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The Larkspur School District is a high performing K-8 school district serving families and students in the cities of Corte Madera and Larkspur, approximately 8 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, California. The residents of the Twin Cities community are very supportive of public education. The average per pupil spending is $9,300. Local revenue from business leases, a parcel tax and the Corte Madera Larkspur Schools Foundation allow the district to provide ample enrichment programs at its schools, including visual and performing arts, technology, science specialists, a variety of GATE activities, afterschool tutoring and homework clubs and foreign language to its students.

The district's Academic Performance Index is 915 and increasing annually, placing the district among the top ten percent of public schools in California. The staff is collaborative and compassionate. Together with an active parent community, they serve as catalysts for growth who inspire and promote well-rounded, lifelong learners and future citizens of the world through challenging, innovative, rigorous curriculum. Class size averages 25 (4-8) and 20 (K-3) students per class. Our district provides an extraordinary education through its commitment to meeting the needs of each student with safe and healthy environments and an engaging and inspiring curriculum, while at the same time maintaining fiscal stability, and promoting strong community involvement.

Our vision is to provide an extraordinary education for every child and a positive, supportive environment where each student can thrive.

Perspective: A message from the Superintendent

Happy New Year to everyone. Now a full decade into the 21st century, the opportunities for our children’s education are expansive. In the Larkspur School District, we are proud that despite the adversity of the economic environment in California, our schools are strong and thriving thanks to the steadfast commitment of our dedicated staff.

This is an exciting time of year for me as I observe the schools and staff in full swing relative to our PLC (Professional Learning Community) initiative. PLC’s are teams of educators whose focus is to improve academic achievement through rigorous standards, assessments and viable curriculum. That focus, coupled with Arts Integration, promises to be powerful over the next few years. Rolling into the second/third year of PLC implementation this is a time when the “disequilibrium” created by any real change is most felt. Add to that the constraints of our budget and it is a real testament to the skills, dedication and perseverance of our teaching staff and administrative leaders that we continue to make progress towards our goal of closing the achievement gap. We can do it and together we will!

Governor Schwarzenegger proposed his 2010-2011 budget on January 8. The Governor claims education funding has been protected, but in reality schools will see $2.4 billion dollars worth of additional reductions. California's K-12 public schools have already taken $17 billion in cuts and are being funded at a 2005 level. Statewide, we have seen class size increases, program reductions and layoffs. We can only expect more to follow the new proposed cutbacks.

Our business office is working diligently with the information we have received regarding the Governor’s proposed budget to estimate its impact on our local budget. The increase of revenue from the parcel tax, Arts Grant and other local revenue enhancements we may realize this year will be helpful, but we will not escape without more belt tightening. At our board meeting tonight, the Board of Trustees will approve the Budget Development calendar and we will begin working on the 2010-2011 budget. Roundtable, Lead Teams and District Advisory Council are all entities that are budget advisory in nature.

Budget questions can be discussed informally at the next Superintendent/Board Coffee Chat at Il Fornaio, January 26, 8:30 a.m. These coffee chats are opportunities for you to interact informally with me and our trustees about anything that concerns or interests you with regard to the District. We welcome your input. In addition, on February 11, I will conduct a presentation on our budget in the evening for staff, parents and interested community members. Also, please check the district website and Superintendent’s Perspective for budget information and related articles. If you have any questions or input please contact site principals, the Business Office or me. As always, the input of staff and parents will be crucial.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

January 20 at 6:00 p.m. – Larkspur School District Board of Trustees meeting, Hall Library

January 25 at 5:00 p.m. – Screening of the acclaimed film, “Race to Nowhere”, at the Lark Theater

January 26 at 8:30 a.m. – Superintendent/Board Coffee Chat, Il Fornaio Restaurant

February 9 at 8:30 a.m. – Superintendent/Board Coffee Chat, Il Fornaio Restaurant

February 24 at 6:00 p.m. – Larkspur School District Board of Trustees meeting, Hall Library