October 22, 2010
Mt. Diablo USD News Update
Where Kids Come First
Fifth Annual Day at the Races for Literacy
Raising Funds to Raise Readers -- On Saturday, October 30, 2010 the Central Contra Costa Literacy Coalition and The Rotary Club of Concord are working together to benefit the literacy programs in Central Contra Costa County. The event, scheduled from 8:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m., is being hosted by the Hilton Concord and 100 percent of the $20 entry fee will be donated to fund literacy projects. The entry fee provides an opportunity to participate in a 1K, 5K or 10K race, and enjoy a spaghetti and meatballs lunch and free concert. School teams are encouraged to enter to raise funds for their school’s literacy program. For information about the event call 925-349-2654 or register online at www.theschedule.com .
Budget Update
Although the State budget restored the $275 per-student reduction from the Governor’s May budget proposal, and we will receive $6 million in new one-time Federal dollars, we are being very cautious about the District’s budget. In a Los Angeles Times article dated October 10, 2010, by Evan Halper, Mr. Halper asserts that come January, a new governor and a new crop of lawmakers will have to confront the $19 billion deficit that the current governor and legislature failed to address. Quoting the Los Angeles Times:
The most optimistic projections show that the spending plan Schwarzenegger signed will produce a shortfall of at least $10 billion – more than 11% of state spending – in the next fiscal year. Many experts predict it will be billions more. The leaders mostly papered over this year’s gap, punting many tough decisions forward.
We have read many analyses of the State budget that reach similar conclusions. A commensurate 11% reduction to California’s education budget would be approximately $5.5 billion. This would translate into an additional $20 million reduction to our District budget! Consequently, there is a high probability of mid-year cuts. Therefore, it is imprudent to allocate or spend the $6 million in one-time Federal dollars until the new governor’s January budget is released. We want to ensure that the District has adequate funding in place to prevent mid-year reductions in programs and personnel.
Shining the Light on Solar
Solar Update -- This Tuesday, October 26, 2010 the Board of Education will consider approving the contract with SunPower. Once the contract is approved, the design and State approval process begins. Our goal is to break ground in early spring 2011 and have the solar project completed by mid spring 2012. Once the installation of solar shade projects begins, we will post updates and pictures on the District webpage.
Well I suppose it is better than nothing. There is nothing of substance here though. Guess I get to see pictures of my hard earned tax dollars being wasted on Eberhart's pet project.
ReplyDeleteI assume that you are referring to the school district's solar project. A project that is going to bring in over $192,500,000.00 to the general fund which will be available to be used to improve student programs. I don't know if you can call it "Gary Eberhart's pet project", but I strongly endorse the solar project and all of the benefits that the project will bring our students.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious if there is anticipated any impact or opposition by neighbors on the proposed placement of the panels. I see that at some school sites they are situated in front parking lots, and in plain view of housing and along main streets. It's one thing to live across the street from a school, another perhaps, to now have to stare at a solar panel installation.
ReplyDeleteIs there a reason they all have to be new installations vs. using existing shade structures, etc. And are they over parking places because that is the best place? Or is there really not enough need for shade at the school (for the kids)?
Is there a map of where panels will be placed at each site? If so, I'd love to see this map.
ReplyDeleteIf they build new structures, won't all of these have to go before the various planning commissions and be subject to public hearings where the neighbors can object ? Will there need to be Environmental Impact Reports on light reflection at the neighbors ? What about vandalism by kids throwing rocks at the panels ?
ReplyDeleteSchool districts are political subdivisions of the state and are not subject to local regulation, so no. Also, federal law preempts local regulation for solar installations.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU IF YOU ARE A PARENT OF SILVERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BE AWARE THAT IF YOU DO NOT PAY YOUR KIDS LUNCH THEY WILL NOT GET LUNCH . I WAS LATE FOR ONE DAY AND THEY DID NOT GIVE MY KID LUNCH THEN I PAID AND THE MONEY WAS POSTED LATE SO THE SECOND DAY NO LUCH AGAIN , THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THA...T THAT HAPPENDS. I THE SCHOOL FINDS OUT THAT I DID NOT GIVE MY KID BREAKFAST OR LUCH THEY WILL REPORT ME TO CPS WHY CAN WE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGeez 10:23am- You were one day late and they didn't give your kid lunch? Are you sure this isn't a chronic problem?
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since my kids were in elementary schools, so I don't know if things have changed, but that sounds kind of harsh for just being one day late.
