Here's an excerpt from Kim Wetzel's article in the Sunday's Times:
"Insight allows students to take courses, participate in class
discussions and do homework and quizzes through the virtual world of a
school-issued laptop. Julian "attends" the recently opened Insight North
Bay branch, where teens living in Contra Costa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake,
Napa, Solano and Marin counties can learn tuition-free. The charter is
overseen by the Windsor Unified School District in Sonoma County and is
funded on a per-student basis like other California schools. Online
schools, where students perform the bulk of their class work remotely,
are increasing in popularity throughout the nation and have become
common in states such as South Carolina, Wisconsin and Idaho. Insight of
California — one of several schools offering online services to students
— enrolls about 650, but the number is growing as young people from all
walks of life choose the online route for many reasons, said Sheila
Shiebler, executive director."

You can read the entire article here:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/education/ci_11362973

The idea of "schools without walls" has been a hot topic in the gifted
education community recently.
Cathy

I'm currently working on a Master's degree in Online Teaching and
Learning, and my own children attend an online-based charter school (a
different one than the one in the article, but the same general idea),
so obviously I think this sort of thing can be a great idea for many
students. As with anything else, one size does not fit all, so I don't
think it would ideal for everyone. But if a student (either K-12 or
college level) is self-motivated and curious, I think it can be a
superior education to what that student might get in a more
traditional setting.

Studies of students taking online college classes have shown that
these students actually learn more, at deeper levels, than students in
traditional classes. I'm not sure if the matter has been studied in
K-12 students yet (the phenomenon is newer for this group), but I
wouldn't be at all surprised if the results were similar. Students
learn best by doing -- by constructing their own knowledge, as the
now-trendy constructivist theory of education would say -- and tend to
be more motivated when given more freedom to explore. "Drill and kill"
is still alive and well in our standardized testing-driven K-12
classrooms, but is largely irrelevant to the online student; in its
place comes the exploration through additional resources of aspects of
interest that leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Online learning tends to be more project-based and less test-driven;
in other words, what can you produce rather than what can you
regurgitate?

I did have some issues with the article, however. First is Ms.
Wetzel's use of 'school' rather than school (without the quotes).
Putting quotes around school implies that it is not really school,
that it is somehow inferior, or at least artificial in some way. It's
not; a well-designed online program is designed to teach the same
state content standards that "regular" K-12 schools attempt to teach,
the students have to take the standardized tests just the same as
"regular" students do, and probably has more academic rigor. Second,
she makes it seem like this form of alternative education is mainly
for "misfits" -- for kids who can't get along socially, who get
bullied, etc. That is not true; it could work for any student who is
self-motivated and/or has a self-motivated parent, and can produce
great results.

Ralph

--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:
>
> Here's an excerpt from Kim Wetzel's article in the Sunday's Times:
> "Insight allows students to take courses, participate in class
> discussions and do homework and quizzes through the virtual world of a
> school-issued laptop. Julian "attends" the recently opened Insight
North
> Bay branch, where teens living in Contra Costa, Sonoma, Mendocino,
Lake,
> Napa, Solano and Marin counties can learn tuition-free. The charter is
> overseen by the Windsor Unified School District in Sonoma County and is
> funded on a per-student basis like other California schools. Online
> schools, where students perform the bulk of their class work remotely,
> are increasing in popularity throughout the nation and have become
> common in states such as South Carolina, Wisconsin and Idaho.
Insight of
> California — one of several schools offering online services to
students
> — enrolls about 650, but the number is growing as young people from all
> walks of life choose the online route for many reasons, said Sheila
> Shiebler, executive director."
>
> You can read the entire article here:
> http://www.contracostatimes.com/education/ci_11362973
>
> The idea of "schools without walls" has been a hot topic in the gifted
> education community recently.
> Cathy
>

I find it sad that hardly any of the talk in this forum (what little
of it that there is these days) directly addresses how we can make our
schools better. By better, I mean how can we improve student learning,
specifically of the knowledge and skills they will need in order to
compete in the marketplace and adult life in general. It's almost as
if, in this age of lowered expectations and Depression-fear, the whole
notion seems laughable, leaving us to cling to trying to retain bits
and pieces of what we used to have -- which we considered grossly
inadequate when it was in place! -- but is now slipping away.

Ralph,
For student achievement in elementary schools I would look to Riverside and
Lupine for examples of what can be done to minimize the achievement gap and
raise academic scores.  What the staff, parents and students are doing at these
two schools should be the example of how we can succeed regardless of economic
status.  Teachers at all elementary schools should be talking to the teachers at
these two schools.  Does this happen?  What are we waiting for?
 
For student achievement in secondary schools this is a bit more challenging. 
There are programs across this district that are helping students.  One I can
think of is the after school homework club and CAHSEE prep classes that we are
running at Pinole.  Students attend a homework hour or two to get their homework
done and learn new learning strategies to achieve.  The simple one on one
attention of adults to students on a regular basis is a simple and effective
concept.  Growth is slow, but noticeable after a year. 
 
There are avid programs also across this district that are working. 
 
There are small academies working at our high schools that help students keep on
track and succeed.
 
But like everything else it takes time, effort, money, and commitment from all
involved.  This is truly how we make schools better.
 
I have been away from this forum because frankly I would rather be tutoring and
making things happen for all my kids, then sit online and complain any longer. 
The amount of effort we expend on finding fault and not finding solutions has
become time I can no longer waste.  So let me suggest to all that are out there,
volunteer at your local school, become knowledgable of the facts, and try to
change public education for the better.
 
Scottie was absolutely correct the other day in the store when I saw her, it is
time that we demand from the federal and state levels that our children come
first.  It is time we roll up our sleeves and actually do some work and marching
on our government agencies will be in necessary.  If people aren't willing to
give this time, then things will not change.
Tammy Campbell

--- On Thu, 1/8/09, Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...> wrote:

From: Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] Making our schools better...
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 12:16 AM






I find it sad that hardly any of the talk in this forum (what little
of it that there is these days) directly addresses how we can make our
schools better. By better, I mean how can we improve student learning,
specifically of the knowledge and skills they will need in order to
compete in the marketplace and adult life in general. It's almost as
if, in this age of lowered expectations and Depression-fear, the whole
notion seems laughable, leaving us to cling to trying to retain bits
and pieces of what we used to have -- which we considered grossly
inadequate when it was in place! -- but is now slipping away.


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ralph,
You are correct that one size does not fit all.  Knowing my son, he would not be
the type of student who would thrive with an online school.  His extra
curricular activies at school make him who he is and cyberspace does not provide
that outlet.  His participation and social growth in school events, school
government, and sports are a part of who he is as a growing young adult.  This
is just one aspect of school that I know he would miss.  Not to mention the
friendships and relationships he has fostered with his fellow teammates on
several of the sports teams.  These types of relationships you cannot find
online.
Tammy


--- On Tue, 1/6/09, Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...> wrote:

From: Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] Re: East Bay students thrive at online 'school'
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 6:57 PM






I'm currently working on a Master's degree in Online Teaching and
Learning, and my own children attend an online-based charter school (a
different one than the one in the article, but the same general idea),
so obviously I think this sort of thing can be a great idea for many
students. As with anything else, one size does not fit all, so I don't
think it would ideal for everyone. But if a student (either K-12 or
college level) is self-motivated and curious, I think it can be a
superior education to what that student might get in a more
traditional setting.

Studies of students taking online college classes have shown that
these students actually learn more, at deeper levels, than students in
traditional classes. I'm not sure if the matter has been studied in
K-12 students yet (the phenomenon is newer for this group), but I
wouldn't be at all surprised if the results were similar. Students
learn best by doing -- by constructing their own knowledge, as the
now-trendy constructivist theory of education would say -- and tend to
be more motivated when given more freedom to explore. "Drill and kill"
is still alive and well in our standardized testing-driven K-12
classrooms, but is largely irrelevant to the online student; in its
place comes the exploration through additional resources of aspects of
interest that leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Online learning tends to be more project-based and less test-driven;
in other words, what can you produce rather than what can you
regurgitate?

