The committee has recommended to close..... This from Theresa Harrington of the Times tweeting during the meeting:
(be sure to read her blog, linked below, for full details, how the votes were tallied and what happens next)
TunedToTheresa #MDUSD school closure committee recommends closing Glenbrook MS, Silverwood, Holbrook, Wren, Sequoia MS, Sequoia Elem and Monte Gardens
4 minutes ago
Follow Theresa here : www.Twitter.com/tunedtotheresa
Stay calm people... Do the right thing and write your letters to the board with constructive alternatives and tact. Remember, the board is the deciding body....
Be sure to read her blog and the comments for other reader commentary before you react, there is more to the story....
These are not the final recommendations according to Theresa's report at her blog, http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/ . See how the votes landed by reading at her site.
I can't say that I have ever encountered a bigger bunch of morons.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you know a committee more concerned with a Politically Correct decision rather than a logical one.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteLots of you bad mouthed me a while back. Please go see the very first post in this topic ""School closure committee sort through recommendations"".
Care to continue to bad mouth me?
Theresa's tweet is way off. There were three different scenarios with three different schools each. Not all those schools are going to close. Of the three scenarios that were chosen, the one with the fewest votes all around were the Sequoias and MG.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, Theresa will be more informative on her blog tomorrow.
Her blog does have more details now, to explain how many votes each school got and that the final recommendation will come at study session I guess... I posted the link to her blog. I do see her tweet wasn't the whole story.
ReplyDelete7:15pm- I don't know what you mean by being bad mouthed, but what have you done except post your rumors and speculations? Have you gone to even one meeting?
ReplyDeleteNot sure about bad mouthing, but maybe just asking people to calm down in general :). There are 3 scenarios recommended...as someone pointed out the one with sequoia and monte gardens got the fewest number of votes of the three recommended scenarios. It is still there though and I just wonder if anyone knows why the 2.7 mil option wasn't more seriously considered.
ReplyDeleteI agree, why not the $2.7 option?
ReplyDeleteHard to know until the committee themselves speak to it, but one of the cons on the list for that option said that affected too many kids.
ReplyDeleteclaycord explains it better than harrington did. they detailed the list of possible closures and said where the kids would go if their schools are shut down.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the bigger story is that CC Times is reporting that "Reeling from state education cuts, the Mt. Diablo school board on Tuesday expects to give a "negative" certification to its budget, meaning it can't pay its expenses through next year."
ReplyDeleteDoctor J
I think theresa assumes you've been following along as all claycord did is take harrington's article and cut and paste from the previous committee recommendations. Again, those of you not paying attention coming out of the woodwork.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you think claycord got his info? And he didn't even credit Harrington. Or the times. Nice. He certainly didn't attend the meeting.
i was at the meeting and mailed my information to the mayor of claycord as did several others. harrington isn't the only one who has the information or was at the meeting.
ReplyDeleteWhile school closures are difficult the bigger story is definitely the "negative" certification.
ReplyDeleteWith $17mil in cuts needed next year... this is not going away. Solar or no solar.
Anon 8.39 Where will the district cut $17 mil next year ? Sherry said they were hoping for $9 mil in employee concessions -- that ain't going to happen with takeover nearly certain. But that still leaves $8 mil. Perhaps MDUSDparents can set up a blog on that story and ask the public where do you cut $17 mil.
ReplyDeleteMy concern about the potential closure list or any other decision made by a committee in MDUSD is that the committee can only recommend and the board can still do what ever they want. That leaves me incredible fearful due to the political nature of this decision.
ReplyDelete"Decisions being made are political in nature..." is an interesting comment if only because I'd think the Board could pretty much decide whatever they want to without risk of anything.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I can't imagine anyone on the Board wanting to run for reelection again anyway after facing the firestorm of criticism and anger sure to be leveled at them, no matter what decisions are made.
My kid is at Sequoia Middle. It's been a great year, and I love the school. I'm truly hoping that it's around next year because I can't imagine having to send a kid back to Oak Grove Middle. Frankly, OGM looks like a ghetto school, from the chain link fence, to the Graffiti logo, and the sad look of the grounds. I'm not talking about the kids there. I'm talking about the environment. You could take a picture of that school on a Saturday afternoon without people around and plop it right in the middle of a picture of Oakland and you couldn't tell the difference.
I know, because I drive past it every day, and I just drove through Oakland this weekend.
I understand that a lot of people choose to send their children there. I would like to have the opportunity to send my child to a place where it's a nice environment (trees, nice benches, subtle chain link fences at least) and the standards are high. It's ridiculous that our neighborhood school looks like a ghetto. I wouldn't want to live across the street from it and look at it every day.
Or are they closing Sequoia Middle and spending money fixing up Oak Grove?
Is this the kind of letter I need to send to the Board?
I'd like to add that it's a perfectly sensible choice to close the Charter schools: No boundaries to redefine.
ReplyDeleteAnd frankly, it would be great if they fixed up OGM. But you're still looking at $17 million in cuts for next year. They are hardly going to spend money making things look pretty. Which means that if they close a campus that at least is a pleasant environment to learn in and make everyone move back to a ghetto looking school, well... you get my point. It's all going down the toilet. It feels very hopeless in any direction you look in.
-anon- 4:43
Can't any school and it's parents make the school look nice if they care too?
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure that our school funds a lot of things like campus beautification through the parent club.
Partly the parents need to care and share that with their kids. That also holds true to helping kids with their education at home.
My daughters go to Monte Gardens. We choose to go there mostly because I believe in the philosophy of that school. Back to basics and lots of parent participation. We have a great parent community and excellent teachers. We are not snobs, we just all believe that education is our number one priority for our kids, I don't believe that all parents feel the same way. I may be wrong.
But I would ask politely that people not knock our school because they think we are elitists.
All of our kids deserve a great education, regardless of what school or community they live in. But it is the parents duty to continue education at home and do all they can to make their school a great place to learn. I think they call that 'being involved'.
good luck to all of us, this is a tough road ahead.
Anon 4:48
ReplyDeleteSequoia and Monte Gardens are not charter schools. The only charter school in the district is Eagle Peak and there will be a new charter high school next year.
Charter school, not. Magnet school? yes? Either way, Monte Gardens, Sequoia Elem. and Sequoia Middle are considered "district-wide" schools on the MDUSD matriculation table, and not subject to district boundaries, but a special application process.
ReplyDeleteWhether anyone is saying it or not, that has to be a prime consideration. You don't have to redraw district boundaries and change everyone's property valuation and listen to the screaming start. If you think the Northgaters wouldn't be screaming to high heaven (about their property values if nothing else) if a change to their feeder pattern sent them to Oak Grove Middle and Ygnacio Valley High School instead of Foothill and Northgate (where our new Superintendant is sending his children because that's where "they wanted to go"), then you've got another "think" coming.
If all you Monte Gardens, Sequoia Elementary, and Sequoia Middle Schoolers want to keep your schools, you better make sure your voices are heard, or you'll find yourself back at your home schools, like it or not, next September. You don't have a boundary line, folks. Your property values have already taken their hit and your escape loop is about to get closed.
"You don't have a boundary line, folks." - Correction: Your boundary line hasn't changed. You still have an official feeder pattern, whether you choose to stay in it or try to transfer to the magnet schools. Getting rid of the magnet schools means that those students will have to either return to their home feeder pattern, or move.
ReplyDeleteEveryone who owns within the MDUSD district will have his/her property values hurt if the "choice" schools get closed. When we purchased last winter, our realtor talked about how great SES was and how the lottery was open to anyone living within the district. Our zoned school (Valhalla) is okay but having the potential option of SES makes buying within MDUSD more attractive.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't the distric look to cut from within their offices? Pay cuts, cutting departments, cutting staff??? I think it's insane to close schools-as most are filled to capacity or over-filled & sending students that will be displaced & perhaps "bussed" to the other schools is only going to make the problems worse. Who will pay for the "bussing" of these displaced students? Or will parents be expected to drive their child to their new school??? I think there are many potential problems with these closures that the board hasn't fully thought about. In every scenario whether it's the State or our own district their first thought is always to cut funding for our kids-THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE A LAST RESORT! Our kids futures are at stake when they do MAJOR things like closing schools
ReplyDelete9:09
ReplyDeleteNot sure where you have been for the past five years. Did you even listen to the board meeting last night?
The district cut the size of the district office by over 35%. It reduced two positions from the superintendent's council. At one board meeting it was stated that if you closed the district office (no payroll, no program specialist, no human resources) it would save $5 million.
Currently the ADA is $5,227 per student, next year the projected could be $250 less per student because of the state budget cuts.
The governor cut mental health services so starting in January the district is paying over $2 million for that. Beginning in January the district will have to pay over $4 million. Where is that money going to come from.