How about you take responsibility to make sure that your kid has breakfast and money for lunch? It seems lame to blame the school for your inadequacies as a parent.
10:23,
ReplyDeleteTo bad. You need to be a better parent.
Community Meeting tomorrow regarding the persistently lowest performing schools.
ReplyDeleteLawrence to present his plan.
For more information -
http://mdusdvoice.wordpress.com/
Thanks Linda. The PAC meeting scheduled for Weds was changed to next Weds. I think it's really stupid that any district committee would change their dates around baseball. I'm one of the greatest fans around, but geez. Next Weds is the start of a 4 day weekend. Hope they have a good turn out. I can't be there due to a music trip.
ReplyDeletePlease note that the parents were asked whether or not they wanted to change the meeting. The parents who are members overwhelmingly responded to have the date change.
ReplyDeleteAnon 7;41pm- The PAC participants were polled about whether they wanted to move the date and they voted to do so overwhelmingly.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the district does, someone has to complain--whether they have the facts or not.
Hi there! Just noticing that this Superintendent's Newsletter was posted to the parents blog....any way it could get posted to the teacher's blog too? ...or perhaps send it out through district email to all teachers? Would be great to be kept in the loop. I know there are plenty of teachers who would appreciate the communication.
ReplyDeleteHi Jason, so I wonder if MDEA would be willing to forward this. Or I can ask the teacher blogger about it. But also, why not jut sign up for it? I had posted a while back how to get in the list... I can confirm and repost that info for anyone not currently receiving it.
ReplyDeleteSolar update: Are the kids first or is solar first ? Are the Principals of the schools 'signing off' on the proposed plan to install solar ? Is it true that some of the playgrounds will be covered up ? Is it true there will be poles placed in the middle of play areas ? Solar was only to be placed in parking lots not playgrounds. What happened to that ?
ReplyDeleteSee, it's comments like Anon @3:23pm that drive me crazy.
ReplyDeleteAsking questions like, "Is it true that they are going to cover up playgrounds?" is just ridiculous.
What about, "Is it true that they are going to be using children for fuel?" "Is it true that Mildred Browne held a gun to her employees head's to get them to buy her pajamas?"
Unfortunately, I don't come to this site as much any more because of the haters. It's too bad, because MDUSD Parents does us all a great service with this blog.
ANON 3:23, Solar puts the kids first. Solar will generate more than $5 million per year (for the first few years, and then $3 million per year) for KIDS. That is the whole reason it is being done. $192 million for kids over 30 years. FOR KIDS. What don't you get about this. Principals are being consulted on locations. And yes, some playgrounds will be provided much needed and much requested shade. Some schools have paid tens of thousands of dollars for shade structures. Now many others will get shade with no cost to the PTA. Solar was never only for the parking lots. It was always planned to be on parking lots and on playgrounds. This is all good for the students, all good for the schools and you just ask dumb questions.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:54, your comment is hilarious. You are absolutely right.
I am sorry I don't recall the pro solar information saying "on playgrounds" but won't the posts ruin the playgrounds ? Does the principal have veto power ?
ReplyDeleteWhy would they want to put the solar on the playgrounds? It's such a silly thing to say.
ReplyDeleteIt might be more likely to do what DVC did and make covered parking in the lots with the solar panels on top.
Indeed, some of the school blacktop areas will be covered by solar panels. Just look at the presentation to the board, it shows the locations of all proposed panels. They will, of course, be vandalized in short order. Just look at what happened to El Monte's chickens this past holiday weekend.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:50 pm You are right. If they can't protect a chicken, how are they going to protect a valuable solar panel ? Next thing you know they will start paying for security patrols to all the solar sites and increase the costs astronomically. All the savings will disappear pronto.
ReplyDeleteAnon 4:11
ReplyDeleteI am afraid to ask you this question because you sound so angry but I feel I have to.
How do you get to $5,000,000 during the first years? The total energy bill for the district is $3.2mil and we have been told that solar can only replace a portion of that. In the presentation made to the district SunPower was covering 60% of the MDUSD energy costs. That would mean $1.92 mil plus the 1.5 in rebates would mean about 3.5mil during the first years and less that 2mil in later years. This is before the cost of additional insurance, security, and administration. I am assuming the repair and maintenance will be part of the initial package that MDUSD purchases but how long will the company guarantee to maintain and repair the solar equipment? I don't doubt solar will bring some money into the district but given the cost to the community, the potential obsolesence of the product, and the unknowns like security and vandalism, and time away from other priorities I am not sure the time and energy could not have been better spent.