Tuesday, March 23, 2010
School Closure Decision Made
The NUSD school board, upon recommendation of NUSD district office staff, voted tonight to close Leroy Greene Middle School starting 2010-2011. Board comments ranged from citing budgetary concerns (puzzling, because closing the school does not save the district money), to concerns about adults getting along (which adults are they referring to?). Despite a two year plan for middle school design, a one and a half year plan for program improvement (guess we didn't wear enough "blue-ribbons"?), and other committees such as a school closure committee that met for six months - this current decision regarding Leroy Greene has spanned approximately three weeks with no regard or collaboration with site staff. NTA questions how anything meaningful and sustainable can be implemented in the eight weeks left of the school year. As one board member noted, this board has been known to make snap decisions they later regretted and/or found to not get the results they expected, such as the claim to save rent on the old NP3 site on which the district is still paying $600,000 (empty building). Yes, the board has made decisions that have not been well thought out or were ill-advised. Well guess what? Apparently, yet another one was made again tonight. Who really loses in this one? The students who lost their school, and all the time they will spend in-transit to Natomas Middle. Finally, as always, their teachers (a combination of LFG and NMS teachers who remain) will be there to welcome them with open arms. And the district staff that can't even correctly identify the curriculum that we are using, will continue to be entrusted to conjure up more new scenarios (greener pastures anyone?) to be implemented at some future date. With this kind of track record, it's no wonder that we once again shake our heads in disbelief at another opportunity lost.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Natomas Teachers’ Association Newsletter March 2010
CTA DAY OF ACTION
Stood Up For Students!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the March 4th Day of Action. Ken MacPherson led the charge with a mock funeral at the traffic island at Inderkum High between 7-8am on Thursday morning. He and students painted a coffin, tombstones and a large sign indicating the death of school programs and personnel. Dana Dillon, CTA Board Member, passed out a California Initiative Petition calling for rescinding corporate tax loopholes. At our other sites, teachers and staff handed out fliers to parents, and wore black to signify mourning or white to signify layoffs. Some teachers incorporated curricular activities to support the event. Thanks again to everyone who helped draw attention to the plight of Education in California today.
_________________________________________________________________________________
IN DISTRICT NEWS……..
New Recommendations include closing LFG
The following recommendations were presented to the School Board as part of what appeared to be a ‘package deal’. It is my interpretation that the Board tabled a decision about which elementary school (and whether or not) to close until March 24th, and also voted to give themselves until March 24th to decide on this ‘package’ recommendation. It was not clear if they will make a decision about each item separately or together. For instance, they might vote to close an elementary and LFG, or neither, or one etc. Recommendations:
1. Not close an elementary school
2. Retain 5th graders at elementary schools for 2010-2011
3. Close Leroy Greene Middle for Program Redesign and Repair/Remodel of Facilities
Again, these are recommendations from the District; the School Board still needs to render their decision regarding approval. Dr Davie emphasized that this new recommendation to close LFG is based on academics, as opposed to financial considerations, and Teri Burns reminded everyone that the original reason for deciding to close a school was financial. If you have an opinion, please send a letter to our school board members. The entire proposal is also on the NUSD Website under Board Agendas for Feb 24th.
What have Teachers in NUSD contributed to the District Budget?
Here’s some math I did recently, and I thank every one of our hardworking and dedicated NTA members for continuing to provide our students with an outstanding educational opportunity despite the hardship of teaching in such a difficult time. Teachers are amazing!
Retired teachers $640,000
RIFed teachers $7,500,000
Furlough Days $2,200,000
Classroom Supplies $450,000
In addition, many teachers have increased their workload by 25-50% without an increase in pay. That’s another $3,450,000!
*A Reason to Celebrate!*
NTA member Christine Lanphere recently received a Commendation to NUSD from State Superintendent Jack O’Connell for her valued participation on the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission. As a 2-year member of this commission, she chaired the World Language Subject Matter Committee (SMC), was a member of the Executive Committee, was a member of the History-Social Science SMC and as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Education and the Environment Initiative she facilitated an Instructional Materials Reviewer/Content Review Expert Panel. According to Superintendent O’Connell, this Commission has accomplished important goals in to creating a world-class standards-based education system for California Public schools with a specific focus on closing the achievement gap. Thank you for representing NUSD and NTA in your efforts, Christine. And Congratulations!
