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Monday, November 30, 2009

Welcome back

I had a great Thanksgiving holiday and “weekend” in Riverside. The family and I had the customary turkey and family hospitality on Thursday. Friday we joined 40,000 other people for the Festival of Lights downtown. Being new to Riverside -- What a great event! Of course there were the lights and the “throwing of the switch” along with the fireworks. But the spirit of the crowd was fantastic and engaged. An added bonus was the BIG screen presentation of the Riverside Ballet in front of the Convention Center along with live dancers.


Next we were off to the Arlington HS playoff game at Ramona Stadium. Great game played well by both teams – culminating in a double overtime finish. Ultimately Norco HS won the game. However, great credit goes to Coach McCarthy and the Arlington Lions as they played extraordinarily well and at some point overtimes have to end – though not as we had hoped.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Have a great holiday!

The budget issue continues to heat up -- with no foreseeable resolution in Sacramento. The Legislative Analyst Office provided his non-partisan analysis this week -- which was not good news. I hate to provide this information during this time, but it is what it is. Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee provides a good synopsis of our budget conditions in California.


As this is the week when all of our schools are out and on vacation (starting with last Friday), I will not be posting any blog items during this week. We will take up our discussion next week. Enjoy the holiday, family, and don't forget to give thanks for our blessings.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Gubernatorial Candidate #2 in the Series

I had the opportunity on Monday, along with many others to go to the Chamber Luncheon with Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Poizner. Certainly Poizner is an accomplished person with a successful career in the high tech sector and then more recently serving as the California Insurance Commissioner. Overall his strategy seems to be a rational, common-sense approach (including his 10-10-10 plan) to the problems of California – though there might be many that would argue with his particular solutions.

Poizner clearly makes public education a central part of his plan though he has a long history with charter schools. He advocates for a return of educational decisions from Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to local communities and school boards. Specific to his plan seems to be the consolidation of small school districts and schools (an old strategy) and elimination of categorical funding in favor of core funding. Further his advocacy is for elimination of positions that are not directly connected to the classroom. As a former statewide advocate for charters, he suggests that we should give all schools and districts the liberties of charter flexibility and then hold ALL accountable for the results.

The Chamber is focused now on completing this series and hosting Jerry Brown as the 3rd candidate in this race. It is certainly interesting and informative to have these candidates in Riverside and speak directly to us and our issues.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

And HOW short are we?

Another aspect of the state budgeting process is that we seem to be on a five-month budgeting cycle -- and so we arrive at a new budget in January (not July). The deficit that is being advertised on the street in Sacramento is $7 billion. The whisper on the same street is that the true shortfall that has to be resolved is $12 billion. And those that have been accurately calculating this business all the way along, say that they deficit will be $20 billion when we arrive in January.

Regardless of January's resolution, all of this will obviously impact the budget for the 10-11 year and our spring budget planning.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

How can we have a budget if we don't have money?

The Governor has made several statements this past week about the state water bond as well as the state budget. It was most interesting for me to be in Sacramento last Monday and talk to a variety of the representatives of key decision-makers. Overall, the message in Sacramento was very dismal with not much hope for any change in the state budget in the next 3 years. There was good news about the economy recovering and getting stronger all the time -- including over the three year period. However, the "tricks" and "borrowing" that has been going on the past couple of years by the State will limit budget recovery for some time to come.

The LAO (Legislative Analyst's Office) should be releasing their November report this week on state finance. The report has typically been very good and very helpful as it is non-partisan and essentially non-political. The LAO report typically tells all of us the genuine status of the state budget. We will see.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Change in the Air?

There seems to be an increasing discussion at all levels in our state and nation about the need to make changes in our public education system. I would also observe that this is the FIRST time I have seen this type of galvanization around this issue. I would also offer that I have great confidence in our teachers, administrators, and staff in Riverside Unified -- but that is not the issue. The issue is our system -- certainly in this state as well as beyond. There are too many students that are not successful. I am not ready to blame anyone as this is a system issue, not a person issue.

