Sunday, March 6, 2011

MDUSD: Now on the chopping block: Music, Library, Secretarial and more

**I am hearing now that these music cuts may  be "vocal music" at the elementary level.

This has been a good discussion though, let's keep it going...


I know many of you don't get involved until it touches you, but music, library - it touches us all.  My student is very involved in band, marching band, rally band and had the opportunity to play and learn since 4th grade.  This sustains her, she loves it, it helps her keep good grades, it gives her such fulfillment - I suppose akin to those students who love sports.  The problem is the music program is not as big as sports... can we sustain it without district support? I don't know.

At Clayton Valley, the administration already makes it extremely difficult to take band and join an academy.  Though it can be done, they make us parents and the students fight for it.  It's a shame.

50 comments:

  1. This is BS!!! I am a very Angry MOM!!! How dare they cut anymore programs and Library! Really lets just see if we can put California at the very bottom of the list. Really! It is time to stand up and demand a change. We need to keep our young teachers and slice the fat off the under performing teachers. If we loose any more good teachers and Library I think I will have to move!

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  2. The Gary/Sherry dynamic duo strikes again. Remind me again why we shouldn't recall these jokers?

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  3. This is not a Gary /sherry issue. As far as I know the superintendent is who brings the budget cut recommendations to the board.

    I'm mad that it seems that all of this is just so reactionary and in some ways seems to be attempts to keep the peace among parents. I'm ok to close a couple schools if it would save programs that ALL our kids would/do benefit from.

    What the helll kind of school district are we with no music, library and all the other thngs already cut?

    Teachers I'm sure are taking notice too as also on the chopping block is the PE prep in elementary, with no library will elementary teachers have any prep time at all?

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  4. This truly is sad for all the children in our district. No music, p.e or library for elementary students? There was a suggestion on an earlier post that the district actually take some pay cuts, etc. If MDUSD is to lose so many employees, than the district office needs to lose many more than a couple of secretaries. There seems to be a few options to keep some of these cuts away from the children and the board doesn't appear to be considering them. This truly is disgusting.

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  5. Is anyone else planning to show up on Tuesday night? I hope that any of you who care about music, library or anything else on the agenda, show up on Tuesday. Or , write letters, call your board members, and call the Superintendent (I don't care what you call him, just call, write or otherwise contact him!)

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  6. Last year, there were 28 music teachers who received pink slips for the 2010-2011 school year (2010-2011 is first year without any elementary school instrumental music).

    I believe that some teachers retired, some got hired in other districts. Almost all of the remaining music teachers were re-hired in Aug/Sept.

    So if 33+ teachers are pink slipped for 2011-2012, will most of these pink slips be rescinded? If the music programs themselves haven't been cut, then MDUSD will need music teachers to teach the classes.

    Maybe it's just posturing? Since any affected teachers have to be given notice (pink slips) by mid-March, perhaps it is a "just in case" scenario? E.g. the district hasn't decided to cut music yet, but if they are even entertaining the thought of music cuts, pink slips have to be issued prior to March 15th. It could be the case that music isn't cut and won't be cut for 2011-2012, but the district is taking this step so that everything is on the budget cut table (including music)?

    Anyone know for certain if the next round of proposed budget cuts will include music cuts for middle and/or high school?

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  7. Is this the worst case scenario budget - to cut 14 FTE music (elim elem prep) assuming the tax extensions fail?

    And since many elem vocal music teachers have more tenure than the middle and high school teachers, does this mean they will have first option for the high school jobs since the number of elem positions are to be reduced?

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  8. This it one of the worst case scenarios. The agenda states

    Alll districts in Contra Costa County are being directed to submit a Second Interim Budget in March that assumes the tax extension fails and districts’ budgets are reduced by $350 per student. This would amount to a reduction of approximately $11.5 million for the Mt. Diablo USD. Given our current level of deficit spending and projected decreased enrollment we will need to reduce $21.9 million from our 2011-12 budget.

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  9. This is absolutely insane. How is it that other places manage to keep music, PE, and library without spending any more per pupil than MDUSD does?

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  10. Anon 3:28 Other districts have parcel taxes and some have several! This is money the State can not touch. Plus districts in our State are not funded equally. We as a community are going to have to step up and pay a parcel tax if we want quality education and schools. We as a community need to help our neighborhood schools.

