98 replies to this topic

[rightwingknot]

In a recent article by Jim Sanders in the major Sacramento newspaper (http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1510332.html), it was reported that the Governator has proposed eliminating class size reduction, eliminating one of two science courses for HS graduation, and shorten the school year by 5 days.

Eliminating a science class, dumb. Shortening the school year by five days, don't see the savings there. Eliminating class size reduction altogether...absolutely stupid; the data is just now starting to indicate the benefits of CSR.

Of course, this is all premature since the Legislature hasn't passed anything yet. However, Debbie Bettencourt, deputy superintendent of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District seems to have unilaterally passed judgment on the issue and declared in the article "cutting the calendar would only exacerbate the strain on schools to cover mandated instruction"...and..."a new round of budget cuts could force Folsom Cordova schools to eliminate its class-size reduction program." I should think that school board members would take exception to such a presumption of their budgetary authority.

So, here we are again. The FCUSD School Board will again be forced to choose what programs to cut. When this happened last year (CSR for 3rd grade was eliminated with nary a whimper), very little was heard from the public, nor the teacher's association for that matter.

Eliminating CSR is an all-to easy solution for the board because it is a cash cow and saves a lot of money in one-fell swoop. The question is, why is it all-to-easy to cut CSR?

So where does all that money go? Did you know you can find out, and it's as easy as submitting a written request? Any person may request access or copies of district records that are not confidential. Information can be found here: http://www.fcusd.org/AdminWeb/1000/AR1340.pdf.

I ask you, what are you prepared to do to save CSR?

It is my understanding that board members may prefer phone calls rather than emails (let's face it, we all browse emails rather than read them carefully sometimes, especially if it's a deluge of emails). A phone call to a school board member would be much better as it is personal communication that allows a cordial discourse between the board member and their constituent. Below are just a few simple questions one could ask board members, and their contact information is below that.

1) Shouldn't a child's ability to read (1st and 2nd grade CSR) take priority over sports, art, and music at the high school and middle school level?
2) Is teaching reading a district priority?
3) Are you willing to risk the success our district has gained on standardized testing on the unsubstantiated presumption that CSR has no little or no impact on a child's ability to read and learn?
4) Are you willing to place at risk the possibility that students will be more successful with CSR than without?
5) What are the other school districts cutting and why?
6) How are the other school district cutting programs, yet, preserving CSR?
7) Can you explain to me how to read the district budget documents so I can be an informed constituent?
8) When was the last time the school board ever passed a budget item that was not by unanimous consent?
9) How many times have you voted against the majority on a budget item? Any item?
10) Encourage members to spend one FULL day in a K-2 classroom.

11) What are you, school board member, prepared to do?

Parent or not, what we do today does affect our community in the future. Be informed. Get involved.

Roger L. Benton Term Expires: 12/2010
916.798.9953

Edward Short Term Expires: 12/2010
916.362.9618

JoAnne Reinking Term Expires: 12/2012
916.984.0650

Richard Shaw Term Expires: 12/2010
916.351.9325

Teresa Stanley Term Expires: 12/2012
916.985.3802

[sunnyCA]

Thank you for posting this! There were quite a number of parents who got involved in fighting for 3rd grade CSR last year (we raised more than a whimper, but honestly I think the board had its mind made up and all the parent input was given a cursory nod to be respectful but the cut was going to be made). I would sincerely hope that the board supports preserving CSR in 1st and 2nd.

The effects are significant already in my son's 3rd grade class this year....I cannot imagine how badly the educational experience will be in 1st and 2nd if they cut CSR. Our school is well supported for extras by the PTA and every time I volunteer I see that there are more parents on campus than ever before. But, at the end of the day, 32 8 year olds in a classroom is TOO many. Putting 32 6 year olds in a 1st grade class (when many are not yet proficient in reading and writing) would be a nightmare.

I hope more parents get involved this year....let's work together for preserving CSR.