I did have some issues with the article, however. First is Ms.
Wetzel's use of 'school' rather than school (without the quotes).
Putting quotes around school implies that it is not really school,
that it is somehow inferior, or at least artificial in some way. It's
not; a well-designed online program is designed to teach the same
state content standards that "regular" K-12 schools attempt to teach,
the students have to take the standardized tests just the same as
"regular" students do, and probably has more academic rigor. Second,
she makes it seem like this form of alternative education is mainly
for "misfits" -- for kids who can't get along socially, who get
bullied, etc. That is not true; it could work for any student who is
self-motivated and/or has a self-motivated parent, and can produce
great results.

Ralph

--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:
>
> Here's an excerpt from Kim Wetzel's article in the Sunday's Times:
> "Insight allows students to take courses, participate in class
> discussions and do homework and quizzes through the virtual world of a
> school-issued laptop. Julian "attends" the recently opened Insight
North
> Bay branch, where teens living in Contra Costa, Sonoma, Mendocino,
Lake,
> Napa, Solano and Marin counties can learn tuition-free. The charter is
> overseen by the Windsor Unified School District in Sonoma County and is
> funded on a per-student basis like other California schools. Online
> schools, where students perform the bulk of their class work remotely,
> are increasing in popularity throughout the nation and have become
> common in states such as South Carolina, Wisconsin and Idaho.
Insight of
> California — one of several schools offering online services to
students
> — enrolls about 650, but the number is growing as young people from all
> walks of life choose the online route for many reasons, said Sheila
> Shiebler, executive director."
>
> You can read the entire article here:
> http://www.contraco statimes. com/education/ ci_11362973
>
> The idea of "schools without walls" has been a hot topic in the gifted
> education community recently.
> Cathy
>


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Scottie,
I have been at this a long time and have attended a tremendous number of
meetings just to understand the issues.  Many of these meetings we have sat
at into the wee hours of the morning.  I agree with you on many levels and agree
that we need to revolt and march, but we cannot avoid our responsibilities and
obligations and continue to operate in a deficit mode.  We have seen what
happens if you do this (our own district, the car companies, the banks, etc.). 
Money truly does have an impact on what is done and for us to ignore it, is I
believe irresponsible. 
 
We need to work on shifting the paradigm and really make our citizens fight for
education.  One wild idea would be if we all withheld our state taxes, placed it
in a fund, paid for education first, and then sent the rest to Sacramento.  Are
we willing to trickle up the money?
 
Tammy

--- On Mon, 12/22/08, rcs101@... <rcs101@...> wrote:

From: rcs101@... <rcs101@...>
Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 2:35 PM








---Cathy:

The only thingthat one has to do is die. I have no problem closing a school if
thereare safety issues or if there are not enough students to make theschool
viable. But that can only happen after looking at all the issuesinvolved in a
closure. As far as trusteeship, we have a trustee lurkingaround somewhere,
therefore, I am not to concern about the state takingover the district. As a
matter of fact, maybe that is what is needed,let the State try and run all the
Districts in this state that arehaving the same problems as WCCUSD. One of the
main problems witheducation is that people are afraid to challenge the State and
Federalgovernment. They would rather bow down and worry about the boggy man(the
State) and what he would do. At some point, people have to say,"we are not going
to do this and you will have to do it your self".

TheState is one of the main reason that we are in some of the mess we arein,
they could have forgiven the loan, but they left it over thisdistrict' s head
like our students did not matter. I still remember withsadness and outrage, how
the governor treated the students when wemarched from here to Sac. How he
disregarded our many request for ameeting. Also, how he, right in front of
WCCUSD students that hadmarched 70 miles, met with students from a rich district
that was therefor a field trip. I also, will not forget how he had police and
guarddogs surround the parents and students as they stood outside his
officewaiting for their representive to return from his office with
anexplanation as to why he would not meet to discuss WCCUSD's debt. Atsome point
and time, people have to be ready to take a strongerposition, otherwise there
will never be any real change.

As youknow, I come from the South and as an African American, I am verythankful
to those that refused to accept the status quo, therefore, Iam obligated to
speak and act on behalf of what is morally right, andnot settle for less for
some and more for other. Look at what Wallstreet and the car companies have
received from the government beforetheir dead line of going out of business.
When will the educationalneeds of students/this country, become the boggy man
that force thegovenments to do that which is necessary? I guess I am one of
thosepeople that believe, we should not go quietly into the night, and rightnow,
that is what is happening in education.

Scottie Smith


------------ -- Original message from Cathy Travlos <cbt@triplering. net>:
------------ --

Nobody disagrees that the issue is bigger than this district - funding
at the state and federal level is totally inadequate. Unfortunately,
school districts have to turn in budget projections for 3 years and
those budgets have to be balanced. Whether or not we think the state
should give schools more money, the district has to deal with what the
current projections show. The county board of education made it clear
that they expect to see school closures in place. If the board chooses
not to do this, then there are consequences. The state will assign an
administrator, strip the school board of its authority, fire the
superintendent, and make their own cuts to services, salaries and
benefits. Should we be protesting at the state and federal level? Of
course. Do we need to deal with the current financial situation by
consolidating schools? We do, unless we want to risk having a state
administrator balance the district budget.
Cathy





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Maybe it is time that we lobby both the state and the feds to bailout our school
district.  Are people willing to do this?
Tammy


--- On Mon, 12/22/08, rcs101@... <rcs101@...> wrote:

From: rcs101@... <rcs101@...>
Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 2:27 PM








--Cathy:

The only thing that one has to do is die. I have no problem closing a school if
there are safety issues or if there are not enough students to make the school
viable. But that can only happen after looking at all the issues involved in a
closure. As far as trusteeship, we have a trustee lurking around somewhere,
therefore, I am not to concern about the state taking over the district. As a
matter of fact, maybe that is what is needed, let the State try and run all the
Districts in this state that are having the same problems as WCCUSD. One of the
main problems with education is that people are afraid to challenge the State
and Federal government. They would rather bow down and worry about the boggy man
(the State) and what he would do. At some point, people have to say, "we are not
going to do this and you will have to do it your self".

The State is one of the main reason that we are in some of the mess we are in,
they could have forgiven the loan, but they left it over this district's head
like our students did not matter. I still remember with sadness and outrage, how
the governor treated the students when we marched from here to Sac. How he
disregarded our many request for a meeting. Also, how he, right in front of
WCCUSD students that had marched 70 miles, met with students from a rich
district that was there for a field trip. I also, will not forget how he had
police and guard dogs surround the parents and students as they stood outside
his office waiting for their representive to return from his office with an
explanation as to why he would not meet to discuss WCCUSD's debt. At some point
and time, people have to be ready to take a stronger position, otherwise there
will never be any real change.

As you know, I come from the South and as an African American, I am very
thankful to those that refused to accept the status quo, therefore, I am
obligated to speak and act on behalf of what is morally right, and not settle
for less for some and more for other. Look at what Wall street and the car
companies have received from the government before their dead line of going out
of business. When will the educational needs of students/this country, become
the boggy man that force the govenments to do that which is necessary? I guess I
am one of those people that believe, we should not go quietly into the night,
and right now, that is what is happening in education.

