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REALTOR®: Real Estate Drives Education and Vice Versa


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Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Cary Matsuoka (center) meets with members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®, including Larry Laidlaw (left) of Starker Services, Inc. and Los Gatos/Saratoga District Chair Tim Alston of Keller Williams.

One of the first things Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Cary Matsuoka does when he gets his newspaper is check on home sales, prices and the value of real estate in Los Gatos and Saratoga, because the reality is, for his district, "Real estate drives education and education drives real estate," Matsuoka said.

"It's all a perception of value. The first question people will ask is in what school district is this house. And it gets even finer when it's a choice between schools within a good school district," said Matsuoka, who spoke to Silicon Valley Realtors in Los Gatos.

Matsuoka spelled out how good schools beef up the value of sales real estate in the community and how, in turn, the school district benefits as property values increase. The superintendent's presentation also touched on the district's academic performance, curriculum, finances and future programs.

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District serves students from the communities of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga. Matsuoka, who has been the district's superintendent since the fall of 2006, said the communities provide wonderful support for public education and, as a result, Los Gatos High School and Saratoga High School are considered premier high schools in the state of California. In terms of academic performance, both schools rank superior to most schools in the state, according to Matsuoka.

"Parents are driving kids to succeed," he noted.

API scores range from 200 to 1,000. Matsuoka reported Los Gatos High School's API score for the spring of 2007 was 850; Saratoga High School, even better at 906. He said a public high school with an API score of above 90 is very rare and "an amazing achievement."

In terms of UC/CSU preparation, 74 percent of the LGHS class of 2006 was prepared; 90.5 percent in the SHS class of 2006 was prepared. The state average of students prepared to attended University of California and California State University schools is 35-40 percent.

In 2007, 65 percent of LGHS seniors were admitted to 4-year colleges, 25 percent to community colleges; 82 percent of SHS seniors were admitted to 4-year colleges and 15 percent community colleges.

Since the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District is a Basic Aid District, the district's income "is not dependent on the number of students that are enrolled in our schools, but instead, our income is tied to local property tax collections," explained Matsuoka. "It's an advantage because we are shielded from the ups and downs of Proposition 98 and the state budget. We know what our money will be next year; we don't have to worry about decisions made in Sacramento."

The revenue limit for the district is $6,331 per student, while from property tax collection the school can devote $8,744 per student. This means the district can devote $2,413 more per student. Because of this, both high schools are able to offer a 7-period day, comprehensive academic program, rich elective offerings in art, music, drama, technology, and strong curricular programs in athletics and performing arts. He mentioned Los Gatos High School is one of the few public schools whose students compete in athletics with private schools.

What does the future hold for the school district? Matsuoka said the district intends to propose a school facility bond in June 2010 in order to upgrade its facilities. He indicated while some parts of school facilities are good, others need major improvement.

The district would also like to turn its schools into "21st Century learning schools," by sharpening students' skills in communication, collaboration, use of technology and visual literacy. Matsuoka said visual literacy enables students to communicate using images, color, design, art and technology. The district is also seeking the development of digital media production studios and use of video by students for internal and external communication.

Matsuoka pointed out more and more Realtors these days are becoming technologically savvy, becoming more engaged in technology, with PDAs and various other electronic gadgets and interactive Web sites.

"We need to get our students ready for that future," said Matsuoka.


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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