From Gary McHenry's Monday Memo:
For more than a month the Board of Education has been discussing and hearing comments about and suggestions for budget reductions. At a special meeting on Tuesday, December 16, the Board may consider not only some initial recommendations for budget cuts but also a proposal for a major revenue enhancement: a parcel tax initiative to be placed on the June 2009 ballot. The meeting will be held in the Little Theater at Northgate High beginning at 7 p.m. The most up-to-date list of proposed budget reductions can be viewed on the District web site, www.mdusd.k12.ca.us, at two locations accessible from the home page 1) by clicking on "Board of Education" and then "Current Agenda" (see Item 5.4) or 2) by clicking on "MDUSD Budget Reductions in the box titled "Budget Reduction Info" and then on the pdf file "MDUSD Budget Reduction List."
If you are concerned with the budget cuts and how they will impact your students and your school(s) - it will be important to attend. If you are interested in learning more about the upcoming initiative to place a parcel tax on June 2009's ballot - its important to attend.
NOTE the location is different. This meeting will be held at Northgate High School's Little Theater and begins at 7pm. Don't forget to check www.mdusd.net for a live broadcast of this special board meeting if you are not able to attend.
Also note you can find the most recent list of possible cuts on the district site: www.mdusd.12.ca.us. For the list updated 12/16/08. You can get the agenda for the meeting at: http://www.mdusd.k12.ca.us/mdusd/board_of_education/agendas/0809/12-16-08.pdf
Please note they are voting to approve some of the reductions at this meeting. Please note item 5.4 on the agenda at the link above. They include such items as:
21. Reduce contributions to summer school.
24. Reduce budget for Student Information System by $420,00 one time
27. Eliminate one vacant occupational therapy assistant
29a. Shift the cost of the Administrative Secretary's position . . . (read more at budget)
33. Shift funding for one FTE senior account clerk . . . (read more at budget)
58. Reduce one FTE staffing assigned to Mt. Diablo High School
70. Implement a "just in time" delivery program for ordering core items (read more at budget)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Updated MDUSD Meeting List
On the right sidebar are some important dates to know. Board Meetings, Advisory Council Meetings, Budget Committee Meetings and Public Hearings - all coming in the next month.
The December 9th Board Meeting is the meeting that starts our new board and when Gary Eberhart and Sherry Whitmarsh begin their new terms as MDUSD Board Members.
You may have also read in the Times that the NAACP plans to attend this December 9th meeting to make their position known on some of the proposed cuts, as some of the people occupying the top level positions on the lists are African American.
I also noticed that Sue Berg's position is on the list (she's the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Communications Specialist for the District). There are many positions on these lists. There are many programs too. How did race even become an issue? The Times says:
CONCORD — The addition of three black Mt. Diablo school district administrators to a list of cuts trustees are considering as they try to reduce their 2009-10 budget by $6.6 million has sparked racial controversy in the community.
Several speakers at the school board's Tuesday night meeting questioned the inclusion of Associate Superintendent Alan Young, Assistant Superintendent Mildred Browne and Director of Classified Personnel Dorothy Eppstein on the list of cuts, noting that the administrators are all African American. Joseph Adebayo, president-elect of the East Bay chapter of the NAACP, said his organization plans to announce a position about the proposed cuts at the board's Dec. 9 meeting.
Does anyone know the opinion of the three mentioned in the Times article clip above?
The December 9th Board Meeting is the meeting that starts our new board and when Gary Eberhart and Sherry Whitmarsh begin their new terms as MDUSD Board Members.
You may have also read in the Times that the NAACP plans to attend this December 9th meeting to make their position known on some of the proposed cuts, as some of the people occupying the top level positions on the lists are African American.
I also noticed that Sue Berg's position is on the list (she's the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Communications Specialist for the District). There are many positions on these lists. There are many programs too. How did race even become an issue? The Times says:
CONCORD — The addition of three black Mt. Diablo school district administrators to a list of cuts trustees are considering as they try to reduce their 2009-10 budget by $6.6 million has sparked racial controversy in the community.
