MDUSD board votes to eliminate jobs and hours Tuesday night

Theresa Harrington at the CCTimes has recapped the cuts the MDUSD is looking to make at Tuesday night's school board meeting. Check it out: Contra Costa Times

Say No to Teacher Contract (GUEST OPINIONS)

I received the following email regarding the vote at tonight's Board meeting, and below it, some excerpts from another:

Do parents know what is at stake tomorrow? If the board of education votes yes on the teacher contract tomorrow night, then it will ascertain that only the teachers will not feel the hits of the coming budget cuts and the coming years. Is that fair? I don't think so. In the same meeting they will be discussing more cuts that will impact the students, and then will vote to keep status quo for the teachers? Other districts around the state are going to have to impose pay cuts across all employee groups and even mandatory furloughs, shortened school years and more. (link to LA Schools proposal and LA Times article: LA Unified asks union to ok furlough days)

How can MDUSD justify this vote for the teachers in light of another upcoming round of MILLIONS in budget CUTS? I think Strange, Eberhart and Whitmarsh are being "too" loyal to the teacher union that no doubt helped at least two of them be elected. They voted for the pay raises last month. They are now going to vote to freeze salaries too? While the students will suffer with possible school closures and more program cuts, not to mention the sports, music, electives and class sizes - they now get to bear the brunt of more. All while the teachers get a guarantee.

State workers, and other corporations are reducing pay, enforcing furloughs, freezing bonuses and pay raises, instituting closures of major entities for days every month (DMV, courts, etc), and we want to guarantee nothing will happen to the teachers salary? I say STOP. We love our teachers. But even the union is throwing a segment of their own teachers under the bus. Who gets laid off when schools close? Yes, but not as many as will benefit from the freeze. Or maybe they are banking on the fact that fewer schools will have to fit more students and therefore absorb the teachers? Again, who gets hurt there? Families, students and communities.

I just wanted to voice that to you as I love our teachers, but as a parent it would be impossible for me to go public. My husband has been forced to take furlough days. We've lost all his overtime. I'm having to get a part time job. Companies, the State and others have to make hard choices to keep the entire entity solvent. How can a district so large as MDUSD look to guaranteeing anything for anyone at this point? So I hope that you will post this to educate others, as to what this vote really means. And a parcel tax? Are they nuts? The paper said that a parcel tax will avoid some of the upcoming cuts. But what about the cuts already done? Will my son be able to play his last year of football next year at CHS? Will my daughter still be able to try out for soccer as a freshman? What about special ed? Spending a million to learn where to cut even more? Oh, but the teachers get to maintain, while the rest of us take it for the team... no thanks.

And another:

Committing to the current contract for an additional three years will tie the hands of this district to cut everything from the students while maintaining a hands off approach to salary cuts. No one wants to cut salaries but when people all over this state are out of work, taking furlough days, and facing salary cuts, employees in this district can not be guaranteed business as usual. The district salaries make up 82% of the unrestricted budget…. Tonight we will be talking about closing schools and cutting programs on top of the items ... that have already been cut. Again cuts on the backs of the students. In Los Angeles they are looking at 4 furlough days this year for every employee and a 12% across the board pay cut next year.

....by rolling over the contract the teachers will still receive their stepped increases.

... by approving this contract the teachers will only be affected if we are faced with receivership, everything else goes first. Also please note that it is not just the teachers, I understand this will set a precedent for all bargaining unit contracts.

Parents should email the board before Tuesday's meeting, and plan to attend if they can and speak during public comment:

www.mdusd.org/boe

gary@mdusd.net

paul@mdusd.net

mayolk@aol.com

sherry@mdusd.net

dickallen_dallen@yahoo.com

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You can view the budget cuts that are being proposed tonight on the Board Agenda. There is both a powerpoint and an excel spreadsheet you can click and view at Item #17.7. Some of the items on the next cut list are:

