Comments on: MDUSD superintendent feeder pattern meeting dates revealed

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:13:55 +0000

Here’s a new feeder pattern blog post, with a parent’s notes from the CPHS feeder pattern meeting: http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/2012/12/05/mdusd-superintendent-to-hold-feeder-pattern-meetings-tonight-and-next-week/

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:49:41 +0000

CPHS parents may be interested in knowing that their school was one of only three in Contra Costa County that qualifies to apply to receive funding for new STEM AP courses: http://www.collegeboard.org/ap-stem-access-program.html?excmpid=MTG201-PR-1-apst
Now, the only question is: Will school and district administrators make it happen to benefit CPHS students?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:46:40 +0000

Here are the Smarter Balanced technology requirements for the computer equipment the district apparently plans to buy for $12 million: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2012/12/new_assessment_tech_recommenda.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-TW

By: Wait a Minute

Wait a Minute — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 20:38:27 +0000

Theresa,
Stevie Lawrence will only release the FCMAT’s special education review when he is forced to because it contains evidence of the blatant lies that he has told people IMO.

He knows you will do an article about it if it released and he is desperate to avoid being once again exposed as a liar.

Hopefully the new board will force the release of this public information as a step towards changing the culture of secrecy and corruption that Stevie, Greg Rolen and others have perpetrated and profitted from.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:53:33 +0000

Speaking of that, I wonder when the district will finally release FCMAT’s special education review.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:51:43 +0000

Is Steven Lawrence prepared to fund all cheerleader outfits? Steven Lawrence reminds me of Car 54 tv show — “Car 54, Where are you ?” He doesn’t dare respond himself to TH — he might give her another secret document. LOL.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 18:06:16 +0000

ASCA’s lawyer says NO CHARGING for Sports Transportation — Greg Rolen says its ok. Who do you believe ? No charging for ASB cards and PE clothes. Is Steven Lawrence prepared to fund all PE clothes for students ?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:58:56 +0000

This was definitely an issue that had parents concerned.
They also had questions about how Common Core is going to change student testing. Apparently, Supt. Lawrence told them that $12 million in Measure C money will be spent on the “Smarter Balance” computer assessments. One parent noted that all the money that has been spent by schools on scanners for Curriculum Associates assessments will be “down the drain” when the new testing kicks in.
I don’t recall hearing any board discussion about allocating the Measure C money in this way. But, since it’s less than $25,000, maybe Lawrence authorized it. Still, it would be nice if the superintendent would communicate this information districtwide. Instead, it appears that parents who attend feeder pattern meetings are the only ones who know what’s going on, while those who don’t (or who never even find out about the meetings) are left in the dark.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:35:45 +0000

@TH#73 Few believed Doctor J when I said AB 1575 was a big deal. Here is a free Webinar from Association of California School Administrators. Enjoy ! http://fagenfriedman.com/seminar.php?id=7&s=51

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:22:53 +0000

13 Ways Districts Get into Financial Trouble. FCMAT presentation at the CSBA meeting. Note that #13 suggests that Board members receive the weekly “cash availability” report — see Slide 16: “All districts must project cash balances on a weekly basis and prepare appropriate cash flow documents in order to assess the need for short term borrowing and the potential of cash insolvency. Definition Cash is not budget and understanding the difference between these two things is critical for boards, superintendents and staff. Cash position represents the actual available dollars at any given time held in the county treasury.” FCMAT also recommends against district borrowing TRANS funds but instead preserve cash to avoid the costs. How many TRANS loans has MDUSD made in the last 3 years ? http://wwwstatic.kern.org/gems/fcmat/CSBAWinterConf2012PresentFin.ppt