Several speakers at the school board's Tuesday night meeting questioned the inclusion of Associate Superintendent Alan Young, Assistant Superintendent Mildred Browne and Director of Classified Personnel Dorothy Eppstein on the list of cuts, noting that the administrators are all African American. Joseph Adebayo, president-elect of the East Bay chapter of the NAACP, said his organization plans to announce a position about the proposed cuts at the board's Dec. 9 meeting.
Does anyone know the opinion of the three mentioned in the Times article clip above?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Devastating NEW Budget Cuts proposed to the MDUSD
Things aren't getting any better on the budget front for MDUSD and for school districts around the state. Check out the latest memo from Superintendent McHenry. Please keep your ears open for community meetings near you - they are coming. We all need to pull together and work for the good of this district, and of greatest importance, our children, their education and teachers.
I'm thankful we have a new board majority as we move into this unsure time, and next round of budget cuts. We will likely have to band together to demand our Sacramento representatives stop the cuts to our schools. Doesn't seem likely we can withstand these kinds of cuts without devastating wide-felt damage
The district is near crisis with these cuts. Take note, this is now MORE than the original 6.6 million projected - it is now closer to 17 million dollars! These next cuts could devastate every part of our district. Read on:
I can not find this memo posted on the district website yet, if you want a copy of the email, please email: mdusdparents@gmail.com and I'll forward you a copy of the above.
.
I'm thankful we have a new board majority as we move into this unsure time, and next round of budget cuts. We will likely have to band together to demand our Sacramento representatives stop the cuts to our schools. Doesn't seem likely we can withstand these kinds of cuts without devastating wide-felt damage
The district is near crisis with these cuts. Take note, this is now MORE than the original 6.6 million projected - it is now closer to 17 million dollars! These next cuts could devastate every part of our district. Read on:
I can not find this memo posted on the district website yet, if you want a copy of the email, please email: mdusdparents@gmail.com and I'll forward you a copy of the above.
.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council Meeting tonight (Weds)
First, a big congratulations are in order for Gary Eberhart and Sherry Whitmarsh for their huge wins for MDUSD School board.
Secondly, in the "business as usual" category, there is a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting tonight at the Dent Center 7-9pm. Remember, even if you're not the "assigned rep" for your school site, you are welcome at these meetings.
Secondly, in the "business as usual" category, there is a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting tonight at the Dent Center 7-9pm. Remember, even if you're not the "assigned rep" for your school site, you are welcome at these meetings.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Watch the election results tonight!
Thanks to www.strangelaw.net and www.Claycord.com we will be able to view the election results almost as quick as they come in!
GO TO: http://votestrange.com/electionresults.htm
See you there!
GO TO: http://votestrange.com/electionresults.htm
See you there!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Final surge of support on Monday and Tuesday
The Eberhart /Whitmarsh campaign as put out the following. Will we see you there? See http://www.mdusd.net/ for more.
Dear Friends,
Its crunch time in the MDUSD School Board election and we need your help. The opportunity for fundamental change is right in front of us. It's up to each of us to help in the effort to fix our schools. I know that everyone's life is extremely busy, but what is more important than our children and their future? Many of you have done much in the effort to elect Sherry Whitmarsh and myself. I am personally asking that you put in just a little more.
The following is part of our final strategy for election victory:
· Contact everyone that you know who resides in the district and ask them to vote for Sherry Whitmarsh and Gary Eberhart on November 4th. Even if you have contacted them before, please do it one last time. You can do this easily via e-mail. Your friends who have not been following the School Board race will appreciate that you have been and that you can provide them with educated advice on who to vote for.
· Join our campaign for a rally on the corner of Treat Blvd. and Oak Grove Road from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM on Monday November 3rd. The rallies that we've had so far have been very effective in showing the voting public that Sherry and Gary are the best choice for kids.
· Pick a friend and a corner and hold up an Eberhart/Whitmarsh sign in the morning or afternoon on Tuesday November 4th. The morning times are 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM and the afternoon times are 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM. We will try to get many of our busiest intersections covered. Just think; our signs and our enthusiastic supporters might be the last things that voters see just before they vote.
