Author Archives: admin

Those Clever Charterites!

Chris Mahoney, the instructional leader at Charter Learning Center, sent me an email the other day describing a very clever fund-raising/awareness-raising endeavor at the CLC: a fun(d) run to Sacramento! The goal is to raise money for the CLC, and … Continue reading

Posted in budget, kudos, money | Leave a comment

A Plea for Reason and Tolerance

Concern is continuing to grow over how to accommodate the surge in kindergarten enrollments for next year. The Board had a discussion of the issue last Thursday, although it took no action, instead asking staff to evaluate certain options. Recommendations … Continue reading

Posted in capacity, crisis, enrollment | 1 Comment

Don’t Forget the Beam

I’ve always liked this biblical quote: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own? It’s applicable to the District’s and Board’s current handling of the unusually … Continue reading

Posted in capacity, enrollment, parcel tax | Leave a comment

A Surplus of Deficits

Being both a trustee and volunteering on the Measure B campaign gives me an interesting perspective on questions that, from time to time, swirl around the community. One of those involves the answer to the question “So, just how big … Continue reading

Posted in budget, capacity, contract, crisis, money, parcel tax, teachers | Leave a comment

Enrollment and Charters

I’m seeing questions about why the District serves so many out-of-district charter students if space is so tight at our schools. Here’s the explanation. The primary reason San Carlos adopted the charter school model years ago was financial: the State … Continue reading

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Enrollment and Boundaries

With our record-breaking kindergarten enrollment for next year the issue of school capacity and boundary changes has leaped back into the limelight. Here’s my take on it. White Oaks is the District’s smallest school, in terms of acreage, and it … Continue reading

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Get Mad. Then Get Involved

This post was written as an article for this month’s Arundel PTA newsletter by Heather Mannion, a “…1st grader’s mom, entering 2010 kindergartener’s mom, and volunteer”. She was gracious enough to allow me to post it on my blog. I … Continue reading

Posted in budget, crisis, parcel tax, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Parcel Tax Polling Results

You can view a PDF of Godbe’s polling analysis here. I’ve inserted some personal observations and comments throughout the presentation. Godbe’s recommendation is to put something in the $70 – $80 range — with a five year term — on … Continue reading

Posted in crisis, parcel tax | 10 Comments

Improving Special Education and Saving Money

At last night’s Board meeting Tom Green, the Director of Student Services & Curriculum Instruction, explained how the District can improve its special education program by establishing additional classes to address the needs of kids who are currently educated outside … Continue reading

Posted in kudos, special ed | 2 Comments

Response to Crisis: Initial Discussion

Last night staff presented its initial analysis of the cost reduction and revenue enhancement opportunities developed in the Board’s December brainstorming session. Many members of the public and the teaching staff attended the meeting, which was held in the Central … Continue reading

Posted in budget, capacity, city, contract, crisis, enrollment, money, parcel tax, teachers, Uncategorized | 4 Comments