Damaging Relationships?

Posted on May 18, 2008 by admin

Yesterday at Hometown Days I learned that some teachers have been really going to town with parents — and students! — about the inability of the District/Board and the teachers’ union to reach a negotiated salary settlement for this school year.

Don’t get me wrong, I would never argue that teachers don’t have a right to express their opinions. They do.

But threatening to leaflet a parent’s home because a meeting with parents and the superintendent is going to take place there, to talk about the District budget situation?

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A Word from the Guv’nor

Posted on May 16, 2008 by admin

Late last week Governor Schwarzenegger announced a revised budget proposal which, if adopted, would have a smaller negative impact on education funding. It would still put a crimp in the District’s budget, though, because there would be no cost of living adjustment for next year.

Whether or not this proposal gets adopted is a different question, since it includes some significant changes to the way the Lottery works, which will require approval by the voters in November.

But, all in all, it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

When I learn what the estimated impact on our District is of the proposal I’ll pass it along.

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Demographics

Posted on May 9, 2008 by admin

At last night’s Board meeting we reviewed a draft of a long-awaited study of student population and enrollment trends. This was commissioned by the Board and superintendent as a result of recent challenges getting everyone enrolled in their neighborhood school. The Board wanted some good historical data and realistic projections on which to base discussion of any potential changes.

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Teacher Anger

Posted on May 9, 2008 by admin

At last night’s Board meeting there were about 15 – 20 teachers who showed up to criticize the District and Board for not reaching a salary settlement this year. Several of them spoke passionately about how they believed this state of affairs showed a profound lack of respect for teachers.

I can certainly understand their anger, but we did not get to this place out of a lack of respect. We are being driven to it by events outside of our control.

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Welcome!

Posted on May 7, 2008 by admin

It’s been almost a year since I last talked about the San Carlos school district and Board. And that was on a different site in a galaxy far away…

Part of the reason I was on hiatus was that I wanted to give our new superintendent, Steve Mitrovich, time to get himself oriented in the District. He’s worked hard to do that, to good result.

But there are a number of issues surfacing in the District that people should be aware of, so I’m starting up again. Hopefully in a format that will be easier for me to maintain and for you to use.

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