The administration already capped its benefits starting in January, and will take between 5 - 9 furlough days. They took furlough days last year.
The unions won't cap or cut health benefits. That is anywhere from 6% to 10% increase a year.
I suggest you read the board presentation from last night and then develop rational solutions or you are still a part of the problem.
To the very funny school closure committee THANK YOU!! Northgate HS is having their annual Christmas Party / Celebration this evening and we would like to thank you, for providing the stand-up comic (yourselves) Four votes to close Northgate?? HYSTERICAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete9:49am- I guess I'm not sure what's so hysterical?
ReplyDeleteIf I were on the committee, I would have voted to close Northgate. They don't have a local population to sustain it, so the district agreed in closed session negotiations with developers to beef up their enrollment from communities that are closer to other high schools that could use the extra enrollment.
Why are the Crossings, Crystyl Ranch and Ygnacio Woods developments in the Northgate attendance area? They are much closer to CVHS and YVHS. As with every other school in the district, NG will be facing declining enrollment, but the district seems to agree to anything to keep it open at all costs.
Why doesn't the district split off into 3 or 4 smaller districts? The district cannot possibly be able to handle the funding if they are in such dire need & are talking school closure.
ReplyDelete@9:46 FYI we have been out of the district for the last 5+ years-no need to be snarky
There goes the Board spending again like drunken sailors: from $20 k to $70 k for the closure consultants and then nearly a $100 k for another consultant for English learners ? What are we paying the administrators for ? so what happens all of the alleged savings by reorganization ? Gets spent on consultants ! Pretty soon it adds up to real money. State takeover will be beneficial. I thought Cheryl Hansen was supposed to be an expert on school management.
ReplyDeleteThere are three members on that committee who are targeting Sequoia. Look at the voting by members. Anyone out there who thinks the MDUSD board will make a wise deicsion has not been paying attention the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteThe committee members who are targeting Sequoia must be idiots or morons. Maybe both.
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:56
ReplyDeleteWe need to find out if funds were mandated or restricted by our State to only be used for ESL students, then that would explain the need for the extra position. That is a huge issue, the State and Federal Governments mandate programs, give (well, should give) money to the districts with the strict guideline of only using the funds for certain programs.
I do understand the need for closure consultant, but the ESL one? I bet it has to do with restricted funds.
3:09
ReplyDeleteIf you split the district, then you each school district would have a higher overhead percentage. Each district would need a superintendent, payroll department, fiscal department, human resource department, special education. It's the economies of scale that make larger district's have less overheard. I believe the total percentage of the budget that is adminstration for MDUSD is less than 5% of then entire budget.
Perhaps after all this is done everyone could finally focus on the quality of education that all the students should be receiving regardless of which schools they attend. The enrollment will continue to fall and funding decrease as long as parents do not believe that their children get the quality of education that is needed and desired. If all of the MDUSD schools were great NONE of us would be involved in this conversation! The reality is that some of the schools are good (or very good) and others are among the worst ones in the state. Shame on the administrators!
ReplyDelete7:30pm- Here we go again. You are a committee member talking about other committee members. How else would you know that three members were targeting Sequoia? Discussions were made in break out groups. If there was a comment about Sequoia is definitely in line with the discussion, not targeting.
ReplyDeleteWhat was more interesting were the Sequoia parents on the committee who lobbied for their school. No other parent on the committee specifically lobbied for their individual schools like the Sequoia parents did.
To come on the blog anonymously and condemn people for their opinion, shows how narrow minded and immature you are.
Aren't other committee members allowed to have an opinion about Sequoia? Maybe in their opinion, it was a good idea to close those schools. They might be wrong, but they are entitled to their opinion. They obviously didn't sway too many people since that vote was so close.
Show some class and deal with the work the committee did and the results. There were more than three people on the committee.
@ December 15, 2010 11:29 PM: Look at the voting - it is clear what three members are doing. Close your eyes if you want, but Sequoia was targeted. Hard work by the members is thrown out the door when trying to impose an agenda. Numbers do not lie - sorry if it hurts.
ReplyDelete7:30-- You are highly misinformed. Look at the closure committee roster--THERE ARE NO SEQUOIA PARENTS ON THE COMMITTEE. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see a couple of people threw all of their votes to the Sequoia/MG option. Talk about having personal agendas against the choice schools. It is interesting hardly anyone is talking about the faulty application of the criteria exercises that were thrown by the wayside. If the committee had actually used the results of the criteria evaluation (isn't that why the committee was formed in the first place), there would be absolutely no reason to put them in a scenario as the choice schools didn't even land at the bottom 1/4 of the point rankings.
ReplyDeleteThe people who are targeting the choice schools should immediately be thrown off the committee and their children should be expelled from the MDUSD.
ReplyDelete7:01am- I am not the one who is misinformed. Sequoia has no boundaries, so the parents who are on the committee actual represent their home feeder pattern. There were parents whose children attend Sequoia on the committee.
ReplyDelete6:21am- I can close my eyes if I want? To what? People having their own opinion?
As I said in my earlier post, if there were members who thought that the best decision was to close the Sequoias so that no neighborhood had to be closed, isn't that their right? If there were members who thought that sending families back to their home school would improve the educational experience of their home school, isn't that their right?
If you think there was bullying going on, why aren't the rest of the committee stepping up to say so? According to your logic, everyone saw the same data and should have come to the same conclusion about which schools should be closed. That didn't happen. The votes were spread out among many different schools.
There were 24 people who voted that night and each had four votes. Sequoia came in a distant third, and when the vote to move forward with that proposal came up, it was 14 for and 10 against.
You sound like the one doing the intimidating. You want to criticize committee members who had a different opinion than yours. What's funny is that if you felt that you were being intimidated, you could have brought it up during the meetings.
The code of conduct asked for all members to be respectful and if those other members weren't, then you had every right to speak to Rose Lock about it.
Instead, you act unprofessionally, and complain on the blog about committee members who you don't agree with.
It is up to the school board to make the final decision, and they only have to pick one scenario. With the low level of support from the committee to close SES, SMS and MG, it appears that one of the first two options is likely to be implemented.
@ December 16, 2010 8:06 AM
ReplyDeleteYou are right: "There were 24 people who voted that night and each had four votes".
Question - Who were the people who cast all 4 of their votes against Sequoia? ALL FOUR??? Riddle me that Batman.
So go ahead "Committee", close Sequoia and hope that those kids scores boost the schools that can't get thier act together. Don't fix the REAL problem. M
MDUSD is just staying the course, so it is not a surprise.......I am sure our kids will love looking at the brand new solar panels as the district goes broke and their schools crumble down around them.
12:17, Solar will benefit the general fund $5 million per year. How can you possibly not support that?
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:19,
ReplyDeleteThat is just an accounting shell trick. Don't let the board fool you on that one.
I think the fact the Sequoia and Monte Gardens are even part of the discussion is just absolutely crazy.
1:12, it is not an accounting trick, it is actual money to support students. Making false statements like that helps no one. Again, this is real money that will help students.
ReplyDelete12:17pm- You are so ill informed and immature that it really serves no purpose to discuss this with you rationally, but I will try one more time. (Riddle me this Batman?)
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that one person used all their votes to close Sequoia? You don't. Wouldn't that fly in the face of your three bullies scenario, because if that were the case, there would be 12 votes against Sequoia.
So what if one person used all four votes for Sequoia. That is their CHOICE. That tally was separate from voting on the closure option scenarios. If you were at the meeting, you would see that schools that weren't even on the list of options got votes.
Do you know if anyone else used their four votes to close another school? You don't. But if they did, you probably wouldn't be posting and complaining about it.
Here is the part you seem to have the most problem grasping.
You wrote:
"So go ahead "Committee", close Sequoia and hope that those kids scores boost the schools that can't get thier act together. Don't fix the REAL problem. "
Do you not understand that it's not the committee that is closing the schools? It's the board that votes.
Do you not understand that Sequoia was one of three options sent to the board and that it was the least supported option of all three?
You are like a child who has their fingers in their ears who refuses to hear anything but their own blather.
Why not get your facts straight and write a well thought out, non emotional letter to the board in support of Sequoia? Organize a letter writing campaign. That would have more of an impact than coming on this blog making wild assertions and accusations.
Anon 12:17 and 1:12
ReplyDeleteWe get it, you are angry that SMS, SES were even on the list, gasp... I do hope you have written each BOE Member and the Superintendent letters or emails. I would suggest not threatening, calling names or now what you are doing, trying to state there is a conspiracy theory (quite funny to read your posts actually) Before you say anything, I am a SMS parent.