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  11. We don't need another tax. We need to control spending. We do have plenty of money for the schools if we look hard at it. It's the pensions and benifits that is killing us. We need to negotiate this with the unions and teachers and the unions need to cut back on their dues from teachers so that they don't feel it so hard. Am I the only one that sees that they don't want to change they just want more money to keep things as they are. People we are at a turning point in education. Please step out of the way and let it turn. I just read a report that we have over 80 abencies that have their hand in education. They are all making money. Lets stop this nationwide and make the change.

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  12. so Anon 7:22 just how would you do all this and provide a quality education now? These cuts have to happen now, not years from now. Are you writing and lobbying your State Government?

    Right now all Union negotiations in the MDUSD are stalled, only MDEA is still talking. But MDEA stalled last year stating it took 4 months just to do a survey. The other Unions are in fact finding, so the district has to wait until one is appointed. Yes if the Unions would have negotiated a year ago things might be a little better. "If" this community had passed the $99 a year parcel tax, things would be a little better again.

    Right now this will devastate this community, who would want to live here and raise and educate their children? Our property values will continue to plummet. I am fortunate that my last child is graduating this year from the MDUSD, I feel for my neighbors with younger children.

    This is NOT another tax, it is an extension for 5 years to help California lift itself out of this mess. It supports Education so we are voting yes, if it makes the ballot. I am beyond disgusted with our State, just get it on the ballot and let us decide!

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  13. With low revenue, declining enrollment, and no parcel tax, MDUSD is painted into a corner and must cut teachers. If they save music and library teachers, then would you prefer they cut English, history, math or science teachers?

    The best way to save these programs is the "parent-trigger law." California Superintendent Tom Torlakson (who says he's a MDHS teacher on leave of absence) just wrote an op ed about this http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_17540692?. The "parent-trigger law" fixes school funding by taking an existing school out of the district budget and making it into a free public charter school with its own budget. This was started for low performing schools but now is being used for high performing schools, with Los Angeles schools like El Camino Real leading the way http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_17437909?.

    We can't all move out of MDUSD. We need public schools that provide basic curriculum, which is music and all the other classes. Parents should organize for "parent-trigger" charter schools.

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  14. MDUSDParents,

    While you acknowledge this is not about Gary and Sherry, let’s be clear, this is not about the Superintendent either. It is only “reactionary” in that the district is required to react to the state cutting its budget. I am sure you are aware that certificated staff must be provided notice of potential layoff by March 15 or they cannot be cut from the budget next year. That is state law. The district must notice everyone that would be required to be laid off under the worst case scenario. Where’s the love for Gary and Sherry and the Superintendent for having protected music all these years? There have been cuts after cuts after cuts and they have preserved at least part of the program. Doesn’t that speak volumes for their commitment?

    I really wonder how anyone can blame the board or the superintendent. The district must cut more. They have cut essentially everything they can cut. They still have mandates to meet, reports they must file, data they must collect. If they don’t, they get fined, which means more cuts.

    The question is not “what the hell kind of district are we,” it is “what the hell kind of state are we.” Keep in mind that 180 teachers is only about $8 million in cuts. There is still another $13 million that has to be made. Essentially everything that can be cut and more will be cut in this scenario.

    Show up Tuesday night? MDUSDParents, that is a waste of time. The district is not even cutting these programs, they are voting to notice the employees so they can cut them in the future. Complaining at this point will get you no where. And harassing the superintendent will only take up his time. There are no other options, you just need to accept that the state has devastated the district and if that means you need to move, then move.

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  15. Anon 8:38 – where have you been? The district has cut and cut and cut, including the district office. This is one of the few districts that cut assistant superintendent level positions and they did it years ago. You statement that the board is not considering other cuts demonstrates such a fundamental lack of understanding that I can only assume that you have just moved here or you have very young children and you have not been paying attention. The district office cannot be cut much more. It is already small and it provides a hell of a lot of services. Should they cut payroll and not pay employees? Should they cut finance and not be able to account for the dollars that come and go? Should they cut maintenance and operations more than they already have? Should they cut the legal department and pay outside lawyers far more? Should they cut special education and not serve students? What do you think goes on over there? Have you ever been there? Show me the surplus employee!

