SVUSD Board Faces Facility Challenges and Financial Strain
by Andrew Naylor
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 11:27 AM.
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA — The Scotts Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) held its regular board meeting on Tuesday, December 12, confronting pressing issues from deteriorating sports facilities to looming financial challenges.
The meeting commenced with public comments from nine individuals, including students, parents, and coaches, all vocal about the state of the district’s outdoor sports facilities. Complaints focused on the track and fields, plagued by gopher holes and rendered unusable during rain. Varsity football player Colton Duerson attributed his knee injuries to the poor field conditions, while sophomore runner Dylan Turzak spoke of widespread injuries among teammates. Lewis LaHood, a teacher and assistant football coach at SVHS, highlighted the school’s disadvantage as the only one in the county lacking an all-weather turf and track, further compounded by a lack of field lights restricting after-school practice time.
Post the public commentary, the board updated on its attendance at the California School Boards Association Annual Education Conference (AEC), held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center from November 30 to December 2. New board members Mitali Weiglein and Lucia Rocha-Nestler participated in the Orientation For New Trustees, a program aimed at equipping new members with the necessary tools for effective governance.
A key item on the agenda was the 2023-2024 First Interim Financial Report, outlining budget projections and actual revenues and expenditures. Discussions revealed concerns over the recently announced $68 billion California budget deficit and its expected impact on the district in the coming years. The drop in student enrollment and a significant decrease in developer fees, a consequence of high interest rates, were also noted. The district is currently operating at a deficit, utilizing Covid and other one-time funds not accounted as revenue, largely spent on short-term initiatives like hiring counselors for Covid-related mental health issues. This situation signals a need for substantial budget tightening as the district realigns to a revenue-limited budget.
The meeting concluded with the Annual Organizational Meeting, as mandated by Ed Code Section 35143. This essential gathering involved the selection of Board Officers and committee appointments for 2024. Michael Shulman was reelected as Board President, Jane McElrone was appointed as Vice President, and Mitali Weiglein took on the role of Clerk.
Facing a complex mix of infrastructure needs and financial constraints, the District is at a critical juncture. The budget decisions made in the upcoming year will be pivotal in shaping the district’s future, balancing the immediate needs of its students and staff with the long-term fiscal health of the district.