tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post675591598619280190..comments2023-05-01T03:29:03.793-07:00Comments on MDUSD Parents: Get Involved for change NOW!: MDUSD Budget Situation- Update #2 - (2/28/11)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-76990211067260309802011-03-05T08:13:01.652-08:002011-03-05T08:13:01.652-08:00Jim,
I like your outline and agree that the curren...Jim,<br />I like your outline and agree that the current system appears to parents (and students) to be completely opposite from your example of how priorities should be aligned. Whether the District believes that to be true or not is moot. <br /><br />I am a fan of strategic planning and I would suggest that determining the District vision is the first step in the strategic planning process. The vision has to be the compass for setting goals and making decisions. The plan is simply the map once your direction is clear. <br /><br />My concern with strategic planning and determining a vision is if you do not have leadership that can champion the vision or believe in the need to begin with... the process will fail. Right now I think that is where we are as a District. I hope I am wrong.Lindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-64056112063282850522011-03-04T20:30:47.746-08:002011-03-04T20:30:47.746-08:00I'm not sure that I share all of the enthusias...I'm not sure that I share all of the enthusiasm for a strategic plan. Obviously, it always makes sense to plan how you intend to reach a goal. But I also think of what a boss of mine used to say: "Be sure to think before you plan." By that I think he meant, "Know who you are, what you stand for, and what your over-arching goals are, before you decide how to achieve them." <br /><br />I don't see much evidence of that sort of thinking at MDUSD. If your big goals are confused, or just plain wrong, then a plan simply helps you fail faster. I would like to see this district's leadership articulate what really matters to them, and then make sure that they, and their constituents, are really aligned on those values. <br /><br />For example, in my view, if you see things as a pyramid of priorities, the pinnacle of the pyramid should be "Achievement for All Students", and by that I do mean ALL -- not just the struggling students whom they are usually referring to when they talk about "All" students. Struggling students deserve our focus and energy, but so do the more successful students. Every student deserves a school that makes him or her a priority.<br /><br />Under those students on the pyramid are the parents and teachers. They are on the front lines, supporting students every day. They should be treated as EQUAL supporting partners who deserve respect and who have specific responsibilities to students and to each other. What are those specific responsibilities to our students and to each other? Let's define them based on what we believe, and then have a plan that supports teachers and parents in carrying out their responsibilities.<br /><br />Finally, at the bottom of the pyramid -- supporting ALL of the stakeholders above -- is the district administration. Their PRIMARY responsibility and the focus of their work should be to ENABLE teachers and parents to successfully support students. Imagine a district totally focused on what teachers and parents need to help students be successful!<br /><br />This "pyramid" may sound overly simplistic, but I get the feeling so often from MDUSD that their world view is not at all like mine. In fact, their "pyramid" seems to be reversed, with the administration on top, and the students on the bottom (and with parents out of the picture entirely). Many of their policies and actions seem to reflect the view that the administration's habits, priorities, and well-being are paramount. And if that's really how they see the world, then I don't care if they ever have a strategic plan. Because they're not headed in any direction that I care to travel.Jimhttp://www.k12reboot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-44937468497659287922011-03-04T15:32:02.252-08:002011-03-04T15:32:02.252-08:00It would be the most productive money spent. If c...It would be the most productive money spent. If corporate money could not be obtained to fund all or part of it, there is District SIG money that might fund part of it. Remember that we just spent $70,000 plus on a consultant to close two schools -- and that's still up in the air. Plus SASS just spent $183,000 on two consultants. The 20% cut of the Supt salary alone would pay for it. Or the reversal of the Gang of Five salaries. Finding $50,000 has never been a problem for Lawrence. Oh, remember when Lawrence said his reorganization of C&I into SASS saved $50,000, lets use that $50k. It was nice to read on Theresa's Education blog that she asked Secretary Duncan about SP's and he endorsed them.<br />Doctor JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-50109413874578087052011-03-04T15:21:08.241-08:002011-03-04T15:21:08.241-08:00Whereas I feel a strategic plan would be a great a...Whereas I feel a strategic plan would be a great addition, I would like to know where the cost for creating it comes from. Last I heard strategic planning for our district could be around $50,000.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-28296852556454490462011-03-04T14:55:47.307-08:002011-03-04T14:55:47.307-08:00Excuse the typo: It should read:
The blame is not...Excuse the typo: It should read:<br />The blame is not placed on the concept of the Strategic Plan but the failure to properly follow the correct developement of the Strategic Plan.<br />Doctor JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-3134817404688363382011-03-04T14:53:21.265-08:002011-03-04T14:53:21.265-08:00@MadmdusdTeacher -- Still chuckling that we have a...@MadmdusdTeacher -- Still chuckling that we have a "mad teacher" instead of "angry". I guess it reflects on the quality of the education. Read Cheryl Hansen's discussion of Strategic Plans: www.cherylhansenmdusd.com<br />Your first line is a quote from someone else -- there is lots of criticism of Hayes. The blame is not placed on the failure to properly follow the correct developement of the Strategic Plan. Properly done, Strategic Plans will be successful, but they require the right leadership. Obviously two Board members who for three years have advocated it and not implimented it need to have a Damascus. And Lawrence who has been openly hostile to the concept of Strategic Plans -- mostly because it is a lot of work to produce and a lot of work to manage -- you know he can't even get the last two power points done on time. Just saying.<br />Doctor JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-10834093372179792382011-03-04T14:00:20.551-08:002011-03-04T14:00:20.551-08:00Dr. J,