• Eliminate 4 FTE remaining middle and high school librarian positions (impact: libraries will close)
• Eliminate 3.6 librarian FTE associated with Elementary Reduced Class Size
• Reduce all Special Education services that are not mandated by state or federal law or included in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Close schools. Cost savings would result from the consolidation of administrative and classified positions and in utility savings if the campus is not used. At Elementary Schools, following positions would be reduced: Principal, Office Manager, Elementary Head Custodian, PM Custodians, Elementary School Secretary.
• Eliminate Parent Subsidized Busing Program (Impact: Busing to Mt. Diablo High School and Delta View Elementary would continue, all other home to school busing would cease.)
• Reduce Custodial Substitute Policy (Impact: Some basic classroom cleaning would not be completed)
• Increase minimum class size to 28 students or 80% of contractual maximum. (Impact: May eliminate AP or other low enrollment courses)
• Delay purchase of textbooks and materials for language arts adoption for one year. Transfer funds to unrestricted fund balance. (Impact: May have budget impact in later years.)
• Reduce unrestricted material and supply budgets (Impact: Reduced funding for paper products, landscaping supplies, and instructional supplies.)

There are several other items on the agenda, some require negotiation with the various employee entities and others are being further investigated. So take a look and be educated as to what is to come in our district. If you disagree with it, step up and let the Board know.

37 Million over 3 years? Yes, its worse than we thought in MDUSD

The state has hit us again. Just when we thought that 28 million over 3 years was bad enough, we've been hit with another 9 million. The MDUSD school board now says it must cut 37 million over the next 3 years. I have always been an outspoken advocate for the MDUSD. There is much good in the schools and within our teacher and student population. The failure of our state legislatures and the more local, yet smaller failure of Measure D, has left our district a shambles. These kinds of cuts are going to strip our schools down to the bare bones.

Now, some may say that is good - get back to basics - but the world today is about basics AND MUCH MORE. Can we even pretend to be able to ready our students for the new world of technology ? Have you seen the video Shift Happens, or also called, Did You Know? If you've not yet watched this, you really should. It touches on some interesting facts, just a couple of those are that:

• 25% of India's population with the highest IQ's, is greater than the entire population of the US. It means that India has more honor students , than America HAS kids.

• The Top 10 In Demand Jobs in 2010, didn't exist in 2004. That means we are currently preparing our students now for jobs that don't exist yet. Using technologies not yet invented. In order to solve problems we don't know are problems yet.

So given the future of technology and how quickly the world is changing... how well do you think we're doing? I think I know the answer.

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Devastating cuts to begin at MDUSD - among other catastrophic cuts, closing schools is ON the list

So it begins, it is shocking to see what is on the proposed BUDGET CUT LIST. It is a sad day indeed. In addition to the things already cut and NOT returning, the next list is even more devastating and shocking.

Here is just a partial proposed cut list. There are a total of 41 items proposed to be cut. If you want to read all of it, please go to page 72 of the Agenda for June 2nd:

• Eliminate class size reduction in 1-3 (third grade will be staffed at 30:1)
• 5th grade Instrumental Music (now NO elementary instrumental AT ALL!)
• Librarians for Middle and High (not sure how many, but libraries may have to close)
• Close ALL remaining resource centers at the schools, eliminate resource teachers
• Close TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
• Eliminate funding for the GATE science center
• Eliminate 9th grade reduced class size (may go to 30.5:1)
• Proposed 1% pay reduction to all employees

They aim to cut approximately 28 million over 3 years. They must submit a balanced budget by June 30th. Will you be at the next board meeting? Will you be caught off guard when there is no elementary music? What about if your school is on the closure list?

Sports gone. Librarians substantially effected and reduced in some cases. Summer School gone. Music in elementary gone. Resource centers gone. VP's gone. Campus supervisors gone. GATE science center gone. Class size reduction gone.

It surprises me that some who voted NO on Measure D are now surprised by these cuts. Unbelievable.

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Ready to see what 28 million in MDUSD cuts looks like?

Well, according to this morning's post at http://www.mdusd.net/ - it looks like we'll find out by June 2nd. To submit a balanced 3 year budget by June 30th, our school board is getting right to work. Projections are now that they will need to cut 28 million dollars from the MDUSD budget in the next 3 years. They will be working on the list of cuts at the June 2nd board meeting. So stay tuned to see what will be on the list.

