Now I know we like our grass, but....

$900,000 for a centralized irrigation system.

You can review the Request for Proposal (RFP) here.  I saw this the other day, and it didn't really sink in until now.  900k for irrigation?  I know there must be more to this. But WOWSA.  Bids are due later this month.

As all bids are due to the Measure C Assistant Program Manager, I assume then, this is a Measure C project . . . but just curious.

Update
Here is an explanation from Gary Eberhart regarding the value of this system:
This is another step in our effort to make strategic investments in our facilities that will pay dollars into the general fund.  This is a web based irrigation control system that will take into account weather forecasts when deciding whether or not to turn on the irrigation system.  There were already systems that wouldn't water if it was raining.  Now there are systems that can determine if rain is coming.  For instance, if there is a 70% chance of rain tomorrow, do we really need to water lawns today?  This is likely to save us a couple hundred thousand dollars per year that we are currently spending on water which comes directly out of the general fund.

Board Meeting tonight @ 7:30

Gary Eberhart tells me he will continue to stream the meetings live from his site,so if you are unable to attend, tune in http://mdusd.blogspot.com/ or listen in at KVHS 90.5 FM.


Thank you Gary. Im happy he's able to continue this service for all of us.

New blog site for Sherry Whitmarsh, MDUSD

http://mdusd-boe.blogspot.com/

Sherry has started her new blog. Today she has posted about the Governor's budget. Check it out. Be nice!

Thank you Sherry! I, for one, appreciate the efforts of some of our board members to communicate with us.

School Closure decision to be made February 8th

Gary Eberhart, MDUSD's Board President, has written on his blog about the process going forward regarding the school closure decisions ahead.  First, the Board Study session (joint with the School Closure Advisory Committee members), will take place Weds January 19th at 5:30pm at Northgate High in the Little Theatre.  Mr. Eberhart has noted they will be trying to stream this meeting live so those unable to attend will be able to witness the process.  There will be a 30 minute public comment at the end of this study session meeting.

The recommendation for closure will be brought officially to the Board for consideration at the Tuesday, January 25th board meeting, with the final decision to be made at the February 8th board meeting.

Read it all here at Mr. Eberhart's blog:  MDUSD BLOG

Board Meeting Tuesday - Agenda ready for view

The agenda for Tuesday night's board meeting is online and available for viewing ONLINE.

One thing they do have is the draft of the 2011-2012 calendar approved by MDEA and set forth for approval by the board.  You'll be glad to know the proposal has kids starting back on a Weds, August 31. The last day is listed as June 13th, another Weds.  Thank goodness they're not going to do this stupid end school on a Monday thing again!     See draft 2011-2012 calendar here.

Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 11th
7:30pm
Dent Center, Carlotta Dr, Concord

There are a lot of special ed items on this agenda.  Take a look at this blog post by Mt Diablo Unified Community Advisory Committee on Special Education (CAC).  They need your help. 

The governor is set to release his budget Monday and all indications so far is that it is going to be U-G-L-Y.  Theresa Harrington of the Times recaps some concerns and the discussions at Wednesday nights PAC meeting.  You can see that HERE.

School Closure Board Study Session date announced

Superintendent Lawrence has advised the PAC that the Board study session will take place on Weds 1/19 at 5:30pm.  Location will be announced by Monday.  Stay tuned.

Will you attend?

Remember you can find minutes, agendas and even the pros and cons for each scenario that the committee considered here on their webpage:  School Closure Advisory Committee - MDUSD 

And as a reminder of the 3 scenarios the board will be considering, here is a screen capture/excerpt of the December 13th minutes you can view at the link above.

 

Also, Theresa Harrington (http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/) has reported that the Superintendent said the district will give parents 30 days from the date the school closures are announced to apply for transfers.  Normally, these intradistrict transfer requests are due 1/15 (which personally I'd still adhere to for now), but they will allow extra time in the event your chosen, or home school is impacted by a closure.

Parent Advisory Council Meeting is tonight 7pm

SUPERINTENDENT’S PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Board Room, MDUSD Dent Center

I. Welcome and Introductions

II. Budget Update – Steven Lawrence

III. School Closure Update – Rose Lock

Speaking of School Closure updates, did anyone else read the minutes posted from the SCAC meeting on December 13th? This was the evening they voted on their recommendations. I found it interesting that in the public comment, there was no Sequoia parent? Was that because time was limited and a Sequoia parent was just not at the front of the line? With all the hoopla on the other post here, and no public comment? What am I missing?  Also, here are the pros and cons the committee considered with their recommendations:  Scenario Pros and Cons

P.S. If you are on the PAC, would you be willing to email a recap tonight? I can include your name, or you can be anonymous -I am unable to attend. Email mdusdparents@gmail.com. THANKS! I welcome contributions from others in the community.

The votes are in, they may shock some of you

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.

School closure committee is voting.... Tonight

Just in from Theresa Harrington. The committee is voting on their recommendation now (6:15pm). Hope someone will report in soon with the results. Health has prevented me from attending tonight myself, but anxiously awaiting word.

As you all have probably also heard, the Board study session has been postponed until January. I assume this will mean Simeon concessions will have to be made for intradistrict transfer students if transferring in or out of a school on the list. Until it ia finalized, much will remain in flux.

Remember the committee will vote, but the board can come up with their own solution. They are an 'advisory' committee, the board is the ultimate decision making body. You will have time for public comment.

We should thank the committee for their hard work... This cant have been easy.

School closure options, as the decision draws near

Soon, the School Closure Committee will be voting on their recommendation to take the board.  Since our last topic covering school closures got heated and garnered almost 150 comments, I thought I'd start fresh here, and be sure that people get themselves up to speed.

REMINDER:  There is a School Closure Committee Meeting Monday, December 13th. 
REMINDER:  Agendas, Minutes and Presentations are all available ONLINE
REMINDER:  Any scenario may be chosen, and all schools were evaluated based on criteria set forth
REMINDER:  There is a public comment period at the closure committee meetings

Did you read the Times article whereas Theresa Harrington outlined the committee proposals to be voted on?  You can see that online here

Everything listed is on the table folks.  But please don't just get hostile, and think your school shouldn't be closed because it's "best."  These school closures will impact many, and no one wants THEIR school closed.  It will surely impact the intradistrict transfers, and it will impact neighborhoods.  It may require some re-drawing of school boundaries and it may require some outside the box thinking.  So instead of getting hostile, help come up with a better solution.  Take your anger to Sacramento. 

Someone said something in a previous thread that parents should be able to have their voices heard even this early in the process - folks - this is NOT early.  This is nearing the end.  Again, with everything else, and I know I know - it's my pet peeve - but with everything else, no one pays attention until it might impact them. I guess it's human nature, but I hope it's a wake up call that these budget cuts are very real.  They will hurt across all schools, all demographics and many families.  School closures are happening across the state, we aren't the only ones.  But be part of the solution, not a problem.