Education roundup: KHSD may have to cut $8.7 million
| Thursday, Feb 04 2010 05:28 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Feb 04 2010 05:33 PM
The Kern High School District school board Monday night heard a presentation on the governor's state budget proposal and its implications for the district.
"2010 promises to be the toughest year yet for education," said Dennis Scott, associate superintendent for business.
Assuming the budget proposal stays as is, KHSD would have to cut $8.7 million from its budget this year, Scott said.
The governor's final budget is due June 15, but there's no guarantee the governor will sign off on it by deadline.
In other business, more than a dozen counselors attended the meeting to thank the district for proclaiming this week National School Counseling Week in the district.
Also, Scott announced his retirement after this school year after serving 38 years in the district.
"I truly enjoyed all my years working with the district," he said.
Scott began his career with the KHSD in 1972 as a teacher at Bakersfield High School. In 1991 he was named the district's director of business administration. In 1994 he was named principal of the Bakersfield Adult School and in 1996 named to his current role.
Scott has played a key role in the district's efforts to meet the challenge of the state's budget crisis, burgeoning enrollment growth, intensified public health concerns and skyrocketing energy costs, according to the district. For more on Scott, go to The Californian's education blog, The Grade, at Bakersfield.com/blogs.
Nearly 6,000 students at 11 schools in the Delano Union School District jumped rope Monday to compete for a record and for physical and heath education.
The district partnered with the American Heart Association, the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Jamba Juice, among others, in "Jump Rope for Health."
Statewide, more than 80,000 students in 2,000 schools jumped rope simultaneously, which could be seen via webcast. The current record is held by an Australian group of 59,000 people. Delano was the sole district in Kern County to participate in this year's event.
Students solicited donations in order to participate. Overall, Delano students donated more than $16,800 to this cause, according to the district.
Scholarships are available to area high school students who produce art projects out of recycled material or write an essay on recycling or renewable energy programs.
It's part of the 2010 Green Expo, an offshoot of Arvin Green Arts Festival, which showcases recycled art, and local and state businesses innovators in the recycling and renewable energy industries.
The expo will be held April 3 at Rabobank Arena. Proceeds from vendors and sponsorships will fund the student scholarships. The event is being promoted by all area high schools, and is being endorsed by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
For applications, go to www.gbgreenexpo.org. Student applications are due Feb. 22.
South High School junior Oscar Encinas will be honored as California's "Young Champion for Change" by the Network for a Healthy California during a ceremony Monday in Sacramento. Encinas was chosen over 15 nominees statewide for his public service promoting healthy lifestyles and obesity prevention in schools and the community.
He was nominated for the award by the Kern County Network for Children, administered by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
Encinas has long been involved with the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program. He has worked with the Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department to install a new playground in Stiern Park that promotes family fitness.
He helped found the Greenfield Walking Group, volunteers as a local youth soccer coach and represents the county on the state youth board on obesity prevention.
For more education news, go to The Californian's education blog, The Grade, at www.bakersfield.com/blogs, or follow The Grade's Twitter at twitter.com/TBCTheGrade.
