School Board Appoints Bond Program Manager

The school board appointed Swinerton Management & Consulting as the program manager for the Measure J bond at its meeting Thursday night based on a recommendation from the bond subcommittee.

“We look forward to working with you,” a representative from Swinerton told the board.

All fees relating to the bond project will be paid from the $162 million school facilities bond that voters passed last November. The goal of the bond measure is to replace aging portable classrooms, upgrading technology in the classroom and install solar panels.

The board also adopted resolution endorsing placing a statewide revenue extension measure on the June 2011 ballot. The revenue extension measure, endorsed by Gov. Jerry Brown, would keep education funding stable over the next five years by maintaining taxes set to expire. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, funding for schools would fall by at least $2 billion ($335 per student) if no ballot measure to extend temporary revenues existed.

The South San Francisco school district would lose $3.1 million in revenue should the measure fail to pass, said Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Barth.

“This could happen if there is no ballot measure placed in front of voters in June to extend current tax rates, or if votes reject such a measure,” Barth said.

Also at Thursday night's meeting: 

• Principal Stephen Redmond presented the current levels of student achievement at Parkway Heights Middle School to the board. The presentation showed a gradual climb in literacy competency for all grade levels. The math competency of sixth and seventh grade students is gradually climbing, while eighth grade students' math competency is gradually falling. But the competencies of students in the algebra class are rising.  At the end of his presentation he requested the support from the board to help establish an after-school program. He stated that there is a lot of crime and negativity in that area, and he would like a safe place for the students to do homework and other activities. 
• Parkway Heights Middle School Rosemary Martinez was recognized for her student leadership.  The school board recognized Diana Corcoran and Michela Neal for their dedication and time to Parkway Heights Middle School PTSA program.