Scottie Smith


------------ -- Original message from Cathy Travlos <cbt@triplering. net>:
------------ --

Nobody disagrees that the issue is bigger than this district - funding
at the state and federal level is totally inadequate. Unfortunately,
school districts have to turn in budget projections for 3 years and
those budgets have to be balanced. Whether or not we think the state
should give schools more money, the district has to deal with what the
current projections show. The county board of education made it clear
that they expect to see school closures in place. If the board chooses
not to do this, then there are consequences. The state will assign an
administrator, strip the school board of its authority, fire the
superintendent, and make their own cuts to services, salaries and
benefits. Should we be protesting at the state and federal level? Of
course. Do we need to deal with the current financial situation by
consolidating schools? We do, unless we want to risk having a state
administrator balance the district budget.
Cathy

crachlis wrote:
>
> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com
> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com>, rcs101@... wrote:
> >Dear Francie,
>
> Indeed the March 4 Education was a significant example of the type of
> direct action that
> will be needed to save our schools from the impending cuts. Thank you
> for posting the
> link.
>
> A group of parents and teachers, including some of the organizers of
> the March 4
> Education, have come together to form the West Contra Costa Community
> for Quality
> Education. Our first united action was to intervene at the December
> 18th meeting of the
> school board at De Jean school. We challenged the school board to take
> a stand against
> the cuts and to join us in the streets instead of administering the
> cuts. Our interventions
> included public presentation of our demands:
> 1) No To All School Closures
> 2) Shut Down The School Closure Committee
> 3) No Teacher Lay Offs No Cuts by Attrition
> 4) Fill Vacancies, Restore Cut Programs, Reduce Class Size
> 5) Restore Quality Education Bring Back music, Art, Sports...
>
> We distributed leaflets announcing a mass public organizing meeting to
> be held on
> January 13th at the Richmond Library Community Room at the corner of
> 25th and
> MacDonald Ave at 6pm.
>
> We collected phone numbers and email addresses from community members
> at the
> meeting and will be attending all the upcoming board meetings to do
> the same and build
> for the mass meeting on the 13th.
>
> As for a reenactment of the March 4 Education I do not know if one
> mass march is
> enough. There is already sentiment for marches and the students at
> Kennedy showed us
> how spontaneously marches will occur. At this point our discussions
> have touched on the
> types of actions that will be needed to win. Marches combined with
> strike action as well as
> coordination with other school districts facing similar situations and
> others facing
> cutbacks and layoffs in State, County and City government seem like
> the most likely allies
> in this struggle.
>
> Many of the teachers have already commented that their union
> leadership is too
> conservative to authorize a strike. We may have to initiate wildcat
> strikes and school shut
> downs lead by the teachers and students with support from the parents.
> It would be
> preferable if the union leadership would take strike action but most
> of us do not expect
> they will.
>
> It is clear that a mass march will bring attention but a district wide
> walk out or take over
> of the schools would really get the point across more quickly. For
> example if all the
> students walked out of classes and held a spontaneous mass meeting in
> the auditorium
> where discussions of how priorities in our nation are set we could
> combine civics
> education and political action into the school day. If such action
> took place in every
> school in the district supported by the parents we would get the kind
> of attention both
> state wide and nation wide that would spark similar actions and the
> politicians would start
> shaking in their boots. They would have to let loose the purse strings
> under threat of
> democracy breaking out from below.
>
> So in answer to you question "are you going to organize the 2009
> March?" The answer is
> the organizing has already begun. We look forward to meeting with you
> and all members
> of the wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com
> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com> in the upcoming public meetings
> at the local
> schools, the next school board and at the mass organizing meeting on
> January 13th.
>
> Charles Rachlis
> >
> >
> > --Francie:
> >
> > Thanks for putting the link up for the March 4 Education. As I
> reviewing the website
> > my mind went back to all the people that supported and made the march.
> How it was their belief that a quality and equal education is a human
> rights issue,
> therefore, we could no longer sit on the side and not speak out about
> what was happening
> in our district.
> >
> > Again, I say, what is happening in our district is a national
> security issue, therefore, as
> such, people must be willing to call for action and support a movement
> to really improve
> education. I believe it is important for all to review the M4E website
> and look back on
> some history and be willing to take up the banner to continue the
> struggle. Two important
> things to read are the "Proposal for reorganization" and "What is AB
> 1554".
> > Many from the March are still very active in the District, their
> activism has been
> rewarding and unrewarding at the same time, but their quest for
> educational equity
> continues. Now is the time for others to stand on the front line, but
> knowing that many of
> the old timers are there to support your efforts in any way they can.
> Your actions can no
> longer be at the local and state level, you must move with greater
> success than we had to
> a national call for action.
> >
> > Kevin wrote a clear email regarding the bond program. Read it and
> ask the necessary
> questions.
> >
> > Scottie Smith
> >
> >
> > ------------ -- Original message from "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...>:
> ------------
> --
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Mr. Rachlis,
> > In April 2004, a very determined and dedicated group of parents,
> > teachers and students made such a journey, walking from Richmond to
> > Sacramento and making the very same demands for education funding that
> > you would like to see: http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html
> <http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html>
> >
> > Our students need and deserve community support. Will you be organizing
> > and leading the 2009 march?
> >
> > Francie
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tammy,

If you mean going bankrupt and having our district taken over, that was the
sentiment at the last Bayside Council of PTAs meeting in December, by many of
the attendees.? It was not the position of the Bayside Council however. I don't
want that to happen, but there are many who I think believe that this is the
best way.

Laura







-----Original Message-----
From: Tammera Campbell <tammeracampbell@...>
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 1:11 pm
Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?



























Maybe it is time that we lobby both the state and the feds to bailout our school
district.? Are people willing to do this?

Tammy



--- On Mon, 12/22/08, rcs101@... <rcs101@...> wrote:



From: rcs101@... <rcs101@...>

Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?

To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com

Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 2:27 PM



--Cathy:



The only thing that one has to do is die. I have no problem closing a school if
there are safety issues or if there are not enough students to make the school
viable. But that can only happen after looking at all the issues involved in a
closure. As far as trusteeship, we have a trustee lurking around somewhere,
therefore, I am not to concern about the state taking over the district. As a
matter of fact, maybe that is what is needed, let the State try and run all the
Districts in this state that are having the same problems as WCCUSD. One of the
main problems with education is that people are afraid to challenge the State
and Federal government. They would rather bow down and worry about the boggy man
(the State) and what he would do. At some point, people have to say, "we are not
going to do this and you will have to do it your self".



The State is one of the main reason that we are in some of the mess we are in,
they could have forgiven the loan, but they left it over this district's head
like our students did not matter. I still remember with sadness and outrage, how
the governor treated the students when we marched from here to Sac. How he
disregarded our many request for a meeting. Also, how he, right in front of
WCCUSD students that had marched 70 miles, met with students from a rich
district that was there for a field trip. I also, will not forget how he had
police and guard dogs surround the parents and students as they stood outside
his office waiting for their representive to return from his office with an
explanation as to why he would not meet to discuss WCCUSD's debt. At some point
and time, people have to be ready to take a stronger position, otherwise there
will never be any real change.



As you know, I come from the South and as an African American, I am very
thankful to those that refused to accept the status quo, therefore, I am
obligated to speak and act on behalf of what is morally right, and not settle
for less for some and more for other. Look at what Wall street and the car
companies have received from the government before their dead line of going out
of business. When will the educational needs of students/this country, become
the boggy man that force the govenments to do that which is necessary? I guess I
am one of those people that believe, we should not go quietly into the night,
and right now, that is what is happening in education.



Scottie Smith



------------ -- Original message from Cathy Travlos <cbt@triplering. net>:
------------ --



Nobody disagrees that the issue is bigger than this district - funding

at the state and federal level is totally inadequate. Unfortunately,

school districts have to turn in budget projections for 3 years and

those budgets have to be balanced. Whether or not we think the state

should give schools more money, the district has to deal with what the

current projections show. The county board of education made it clear

that they expect to see school closures in place. If the board chooses

not to do this, then there are consequences. The state will assign an

administrator, strip the school board of its authority, fire the

superintendent, and make their own cuts to services, salaries and

benefits. Should we be protesting at the state and federal level? Of

course. Do we need to deal with the current financial situation by

consolidating schools? We do, unless we want to risk having a state

administrator balance the district budget.

