San Diego Unified Parent- Life At School

Regurgitated from a FB post this morning:

I don’t believe it’s fair to assume a less-experienced teacher should be automatically catagorized as “yet to master the challenges of the classroom” any more than more experienced teachers automatically being more effective and somehow “better” than less experienced teachers.

It’s that idea- teachers should be differentiated by the amount of time on the job- that I find curious and frankly demeaning to all teachers.

In any employment situation, some employees are more valuable than others, and for different reasons. Some of my favorite teachers were youthful and full of energy and dedication, and some of my least favorites had 20+ years of experience and caustic, nasty and negative.

As long as simply “not dying” is the measure of a teacher’s importance in the organization, we will continue to be something less than the best organization possible.

Further, management practices like these are resoundly HATED by taxpayers. So when it comes time to reach out for more money (needed or not) taxpayers are understandably recalcitrant to dig yet further in their pockets to fund our schools.

Neglecting the blog is a shameful act, for which I humbly apologize.

I have, however, been active in the community- see the Voice of San Diego’s comments section, their radio show, and an upcoming panel discussion December 8th- see vosd.org for details.

Have I mentioned Mr11′s new charter school?

Many of the most progressive of California’s (the nation’s?) schools are charter.  Charter represents the single most powerful new force in education, and the success of charters have become legendary. Witness “Waiting for Superman” . Granted, it’s a movie, and the unions are not as bad as they represent, and the schools are not as good- however- for many families, charter schools have come to exceed their greatest educational hopes for their children.

And being good has its disadvantages- you know what happens to nails who dare to raise their heads. This is exactly what’s happening to charter schools in our state.

There is a number of anti-charter bills headed our way like two trains on the same track. These bills are well-financed by those who oppose reform, progress and challenge to the education status quo.  There are two particular trains getting closer to charter schools and these are both on the fast track (ha! track/ train!)

AB401 is an attempt to end future parent options by fixing an arbitrary maximum number of charter schools in the state. No matter how successful charter schools may be, nor how many families want to send their children to charter schools the state would, after a certain number of schools are created, toss those families back to the non-progressive schools.

AB925 is an attempt by the state to apply additional regulations to charter school employment. The state wishes to force greater control over existing employee/employer relationships.

Both these bills are not surprisingly supported by well-funded teacher’s unions who have great influence on our mainstream schools- those schools which are currently suffering greatly from budget woes and political chaos. These unions are strongly motivated to bring in greater revenues by recruiting more members, and believe charter schools are full of money with which to fill their coffers.

What can you do?

Call Christine Kehoe’s office- locally 619.645.3133 and just tell them you oppose AB401 and AB925.  It’s real easy, her courteous staff answers the phone and are prepared to add you to the list.

Call Senator Alan Lowenthal, 916.651.4027 he’s the Chair of the Senate Education Committee. Same drill, it’s easy to do, and the nice folks there are ready and happy to take your call.

You can do more and learn more- have a look at the California Charter Schools Association website here for their Capitol Update.  Might want to sign up for their email blast while you’re there.

Last night’s joke of a School Board meeting went ever further sideways when Sheila Jackson moved to rescind all pink slips. A move seconded in lock-step by Kevin Beiser. Both of these people know damn good and well that’s not going to happen- I might as well move to rescind our mortgage. Or stop the rotation of the earth. But these two are making a crappy political move here- they want to go on record as opposing the firings of school district employees, thus providing them with the ability to, next election, spew that line and a reason to gain the vote of those same employees.  Jackson and Beiser know that others on the board recognize the futility of their motion, and will vote against the motion.  Which forces the question:

How, exactly, are students served by these actions?

They are clearly not- but that’s not why Jackson and Beiser are on the school board anyway- they have other masters. These behaviors demonstrate their dedication to themselves at whatever cost to students and the employees they claim to want to save.

It was reported the public speakers were a parade of people motivated by self-interest appearing to plea for their own pet projects. Some folks are low enough to send children to argue for the job of adults. Nobody appeared to tell the board what they were willing to give up in these crisis times.