Read more: NOW WHAT?

600+ MDUSD pink slips going out

At the board meeting tonight, it was discussed that over 600 pink slips will be going out this week. The reason for so many is that there is still much uncertainty about the budget and they must notice any and all employees that may possibly be on the cut list down the line. Hopefully, there will not be a need to cut even half of those positions, but we have to work hard to keep any more cuts away from our district.

Stand Up for Schools! Please support your teachers tomorrow, Weds March 11th by attending the rally in Civic Park from 4 to 6 pm. Bring your friends. We need crowds and a huge showing to send a strong message to Sacramento that enough is enough.

Also, show support for our teachers and district employees and wear pink on Friday, March 13th. See the CTA site: http://www.pinkfriday09.org/.



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Parent Editorial: Sports and the Parcel Tax - "...no plan, no guarantees and if the Parcel Tax does or doesn’t pass, we may not get sports back"

Below is a parent letter, an open letter to the board and to our community. If you have something you'd like to share, please feel free to comment, or email mdusdparents@gmail.com to get your letter posted here.

Update 6pm, the Contra Costa Times just posted the following article: Mt. Diablo School District Parents confused about the future of sports . Check it out. There is also an email circulating today to urge sports families to attend the board meeting tonight. Sports for next year is already cut. Sports are not on the agenda tonight. I hope they remain organized and use this energy toward the passage of Measure D and the prioritization of what programs to restore when it passes. Behind the scenes, district personnel are working to determine the "pay to play" and parent funded athletic options. We should hear more soon.

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Dear Mt. Diablo School District Board,

I have 3 students in the Mt. Diablo School District, I have been very supportive of our schools and have contributed significantly as PTA President, and auditor for several years, as well as doing the yearbook, helping in classrooms, with graduations, etc. I stay well informed and keep in close touch with many of our teachers. That being said, I was quite surprised when last Tuesday I heard of the boards decision to cut all Athletics from our high schools. I learned of this from my son who was told by a friend on his Concord High Football team. Once I began to research I found that there were very few people aware that this cut was scheduled to be done at the March 3 board meeting, as I realize the sports program has been on the cuts list since November, I was not under the impression that it had come to that point yet. No one I spoke to had any idea this cut had occurred, one day after the board meeting.

Since the day I found out about the cut I have been relentlessly trying to figure out what was going on and figure out why no one was talking about this, why did no one know about it? I Sent emails, talked to people, the only information I could get was... we have to pass the parcel tax. Great, I signed up to support that, without hesitation. But then with further research I realized, that the Parcel Tax does not speak to sports anywhere in the verbiage, but it does speak to art and music. So tonight still trying to piece all the facts together, I attended the Concord High Boosters meeting to hear what Sherry Whitmarsh could tell us, (thank you for coming Sherry), what I took away from that meeting is, there really is no plan, no guarantees and if the Parcel Tax does or doesn’t pass, we may not get sports back. So what are our options, we ask? Well, there is no option for pay to play and there doesn’t seem to be any real handle on whether or not the Boosters could fund the sports programs, there may be legal issues involved. Which brings to question, why if Water Polo is a self funded sport and can continue, why couldn’t football be a self funded sport and continue? And how much money is really needed to continue the sports programs, the $721,400, seems to be somewhat of a questionable amount, does it include the money raised by sports such as football gate fees and transportation? In order for the parents and Booster Clubs to know what we are up against if the Parcel Tax doesn’t pass (or even if it does), we need to know what our options are.

I think this was the first time that the people in the Boosters and parents in general really understood that you are taking sports, I think everyone thought we could raise money or do pay to play, it even said that in the Contra Costa Times, but as I understand it from Sherry tonight, we are not eligible for pay to play because of some of the schools below poverty levels. This is absolutely devastating. And if the Parcel Tax doesn’t pass things are even more dire. My feeling is that with 1/3 of high school students in the Mt. Diablo School District participating in sports, that is a good support base for passing the Parcel Tax. I know for a fact that if it meant keeping High School Athletics, you would have hundreds of people willing to go door to door to get the support for this Parcel Tax, without having it specifically written into the Parcel Tax, you have tied all the Athletics Boosters and Parents hands, we can not go out and rally for this Parcel Tax to save Sports because you won’t commit to that.

