Rotary Club hopes to foster conversation among schools Rotary Club hopes to foster conversation among schools (May 04, 2005)

** Demographic differences seen as an educational opportunity.

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

It's not news that funding levels differ among California's public schools. In Redwood City, for instance, the elementary school district is spending about $8,000 per student this year -- including funds from the state and federal governments, foundation grants, individual donations and parent fundraising -- compared with about $13,500 in Woodside, according to officials from both districts.

A well-endowed school can provide amenities -- a first-rate science program, a well-equipped band -- but education experts note that funding is just one component of a good education. Schools can do well with less.

For example, in the state's annual rating of schools by standardized test scores, Woodside School students scored 902 on a scale of 1,000 -- well above the state's target of 800. Although spending $5,500 less per student, students scored 839 at Roy Cloud School, a communications-arts magnet school in Redwood City. (The district as a whole, with 16 elementary schools, scored 717.)

Perhaps if eight local schools with differing demographic profiles were to regularly communicate across demographic lines, something of value to all could result. This is the germ of a plan proposed by Dean Babcock, a past president of the Rotary Club of Woodside/Portola Valley.

"If we get it working so (schools are) talking to one another, that's what we want," said Mr. Babcock. "We want the schools to get together and find a way that they (all) benefit. We don't expect it's going to revolutionize education or anything like that."

"I think we want to do more than write a check," said Barbara Schmidt, a Rotary Club member who attended a lunchtime brainstorming session with representatives from public and private schools in Woodside and Portola Valley and public schools in Redwood City. The Almanac was invited to sit in at the April 26 meeting.

At the table were Ray Dawley, principal of North Star Academy in Redwood City; Dr. John Erkman, dean of students at Woodside Priory School; Lynne Griffiths, principal of Fair Oaks School in Redwood City; Carol Trelut, principal of Nativity School in Menlo Park; Todd Hardie, community service director at Menlo School in Atherton; John Novitsky, a board member for Summit Preparatory High School in Redwood City; and Bob Sherman, assistant principal at Woodside School.

These schools and Corte Madera School in Portola Valley were invited to participate, said Mr. Babcock. In the hour-long discussion, several possibilities emerged, including:

** Students from schools without well-established science programs visiting Woodside School to get a look at a program known for producing prize-winning exhibits at regional and state science fairs.

** Student councils might pick up some useful ideas by visiting their counterparts at other schools.

** Students needing community service credit on college applications could go to other schools and tutor students in need of academic help.

"We are happy to lend student support (and) parent support wherever needed," said Mr. Sherman of Woodside School, adding that there is intrinsic value in cross fertilization. "Sometimes, your customer base gets a little bit insulated."

"We're pretty open to being involved in whatever capacity that we can," said Mr. Hardie of Menlo School.

The Rotary Club is waiting to hear specific proposals from the schools as it plans its budget for the coming fiscal year, said Mr. Babcock. It's too early in the process to talk about potential costs to the club of subsidizing the schools' collaborative efforts, he said.

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