It’s time for the school board to discontinue the parade and the pomp and the circumstance and the posturing and the appearances of good-will and the politicking and the passionate declarations and the distractions and begin to make some tough decisions- and stand by them.  Yes, discontinuing busing (for example) will hurt some 20% of the very small percentage of children who’s parents have selected out-of-neighborhood magnet schools (it will rob them of choice!) but will free up an awful lot of money for the majority of the students of San Diego Unified. Yes, we might lose music programs- and that’s an awful thing- but can we save our core learning? Should we bump the kindergarten classes to 32 kids (plus one eventually burnt-out teacher) to keep electives elsewhere?

San Diego Unified School Board, you were elected to make difficult decisions.

Now make them.

Anyone catch “These Days” with host Maureen Cavanaugh on KPBS radio yesterday?  It was all about schools, and to tell us what’s important about schools were guests Bill Freeman of the teacher’s union, and School Board President Richard Barrera. These are highly qualified guests- Bill Freeman is a gifted teacher, now teacher’s union zealot, who signs email and memos with “In solidarity”. Richard Barrera is a good guy also, with a CV a mile long in representing labor organizations.  Both at the top of their game representing the interests of teachers and labor.

Both had interesting and insightful things to say about the financial crisis with which we’re faced at San Diego Unified.

So- who has a voice for children and families?  Would it have been too difficult for the producers of These Days to track down a parent of San Diego Unified to at least say a single word about students, the most important component of the entire school district?

I attended a meeting of the Point Loma Cluster several weeks ago, and I’m confident any of the hundreds of concerned parents would have welcomed the chance to explain to “These Days” listeners their unique and important point of view.

So- why the partiality, Maureen Cavanaugh?

PS: Barrera’s comments about geting money from the city “now, when we need it” is what we in small business call the Wimpy method of finance- “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”, which has been the finance mantra of San Diego Unified since, well- as long as I can remember.  And let’s not forget a hamburger for those union-construction firms that benefit from the PLA-  clearly Richard Barrera didn’t.

The ACLU just intervened [edit: they sucessfully pushed their cases] in the tradition of paying for extra-curricular activites. This means fees charged for cheerleading uniforms, advanced-placement classes, special clubs etc will no longer be acceptable methods to fund such activities.  I can see their point- not all families can afford these extras, and therefore these programs will likely be discontinued.  Because they are out of reach for some, nobody will have them.

I’ve long wondered about this financial inequity.  Our school PTA works hard to raise funds for extra programs- the typical stuff- bake sales, annual gala, boxtop drives, supermarket club card links, etc.  This money has been well-spent on campus beautification, spanish programs, science labs, computer and technology, teacher programs, assemblies and school supply purchases.

How soon will it be that the ACLU or the district will require these neighborhood-raised funds be diverted away from the neighborhood schools that directly raise them and into the general fund?

What effect will this have on generosity at the neighborhood level?  At what point will parents be unable to have a direct effect of our neighborhood schools?  What about volunteers?  Our school has a fair number of volunteers- will they be redirected to schools with fewer resources?  After all, not all everyone can afford to volunteer, so will those that CAN be moved to areas for those who won’t or can’t?

Where are we going with this?

Few areas of San Diego are as well-represented as the Point Loma Cluster. It’s a parent-driven community dedicated to improving the public education system among about ten schools in their neighborhood.  Have a look at their website:

http://www.pointlomacluster.com

This is a group of parents who’ve really pulled together for their community.  Want to see them in action?  There is a panel discussion February 2, 2011 about charter schools as an option.  Have a look here.

I suspect you’ll be seeing much more of this in the future as parents continue to become increasingly disenfranchaised with San Diego Unified.

It’s important to understand that most of these parents will never see a benefit to their children for their efforts.  Most students will be out of the K-12 schools before real and significant changes would take place.  But these are parents that understand the value of public education to their community, and are enthsuiastic to have their hard work help other parents and families far into the future.

I applaud their efforts and dedication to create a better learning environment for their community.

Prop J failed.

