June 24, 2010

As promised, I am writing to let you know that the Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the agreement between the district and Sacramento City Teachers Association at a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, in the Community Room at the Serna Center. Closed session starts at 6 p.m.; the public portion of the agenda is scheduled to start at 6:45 p.m. This information is also available on our website.
Over the last few months, I have said unequivocally that any contributions made by SCTA would go toward funding teaching and counseling positions. As I write today, I
am proud that we have been able to fulfill this promise. This agreement has led to the full funding of the K-3 Class Size Reduction program, which means many of our hardworking teachers will be back in their classrooms this fall. Some of you have asked about the restoration of counselors to our high schools and middle schools. Currently, we plan to open our schools in the fall with 32.4 counseling positions. While I won't pretend this number is adequate, it is more than three times the number initially proposed. We continue to work with union leadership on funding strategies that could
bring back even more positions. Additionally, individual schools may opt to use site money to staff extra counselors, including Quality Education Investment Act funds. Finally, our first Community Forum on the new Strategic Plan was held Tuesday at Hiram Johnson High School. Those in attendance represented many different East
Sacramento-area schools and an array of district stakeholders, including parents, teachers and other community partners. Our next forum is scheduled for Sincerely,

June 11, 2010
 

One of the roles of PTA is to share credible, nonpartisan information with our members to encourage them to become informed and to exercise their right to vote.  As the June 8 primary election is fast approaching, we are sharing some sources of information that may be helpful to you.

As a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 501(c)3 association, California State PTA never supports nor opposes any candidates for office.  We do, however, take positions on issues, including proposed statewide ballot measures.  We have chosen not to take positions on any of the propositions that will appear on the June ballot.

 

League of Women Voters of California's EducationFund produces the Easy Voter Guide, which you can find online at www.easyvoter.org.  The league also hosts the website www.smartvoter.org, which you may search to identify what will be on your June 8 ballot.  You may also wish to view the videos produced by the Center for Governmental Studies on the variousStatewide Ballot Measures.

 

State Superintendent candidates speak about the arts

The California Alliance for Arts Education, in collaboration with several other statewide and local organizations, recently surveyed the candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) about their views on arts education. As the highest elected education official in California, the Superintendent brings a mandate from the public on education issues, including the arts. Please take time to read the survey before the primary election on June 8, 2010. To see a video of the SPI Candidate's Forum, co-hosted by the California State PTA and the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund, held at the recent PTA convention, go to:  
https://www.calchannel.com/channel/viewvideo/1336

May 28, 2010

 

Dear Colleagues:

 

John Castro gets it.

 

At a ceremony last night, Earl Warren Elementary School teacher John Castro was named the Esquire Imax News 10 Teacher of the Year, besting 11 candidates from other districts. Mr. Castro, a fourth grade teacher, was honored for his use of technology and his tireless efforts to engage families in their children's learning.

 

Mr. Castro gives all of his students his cell phone number and has a website where parents can see video clips of class projects and download homework. He also visits his
students' homes. "It's a way to get to know their families," Mr. Castro said in his News 10 video interview. "We don't talk about school work. We don't talk about how their kids are doing. That might creep into it a little bit, but I want to know what the child likes doing at home, where your family is from - those kinds of things."

 

Mr. Castro understands a fundamental principle that all public urban school districts must embrace to be successful: When it comes to our mission of educating children, we can't do it alone. We need partners. We need teamwork. We need cooperation and collaboration.

 

This idea was reinforced at two other events this week. On Tuesday afternoon, we opened our  new Parent Resource Center at the Serna Center. By working with community partners and staff, a vacant first-floor area was transformed into a place where parents can get information about how best to support their child's education. Later that same day, the Sacramento Council of PTAs honored 17 outstanding district eighth graders at its "Growing into Greatness" awards ceremony.

 

As each student was called to the podium at the PTA event, a narrative about their accomplishments was read. The achievements were astounding - the students maintained high grades, played sports, participated in the arts and led by example as role models and tutors for their classmates. These students truly represent the "best and brightest," the kind of future leaders society demands.

Of course, all of those accomplishments came with the support of school staffs, principals, teachers and families. It's a cliché but it's true: It takes a village to raise a child, especially in these economic times. We are grateful and appreciative of all our employees who are committed to seeing our district as one organization - one team - and have joined us in our efforts to progress toward excellence and overcome our financial struggles.

 

Many have made sacrifices to help ease our current fiscal crisis - a problem that we can't wish away. Employees represented by four of our five collective bargaining units have agreed to take three furlough days next year to lessen the pain of budget cuts. We are still hoping that Sacramento City Teachers Association leadership, too, will agree to action that will save positions and programs. We are here and ready to roll up our sleeves.

During a campus visit this week, a question was raised over whether concessions from SCTA would be used to save counseling positions and teaching jobs. I would like to answer that question: Yes. Money saved would result in the retention of teaching and counseling positions.

 

Additionally, I'd like to address a misconception that the Governor's May Revise of the state budget is rosier than had been predicted and will make some cuts unnecessary. This is not true. In fact, adjustments in the May Revise increase our deficit by a couple of million dollars because we now receive less per student than what we had projected. Working to close the deficit is a top priority and will take innovation and cooperation.

 

Again, teamwork.

 

Finally, I'd like to once again thank all of our hard-working employees for all you dothroughout the year to put children first. I wish you all a restful and much deserved three-day weekend.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jonathan P. Raymond
Superintendent

May 12, 2010  The results: Across the board, retaining small class sizes ranked as the No. 1 priority. And yet our district's economic problems -spurred by the recession, declining
enrollment and a $500 million unfunded liability for retiree health benefits (see the Grand Jury report at www.sacgrandjury.org) - have produced a different reality.

 

The district has until the end of May to balance its budget or risk financial takeover by the county or state. Between now and this looming deadline we believe a collaborative
solution to our budget shortfall can be found - one that will save smaller class sizes, restore counselors and allow us to rescind pink slips. This is not pie-in-the-sky optimism. Recently, groups of teachers and students worked with the district to successfully craft an innovative plan that will keep the doors to Fremont School for Adult Education open next year. This plan also retained vital programs for our adult
English language learners and those who seek high school diplomas and job training. also soliciting feedback from vested partners on our draft Strategic Plan, which will be presented to the Board of Education on May 20. Already, we have heard from
students, staff, teachers, administrators, parents and community partners who have screened the draft document. We will continue to meet with stakeholders in a series of
community forums and make revisions as the process moves along.

 

Superintendent