Portola Valley schools in good shape Portola Valley schools in good shape (February 02, 2005)

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer Portola Valley

Donna Carano considers herself "lucky" to be taking over now as the president of the Portola Valley School District Board.

"Our district has a strong financial position due to the foresight and planning of the current and previous boards and administrations," she said. "Thanks to strong community support, our facilities are in great shape, and we are fortunate to have a parcel tax in place for the next 10 years. This is a good feeling given the uncertainty in Sacramento."

Ms. Carano follows the board presidency of trustee Deboarah Rappaport. The new clerk is trustee Ray Villareal, who takes over this position from Ms. Carano.
Ways to improve

"We are fortunate to be in a very good place, but, we are always looking for ways to improve or enhance our programs," said Ms. Carano.

This year a major focus is on the math curriculum to ensure that the needs of all students are being met.

As test data is distilled, the district will look at ways to increase the number of students who achieve proficiency in all subjects.

Trustees and administrators are beginning to explore options for developing the 2006-2007 budget. As part of this process, the district will look at developing a new strategic plan, she said.

Before joining the school board in 2001, Ms. Carano was chair of the Ormondale School Site Council. She has the distinction of being the only board member who will have gone on all the overnight grade-level field trips from the "Gold Rush" to the upcoming eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.

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