When are you going to take that anger of yours to Sacramento? Look at what they just did, pulled expected funding for severly disabled children, so now MDUSD has to come up with almost $2.5 million in January 11 and another almost $5 million for the 11/12 school year and every after that if the State continues to take money from education. MDUSD has to project a 3 year balanced budget. How is this possible when our State pulls this mid year and then demands the program stay? These are children with Schizophrenia and Severe Depression. When did MDUSD become a Mental Hospital with trained Medical personnel???
I do want to thank Anon 8:06 for all your great, informative, educated posts.
Thank you 2:05pm.
ReplyDeleteI thought I posted this, but it didn't come through, so I am posting again--unless MDUSD Parents blocked it?
12:17pm- You are so ill informed and immature that it really serves no purpose to discuss this with you rationally, but I will try one more time. (Riddle me this Batman?)
How do you know that one person used all their votes to close Sequoia? You don't. Wouldn't that fly in the face of your three bullies scenario, because if that were the case, there would be 12 votes against Sequoia.
So what if one person used all four votes for Sequoia. That is their CHOICE. That tally was separate from voting on the closure option scenarios. If you were at the meeting, you would see that schools that weren't even on the list of options got votes.
Do you know if anyone else used their four votes to close another school? You don't. But if they did, you probably wouldn't be posting and complaining about it.
Here is the part you seem to have the most problem grasping.
You wrote:
"So go ahead "Committee", close Sequoia and hope that those kids scores boost the schools that can't get thier act together. Don't fix the REAL problem. "
Do you not understand that it's not the committee that is closing the schools? It's the board that votes.
Do you not understand that Sequoia was one of three options sent to the board and that it was the least supported option of all three?
You are like a child who has their fingers in their ears who refuses to hear anything but their own blather.
Why not get your facts straight and write a well thought out, non emotional letter to the board in support of Sequoia? Organize a letter writing campaign. That would have more of an impact than coming on this blog making wild assertions and accusations.
@ 2:23
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Ranting on this blog isn't going to help your cause, because we are not the ones deciding. I would feel deeply disheartened if Sequoia was closed, and I think it is an important part of the community, but anger doesn't solve problems.
Fact are straight. Not raging or complaining. Just the facts. Pointing out that Committe members have a hidden agenda seems to have you more upset then me.
ReplyDeleteThe committee member(s) that has it out for Sequoia clearly has an agenda besides making an intelligent and logical choice. There is no excuse for putting Sequoia on the chopping block other than being a complete and total moron.
ReplyDeleteWow,
ReplyDeleteIt has been interesting seeing the amount of disinformation being presented on this site. I am a closure committee member and can assure everyone reading this blog that I witnessed no intimidation during our process. The suggestion that it was the even possible is laughable. In fact, the only way I could imagine any one feeling that way is because they failed to push their own agenda. As far as pushing any private agendas, the process of the committee and the reassignments of groups as well as the evaluation criteria rendered that concept pretty much moot by design. The only representatives that drew negative attention were those who had the audacity to stand up and say there school shouldn’t be considered for closure because their community was better or there programs were more important then others.
The recommended schools were a result of a culmination of evaluations which took sections through these campuses and in at least a half a dozen ways. However, there was no perfect scenario. Any one here suggesting there was or that we could have created one is disillusioned. There are a hundred reasons why every school should be considered for closure and a hundred reasons why none should be considered. The scenarios recommended were what ultimately floated to the top after the process was finished and determined by vote. You can criticize the need to close schools, or even the process that will do it. You cannot criticize the committee. The committee is comprised of representatives from each feeder pattern and elected by the principal of your respective schools. There is no you and us. We are you and you are us. If you cannot grasp that then the process would be way over your head anyway. I can tell you this has been a pain staking process. I ultimately hope that the board finds the closure of any school to be way more trouble than what we stand to gain. However something has to give and the student population in our district cannot sustain all these campuses, plain and simple.
One last note, there is no relationship between the solar budget and the general fund. They are two completely different funding sources of which remain antonymous. The Measure C funds are being used for the solar. The general fund is sustaining the campuses. If one could be substituted for the other do you really think we would be here today? The fact is that Measure C passed because the funds it generates could not be used for staff and teachers.
Anon 10:56 Thank you for taking lots of time away from your family and friends to be a part of the Closure Committee. I really appreciate your post and your commitment to our children and district.
ReplyDeleteIn a perfect world or State our schools and our children would not be facing drastic cuts to funding year after year. In a perfect world our Government would see that funding education should be a priority over prisons, welfare, food stamps, etc...
Thank you 10:56am- I have attended many closure committee meetings and have tried to convey the process that you all went through on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope that this can be the definitive and final word on the subject until the board votes. Sadly, I worry that it won't be.
"If you split the district, then you each school district would have a higher overhead percentage".
ReplyDeleteTrue, but depending on how the new district lines are drawn, passing a parcel tax might become politically feasible. I think the homeowners in WC, PH, Martinez, Clayton, and the nicer neighborhoods of Concord might be much more willing to support a parcel tax if they knew their tax money would be supporting their own schools rather than disappearing into the morass that is MDUSD.
You cannot criticize the committee. The committee is comprised of representatives from each feeder pattern and elected by the principal of your respective schools....
ReplyDeleteMore spin. Three are three people who are going to have some explaining to do very soon.
To the guy who said you can't criticize the committee, when a committee makes the most moronic recommendation on earth in the history of man. They deserve to be criticized.
ReplyDeleteTo the posters who call everyone else "morons", maybe you should look up the meaning.
ReplyDeleteThere is something wrong when a group of people feel they are so above everyone else that they can criticize and attack people without actually knowing what's going on.
The Sequoia schools provide a good options for some families in the district, but there is a sense of entitlement and arrogance on this blog that is getting too hard to take.
Maybe the schools should be closed so that no one feels more morally superior to anyone else. I might write a letter to the board to that effect. Neighborhood schools build communities, the Sequoias seems to build arrogance.
To 9:57 AM.... I could not agree with you more!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for "saying" what I have been thinking!!!
Really 9:57??, I thought this blog was for adults?! "Maybe the schools should be closed so that no one feels more morally superior to anyone else"??? You can't be suggesting the MDUSD trustees are fit to be our moral police? (Though apparently you think you are.) You really think schools should be closed to change YOUR PERCEPTION of other people's attitudes??? Do you personally know any families at these schools? These decisions need to be based on logical facts, with serious consideration of the long term impact, not on emotions!!! God help us.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:57,
ReplyDeleteYou are both a moron and an idiot. Please help society and don't procreate, I feel sorry for your kids if you have any.
Anon 1:51,
ReplyDeleteYou clearly are upset about the recomendations and you are entitled to be that. However, you are equaly ignorent of what got us to this point. Did you apply for the committee? If not, piss off. If so, then it would seem that no one else in your school felt you were qualified or posessed the skill set to represent your school. Reagardless, should you wish educate yourself on how your school ended up the the list you can research the MDUSD website which contains all the info you need to draw you own conlusions. Or you can hust skip to the end and look at the vote count. There were 25 people smarter and more dediticated to the schools than you that came up with these recommendations. There will be addional meetings that you may attend before the final decission is made. I suggest you be there, I will be. Then you can stand up and call us morons face to face and I will be happy to address you then. END OF FILE..........
Please keep in mind that these blogs are faceless and people can post anonomously. Just because someone says they are from a certain school, committee, city, town, moon, etc., doesn't mean they are. We as readers don't really know who they are and shouldn't assume that all blog postings are representing themselves accurately unless they post their full name.
ReplyDeleteSome of these posts that are calling committee members morons, idiots, etc., etc., etc, I'm sure are from one of the 3 choice schools. But 99% of the families at these schools that do not agree with the decision to put the 3 choice schools on the closure list, are frustrated, don't think it makes sense that we were even on the list, do not and are not going around spewing negativity, or calling people names.
We are organizing, we are writing letters, we are talking to people. But we are not using our energy to bash or put others down. We are using our energy to save our children's and every other child's family the right to choose a school that they feel fits their families educational goals and needs. The vast majority of us are not arrogrant, rude, or feel entitled. We are from all cities within the District, have economic abilities, and ethnic backgrounds. We feel blessed that we and others have this choice and welcome all.
Sequoia Family
Sequoia Family,
ReplyDeleteDon't you realize that unless you put your full, verifiable name, you are just as worthless as other anon bloggers. You have no authority to speak for the Sequoias.
8:27am- That's a little harsh, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI get what Sequoia Family was saying, but what I would suggest to them is to publicly repudiate any Sequoia parent who calls people morons or idiots, or questions the tough job that the committee had.
What I would like to see are more posts from Sequoia parents like Sequoia Family's, but not as milquetoast.