In a recent article by Jim Sanders in the major Sacramento newspaper (http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1510332.html), it was reported that the Governator has proposed eliminating class size reduction, eliminating one of two science courses for HS graduation, and shorten the school year by 5 days.

Eliminating a science class, dumb. Shortening the school year by five days, don't see the savings there. Eliminating class size reduction altogether...absolutely stupid; the data is just now starting to indicate the benefits of CSR.

Of course, this is all premature since the Legislature hasn't passed anything yet. However, Debbie Bettencourt, deputy superintendent of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District seems to have unilaterally passed judgment on the issue and declared in the article "cutting the calendar would only exacerbate the strain on schools to cover mandated instruction"...and..."a new round of budget cuts could force Folsom Cordova schools to eliminate its class-size reduction program." I should think that school board members would take exception to such a presumption of their budgetary authority.

So, here we are again. The FCUSD School Board will again be forced to choose what programs to cut. When this happened last year (CSR for 3rd grade was eliminated with nary a whimper), very little was heard from the public, nor the teacher's association for that matter.

Eliminating CSR is an all-to easy solution for the board because it is a cash cow and saves a lot of money in one-fell swoop. The question is, why is it all-to-easy to cut CSR?

So where does all that money go? Did you know you can find out, and it's as easy as submitting a written request? Any person may request access or copies of district records that are not confidential. Information can be found here: http://www.fcusd.org/AdminWeb/1000/AR1340.pdf.

I ask you, what are you prepared to do to save CSR?

It is my understanding that board members may prefer phone calls rather than emails (let's face it, we all browse emails rather than read them carefully sometimes, especially if it's a deluge of emails). A phone call to a school board member would be much better as it is personal communication that allows a cordial discourse between the board member and their constituent. Below are just a few simple questions one could ask board members, and their contact information is below that.

1) Shouldn't a child's ability to read (1st and 2nd grade CSR) take priority over sports, art, and music at the high school and middle school level?
2) Is teaching reading a district priority?
3) Are you willing to risk the success our district has gained on standardized testing on the unsubstantiated presumption that CSR has no little or no impact on a child's ability to read and learn?
4) Are you willing to place at risk the possibility that students will be more successful with CSR than without?
5) What are the other school districts cutting and why?
6) How are the other school district cutting programs, yet, preserving CSR?
7) Can you explain to me how to read the district budget documents so I can be an informed constituent?
8) When was the last time the school board ever passed a budget item that was not by unanimous consent?
9) How many times have you voted against the majority on a budget item? Any item?
10) Encourage members to spend one FULL day in a K-2 classroom.

11) What are you, school board member, prepared to do?

Parent or not, what we do today does affect our community in the future. Be informed. Get involved.

Roger L. Benton Term Expires: 12/2010
916.798.9953

Edward Short Term Expires: 12/2010
916.362.9618

JoAnne Reinking Term Expires: 12/2012
916.984.0650

Richard Shaw Term Expires: 12/2010
916.351.9325

Teresa Stanley Term Expires: 12/2012
916.985.3802

[swmr545]

Just curious, what is an acceptable number for a class size? When does the importance of student to teacher ratio become unimportant?

And what solutions can you propose to keep classes small, schools from becoming overpopulated, and schools being staffed with adequate/competent teachers/administrators/counselors/support staff during a budget crisis?

[rightwingknot]

Just curious, what is an acceptable number for a class size? When does the importance of student to teacher ratio become unimportant?

And what solutions can you propose to keep classes small, schools from becoming overpopulated, and schools being staffed with adequate/competent teachers/administrators/counselors/support staff during a budget crisis?

All very good questions that should be asked of board members. You should call them to find out what they say.

As one who has raised my children in schools in both low income schools as well as affluent, I can say unequivocally that 20:1 works, 32:1 does not. If there is even the slightest possibility that 20:1 is better for students in the long run, it shouldn't even be a matter of discussion.

