Tam Union Trustees Back Alternative School Initiative

District Approves Co-Location Plan for Alternative Schools Despite Opposition

The Tamalpais Union High School District has approved a plan to co-locate its two alternative schools in Larkspur into one campus, aiming to save the district $2.2 million annually. The decision was made despite protests and concerns from parents, teachers, and students.

Trustees voted 4 to 1 on Monday in favor of moving Tamiscal High School, which offers an alternative curriculum including independent study and career paths, to the campus of San Andreas High School, which supports academically struggling students. This move is expected to reduce costs by $1.55 million through staff cuts and the elimination of an outside counseling contract. Additionally, the district will save $650,000 by reducing positions such as a director, clerical staff, a custodian, and nine portable classrooms.

Board president Cynthia Roenisch emphasized that while the district has been “right-sizing” its staff at its three comprehensive high schools due to declining enrollment since 2020-21, similar efforts have not been applied to the two alternative schools. She expressed concern about avoiding past mistakes that led to insolvency and stated she felt the issue should have been addressed earlier.

As part of the plan, Kim Stifler, principal of Tamiscal High, will now lead both schools, while the principal position at San Andreas, currently held by Cathy Flores, will be eliminated. The new arrangement will take effect in the 2026-27 school year.

Superintendent Courtney Goode explained that the decision was made to allow more time for the transition before the March 15 deadline for preliminary layoff notices, known as pink slips. “This will give us six months in the new year to make the transition,” he said.

Trustee Ida Green opposed the decision, suggesting a one-year delay to give students and staff more time to adjust. She asked if the district could use the $2.2 million to keep the schools separate for another year. Assistant Superintendent Corbett Elsen responded that the Marin County Office of Education had warned that without the budget cuts, the district would not meet its 17% general fund reserve requirement. Failure to do so could result in a downgrade of the district’s budget status and potential scrutiny of its bond rating.

Before the vote, approximately 20 parents, teachers, and students voiced their opposition during the public comment period. Chelsea Springer, an English teacher at San Andreas, criticized the reduction of teaching staff from six to four, calling it “misguided.” She noted that San Andreas serves students with chronic absenteeism, behavioral issues, or credit deficiencies, and cutting staff would hinder the school’s ability to support these students.

San Andreas math teacher Chris French added that each teacher teaches multiple courses, and reduced staffing would limit class scheduling flexibility. “With what they’re doing, we’re going to have such limited flexibility to support kids who have so many credit needs,” he said. He also highlighted that San Andreas is the only continuation school in Marin offering an “A through G diploma,” which is necessary for UC or CSU eligibility.

Alice Blauvett, a graduate of San Andreas, expressed concern about the lack of clarity regarding how the new program would function. “I’d like to see which class will be where and how the buildings will be divided up,” she said.

Parents also criticized the communication between the district and the community, especially on emotionally charged issues. Lee Howard, a parent of a student at Redwood High School, urged for civil discourse as the district navigates its challenges. Celeste Perez, a parent of a student at Tamiscal, argued that the needs of alternative school students are increasing, and more staff are needed, not fewer.

Key Financial Impacts of the Co-Location Plan

• Total Savings: $2.2 million annually
• Staff Reductions:
• Teacher, counselor, principal, and clerical staff
• Elimination of an outside counseling contract
• Administrative Cuts:
• One director position
• Other office clerical staff
• A custodian
• Nine portable classrooms
• Budget Reserves: Maintaining a 17% general fund reserve is critical to avoid county scrutiny and bond rating issues

Concerns from Educators and Parents

• Teacher Workload: Reduced staffing leads to increased workload per teacher.
• Student Support: Students with complex needs may face delays in graduation or reduced program quality.
• Communication Issues: Parents feel the district has not adequately explained the new plan.
• Program Quality: San Andreas’ unique offerings, such as the A-G diploma, may be at risk.

Future Steps

The district plans to provide more details about the co-location plan in the coming months. However, many stakeholders remain concerned about the impact on students and staff. As the transition begins, the focus will be on ensuring a smooth process and maintaining the quality of education for all students.