Cathy



crachlis wrote:

>

> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com

> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com>, rcs101@... wrote:

> >Dear Francie,

>

> Indeed the March 4 Education was a significant example of the type of

> direct action that

> will be needed to save our schools from the impending cuts. Thank you

> for posting the

> link.

>

> A group of parents and teachers, including some of the organizers of

> the March 4

> Education, have come together to form the West Contra Costa Community

> for Quality

> Education. Our first united action was to intervene at the December

> 18th meeting of the

> school board at De Jean school. We challenged the school board to take

> a stand against

> the cuts and to join us in the streets instead of administering the

> cuts. Our interventions

> included public presentation of our demands:

> 1) No To All School Closures

> 2) Shut Down The School Closure Committee

> 3) No Teacher Lay Offs No Cuts by Attrition

> 4) Fill Vacancies, Restore Cut Programs, Reduce Class Size

> 5) Restore Quality Education Bring Back music, Art, Sports...

>

> We distributed leaflets announcing a mass public organizing meeting to

> be held on

> January 13th at the Richmond Library Community Room at the corner of

> 25th and

> MacDonald Ave at 6pm.

>

> We collected phone numbers and email addresses from community members

> at the

> meeting and will be attending all the upcoming board meetings to do

> the same and build

> for the mass meeting on the 13th.

>

> As for a reenactment of the March 4 Education I do not know if one

> mass march is

> enough. There is already sentiment for marches and the students at

> Kennedy showed us

> how spontaneously marches will occur. At this point our discussions

> have touched on the

> types of actions that will be needed to win. Marches combined with

> strike action as well as

> coordination with other school districts facing similar situations and

> others facing

> cutbacks and layoffs in State, County and City government seem like

> the most likely allies

> in this struggle.

>

> Many of the teachers have already commented that their union

> leadership is too

> conservative to authorize a strike. We may have to initiate wildcat

> strikes and school shut

> downs lead by the teachers and students with support from the parents.

> It would be

> preferable if the union leadership would take strike action but most

> of us do not expect

> they will.

>

> It is clear that a mass march will bring attention but a district wide

> walk out or take over

> of the schools would really get the point across more quickly. For

> example if all the

> students walked out of classes and held a spontaneous mass meeting in

> the auditorium

> where discussions of how priorities in our nation are set we could

> combine civics

> education and political action into the school day. If such action

> took place in every

> school in the district supported by the parents we would get the kind

> of attention both

> state wide and nation wide that would spark similar actions and the

> politicians would start

> shaking in their boots. They would have to let loose the purse strings

> under threat of

> democracy breaking out from below.

>

> So in answer to you question "are you going to organize the 2009

> March?" The answer is

> the organizing has already begun. We look forward to meeting with you

> and all members

> of the wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com

> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com> in the upcoming public meetings

> at the local

> schools, the next school board and at the mass organizing meeting on

> January 13th.

>

> Charles Rachlis

> >

> >

> > --Francie:

> >

> > Thanks for putting the link up for the March 4 Education. As I

> reviewing the website

> > my mind went back to all the people that supported and made the march.

> How it was their belief that a quality and equal education is a human

> rights issue,

> therefore, we could no longer sit on the side and not speak out about

> what was happening

> in our district.

> >

> > Again, I say, what is happening in our district is a national

> security issue, therefore, as

> such, people must be willing to call for action and support a movement

> to really improve

> education. I believe it is important for all to review the M4E website

> and look back on

> some history and be willing to take up the banner to continue the

> struggle. Two important

> things to read are the "Proposal for reorganization" and "What is AB

> 1554".

> > Many from the March are still very active in the District, their

> activism has been

> rewarding and unrewarding at the same time, but their quest for

> educational equity

> continues. Now is the time for others to stand on the front line, but

> knowing that many of

> the old timers are there to support your efforts in any way they can.

> Your actions can no

> longer be at the local and state level, you must move with greater

> success than we had to

> a national call for action.

> >

> > Kevin wrote a clear email regarding the bond program. Read it and

> ask the necessary

> questions.

> >

> > Scottie Smith

> >

> >

> > ------------ -- Original message from "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...>:

> ------------

> --

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Mr. Rachlis,

> > In April 2004, a very determined and dedicated group of parents,

> > teachers and students made such a journey, walking from Richmond to

> > Sacramento and making the very same demands for education funding that

> > you would like to see: http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html

> <http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html>

> >

> > Our students need and deserve community support. Will you be organizing

> > and leading the 2009 march?

> >

> > Francie

> >

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >

>

>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Working under a deadline to cut our own throats before the State steps in to do
it for us, such is the dilemma we are currently in.  When all roads lead to the
gallows its time to cut another road.  Right now we either make the cuts
ourselves, let the State step in and do the hatchet work or we organize and
mobilize the community  around the principle of solidarity and with the
understanding that united we are powerful.

We need to advocate for participants in the school closure committee to either
walk off the committee or spoil their ballots.  But more important than how one
votes in the closure committee, would be district wide student walk out combined
with a teacher strike supported by the parents.  That type of action along with
public teach-ins and mass demonstrations could spark the type of movement needed
to change priorities in this county. The next administration is saddled with a
federal budget for 2009 which will direct 600billion to the military industrial
complex.  Another 180 billion for past debt for military.  That does not include
the direct costs for the wars. THe incoming administration has shown no
indication that they will be redirecting federal spending on military. Money is
available its just a question of reordering priorities.  Priorities will only be
changed if the people demand it through mass organizing for mass actions.

Join the West Contra Costa Community for Quality Education at an organizing
meeting for full funding for education.  Tuesday January 13th at the Richmond
Public Library at 6pm  At MacDonald Ave and 25th St.


--- On Thu, 1/8/09, Ramosla@... <Ramosla@...> wrote:

