CLEARLAKE— Becky Solato, Konocti Unified School District Superintendent, was this week’s speaker at the Thursday Morning Judge’s Breakfast. Solato presented an overview of Konocti District Schools highlighting the status of staffing, enrollment, and ongoing projects including the creation of the KUSD Middle School.
The presentation began with an introduction of Konocti District Schools which is composed of elementary, high school, and alternative education. Elementary education includes Burns Valley, East Lake, Lower Lake, and Pomo schools, while high school is taught at the Konocti Education Center and Lower Lake High school with Carle, Highlands, Blue Heron, and Richard H. Lewis alternative schools. Currently the elementary school begins at kindergarten and ends with seventh grade while high school continues with eighth through 12th grades. With recent board action in hiring a new principal, Michelle Patterson who according to Solato “Is super dynamic, we’re excited about her joining our team” the district is converting the Konocti Education Center into a middle school, opening the Obsidian Middle School next year. This will move grades seven and eight from the elementary and high school respectively over to the new middle school, with the long term goal of also moving the sixth graders into the high school as well.
Enrollment is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic with Solato stating, “We took a hit during the COVID year but as you can see from that we are definitely recovering and moving and growing everyday.” Currently for the 2022-23 year enrollment is at 3,879, up from 3,727 the prior year, 2021-22. Solato said, “it’s fluid, we have a few kids leave, a few kids come in.” Solato attributes some of this growth to the growth of the city of Clearlake, seeing people move up from the Bay Area for more affordability and raising their children in the district.
Across the state schools are facing staffing issues with no exception for Lake County. KUSD employs an estimated 500 people including 229 certified (credited teachers, counselors, principals) and 262 classified staff (custodians, maintenance, bus drivers) across 10 departments. Recruitment is constant as the district networks throughout the state and also recently traveled out of state to Reno Nevada and is next traveling to Missoula Montana to attend larger events in hopes of bringing teachers on from outside the state.
KUSD has been busy with multiple infrastructural projects, including the building of a new barn for the Konocti agricultural program and also for FFHA students to raise their animals. Working with partner Climatech, the district has been able to make much needed improvements including new stadium lights and scoreboard, back up generators, solar panels, and replacing their entire heating and cooling (HVAC) system – some of which dated back 30 years. The KUSD is continuing these upgrades with an all weather track at LLHS and new fire alarms at both LLES and LLHS. Through the continued collaboration with their partners the district hopes to fully modernize their facilities and create a youth center/daycare for staff use.
There are a multitude of programs for both student and teacher support. Students have access to tutors and extra time in school to focus on problem areas. Clearlake resident Erin McCarrick asked “Are there any rules on accepting food from organizations or people who have home farms?” Solato responded: “In the past we have had fresh fruits and vegetables coming in locally and we’re trying to get back to that again.” A new partnership with the Blue Zones Project will help towards these goals as the KUSD will celebrate with a ribbon cutting at the Lower Lake high school at 10 a.m. on April 1. There will be family friendly activities, healthy food, live music and giveaways.
The Judge’s Breakfast is held every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. in the Clearlake Senior Center. The breakfast is open to all and the next speakers will be the principals of the district as well as a panel of students.
