Parents protest cutbacks

The second grader at Spring Valley Elementary School in Millbrae thinks the principal may be lost. And she may be right. Millbrae’s anticipated $2.85 million budget deficit means tough choices including possibly sharing one principal at two schools. Spring Valley Principal Phil White is planning to retire at the end of the year, meaning implementing the plan could be more imminent — a move parents protested before school yesterday morning.

Mantler passed out bright orange fliers informing parents of the upcoming meetings and the need to be involved.

Bernadette Mantler, Mary Catherine’s mother, held signs and explained how the administration does much more to help the school than people see.

"Cuts are imminent. Something is going to happen. Parents have a say in where it comes from,” she said, adding she hopes people would become involved before any action was taken.

The Millbrae Elementary School District is working with a $16.47 million total budget from which $2.85 million will need to be cut. Making such cuts will need to come from sharing administrators, increasing class sizes and other cuts. In addition, the district is banking on a waiver to gain access to money generated from the sale of 1 Alp Way, formerly the home of Millbrae Elementary School.

Board President Frank Barbaro talked with parents before school yesterday.

"I’m right there with everybody, but how do we make up the difference?” he asked.

Barbaro invited members of the public to use the two upcoming board meetings as a way to discuss proposed cuts but also as a platform to share any new ideas.

Parents and children alike rallied in support of maintaining the administrative leadership positions at each of the small school sites.

Aryana Dizadji, 8, waved signs, passed out fliers and yelled for passing cars to honk, which most people did.

Parent Irene Tam, who has twin boys in third grade, expressed concern about larger class sizes with less administrative help.

"The teachers will be overwhelmed,” she said.

Parent Sang Jang and his 7-year-old daughter Ella joined the crowd. Jang understood the school would not maintain White as the principal but thought it important to keep a principal at the school.

Principal sharing is just one  proposal to close the budget gap.

Class sizes in kindergarten through third grade will likely increase from 20:1 to 28:1. Shortening the school year, reducing compensation and across-the-board furloughs could be enacted but most likely need to be negotiated with employees. Programs like music and physical education in elementary schools are also on the chopping block.

Millbrae is also seeking access to revenue from the sale of the Millbrae School site on 1 Alp Way. In 2006, the district accepted $20.1 million for the site. Currently, the district is able to gain access to interest generated from the funds. If the board moves forward Thursday, the district will be petitioning to the state to use the principal funds. State approval means the district could use the money to lessen cuts.  

Millbrae will hold a public hearing regarding use of proceeds from selling 1 Alp Way 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at Taylor Middle School, 850 Taylor Blvd. in Millbrae. A decision about potential cuts will be made 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 at the same location.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.