Most great plans aren't. They are just ...Dr. J,<br />Most great plans aren't. They are just nice, high-level ideas." Most strategic plans do not 'TRANSCEND LEADERSHIP" In fact most strategic pans wind up not being "strategic" or "plans". Calling something a strategic plan doesn't make it one." You might want to read this document by Dr. Hayes on the Predictable Failure of Strategic Plans. http://doiop.com/The-Predictable-Failure-Of-Strategic-Plans<br />As far as cutting superintendents salaries by 20%, how much are you cutting yours? Its pretty easy to cut someone else's paycheck. <br />What say you?MadMDUSDTeachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-66101674900568077592011-03-04T13:58:15.062-08:002011-03-04T13:58:15.062-08:00Tired Mom,
I understand your frustration and your ...Tired Mom,<br />I understand your frustration and your desire to blame it all on the State but the issue is larger than that. We have a lack of leadership and that lack of leadership causes doubt and anger amongst many of us concerned about the education of our children.<br /><br /><b>The difference between a manager and a leader-</b><br />• The manager administers; the leader innovates. <br />• The manager is a copy; the leader is an original. <br />• The manager maintains; the leader develops. <br />• The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people. <br />• The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust. <br />• The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it. <br />• The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective. <br />• The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why. <br />• The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye on the horizon. <br />• The manager imitates; the leader originates. <br />• The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it. <br />• The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person. <br />• The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.<br /><br /><i>Warren Bennis – “On becoming a Leader”</i><br /><br />Have we seen innovation in this District? Does our “leadership” focus on the people (children/teachers/staff) or does it seem that are they busy defending their decisions and blaming the State? Have we been inspired to trust? Does our “leadership” take on new ideas and innovation in spite of the budget or is this budget their only reality? Long-range perspective is strategic planning. Cheryl Hansen has certainly taken a lot of unfair heat for asking what and why. Where is our horizon, having a horizon inspires people to have hope. We should hold our “leaders” to a standard that requires them to challenge the status quo. <br /><br />WHERE ARE OUR LEADERS? <br /><br />Don’t be angry with Dr. J or the rest of us who are uninspired by the leadership in this District. Don’t blame us when we are angry or negative. Don’t ask us to celebrate successes when we see so much failure. And don’t ask us to blame it all on Sacramento. We have not been led, inspired, or given reason to be trustful. Dr J you are right to continue to ask for more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-80246986808806877892011-03-04T09:41:58.455-08:002011-03-04T09:41:58.455-08:00@Tired MDUSD Mom of 3: You don't understand w...@Tired MDUSD Mom of 3: You don't understand what a good Strategic Plan is. I suggest you read Cheryl Hansen's webposting: http://www.cherylhansenmdusd.com<br />A good Strategic Plan transcends leadership changes -- delay has been counter productive since Gary and Sherry endorsed Strategic Planning 3 years ago and never followed up. Every decision of the board should be measured against the SP. The County wants Boards to look at the worst case scenario. There is shooting from the hip -- guess you didn't see Gary making wild closing proposals in the middle of meetings. If you really valued education in MDUSD you would have embraced my ideas of cutting the salaries of Supt and Asst Supt's by 20%, Directors by 15%, reversing the Gang of Five raises, and the other recommendations I made. Respond to each one unless you have a better idea. And what did you think of Kirk Berger's recommendations for the Board and the Supt ? Please don't talk in generalities -- talk in specifics. <br />Doctor JAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-87855184689259909312011-03-04T09:28:25.340-08:002011-03-04T09:28:25.340-08:00@Tired Remember it was Jerry Brown in his first g...@Tired Remember it was Jerry Brown in his first governship that empowered the Prision Guard union to become the most powerful union in the state -- even more powerful than the teacher's union. They have job security they have empowered -- Three Strikes and long prision sentences for all crimes. If your logic is correct, you would want to let out half the prisioners back to your neighborhood. Enjoy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-63929298986254889172011-03-03T09:14:43.960-08:002011-03-03T09:14:43.960-08:00They have their first meeting on 4/26 to begin the...They have their first meeting on 4/26 to begin the process of a strategic plan. If you remember the BOE felt it best to wait for the new BOE to begin this process. <br /><br /> In the meantime the district has been advised by the County to plan on more cuts, to the tune of another $25 million to up to $48 million. Right now funding per student is below what was received in 04/05 and as we all know, costs have increased from power to medical to just having supplies and gas. <br /><br />All I know is if my budget was cut this drastically we would have to sell our home, move into a small apartment and not have any extras. <br /><br />So is this what you want for our students and our future? I joked that we need to have our kids all become prison guards since they have outstanding benefits, higher pay than highly educated teachers and the way our State is going a higher population in the prisons. Especially because many in this community put no value on education and do nothing but blame, blame and more blame.<br /><br />I attend meetings and I do not see shooting from the hip Doctor J. But what I do see is one very negative person (you) who should be celebrating the successes. This BOE will get a strategic plan in place but right now just where do you want this $25 million to come from? <br /><br />Take your anger Doctor J to the State, hold them accountable that they would fund prisons above educating our youth.Tired MDUSD Mom of 3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-458983694008388961.post-83946094376726766732011-02-28T20:58:41.907-08:002011-02-28T20:58:41.907-08:00Without a Strategic Plan, MDUSD is hiking in the w...Without a Strategic Plan, MDUSD is hiking in the wilderness without a compass. Over a year ago, I called upon the Board to start studying school closures and they refused. We saw in the last few weeks what chaos looks like as they tried to shoot from the hip without sufficient time. Now, its even worse. How many more months before we get the Strategic Plan on track ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com