So if you don't like Plan A ...how about Plan B?

As the budget discussion continues and the days mark down on the Governor's deadline to get authorization for a June ballot measure, the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) in Sacramento issued his own Plan B.  So what do we do if the tax extension doesn't work?  Or what if we really can't make all the reductions proposed?  Etc.

The Plan B obviously has lots of impacts, but relative to K-12 education it would essentially propose an additional reduction of $750 per student against an existing $5,000 funding level.  This basically adds another 15% in reductions to what already is arguably the lowest funding level in the United States.  I believe this will have a serious effect on our children/students -- FAR beyond the effects that it has already had.

Progressing Kinda'

The Governor's budget process continues along in its journey toward a June election and possible tax extension that would generate an additional $12 Billion on state revenue for the next 5 years.  But there are a couple of possible hiccups.  There is essentially a March 10th deadline that must be met to get this to the June ballot -- and time is ticking. 

A larger problem is whether or not the Governor can convince enough of the Republicans to approve the measure to get it on the ballot.  While we have cleared the Assembly there is not such an optimistic view in the Senate and for overall success.  This past week, in an unusual move, Senator Dutton in GOP leadership stated that the Republicans would NOT agree to a ballot measure for a tax increase.

Day 44 and counting!

Distinguished Again

Our Middle Schools are some of the best in the county and we have known that for some time by looking at the data.  This past week we were notified that two of our Middle Schools (i.e., Earhart and Gage) are moving forward with a "validation" visit in the California Distinguished Schools process.  There were 2 other schools recognized in the county with a coming visit -- both in Desert Sands USD.  These two middle schools are adding to the growing list of RUSD schools that have won this statewide award one or several times.

Those involved already know that these schools are great schools and performing well.  The "validation" visit to review and understand the signature practices of each of these schools that can be shared with others.  Earhart Middle School is actually the TOP performing middle school in the county of Riverside.  We look forward to these two schools performing well and standing on the California Distinguished School stage in May.

Thank you teachers, classified, and administrators for the GREAT job you are doing with our students and schools.

There's a new Sheriff in Town!!

In January, we had a change of Governors.  Actually, that is not all that unusual.  However, in this case it appears to be far different than before.  When Governor Brown took office there were some symbolic budget reductions but more importantly there is a real reduction of formality and officialdom.   We began to hear of Gov. Brown walking down the streets of Sacramento minus escorts, motorcades, and handlers -- this is different!

As an example, Governor Brown recently attended the State Board of Education meeting without announcing his arrival -- and engaged in an informal conversation with the Board.  Governor Brown was also attired informally.  Overall, there seem to be clear signals that this Governor is much more impromptu and relaxed in his approach.  An excerpt of the State Board of Education meeting can be seen by going to:  http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/pn/nr/yr11sberel01.asp

Last week the Governor needed to get to SoCal ...so like you and I he headed down to Southwest airlines and got on-board (don't know if he was Business Select // in the A group or not) -- and then sat next to real people.  Time will tell, but it would appear that things are happening Sacramento.

Budget Progress

So we are about a month away from D-Day and the deadline for constructing and placing the Governor’s proposed tax extension measure on the June ballot. How’s it going? As come forward from the Governor’s “budget proposal” in early January we are beginning to see things shape up a bit. There are certainly a variety of articles from various sources regarding the merits or lack of with the Governor’s budget plan.

From my perspective, I appreciate the Governor’s courage, intent, and plan – but this seems to be anything other than a “sure” thing at this point. From a distance it appears that:

• The Governor’s plan is an “equal opportunity offender” in that both parties have lots to be upset about:
• The Republicans are obviously upset about the potential of an increase / extension of taxes for 5 more years – and they have signed a “no-tax pledge”
• The Democrats (though in the Legislative majority and the same party as the Governor) are facing huge reductions to some of their favorite programs with the proposed $12 Billion in reductions from Brown
• School officials and constituents are beginning to wrap their minds around the incredible level of reductions that are likely / promised if this tax measure does not make the June ballot and get passed.
• Probably instantly we lose $250 per student in the current year “deferral” that would not get delivered
• We would instantly lose another $350 per student for next year as the Prop 98 guarantee is reduced by $2 Billion – for a total loss of $600 per student
• All of those changes do NOT resolve the “hole” that is left in the Governor’s budget plan (another $10 Billion) – which will arguably mean more schools reductions as we “own” a significant share of the $10 Billion. Current estimates of resolving begin to sound like a $1,000 to $2,000 loss per student in total.

Only yesterday, Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee and long-time Capitol observer noted well, "Many questions.  As yet, no answers."  Meanwhile the clock is ticking.

Value-added in JROTC

An oft under-represented program in our community / school discussions is the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp) that is provided at 4 of our high schools with 4 of the service groups (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines). These groups have dramatic impact on our students / cadets as they are assisted with discipline and training that is supportive of healthy lifestyles and improved academic performance.

I saw one more example of that type of commitment and performance on Friday night with Poly HS JROTC Military Ball (i.e., 95th Annual) at the Riverside Convention Center. The event was attended by 190 uniformed cadets and their dates. There was a formal receiving line, introductions, toasts, traditions, etiquette, and a speech from visiting Major Sagona, etc. – ALL of which was run by the senior cadets.

Nicely done Major Dominguez and Poly Bear Cadets.

Redevelopment Funds

As part of the Governor’s budget plan/process/etc., he is suggesting that Redevelopment Agencies (RDA) pay schools directly rather than their original intent to support redevelopment projects. This sounds like a “good deal” for schools and the children of this state; however, upon closer inspection the reality is that is probably better for the State than anyone else.

Under the current laws, the State owes schools a particular amount of money by formula. With this RDA shift that amount of money is the same as it has always been (i.e., schools do not get one more dollar under this shift). However, who is paying the bill/obligation is shifting from the State to the local RDA – which makes one think that the State is the winner in this situation.

Meanwhile the capital improvement projects that are supported by RDA funds in the City are lost along with the construction-based jobs that were involved in building those projects.

In RUSD (as well as many other districts in Riverside County), we already get a substantial amount of money on an annual basis from the RDA to support the building of schools and other facilities. If this RDA change should occur, we will not get any more operational funds as defined by state law, BUT we would lose our current RDA funds. The net effect would be that we lose money on this deal!! Lost jobs, less money? I am not so sure that this is a “good deal,” though I appreciate the Governor’s effort to hold public education in “harmless.”

NCLB plus?

Once again we have national/ state test results released and people seem to be wondering "what happened?"  This time the results are for the NAEP Science assessment.  Needless to say, there are folks that are concerned and have actively voiced their opinion on the matter.  Why should I be any different?  So here is my opinion?

What were people expecting, with the clarity of the NCLB focus on essentially reading and math -- it is not hard to figure out that other highly important areas of the curriculum such as: science, social studies, arts, etc. somehow get left out of the equation.  At the same time, in the 21st century, more than ever we need students to be well-informed problem solvers (e.g., The Global Achievement Gap).  While NCLB might be headed in somewhat of the right direction -- with improved performance -- it falls woefully short of what we need.  IF every one of our students, as targeted, were fully proficient with the NCLB math and language arts targets in 2014 (the NCLB target year) -- where would we be?  I would suggest that we would have students that can read and compute -- but have few other skills to meet the challenges of this century.  We need to make sure we don't settle for NCLB targets alone.

In RUSD, the Board and others are actively advocating for much more than the NCLB standard.