Call on those immature people to stop what they are doing. It reflects poorly on SES, SMS and MG and has created a backlash against the schools.
Of course, they don't have power over these anonymous trolls, but with the exception of one former Sequoia parent on this blog, reasonable and rational posts are few and far between.
By the way, 8:27am- That's pretty funny coming from you as anonymous poster.
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world would someone use their real name on this blog when it's been clear that some Sequoia parents--even ones on the SCC--are willing to call out people who disagree with them?
Why don't you use your real name as a start?
I'm 8:27. 11:14 try not to hurt your little brain too much. I am not claiming to represent any group. Sequoia Family is. Fundamental difference.
ReplyDeleteI guess what might be too much for your brain to grasp is that I think Sequoia Family is right on about 99% of the families at that school are trying to do the right thing without resorting to name calling and insults.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be the outlier (you can look that up).
This district loves to spend there money on testing materials, new postions in the district office (principal leaders waist of money), solar panels, and district office salaries and benefits, while teachers receive no cost of living raise, no benefits, extreme testing messures for the poor little kids, and dirty working environments. Instead of pooring all the energy into closing schools why not hire a teacher to figure out the budget and solve the problems of what schools need. We are the ones who work directly with the needs of families and students!
ReplyDeleteTeacher @12:16 wow. I usually don't comment on spelling issues on a blog but all I can say about your post is YIKES. Where did you go to school? Wasn't /isn't knowing how to spell a prerequisite to teaching children? One or two can be chalked up to Internet speak or even the dreaded auto correct all the devices have now, but there were just too many in your post to leave alone.
ReplyDelete12:44pm- I have to agree! The whole time I was reading 12:16pm's post, I was hoping that it wasn't made by a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe members of the school closure committee who are voting to close Sequoia are moronic idiots.
ReplyDelete-Sequoia Family
Anon 1:05
ReplyDeleteI am a former Sequoia Family and we have class, unlike you. I am writing the BOE why I feel that SMS, SES and MG need to remain open and offering alternative suggestions. What about you? Sadly you do not help, you hurt the school as a whole. Closing any school is a last choice, but sadly a much needed one in these times.
As for Anon 12:16 The Bond Measure can only be used for facilities, such as Solar. Many disticts are installing Solar, San Ramon has, Pittsburg just announced they are too. If you had been keeping yourself up to date, once Solar is installed it will immediately help the General Fund (where benefits and salaries are paid from) to the tune of at least $3 million and most likely a whole lot more. Also your teachers and their Union voted away your medical in lieu of higher salaries. The district is giving you a small stipend to help but in these times, just where do you think that money will come from? I also am concerned if you truly are a MDUSD teacher.
Anon 2:33,
ReplyDeleteKnowing this board, I would bet a substantial part of the savings from the Solar project will go to big raises for the Gang of Five.
Anon 2:51 You are old news and we have 2 new BOE members. Change is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3:30 Two new board members might mean a re-examination of the Gang of Five raises and reversal, especially if such large budget cuts are in order. As much as the Board uses consultants, why don't they use a cost cutting specialist rather than ask the Supt ? Asking the Supt is like having the fox guarding the hen house.
ReplyDeleteAnon 2:33
ReplyDeleteSolar-
We have been told $10mil, $7mil, $6mil, $5ml, and $3mil. Which is it? Do you know how San Ramon is paying for solar? The solar is paying for solar.
At this stage San Ramon had already provided an extensive year by year analysis of the projected savings from solar and the complete costs. Without that how do you know how much solar will save?
Go to http://www.srvusd.k12.ca.us
and search San Ramon's site for solar scenarios.
Anon 8:43,
ReplyDeleteTo compare the MDUSD solar program with the SRVUSD solar program is truly an apples to oranges comparison. Furthermore, to indicate that the SRVUSD solar program is superior to the MDUSD solar program is at best a misstatement of fact. Without rehashing old news in a lengthy post, let me make two obvious points of difference between the two programs. As stated on the SRVUSD web site, the SRVUSD solar program will bring in $5.4 million to their general fund by year 16 of the program. The MDUSD solar program will bring in about $5 million after the first year of the program. The SRVUSD solar program will bring in about $24 million during the first 25 years of their solar program. The MDUSD solar program will bring in about $200 million to the general fund in 30 years of our program. The fact of the matter is that there is no comparison between the SRVUSD solar program and the MDUSD solar program.
I have written about these facts countless times. I really don't have the time to continually debate the same points, but I'd be happy to speak to anyone that would like to talk about our solar program. You can reach me by e-mail or phone and you can find my contact information on the school district web site or on my blog site at: www.mdusd.blogspot.com.
Thanks
Gary,
ReplyDeleteMy point exactly, they are apples and oranges.
I notice Gary didn't address the Sequoia and Monte Gardens closure issue.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a Sequoia parent I would take that as a very bad sign. Being unwilling to throw some cold water on that debacle is probably an indication that the board agrees with the option.
Goodbye Sequoia and Monte Gardens it was a good run while it lasted.
9:40, I am a Sequoia parent and I don't take that as a bad sign at all. Actually, the fact that he did not comment on a somewhat ugly arguement gives me a bit of comfort in the board's ability to stay professional and logical. It would be inappropriate at this stage (before the SCC even presents it's recommendations to the Board) for any board member to give their opinions on what schools should be closed, or give any comments at all. I personally think the school closures could go any number of different ways, and perhaps all of us could be surprised with the decision that is made. I just hope it is one that is best for the school district in the long run, as far as improving the districts academic performance and saving money (which I believe is the ultimate goal).
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the commenter who keeps referring to people as "idiots and morons", I don't believe that is a Sequoia parent. My personal opinion is that it is someone just trying to make the school look bad.
Anon 9:58am- Having seen the posts from the Sequoia parent on the SCC committee calling out others and subsequent posts by another writer supporting those posts, I think it is a Sequoia parent who is writing that.
ReplyDeleteBut...I don't think that person is representative of the rest of Sequoia families.
Persons who call others names like "idiots and morons" really have low intelligence and are just bullies, who should be ignored.
ReplyDeleteThe principals at the schools DID NOT nominate or appoint representatives to the School Closure Committee. The School Site Council at each site took what applications were received, pared them down to one from each category that was available (parent, employee, community member, etc.) and passed them on to Mr. Petersen at the District Office.
ReplyDeleteBefore you bash the process, please get the facts straight. Since I serve on my school's Site Council, I was in on the process.
A study released this past week by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute shows that failing schools are seldom closed and even more rarely improved. How sad. You can read the post at www.k12reboot.com.
ReplyDelete9:40,
ReplyDeleteIt is comments like yours that do nothing to help an extremely difficult situation. 9:58 is correct. The Board has a responsibility to remain silent until we have heard from the committee, in person, at our joint meeting. Once that occurs, the Board will then have the ability to discuss options in public, hear from our community, and make a final decision.
I have written about the process on my blog site which is at www.mdusd.blogspot.com. Please stop by and take a read and make useful comments if you'd like to.
Thanks
Gary
Anon 1.08 Thanks for the link on this Fordham study. From the report it states: "We conclude that it is easier to close a low-performing school than to turn one around. Rather than pushing dubious turnaround efforts, charter authorizers and education policy makers alike should ramp up their efforts to close bad schools, particularly in cases where higher-performing schools are nearby." Just the opposite of what MDUSD is doing with its new Student Achievement and Support division. Maybe the Board should take a cue.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:44, please write all BOE members, the school attorney, Greg Rolen and the Superintendent. Please quote these facts and provide them links on where they can read these. Since they have the final say on which schools will close, this information might be useful and helpful. So if the close OGMS, Foothill and PHMS here we come :)
ReplyDeleteAnon 2.02 Why would Anon 1.44 have to do it. Everyone was provided with the link here. Gary will read it.
ReplyDeleteSure, close the underperforming schools. WHERE DO YOU THINK THOSE CHILDREN WILL GO? They don't disappear! They need to be educated too.
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:06,
ReplyDeleteIf we close the underperforming schools then maybe those kids will go back to their home countrys.
That would be a win -win in my book.
Anon 1:08 You need to write the BOE and Superintendent and provide links, information, etc... They will be the ones to make the final decision on which schools to close. I would also suggest you name the schools that will absorb these students, like Bancroft, Woodside, Valle Verde, Foothill and Pleasant Hill Middle and of course SMS, and SES. Quite possibly students would then not get in on the lottery because the students at the lower performing schools would need a school to attend. So there we go, send them to Monte Gardens, Sequoia Elementary and Sequoia Middle, yeah!
ReplyDeleteI guess the high priced consultant didn't even tell the Committee about the Fordham study. And the Board just gave him $50k more . . . .just saying.