It was interesting Sunday morning to see a very interesting trio of politicians (i.e., Education Secretary Arne Duncan, out-spoken Republican and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and out-spoken Democrat Rev. Al Sharpton ) gather to discuss public education on Meet the Press. If you wish to watch the portion directly related to this discussion it begins at 19:25 in the approximate 45 minute tape. Part of their description of the issue includes statements like: "results problem in public education" and "huge achievement gap." Their promise of solution seems centered around the one-time funding of Race To The Top.

While I don't necessarily agree with their conclusions, it is an interesting and thought-provoking piece. I do agree that it will take all of us to do the right thing for our children and students in this 21st century. Ultimately, this is about who we (the adults) are as a community, as a state, and as a nation.

I do hope that you enjoy and consider the tape and the discussion beyond the TV program.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Green is Good?


Our food service director, Rodney Taylor, and his staff have been working on GREEN -- that is vegetables -- for some time with their farm to table program (starting on April 15, 2005 at Jefferson Elementary). Yesterday, they opened another salad bar operation -- this one at Castle View Elementary. This is the 29th implementation of the salad bar in our 31 elementary schools -- just 2 to go. During the time of its operation we have served over 1.3 million salad bar meals since its inception. I have watched students in these salad bar lunch operations and -- Kids do like vegetables!

In an era when there are lots of questions being raised in various media outlets about the "health" of school cafeteria meals, we can be sure that our staff and students are getting nothing but the best and developing lifelong habits of a health lifestyle. Thanks to ALL of our staff that work together to make this program work in our elementary schools.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Why athletic facilities?

So as we move forward with the design and construction of athletic facilities in RUSD, some might ask WHY are you doing this in the middle of academic needs?

While there may be LOTS of answers and responses to those questions including the inclusion of our performing arts groups in and on those same facilities -- possibly Dr. Douglas Reeves (national speaker) at the RCOE Education Summit had the best answer! His contention and data indicates that WHEN students are involved in extra-curricular activities (not just athletics) there is a positive association with student academic performance (as measured by their Grade Point Average). As you can see from the graph below, when a student has no (zero) extra-curricular involvement they do not do well academically (GPA = 1.9). However, as the involvement goes up to 3-4 activities we begin to max out on the GPA effect (i.e., 3.5 GPA). Past that point, it becomes questionable if there is much positive effect. Overall there seems to be clear message that providing extra-curricular activities, in fact, IS supporting the academic performance of schools!


Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Veterans Day

As we arrive to the holiday designated as Veteran's Day, I hope we go beyond just "vacationing" and taking "holiday" time -- to reflecting on the reason for the day and the recognition of our veterans and those that serve admirably in the armed service of our nation.

At the same time, we have JROTC groups at 4 of our high schools. These groups are comprised of typically 100 or more of our students that are engaged in a wide variety of learning activities including investigating a career in the military. We are proud of the work that they do and the service that they are pursuing. We were honored in our November 2nd Board meeting when they presented the colors and led us in the salute to the flag.

Please take time to reflect on the contribution of veterans and current military personnel as you go through your day.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Sacramento is still here but the money is gone!

I spent the day in Sacramento and was involved with a variety of discussions with Legislative leaders regarding the status of the State Budget and its potential impact on local school funding -- including RUSD and other Riverside County school districts. Overall, the news remains bad with BUDGETARY recovery several years away (Economic recovery -- which is different -- is much sooner). The larger question at this point is, what is the form and circumstance that the new reductions will come to us at the local level:
  • Though everyone agrees that flexibility has saved jobs -- Will we continue to have flexibility and will the flexibility be extended so that we don't have problems with our "Interim Reporting" to the county?
  • Instructional Materials Fund flexibility has assisted all districts and allowed for good instructional decisions of local school boards, but will the State Board of Education usurp that authority and if so what is the legal basis of such a decision?
  • What will be the form and notification of additional deferrals from the state -- that postpones the payments that are owed to local school districts by the state?
  • Is there any relief for districts on the "mandated cost" money that is owed -- or is there an alternative resolution to this long-standing issue?
  • Will the state resolve its structural budget problems or ...kick the can down the road to another time and another Legislature?
  • AND a variety of other issues.
Ultimately I would agree with the sentiments of one of the legislative representatives that stated that, "we have been dismantling the social infrastructure" in California. Public education is included in that social infrastructure -- and it has impact NOW and probably even more importantly in the FUTURE. The Governor's budget presentation in January will be an important indicator of where we are going in the coming year and beyond.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Important Input

