Welcome back for the 2010 school year! Please leave home a little early next Wednesday morning so that you can safely drop your children off at school. Over the summer, drivers lose the habit of looking for children crossing the street so remind children who walk to be extra careful. Lastly, please follow all traffic laws and school procedures for dropping your child off at school. We look forward to a safe and positive start to the school year.
Shared Vision/Common Goals
Recently, STAR test scores were released. Despite the impact of the State cuts to education, Mt. Diablo USD is pleased to report that through the efforts of our students, parents, teachers, administrators, and support personnel, we showed strong improvement in second through eighth grade math scores while maintaining solid scores in other subject areas. Student test data is important information for all of our schools, as it guides professional development, focuses collaboration time for teaching staff, and ensures the organization is in a mode of continual improvement.
To that point, we will utilize this data as part of the process for developing district-wide goals and objectives. Guided by our overarching purpose of ensuring that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen path, these goals and objectives will help us focus our time, talent and resources. The goals provide school personnel with explicit, measureable performance targets that we expect each site to meet as well as a set of strategies to help support each school site in meeting the measurable targets.
Sites will use the district goals to develop their Single Plan for Student Achievement. These goals will be evaluated on an annual basis. If you would like to become actively involved in the future evaluation of the District Goals, we encourage you to participate in your school's Site Council as a well as become a member of the District-wide Parent Advisory Council that meets monthly. Your school's principal can provide more information on both groups. By the end of September, we plan to bring the final draft of the District Goals to the Board for adoption. Attached at the end of this news update is our most current draft of the District Goals.
Mt. Diablo Unified School District School Closure Advisory Committee
After receiving and reviewing over 75 applications for the MDUSD School Closure Advisory Committee (SCAC), we have formed a representative committee. It is our goal that the committee represents a diverse group of district stakeholders. A parent, an employee, a community member, and a site administrator have been selected for each of our six high school feeder patterns. We have also included the only student applicant from the College Park feeder pattern. In addition, we have invited all of our associations and district committees to provide a volunteer to participate on the committee.
In order to make decisions, the committee will score school sites using established methodologies based on the following core criteria.
- Facility Condition: Conditions include all building and mechanical systems necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the physical plant (e.g. roof, paving, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, doors, security, intercom and fire safety systems, windows and building interiors). Age, modernization status and projected deferred maintenance items will be considered as well as status of major and minor repair items.
- Capacity Utilization: Site enrollment, both current and projected will be assessed. Site utilization which is significantly below optimal will serve as an independent criterion for consolidation/closure. Schools will be ranked using enrollment as a percent of student capacity of the facility.
- Operations and Maintenance Costs: The current and annual cost of utilities, site administration, classified support staff and recurring maintenance costs will results in a per pupil cost. This per pupil cost will serve as a criterion for consolidation/closure.
- Adjacent Facility Capacity: School sites considered for evaluation will be assessed based on relative proximity or adjacency to other sites with presently available capacity or are expandable, having space and infrastructure capacity for additional classrooms.
- Academic Performance: Academic Performance including API Scores and API Growth of all school sites considered for closure will serve as a criterion in the consolidation/closure process.
- Geographic Equity: To the extent possible, school closure candidates should allow the District to continue to operate schools/programs which serve the geographic areas, or identified feeder pattern areas of the district. Walking distances will be incorporated into the evaluation process.
- Improved Facility Conditions for Students: School sites considered for closure will be evaluated on the basis of percentage of students which would be relocated/consolidated to sites with improved (relative to closed site) facility conditions, (e.g. moving from site with no classroom air conditioning to a site with classroom air conditioning).
- Cost of Consolidation/Closure: School sites considered for closure will be assessed based on aggregate cost of closure and student/staff program relocation. Such costs include expenditures related to moving, interim housing, additional classroom construction and capital improvements and facility modifications necessary to accommodate special programs.
The committee will meet on the following dates:
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
All meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord. Parents and community members are welcome to attend and observe the process. A report of each meeting will be posted on the district website. If you have any questions about the committee, please contact Rose Lock's office at 682-8000 ext. 4016.