The following schools are actual poll location sites (see below). If you can organize a group of parents/teachers to stand at least 100 feet away from the polling area you may hold signs. You can do this before school or after school! It would make a HUGE impact to voters coming to vote. If they see signs that say Teachers/Parents Support Eberhart and Whitmarsh! Let us know if you need a sign or you can make your own.
These are the last opportunities to try to bring about real change in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in the 2008 election. The race is very close and we need to make sure that we have a strong finish. No one will be happier for this race to be over than Sherry and me and our families, but we can't relax now. The last few days may be the difference between defeat and victory. Please join us as we sprint across the finish line.
Please e-mail us back and let us know what you can do to help. Two hours one on each day that is all we are asking. If you would like to do the Tuesday intersection sign holding, please let us know which time(s) that you can be there and which intersection you will be at.
Thanks for your continued support.
Gary Eberhart
Dear Friends,
Its crunch time in the MDUSD School Board election and we need your help. The opportunity for fundamental change is right in front of us. It's up to each of us to help in the effort to fix our schools. I know that everyone's life is extremely busy, but what is more important than our children and their future? Many of you have done much in the effort to elect Sherry Whitmarsh and myself. I am personally asking that you put in just a little more.
The following is part of our final strategy for election victory:
· Contact everyone that you know who resides in the district and ask them to vote for Sherry Whitmarsh and Gary Eberhart on November 4th. Even if you have contacted them before, please do it one last time. You can do this easily via e-mail. Your friends who have not been following the School Board race will appreciate that you have been and that you can provide them with educated advice on who to vote for.
· Join our campaign for a rally on the corner of Treat Blvd. and Oak Grove Road from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM on Monday November 3rd. The rallies that we've had so far have been very effective in showing the voting public that Sherry and Gary are the best choice for kids.
· Pick a friend and a corner and hold up an Eberhart/Whitmarsh sign in the morning or afternoon on Tuesday November 4th. The morning times are 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM and the afternoon times are 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM. We will try to get many of our busiest intersections covered. Just think; our signs and our enthusiastic supporters might be the last things that voters see just before they vote.
The following schools are actual poll location sites (see below). If you can organize a group of parents/teachers to stand at least 100 feet away from the polling area you may hold signs. You can do this before school or after school! It would make a HUGE impact to voters coming to vote. If they see signs that say Teachers/Parents Support Eberhart and Whitmarsh! Let us know if you need a sign or you can make your own.
These are the last opportunities to try to bring about real change in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in the 2008 election. The race is very close and we need to make sure that we have a strong finish. No one will be happier for this race to be over than Sherry and me and our families, but we can't relax now. The last few days may be the difference between defeat and victory. Please join us as we sprint across the finish line.
Please e-mail us back and let us know what you can do to help. Two hours one on each day that is all we are asking. If you would like to do the Tuesday intersection sign holding, please let us know which time(s) that you can be there and which intersection you will be at.
Thanks for your continued support.
Gary Eberhart
List of sites:
Clayton- Dana Hills Cabana Clubhouse, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton Endeavor Hall
Concord/PH/Walnut Creek locations: Silverwood, Sun Terrace, Wren Ave, Westwood, Ayers,. Mountain View, Woodside, Oak Grove Middle,
Fair Oaks, Crystyl Ranch Clubhouse, Willow Pass Community Center, Hope Center-Corner of Taylor/Morello, any other main intersection.
Bay Point-Rio Vista and Delta View
Clayton- Dana Hills Cabana Clubhouse, Oakhurst Country Club, Clayton Endeavor Hall
Concord/PH/Walnut Creek locations: Silverwood, Sun Terrace, Wren Ave, Westwood, Ayers,. Mountain View, Woodside, Oak Grove Middle,
Fair Oaks, Crystyl Ranch Clubhouse, Willow Pass Community Center, Hope Center-Corner of Taylor/Morello, any other main intersection.
Bay Point-Rio Vista and Delta View
.
.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
MDUSD Budget Reduction Meetings **IMPORTANT**
IMPORANT NOTICE. This was just received tonight from the Superintendent's office, you can also access information about the reductions online by CLICKING HERE.
