Comments on: More details about MDUSD busing, special education

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:54:19 +0000

At CAC meetings, parents stress that every minute of instruction is especially important for their children.

By: Just J

Just J — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:50:58 +0000

Theresa, I doubt it. They never use their signals.
Also I was at MDE this morning at 8:15 School had already started and the special Ed bus was just pulling in. I guess Special Ed kids can be late and it is ok.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:39:13 +0000

Aren’t drivers trained to use their turn signals?

By: Going straight

Going straight — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:02:39 +0000

I wish that the driver of the MDUSD small school bus on Mitchell Canyon Road in Clayton would use her left turn indicator when she turns left (down Pine Hollow towards Concord)at the four way stop. Dangerous for both of us.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:39:51 +0000

Here is a blog post that shows how I found out about the Monday and meeting and tried to determine whether or not it was open to the public: http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/2011/11/20/mdusd-to-discuss-budget-and-charters-possible-financial-impact-on-monday/
The post also explores the possible charter budget impacts in the larger context of the district’s overall budget, including reserves, as well as its attempts to negotiate furlough days with the teachers’ union.

By: g

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:15:35 +0000

Theresa, for simply personal and educational purposes, I believe any number of board members could legally and unofficially attend as individuals, as long as they did not speak to or of the issues among themselves about the information presented. This might fall under the area of doing “due diligence”.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:23:16 +0000

Alicia: It appears that FT is basing the assumption that it’s a public meeting on the message that was sent out to his or her school. Many other school communities, however, did not receive this message. Also, as you point out, there is no agenda posted on the district’s website. Instead, the only thing listed for Nov. 21 is “School Recess.”
Northgate Principal John McMorris sent a very nice message out to his parent community wishing them a Happy Thanksgiving and listing several things (including people and programs) that he was thankful for, but he did not mention the Monday meeting.
It is unclear what the format of the meeting will be and whether public comment or questions from those not specifically invited as “parent leaders” will be allowed.
However, since Superintendent Steven Lawrence characterized the meeting as “public” in his email to principals and to several elected officials, it appears that anyone who wants to attend can — even without an invitation.
Only two board members will be able to attend, however, since the meeting has not been publicly noticed.

By: g

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:17:20 +0000

All numbers provided for the Debi Deal report are based on “school” current enrollment, but at “district” ADA of 95.3% of today’s current enrollment, and presume same numbers going forward–not on probable decline or possible increased enrollment, or that the school attendance may be better or worse than district “average”.

Missing breakdown Examples: 1) Do they actually evenly distribute/charge the SE/ADA encroachment allocation district wide? While the “average encroachment” per ADA district wide might be a valid number for the “whole” district, once the school uses an “independent” or “in-house” SE/ADA number, the allocation/cost amount for a new SELPA account might be very-very different. Did Debi Deal crunch any “actual numbers”?

2) Then, there probably should be a break-out for the “independent” school’s different allotment percentages for the (approx) 4.4% EL, 14.5% Socioeconomically disadvantaged and 7.8% disabled.

3) And those 42 “Day Class” students, and the “40 ADA” not included—Debi–let’s include them, and then look at the numbers again.

4) That “Current year revenue less prior year central service contribution” figure== it seems to me that equals an Enormous amount going to central services that might be spent much more wisely by the “independent” school.

5) Cost savings for “restricted routine maintenance” — it seems to me “restricted” means exactly that. The District would have to still do that maintenance or pass thru the “restricted” funds to the school. ?? not sure??

6) Athletics cost savings. Really? Does the District really want to “cut off” the athletics revenue stream? You have to give up the revenue if you want to give up the cost. I’m no expert, but it looks like this whole thing might need a whole fresh outlook.

7) Rent as a percentage of total district wealth? Would they use acreage? Building square footage? County tax assessments? Or– what would be the difference in income to the district if they chose to charge no “rent” but instead chose to charge the “administrative” fee of up to 3% of the Charter’s income?

Debi, I think your report is not worth the amount it took from our taxes to fly you up here.

By: g

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:02:24 +0000

Alicia: Only after the cat was out of the bag did it become a “public” meeting. It was originally intended as a “by invite only” war-room. One or two principals may have gotten over enthusiastic and thought they could add extra weight to their particular cause–or it’s very possible they may have been the one or two who were actually encouraged to bring extra support for the cause. We all know the routine by now. Fluff Power Point, Fluff speeches by “assigned” speakers. Maybe a couple of well chosen “email questions”, and a few semi-polite “shut up and sit down” responses to any hard questions from the floor, and oops “we’re out of time–have a nice vacation”.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:15:11 +0000

Alicia, the invite is posted at #98 along with a phone number to call.