ReplyDelete8:57,
ReplyDeleteYou're neglecting to consider that SES and MG fill to capacity every year. That is why there is a very long waiting list. It's the many schools in the district that still have capacity that will absorb the displaced students. Theoretically, the displaced students would want to stay close to home anyway...
Anon 8:57
ReplyDeleteIs that sarcasm? I believe this district has no choice but to close schools. I also don't believe there is any good answer to the situation. People are going to be upset regardless. I am not sure why you are asking me to name the schools where kids should be transferred? Your sarcasm implies I would have a problem with kids from lower performing schools going to higher performing schools - if that is the case you are wrong. I personally would not support the closure of SES, SMS, and MG for that very reason. These schools are one of the few opportunities for school choice in this district. It is one of the only opportunities for children from under performing schools to attend a high performing school. I posted the article because I thought it was interesting relative to this thread and the discussion thus far.
Interesting info about the population of Sequoia Middle
ReplyDelete201 from Oak Grove
157 from El Dorado
141 from Glenbrook
128 from Riverview
So kids zoned for lower performing schools already attend Sequoia Middle.
(http://www.mdusd.org/Community/Documents/scac/powerpoint/12-06.pdf)
Foothill and Pleasant Hill Middle are the closest middle schools to Oak Grove. Bancroft, Woodside and Valle Verde are the closest to YV Elementary, Cambridge and Meadow Homes. As for Glenbrook, then that could be El Dorado.
ReplyDeleteYes it is sarcasm. No one wants any schools to close. Do I want to see SMS and SES close? No, my students attended these schools by our choice. But I do understand and have followed the process. But all of a sudden it is that "Not my School" because we are special and have high test scores. Again, there is much more to this decision than test scores.
It will get ugly and families will be upset. But the students from SMS, SES and MG do have home schools to attend. Just think if all these same parents came together in their home schools, education would improve, there would be lots of support for the teachers and communities would bond.
What many are forgetting is that closing some schools is a financial necessity, that frankly the Board should have undertaken a year ago to save jobs. But when you read the posts how every potential school is upset, you can understand the Board's reluctance to deal with this any sooner , hoping for a miracle financial recovery. There are never clearcut decisions about which schools should close. The choices are difficult, affect real boys and girls, affect real families, affect real teachers and real administrators. The tragedy is that closing these schools will not save enough money to avoid further drastic budget cuts. Every job that is cut or reduced affects real people and their family.
ReplyDeleteDoctor J
Anon 10:14
ReplyDeleteI do not have children at SES, SMS, or MG.
I do know what it feels like to think the educational opportunities for your child are hopeless. I can sympathize with these parents. I would suggest that closing these three schools may not be best but would certainly be easiest. The trade off in quality for some of these families will be huge but at least the district will not face the very painful issue of radjusting attendance areas (or only minimal adjustments). Yes, that was my sarcasm.
The neighborhood schools will take years to get better.
It would be best for children to have attendance areas readjusted and minimize the disparity between the quality of their current school and their new school... better yet maybe they will attend a better school.
It is best for the adults to minimize the backlash to radjusting boundaries, close three good schools, and send kids back to their neighborhood.
Shouldn't we do what is best for the kids?
Why close successful schools and struggle to improve underperforming schools when you can close failing schools and create a better situation for many.
9:01pm- It's kind of funny to hear you complaining about the board giving the consultants $50K extra and referring to them as "him". It was actually two ladies. Their job was to provide demographic data, so I don't know why you think talking about the Fordham study was in their scope of duties.
ReplyDeleteBut, while we are on the topic, I wasn't at the board meeting so I don't know why the board voted for the increase.
If it was for extra work, well, it seemed that the consultants showed up more than a few times with inadequate information.
Everyone should go read Gary Eberhart's post over on the MDUSD blog.
ReplyDeleteReading between the lines my take away is that he agrees with the closure recommendation of the choice schools. Scary stuff.
Anon 7:50 I read the blog and do not see anything between the lines. Schools will close, schools have not been chosen, there will be a study session between the SCC and the BOE and this is OPEN to the public. You have access to all the minutes and can attend this meeting.
ReplyDeleteYou are not helping at all, but you do this on all the blogs (you use the same words all the time)
7:50, I read nothing of the sort "between the lines". Peope making comments like yours is what gets everyone upset.
ReplyDeleteDon't feed the trolls.
ReplyDeletePart I
ReplyDeleteI've been following this blog thread, because my kids will be impacted, no matter what. Oak Grove Middle is our home school. Our daughter is currently at Sequoia. I have to tell you that I've been really impressed by what Sequoia has offered. It's been great. Really.
They've got an incredible PE room, a woodshop, an art lab, a strong music program. Though I don't utilize the afterschool care, I've seen the room before, and it looks like a nice program, and it's available to those that need it. They've got a great food services program too. My daughter prefers to buy lunch rather than bring one from home.
SMS also has 8 periods, which I've heard is unusual/unique among the other schools, though I haven't called around to verify if that's true or not, because of the way they structure the Blue/Silver day, which means my daughter has the chance to be exposed to an additional class that she wouldn't otherwise.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that SMS is offering a lot, that our homeschool (OGM) doesn't have the infrastructure to offer. And to change OGM to build the infrastructure, will take more time that we would have. Should she have to move back to OGM, she will miss out on the SMS opportunities currently being offered as a public school education.
I'm not focusing on the teachers, or staff, because every school has great teachers and staff. I'm not focusing on the socioeconomic makeup of the school, because according to one of the posts, a lot of the kids already slated for OGM already appear to be attending SMS. I see a really diverse makeup of kids at SMS.
I do see a lot of comments accusing SMS families as being elitist. I don't consider myself elitist for wanting to my daughter to have the best opportunities available to her.
We all want what's best for our kids. Let's celebrate the schools that are doing something right instead of tearing them down.
Let's aim to get as many offerings or more than SMS, at other schools. It's neat to see what each school offers, and if you haven't checked out the web pages of all of the middle schools, please do so. They all offer clubs and after school activities that are unique to their student body and population.
For me, I really appreciate the SMS infrastructure that has provided and continues to provide a well balanced approach to fostering an education in multiple interests.
Part I
ReplyDeleteI've been following this blog thread, because my kids will be impacted, no matter what. Oak Grove Middle is our home school. Our daughter is currently at Sequoia. I have to tell you that I've been really impressed by what Sequoia has offered. It's been great. Really.
They've got an incredible PE room, a woodshop, an art lab, a strong music program. Though I don't utilize the afterschool care, I've seen the room before, and it looks like a nice program, and it's available to those that need it. They've got a great food services program too. My daughter prefers to buy lunch rather than bring one from home.
SMS also has 8 periods, which I've heard is unusual/unique among the other schools, though I haven't called around to verify if that's true or not, because of the way they structure the Blue/Silver day, which means my daughter has the chance to be exposed to an additional class that she wouldn't otherwise.
I guess what I'm trying to say, is that SMS is offering a lot, that our homeschool (OGM) doesn't have the infrastructure to offer. And to change OGM to build the infrastructure, will take more time that we would have. Should she have to move back to OGM, she will miss out on the SMS opportunities currently being offered as a public school education.
I'm not focusing on the teachers, or staff, because every school has great teachers and staff. I'm not focusing on the socioeconomic makeup of the school, because according to one of the posts, a lot of the kids already slated for OGM already appear to be attending SMS. I see a really diverse makeup of kids at SMS.
I do see a lot of comments accusing SMS families as being elitist. I don't consider myself elitist for wanting to my daughter to have the best opportunities available to her.
We all want what's best for our kids. Let's celebrate the schools that are doing something right instead of tearing them down.
Let's aim to get as many offerings or more than SMS, at other schools. It's neat to see what each school offers, and if you haven't checked out the web pages of all of the middle schools, please do so. They all offer clubs and after school activities that are unique to their student body and population.
For me, I really appreciate the SMS infrastructure that has provided and continues to provide a well balanced approach to fostering an education in multiple interests.
- Sheila
Part II
ReplyDeleteSorry about the duplicate post - it showed up as not going through the first time.
One other thing that I haven't seen addressed, but wonder if anyone knows: Since OGM is considered a NCLB school, will it continue to fall under the NCLB rules as far as intradistrict transfers go if SMS is closed?
I'm all for community involvement and community support in the schools. I'd love to see OGM be a strong school, and one that everyone was proud to call their home school. Fact is, the perception is it's one of the schools of last resort for anyone who doesn't know how to transfer out, or simply cannot manage the steps to get their children out.
LET ME BE CLEAR. This is the PERCEPTION in the community. I'm not saying that everyone who goes to OGM believes this. THIS IS THE OGM IDENTITY in the outlying community. If I was a marketing person (I'm not) in charge of changing a company's core business identity, I'd say that OGM has an identity problem.