> From: Ramosla@... <Ramosla@...>
> Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
> To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:36 PM
> Tammy,
>
> If you mean going bankrupt and having our district taken
> over, that was the sentiment at the last Bayside Council of
> PTAs meeting in December, by many of the attendees.? It was
> not the position of the Bayside Council however. I don't
> want that to happen, but there are many who I think believe
> that this is the best way.
>
> Laura
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tammera Campbell <tammeracampbell@...>
> To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 1:11 pm
> Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Maybe it is time that we lobby both the state and the feds
> to bailout our school district.? Are people willing to do
> this?
>
> Tammy
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 12/22/08, rcs101@... <rcs101@...>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> From: rcs101@... <rcs101@...>
>
> Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
>
> To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
>
> Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 2:27 PM
>
>
>
> --Cathy:
>
>
>
> The only thing that one has to do is die. I have no problem
> closing a school if there are safety issues or if there are
> not enough students to make the school viable. But that can
> only happen after looking at all the issues involved in a
> closure. As far as trusteeship, we have a trustee lurking
> around somewhere, therefore, I am not to concern about the
> state taking over the district. As a matter of fact, maybe
> that is what is needed, let the State try and run all the
> Districts in this state that are having the same problems as
> WCCUSD. One of the main problems with education is that
> people are afraid to challenge the State and Federal
> government. They would rather bow down and worry about the
> boggy man (the State) and what he would do. At some point,
> people have to say, "we are not going to do this and
> you will have to do it your self".
>
>
>
> The State is one of the main reason that we are in some of
> the mess we are in, they could have forgiven the loan, but
> they left it over this district's head like our students
> did not matter. I still remember with sadness and outrage,
> how the governor treated the students when we marched from
> here to Sac. How he disregarded our many request for a
> meeting. Also, how he, right in front of WCCUSD students
> that had marched 70 miles, met with students from a rich
> district that was there for a field trip. I also, will not
> forget how he had police and guard dogs surround the parents
> and students as they stood outside his office waiting for
> their representive to return from his office with an
> explanation as to why he would not meet to discuss
> WCCUSD's debt. At some point and time, people have to be
> ready to take a stronger position, otherwise there will
> never be any real change.
>
>
>
> As you know, I come from the South and as an African
> American, I am very thankful to those that refused to accept
> the status quo, therefore, I am obligated to speak and act
> on behalf of what is morally right, and not settle for less
> for some and more for other. Look at what Wall street and
> the car companies have received from the government before
> their dead line of going out of business. When will the
> educational needs of students/this country, become the boggy
> man that force the govenments to do that which is necessary?
> I guess I am one of those people that believe, we should not
> go quietly into the night, and right now, that is what is
> happening in education.
>
>
>
> Scottie Smith
>
>
>
> ------------ -- Original message from Cathy Travlos
> <cbt@triplering. net>: ------------ --
>
>
>
> Nobody disagrees that the issue is bigger than this
> district - funding
>
> at the state and federal level is totally inadequate.
> Unfortunately,
>
> school districts have to turn in budget projections for 3
> years and
>
> those budgets have to be balanced. Whether or not we think
> the state
>
> should give schools more money, the district has to deal
> with what the
>
> current projections show. The county board of education
> made it clear
>
> that they expect to see school closures in place. If the
> board chooses
>
> not to do this, then there are consequences. The state will
> assign an
>
> administrator, strip the school board of its authority,
> fire the
>
> superintendent, and make their own cuts to services,
> salaries and
>
> benefits. Should we be protesting at the state and federal
> level? Of
>
> course. Do we need to deal with the current financial
> situation by
>
> consolidating schools? We do, unless we want to risk having
> a state
>
> administrator balance the district budget.
>
> Cathy
>
>
>
> crachlis wrote:
>
> >
>
> > --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com
>
> > <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com>,
> rcs101@... wrote:
>
> > >Dear Francie,
>
> >
>
> > Indeed the March 4 Education was a significant example
> of the type of
>
> > direct action that
>
> > will be needed to save our schools from the impending
> cuts. Thank you
>
> > for posting the
>
> > link.
>
> >
>
> > A group of parents and teachers, including some of the
> organizers of
>
> > the March 4
>
> > Education, have come together to form the West Contra
> Costa Community
>
> > for Quality
>
> > Education. Our first united action was to intervene at
> the December
>
> > 18th meeting of the
>
> > school board at De Jean school. We challenged the
> school board to take
>
> > a stand against
>
> > the cuts and to join us in the streets instead of
> administering the
>
> > cuts. Our interventions
>
> > included public presentation of our demands:
>
> > 1) No To All School Closures
>
> > 2) Shut Down The School Closure Committee
>
> > 3) No Teacher Lay Offs No Cuts by Attrition
>
> > 4) Fill Vacancies, Restore Cut Programs, Reduce Class
> Size
>
> > 5) Restore Quality Education Bring Back music, Art,
> Sports...
>
> >
>
> > We distributed leaflets announcing a mass public
> organizing meeting to
>
> > be held on
>
> > January 13th at the Richmond Library Community Room at
> the corner of
>
> > 25th and
>
> > MacDonald Ave at 6pm.
>
> >
>
> > We collected phone numbers and email addresses from
> community members
>
> > at the
>
> > meeting and will be attending all the upcoming board
> meetings to do
>
> > the same and build
>
> > for the mass meeting on the 13th.
>
> >
>
> > As for a reenactment of the March 4 Education I do not
> know if one
>
> > mass march is
>
> > enough. There is already sentiment for marches and the
> students at
>
> > Kennedy showed us
>
> > how spontaneously marches will occur. At this point
> our discussions
>
> > have touched on the
>
> > types of actions that will be needed to win. Marches
> combined with
>
> > strike action as well as
>
> > coordination with other school districts facing
> similar situations and
>
> > others facing
>
> > cutbacks and layoffs in State, County and City
> government seem like
>
> > the most likely allies
>
> > in this struggle.
>
> >
>
> > Many of the teachers have already commented that their
> union
>
> > leadership is too
>
> > conservative to authorize a strike. We may have to
> initiate wildcat
>
> > strikes and school shut
>
> > downs lead by the teachers and students with support
> from the parents.
>
> > It would be
>
> > preferable if the union leadership would take strike
> action but most
>
> > of us do not expect
>
> > they will.
>
> >
>
> > It is clear that a mass march will bring attention but
> a district wide
>
> > walk out or take over
>
> > of the schools would really get the point across more
> quickly. For
>
> > example if all the
>
> > students walked out of classes and held a spontaneous
> mass meeting in
>
> > the auditorium
>
> > where discussions of how priorities in our nation are
> set we could
>
> > combine civics
>
> > education and political action into the school day. If
> such action
>
> > took place in every
>
> > school in the district supported by the parents we
> would get the kind
>
> > of attention both
>
> > state wide and nation wide that would spark similar
> actions and the
>
> > politicians would start
>
> > shaking in their boots. They would have to let loose
> the purse strings
>
> > under threat of
>
> > democracy breaking out from below.
>
> >
>
> > So in answer to you question "are you going to
> organize the 2009
>
> > March?" The answer is
>
> > the organizing has already begun. We look forward to
> meeting with you
>
> > and all members
>
> > of the wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com
>
> > <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com> in the
> upcoming public meetings
>
> > at the local
>
> > schools, the next school board and at the mass
> organizing meeting on
>
> > January 13th.
>
> >
>
> > Charles Rachlis
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > > --Francie:
>
> > >
>
> > > Thanks for putting the link up for the March 4
> Education. As I
>
> > reviewing the website
>
> > > my mind went back to all the people that
> supported and made the march.
>
> > How it was their belief that a quality and equal
> education is a human
>
> > rights issue,
>
> > therefore, we could no longer sit on the side and not
> speak out about
>
> > what was happening
>
> > in our district.
>
> > >
>
> > > Again, I say, what is happening in our district
> is a national
>
> > security issue, therefore, as
>
> > such, people must be willing to call for action and
> support a movement
>
> > to really improve
>
> > education. I believe it is important for all to review
> the M4E website
>
> > and look back on
>
> > some history and be willing to take up the banner to
> continue the
>
> > struggle. Two important
>
> > things to read are the "Proposal for
> reorganization" and "What is AB
>
> > 1554".
>
> > > Many from the March are still very active in the
> District, their
>
> > activism has been
>
> > rewarding and unrewarding at the same time, but their
> quest for
>
> > educational equity
>
> > continues. Now is the time for others to stand on the
> front line, but
>
> > knowing that many of
>
> > the old timers are there to support your efforts in
> any way they can.
>
> > Your actions can no
>
> > longer be at the local and state level, you must move
> with greater
>
> > success than we had to
>
> > a national call for action.
>
> > >
>
> > > Kevin wrote a clear email regarding the bond
> program. Read it and
>
> > ask the necessary
>
> > questions.
>
> > >
>
> > > Scottie Smith
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > > ------------ -- Original message from
> "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...>:
>
> > ------------
>
> > --
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > > Mr. Rachlis,
>
> > > In April 2004, a very determined and dedicated
> group of parents,
>
> > > teachers and students made such a journey,
> walking from Richmond to
>
> > > Sacramento and making the very same demands for
> education funding that
>
> > > you would like to see: http://www.march4ed
> ucation.org/ home.html
>
> > <http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html>
>
> > >
>
> > > Our students need and deserve community support.
> Will you be organizing
>
> > > and leading the 2009 march?
>
> > >
>
> > > Francie
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > >
>
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
> > >
>
> >
>
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There are two options we have at this time.  Either ignore the accounting rules
set down by the feds and state and let the district go bankrupt (how I hate to
see this happen) by continuing to deficit spend or we revolt in the streets
somehow bringing attention to how backward this country is in bailing out big
business (banks and car companies) and not supporting education.  The latter is
much harder to achieve if we cannot amass a movement to make people give a damn
about these kids.
 