March Calendar (Tracks A, B,C on; Track D off)
Board Member Forums:
ü Mon Mar 8th: 4:30pm-5:30pm ( Lisa)
5:00pm-6:00pm (Sue)
ü Tue Mar 9th: 4:00pm-5:30pm (Jules)
5:30pm -7pm (Teri,Bruce)
@ Panera: 2731 Del Paso Rd; 928-8295
Regular Board Meeting
ü Wed Mar 10th: 6:30pm IHS
Special Board Meeting:School Closure/LFG/5th Grade Retention
ü Tue Mar 23th: 6:00pm place TBD
Cynthia’s Site Visit Schedule:
ü 3/8 NPE
ü 3/16 DHS/NHS
ü 3/17 LFG
ü 3/18 IHS
ü 3/22 HAH/NMS
ü 3/25 AL
ü 3/29 BC
School Board Members’ non-District Email: Teri Burns: TeriB@sia-us.com
Sue Heredia: heredias@csus.edu
Lisa Kaplan: kaplan4kids@yahoo.com
Bruce Roberts: bruceroberts4natomas@yahoo.com
Jules Tran: jules.tran@sbcglobal.net
Websites:
- NTA contract on the District WebsiteJ: click on Departments> Human Resources> Bargaining Unit Agreements: http://www.natomas.k12.ca.us
-Board Policy is also on District Website: click on Forms and Documents> Board Policies: http://www.natomas.k12.ca.us
- NTA Blog: http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
-California Ed Code Index: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/EDC
-CTA: http://www.CTA.org
-The Standard: http://www3.standard.com
-Natomas Buzz: http://www.natomasbuzz.com
- Day of Action: www.Standupforschools.org
“AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL”
Stood Up For Students!
Thanks to everyone who participated in the March 4th Day of Action. Ken MacPherson led the charge with a mock funeral at the traffic island at Inderkum High between 7-8am on Thursday morning. He and students painted a coffin, tombstones and a large sign indicating the death of school programs and personnel. Dana Dillon, CTA Board Member, passed out a California Initiative Petition calling for rescinding corporate tax loopholes. At our other sites, teachers and staff handed out fliers to parents, and wore black to signify mourning or white to signify layoffs. Some teachers incorporated curricular activities to support the event. Thanks again to everyone who helped draw attention to the plight of Education in California today.
_________________________________________________________________________________
IN DISTRICT NEWS……..
New Recommendations include closing LFG
The following recommendations were presented to the School Board as part of what appeared to be a ‘package deal’. It is my interpretation that the Board tabled a decision about which elementary school (and whether or not) to close until March 24th, and also voted to give themselves until March 24th to decide on this ‘package’ recommendation. It was not clear if they will make a decision about each item separately or together. For instance, they might vote to close an elementary and LFG, or neither, or one etc. Recommendations:
1. Not close an elementary school
2. Retain 5th graders at elementary schools for 2010-2011
3. Close Leroy Greene Middle for Program Redesign and Repair/Remodel of Facilities
Again, these are recommendations from the District; the School Board still needs to render their decision regarding approval. Dr Davie emphasized that this new recommendation to close LFG is based on academics, as opposed to financial considerations, and Teri Burns reminded everyone that the original reason for deciding to close a school was financial. If you have an opinion, please send a letter to our school board members. The entire proposal is also on the NUSD Website under Board Agendas for Feb 24th.
What have Teachers in NUSD contributed to the District Budget?
Here’s some math I did recently, and I thank every one of our hardworking and dedicated NTA members for continuing to provide our students with an outstanding educational opportunity despite the hardship of teaching in such a difficult time. Teachers are amazing!
Retired teachers $640,000
RIFed teachers $7,500,000
Furlough Days $2,200,000
Classroom Supplies $450,000
In addition, many teachers have increased their workload by 25-50% without an increase in pay. That’s another $3,450,000!
