Woodland School District takes close look at parent nursery school

If you want to safe programs and jobs and schools then it time for people to let their voices be heard. It's time that the upper management of WJUSD to have to feel some of the pain of cuts. The Superintendent boast that she took a 1.5% pay cut to help the cause. DO THE MATH 1.5% of her pay is only $2700.00 A YEAR. And the rest of the top heavy associate superintendents only took a 1% cut. It's time for the paper pushers to have to give up too. It's not just a pre school that people want to save. They talking about cutting music, sports, nurses, night custodians, campus security, noon duty, transportation, it goes on and on and on. But no where on any of those list do upper management have to give up a dime.

Why is it that programs that serve the children of our community are even being considered to be cut when the salaries of administration have not even been touched? Schools are meant to serve the educational needs of children, so why is it that most of the monies that are allocated for this are going to salaries of highly paid staff?

While many district programs will be cut, why should the board protect a private day care program? This not a district program nor should it be a high priority. Let these parent pay for the services as many do with private day care programs.

It's important because these families may not be able to afford these overpriced preschool programs and there is a lot of research out there proving that kids do better in quality preschool programs. This program is only costing the district $30k a year! that's a drop in the bucket. The point is that these school districts need to learn to keep their cuts FAR away from the children. People in this town complain about the crime and education...well, it's time YOU all do something about it!!! Teachers can't adequately teach and help turn YOUR children into productive members of society if they don't have the money and resources to do so. Yes, this includes keeping sports and music and art because these activities will *hopefully* keep children out of trouble. because of the poor parenting, teachers are spending more time with these kids and with more and more kids packed in a classroom, these kids are getting less adult time than ever. Go to the board meetings!!! Demand that the board keep these cuts AWAY from our kids!!!

Woodland Taxpayer wrote:

While many district programs will be cut, why should the board protect a private day care program? This not a district program nor should it be a high priority. Let these parent pay for the services as many do with private day care programs.

The $30K is probably more like $100K when you add in utilities and maintenance materials. It's still worth it - these are highly at risk kids with parents who are at least motivated enough to pay some $'s AND work at the school. If the article is even 20% accurate the parents get some parenting skill training while they are working there, a REALLY good thing.

I don't like taxes and I don't think Woodland schools are doing even close to a good job, but this program sounds like it's worth the resources put into it. I do recommend an independant audit to assure that the program is working as stated and to look for money saving opportunities that wouldn't harm the program.

Woodland Taxpayer wrote:

While many district programs will be cut, why should the board protect a private day care program? This not a district program nor should it be a high priority. Let these parent pay for the services as many do with private day care programs.

How did you arrive at this conclusion?

Woodland Parent Nursery School is non-profit cooperative, not private like, say, St. Johns. As the article states, it is run through Adult Ed. which is part of the school district. The parents volunteer their time in exchange for their child's pre-school experience. The district provides the teacher's salary and if I recollect, nothing else.

It is important because the the majority of the people that go here fall in the wrong tax bracket to pay for a high priced private preschool, and yet they make too much to qualify for the free preschool provided by the county. WPNS is not a private school, it is a non-profit school. Parents pay a very reduced tuition due to all the time and effort they put in volunteering there. The school represents fifty plus years of parent volunteerism to the community. In the grand scope of things $30,000 seems like a very small price for such a large investment, our children's futures. Studies show that children who begin their education in preschool are less likely to drop out of high school, and more likely to continue on to college. You add in the factor that WPNS gives parents the tools they need for understanding and appreciating the differences in children, which in turn makes them more comfortable volunteering in their child's class room, joining the PTA, and actively being involved in their child's education, and you have a recipe for success. It's a win-win for both parent and child. The cutting of funds to this school would be a great loss to our communities past, present and future. There is a lot of history here. The school thrives because of the parent involvement, and the family-like essence the school provides.


And lastly, the 30k is just that, 30k. The maintenance, utilities, insurance, supplies, and equipment are paid for by WPNS, not Adult Ed, and the article is 100% accurate. Thank you everyone for your support.

