On Monday, two Salinas schools were honored as California Distinguished Schools for their work in closing the achievement gap between students. Laurel Wood, which also won the award in 2002, and New Republic were among 484 schools in the state to receive the honor.
"We're just really proud of ourselves, we worked hard for this," Nichols said. "It takes a good group of teachers, good staff, good parents, good kids."
It also takes a good school facility and funding. Laurel Wood is part of the Salinas City Elementary School District, which has kept services afloat while navigating the stormy budget waters of the past few years. But serious cuts are on the table for next year at Laurel Wood.
"Funding is our biggest challenge...we might lose early intervention programs, instructional and health aid...and our library," Nichols said.
The Santa Rita Union School District, home to New Republic, has announced it will lay off 16 teachers this spring as a result of state budget cuts, increasing student-teacher ratios from the current 20 to 1, and furloughs may be scheduled next year.
http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20100420/NEWS12/4200319/-1/news12/Two-Salinas-schools-recognized-as-among-best-in-state-but-budget-woes-loom
Posted by Jeanette Pantoja
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