    Anon 10:33 – that might happen if the state cuts don’t materialize, but it does not suggest that the board should not make these layoffs. They have to make them by March 15 or they can’t make them. They must do this now. It is not posturing. The state requires that they provide notice by March 15.

    Anon 3:28 – MDUSD is not funded fairly and other districts simply have more money. It is not fair, but life is not fair. MDUSD is not doing something wrong that results in the need for cuts, it is simply not treated fairly and in turn, you too are getting screwed by the system. Some of it is parcel taxes, but the larger unfairness is in Revenue Limit Funding. You need to blame the right entity, and that is the state. That said, to be fair to the current state leadership, it is the system that has been broken by voters, not leaders. There are no good solutions as the stupid people of California are not going to fix the problem.

    Anon 7:22 – you have no idea what you are talking about. MDUSD is controlling spending. Can you please tell me what the pension and benefits cost is for MDUSD? That’s what I thought, you don’t know. Teachers dues are not a major part of this either, you just want to screw unions.

    I agree that many are at a turning point in education, but not in California. The other states that are “suffering” are not even where California was five years ago. They still have far more money than California. We do need more taxes and we need more stable taxes. We need you to move out of the state so that rational, intelligent people are left.

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  16. Anon 8:17
    The facts that you layout are true however to solely lay the blame at the feet of the people in the State of California is wrong. To imply that the decline of this District is all about money is also incorrect. We could double the funding in this District and save music, sports, etc.. But it will not improve the quality of education because our leadership does not speak of reforming education, of fighting union mandates, of bringing innovative ideas to life in the classroom. They do not plan and are not viewed as champions of education for our children.

    So rant all you want about funding, you have always done that well. It is just more of the status quo. Before I vote "yes" on another tax, extension or otherwise, I want our leadership to tell me how they intend to improve the quality of education in this District, how are they going to provide civil customer service, and how are they going to ensure that our kids come first. Then and only then will I vote yes.

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  17. Where is the love 8:17? I've supported these board members for many years now. I support them now, when I get responses from them regarding issues like this, I feel they DO have the best interests of students at heart.

    But don't tell me that further cuts to student programs are just a given and a fact we must accept, because there is much more we can do that will not touch programs .

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  18. By the way, I have learned/heard that the music cuts on the agenda are vocal elementary music at this time. As we know from past "pink slips" like this, they may be rescinded, negotiations may happen that may help or hurt, and there are many variables involved.

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  19. 8:17 is a board member.

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  20. I am 8:17 and I am not a board member.

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  21. Can someone check this? I'm pretty sure the vocal teacher at our large capacity elementary school is half time at most. There are 32 elem schools in the district, so that would be about 16 FTE? Or do other elem schools have full time vocal music teachers?

    If I'm correct, what are the other 17.55 FTEs? There are 10 middle schools and 6 high schools, assuming they all have band teachers, that would be 16 FTEs. So we assume they're on the cut list...

    Coulda, woulda, shoulda - when the admin prepared this Agenda, they should have detailed these teacher positions, so we would have known over the weekend.

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  22. @Anon 8:17, Whether you post as Poseidon Paul or Anonymous, it is the same. I have been watching the TV show "Criminal Minds" on how they identify people by "profiling" and your profile is highly reconizable. You ask how can we blame the Supt or Board ? Well, three years ago, there was a Board call for a Strategic Plan -- yet today there still hasn't been a board meeting on it and not scheduled for nearly two months. There has been declining enrollment for decades and the Board has not studied school consolidation until a couple of months ago -- even when I called for the study to being over a year ago and was scoffed at the Board. As a result of the Board "leadership" MDUSD has ended up with six of the worst schools in the state, ten Program Improvement schools, and the Distict is teetering the edge of itself being named a Program Improvement District. In the midst of the financial crunch and layoffs, the Board gave the Gang of Five raises. It hired a Supt from a tiny school district with little experience, no record of success, and open hostility to a Strategic Plan, by giving him $125,000 more the first year than the prior Supt. The Board bought the Supt's recommendation to eliminate C&I and establish SASS, to reduce staff and save $50,000 -- the true figures are that that the staff is larger and $50,000 was not saved because SASS hired all high longevity employees that were paid much higher. The true costs of SASS have not been accounted for with all of the substitutes for asessments and training. Yes, there have to be cuts -- but they should be equitable. Furlough days hurt the small salaried employees worse. Why is the Board paid medical benefits when no other part time employee gets them ? I proposed 11 areas of cuts on March 1, and the Supt did not include a single one in his proposals. The Supt and Asst Supts are overpaid. The cuts to clerical and secretarial endagner the children, especially at elementary levels. The Board and Supt have been in the middle of multiple controversies -- "gates" -- time after time. You ask -- how can we blame the Board and Supt ? The Board is supposed to set policy and hold the Supt accountable for its implementation. It has done neither -- for that they should be held responsible. Cheryl Hansen has a vision and wants a Strategic Plan -- the rest of the Board is balking.
    Doctor J

