Comments on: MDUSD board strategic planning meeting tonight

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 02:14:07 +0000

Here is an update on the CVHS charter discussion anticipated at the Tuesday MDUSD board meeting: http://bit.ly/n9fkdV.
FYI, I will be on vacation Sunday-Tuesday, so comments by new posters may not be moderated right away.
A story about the meeting will appear in the Monday Contra Costa Times and we are sending reporter Rick Radin to cover Tuesday’s meeting.
I will follow-up on Wednesday.

By: Just J

Just J — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 01:04:46 +0000

LOL Dr. J.
I hope the parents with the buss issue go to the meeting and let him have it.

Ya know I have been to a few meetings now and I watch the eye contact and body language of each person sitting on the stage. Mr. Lawrence only makes eye contact and gives a somewhat smile when the people speaking have what he considers an education equal to his and Greg Rolan is obviously counting the dots on the ceiling. Gary and Sherry are playing a game and not paying attention. Cheryl Hanson is the only one who makes it a point to make eye contact and acknowledge that she heard what was being said.

Why did the teachers push so hard to have Gary and Sherry elected to the Board? bet they feel pretty bad now. I for one will NEVER vote yes to either of them.

MR. LAWRENCE (I refuse to call you DR.) You need to GO or step up! Greg Rolan you should be ashamed! Quit telling lies.

Gary and Sherry I hope you are reading this with your friend Paul….WE DON’T WANT YOU ANYMORE! You 3 make me sick!

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:05:23 +0000

@Just J, you’re right, not a peep about “Busgate” from Lawrence — but wait until Tuesday when parents accuse him of putting finances over child safety, even after he promised 3 buses and only provided one. Lawrence put out the cost sheet to rile up parents and staff with propaganda, unrelated to the real issue before the board. Even though the board can’t legally “take it into consideration” it is now clear the district since May 21 has made the finances of the charter its main consideration. Just another shell game. I would think that all Clayton residents would want to bring a small bag of gourmet small potatoes to present to Gary AFTER the vote to show your support for what Gary thinks is your “small potatoes Mayor”. Frankly, I don’t think Gary knows that very small potatoes are a gourmet delight.

By: Just J

Just J — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:50:02 +0000

What I don’t understand is why did Lawrence put that update out on Friday if that is not even a consideration.
The update should have been about the bussing situation and workbooks. Wonder what Lawrence will have to say about that major F&*^ up! He thinks he is smarter than the community. Putting that out there to try to take the heat off of the rest of issues. Hope you are ready for me to visit the District next week. I want answers!!!!

By: GO CHARTER!

GO CHARTER! — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:39:33 +0000

Doctor J, are all “unified” districts funded in this way? Is it just MDUSD that channels monies away from high school in this manner ?

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 23:20:34 +0000

Can you imagine how our high schools could soar if they all had an additional $941 per student per year ? Science, math, VAPA, and yes even sports. As I said, Lawrence shot himself in both feet at the same time with one shot by the admissions in his memo attempting to destroy the charter. Instead, he created a Pearl Harbor that has strengthened the charter proponents of CVHS, and also aroused the ire of the other high schools who have been shorted for many years. Who allowed these policies in the district to get this way: Eberhart 17 years; Mayo 15 years. Whitmarsh 3 years. Lawrence is just the Marionette of the Puppeteer Eberhart. The failure to have a Strategic Plan for many years has contributed immensely to this fiasco.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 01:53:27 +0000

CDE confirmed today that “furlough days” will be subtracted from other “increased instructional time” and may disqualify the school from the SIG grant. Also, CDE is considering surveying the districts to see how many furlough days are budgeted or planned for as they consider whether to approve year two. If MDUSD moves forward as the Supt indicated the other night with 5 school furlough days that may not only disqualify the 3 current SIG schools, but also the 2 for Cohort 2. The MOU negotiated with MDEA requires the SIG schools to take the same number of furlough days. Remember, if there is non-compliance, the money has to be returned. Now that MDEA has learned there is an extra $7.6 million . . . well lets just say MDEA feels like they got tricked.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:30:10 +0000

CDE just released the SIG Grant Applications for Cohort 2, for which Oak Grove and Meadow Homes are eligible to apply. However, in reviewing the application, I don’t think either school will be able to apply because they can’t meet the rigorous standards. Hopefully, I am wrong. Its interesting because if these same standards are applied to the current three schools awaiting approval of their “corrective action applications” for non-compliance last year, its clear those three schools did not meet the three part requirements of increased instruction time. Yes, they did increase instructional time, but didn’t meet all three of the ruberics required for increased instructional time. Also siginficant is the requirement that if there is fraud or non-compliance, the money will have to be returned. Arne Duncan is for real education reform. California schools have never been held to such rigorous inspection of compliance with grants and its about time. http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/sw/t1/documents/sig10learfa.doc
Very interesting reading.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:43:12 +0000

I am not opposed to adult fundraising — but don’t exploit the young children. The Board should pass an immediate policy against fundraising participation by young children at least 9 years old and younger. How can the Board in good consciousness allow this to happen and then take their $60,000 plus in medical benefits ?

And I really don’t care if other youth groups do it — public schools should not. It pains me to see these young cub scouts being pandered in their cute uniforms outside stores to sell high priced popcorn and they only get to keep a small percentage for their troop.

By: 4Students

4Students — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:10:40 +0000

You’re right again. MDUSD has a double standard. Elementary school fundraising is absurd. Our school had a Read-A-Thon but our family believes children should read for pleasure not profit. Plus there was no verification for the prizes that were awarded. We participated only because Read-A-Thon offered a set donation alternative so we chose that and our child’s classroom received credit.

Pretty much every other district has an education foundation for fundraising. In Brentwood the foundation is fundraising, and also linking parents and the community for broader student support and character education. http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_19005954?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

MDUSD has dropped the ball on this. Get school PTAs together to set up a district foundation, or each feeder pattern foundation. There are model foundations already in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. Connect with the community and businesses. Link foundations on the district web site. Otherwise the district is not doing everything possible for our students.