Tarwater explains changes within LTUSD

Dear Parents:

The current financial maelstrom in the state of California continues to force districts to make painful reductions in order to meet their financial obligations. Lake Tahoe Unified School District has made severe budget reductions over the past two years to the tune of $4 million – $1.2 million for 2010-11 alone.

The Board of Education and the Leadership Team have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to eliminating important programs such as K-3 Class Size Reduction, elementary PE, music in grades 4-12, and athletics programs for middle and high school students.

Jim Tarwater

In order to maintain programs, the district offers Golden Handshake Retirement Incentives so positions can be eliminated through attrition, instead of “pink-slipping”.

Such an opportunity has arisen this year with the retirement of the director of Human Resources and Staff Development. More tough decisions need to be made in order to keep as much money as possible at the schools. Therefore, it has become necessary for me to relinquish my duties as principal of LTESMS and to assume the responsibilities of the HR department rather than hiring a replacement.

All administrators have had to take on more responsibility during this financial crisis as we continue to downsize. Therefore, next year, Ryan Galles, principal of Sierra House Elementary, has graciously accepted the duties of principal at LTESMS for the 2011-12 school year. Mr. Galles has a proven track record at Sierra House Elementary and will be able to work with both schools and communities to maintain the high performance and parent involvement that we all expect.

It has been my honor and my pleasure to have opened LTESMS in September 2005 and to have been a part of this amazing school, which has received numerous awards for its outstanding programs and academic excellence. I am proud of the parents and students who have worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the teachers to maximize the students’ academic potential as they grow to be productive members of our global society.

I would like you to know that I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the LTESMS community and I will really miss meeting and greeting your son or daughter each morning. It has been a privilege to be your principal over the past six years.

As I say “farewell” at the end of this school year, I will not say “goodbye”. I look forward to visiting LTESMS throughout the coming year from time to time and giving “high fives” throughout the year. I also look forward to seeing your children grow and thrive as they move through the middle and high school.

Sincerely,

James R. Tarwater, principal LTESMS and LTUSD superintendent