So in the meantime, I will continue to work at the local level trying to instill
in my students a love of learning and the need to get an education, instill in
our teachers that all is not lost but it will take fortitude to move forward,
and to instill in parents the need to participate.
Tammy

--- On Thu, 1/8/09, Ramosla@... <Ramosla@...> wrote:

From: Ramosla@... <Ramosla@...>
Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:36 PM







Tammy,

If you mean going bankrupt and having our district taken over, that was the
sentiment at the last Bayside Council of PTAs meeting in December, by many of
the attendees.? It was not the position of the Bayside Council however. I don't
want that to happen, but there are many who I think believe that this is the
best way.

Laura

-----Original Message-----
From: Tammera Campbell <tammeracampbell@ yahoo.com>
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com
Sent: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 1:11 pm
Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?

Maybe it is time that we lobby both the state and the feds to bailout our school
district.? Are people willing to do this?

Tammy

--- On Mon, 12/22/08, rcs101@... <rcs101@...> wrote:

From: rcs101@... <rcs101@...>

Subject: Re: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?

To: wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com

Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 2:27 PM

--Cathy:

The only thing that one has to do is die. I have no problem closing a school if
there are safety issues or if there are not enough students to make the school
viable. But that can only happen after looking at all the issues involved in a
closure. As far as trusteeship, we have a trustee lurking around somewhere,
therefore, I am not to concern about the state taking over the district. As a
matter of fact, maybe that is what is needed, let the State try and run all the
Districts in this state that are having the same problems as WCCUSD. One of the
main problems with education is that people are afraid to challenge the State
and Federal government. They would rather bow down and worry about the boggy man
(the State) and what he would do. At some point, people have to say, "we are not
going to do this and you will have to do it your self".

The State is one of the main reason that we are in some of the mess we are in,
they could have forgiven the loan, but they left it over this district's head
like our students did not matter. I still remember with sadness and outrage, how
the governor treated the students when we marched from here to Sac. How he
disregarded our many request for a meeting. Also, how he, right in front of
WCCUSD students that had marched 70 miles, met with students from a rich
district that was there for a field trip. I also, will not forget how he had
police and guard dogs surround the parents and students as they stood outside
his office waiting for their representive to return from his office with an
explanation as to why he would not meet to discuss WCCUSD's debt. At some point
and time, people have to be ready to take a stronger position, otherwise there
will never be any real change.

As you know, I come from the South and as an African American, I am very
thankful to those that refused to accept the status quo, therefore, I am
obligated to speak and act on behalf of what is morally right, and not settle
for less for some and more for other. Look at what Wall street and the car
companies have received from the government before their dead line of going out
of business. When will the educational needs of students/this country, become
the boggy man that force the govenments to do that which is necessary? I guess I
am one of those people that believe, we should not go quietly into the night,
and right now, that is what is happening in education.

Scottie Smith

------------ -- Original message from Cathy Travlos <cbt@triplering. net>:
------------ --

Nobody disagrees that the issue is bigger than this district - funding

at the state and federal level is totally inadequate. Unfortunately,

school districts have to turn in budget projections for 3 years and

those budgets have to be balanced. Whether or not we think the state

should give schools more money, the district has to deal with what the

current projections show. The county board of education made it clear

that they expect to see school closures in place. If the board chooses

not to do this, then there are consequences. The state will assign an

administrator, strip the school board of its authority, fire the

superintendent, and make their own cuts to services, salaries and

benefits. Should we be protesting at the state and federal level? Of

course. Do we need to deal with the current financial situation by

consolidating schools? We do, unless we want to risk having a state

administrator balance the district budget.

Cathy

crachlis wrote:

>

> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com

> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com>, rcs101@... wrote:

> >Dear Francie,

>

> Indeed the March 4 Education was a significant example of the type of

> direct action that

> will be needed to save our schools from the impending cuts. Thank you

> for posting the

> link.

>

> A group of parents and teachers, including some of the organizers of

> the March 4

> Education, have come together to form the West Contra Costa Community

> for Quality

> Education. Our first united action was to intervene at the December

> 18th meeting of the

> school board at De Jean school. We challenged the school board to take

> a stand against

> the cuts and to join us in the streets instead of administering the

> cuts. Our interventions

> included public presentation of our demands:

> 1) No To All School Closures

> 2) Shut Down The School Closure Committee

> 3) No Teacher Lay Offs No Cuts by Attrition

> 4) Fill Vacancies, Restore Cut Programs, Reduce Class Size

> 5) Restore Quality Education Bring Back music, Art, Sports...

>

> We distributed leaflets announcing a mass public organizing meeting to

> be held on

> January 13th at the Richmond Library Community Room at the corner of

> 25th and

> MacDonald Ave at 6pm.

>

> We collected phone numbers and email addresses from community members

> at the

> meeting and will be attending all the upcoming board meetings to do

> the same and build

> for the mass meeting on the 13th.

>

> As for a reenactment of the March 4 Education I do not know if one

> mass march is

> enough. There is already sentiment for marches and the students at

> Kennedy showed us

> how spontaneously marches will occur. At this point our discussions

> have touched on the

> types of actions that will be needed to win. Marches combined with

> strike action as well as

> coordination with other school districts facing similar situations and

> others facing

> cutbacks and layoffs in State, County and City government seem like

> the most likely allies

> in this struggle.

>

> Many of the teachers have already commented that their union

> leadership is too

> conservative to authorize a strike. We may have to initiate wildcat

> strikes and school shut

> downs lead by the teachers and students with support from the parents.

> It would be

> preferable if the union leadership would take strike action but most

> of us do not expect

> they will.

>

> It is clear that a mass march will bring attention but a district wide

> walk out or take over

> of the schools would really get the point across more quickly. For

> example if all the

> students walked out of classes and held a spontaneous mass meeting in

> the auditorium

> where discussions of how priorities in our nation are set we could

> combine civics

> education and political action into the school day. If such action

> took place in every

> school in the district supported by the parents we would get the kind

> of attention both

> state wide and nation wide that would spark similar actions and the

> politicians would start

> shaking in their boots. They would have to let loose the purse strings

> under threat of

> democracy breaking out from below.

>

> So in answer to you question "are you going to organize the 2009

> March?" The answer is

> the organizing has already begun. We look forward to meeting with you

> and all members

> of the wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com

> <mailto:wccusdtalk% 40yahoogroups. com> in the upcoming public meetings

> at the local

> schools, the next school board and at the mass organizing meeting on

> January 13th.

>

> Charles Rachlis

> >

> >

> > --Francie:

> >

> > Thanks for putting the link up for the March 4 Education. As I

> reviewing the website

> > my mind went back to all the people that supported and made the march.

> How it was their belief that a quality and equal education is a human

> rights issue,

> therefore, we could no longer sit on the side and not speak out about

> what was happening

> in our district.

> >

> > Again, I say, what is happening in our district is a national

> security issue, therefore, as

> such, people must be willing to call for action and support a movement

> to really improve

> education. I believe it is important for all to review the M4E website

> and look back on

> some history and be willing to take up the banner to continue the

> struggle. Two important

> things to read are the "Proposal for reorganization" and "What is AB

> 1554".