It would have to be dramatically remade over for that to be fixed and it would have to provide the kind of unique coursework, and special program offerings that would be dramatically different from any other school, to make that happen. Can it partner with Chevron to become a Science and Technology school? Can it partner with Dean Lesher Center to become a Performing Arts school? Can it partner with John Muir Hospital or Kaiser to become some kind of Pre-Med school? If it's already happening at OGM why isn't it being publicized?
I could get excited about sending my daughter to someplace like that.
Okay, I've lumped three separate issues into one post. Sorry about that. Not sure if I've added anything to the dialog, except, please stop bashing SMS. I like that place.
- Sheila
Right now SMS and PHMS alternate years as to which one accepts Title 1 students from schools such as OGMS. If SMS closes, some of those students will go back to PHMS. I imagine that both of those choices would then go away as SMS would no longer be, and PHMS would likely not have the room to accept the Title 1 students. That would be a big bummer for all of those kids :-(
ReplyDelete12:34pm- I think Valley View also takes NCLB kids.
ReplyDeleteSequoia and Monte Garden parents we need to get motivated and conduct a focused campaign to defeat this thing. Sure some will say "relax" the board will never shut you down. I bet those are the same people who said "relax" the committee will never vote Sequoia as one of the options.
ReplyDeleteWe need to write letters/emails and make calls every single day until we defeat this thing.
I see it like this:
Sherry Whitmarsh - waste of time; her kids go to OGMS and she is likely one of the parents who are jealous of Sequoia parents.
Gary Eberhart - consummate politician; hard to tell which way he leans from his statements; will probably stick his finger in the wind to determine which way to vote on this thing; probably worth while to write letters to.
Linda Mayo - seems to listen to the populace; good candidate to influence with a letter writing and calling campaign.
Lynn Dennler - does anyone have any inkling to her stance; is she supportive or is she one of the old teachers who is jealous of her colleagues at Sequoia?
Cheryl Hansen - same questions as Lynn Dennler
So can anyone fill in the blanks on Dennler and Hansen? Which way would they lean on this?
Then lets fire up the daily letters, emails, and calls to those board members who can be influenced.
Anon 7:30 Good idea on writing to all BOE members. But you are wrong on Sherry, she choose to send her children to OGMS, they came from Bancroft. Why do you think anyone would or could be jealous of SMS? Frankly, who cares.
ReplyDeleteI had one go through OGMS and my other went to SMS. Oh I never had to wait in line to get my second son into SMS, he was in via the Lottery, his year was a very large class. Both received great educations and were very challenged.
Perhaps if all the district schools started offering a GATE class to qualified students with an accelerated curriculum (easy enough to do by 3rd grade after the results of the 2nd grade STAR tests come in), that would attract families back to neighborhood schools. Might even pull some families into MDUSD who currently send their kids to private school.
ReplyDeleteHaving a GATE program would be fairer than requiring folks to sign their kids up for a wait list 2 years before they're old enough for kindergarten (impossible for me to do as we lived out of the district). Your kid either has the test scores to qualify or he/she doesn't.
Selection for gate has very little, to nothing, to do with test scores, the district pays to test every single 3rd grader with a non verbal type test.
ReplyDeleteHigh test scores does not always equate to 'gifted' and vice versa.
Sequoia Parent @7:30-
ReplyDeleteSince you posted the same exact thing on Claycord.com, I will post my same exact response here.
**************
Well, you figured it all out. The truth is we are all nothing but jealous of Sequoia. We live our lives thinking of ways to hurt Sequoia just to drive you special parents crazy.
OK, let’s be serious. Why would Sherry be jealous? Was she not able to send her kids to Sequoia? Maybe she thought supporting her local school was more important.
And honestly, I had to laugh at what you said about Lynne Dennler. “is she one of the old teachers who is jealous of her colleagues at Sequoia?”
Perhaps you need to fine tune your persuasion skills. You pretty much dissed four out of the five board members. Do you think that is a good way getting them to see your point of view?
Anon 8:56,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you haven't been following the blogs on this issue lately.
The reason given time and time again for the inclusion of Sequoia in the closure list has been a combination of the following:
A. Parents who are pissed off their children did not get into one of the choice schools.
B. Teachers who for some reason are jealous of their colleagues at the choice schools.
Are you aware of where the 13 votes against Sequoia came from on the committee? I would brush up on the facts a bit before you go popping off on a blog.
8:56 PM - Sequoia was targeted, just follow the votes.
ReplyDelete9:09pm and 5:50am- I actually have been following the blogs, but more importantly, I went to almost all of the meetings, so I know that these blogs have been rife with rumor and innuendo.
ReplyDeleteThe reasons why you give for Sequoias inclusion are so childish. As has been mentioned numerous times before on this blog:
1)Sequoia may have been included on the list because some parents on the committee thought that an option not to close neighborhood schools would need to be included.
2)Every committee member who signed up for this job and sat through the 12 meetings had an absolute right to decide what they wanted to vote for. Whether you think it was personal or not. That was their choice.
There was a committee member who posted a very accurate description here of what the committee went through, and yet some Sequoia parents keep harping on the others being jealous or that SES and SMS were being "targeted".
There are many families in the district that will have to deal with their schools being closed, yet over and over instead of focusing on the good things about Sequoia, we hear about the negatives of the other schools or personal attacks on committee members.
Join your school's letter writing campaign to the board. That is the best way to promote the good things that SES and SMS does, but please be aware that continuing your posts that rant and accuse others of misdeeds might cause others to write as well.
Anon 9:01am- By the way, there is NO WAY that you know where those votes came from either, nor the committee member who keeps criticizing another parent.
ReplyDeleteIt was a secret vote, so how could they know? The final vote of the whole committee to decide whether to bring the Sequoia option was 14 to 10.
How do you know how those 14 people voted, and how do you know that three people used all four of their votes for Sequoia. You don't.
Please don't accuse someone else of popping off when your only knowledge of something is through hearsay and blogs.
Thank you again 9:09 and 9:14 AM. I too am writing the BOE but now I am wavering on my complete support of SEM and SMS. My children attended SMS and we admire the current Principal and her staff. What would benefit many students would be for other schools to model after SES and SMS. How about more Back to Basic schools? Then if SMS and SES are closed, there will more options out there.
ReplyDeleteI do hope whoever the Sequoia parents that are posting about conspiracy theories, that you know you are hurting and not helping.
I do know this is a painful process and the outcome will be school closures and students will have to change to a new school. The saying goes " Your child will be happy if you as the parent are happy" If all they hear are comments like 9:01pm and 5:50 am, then they will grow up to be unhappy, unsatisfied everyone is out to get me adults.
How about a nice letter campaign on the benefits of keeping SMS, SES and MG open and using them as a model for other schools? Putting down others, calling people names and some even threaten lawsuits, is called bullying. Do you want your children acting like this or being a target of a bully? It serves no purpose and hurts all the other good students and families at these schools.
The reason for the delay of the study session is scheduling. Several dates were proposed and schedules were already booked.
ReplyDeleteFor those slamming my choice. For my eldest I did an intradistrict transfer to Foothill and was accepted. We decided to give OGMS a try. After her first year her test scores were the same or higher as in elementary school. So we stayed. I also like the differentiated level classes. My youngest is in 8th grade and in geometry-advanced classes are available It is a QEIA so classes are 24 students.
The mote a parent is involved in education the better educated the child will be.
Sorry typing on my PDA causes errors. I meant most
ReplyDeleteSequoia Parents,
ReplyDeleteKeep the email/calling campaign going. Do not get discouraged.
I just got email responses from some of the board members. We are having a profound effect.
We are winning. The Sequoia haters will have to take their hate someplace else. I was fearful of the board study session, but now I can't wait to see the people targeting Sequoia have to defend their position from a board onslaught of doubt.
Oh Anon 1:22, what Sequoia haters? If things do not go your way then you are hated?
ReplyDeleteBut I do have to say you do not know if you are winning. There are no winners and it seems you do not read or maybe unable to comprehend. There will be a study session between the BOE and the SCC, at that time the BOE will look at the criteria the SCC used to come up with their decisions. The BOE did not attend the meetings.
Please, please stop with the hate word. I am embarrassed to admit to being a Sequoia parent. I will not be like you. This is a very painful process, closing any school affects that community. Do you have any compassion? I know you don't want SMS or SES closed, but why are you assuming people hate you and Sequoia?
I am probably wasting space as this person is a troll, please I hope so.