This is IMPORTANT, these meetings are taking place NEXT WEEK, November 5th and 6th at various locations around the district.
Please come and help shape what will be on the chopping block in this next round of substantial budget cuts. 6.6 million needs to be cut and YOU DO HAVE A VOICE. This is your time to make your opinions known. There is also Parent Advisory Council coming up next Weds evening (7pm) November 5th at the Dent Center, all are welcome at those meetings.
For further clarity of the flyer, the meetings for parents, community and teachers thru-out our district are as follows:
Wednesday, November 5th, 3:30pm
Foothill Middle School Multi-Use Room w/ Asst. Supt. Rose Lock
Mt. Diablo High Library w/ Supt. Gary McHenry
Ygnacio Valley High Library w/ Asst. Supt. Gail Iserman
Thursday, November 6th, 3:30pm
Clayton Valley High Library w/ General Counsel Greg Rolen
College Park Library w/ Supt. Gary McHenry
Concord High Library w/ Assoc. Supt. Alan Young
Riverview Middle Tech Lab w/ Director Margot Tobias
I have this as a PDF if anyone wants a copy, please email: mdusdparents@gmail.com
This is IMPORTANT, these meetings are taking place NEXT WEEK, November 5th and 6th at various locations around the district.
Please come and help shape what will be on the chopping block in this next round of substantial budget cuts. 6.6 million needs to be cut and YOU DO HAVE A VOICE. This is your time to make your opinions known. There is also Parent Advisory Council coming up next Weds evening (7pm) November 5th at the Dent Center, all are welcome at those meetings.
For further clarity of the flyer, the meetings for parents, community and teachers thru-out our district are as follows:
Wednesday, November 5th, 3:30pm
Foothill Middle School Multi-Use Room w/ Asst. Supt. Rose Lock
Mt. Diablo High Library w/ Supt. Gary McHenry
Ygnacio Valley High Library w/ Asst. Supt. Gail Iserman
Thursday, November 6th, 3:30pm
Clayton Valley High Library w/ General Counsel Greg Rolen
College Park Library w/ Supt. Gary McHenry
Concord High Library w/ Assoc. Supt. Alan Young
Riverview Middle Tech Lab w/ Director Margot Tobias
I have this as a PDF if anyone wants a copy, please email: mdusdparents@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Success! Supporters flood to the streets for Gary and Sherry!
Being at Ygnacio and Oak Grove was exciting today! We had an endless stream of teachers, parents, kids and community! We had people stopping to talk, cars honking and lots of hollering support out their windows (or convertibles!) We even had guest appearances by Board Members Paul Strange, Gary Eberhart and candidate, Sherry Whitmarsh.
Personally, I've never seen such a show of support for school board candidates -ever. It shows how important we all know this election is!
Signs we saw included:
Save our Schools!
Save our Teachers!
Save our District!
Elect Gary and Sherry!
Gary and Sherry for Change!
Honk for Change!
No more IRS FINES!
We even had some signs written in spanish - Por Favor!
It was impossible to get a photo of the huge line of people stretching more than a couple of blocks and on each corner of Oak Grove and Ygnacio - but it was impressive!
Hope you were there and remember to VOTE on November 4th for Gary and Sherry!
Monday, October 27, 2008
The time is NOW! The surge of support is here Tuesday!
For candidate information: http://www.changemdusd.com/
.
For a parent's "guest editorial" in the Times:
"The Times Got it Half Right . . . "
For a flyer to download and distribute about this event: CLICK HERE
We need 300 people on October 28 for one of TWO shifts:
(2) 150 people from 4-5pm
(3) 150 people from 5-6 pm
We will be covering one of THREE areas:
(1) Corner of Ygnacio and Oak Grove
(2) Corner of Clayton Rd and Treat/Denkinger
(3) Willow Pass across the bridge by El Torito leading to Sun Valley Mall (near Elephant Bar)
Bring a sign or we will have BLANK SIGNS and MARKERS. Just write a message like the ones below and hold them for cars to see. If we LINE UP THIRTY OR FORTY IN A LINE cars take a long time to pass – IT LOOKS IMPRESSIVE, far better than a cluster of people.
