big Bear, CA, March 22, 2012, 3:00pm – Tonight will be the second of two community meetings hosted by the Bear Valley Unified School District to help inform, educate and receive feedback from the public regarding an upcoming Parcel Tax.  A Parcel Tax would provide locally controlled funding for our schools that could not be taken away by the State or be sent to another school district.  Already $3.3 million dollars have been cut from the school budget over the past two years and cuts to education are expected to continue.  These additional cuts will further diminish the quality of education the District can provide for our students.  The meetings are conducted by Kurt Madden, Superintendent of BVUSD and Walter Con, Director of Business Services for the District.  Approximately 100 community members with many showing support for a parcel tax attended the first meeting on March 13th although few spoke out in opposition given the economy and, as one member noted, the view of being doubly taxed for educating our students since we already pay taxes for that purpose.  And, the big question at this time is how much?  District consultants are suggesting a dollar range between $45 to $60 per parcel with exemptions available for senior citizens.  The District is planning on placing the local Parcel Tax measure in the form of a mail in ballot to be implemented early this summer for registered voters in the Big Bear Valley.  Tonight’s community meeting will begin at 6pm at Baldwin Lane Elementary School in Sugarloaf.  BVUSD welcomes the public’s comments and feedback as they explore all options.  If you are unable to attend tonight’s meeting, you can also share your views by contacting Superintendent Kurt Madden at kurt_madden@bearvalleyusd.org or call 866-4631.

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First of Two Community Meetings of the Bear Valley Unified School District Explores Parcel Tax Option

Big Bear, CA, March 14, 2012, 5:00pm – Tuesday evening was the first of two community meetings hosted by the Bear Valley Unified School District to inform and receive feedback from the public regarding an upcoming Parcel Tax.  Kurt Madden, Superintendent of BVUSD, addressed the audience of approximately 100 community members by initially asking them to write down what they believe to be their top three most important areas of education.  Responses included curriculum, safe home to school transportation, small class size and quality education for our children, among others.  In order to ensure that at least some of these items remain in place, the District will be placing a local Parcel Tax measure that will be a mail in ballot implemented early this summer.  Already $3.3 million dollars have been cut from the school budget over the past two years and cuts to education are expected to continue.  These additional cuts will further diminish the quality of education the District can provide for our students.  A Parcel Tax would provide locally controlled funding for our schools that could not be taken away by the State or be sent to another school district.  The dollar amount of the tax is still in question, however, District consultants are suggesting between $45 to $60 per parcel with exemptions available for senior citizens.  The second community meeting to receive information about the Parcel Tax will be held on Thursday, March 22^nd at 6pm at Baldwin Lane Elementary School in Sugarloaf.  Additionally, BVUSD welcomes the public’s comments and feedback as they explore all options.  Contact Superintendent Kurt Madden at kurt_madden@bearvalleyusd.org or call 866-4631 if you have questions or information to share.

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BVUSD Special Workshop Tonight to Vote on BAC/Superintendent Recommended Cuts to Budget

Big Bear, February 28, 2012, 7:00am – The Bear Valley Unified School District’s Board of Trustees will meet tonight for a Special Board meeting at the District offices at 42271 Moonridge Road with the open session beginning at 5:30pm. The sole agenda item is for the board to vote on the Budget Advisory Committee and Superintendent Kurt Madden’s budget reduction recommendations as outlined at the last workshop meeting on February 24^th. Items for consideration submitted by BAC include a reduction to transportation funding of $100k, $35k for part-time library clerks at the three elementary schools and a $60k utility reduce reduction. In addition to these suggestions, Mr. Madden is also recommending an $8k cut to the Student Attendance/Safety Officer position, a $115k reduction in district services, a $10k reduction to the deferred maintenance budget, a $10k cut to the maintenance and operations budget and a $5k reduction in fields maintenance for a total of $343k. Board meetings are open to the public.

BVUSD Board of Trustees Work to Identify School Budget Reductions

Big Bear, CA, February 27, 2012, 7:00am – Last Friday evening’s Special Board Workshop meeting of the Bear Valley Unified School District’s Board of Trustees continued discussion of the state’s budget crisis that has trickled down to our community and could greatly effect our children’s education.  How big of an impact that will be on the BVUSD budget is a moving target.  Walter Con, Director of Business Services, indicated in a 2^nd interim discussion presentation, total budget cuts could potentially equate to almost $1.8 million dollars including the elimination of the cost of living adjustment funding as well as home to school transportation.  However, the Governor’s proposed state budget recommendations keep changing and one of the unknowns is what the outcome will be for the Governor’s proposed $7 billion dollar tax-initiative, Prop 98, that will be presented to voters on the November ballot.  Regardless, budget cuts have to be assumed with the possibility to restore reductions if possible.  Significant budget assumptions made include recommendations from the Budget Advisory Committee and Superintendent as well as employee concessions and reductions in force.  According to Con, the short-term goal is for a positive certification at the 2^nd interim with the ultimate goal of eliminating deficient spending.  The 2^nd interim report will be released on March 12^th.  The District is currently spending about $1 million a year over budget and, thus, using reserve dollars that ultimately, in the three year outlook, has put our District in a qualified certification position.  Absent any action in the budget, according to Con, will bankrupt the District in the third year.  In his opinion, Mr. Con stated, “we need to look at permanent salary rollbacks for all employees”.  The final item discussed at Friday’s meeting was the budget reduction recommendations of the Budget Advisory Committee and Superintendent Kurt Madden.  The Budget Advisory Committee, or BAC, is suggesting reducing transportation funding by $100,000 with the assumption that transportation funding is not eliminated in the 2012-2013 school year.  Additional BAC budget reduction suggestions include $35k for all three part-time library clerks at the three elementary schools and a $60k utility reduce reduction created by closing all sites during the month of July beginning in 2013 and to adjust the school calendar to close all sites in the months of July and August beginning in 2014.  Additional suggestions made by Mr. Madden include an $8,000 cut to the Student Attendance/Safety Officer position by means of a reduced work calendar or some equivalent action, a $115k reduction in district services to include the elimination of one vacant position and reduction in days for three positions, a $10k reduction to the deferred maintenance budget, a $10k cut to the maintenance and operations budget and, lastly, a $5k reduction in fields maintenance for a total of $343,000.  The board will meet on Tuesday, February 28^th at 5:30pm at the District Offices on Moonridge Road to vote on these recommendations in a Special Board Workshop meeting.

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