5:23pm, I must defend Anon 1:22. while I also don't like the use of the word "hate" on this blog, I understand where it comes from. All of the Sequoia parent posts are arguing the reasons to keep it open. Most of them are not suggesting that we close down other specific schools instead. On the other side, I have read many many posts throwing Sequoia under the buss and championing the possibility of its closure. It does cause one to feel "hated". It is unfortunate that we all cannot remain unemotional on this blog, and instead offer constructive ideas and solutions. None of us want our school closed. No one would be more sad to see Sequoia close then me, yet I would never bad mouth another school and throw them under the bus...
ReplyDeleteI just posted this on Claycord.com and thought I would share my thoughts here as well.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of whether to close the choice schools is really all about whether the Board believes we should have them or not. Period. No one would close Sequoia if academic performance was the criteria (it’s one of the top 3 elementary schools in the district). No one would close Sequoia if economics was the criteria (it will cost the most to close with 16 additional classrooms being built at the home schools the children go back to). Really, I can’t find one of the SCC’s criteria that can stick. Nothing. Notta. So what it all boils down to, is if the Board just plain decides it does not fundamentally agree with the option of choice schools in the district. Which leads one to wonder, why were they not already closed down if the Board just doesn’t want them around? This sure would be an opportune time to pursue one’s agenda… I just hope if (big IF) SES, SMS and MG are shut down, that they come clean about their desire to simply take CHOICE away. Because it will not be a decision beneficial to the district, by any measure.
Anon 6:29 I will not support anyone who assumes people Hate when they have a different view point. I am sorry what I don't support is the arrogance of many of the Sequoia posts. Every child and every school deserved a fair and equal analysis. After reading minutes and reading informative posts I do believe this is what the SCC used to come up with their list of recommendations. What is amazing to read are posts by parents at the other schools on the recommendation list, they are sad but they also come across as educated, understanding and show no arrogance. That speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate Sequoia, I loved that school when my children attended there. I would like to see Choice schools expanded in the MDUSD. Then this could and would have parents then choose their home schools knowing that they have a "choice". I think our district could really change things by expanding on what works I know SMS is becoming more diverse every year and they continue to do well, so why no use them as an example for all middle schools. So why not expand?
Truth be told, MDUSD should close down at least 10 schools if enrollment continues to decline. Again I would like to see all our high schools become Magnet schools, each have their own specialty, like Technology, the Arts, Education and Health Academies, Culinary, etc. Then all high school students would have a choice of where to attend.
Anon 11:34,
ReplyDeleteSorry your opinion counts for nothing. Your kids already got a great education at Sequoia, so now you can take your elitist politically correct point of view. For those of us still trying to get decent educations for our children the view is a little different.
my kids attend a decent school here in MDUSD. I never considered transferring to SES or MG. Why? Yes, the overall test scores are great there, as one would expect. The odds are that the parents who choose those schools make a pointed effort to have their children get a good education. There are numerous parents, such as myself who are making the very same effort at our home schools, not just for our own children, but for those whose parents either don't put as much weight on a good education, or they are too bogged down with issues to go that extra mile.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are doing great, their test scores are among the highest at their school.
I hate to see any of our schools closing, but SES and MG are the good schools they are due to tremendous parental support. If all schools had that same support, it would be a beautiful world!
No additional classrooms will need to be built at any of the home schools. There is room to spare - the whole reason for some schools being closed down. My site alone has seven rooms that could become classrooms tomorrow, if needed.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1:52 please check your facts. Page 30 of this study http://www.mdusd.org/Community/Documents/scac/powerpoint/12-06.pdf summarizes how 6 classrooms will need to be built at the home schools at the current classroom size, in a couple years when their is a classroom reduction (CSR) once again, 16 classrooms will need to be built. These facts will be considered when making the decision. It is true many schools have quite a bit of capacity, in fact a few that are very close together. Closing SES does not send the children where the capacity is.... Thus the need to spend additional funds and build classrooms to accomodate these students. Please, PLEASE know your facts before posting. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSequoia and Monte Garden parents bend over and kiss your school goodbye.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't believe me then just go read the most recent post by Sherry Whitmarsh on Claycord.com
She basically makes the assertion that there is no benefit to choice schools. In no uncertain terms she essentially says that choice schools are unfair to low socio-economic children and kids get the same scores whether they go to choice schools or schools like Oak Grove.
I happen to disagree but the writing on the wall is beginning to show.
Here is Sherry's most recent post on Claycord for your reading pleasure:
ReplyDeleteSherry Whitmarsh December 23, 2010 at 2:16 PM
I must admit to not reading the blogs daily. It is interesting that if I don’t respond I am a coward or some other expression. As it is I have a very full life and daily reading of the blogs is not part of it.
Choice schools are an interesting topic. If there were no school boundaries and all of our schools were based upon application and lottery, it would be interesting to see what occurred. Unfortunately for the lower socioeconomic disadvantaged children, I am not sure it would make a difference because they could not get to non neighborhood schools due to transportation issues. Sequoia Middle School is more diverse this year because it was designated as a NCLB choice. This means that for those parents choosing it, bussing had to be made done to the federal law. Bussing is done to Sequoia from the home school.
I was looking at surrounding districts and I am not aware of others having school choice but I could have missed one.
There was a study conducted several years ago concerning demographics and schools. A portion of the high achieving students from a high test score school were bussed to a lower performing school and a portion of the lower performing students were bussed to the higher performing schools. Teachers in both schools had comparable the credentials and experience levels. At the end of two years test scores did not change. Those students who were high achieving were still that and those who were low achieving remained in the same designation. There is more at work in education than just teachers and schools.
As I have mentioned before, I am waiting for the study session to understand how the committee worked. It would be remiss of me to agree or disagree with anything until that time.
I am now on family time until January 3. This means I will not be blogging until that time.
Sherry Whitmarsh is 1 out of 5 votes. I agree that she does nothing to hide per position in her post..... She would have been wise not to respond at all. Despite her personal feelings, to support a decision that actually CREATES more spending (building new classrooms) would be very odd. I cannot fathom how any board member could look their constituents in the eye if they made a decision to "save" money that actually ends up costing money....
ReplyDelete"choice schools are unfair to low socio-economic children"
ReplyDeleteWhat's preventing low SES parents from signing their children up for the waiting lists? Boyd Rd. is served by public transit so the lack of a car isn't an insurmountable obstacle to enrollment. The family just has to be willing to make the time and effort to do it.
Ok so we know how Sherry is likely to vote. I get the sense that Eberhart may vote the same way.
ReplyDeleteThe task is at hand, we must convince Mayo, Dennler, and Hansen that closing Sequoia and Monte Gardens is exactly the wrong thing to do.
I read Sherry's post and do not take it that she is against choice schools. What I read is that she is looking into some suggestions of more schools in the MDUSD become choice schools and wondering how all children would have the opportunity to attend the schools they choose.
ReplyDeleteAgain it is what you want to read and hear. If you know Sherry then you would know she wants all children to be successful and she cares deeply. I for one am thankful she is looking at surrounding districts to see what they do. I find it very interesting her information on students switching schools and it not making any difference in the first year in their grades/test scores. But maybe over time it would make difference for struggling students.
Please, please, please stop this. I feel very, very badly for all children and wish that MDUSD did not have to close any schools.
I read one post of a Sequoia parent and it was great, continue the great Emails and letters with strong facts and other scenarios and choices. Assumptions, accusations, threats of lawsuits, name calling are not productive, they actually cause people to do the opposite.
From Sherry's post
ReplyDelete"As I have mentioned before, I am waiting for the study session to understand how the committee worked. It would be remiss of me to agree or disagree with anything until that time."
So she is not agreeing to anyone's opinion people. Do not listen to Anon 3:35 and 3:38, this person posts like this all over Claycord and this blog.
Anon 5:20pm,
ReplyDeleteWhat part of this post from Sherry (with regards to choice schools) don't you understand?
"Unfortunately for the lower socioeconomic disadvantaged children, I am not sure it would make a difference because they could not get to non neighborhood schools due to transportation issues."
OMG!! Don't tell me Sherry is allowed to have an opinion also!!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we have mindless sycophants on the board who only serve our Sequoia families?!
9:03AM
ReplyDelete"I am not sure" which means what it says. It is not saying it won't be done. I take it that it needs looking into, which is a positive thing. San Jose Unified has Choice schools for middle and high.
So if there is plenty of reliable public transportation for all students to reach choice schools, then post the facts, the reliability records,costs, etc...
You need to stop trying to make things so negative and the glass is only half full. It might make your life easier if you look at it the other way. We are one community and we choose to live in California which allows illegals to live here and that we must educate them.
So have you gone or written Sacramento for change? Did you vote to change California's current government? I sure did and sadly many voted in the ones who have created such a mess of our State. Arggg, people like you are what creates problems.
