I don’t see the need to convert to a charter with the new principal. The charter organizers don’t have a financial plan in place that demonstrates that they can actually do the things they talk about. Until they can show they can afford it, it’s nothing more than pie-in-the-sky dreaming. Sue Brothers isn’t just blowing hot air. She is making the changes happen.
Converting to a charter is a risky proposition. I’d rather take my chances with the new principal.

I’ve been doing some reading on the conversion charters down in L.A. They’re having the same financial problems that districts all over the state are having. They’re cutting teachers and cutting their summer programs, too. Their teachers are complaining as loudly as MDUSD teachers about the budget cuts. Converting to a charter isn’t a cure for what ails our schools.

I just got off of the phone with anotehr parent and PFC board member who read the above comments and was concerned that we were paying $90K for students to tutor others in math.

As one of the few CVHS parents who attended the Parent Advisory Council meeting last night, I think Theresa’s description is off and lacks detail which has caused some of the reactions above (not sure if it was intentional…).

Mrs. Brothers did not unveil a $90K “Tutoring” Program. It WAS unveiled as a three point Math Improvement Plan. Tutoring was only one of the elements and the last one at that. The program covers first, improving initial instruction through smaller class sizes (which she has achieved with moving around funds to an average of 30 instead of 35 to 37), pacing and collaboration with the teachers involved. Second is assessment done more frequesntly to identify students “needing” intervention to catch them before they fall. Finally is the tutoring element done with the supervison of the subject matter expert teachers overseeing high achieving students. The cost is NOT being paid by district funds (because their isn’t any) butr rather through other sources including the PFC for a small portion.

ALL of the parents in attendance were impressed with the innovation and creativity and, most of all, the passion and commitment,that Mrs. Brothers has shown in developing and putting this together in just a few short weeks and gaining the staff commitment to execute it.

Additionally, Mrs. Brothers gave a very detailed analysis of student performance from last year’s STAR scores to show where we are deficient and what we, and she, can do about it.

Anyone who’d like to know more, please ask me and I’ll give you the accurate picture from an involved parent at what transpired at the meeting last night.