Last year, the board approved hiring aides to make up for the loss of CSR in 3rd grade. That was the stupidest idea I have ever heard of. I hope the board does not go down that road again. Essentially, the idea presumed that having an untrained, uneducated, uncertified body in the classroom somehow makes up for 20:1. Ludicrous. They cut it to save money, then turned right around and pitched an idea to spend money on aides?!? Huh?!? [scratching my head in disbelief]

As to what to cut now, I find it interesting that other districts last year cut everything BUT CSR. What do they know that our district simply doesn't understand? I also think closing schools is an option. Not an easy one, but a viable one. We have a few large campuses that accomodate far less than half its capacity. There are many options if the board is willing to explore them.

25% of our district has teachers at or near retirement. It may be time to offer a nice golden handshake. Since personnel costs makes up the largest chunk of the budget, I would certainly look there too. Again, lots of options are available that I hope the board is willing to look at.

[sunnyCA]

I believe that the national average for 3rd grade is 18:1. I know my neice and nephew in NJ are in public school and in 2nd grade she has 17 children and in K he has 20 with 2 teachers for a 10:1 ratio. My SIL said that class size for 3rd grade in their school is 19 children...what a difference from our classes with 32.

Also, FTR: our district approved aides for 3rd grade but never funded them. I volunteer regularly in my son's 3rd grade classroom and have seen first hand the effects of an overcrowded classroom, both at school and at home as my son works through his homework. It is not a question of teacher quality (she's a good teacher) or parent involvement (often there are multiple parent volunteers in the classroom each day but there's at least one every day) or support at home (we spend a great deal of time with our son EVERY day on homework, reading, etc.). There simply needs to be more teacher: student interaction and that is impossible with a class size of 32. While my son is doing fine, I can see others falling through the cracks and several will most likely get a retention notice. The district is going to pay to re-educate them now as they spend another year in an overcrowded classroom. I really don't see how that's going to save anyone in the long run.

It is a true shame the the district made this choice last year. Hopefully they will learn from it and not repeat the error in 1st and 2nd grades.

[dori2u]

Next school board meeting is January 15 at Mills. Parents please attend, get your voices heard. Check out the agendas at:

FCUSD Board Agendas

[JoAnne Reinking]

Next school board meeting is January 15 at Mills. Parents please attend, get your voices heard. Check out the agendas at:

FCUSD Board Agendas

District will host (2) parent/community participation forums in February. Once dates are announced I'll be sure to post to Forum. In addition, Parent District Advisory Committee will meet 2/24 9:30am at Folsom Middle School/Library. Agenda includes budget update and input session.

Most recent budget correspondence is posted at http://fcusd.org/bud...emsg_121508.asp

[Darthvader]

Just curious, what is an acceptable number for a class size? When does the importance of student to teacher ratio become unimportant?

And what solutions can you propose to keep classes small, schools from becoming overpopulated, and schools being staffed with adequate/competent teachers/administrators/counselors/support staff during a budget crisis?

How about putting an end to money grubbing lawsuits against the school districts 2 years after the supposed "mean" events took place.

[Bill Z]

How about putting an end to money grubbing lawsuits against the school districts 2 years after the supposed "mean" events took place.

Is that directed at a specific incidence?

[Darthvader]

Is that directed at a specific incidence?

Yes, not sure if you had joined the board when it was being discussed.