> > Many from the March are still very active in the District, their

> activism has been

> rewarding and unrewarding at the same time, but their quest for

> educational equity

> continues. Now is the time for others to stand on the front line, but

> knowing that many of

> the old timers are there to support your efforts in any way they can.

> Your actions can no

> longer be at the local and state level, you must move with greater

> success than we had to

> a national call for action.

> >

> > Kevin wrote a clear email regarding the bond program. Read it and

> ask the necessary

> questions.

> >

> > Scottie Smith

> >

> >

> > ------------ -- Original message from "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...>:

> ------------

> --

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Mr. Rachlis,

> > In April 2004, a very determined and dedicated group of parents,

> > teachers and students made such a journey, walking from Richmond to

> > Sacramento and making the very same demands for education funding that

> > you would like to see: http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html

> <http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html>

> >

> > Our students need and deserve community support. Will you be organizing

> > and leading the 2009 march?

> >

> > Francie

> >

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> >

>

>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Charles,
I commend you on your energy and your vision to make things better.  Please also
balance what will happen to schools who boycott and don't attend class.  When
students are not in their seats we loose ADA.  Make sure you tell the public
that ADA money will be lost therefore further reducing what little income we are
currently receiving.  Students, parents, teachers and the community must be made
aware of the risks they take when actions such as this are suggested.  If
everyone is willing to take this risk and loose what little money we are already
receiving then this is a conscious decision and we should live with the
consequences.  If we are remiss and don't provide this information the public
will come back with a backlash complaining that the district has once again
failed when it was the actions of the public who have compounded the problem
more.

Tammy

--- On Sun, 12/21/08, crachlis <crachlis@...> wrote:
From: crachlis <crachlis@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] Re: Can we stop the budget cuts?
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, December 21, 2008, 12:54 PM











             --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, rcs101@... wrote:

>Dear Francie,



Indeed the March 4 Education was a significant example of the type of direct
action that

will be needed to save our schools from the impending cuts. Thank you for
posting the

link.



A group of parents and teachers, including some of the organizers of the March 4

Education,  have come together to form the West Contra Costa Community for
Quality

Education.  Our first united action was to intervene at the December 18th
meeting of the

school board at De Jean school. We challenged the school board to take a stand
against

the cuts and to join us in the streets instead of administering the cuts.  Our
interventions

included public  presentation of our demands:

1) No To All School Closures

2) Shut Down The School Closure Committee

3) No Teacher Lay Offs No Cuts by Attrition

4) Fill Vacancies, Restore Cut Programs, Reduce Class Size

5) Restore Quality Education Bring Back music, Art, Sports...



We distributed leaflets announcing a mass  public organizing  meeting to be held
on

January 13th at the Richmond Library Community Room at the corner of 25th and

MacDonald Ave at 6pm.



We collected phone numbers and email addresses from community members at the

meeting and will be attending all the upcoming board meetings to do the same and
build

for the mass meeting on the 13th.



As for a reenactment of the March 4 Education I do not know if one mass march is

enough.  There is already sentiment for marches and the students at Kennedy
showed us

how spontaneously marches  will occur.  At this point our discussions have
touched on the

types of actions that will be needed to win.  Marches combined with strike
action as well as

coordination with other school districts facing similar situations and others
facing

cutbacks and layoffs in State, County and City government seem like the most
likely allies

in this struggle.



Many of the teachers have already commented that their union leadership is too

conservative to authorize a strike.  We may have to initiate wildcat strikes and
school shut

downs lead by the teachers and students with support from the parents.  It would
be

preferable if the union leadership would take strike action but most of us do
not expect

they will.



It is clear that a mass march will bring attention but a  district wide walk out
or take over

of the schools would  really get the point across more quickly.  For example if
all the

students walked out of classes and held a spontaneous mass meeting in the
auditorium

where discussions of how priorities in our nation are set we could combine
civics

education and political action into the school day.  If such action took place
in every

school in the district supported by the parents we would get the kind of
attention both

state wide and nation wide that would spark similar actions and the politicians
would start

shaking in their boots.  They would have to let loose the purse strings under
threat of

democracy breaking out from below.



So in answer to you question "are you going to organize the 2009 March?"  The
answer is

the organizing has already begun.   We look forward to meeting with you and all
members

of the wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com  in the upcoming public meetings at the local

schools, the next school board and at the mass organizing meeting on January
13th.



Charles Rachlis

>

>

> --Francie:

>

> Thanks for putting the link up for the March 4 Education. As I reviewing the
website

> 		 my mind went back to all the people that supported and made the march.

How it was their belief that a quality and equal education is a human rights
issue,

therefore, we could no longer sit on the side and not speak out about what was
happening

in our district.

>

> Again, I say, what is happening in our district is a national security issue,
therefore, as

such, people must be willing to call for action and support a movement to really
improve

education. I believe it is important for all to review the M4E website and look
back on

some history and be willing to take up the banner to continue the struggle. Two
important

things to read are the "Proposal for reorganization" and "What is AB 1554".

> Many from the March are still very active in the District, their activism has
been

rewarding and unrewarding at the same time, but their quest for educational
equity

continues. Now is the time for others to stand on the front line, but knowing
that many of

the old timers are there to support your efforts in any way they can. Your
actions can no

longer be at the local and state level, you must move with greater success than
we had to

a national call for action.

>

> Kevin wrote a clear email regarding the bond program. Read it and ask the
necessary

questions.

>

>  Scottie Smith

>

>

>   ------------ -- Original message from "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...>:
------------

--

>

>

>

>

>             Mr. Rachlis,

> In April 2004, a very determined and dedicated group of parents,

> teachers and students made such a journey, walking from Richmond to

> Sacramento and making the very same demands for education funding that

> you would like to see: http://www.march4ed ucation.org/ home.html

>

> Our students need and deserve community support. Will you be organizing

> and leading the 2009 march?

>

> Francie

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>





























[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Charles,
I hear your words and understand your point of view, but may I suggest that you
please take a little time and begin attending the Citizens Budget Advisory
meetings on the fourth Thursday of every month.  Meetings begin at 6:30PM and
are usually held at Alvarado Adult School.  As I encourage my students to
understand all sides of an issue, I hope your enthusiasm and point of view can
add to the discussion at these meetings.
Tammy

--- On Sat, 12/20/08, Charles Rachlis <crachlis@...> wrote:
From: Charles Rachlis <crachlis@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] Can we stop the budget cuts?
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 5:15 PM













Whenever social programs are cut, wages are frozen, cost of living allowances
are not paid, the excuse is given that there are no funds.  The governing body
turns its pockets inside out and says,"look at the books....no money here just a
little lint and lots of bills." The agents of the state just shrug there
shoulders and say, "whine all you like but you can't get water from a stone". 
They count on the "cooler heads" in the community to back them up and try to
convince the "unruly masses" that, "we have no choice, we must all tighten our
belts for the greater good."



Unfortunately in our community there are a number of these cooler heads emerging
to help sell cutbacks to the indignant and unruly who have the audacity to hope
that their kids can have a decent eduction in a local school with well paid
teaching staff and a full curriculum.



For example Francie Kunaniec, librarian at Adams Middle school who posts on
wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com  states,"those who are fighting against school
closures need to show immediately how the district can balance its budget,
economically run small schools of 200- 300 students and fix the physical plant
of schools like Kennedy which suffer from years of neglect. Only then will the
schools stay open. The  district needs to submit budgets for the next 3 years
this June. We do  NOT want a state administrator in charge, taking over the 
Superintendent and Board positions."



Francie makes the same arguments that the board members make and  Tony Thurmond
(newly elected school board member) made to me directly in a discussion
following the school board meeting on December 18th.