The City of Riverside has been undergoing a "visioning" process that is interested in what our aspirations are as we go into the future (e.g., 20 years from now). The resulting vision will guide the efforts of the City for some time to come. As such, the committee responsible for all of this is very interested in gaining multiple perspectives on the vision for the future.They are seeking the thoughts, hopes and dreams of others. Therefore, they are asking all of us to take a few minutes and complete the survey. The survey is anonymous and will be combined with all of the other surveys for an aggregated response. All surveys must be completed by noon on Thursday, November 12, 2009.

The survey can be found at: http://survey.riversideca.gov/default.aspx. Please help our community to consider its future.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

More Congratulations!!

I could NOT have known the relevance of my words yesterday when I was "bragging" on the great teachers and staff that we have in RUSD. However, this morning we were greeted with the news that one of our great teachers has been selected as one of the California TEACHER OF THE YEAR recipients. Our California Teacher of the Year is Amber Carrow who teaches at Chemawa Middle School on Magnolia Ave.

We were able to join a cadre of teacher leaders from RCTA this morning along with our School Board President, Kathy Allavie -- in congratulating Amber and sharing the news with her students and the Chemawa Middle School community. Amber will now move on to the National Teacher of the Year process. We think she wins that recognition as well. Congratulations Amber!! Congratulations Riverside.

California Distinguished Schools

We in Riverside have had a history of recognition with the California Distinguished School program. Most recently, King High School was recognized last year with this prestigious recognition. The program which is operated by the California Department of Education recognizes middle & high schools one year (last year) and elementary schools in the next year (this year). I was notified yesterday, that again we have several schools that are eligible to apply for and be reviewed for this award. While this is only the beginning of a review process, it is certainly noteworthy to be on this list.

The elementary schools that are eligible this year, according to state criteria, are: Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain, and Woodcrest. We congratulate those schools for their accomplishment and will assist in any manner we can as they progress in this process. Thank you to the staff of each of these schools. It is my opinion that when they get recognized, the fact is, that at the same time other teachers and schools are contributing to that success -- as we are a team. We should all feel proud. The other point I would make is that while we continue to be in state budgetary crisis, we have GREAT teachers, principals, and staff members in this District -- on a daily basis they make a difference in the lives of our students. Congratulations and thank you!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Congratulations

Thank you to ALL that took the time and voted in yesterday's election. It is one thing to have the right to vote, it is quite another to actually exercise that right -- and vote. Our democracy counts on the exercise of that right.

Congratulations to Kathy Allavie and Dr. Chuck Beaty on their successful election to the office of School Board Member last night. I am looking forward to 4 more great years with them engaged in the very important work of this District. Special thanks also to the two challengers Chris Lorenz and Mark Swartz for their courage and work in running in this campaign.

My congratulations also to Ron Loveridge for his successful election for a 5th term as Riverside's Mayor. I have enjoyed working with Mayor Loveridge and appreciate his leadership. I look forward to that continued relationship for the collective benefit of our Riverside community.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Election Today

Don't forget to VOTE today as we are electing to Trustees to our Riverside Unified Board of Education AND the Mayor of Riverside. Participation and engagement in this important process is critical to our democratic process -- it doesn't work very well if you don't vote. Don't forget to vote today -- tomorrow won't count!!