This cut of all high school athletics will have astronomical consequences to our students, those that have dreams of college scholarships, those that have questionable family lives, sports are the best intervention program we have. Without sports those kids will be wondering around our neighborhoods getting into trouble, gang issues will rise, and high school truancy and drop out rates will increase. Beyond the affects this will have on our children, this move will lower our property values even more, with people leaving the area to go to districts with sports programs, and people not wanting to move into our district without a sports program, our school scores will drop, with the students having no accountability, the grades and test scores will plummet.

All this being said, I am not blaming the board for the cut, I understand why it was made and that it was a difficult decision, however, what I am saying and asking for, is for some accountability. What can we do to keep the sports programs, realistically, we need a plan, we can make it work if there is only a plan of action. Can we add sports to the Parcel Tax verbiage, then we can get every parent of a high school student in sports to go out and rally behind Measure D? And if the Parcel tax doesn’t pass, how much money needs to be raised? Can the schools keep the gate fees and transportation fees toward the funds for sports? Is there any way to do pay to play? Can each sport fund itself like Water Polo at Concord High? We need answers and we need answers now so that we can get something in place to have sports programs still in our schools in August when our students return from summer break.

As I said before, this cut will cause far reaching devastation, it will affect far more students, directly and indirectly than any other cut. Please consider this carefully and help us to keep our sports programs.
Sherry Whitmarsh mentioned tonight, she has not seen any support for sports at the board meetings, except a few people from College Park. Well, I can guarantee you, that will be changing, the biggest reason that no one has shouted out about this cut yet, is because no one really knew it had happened and what it really meant. We all assumed it would just turn into a pay to play situation, at worst, now we know that is not the worst. The worst, absolutely, is no sports programs, which are vital to our children’s education and chances at getting into college, being successful and for our community to continue to thrive with decent schools and programs.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and we will be seeing you at the board meetings.


Sincerely,
Meghan Mahler
mmahler@sbcglobal.net

(students at Concord High and El Dorado Middle)

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Budget cuts for tonight in plain english

So , tonight the board is voting on the final cuts to the "LAST" round of budget cuts. There is going to be a NEXT round of cuts thanks to Sacramento and our new California budget. You can always read the agenda's online at the http://www.mdusd.org/ site. But here is what is being considered for elimination tonight:

Board agendas

Item
17 - Reduce 1 of 2 PM custodians at 3 elementary schools (eliminate 3 positions)
88- Eliminate Director of Maintenance and Operations
89- Shift funding of Asst Director of Student Services/Special Ed to categorical programs
90- Reduce Administrative Services legal budget by $150,000
91- Reduce copy machine budget by $30,000
92- Reduce telephone budget by $30,000
93- Reduce elementary education budget by $10,000
94- Reduce secondary education budget by $20,000
95- Reduce fiscal services contracted services budget by $55,540

Remember they can vote on any other item on the cut list even if it is not included in their agenda

Knowing that many will be worried about losing services at their schools (i.e. custodians) the MDUSD site run by Paul Strange and Gary Eberhart has posted a new topic today - take a look - and get involved today with the parcel tax. You'll see that tonight is just ending the last round of cuts, and the next 8 million is going to devastate us as a district. It will include music, sports, VP's - who knows what's next - library? class size reduction? I don't know , but they are working on their agenda and proposed cut list for the next board meeting on March 3rd, so stay tuned for that bad news. But read up at http://www.mdusd.net/: HOW BAD IS IT?

MDUSD: Budget Emergency Information

Click to the MDUSD website to view information about the district's budget emergency including links to the budget cut information, state budget information and updates about the parcel tax possibilities.

MDUSD: Cuts add to strained relations

The latest from the Contra Costa Times tonight, read it here:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/teens/ci_11601323


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MDUSD's "McHenry visibly jolted"

Article in today's CCTimes about the meeting last night. The board last night voted to cut positions that clearly Superintendent McHenry did not agree with. McHenry was instructed to return to next meeting with a list of which 6 Directors and Asst Directors he would recommend to be cut and information about those positions. The board also voted 3-2 to eliminate his Asst to the Superintendent/Communications Specialist.