SCHOOL CLOSURE COMMITTEE 2010
|
High School Feeder Pattern |
School |
Name |
Representative |
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Clayton Valley |
Ayers |
Todd Porter |
Community |
|
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Highlands |
Christine Flynn |
Parent/Caregiver |
|
|
Silverwood |
Kacie Boustead |
School Employee |
|
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Clayton Valley High |
Sharon Brockman |
School Site Administrator |
|
College Park |
College Park |
Savannah Carnes |
Student Representative |
|
|
Hidden Valley |
Rob Schroeder |
Community |
|
|
Pleasant Hill Elem |
David Maurer |
Parent/Caregiver |
|
|
Pleasant Hill MS |
Jonathan Roselin |
School Site Administrator |
|
|
Sequoia Elem |
Verna Ogden |
School Employee |
|
Concord |
Concord HS |
Susan Brekle |
School Employee |
|
|
Mtn. View |
Joseph Hernandez |
Parent/Caregiver |
|
|
Westwood |
Debbie Trammel |
Community |
|
|
El Dorado |
David Ramirez |
School Site Administrator |
|
Mt. Diablo |
Mt. Diablo HS |
John Parker |
Community |
|
|
Shore Acres |
Tracy Rivas |
School Employee |
|
|
Holbrook |
David Surran |
Parent |
|
|
Riverview |
Ean Ainsworth |
School Site Administrator |
|
Northgate |
Bancroft/OGMS/YVHS |
Sharon Fees |
Community |
|
|
Foothill MS |
Randy Monroe |
School Employee |
|
|
Walnut Acres |
Faye Mettler |
Parent |
|
|
Foothill |
Mike Mattos |
School Site Administrator |
|
Ygnacio Valley |
Oak Grove |
Terry McCormick |
School Site Administrator |
|
|
Ygnacio Valley Elem |
Rita Goldman |
Employee |
|
|
Ygnacio Valley HS |
Brandon Bratcher |
Community |
|
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YVE/OGMS/Cornerstone |
Ilana Samuels |
Parent |
|
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|
|
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District Group |
|
Representative |
|
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MDEA |
|
|
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MFSPA |
|
Mike Giambona |
|
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CSEA |
|
Kimberly Montano |
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DMA |
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Local 1 CST |
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Local 1 M&O |
|
Jim Martin |
|
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Community Advisory Committee |
|
Dorothy Weisenberger |
|
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Parent Advisory Committee |
|
Kathy Kritscher |
|
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Budget Advisory Committee |
|
John Ferrante |
|
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Measure C Oversight Committee |
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Business Comnunity |
|
Raymond (Nick) Adler |
|
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DISTRICT STAFF
|
Co-Chair |
|
Rose Lock |
Assistant Superintendent |
|
Co-Chair |
|
Bryan Richards |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Co-Chair |
|
Joe Marsich |
Manager, Research & Evaluation |
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Board Highlights
On June 4th, the Board took exciting steps towards enhancing our school facilities when they approved the Measure C election, certified the Measure C oversight committee members, and approved the sale of the first $110 million in bonds. These bonds will be sold as 25 year bonds, reducing the long-term interest burden on the community.
At the August 24th meeting, the Board will consider approving contracts with several legal firms, each providing a specific expertise. Over the past several years, we have reduced our general fund legal fees from $1.5 million to $760,000. We will also bring a contract for Pete Pederson to continue to work with the district on the implementation of our Measure C goals. Pete has worked in the district for almost 30 years and has been instrumental in saving the District money while overseeing facility improvements. Pete's knowledge of all of our school campuses and expertise around construction will help us to maximize our new Measure C funds while ensuring we complete quality projects.
District Goals 2010-2011
Educational Goal
All district students will master the California standards for their grade level by the end of each school year.
The purpose of the following performance targets is to provide the Board and the district administration with the information needed to monitor to what degree schools are meeting the most important targets. Students need to 1) master the California standards for their grade level, 2) learn to read with fluency and comprehension by the end of third grade, 3) become fluent in academic English, 4) demonstrate proficiency in mathematics, 5) pass the California High School Exit Exam, 6) attend school regularly 7) graduate from high school, and 8) take and pass courses that provide the knowledge and skill necessary for our high school graduates to be successful in their future endeavors. Schools will report progress on the following targets that will provide a big picture view of school performance to monitor system effectiveness.
Supporting these targets, additional layers of assessment help administrators and teachers monitor student performance in order to adjust instruction to improve learning. Periodic district benchmarks and other common assessments measure the effectiveness of initial instruction and provide important information about where instruction needs to be changed to improve results. To accelerate the learning of students for whom exemplary initial instruction is not enough, regular common assessments will help identify needed interventions, monitor student progress, and to determine when students have met exit criteria. The creation of explicit District Goals is our first step in developing a district-wide strategic plan.
Performance Targets
Elementary Schools - these measurements are school-wide and all significant subgroups:
Target 1: Academic Performance Index (API) - All schools will meet their annual school and significant subgroup State API targets.
Target 2: K-3 Reading - Over the next two years, increase the percent of K-3 students scoring at rubric 3 (at grade level) and rubric 4 on the district Reading Assessment Program (RAP).