Come on WOODLAND District!!!!WPNS--is almost self supported. I used it years ago. My oldest is now 32 yrs.old.. My twins also went there. Its all I could afford. I then went on to become a preschool teacher. And also a Para-professional for special Ed. WPNS is one of the BEST preschools in town

I would like to see an article on all the other cuts that are going to occur. I would like to see Administration take a paycut in addition to a reduction of the people working at the district office. I believe I read a study that said that they had 70 more district employees than the surrounding districts. Why is that? Trim the excess at the district office, then look at cuts that affect the children. The Woodland School Board has the education and safety of every child in their hands. The first thing I would do is end block schedule. My kids feel that the classes have to go way too fast to learn the material. There is no time for it too sink in and be retained.

My son and I attend Woodland Parent Nursery School. I cannot express how much it has helped me as a parent and how my son has blossomed as a person. Woodland Parent Nursery school is the lowest cost program and the best I have ever seen. It is through the hard work and dedication of the parents that this is possible.

We learn to be involved not only in our child's education but it also raises the awareness of how we can impact the entire community. From the experiences I have had at WPNS, I plan to volunteer at my son's school throughout his education. I also plan on being a high school science teacher. The experience I am gaining at WPNS helped me confirm my desire to be a powerful force in the education of Woodland youth.

I know the budget is suffering but the loss of this wonderful program could have negative consequences that last for years. If more parents were active in their child's education we would have higher performing students and less truancy etc.

There are generations of people who have attended WPNS, we have an alumni association as well, what other school has that loyalty?

Tasha R. Storm

Woodland Taxpayer wrote:

While many district programs will be cut, why should the board protect a private day care program? This not a district program nor should it be a high priority. Let these parent pay for the services as many do with private day care programs.

This is not a "private" preschool. It is the the lowest cost option for preschool because parents work at the school, fund raise, do all the maintenance on the building and so much more. The parents that attend WPNS do so because they want to be involved in their child's education. If more parents cared our town would be in much better shape. Stop by sometime and see what happens here.

I have done research on the other preschools available. They are all much more costly and offer children much less. Would you rather have uneducated children running around your town? It is a proven fact that if children attend preschool they are less likely to drop out of high school. It is also proven that if parents are in touch with their children and help them learn they have less chances of doing drugs or committing crimes.

This program is a TINY fraction of the budget. I think you should be more concerned with how much the supervisors and higher echelon make. Why not place your complaints there instead of on toddlers.

Woodland conservative wrote:

The $30K is probably more like $100K when you add in utilities and maintenance materials. It's still worth it - these are highly at risk kids with parents who are at least motivated enough to pay some $'s AND work at the school. If the article is even 20% accurate the parents get some parenting skill training while they are working there, a REALLY good thing.
I don't like taxes and I don't think Woodland schools are doing even close to a good job, but this program sounds like it's worth the resources put into it. I do recommend an independant audit to assure that the program is working as stated and to look for money saving opportunities that wouldn't harm the program.

WHAT????? I am on the board at WPNS and we do not get a DIME over 30K and actually pay for every single thing we get. We buy all art supplies, all food, cleaning, building repairs etc. The house that this school is located in is paid off and was done so by the school not by the city.

If money is the issue, do the math, WPNS, is 1/100 of the budget. As parents we are the students we pay the fees to attend and we also pay the preschool fees for our children to attend. We as students up keep and maintain the facility as well as our daily learning in the lab/school. At the end of the year we normally produce money for the school district lowering our contract, so really the amount saved needs to be lowered by $6000-$7000. What other school produces money every year and pays the district back.
Considering the objective of "Excellence" of WJUSD and the desire for WJUSD to get out of the PI status, the closing of WPNS is completely counter-productive and detrimental.
Considering the objective of "Excellence" of WJUSD and the desire for WJUSD to get out of the PI status, the closing of WPNS is completly counter-productive and detrimental.

you are correct that the supt boasted of her generous paycut. However she forgot to mention that her salary jumped something like 30,000 over the previous supt. She received a huge payraise from her previous position. If she herself took a 10% paycut, she would still be making more money than she did before. She would still be making more than the previous supt. That one instance of sharing the wealth would show that she is willing to share the pain. However it will never happen as she was patting herself on the back for her previous 1.5 % paycut. I am already disappointed in the new admin.

