SANTA PAULA : School Program Short on Volunteers
A program to improve the Santa Paula Elementary School District has attracted fewer than half the community volunteers officials hoped for, the program coordinator said.
Cyndy King, an Isbell Middle School music teacher who is spending one year coordinating the plan, said 115 volunteers serve on 10 committees charged with finding ways to improve district schools.
District officials initially sought as many as 300 volunteers to help develop strategy in one of 10 areas, including increasing parent involvement, improving technology, developing curriculum and increasing district funding.
Prior obligations have prevented residents from attending the weekly committee meetings, which require more than 30 hours of work, she said.
“Things come up,” King said. “Children get sick, another meeting gets in the way. You’re putting people in a situation that can be synergetic, but life gets in the way.”
The plan is part of a new $60,000 program to improve Santa Paula schools over the next five to 10 years. Volunteers are expected to complete a final draft of the plan on Feb. 16, King said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