Theresa Harrington's article: Mt. Diablo school board cuts positions over superintendent's objections

"...McHenry was visibly jolted by the lack of support the votes displayed toward him.

"It's really difficult to stay motivated to do a job when it just doesn't seem like the board is going to support what you're going to do," he said. "I just think that what is happening here is wrong. I do think that it's somewhat vindictive and retaliatory and I'm going to see what action I can take to address it in whatever form is appropriate."

McHenry notes he will see what action he can take? I'm proud of our board who has delivered a message loud and clear that cuts need to be as far away from the students and school sites as possible. I think we all realize cuts at the schools are coming. But they should be the LAST resort. Its getting harder and harder to avoid cuts at the school sites, we all realize that, but the administrative segment of our district needs to run "lean and mean" first.

Tonight's Meeting 1/27

The board went into tonight's meeting with an eye on cutting over 1 million dollars. Instead the cuts were far less. VP's were not cut tonight. Instead an exchange ensued about what more can be cut from the Dent Center (District Office). Sure to be some hard choices in the meetings ahead. They did ask the Superintendent to provide additional information on a possible 6 cuts in Directors and Asst Directors at Dent. In addition, they did cut tonight the Asst to the Superintendent/Communications Specialist position. This budget promises to bring more devastating cuts in the future. I do still believe though that we should cut as far away from the kids as we can. Granted every single position on their list impacts our kids, but when it comes to the day to day interaction, safety, communication, discipline, IEPs and more - we have to see administrative at the district office go before our VPs, before library, sports, music or anything else rumored to be cut. See more about the rumors at http://www.mdusd.net/.

Board Meeting Tuesday 1/27 - more on the chopping block

As usual you can read the agenda at the district website and you can see the impossible odds our board is up against in its requirement to trim millions from our budget.

Please go over and read at www.mdusd.net for more information on what parents are talking about most: Vice Principals, Sports, Music and more. Not all are on the "block" yet, but if you look at the list of possible reductions, they're going to be running out of places to trim soon and will have to look at some vital programs.

For now, I am humbly requesting our board to consider NOT cutting the VP positions - yet. I understand they may need eventually to be cut, I know they have an impossible job. But I also do see some other positions that can go first - even if only in gesture for now.

So I hope you will attend tomorrow, listen/watch at home or write letters to our reps in Sacramento to get us to a budget that will allow our education system to survive. I know our board members are agonizing over these decisions. I don't envy them these hard times.

We must pass a parcel tax. We need to rally together during this time to do what is right for the future of our district.

The MDUSD candidates invited to come out blogger style . . .

MisterWriter has taken the initiative to set up a blog site for the 4 MDUSD board candidates. There are 4 candidates for the two open seats on the board this year. We have Gary Eberhart (incumbant) and April Treece (incumbant), Sherry Whitmarsh and Jeff Adams.

We've heard from Gary Eberhart at several community meetings, on the local blogs, and at the MDUSD blog site, and we've heard from Sherry Whitmarsh at a community meeting and during an open online chat at the Claycord site (she also has a website: http://www.votesherry.com/) . April Treece attended one community meeting, and Jeff Adams has responded once (that I know of) in the comment section of the MDUSD blog site. So what do you want to know? Have you read their candidate statements?

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MDUSD BOARD ELECTION IN RECENT MEMORY. Educate yourself and vote! Please encourage these candidates to participate so that we all have easy access to the information we need to make the best decisions for our district. This district needs serious change. Who's ready to take on the challenge?

From MisterWriter's post: "Taking Charge . . . ":

Anyone can view the Candidates blog site. Click the image to take you there or type in http://mdusdelect.blogspot.com/.