Angela wrote:

It is important because the the majority of the people that go here fall in the wrong tax bracket to pay for a high priced private preschool, and yet they make too much to qualify for the free preschool provided by the county. WPNS is not a private school, it is a non-profit school. Parents pay a very reduced tuition due to all the time and effort they put in volunteering there. The school represents fifty plus years of parent volunteerism to the community. In the grand scope of things $30,000 seems like a very small price for such a large investment, our children's futures. Studies show that children who begin their education in preschool are less likely to drop out of high school, and more likely to continue on to college. You add in the factor that WPNS gives parents the tools they need for understanding and appreciating the differences in children, which in turn makes them more comfortable volunteering in their child's class room, joining the PTA, and actively being involved in their child's education, and you have a recipe for success. It's a win-win for both parent and child. The cutting of funds to this school would be a great loss to our communities past, present and future. There is a lot of history here. The school thrives because of the parent involvement, and the family-like essence the school provides.
And lastly, the 30k is just that, 30k. The maintenance, utilities, insurance, supplies, and equipment are paid for by WPNS, not Adult Ed, and the article is 100% accurate. Thank you everyone for your support.

What about Head Start. I know families with boths parents working. One makes $15 hourly and the other parent $18 hourly. The families race falls into a minority status but Head Start is supposed to be income based, not race based. With that combined income, it would amount to a single income earner at $33 hourly. Assuming the majority may fit into that income bracket, it may be up for consideration.

ghfs

to wake up wrote:

you are correct that the supt boasted of her generous paycut. However she forgot to mention that her salary jumped something like 30,000 over the previous supt. She received a huge payraise from her previous position. If she herself took a 10% paycut, she would still be making more money than she did before. She would still be making more than the previous supt. That one instance of sharing the wealth would show that she is willing to share the pain. However it will never happen as she was patting herself on the back for her previous 1.5 % paycut. I am already disappointed in the new admin.

Not to be defending the Supt salary, but you are wrong. I have researched this already, and the new supt actually makes less this year than if Cottingham was still here. While I think we all can agree that all Supt and high level administrators are over-paid, you cannot blame this district for giving this superintendent more money than the last; it is just not true.

I was furious after the article came out detailing her pay when she was hired and had too eat a little crow when I found out that I was wrong about the whole thing. Just thought I might set the record straight.

Brain Dead wrote:

<quoted text>What about Head Start. I know families with boths parents working. One makes $15 hourly and the other parent $18 hourly. The families race falls into a minority status but Head Start is supposed to be income based, not race based. With that combined income, it would amount to a single income earner at $33 hourly. Assuming the majority may fit into that income bracket, it may be up for consideration.

Most would not be able to qualify for Head Start, some would. And that would have to be an option for some parents if this program was cut. But why cut this program? 30k is chump change in the 3 million dollar picture. Besides, if this program was cut, then children that could have gone to WPNS will be taking up spaces in Head Start that could have gone to other kids who qualify for that program. WPNS also offers scholorships through their alumni association so even those who can't afford a private preschool but might make too much for Head Start can go to WPNS. It's just nice to have more than one option. And really.. how many preschools have an Alumni Association? Doesn't that tell you how much the school is loves?! No one wants to leave. Personally I think WPNS should offer a kindergarten program as well.. but right now they just have to survive the knife.

Not true: Just because the supt salary is lower this year than what the previous supt would have made does not mean that she is not overpaid. She has no previous experience in this position and should have started at a lower salary. She should not have a salary bump regardless of performance. She is earning more. It is simply true.

Angela wrote:

<quoted text>
Most would not be able to qualify for Head Start, some would. And that would have to be an option for some parents if this program was cut. But why cut this program? 30k is chump change in the 3 million dollar picture. Besides, if this program was cut, then children that could have gone to WPNS will be taking up spaces in Head Start that could have gone to other kids who qualify for that program. WPNS also offers scholorships through their alumni association so even those who can't afford a private preschool but might make too much for Head Start can go to WPNS. It's just nice to have more than one option. And really.. how many preschools have an Alumni Association? Doesn't that tell you how much the school is loves?! No one wants to leave. Personally I think WPNS should offer a kindergarten program as well.. but right now they just have to survive the knife.

Believe me when I say I can feel how others feel about the cuts. I would not have put my children in Head Start. I was just pointing out an option. I was also letting others know that you can make $33 hourly with a spouse and two children and qulify for the free Head Start program. Meals, education, before and after work free babysitting and all. At least I knew someone that met that in 1992. I went to Davis Parent Nursery School and have fond memories.