"... 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

Agenda for Tonight is Available - MDUSD Community Meeting

Sue Berg of Superintendent Gary McHenry's office, has provided me with an advance copy of the AGENDA FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING AT OAK GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL 7pm.

Hope you will all be there. Also, if you submitted a question to be asked at tonight's meeting, it is hopefuly on the agenda. If not, please note Ms. Berg's explanation of the goal of these meetings (the underlined emphasis below is mine):


"Interestingly, Superintendent McHenry initially set up these six community meetings to be an open format, with parents bringing their questions and concerns to the session. In meeting with his Parent Advisory Counsel (a group of reps from District schools that meets with him once a month), the parents strongly encouraged him to let parents suggest topics ahead of time. Knowing what was on the agenda, they reasoned, would make them more interested in attending. Even with topics suggested beforehand, participants at the meetings are able to bring up any topic they wish."


Also, for future meetings, please note the following information from Linda Mayo, MDUSD School Board Member who did write today:

"Questions and suggestions for the meetings may be directed to parent leaders at the schools or to Superintendent Gary McHenry (925-682-8000, x4009;(mchenryg@mdusd.k12.ca.us), Associate Superintendent-Educational Services Alan Young (younga@mdusd.k12.ca.us), or Assistant Superintendent-Elementary Education Roger Bylund (bylundr@mdusd.k12.ca.us). Information gathered at these sessions will help in the District's continuing efforts to improve education programs and services for students."

We look forward to hearing your feedback after the meeting tonight.