IF YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION you can do so by emailing me at andre@misterwriter.com . In the subject line write CANDIDATE QUESTION. I will NOT edit your post, so be sure to ask clear questions. I suggest ONE question per email - it will make it far easier for the candidates to answer. There will be a flood of questions, so be patient - this is not my full-time job! I will post your question exactly as written (including typos) so be sure to check your email before sending it. I will not correct it after the fact. That way I remain as neutral as possible.

Flunk the Budget Not Our Kids! - Update

See Contra Costa Times article posted, "Schools spared worst, but budget cuts still loom" by Shirley Dang, covering the California budget May revise announcement and the 11am press conference today in Walnut Creek HERE

Here are a few photos of the 4pm rally at Civic Park. In attendance were MANY teachers, parents, community members, MDUSD Board Members Paul Strange and Linda Mayo and a few kids too. Featured speakers were Mike Noce (MDEA), Contra Costa Superintendent of Schools Joe Ovick, Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblyman Guy Houston, a rep from Senator Tom Torlakson's office and speakers representing local PTAs, teachers and other nearby districts. You can relive the rally and speakers, thanks to Tom Torlakson's office, HERE.

From CTA's website:

"The six-week, statewide CTA bus tour against proposed state budget cuts will make four stops in the Bay Area on Wednesday, May 14"

Here are the details for Walnut Creek's activities today:

Bus Stop Walnut Creek, 11 a.m. -- Civic Park, near District Offices of Assemblyman Guy Houston in Walnut Creek.

A huge 4-6 p.m. protest rally is planned with speakers including teachers, parents, administrators, plus Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier and state Senator Tom Torlakson. Location is Civic Center Park.

Several of us are planning to attend the 4pm rally in Civic Park. Will you be there? If you want to go, and want to join up with us, let us know!

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The California Revised budget (aka the May Revise) is due today. We're holding our collective breath to see if our budget troubles will get even worse. Schwarzenegger is now proposing borrowing against future lottery revenue to ease the budget deficit. See KTVU's report.

Say "No" to an "all cuts" budget!

As a result of the recent effort by Mt. Diablo Parents for Progress, many of us visited Monte Gardens Elementary and wrote to our California legislators, and the Governor, in protest of California budget cuts which will impact our state's schools, and our children's education . Like probably many of you, I received today, a letter from Assembly Member, Eleventh District, Mark DeSaulnier. He makes some points in his letter that warrant highlighting, and repeating:

• California already ranks 46th of 50 states in per pupil spending.


• California ranks dead last in the number of counselors, librarians and other support staff.


• These proposed cuts will erode our ability to provide a quality education for our children.

This letter goes on to note some action items, things YOU, your friends and neighbors can do NOW to Say "No" to an "all cuts" budget!

Visit the Assembly Democrat's Budget website: http://adc.asm.ca.gov/issues/budget. At this site you'll find ways you can CALL, EMAIL, FAX or petition your support of a budget that does not take away from California Children.

You can download a petition here: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/issues/budget/pdf/Budget

Have your friends, family, neighbors and community sign the petition. It reads, "We, the undersigned, oppose an "all cuts" solution to California's fiscal emergency. An "all cuts" approach will do irreparable harm to California's education system, state parks, veterans programs and other vital services."

_________________________________________________

Also, stay tuned for a LOCAL event taking place in Walnut Creek on May 14th where your voice can be heard. Join community members, legislators, teachers and others to protest these state budget cuts now, before its too late. More information coming - but mark your calendars now.

CCTimes Reports: Teachers March Against Budget Cuts and Contract

Some of our MDUSD teachers marched from Mt. Diablo High School to Todos Santos Park today to protest state budget cuts (and comment about the lack of a contract or benefits).

From the Times:

CONCORD — After the last school bell of the day rang, Mt. Diablo High School English teacher Steve McCoy walked to the front office and tied a black armband around his right bicep. With help from his fellow teachers, he hoisted a banner and marched down Grant Street toward Todos Santos Plaza.

"The governor's budget is virtually an attack on education. In our local district, we've been bargaining in good faith for a year and still have no contract or health benefits," said McCoy, his sleeves rolled up. "We're being squeezed from all sides."

