Question: How many students are currently (2007-2008 school year) enrolled in the Saratoga Union School District?

Answer: There are 2,349 students enrolled in SUSD currently.

Question #1: How much of each dollar put into the California Lottery goes toward education?

Answer:

Question #2: How much California Lottery money did SUSD receive this year?

Answer: The current estimate for 2007-2008 is $286,150. The final figure for 2006-2007 was $297,965.

New home owners usually must pay a School Developer Impact Fee to the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD). I have two questions:

Questions #1: The rate for SUSD is $1.36/sq. feet while Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District (LGSUHSD) is at $.69/sq. feet. Why?

Answer: The fee is not for new home owners. The fee is for any construction of additional living space (new homes or remodel additions). The total fee collected is $2.05 per square foot. The current split between the two districts is SUSD $1.36 and LGSUHSD $.69. This split was established based on the amount each district was authorized to collect in the Fee Justification Reports that were in effect at the time.

Effective May 13, 2008, the fee will increase to $2.97 per square foot. The split will be SUSD $2.06 and LGSUHSD $.91. This calculation is based on 13 grade levels (K-12). The K-8 district has 9 grades and the high school district has 4 grades. Therefore the split is 9/13ths for the K-8 and 4/13ths for the high school. The previous split was different due to different fee levels authorized by each district's Fee Justification Report.

Question #2: What is the fee used for?

Answer: The funds are used to provide additional classroom space as needed.

Question: Why are families with children in SUSD asked to donate money to the school district (via Saratoga Education Foundation) to pay teachers' salaries and for educational programs such as P.E., music, art, science and counseling? Why doesn't the State of California pay for these?

Answer: Property taxes are the main source of funding for the Saratoga Union School District. PTA, the Saratoga Education Foundation, Saratoga Music Boosters, the Saratoga Sports Boosters and other organizations help fund programs which go beyond the base level funding which property tax provides. Each organization has a focus, with PTA providing a vehicle for parents and teachers of particular schools to collaborate and support learning. SEF and Saratoga Music Boosters have a districe-wide focus. The Saratoga Sports Boosters focus on Redwood Middle School sports activities. Parent contributions at the classroom level help fund field trips and supplemental instructional materials for our students.

The Saratoga Union School District is required to provide a free and appropriate education to all students. Community and parent donations and contributions help our district provide a very high quality and enriched education for our students.