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  23. Once someone is a Governor we always refer to them as Governor. Is that true for all public offices?

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  24. Doctor J,
    I thought it was Gary? Either way, don't forget they were on the Board along with Linda Mayo in 2007 when it voted NO on a proposed parcel tax - that was before the Recession when it might have passed! Those 3 were on the Board in 2009 after Measure D failed when the Board should have used momentum for a second attempt by mail-in ballot (like San Ramon Valley district), but instead they redirected energy to the Measure C bond measure. I know you'll say they needed a strategic plan to pass a parcel tax and I agree and they still do! Good luck getting Gary and Linda Mayo on track for a strategic plan! Thank heavens for Cheryl Hansen who is persistent at every chance!

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  25. @Anon 9:37 Which 8:17 are you ? There are actually two 8:17 posts.

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  26. Did I see a post and then have it disappear a few minutes ago ?

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  27. @Anon 10:33 I don't believe the first 8:17 post meets Gary's profile, but seems to fit Poisidon's profile. Tomorrow night Linda will be joining the discussion from Kona Hawaii. Gary and Sherry have said they will support a Strategic Plan even though they haven't taken any action towards one -- actions speak louder than words. Linda may have been persuaded by Kirk Berger, the consultant hired by the Board, to give it direction at their retreat. She hasn't spoken about it since then.
    Doctor J

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  28. Doctor J,
    Maybe try turnitin.com to compare writing styles?
    But 8:17 blames the state, even though MDHS teacher Tom Torlakson is state superintendent, and Gary spoke at his inauguration. Maybe it's time to speed-dial Torlakson! What is Torlakson doing to fix this?
    Linda spent most of the retreat asking about using laptops at board meetings. It was deja vu all over again. Aloha!
    Anon 10:33

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  29. CLOSE THE DAMN SCHOOLS! Buildings are saved, whooppee, at what cost? No music, no library, no PE for elementary kids?

    CLOSE THE DAMN SCHOOLS! Close all the elitist choice schools, send those kids home, close 1 elementary per feeder pattern and redraw the boundary lines.

    CLOSE THE DAMN SCHOOLS! People will leave? Let them - there's nowhere to go, they can't afford private school or they'd be there already. No other district wants our kids. Home school? Sure, when parents are working two jobs just to make ends meet, someone will quit and stay home?

    CLOSE THE DAMN SCHOOLS. Education is more than a building, it's the people who teach and the students who learn. If your kid can't adapt to a new school site, then there's more wrong than can be fixed by remaining in your neighborhood school.

    CLOSE THE DAMN SCHOOLS.

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  30. Torlakson is no friend of the students in the State of California. He buys into the idea that education is about the adults. Out of all the offices filled Statewide in this last election this is the one that is most detrimental to the future of our children.
    He does not believe in school choice, he is not supportive of the charter school movement, and he is beholden to the Teacher's Union. So if that is who 8:17 is blaming, I say great, but I don't think so. 8:17 is blaming the people of California for not voting in the tax measures in May 2009. 8:17 is blaming the Republicans for not giving in to more spending. I highly doubt 8:17 is blaming Tom Torlakson.

    Cheryl is on board with strategic planning and I think Gary wants to be. Sherry appears to be annoyed with the idea. Linda and Lynne???? The biggest problem with implementing a plan is Superintendent Lawrence. If he does not get on board soon, it will be a waste of time. Board members, did you not ask him about strategic planning during the interview process? He doesn't believe in communication or strategic planning - what were you thinking?

