Chief Legislative Analyst Ron Deaton cited the pilot program as an example of work proceeding under the consent decree's terms, even though it has yet to be formally approved by U.S. District Judge Gary Feess. The city has been proceeding on most aspects of the consent decree as if it was in effect. Anticipating a record number of summer students, Ventura County school districts are looking for ways to cut energy costs while keeping the lights on and air conditioners humming. Utility bills are expected to rise up to 50 percent this summer. Enrollment countywide has more than doubled during the past two years because of enactment of a state law banning social promotion.
Most districts require low-performing students to attend summer school or repeat a grade.
Some districts will start an hour earlier or consolidate classes into one school to reduce costs. But because of the new state accountability mandates, they have little choice but to offer a full range of summer programs. In the Ventura Unified School District, an unprecedented 1,300 elementary school students have signed up for reading and math intervention programs that will operate at nearly every school this summer. We get from the state barely enough to pay teachers' salaries, and any extra costs come out of the general fund. Some relief is coming.