[northfolsommom]

Thank you for posting this--I have a current 3rd grader and have been saddened by his large class size this year. It's very different than the experience his sister had just a few years ago, in a classroom of 20:1.
Several parents in my area have been trying to raise public awareness of this issue for the past few months. Especially since the rumors have been rife that 1st and 2nd grade CSR are next, which obviously--based on Ms. Bettencourt's comments to the Bee reporter-- they are. But so far, it's been tough going.
Part of the problem is parents and teachers here are too quick to accept the idea the grim economy demands eliminating CSR; that although the board "feels bad" about the decision, there is no other choice. I believe there are lots of other choices, and many would not directly impact the classroom at all.
For example, it's been argued by other district superintendents that California over-tests students in comparison to other states (many of which do not test at every grade level every year). And these standardized tests cost the state and the district millions and millions of dollars. In fact, Folsom teachers have privately complained to me that many of the district-administered tests are identical to the state tests, making them even a bigger waste of money. Especially in light of the budget problems, couldn't these testing requirements be suspended/reduced/re-thought?
As for reducing the school year by five days, many other state agencies are going to some version of this--ordering employees to take several unpaid days of leave, etc. In terms of schools, it'd save payroll, utility costs?? Ms. Bettencourt argued, in the Bee article, this couldn't work because it'd increase the stress on teachers, who would have to cover the same curriculum in less time, but that doesn't make sense to me. Teachers are pressured to cover the curriculum by the standardized test dates (so they are both expensive and stressful, more reason to cut down on them); not by the end of the school year. And I'd suggest many schools use the last week of the school year to have parties, field days, etc. Fun and team-building, I'm sure, but possibly something we could do without in order to keep 20:1 ratios in primary grades?
Lastly, across the nation, top executives are taking pay-cuts in order to help their cash-strapped companies survive. What about a 5% cut in administrators' salaries until the budget improves? Or a hard look at just which district positions are critical to classrooms and which ones could be eliminated?
It's at least worth discussing what other cuts could occur, instead of instantly taking the money from our youngest and most vulnerable students. I urge parents to attend the budget hearings Ms. Reinking suggested and insist the board come up with more creative solutions.

[Toadster]

of course, this makes perfect sense... when the economy doesn't allow for smart kids, active police officers or good teachers - we cut back on them.

and then 6 months to a year later, there are new school or municipal bond asking for money from taxpayers...

it's a vicious circle that's been around for decades... unfortunately.

[Robert Gary]

of course, this makes perfect sense... when the economy doesn't allow for smart kids, active police officers or good teachers - we cut back on them.

and then 6 months to a year later, there are new school or municipal bond asking for money from taxpayers...

it's a vicious circle that's been around for decades... unfortunately.

And the reason for this is the way we tax in California. In California it is fashionable to put the burden of funding our gov't mostly on the backs of large corporations and the top 2% income earners. However, big corporations often expect to not make money for several years during periods in the economy such as this. The top 2% income earners often go a year or two without incomes (these guys don't punch a time clock).

So California has decided that it wants to put the bulk of funding the gov't on the backs of the least stable sources of income. Its certainly fashionable to have tax increase only on the rich and big corporations but then you have to be ready to ride the rollercoaster of income stream that comes with it.

-Robert

[Robert Gary]

of course, this makes perfect sense... when the economy doesn't allow for smart kids, active police officers or good teachers - we cut back on them.

and then 6 months to a year later, there are new school or municipal bond asking for money from taxpayers...

it's a vicious circle that's been around for decades... unfortunately.

And the reason for this is the way we tax in California. In California it is fashionable to put the burden of funding our gov't mostly on the backs of large corporations and the top 2% income earners. However, big corporations often expect to not make money for several years during periods in the economy such as this. The top 2% income earners often go a year or two without incomes (these guys don't punch a time clock).

So California has decided that it wants to put the bulk of funding the gov't on the backs of the least stable sources of income. Its certainly fashionable to have tax increase only on the rich and big corporations but then you have to be ready to ride the rollercoaster of income stream that comes with it.

-Robert

[Barb J]

The Bee article which mentioned the proposed elimination of 5 school days/year also stated that the curriculum hours could be "made up" by adding time to the remaining 175 school days (ex. start school at 8:00 a.m. rather than 8:25). I think this is a fantastic idea. I'm sure the Teachers Union wouldn't agree. If it saves money to shut the schools down 5 days early, making up the time during the school day seems like a great compromise.

Barb