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  31. I am not against the Unions you moron! I am pointing out the obvious. We the tax payers pay for benefits and retirement. I may not know exactly how much we pay in retirement but I do know that we pay 56,000,000 in benefits. That is a bit much don't ya think. Just in the Cafateria we pay salaries of 3,603,935 and 2,386,934 in benefits. Go ahead look at the budget and see for yourself. I know that the costs have gone up. My point earlier was that we have a spending problem. If we could keep all programs and not extend taxes and not put anymore parcel taxes then I suppose I would be ok with how things are being paid out. We cannot sustain the rate in which we are spending. We need to get rid of the part of the contact that says we lay teachers off based on how long they have been there. They will need to contribute to more of the benefits. I don't know what their union dues is but I suggested (based on some teacher saying it is high and they get nothing from it) that the unions get out of politics and let the teachers hang on to some more money to help offset the benefits that they will now be paying. Furthermore if people like me moved out of the state and left everything up to you bashing ignorant person then California would truly be done! There is no need to call eachother names or yell at someone just because you don't agree with them. The bottom line is we can't sustain the spending...Go on turn on the news and look at what is happening in our nation....BIG DUH!!!

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  32. @Anon 12:10 Torlakson is promoting the new "Parent Trigger" law where 51% of the parents of a particular school can remove it from the District to a charter school. He wrote an op ed piece for the CC Times, and its on the CDE Website. I am not quite sure how it works, but it ought to scare the bejeebers out of both the Districts and unions that they might lose their best schools.
    Doctor J

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  33. 12:52,
    You're right, as usual.
    I was experimenting with the hypothesis that Torlakson will do what's best for our students (not unions, not bureaucrats) but there's no evidence so far. During his campaign debate he favored "fairness in funding" but now he's elected what has he done? It was all chummy and "teamwork" talk at his MDHS inauguration, but what about our kids? If there was no band at school, my kid might be going to jail instead of college.
    What Torlakson should do is split up MDUSD. It's too big already!
    10:33

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  34. 8:17 Yes, I've been to the district office, I've had kids in this district for many years and also pay attention. Thanks. With fewer employees (as per cuts proposed), some departments at the district office can downsize at least one person. What about the Student Achievement & Support Department? Nine Peer Coaches and 7 School Support Admins? Really? That could save a lot of money/programs for THE KIDS.

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  35. Dr. J
    Torlakson has delayed permanent status of the parent trigger law until the legislature can "clean it up." He is making the news now because newspapers, like the SF Chronicle and LA Times, came out with the original story and people were upset. The law was originally drafted by Gloria Romero who ran against Torlakson but it is now being redrafted by congresswoman Julia Brownly who, along with Torlakson, originally voted "no" for this bill. Let's see who they make it better for when they are finished, students or adults.

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  36. I am not 8:17 nor to have an allegiance to any board member. I have a desire to see our district improve so that I can continue to have my kids attend school in the district. I am sick of trolls such as dr j who do nothing but try to tear down what little we have. People who spew crap and claim that it is fact is so tiring when we need solutions and support. Either offer positive suggestions or go away. The negativity is truly unproductive.

    Poseidon, the one and only, not paul.

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  37. Poseidon,
    Doctor J has offered solutions like a list of cuts, and we want him to stay. The parent trigger law would be great for every school in this district. People like you who insult and use bad language should swim back to the deep blue sea.
    10:33

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  38. Poseidon,
    I am confused. Dr. J has continually offered suggestions whether it is about strategic planning or specific ways to cut the budget. Maybe what you don't like is the fact that Dr. J is holding our District leaders accountable. They have a hard job but that does not mean we bury our heads in the sand and say because their job is difficult we will cut them slack when we see their actions failing our kids.

    Opportunity for discourse is what makes our country one of the most desired nations on Earth in which to live. I hope that Dr. J continues to keep the dialogue about the District in the forefront. As readers we have to discern what is important and what is "crap" as you so eloquently stated. Negativity is uncomfortable but it is not unproductive.

    If you have something positive to say and suggestions to share then please do so, enlighten us. If readers go back and read past Poseidon comments, both here and on Claycord, they will find that Poseidon does not offer suggestions, Poseidon justifies the actions of the Board and insults others who comment. So Poseidon please share with us all your positive suggestions.

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  39. Also there's a teacher trigger law.
    10:33

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  40. So bummed I bought a house in this school district......

    To the person who calls the "choice" schools elitist, have you seen the documentary "Waiting for Superman"? I urge you and everyone else to watch this very sad documentary on the state of education in our country. Charter schools and choice schools are the one beacon of shining light in this otherwise pitiful education system we have.