*A Reason to Celebrate!*
NTA member Christine Lanphere recently received a Commendation to NUSD from State Superintendent Jack O’Connell for her valued participation on the Curriculum Development and Supplemental Materials Commission. As a 2-year member of this commission, she chaired the World Language Subject Matter Committee (SMC), was a member of the Executive Committee, was a member of the History-Social Science SMC and as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Education and the Environment Initiative she facilitated an Instructional Materials Reviewer/Content Review Expert Panel. According to Superintendent O’Connell, this Commission has accomplished important goals in to creating a world-class standards-based education system for California Public schools with a specific focus on closing the achievement gap. Thank you for representing NUSD and NTA in your efforts, Christine. And Congratulations!
March Calendar (Tracks A, B,C on; Track D off)
Board Member Forums:
ü Mon Mar 8th: 4:30pm-5:30pm ( Lisa)
5:00pm-6:00pm (Sue)
ü Tue Mar 9th: 4:00pm-5:30pm (Jules)
5:30pm -7pm (Teri,Bruce)
@ Panera: 2731 Del Paso Rd; 928-8295
Regular Board Meeting
ü Wed Mar 10th: 6:30pm IHS
Special Board Meeting:School Closure/LFG/5th Grade Retention
ü Tue Mar 23th: 6:00pm place TBD
Cynthia’s Site Visit Schedule:
ü 3/8 NPE
ü 3/16 DHS/NHS
ü 3/17 LFG
ü 3/18 IHS
ü 3/22 HAH/NMS
ü 3/25 AL
ü 3/29 BC
School Board Members’ non-District Email: Teri Burns: TeriB@sia-us.com
Sue Heredia: heredias@csus.edu
Lisa Kaplan: kaplan4kids@yahoo.com
Bruce Roberts: bruceroberts4natomas@yahoo.com
Jules Tran: jules.tran@sbcglobal.net
Websites:
- NTA contract on the District WebsiteJ: click on Departments> Human Resources> Bargaining Unit Agreements: http://www.natomas.k12.ca.us
-Board Policy is also on District Website: click on Forms and Documents> Board Policies: http://www.natomas.k12.ca.us
- NTA Blog: http://natomasteachers.blogspot.com
-California Ed Code Index: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/EDC
-CTA: http://www.CTA.org
-The Standard: http://www3.standard.com
-Natomas Buzz: http://www.natomasbuzz.com
- Day of Action: www.Standupforschools.org
“AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL”
News from NUSD re: Natomas High School
Sent by the district today:
Good Morning,
We have some important news to share with you today about Natomas High School. We have just been notified by the California Department of Education that Natomas High is eligible to receive a three-year grant of up to $2 million a year as part of a new federal program to help under-performing schools.
Natomas High is one of 200 schools in California that has been named a “persistently lowest-achieving school” based on recent student achievement tests.
While some may see this as a negative reflection on our hard-working staff, administrators and students at Natomas High, this truly is an opportunity to forever change for the better our Natomas High.
In the midst of our state and district fiscal crisis, we have been given a “gift” in a way of potentially millions of dollars in new funds to change course for Natomas High.
More details on this grant will be available in the coming weeks along with the next steps we will be taking with the Natomas High community to draft the grant application. The grants range from $50,000 to $2 million, and we can tell you now that we want to “think big” and ask for the maximum grant.
Dr. General Davie Jr.,
Superintendent
Howard Kornblum,
Assistant Superintendent Educational Services
Heidi Van Zant
Public Information Officer
Natomas Unified School District
916.561.5253
Good Morning,
We have some important news to share with you today about Natomas High School. We have just been notified by the California Department of Education that Natomas High is eligible to receive a three-year grant of up to $2 million a year as part of a new federal program to help under-performing schools.
Natomas High is one of 200 schools in California that has been named a “persistently lowest-achieving school” based on recent student achievement tests.
While some may see this as a negative reflection on our hard-working staff, administrators and students at Natomas High, this truly is an opportunity to forever change for the better our Natomas High.
In the midst of our state and district fiscal crisis, we have been given a “gift” in a way of potentially millions of dollars in new funds to change course for Natomas High.
More details on this grant will be available in the coming weeks along with the next steps we will be taking with the Natomas High community to draft the grant application. The grants range from $50,000 to $2 million, and we can tell you now that we want to “think big” and ask for the maximum grant.
Dr. General Davie Jr.,
Superintendent
Howard Kornblum,
Assistant Superintendent Educational Services
Heidi Van Zant
Public Information Officer
Natomas Unified School District
916.561.5253
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