March 2009

Dear Sunset Families,

These days I often feel that the district has been given the impossible task of trying to safely land a free-falling plane onto the Hudson River without hitting a bridge. Unfortunately, the current financial crisis has forced all of us to be “Captain Sully” as we try to land this school year safely without negatively impacting any of our students. The state’s announcement on February 20th that we (the state of Oregon) are facing an $855 million shortfall in the current school year could have disastrous affects for students. Without any legislative action, Beaverton’s share of any cut would be approximately $11 million. This amount at this time of the year would almost sure result in the loss of staff and/or school days. I am very optimistic, however, that the federal stimulus package along with the efforts of our state legislature and school board will allow us to make it through the school year without any cuts to staff or school days. The federal stimulus package combined with resources from the district’s Sustainability Fund and the district’s cost cutting measures may offset the shortfall. Of course, many aspects to this plan still need to be finalized at this time, but I am far more hopeful today of a safe landing than I was on February 20th.


Best wishes,
Tod