If you WANT CHANGE, then please get involved THIS ONE TIME! The time is NOW!
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW:
PLEASE COMMIT to one or more of those times.
CONFIRM by emailing andre@misterwriter.com with a TIME(S) and LOCATION CHOICE that you will do. If you have friends to join in, please include their name as well. If they do not want to give their name, just tell me HOW MANY and you be their contact.
Download a flyer to distribute, and join your fellow parents, teachers and community members to inform the public now in these final days before the election that the situation is dire and requires their VOTE for Gary and Sherry!
For a flyer to download and distribute about this event: CLICK HERE
We need 300 people on October 28 for one of TWO shifts:
(2) 150 people from 4-5pm
(3) 150 people from 5-6 pm
We will be covering one of THREE areas:
(1) Corner of Ygnacio and Oak Grove
(2) Corner of Clayton Rd and Treat/Denkinger
(3) Willow Pass across the bridge by El Torito leading to Sun Valley Mall (near Elephant Bar)
Bring a sign or we will have BLANK SIGNS and MARKERS. Just write a message like the ones below and hold them for cars to see. If we LINE UP THIRTY OR FORTY IN A LINE cars take a long time to pass – IT LOOKS IMPRESSIVE, far better than a cluster of people.
If you WANT CHANGE, then please get involved THIS ONE TIME! The time is NOW!
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU NOW:
PLEASE COMMIT to one or more of those times.
CONFIRM by emailing andre@misterwriter.com with a TIME(S) and LOCATION CHOICE that you will do. If you have friends to join in, please include their name as well. If they do not want to give their name, just tell me HOW MANY and you be their contact.
Download a flyer to distribute, and join your fellow parents, teachers and community members to inform the public now in these final days before the election that the situation is dire and requires their VOTE for Gary and Sherry!
Elementary Students: "The BEE" just for you!
Wanted to pass on the news of this fun event in Pleasant Hill for K-5 students:
Hello MDUSD Community,
The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education (FPHE) cordially invites you to attend our debut event: The Bee, a spelling bee for grades K-5. The Bee is a fun, educational event to promote education and introduce FPHE to the community.
When:Saturday, November 15, 2008, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm:Grades K-1 will perform 11:00-12:30Grades 2-3 will perform 1:00-2:30Grades 4-5 will perform 3:00-4:30
Where:Pleasant Hill City Hall, Council Chambers100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Who:The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization committed to providing financial support to all 11 public schools in Pleasant Hill, K-12. The Bee is co-sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Education/Schools Advisory Commission.
How:Registration is $5 per participant.To register call 676-8921 or visit the FPHE website, www.fphe.org
All participants will receive a gift bag, a certificate of participation, and a free raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners of each group (K/1, 2/3, and 4/5).
All proceeds will go to FPHE to benefit Pleasant Hill public schools, K-12.
Please forward this email to people interested in The Bee or who would like to be included on our FPHE email distribution list. FPHE will not give out email addresses.
We look forward to seeing you on November 15th.
Hello MDUSD Community,
The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education (FPHE) cordially invites you to attend our debut event: The Bee, a spelling bee for grades K-5. The Bee is a fun, educational event to promote education and introduce FPHE to the community.
When:Saturday, November 15, 2008, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm:Grades K-1 will perform 11:00-12:30Grades 2-3 will perform 1:00-2:30Grades 4-5 will perform 3:00-4:30
Where:Pleasant Hill City Hall, Council Chambers100 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
Who:The Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization committed to providing financial support to all 11 public schools in Pleasant Hill, K-12. The Bee is co-sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Education/Schools Advisory Commission.
How:Registration is $5 per participant.To register call 676-8921 or visit the FPHE website, www.fphe.org
All participants will receive a gift bag, a certificate of participation, and a free raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners of each group (K/1, 2/3, and 4/5).
All proceeds will go to FPHE to benefit Pleasant Hill public schools, K-12.
Please forward this email to people interested in The Bee or who would like to be included on our FPHE email distribution list. FPHE will not give out email addresses.
We look forward to seeing you on November 15th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)