SIMI VALLEY : State Grant Targeted for Reading Programs

Thanks to a $1.6-million windfall from the state, the Simi Valley Unified School District hopes to expand its reading-intervention program to all elementary schools in the district.

The program--targeting first-graders in the bottom quarter of the class--has been successful at eight of the district’s elementary schools, said Rebecca Wetzel, district director of testing and programs. The $154,000 state grant will enable the district to reach out to all 19 of those schools, she said.

“The board has long had a priority to improve reading in our district,” Wetzel said. “This is a way they can fulfill a long-term goal.”

Wetzel said she will begin hiring 11 part-time teachers if the board approves the project at a public hearing Sept. 5.

At that hearing, the board also will decide how to spend $912,000 in one-time funds from a proposed settlement involving Proposition 98 funds.

Proposition 98, approved by voters in 1988, ensured minimum funding for schools.

Under restrictions proposed by Gov. Pete Wilson, the money must be used for school maintenance, purchase of supplies or technology.

Simi officials decided at a retreat this week to use the money to update the schools’ computers and supplies and maintain school buildings.

Although some districts in the county are eyeing their share of the state money for teachers’ raises--a move that requires additional public hearings--officials in the Simi district say it’s difficult to allocate one-time money for such a use.

“The problem that one has putting money toward teachers’ salaries is that it’s one-time money,” Wetzel said. “What happens when the money goes away?”

Budget officials said the remaining money--about $500,000--will go toward offsetting general fund expenses.