· Currently if less than 40% of students are reading at or above grade level increase by 10%
· Currently if between 40-70% are reading at or above grade level increase by 6%
· If over 70% are reading at or above grade level increase by 4%
Target 3: K-5 Mathematics - Over the next two years, increase the percent of students scoring at the proficient level on the district benchmark or approved common assessments.
· If currently below 40% are proficient, increase by 10%
· If currently between 40-70% are proficient, increase by 6%
· If over 70% are proficient, increase by 4%
Target 4: All Elementary Schools Under 800 API - Implement district benchmark assessments in language arts and math, and develop intervention plans based on the quarterly common assessment results.
Middle Schools - these measurements are school-wide and all significant subgroups:
Target 1: Academic Performance Index (API) - All schools will meet their annual school and significant subgroup State API targets.
Target 2: Mathematics - Over the next two years:
a. Increase the percentage of 8th graders ready to move on to Geometry in 9th grade. This will be measured by the percent of 8th graders receiving a B or better in Algebra 1 and passing the district-wide Algebra 1 final with a 70% or better:
· If currently below 40% are ready, increase by 10%
· If currently between 40-70% are ready, increase by 6%
· If over 70% are read,y increase by 4%
b. Decrease by 10% the number of 8th graders who move onto high school needing to take pre-Algebra in their freshmen year.
Target 3: All Middle Schools Under 800 API - Implement district benchmark assessments in each core subject area and develop intervention plans based on the commonassessment results.
High Schools these measurements are school-wide and all significant subgroups:
Target 1: Academic Performance Index (API)
All schools will meet their annual school and significant subgroup State API targets.
Target 2: California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
Over the next two years, all high schools will improve their school-wide and significant subgroup CAHSEE pass rates for 10th graders in ELA and math by 6%, or they will achieve a 90% pass rate.
Target 3: Graduation Rates
Based on the State graduation rate date, all high schools will increase their graduation rate over the next two years by:
· If currently below 80%, increase by 8%
· If above 80%, increase by 5%
· If above 90, increase by 2%
Target 4: All High Schools Under 800 API - Implement district benchmark assessments in each core subject area, and develop intervention plans based on the common assessment results.
Target 5: Other Critical Measures - All comprehensive high schools will increase the following measures by 8% over the next two years:
a. Increase the percentage of graduating seniors who complete the UC a-g requirements, 2x2 articulated course work with local Community Colleges, or a career pathway program.
b. Increase the percentage of students who take the PSAT and SAT.
c. Increase the percentage of graduates who take an AP class and achieved a 3 or better on the AP test; pass a UC-CSU approved Community College (CC) course; or pass a CC course that leads to a specific AA degree.
d. Increase the number of AP classes or sections, or career pathway classes.
All K-12 Schools:
Target 1: English Proficiency
A. All English learners will gain one level on the CELDT each year, but will be allowed two years to move through the Intermediate level.
B. All English learners will be reclassified as fluent English proficient within six years of enrolling in our district.
Target 2: Attendance
All schools will improve average daily attendance (ADA) by 1% or maintain attendance of at least 97%.
Strategies to meet Educational Performance Targets
Schools will develop action plans to meet the above targets using the strategies below. District staff will support schools in implementing their action plan. The district and schools will use the following strategies to meet the district educational goal and the targets established above:
Strategy 1 Monitor academic performance
· Objective 1A: All schools will use the District-wide targets to develop their Single Plan for Student Achievement.
· Objective 1B: Implement district common benchmark assessments in order to track student progress and inform instruction.
· Objective 1C: Develop, implement, and refine data analysis protocols.
· Objective 1D: Continue to develop and refine the K-12 ELA and K-Algebra 1 mathematics benchmarks to measure student progress.
Strategy 2 Increase professional collaboration
· Objective 2A: Develop a common vocabulary and a set of expectations regarding effective instructional practices.
· Objective 2B: Collaborative teams will use data to identify students' learning needs and respond through targeted instruction and intervention.
· Objective 2C: Feeder patterns will collaborate on a regular basis to ensure system-wide articulation of content standards to support the continuum of student learning.
Strategy 3 Improve Instruction in Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics
· Objective 3A: Ensure that all students receive high quality standards-based initial instruction in ELS and Math.
· Objective 3B: Use assessment data to identify students in need of interventions.
· Objective 3C: Implement ELA and Mathematics interventions.
· Objective 3D: Monitor student progress in ELA and Mathematics interventions.
· Objective 3E: Use assessment data to refine K-5 ELA and K- Algebra 1 pacing guides.
Strategy 4 Develop and implement systematic English Language Development (ELD) instruction for all English learners
· Objective 4A: Develop instructional schedules that designate time for ELD.
