Since charter school law was passed in California in 1992, increasing numbers of investors and speculators have gotten in on the "gravy train" of public education, in order to make money from the State's huge education budget. EdTec, which is listed on the RVCS Petition as "Consultants," is one of those companies. They were part of the divisive failed North Bay Educational Foundation charter petition in Novato. EdTec has also been part of Bullis Charter School in Los Altos, a controversial charter, which educates the children of millionaire tech gods, but has cost that district 20 teacher's jobs, the district music program, and untold dollars.
If RVCS is successful in its bid to attain charter status, the Ross Valley School District will be required by law to accommodate any growth by providing additional classrooms. In Los Altos, the district pays nearly $300,000 per year to fund Bullis's campus needs. In addition to that cost, the Los Altos School District accrues tremendous legal costs as it tries to fight for its ability to serve its students. According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Los Altos School District spent $1.7 million in legal fees regarding Bullis last year alone.
You can read more about EdTec's founder, Joshua Newman here. His bio at UC Berkeley lists one of his accomplishments as "authoring Assembly Bill 803," which was all about using technology software in public schools. He then went on to found EdTec, a tech company servicing charter schools.
Do we really want to change public education in Ross Valley by opening the door to folks who want to line their pockets while diluting and defunding public education? Let's keep local taxpayer dollars under the control of locally elected leaders and educators!