27 replies to this topic

[JoAnne Reinking]

School Board Meeting 8/19 6pm Mills Middle

http://www.fcusd.org...9-10 agenda.pdf (agenda)
http://www.fcusd.org...acket081910.pdf (packet)

Discussion items include:

Recap Start of School Year~ staffing/enrollment
Budget Update
Measure M and N updates
Approval agreement with CSEA

Thank you FCUSD classified employees for joining our certificated and administrative groups in accepting furlough days.

[JoAnne Reinking]

Information that was shared at last night's meeting that you may find interesting/worrisome
Current enrollment numbers show a decline of (545) students ~total enrollment stands at 18,788.
Why?

[stacycam]

That is interesting. I know if we could afford private school, we would have pulled our kids. I also have heard of many more parents homeschooling due to the budget woes.

Were the numbers across all grades, or Kindergarten? Does the board have ideas of why enrollment was down?

[mac_convert]

Our district needs to check out the online component that Elk Grove has implemented. The larger class sizes certainly make for a long day for student and teacher. So much more time transitioning, that many more who work at different paces to monitor and end assignment times, etc. The amount of time spent on "including" those with limited ability is starting to add up too! I feel sorry for our children and don't even want to think of the citizens we are raising in our schools right now!

[JoAnne Reinking]

Board meeting 9/2 6pm FHS

Consent: Nonpublic agencies and school placement agreements for 2010-11

Discussion: (no action)

Testing results
Common Core Standards -Math
Budget Priorities


Agenda:http://www.fcusd.org/BoardWeb/BdAgendas/10_11/09-02-10%20agenda.pdf
Packet:http://www.fcusd.org/BoardWeb/BoardPackets/10_11/Board%20Pkt.%20090210.pdf

[gottasmile]

There seem to be a few huge issues being discussed at this Thursdays Board Meeting. It will be interesting to hear about the STAR testing results....as rumor at our school is that our scores went down.

In regards to decline in enrollment, there would need to be clarification. How are the enrollment numbers calculated? Only public school enrollment. Inclusive of home school students? Enrollment down across all grade levels? Decrease in enrollment of kindergarten?

For one, I know of many parents that are home schooling their children this year for the first time. Many are frustrated and disgusted with the state of education in our district. We all realize that there is an economic problem. But, parents feel that their children are the ones suffering by the decisions of the district. Too many chiefs at the top not losing their jobs and all the students packed into small classrooms where you have to walk sideways as one barely has space to move. I wonder if that is a fire violation?

I have even recently heard that administration may be looking at Folsom elementary school closures. They did this last year in Rancho to save money. Wouldn't be surprised IF Folsom is next in order to 'save money'. Word on the street is Blanch Sprentz, Theodore Judah and Oak Chan are a few that may be looked at for closure. Don't know if it is true, but I wouldn't be surprised. Rumors in this district usually turn out to be fact....more often than not!

For myself, I have seen a steady decline in education for my children since we moved here eight years ago. One example is homework club....it use to be $38 for six weeks...now it is $138 for six weeks. Fundraising so far seems to be down this year too. Parents at our school seem frustrated with the ongoing need of them having to supplement school supplies and programs. I know we pay what we can, but even our family has limits. The economy has hit us too. Discussion on education in our district right now just makes me sad. I never thought I would have a hopeless feeling about our schools and education in this district.

[stacycam]

How late do these meetings typically run?

[JoAnne Reinking]

How late do these meetings typically run?

8-8:30pm. Is there an issue of interest for you? We could try to narrow down the time to attend.

[stacycam]

I am most interested in the enrollment decilne, budget priorities, and STAR testing. I'm also curious what the Common Core Standards are.

I'll have to think about it. I really hate missing the kids' bedtime.

[JoAnne Reinking]

I am most interested in the enrollment decilne, budget priorities, and STAR testing. I'm also curious what the Common Core Standards are.

I'll have to think about it. I really hate missing the kids' bedtime.

I'm glad you're interested~ and completely understand missing the kids bedtime or night time routine. My boys are older 11,13,15 and I still dislike being out at night. Feel free to call me if I can be of service to you.

[stacycam]

I wasn't able to attend the meeting. Will the minutes be posted somewhere?

[JoAnne Reinking]

I wasn't able to attend the meeting. Will the minutes be posted somewhere?

Past meeting minutes are always posted in the upcoming Board Packet.I will post a link , when available. Or you can follow at www.fcusd.org

[Soonerborn]

Information that was shared at last night's meeting that you may find interesting/worrisome
Current enrollment numbers show a decline of (545) students ~total enrollment stands at 18,788.
Why?

Two things quickly stand out to me...no IB program at the high schools like in San Juan and no accelerated program at the elementary level. I know of 3 families and one more about to go that are heading to Pershing for their RL Program. These are both in San Juan and they are actively recruiting families to their district...helps their declining enrollment issue, but worsens ours. As sad as it is, the district needs to sell their "high achieving student" programs to some parents unfortunately or they will leave. In addition, they need to create programs similar to surrounding districts or they will leave. Why wouldn't a family leave for greener (in their opinion) pastures just around the corner? The district needs to look at every student who left, and if they have a transfer form, see where they are going. I'm betting they are off to San Juan!

Let's face it, the other possibility is that there is a perception out there that FCUSD doesn't care about student class sizes. One of the first in the region to axe K class size reduction, the first to axe 3rd CSR and now look at 1st and 2nd grade class sizes...30! We've got friends in San Juan, Elk Grove, Center, Sac City and so on and they have all mentioned these as reasons they would never move within our attendance boundry! We know of at least four friends who have moved for that exact reason...they feel that they can get a much better education in other districts, especially ones that are right around the corner.

[JoAnne Reinking]

Two things quickly stand out to me...no IB program at the high schools like in San Juan and no accelerated program at the elementary level. I know of 3 families and one more about to go that are heading to Pershing for their RL Program. These are both in San Juan and they are actively recruiting families to their district...helps their declining enrollment issue, but worsens ours. As sad as it is, the district needs to sell their "high achieving student" programs to some parents unfortunately or they will leave. In addition, they need to create programs similar to surrounding districts or they will leave. Why wouldn't a family leave for greener (in their opinion) pastures just around the corner? The district needs to look at every student who left, and if they have a transfer form, see where they are going. I'm betting they are off to San Juan!

Let's face it, the other possibility is that there is a perception out there that FCUSD doesn't care about student class sizes. One of the first in the region to axe K class size reduction, the first to axe 3rd CSR and now look at 1st and 2nd grade class sizes...30! We've got friends in San Juan, Elk Grove, Center, Sac City and so on and they have all mentioned these as reasons they would never move within our attendance boundary! We know of at least four friends who have moved for that exact reason...they feel that they can get a much better education in other districts, especially ones that are right around the corner.

Thank you~ your comments were noted and appreciated.

[gottasmile]

I regards to declining enrollment, I think some of it may be in part to parents pulling their children from public schools to home school or go private (school). I know in my daughters class last year, three of her classmates parents were pulling their kids to home school this year specifically because of the CSR issue. I know two families that have gone private. For one person to know five families that have pulled their kids from public education is scary. Magnify that across all areas...that may be where the decline in enrollment is coming from. I know a teacher that just got a job with a home school agency. The teacher just started and their case load has "gone through the roof"; the agency is trying to hire more teachers to handle the increased demand.

With economy, housing markets, education problems....no wonder there is a decline in enrollment. During many discussions with families over the summer, I too have had people move from...or refuse to move to Folsom because of many reasons, education being the top one! It is mess. I never would have thought I would see the day when the San Juan District was a better option for student education than Folsom. Sad.