Comments on: Mt. Diablo district superintendent’s latest school closure presentation

By: Wait a Minute

Wait a Minute — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:24:58 +0000

Talk about a potential game changer on closing schools.

I’ll tell you what, if the Federal Office of Civil Rights investigates the MDUSD because of parent(s) complaints (as is reported that at least one Glenbrook parent is requesting) that they are targeting low income areas for school closures, Lawrence, Eberhart and the others will wish they only had to deal with a local Grand Jury inquiry by the time its all over.

When OCR comes in they REALLY investigate and they have the resources to do so!
They also tend to stay for years sometimes depending on the severity of the problems.

This could be the reason for this attempt to stop at only 2 schools

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:00:56 +0000

In the short term, the teachers’ union appears willing to take cuts. The board hasn’t approved a new agreement yet, but teachers are planning a “blue rally” before Tuesday’s meeting. Furlough days and other concessions are under discussion.

By: Karen McMahon

Karen McMahon — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:13:10 +0000

The Board should go back to the teacher’s union and ask them to find $3m in their wage/benefit package – not affecting current salary/benefit levels – but ask that the teachers hold off on taking SALARY INCREASES and BENEFIT INCREASES planned for the coming 2 year period. At the end of the 2 year period, the Board can come up with some long term plans for necessary changes, and the salary increases can resume. The teachers love their kids and their schools. I know the union MEMBERSHIP would be willing to consider this avenue – is the Board willing to ask the UNION LEADERSHIP what they can do to help in the face of a budget crisis?

By: Mary Silva

Mary Silva — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:07:58 +0000

NO! West wood is a California Distinguished School with a deaf education component that has been in place since 1971. Also they keep saying that the whole school would be moved together but this is NOT TRUE. They want to split the school and move the 25 deaf kids to another site. Some the hearing impaired kids are mainstreamed part or whole day. What would become of these kids?

Closing West Wood would:
* Cause major traffic problems
* Lower property values
* Cause an unmanageable size Jr High
* Cause a hardship on the kids from Glen Brook as it is too far to walk to West Wood and taking mass transit would cost $100 per month and take an hour each way
* The school would lose attendance money, if the student is not checked in by 9am the state doesn’t give the school attendance money. If these kids are taking mass transit (many of them would have to transfer) their arrival times will vary
* Cut off the deaf kids from their mentors at Concord High
* Cost the school district money in retrofits to West Wood as it is not set up for Junior High sized kids
* Any school that takes the deaf kids needs to have carpeted classrooms, acoustical tiles on the ceiling, FM systems (these items are already in place at West Wood
* Neighborhood vandalism, graffiti and break-ins would increase. Grade school kids don’t get into that kind of trouble.

The list goes on but I think you get the point that closing West Wood is a HORRIBLE idea.

Save the future of North Concord.
SAVE WEST WOOD!!!

By: Not Concord

Not Concord — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:12:40 +0000

Don’t close Westwood. Consolidate SNHS, and Olympic site is better than moving to Holbrook. Close Willow Creek if it saves money. Do NOT spend Measure C at sites being closed or might be closed.

Can’t tell where Measure C funds are being spent. Checked online for Measure C “Technology Improvements” which says “various sites” and “click here for map” and gives a list of schools including Holbrook and Glenbrook. Need better information!

Save every penny for the classrooms! Word is teacher negotiations today may give students a 5-day vacation in May or June. Education is going the wrong direction when they cut school days!