The deficit at San Diego Unified is swelling (and that will continue) and the parcel tax is not forthcoming. San Diego Unified is in trouble, and finally parents will be storming the board with torches and pitchforks to save their own special interests. That’s actually a good thing.

The not-good thing is the very special role the board has in mind for principals.

I like principals.

These are people strongly motivated to manage school sites that host learning children every day.  Those of us with experience running businesses know very well the challenges that position demands. Employee management alone is a HUGE job, and most principals don’t have a business management background- they’re typically educators with a strong urge to achieve and contribute to the education process.  In the last many years, the nature of a principal’s job has fundamentally shifted from “top educator” to overworked General Manager with some education piled on top. The budgets, the spreadsheets the Single Plan For Student Achievement, Title One, Free School Lunch, Special Education, School Site Council, Governance Team, PTA, PTO, Foundations have long ago eclipsed the spot of top educator.

Meanwhile, principals have been systematically robbed of their support staff, beginning with magic vanishing Vice Principals, office and support staff.  They’ve been tasked with the responsibility of maintaining or increasing performance, but deprived of the ability to hire and fire employees that would help students learn.

This is a classic failure of  elemental upper management- Accountability without empowerment.

So along comes budget cuts.  Not just cuts, it’s evisceration. The majority who voted down the parcel tax essentially green-lit major changes in the school system. While these major changes might not be the specific changes we need, they will need to reduce or remove some sacred budget cows.

Successful business owners will tell you that running a smart business during prosperous times is tough.  But running an organization during lean and difficult times is the real test of management. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and going is exactly what the board has in mind.

The board has decided to offload the burden of making many of these cuts to their principals under the guise of “decentralization”.  This decentralization sound oh-so-democratic on the surface, but there’s another word for it: Abdication.  By pushing the difficult work to already over-tasked middle management, the board gets to avoid some of the torch-and-pitchfork crowds and makes the local neighborhood principals the target. How do they sleep at night?

Of course each school site is a bit different. Of course principals are the “boots on the ground”, and of course there are some advantages to site control of dwindling funds.

But these advantages are relatively few in number, and the pure political advantage after which the board lusts is cowardly. We voted these members into their positions to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions, and I expect them to do so.

You told us you could lead the school board.  Please do so now.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is one of the most successful programs San Diego Unified has to offer kids.  It’s almost a compelling reason to stay at San Diego Unified.

To qualify a school for the IB program (a higher standard for students) attendance is required at certain conventions and meetings that keep educators abreast of the latest and greatest of the IB program’s offerings.  It’s required as a part of IB, and necessary to keep the IB standard and maintain the status of IB.

Unfortunately, the powers that be at the IB HQ (wherever that is-not here and not San Diego’s choice) chose to have their meeting this year in Hawaii instead of a penal colony in Nebraska.  I have little doubt that Hawaii is struggling for business and made a reasonably attractive offer to the program to attract its business.  But since Hawaii is associated more with vacations than meetings (as if poor Hawaii has nothing else to offer? What? One cannot do “real things” in Hawaii? What have we against our friendly 50th?) that venue choice is a foot-shot to the district employees tasked with maintaining the IB standard.  Let me make myself clear:

I don’t care where they have a conference for IB, as long as they continue to support this valuable program.  They can go to a spa in Napa/Sonoma for all I care.  Just bring back the good stuff- a higher standard of education for students in San Diego Unified.

Unfortunately, it appears I’m in the minority (surprise!) with this particular view.  One woman- an employee at Kate Sessions Elementary, Christy Mahon, went all crazy about it and wrote a lengthy rant about her evil boss, her job, and her husband (what’s he got to do with it anyway?) and the $11.00(!) Halloween Carnival.  Here- have time to waste? Crazy ranting letter. It’s posted by a “news and talk” radio station that can’t be bothered with investigating the claims- just boost the website metrics and increasing their pay-per-click by publishing this drivel.