    Our problems will not go away until we get rid of the unions and are able to reward good teachers and fire the bad ones. We do not have that option now, and will not have good edcation until we do. Period.

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  41. Anon 8:12 Is that a bad joke ? Isn't 10-33 the police distress radio call ?

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  42. Anon 9:16
    I agree with you.
    I watched Waiting for Superman this weekend. I was so moved by how few good choices these families had and how stacked the odds were against them when it came to the good options. The answer is not to get rid of "choice" schools. The answer is to provide more schools that work. 40 spots for 800 applicants broke my heart as did the contrast in the pure joy on the faces of those who got in and the utter disappointment from those who didn't. The little girl who wants so badly to be a doctor will go to a school where less than 20% of her classmates will graduate. It will be amazing if her dream stays alive through middle and high school.
    While this is so sad, it is an exciting time because parents are finally standing up and saying.... NO MORE.

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  43. My jokes aren't bad. But this is my time from yesterday 10:33 AM. It could also be the police distress radio call, bc this district's in a state of emergency!
    10:33

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  44. Amen Anon 9:16. I have been saying that for years. The trouble we have in our district has been here since I can remember. Yes I went to school here. Everyone should see Waiting For Superman! There is a time and place for unions and we are way past that time. Even our greatest schools suck wind to the rest of our nation and our nation is at the bottom in the world. Wake up everyone we suck!

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  45. Let’s keep ALL options open — send out 3750 pink slips including the Supt, Asst. Supts and all Dent employees. Let’s put everyone in the same boat. No exceptions.

    .

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  46. Let’s keep ALL options open — send out 3750 pink slips including the Supt, Asst. Supts and all Dent employees. Let’s put everyone in the same boat. No exceptions.

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  47. Alameda's Measure A Passes school parcel tax passes with - 68.43 Percent "yes" votes

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  48. Is it $22 million or $28 million in budget cuts? I keep hearing different numbers being thrown around. Does anyone know?

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  49. What does it take to develop a Strategic Plan ? Here is what one Northern California district did to get their Strategic Plan — there is no reason that MDUSD cannot begin this process immediately:
    By a unanimous vote, the ****** Unified School District Board of Education adopted a five-year results-based strategic plan at a special meeting June 23 that also celebrated the six months, 12,000 combined hours, and dedication of more than 300 volunteers that went into developing the plan.
    “If you don’t know where you’re headed you won’t know how you’re going to get there,” said parent *******. “The collaborative thinking between staff, students, parents, and community was a huge benefit. The strategic plan is what ***** Unified needs to align the efforts going on in our schools each day to ensure that each student can and will learn.”

    The strategic planning process began in January of 2009 when the 30-person Planning Team, composed of members representing the diverse stakeholder groups in the District, met for the first time. Using a consensus model of decision making, the group was able to reach 100 percent agreement on a list of core shared beliefs, a new mission representing the community’s loftiest aspirations for the District, objectives, strategic parameters that will guide implementation of the plan, and seven unique strategies designed to achieve the objectives and mission.

    More than 280 volunteers then took over and met on Monday nights between February and May to design operational action plans for each of the seven strategies identified by the Planning Team. Participation on Action Teams was open to anyone who stepped forward and attracted students, parents, community members, teachers, staff, and administrators to be part of the groups. The Action Teams also used a consensus model of decision making that required everyone in the room agree before an item would become a part of the plan.

    “At a time when much of public education is trapped in fiscal crisis, ******** Unified’s Board of Education and community have chosen to focus on improving teaching and learning and creating better futures for our students,” said *************** Unified Superintendent Dr. **********. “Our strategic plan will enable us to focus our limited resources and truly educate and inspire our students to succeed and contribute to the world around them.”

    A similar planning process will be instituted at each of the District’s 70 schools in the next four years to create site-based plans that align to the District’s new strategic plan.

    Doctor J

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  50. Gary, how is your ban on overnight travel working ? How many district employees spent last night and tonight at five stars in SF ? A dozen ? How is your ban on site administrators attending meetings off campus during school hours working ? I guess the test will be to see what happens with Lawrence's K-Adult meeting next week, eh ? At what point does it become insubornidation ?
    Doctor J

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