While Monte Vista is considered a prestigious school, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is in the bottom fourth percentile of funded districts across California. Over the years, board members have met to strategize ways to work within the budget and maintain the district’s high level of achievement. However, for the 2025-2026 school year, the district is at a crossroads; it needs to make at least $24 million in budget cuts.
As Monte Vista is a public school, allocation of funding comes from the district’s board members. Monte Vista also collects funds from the MV Academic Boosters, which is primarily sponsored by parent donors. The Boosters have proved successful over the years and are currently funding eighteen additional class sections. Currently, only 20% of parents donate annually.
“If you want to make a change, [see] if there is something you can lean into,” Principal Kevin Ahern said. “[Academic Boosters is] not just about money; it’s about time, talent, and treasure. Who[ever] wants to volunteer, has a talent that can be utilized in a parent organization, or wants to donate. [Our community] understands that this is the level of education we want, [so] we need to figure out a plan that is going to get us there.”
Currently, class sizes depend on the selections that students make each spring. Monte Vista is able to offer a variety of electives, including culinary, ceramics, and peer counseling classes due to Academic Boosters’ funding. In order for Monte Vista to continue offering various classes, parents need to donate. Thus, the Academic Boosters presidents are raising the suggested minimum donation amounts per student.
The SRVUSD board members continue to propose ideas for potential budget cuts. Some reductions are set in stone while others remain negotiable. For example, a definite reduction includes increasing all high school class sizes by two students. Across all of the SRVUSD schools, it is estimated that this will lower district costs by four million dollars annually due to teachers having fewer classes, allowing for the staffing allocation to be consolidated.
“When you’re looking at a 24 million dollar hole, you have to look at the areas that can have negotiation,” Dr. Ahern said. “[These changes are] responsible, I would say, because we already have classes that are pushing the [class size] limits.”
Another source of revenue for Monte Vista comes from student attendance. The state of California gives public schools funding for their average daily attendance. Monte Vista is consistently at 90% or higher average daily attendance. To combat losing money for student absences, Monte Vista implemented short-term independent study plans, enabling the school to front-load the foreseen absences and receive funding.
“We have great teachers here. They will do their best no matter how many students are in front of them. [We should focus on] what we can do to help our teachers and students be better because there’s a direct connection between how we operate our various services and booster groups as a community,” Dr. Ahern said.
Dr. Ahern is optimistic that Monte Vista will adapt to the changes and thrive as a result. The final district solidified budget plan will be released in May. Then, it will go to the school board and be passed by June 30, 2025.