I won’t pretend to know everything that transpired, but there are two things immediately obvious.  First, Mahon is one of those people who believe she’s imbued with the privilege to say nasty things about her boss, post them on her little Facebook page, ( the sky in falling, the sky is falling!) and keep her job all at the same time.  Then she screams at the top of her lungs about how she was horribly mistreated and wrongfully terminated. Oh, and how the Halloween Carnival costs $11.00.

Jobs are scarce.  The economy is a disaster.  If you really, really want a job, be respectful to your employer.  There are lines of people who want your job more than you, so shut it and do your work.  Maybe learn how to spell your boss’s name. Yes bosses can be difficult, and if your workplace does not honor your contribution, find one that does or find something to contribute besides nastygrams. Not only does it allow you to remain employed, it also allows you to keep a shred of your credibility.  And dignity, too! If the Halloween carnival costs too much, (believe me, I understand excess spending) then don’t go.

Here’s the other part I know about this equation:  Sue DeVicariis. Ms. DeVicariis was vice principal at Grant Elementary when our family first began school for our son.  She probably does not remember me (a bright faced “older” parent) but I was saddened by her departure from Grant- she had been an asset to our community. Were we to ever have the promise of a VP made by the school board filled, I’d want it to be Ms DeVicariis. San Diego Unified is lucky to have her and their shoddy treatment of  DeVicariis, a solid employee, is another reason to vote against Prop J. She’s a top-notch administrator, and we need more like her.

So when reading/hearing the “news and talk” that school officials dared to have a meeting someplace other than a gray concrete block building in LA or on the internet like traffic school, try to keep it in context.

I have my issues with the District, but this is not one of them.

Lots going on here since the last post, some of which is forthcoming- ask about the school harpy- but people are asking about the upcoming election.  Do I have any opinions?  Of course.

Proposition J-  Prop J- the special parcel tax- is clear cut for me.  The candidates are a little foggier, but I can tell you quite forcefully to vote NO on J. Wait- don’t vote no, vote HELL NO.  I refuse to support increasing funding for an organization that is so completely unglued. Management practices are so employee-skewed they cannot effectively hire and fire those the need to be hired and fired the most.  When they do have money (or believe they do) they use the district as a construction worker’s union welfare program by signing a Project Labor Agreement.

Whee!  Look at us!  We’re so flush with cash, we’d be happy to give our union buddies a subsidy.  We’re thrilled at the chance to have our playgrounds and other improvements cost more because damn it, construction worker’s union members deserve it. We’re not poor enough to take the lowest or most qualified bidder, oh, no! We have so much cash given to us by the voters in Prop S we can afford to redistribute the voter’s wealth and that of their children. Why be frugal?

Yes, our students will suffer because of budget cuts.  But we cannot spend ourselves out of poor management, poor decisions, and poor policies.  I encourage you to draw a line in the sand (again) and tell them no Prop J.

Whew.

Candidates Scott Barnett and John de Beck.  This one is a toss-up for me.  I’ve met de Beck once or twice in passing, and had lunch and exchanged online barbs with Scott Barnett.  I like them both for different reasons, and I ended up voting for Barnett in the primary.  But Barnett has been up to his old tricks, specifically trying to kick sand in the face of his opponent. Being the class tattle-tale by reporting the district provides- get this- internet and wireless services for board members. Oh, my word. Oh, what a world, what a world.  Please- I hope the district is providing these services for the board- even the ones I don’t like.  Because of Barnett’s ongoing (with some exceptions) negative campaigning I’m inclined to vote for his opponent- John de Beck.

Beiser/Rosen/Nakamura

Going with Steve Rosen on this one.  Spent an hour in his office a few months ago, and I like him.  He’s an unusual guy, and may present some ruffled feathers on the board, which concerns me.  But Beiser is clearly the instrument of the teacher’s union, the single most over-represented body on the board. I like Katherine Nakamura, and voted for her in the primary.  She lost  and is now clouding the race by running as a write-in, which will likely make Beiser the winner.  I think Beiser has run the best campaign- highest visibility, best name recognition, even twirled his own signs at 10th and Ash on at least one morning.  His teacher’s union uber alles agenda, however is a deal killer. It’s Rosen.