· Objective 4B: Monitor the progress of English learners using CELDT, ELA, Math, and ELD assessments.
· Objective 4C: Ensure English learners receive appropriate academic support during content area instruction.
Strategy 5 Increase student career and college readiness
· Objective 5A: Develop master schedules that provide more opportunities for students to meet the a-g requirements.
· Objective 5B: Enroll more students in classes meeting A-G requirements.
· Objective 5C: Increase enrollment in AP and Honors classes.
· Objective 5D: Provide opportunities for students to participate in career technical classes.
· Objective 5E: Provide intensive support for all students who are at risk of failing or have failed either part of the CAHSEE.
Strategy 6 Improve home school communication
· Objective 6A: Continue to utilize online gradebook and HomeLink to report on student progress in grades 6-12. Expectation is that teachers will update their grades book a minimum of once every two weeks.
· Objective 6B: Increase percentage of families using HomeLink in grades 6-12.
· Objective 6C: Parent teacher conferences in grades K-5 will focus on academic and social development of the student.
· Objective 6D: In grades 6-12 sites will schedule a parent/student meetings for students who are not meeting grade level standards in two or more classes as measured by district benchmark assessment results and course grades.
· Objective 6E: For students who are not making adequate progress towards mastering English based on CELDT, STAR, and district benchmark assessments, meet with students' parents twice a year to develop and review a language acquisition learning plan.
Strategy 7 Improve attendance
· Objective 7A: Schools will develop and implement plans to improve student attendance.
· Objective 7B: The district will explore alternative school calendar based on student needs and academic performance.
Communications Plan and Community Relations
Target 1: Internal Communications
· There will be weekly update memos from the School Support and Personnel Divisions these memos will be copied to Board members.
· There will be weekly update memos to School Board members on upcoming events and issues happening around the district.
Target 2: External Communications
· Twice monthly updates will be written to parents and district staff via e-mail and posted on the web that focus on: Board agenda updates, updates around progress on district goals and objectives, updates around Measure C, and updates around school programs. If requested, parents and community members can pick up a hard copy of the updates at their local school's main office.
Target 3: Investigate the creation and implementation of a District calendar for Board members where all site activities are listed and Board members can indicate which events they will attend.
Target 4: The district will reach out to community organizations to schedule available council members available to provide annual presentations on the status of the district.
Personnel Services
Target 1: Conduct negotiations with all units to reach agreement on contracts which ensure a multi-year balanced district budget with a focus on containment of health costs at the current level.
Target 2: Train all managers, both certificated and classified, to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to follow the contracts with a focus on effective evaluation practices and progressive discipline guidelines.
Fiscal Services
Target 1: Create and maintain a balanced budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year that takes into account changes in the State's budget.
Target 2: Develop a plan for balanced budgets through the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Taget 3: Plan for software system changes and/or upgrades as Sungard ends support for version 7.6.3.
Strategy 1 Maintain balanced budget for 2010-11 school year
· Update training for the budget managers on budget administration, control and monitoring.
· Update training for site managers on use of categorical and special project funds to meet goals identified in their single plan for student achievement.
Strategy 2 Develop balanced budget through 2013-14
· Update multi-year projections for all know State budget changes as they occur.
· Communicate effect of State budget changes to Board, district and site administrators, staff, and general public.
· Support negotiates as needed with financial projections of various salary and benefit proposals.
· Complete bond sale to support completion of projects, payoff of Lease Purchase and Certificates of Participation, and Solar initiative
Strategy 3 Plan for software system changes
· Evaluate cost, risk and benefit of converting with the CCCOE to Tyler MUNIS versus upgrading to version 7.9.4 of SunGard IFAS/BusinessPLUS.
· Develop plans to implement time card and employee self service on-line (either within SunGard IFAS/BusinessPLUS, Tyler MUNIS, or third party Share Point type application).
Facilities
Target 1: Ensure on-going maintenance of all current campuses
· Utilizing Measure C funds, ensure that all basic facility maintenance needs are meet.
Target 2: Develop and implement multi-year Measure C plan
· Present a plan to the Board that lays out a multi-year plan to sell Measure C bonds and complete appropriate projects.
Target 3: Approve a contract for installation of solar to minimize our $3.5M annual PG&E bill and maximize our Level 7 CSI credits to help offset State budget cuts.
· Include outside expertise in the evaluation of solar RFPs and development of recommendations to the Board.
Target 4: Technology upgrades
· Upgrade our district and school site technology backbone to ensure that classrooms have a reliable source of internet and data connection.
· Develop a plan to provide the infrastructure, hardware and software necessary for modern digital classroom tools in every classroom and begin implementing $11M in technology upgrades to bring the plan to fruition.