Merry Christmas
Anon 10:47,
ReplyDeleteI know you are being sarcastic, but you hit the nail on the head.
The board should be fully supporting those schools which work in the MDUSD. That would include Sequoia and Monte Gardens.
Sorry you were to lazy to get your child into a good school and/or drive them there on a daily basis.
Anon 11:43
ReplyDeleteGod help your children, they are going to need it with your attitude. How is someone lazy if they just don't have the resources to travel? I was lucky we could and we helped out a family that could not. How about that, would that even cross your mind?
Merry Christmas, God Bless your children
11:43am- I too feel sorry for your children. I was not too lazy to get my kids into Sequoia, I chose not to based on the fact that I didn't like their model and our local schools were great.
ReplyDeleteI have one kid in a UC and the other is about to graduate at the top of their class, so you see, it's not the school that makes the child, it's the parents.
That's why no matter where your kids go to school, they will still have to overcome having a parent who is very ignorant and immature.
Your kids are in elementary school and you have a long way to go. I hope that you learn to appreciate the things you have instead of belittling other that disagree with you.
Merry Christmas!
I want to call for a letter writing campaign to the board to consider closing the choice schools and ask them to make all schools high achieving.
ReplyDeleteWhy should our neighborhood schools be closed so that some selfish, mean, and belittling parents get what they want?
If every school can be made to succeed it won't matter if the Sequoias close and neighborhood schools can stay open.
Write the board today and let them know that we all demand quality education for our kids, not just at three schools!
Unfortunately, closing the Sequoias is not going to miraculously result in all the other schools becoming high achieving. And whether they close the Sequoias or not, they will still close one or more neighborhood schools. The facts are that displaced Sequoia students will not conveniently fill the significant capacity at the other schools that are being considered for closure. Closing Sequoia will cost millions in new classroom construction at the several "home schools" that do not have room for them, while at least a few other schools will continue to have 52%, 60% or 70% capacity. Does that really make sense to everyone during these rough economic times?? All personal opinions and desires aside, this is a decision about saving the school district MONEY!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
10:47, of course Sherry is allowed to have an opinion; however she should be exercising restraint as the other board members and superintendant are doing. They all have a responsility to remain impartial (publicly) until they are presented with recommendations and information from the SCC committee. As Mr. Eberhart even said, "The Board has a responsibility to remain silent until we have heard from the committee, in person, at our joint meeting."
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to say on this. I also CHOSE not to go the MG or SES route and I did have my firstborn on 'the list' too.
ReplyDeleteThere are many , many great schools out here in the community - many schools doing it right , with an involved parental community. Its not exclusive to these 'choice' schools.
In fact, I question now what the big deal is. The thing is, when these schools were newly formed, they were different, set up for families wanting a more 'back to basics' approach. Now with all the standardized curriculum, NCLB standards and testing, there is much less room for uniqueness. They aren't that much different.
I will suggest that parental involvement is what makes the difference, period. At the choice schools, they can require it. In some of the more affluent areas with more highly educated parents, and stay at home moms, it is expected.
Our demographics are very diverse and is quite simply disturbing for people to suggest that all parents don't want what is best for their kids. The public transit thing doesn't hold weight either - you are going to tell me you'll put your elementary student on a public bus? No way.
In fact, if I couldnt afford to live near a good school and a school I liked, I would rent in that better area. It's that simple. We make sacrifices as parents, well at least I do.
2:30pm- It's funny how when a board member responds in a way that seems to go against SES and SMS, you get up in arms, but here's a post from
ReplyDeleteDecember 22, 2010 1:22 PM that doesn't seem to bother you that some board members might have indicated a stance already.
Sequoia Parents,
Keep the email/calling campaign going. Do not get discouraged.
I just got email responses from some of the board members. We are having a profound effect.
We are winning. The Sequoia haters will have to take their hate someplace else. I was fearful of the board study session, but now I can't wait to see the people targeting Sequoia have to defend their position from a board onslaught of doubt.
12/24 @11:43am said they were sorry that people were too lazy to get up early to get their kids into Sequoia or to drive them to school.
ReplyDeleteI say too bad that you couldn't afford or decided not to spend the money to live in an area with better schools.
Some of us made a decision to do just that, so grow up and stop calling people lazy!
3:59, actually that post made me sick to my stomach... No one will win, and we certainly have no idea where the board members stand (well, maybe except for Sherry). So many people are writing outrageous things on here. I guess I feel that the trustees should hold themselves to a higher standard.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:56,
ReplyDeleteOk you've blown off your emotional steam with that post. Now, do you or do you not support having choice schools in the MDUSD.
Actually this should be a really easy question for everyone, nothing to get emotional about.
If you think choice schools have a place then you can not close Sequoia and Monte Gardens. If you think they do not have a place then you close them.
I personally think they have a place in a district like the MDUSD.
Anon 9:03,
ReplyDeleteI also think they have a place in this district.
Anon 9:03
ReplyDeleteI too support keeping SMS, SES, and MG open. If we are going to close schools we should look at the six on the lowest performing schools list first. Google "school closings due to declining enrollment" and tell me what you find. I can't find a single article from anywhere in the country where they are closing high performing schools.
Sherry,
As for the comment about nearby districts not providing school choice - Many of the districts around us are not as diverse as MDUSD when it comes to the discrepancy between its best and worst schools, thus making school choice less of an issue. However, the Acalanes District is completely school choice with the exception of Las Lomas which is impacted. Oakland and San Francisco have had years of school choice with numerous charter schools. And MDUSD will have school choice at the high school level next year with the addition of a new charter high school. Districts across the country are offering school choice... it is one of the biggest education topics.
If MDUSD decides to close SMS, SES, or MG I can't help but think we will being taking a huge step backwards at a time when we can't afford to do that to our kids.
Has anyone been able to determine when the board study session is?
ReplyDeleteWe need to show up in force and show the board that just because three people on the SCC have a vendetta against Sequoia doesn't mean that it is ok to close it down.
Application Due
ReplyDeleteParkmead Active Learning School is a public alternative elementary school program of the Walnut Creek School District. The tuition-free program is having an open enrollment beginning in January, and Walnut Creek school district students will have priority.
A multi-age classroom format, school officials say, fosters the sharing of ideas and skills, and promotes the development of respectful social relationships.
To learn more about the programs, attend an informational meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 11 or Jan. 20.
One of these meetings must be attended before applying to Parkmead. Applications will be distributed only at the conclusion of the meetings.
The informational meetings will be held in the library at Parkmead School, 1920 Magnolia Way in Walnut Creek. Meetings last about two hours. Both parents are encouraged to attend, but please do not bring children.
For the 2011-12 school year, PALS expects to have approximately 12 openings in kindergarten. Applications will be accepted by mail beginning Feb. 1. The deadline for applying is Feb. 14.
In the event of applications in excess of the number of openings, admission will be determined by lottery.
For more information, call Shelly Havrilenko at 925-930-9272 or Kevin Wong at 925-285-9301.
Here's to a new year.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the School Closure Committee will regain some logic and sense in this new year and remove the Sequoia and Monte Gardens option.
I'm not holding my breath though.
Keep in mind... "logic and sense" is in the eye of the beholder. Show a little understanding to the other schools on the list!!
ReplyDeleteAny word on the board study session?
ReplyDeleteNope, Gary is too busy bragging that he has Torlakson’s cell phone number on speed dial. I guess Torlakson will be real proud when MDUSD becomes a program improvement district.
ReplyDeleteboard study session re: school closures is tentatively at 5:30 pm Jan. 19 at location tba, according to board pres Gary Eberhart
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't they announcing this meeting so that people can make plans to be there?
ReplyDeleteOr maybe they would prefer that the public not be there? Once again this board is at it trying to slip a fast one by the public. New board same MO. They should be ashamed of themselves.
If the study session is 1/19, then will the board vote on which schools to close at the 1/25 Board Meeting?
ReplyDeleteThe deadline for intra-district transfers is usually approx 1/15, but it sounds like for this year, the deadline will be extended to allow families to consider their transfer options in the event their school is voted to be closed (mdusdparents posted something earlier about the deadline being extended, I think?).
MDUSD provides an educational experience unlike any other.
ReplyDelete[from http://www.mdusd.org]
Does not matter what date they choose, Seqouia has been preordained to be closed. That is why the board picked the particular committee members that they did. Follow the votes.....
ReplyDelete6:44am- You are seriously impaired. Follow the votes? Do you even know how the votes fell out?
ReplyDeleteNo, you don't because you heard something, somewhere, and it becomes your truth--even if it has no basis in reality.
But, I guess since you have already told yourself that Sequoia is going to close, if it happens, then you won't be surprised.
January 8, 2011 3:26 PM
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to watching you eat your words over the next three meetings.