He joined dozens of the school's teachers who marched in downtown Concord on Thursday afternoon to protest state budget cuts and an unsettled contract that has left 1,900 Mt. Diablo district teachers without paid medical benefits or raises.
Mt. Diablo school district spokeswoman Sue Berg said that the district shared the frustration of teachers worried about their contract and their jobs.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_9125613

Hopefully Shirley Dang from the Times is still working on a larger story about the MDUSD issues . . .

MDUSD MEETING REMINDERS!

Don't forget! April Treece (President of the Mt. Diablo Board of Education) and Dick Allen (Vice President of the Mt. Diablo Board of Education) will be present for an informal Q&A / community forum SATURDAY, APRIL 26th starting at 9:30am at Rocco's Pizzeria on Ygnacio Valley Road and Oak Grove Road. They'll be on hand to answer your questions and concerns about our district. Come, bring your honesty, your curiosity and your questions.

Clayton Valley High School Feeder Pattern Community Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 29th starting at 7pm at Pine Hollow Middle School. You may submit your questions in advance to any of the following:

1. Parent leaders at the schools
2. Superintendent Gary McHenry (925-682-8000, x4009;(mchenryg@mdusd.k12.ca.us)
3. Associate Superintendent-Educational Services Alan Young (younga@mdusd.k12.ca.us)
4. Assistant Superintendent-Elementary Education Roger Bylund mailto:bylundr@mdusd.k12.ca.us).

The coverage is everywhere on this . . .

There is coverage everywhere about the budget mess of MDUSD and the recent quote by our Superintendent that he has ". . . no active role in budget development." Well, all except for any coverage at the Times. The Contra Costa Times reported about the fence at Mt. Diablo High School and talked about the backtracking of some layoffs, but that's all that we could find this week other than in Jackie Burrell's aPARENTly Speaking Blog.

We could however find much coverage about the recent district events in other publications and all over cyberspace, so read up:

Mr. Writer Lives - Northgate Blog to McHenry: its time to go!

MDUSD Blog - Budget, Budget, Budget, Who's in Charge of the Budget?

Mr. Writer Lives: MDUSD Looking for the person responsible for being responsible for the budget

Northgate High School Blog - No Accountability! Then No Confidence! "It is time for the Superintendent to go."

Claycord.com - MDUSD Grills Their Superintendent

Clayton Pioneer - Parents Drive MDUSD Changes

aPARENTly Speaking - Mt D Parent Meetings this week

CBS5.com KPIX Eye on Blogs: Quote of the Day (April 23)

Halfway to Concord - Who's in Charge of the MDUSD Budget?

Patagonia Finance Mike's Mortgage Minute: Mt. Diablo School District

If you feel that the board majority should be asking tougher questions and for some accountability, tell them:

Email each of the board members directly, or click here for more info:
mayolk@aol.com - Linda Mayo
opuscomm@pacbell.net - April Treece (President, Mt. Diablo Board of Education)
dickallen_dallen@yahoo.com - Dick Allen (Vice President, Mt. Diablo Board of Education)

"... I don’t have an actual role in budget development.”

Yes, those words were spoken last night at the MDUSD Board Meeting by our MDUSD Superintendent.. the guy in charge... the man at the top. What? If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I might have thought "no way." But I did hear it, I listened live on KVHS last night. Who are the people that say "let's all just get along?" Can we really? If the Superintendent has no role in the budget, the fiscal oversight of our district, what is his role? I want you to read more about this at the MDUSD BLOG and comment there. Claycord.com is also covering this. This is a biggie folks. If you didn't realize yet we have a problem, it should be clear now. I'm also hopeful that there is an audio file available for this exchange as you will find it as unbelievable as I did.

I sure hope you'll be at the meeting on Saturday with April Treece and Dick Allen. Certainly we need to hear their thoughts. By reading the MDUSD blog, we'll know Paul Strange and Gary Eberhart's thoughts. But is the board majority letting this slide? Are they asking the tough questions? Come Saturday and find out.

Update: Audio now available - for this exchange, check about 90 minutes into the meeting (the budget discussions start at about 1 hour 25 mins in):
http://votestrange.com/strangelaw/042208MDUSDBOARDMEETING.mp3