School district, cities discuss technology partnership

Imagine a classroom wired like a corporate boardroom. School videoconferencing would allow teachers to connect with a variety of experts anywhere in the world. Specialists could provide students with a depth of understanding on any subject not normally available in the conventional classroom.

Also envision a classroom where students work on a math assignment and teachers can determine-almost instantaneously-which concepts students don't understand. Such a classroom would allow teachers to pinpoint students' individual needs.

The futuristic classroom might also use podcasting, a particularly handy technological tool, for teaching foreign languages. The audio capability could help students with dialogue, pronunciation and phrasing.

Online registration is a given in such a wired school. Integrated data systems, interactive lessons, computers for every student and even classroom blogs designed to increase collaboration with students in other cities, states or countries, are all tantalizing possibilities of tomorrow's classroom.

The Las Virgenes Unified School District has the vision and even most of the money to create cutting-edge classrooms. But the district lacks a specific stream of money to tie the whole educational improvement plan together.

With the passage of Measure E, the $98-per-year parcel tax, and Measure G6, the $128 million facilities/technology bond measure passed by voters in June, the school district is poised to roll out a comprehensive plan. The caveat is that neither the parcel tax nor the bond allow spending on teacher training and certain infrastructure requirements.

Financial partnership To remedy this, school officials are calling for a financial partnership with the cities of Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Hidden Hills.

School officials met with local mayors and council members Oct. 26 to discuss what could be a historic partnership, according to both groups.

Traditionally, cities and school districts operate as separate government entities, cooperating on specific projects but rarely crossing over into a financial partnership. Calabasas formed an education arm to government with the intent of regularly subsidizing the school district, but questions arose as to the legality of a city using taxpayer money to benefit a unified school district that serves students in four cities.

School officials still believe there is a way to blend efforts with the cities.

Superintendent Sandra Smyser said the district is conducting a study through the Fiscal and Crisis Management Assistance Team to determine infrastructure and ancillary costs related to technology upgrades.

Deputy Superintendent Donald Zimring said the state created the team in 1992 to help school districts in key fiscal areas.

The team "serves as a great third party," Zimring said. The "forensic" group will serve as a neutral third party to analyze the district's current infrastructure and security needs and provide a glimpse into the cost of creating high-tech classrooms and schools, he said.

Smyser presented to city officials the scenario of helping each student with math via technological wizardry. "Teachers see that and they start to drool," she said.

Stuart Selter, president of the Las Virgenes Education Foundation, hopes to earmark for technology a percentage of funds raised each year.

Calabasas Councilmember Mary Sue Mauer said that once the team's report determines specific needs, the city of Calabasas would be willing to provide "seed money" for various projects.

Jim Cohen, mayor of Hidden Hills, said he wasn't keen on asking his constituents for money again. He said the school district's proposed cure was just a "BandAid."

"It will fall off and we'll have to put on another one," Cohen said. "We want to be good partners; we just need a device," Cohen said.

Justifying the venture

"Is education part of the fabric of the whole community?" Zimring asked. He said that if people moved to the area because of its high-quality schools, cities might be able to justify a trial partnership.

Westlake Village City Councilmember Mark Rutherford said that if one city opts out, the entire venture would unravel.

"We find money hard to come by," said Greg Ramirez, city manager of Agoura Hills. He said his city is less developed than neighboring cities and therefore has a smaller tax base. Ramirez said he hoped the city would be able to participate in a "base buyin" program.

"We're very early in this process," Agoura Hills City Councilmember Dan Kuperberg said. "I look forward to hearing exactly what the school district's proposal is all about."

Ramirez was not the only city official reluctant to jump on the financial bandwagon. Ray Taylor, Westlake Village's city manager, said a lot of time is needed to bring his City Council up to speed on the needs of the district.

"It really is a change in the culture," Westlake Village Mayor Sue McSweeny said.

City and school officials plan to meet again in December. Zimring said the team's report will include recommendations on how to move forward. The report will be ready by mid-February.

"What's delightful is we're talking about doing it," Las Virgenes school board member Gordon Whitehead said.