Despite Rescission of 18 Teaching Positions, SOSCV! Continues With Phone-A-Thon To Save Small Class Sizes

Although the announced last week that 18 teaching positions that were previously pink-slipped will be rescinded, Save Our Schools Castro Valley (SOS) says it will proceed with plans for its upcoming Phone-a-Thon Fundraiser. 

According to the Castro Valley Forum, to help offset staff and program reductions, $475,000 was brought in from the Regional Occupational Program, a Federal Jobs Fund balance and funds initially budgeted for cuts that were less than expected. The positions were also saved through reassignment, leaves and retirement by other teachers.

Sherri Beetz, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, told Castro Valley Patch that those 18 teachers received letters last week announcing that the  would not issue final layoff notices in May.

"We wanted to put those employees at ease before spring break," Beetz said.

However, several temporary teaching positions face elimination and SOSCV! organizers say K-3 class sizes remain at 28 to 1 teachers per student with that figure possibly changing at the next school board meeting. They are encouraging their campaign supporters to participate in the phone-a-thon, especially if it means class sizes could be reduced even further than 25 to 1.

"It's our objective, just as it's been in the very beginning, to bring our class sizes down to 20 to 1 [students per teacher]," said SOSCV!'s Vice President and Events Chair Steve Ontiveros.

He said if between now and May 10 the district is provided more revenue than currently projected, and the School Board votes to utilize that revenue to maintain 25 to 1 for next year, then it is the intention and expectation that the the funds raised during their campaign will go towards further lowering class sizes below 25 to 1.

Another option would be to continue to accumulate SOSCV!'s own Class Size Reduction fund in order to fend off the 2013-2014 school year projected cuts, which are currently slated to be deeper than those proposed for 2012-2013.

over the phone or a pledge to send in a donation before May 10. The group hopes to meet its goal by raising $415,000 by then.

Armed with cell phones (volunteers are being asked to bring their own) they will gather at the following locations during the following dates and times:

• April 17: , 6 p.m.
• April 18: , 6 p.m.
• April 24: , 6 p.m.
• April 25: , 6 p.m.
• May 1: , 6 p.m.
• May 2: , 6 p.m.
• May 8: , 6 p.m.
• May 9: , 6 p.m.

According to SOSCV!, its mission is to continually raise funds to offset budget constraints no matter the day-to-day changes to school district revenue.

To learn more on how to volunteer or to donate to the SOSCV! efforts, you can visit its website at www.soscv.org/phone_a_thon.

You can also RSVP to a calling station and date on SOSCV!'s Facebook page or by contacting President and Co-Founder Allen Mueller at allen@soscv.org or 510-432-8322.