June 20, 2005

Dear Members of the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District Community:

We conclude the 2005-2006 school year facing many challenges, yet with the ability to celebrate many successes.

Board Adopts District Goal Areas
On June 14th, the Board of Trustees approved five goals for the coming 2005-2006 school year. These include:
1. Provide K-12 rigorous instructional programs for all students that are both academically challenging and developmentally appropriate.
2. Ensure financial stability by maximizing resources through sound fiscal management.
3. Promote excellence at all schools for all students.
4. Maintain highly qualified staff at all levels of the district.
5. Strengthen and support community connection and participation.

Specific objectives for 2005-2006 will be developed and presented to the Board in August or September.

Program Restoration
Despite our continued declining enrollment and the need to reduce our budget by $1.3 million dollars, the Board of Trustees has been able to restore Class Size Reduction in all K-3 classes. Additionally, the District has identified funding to maintain our current levels of library staffing, K-12.

High School Achievements
We are proud that Technology High School participated in a competitive process to be selected a California Distinguished School, an honor bestowed on exemplary schools in the State of California.

Our comprehensive high school, Rancho Cotate High School, received a six year accreditation after being visited by a team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. We are proud of our high school program and the staff at RCHS.

District “Re-Funds” General Obligation Facility Bonds
We are also pleased to share with the taxpayers of Cotati and Rohnert Park that the District has been able to successfully “re-fund” many of the outstanding General Obligation Bonds that the local community passed in 1990. This “re-funding” will save local taxpayers over $2 million dollars over the life of the bonds. Such a “re-funding” is similar to an individual homeowner refinancing their home due to lower interest rates.

2005-2006
We anticipate that our enrollments and our revenues will continue to decline through the 2005-2006 school year. We must look at all potential sources of new revenue, as well as other means of preserving our resources. We will be engaging the entire school community in conversation as how we can achieve new revenues, and reduce spending.

Thank you to all of our staff, parents and community members for your continued support of our District. We have wonderful and talented people working with students and supportive parents and friends. We look forward to continuing our work together as we begin another year making a daily difference in the lives of each and every student.

Happy Summer!

Mike Watenpaugh
Superintendent

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005:     superintendent@crpusd.org