El Molino night for 8th grade families is Nov. 15

El Molino High School is hosting “El Molino” night on Nov. 15 for eighth graders and their families to explore the Forestville campus and find out about programs offered, including four-year career development plans, fine arts, leadership and athletics as well as the core academic offerings.
The event is scheduled from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the school library.
Teachers, staff members, students and parents will be available to talk about El Molino’s programs as well as to answer questions.
El Molino is located at 7050 Covey Rd. in Forestville. For more information, call 824-6550.

Read full article in the ExtraCredit Press Democrat blog

Forever Forestville - September 2011

The september issue of the Sonoma County Gazette is now online, including Gaylynne Swor'ds Forever Forestville column. Highlights include changes and challanges at the Forestville School, its Forestville Forward Initiative and bond money.

Forestville school board race

Based on this Press Democrat article.

The deadline for getting on the November ballot was extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday in 21 districts around Sonoma County because incumbents did not opt to run for re-election by last Friday....

In Forestville, Gaylynne Castleberry Sword will take on incumbent Ron Abler, as well as consultant Mat Barnes, attorney Max Broome and parent Mary Ellen Palmer.

Here are pages for the candidates:

• Gaylynne Castleberry Sword: Her own home page (with a blog)
• Ron Abler: Information from the last school board election
• Mate Barnes: On LinkedIn.com
• Max Broom: The "about" page of his website
• Mary Ellen Palmer: The treasurer of the Forestville Education Foundation

Forestville school bond on the November ballot

Excerpts from an article by Kerry Benefield in the Press Democrat:

Seven Sonoma County school districts will ask their voters in November to support a total of more than $127 million in construction and maintenance projects, with solar installations dominating the wish lists...
Solar projects also are included in the construction list in five other districts... Forestville did not include solar in its $5.1 million bond...
In Forestville, a survey found voter support for a general obligation bond that would pay for classroom improvements, playground upgrades and other projects.
But there was not enough support to pass a two-thirds threshold needed to raise taxes for expenses, Superintendent Bob Borbe said.
“We did survey our community, and our community overwhelmingly said they would support a bond issue,” he said. “We also asked them if they would support a parcel tax and they said, ‘No.'"