Schools ready to open doors next week Schools ready to open doors next week (August 20, 2004)

Some activities reinstated as massive budget cuts avoided

Teachers and administrators have spent the last month getting classrooms ready, schedules prepared and enrollment figures stabilized for the first day of the 2004-2005 school year.

For Mountain View-Whisman elementary students, the new year begins Aug. 24. Mountain View-Los Altos high school students will go back Aug. 26. And Los Altos elementary schools will begin Aug. 23.

After a financially rocky 2003-2004, Mountain View and Los Altos schools were spared massive cuts when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled his proposed budget in January and the Legislature approved a revised version last month. However, local school superintendents say they are still treading cautiously as they make their way into 2004-2005.

The high school districts are starting the year off with new tracks and fields and most of the construction at the surrounding elementary school campuses has been completed. Schools avoided having to ax basic programs and services with local education foundations filling the gap. Foundations are again pushing to raise more funds to make sure nothing gets slashed next year.

In its annual Back to School report, the Voice highlights important dates, programs and new teachers at public schools in Mountain View and Los Altos. Next week, the Voice will provide information about private schools in the area.

-- Julie O'Shea

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