The problem with Francie and Tony's outlook is that they place the onus on the
victims of the cuts to find the missing money.  The fact that the school
district does not have the money is not in question. Those of us who demand no
cuts make no beef over bloated salaries for administrators who do not provide
what they are paid to provide (educational resources) and property which lies
outside the district which could be sold.  The question is one of waste inside
the district it is a question of political will in the State and the Nation.



This last week we have heard all kinds of rhetoric from the Obama team about
commitment to education.  Indeed we have heard that from every windbag who comes
to occupy the White house.  It seems to be par for the course to talk up
education.  But where the rubber hits the road is in the funding. So the
question is how to assure funding finds its way to the schools.  And that is a
question of national priorities.



So we have to as how are national priorities set and how can they be influenced.
Over the last few months we saw the end of one of the greatest speculative
bubbles in all time. Too much capital chasing after too few profit making assets
drove ficticious valuations to all time highs in commercial paper (credit fault
swaps, derivitives) and real estate. When the bubble burst the bankers and
speculators, who had lined their pockets for years with multi-million dollar
bonuses as well as making outrageous contributions to politicians who in turn
were happy to write laws and get rid of regulations as their contributors saw
fit, came running to congress threatening that if they were not bailed out
armageddon would be upon us.   With little hemming and hawing in about two weeks
the congress came together and took over $1,000.00 from every family in the
country and gave it to the bankers in a $800,000,000, 000.00 bail out.  And that
is how quickly priorities
  can

  be changed and addressed.



Another example on 9/11/01 this county came under attack by a group of
extremists who were originally funded and lauded by the Reagan administration.
Immediately this nation turned on a dime and went into war making mode. Then the
administration got carried away with itself and spread the war from Afghanistan
to Iraq. It is now clear that the justification for the war in Iraq was
fabricated and the real reasons was later reveled by one time finance guru Alan
Greenspan who stated the reason we were in Iraq was for oil.



Now this little 5 year expedition into Iraq is costing us ten billion dollars a
month.  Joseph Seidletz, Nobel award winning economist, states that if the war
were to end today the total long term cost will approach three trillion dollars.
Again the issue is how priorities are made and set.



President-elect Obama promises to get out of Iraq in 16 months but the costs at
home are pilling up.  The results of mismanagement of the economy and foolish
wars for geo-political gain should not be borne by our children, our
teachers,workers, and taxpayers who require tax dollars be spent at home.



As Greenspan explained the war was for oil and during this latest period the oil
companies have had record multi billion dollar profits.  They should be paying
for the war.  Actually they should be nationalized under worker and community
control.  Our schools in Richmond sit under the shadow of one of the most
profitable oil companies in the world's refineries (Cheveron) but we are
supposed to accept cuts to our schools. Please!



Changing priorities is not easy but can be done.  Martin Luther King lead
thousands of young people in a campaign against Jim Crow, it took years but
things were changed.  Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to
oppose the genocidal war in Vietnam, it took years but as the American people
changed their priorities the war had to end.  Just last month a few hundred
workers at the Republic window and door factory in Chicago were laid off without
their just pay. They occupied the factory and in three weeks they forced got the
attention of the nation and they were paid their back wages, severance and
vacation pay.



Here in the WCCUSD we could force a change of priorities if we stood up and took
united direct action.  For example if all the teachers and students supported by
the parents walked out the school for a week and marched on the district office
and organized a statewide march to Sacramento the pressure would be unstoppable.
The Feds would be running to bail us out and get us back in school and quiet so
that such an uprising did not spread.



The choice is ours do we stand up and fight for our kids or make excuses turn
tail and accept the theft perpetrated by the bankers, speculators, politicians
and war profiteers?



Teacher Librarian

  Adams Middle





























[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Ralph,
Smaller schools may be advantageous at the elementary level, but become a
liability at secondary level.  Body count does provide the capability for a
variety classes at all levels.  Having more students provides you with the
flexibility to have smaller learning academies on a larger campus.  Think of it
this way, you can have small learning environments, but still provide larger
campus amenities.  Numbers provide you the ability to provide and have more
programs.  Please just keep this in mind.  Small schools are not always the
panacea they are made out to be.
Tammy

--- On Sat, 12/20/08, Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...> wrote:
From: Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] Re: WCCUSD releases list of potential schools to be closed
(pre-meeting)
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 10:34 AM











             I think it's worth reminding ourselves here that ed studies have

consistently shown that small schools are better for student

achievement than extremely large schools.



--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...> wrote:

>

> Adding to Ralph's response:

> The students need and deserve an education NOW. Their school records

> and academic achievements stay with them so this is not a time to let

> achievement wane.

>

> UTR is always saying the teachers are professionals. This is the time

> to show it. Teachers will also be vying for jobs at new school sites

> so, more than ever, it's time for all of us to show what great teachers

> we can be. Most importantly, the students will take their cues from

> their teachers. It's time for the teachers to be calm and supportive.

>

> The two scenarios call for a number of K-8 options, which some parents

> have long advocated. District administrators also want to fill newly

> remodeled schools. Using El Sobrante Elementary as an example, students

> will move to newly rebuilt Sheldon & Murphy or the Crespi K-8. All good

> options for parents and students.

>

> Change is extremely frightening for many people. However, those who are

> fighting against school closures need to show immediately how the

> district can balance its budget, economically run small schools of 200-

> 300 students and fix the physical plant of schools like Kennedy which

> suffer from years of neglect. Only then will the schools stay open. The

> district needs to submit budgets for the next 3 years this June. We do

> NOT want a state administrator in charge, taking over the

> Superintendent and Board positions.

>

> Francie Kunaniec

> Teacher Librarian

> Adams Middle

>

>

> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "Ralph Bedwell" <bedwellr@> wrote:

> >

> > The obvious answer is that the staff should remain motivated because

> > there are students there NOW who need an education...

> >

> > Ralph

> >

> > --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "rogerf85" <rogerf85@> wrote:

> > >

> > > Coronado, El Sobrante and Kennedy are on both lists.

> > > Someone should explain why the staff should remain motivated.  How

> > do parents feel

> > > now?

>





























[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kevin,
This is where creative partnerships with other agencies must step in to provide
students with what they need.  For example, the track at PVHS was done with the
help from the Pinole Redevelopment.  This too should be done at other schools. 
Let's leverage out tax dollars to benefit us directly.  Here is our chance to
take control and make things better for our kids and our community.
Tammt



--- On Sat, 12/20/08, Kevin Rivard <kfrivard@...> wrote:
From: Kevin Rivard <kfrivard@...>
Subject: RE: [wccusdtalk] Re: SF Chron:  "Projects Halted"
To: "h h" <wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 7:22 AM

An example of how the state bond money freeze or worse yet complete halt of
funding from the state would effect our bond program is this.

Lavonnya De Jean was built with 100% community funded bonds. Because of cost
overruns when the community bonds were passed after the initial bonds for De
Jean the district borrowed about 12 million of the new community bonds to finish
De Jean and then the district went to the state and pleaded their case as to why
De Jean was eligible for state funded bonds. The district won their case and the
state paid the district about 12 million for DeJean and that money went back
into the community bond program.

Many, if not all, the new and renovated school construction budgets have built
into them hopeful state matching funds. Because our district has had an ongoing
renovation program many of our schools have been on the front end list for state
funding and have been receiving state funds along the way.

However, because of the potential for not receiving state funds the district
planned the reconstruction of all schools in a three phase plan. First phase
would be the most needed renovation of the site, main classroom building and
administration building as an example. Then perhaps a multipurpose room and a
few extra classrooms for growth. Last would be the esthetics, playgrounds,
landscaping, parking areas and non essential outside the classroom extras.

The athletic fields at El Cerrito are a phase three project. You can ask Bill
Savidge about that to make sure it has not changed since I left the Citizens
Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). If the state freezes and or completely guts the
state construction bond program, as it now is, El Cerrito might be looking at an
incomplete rebuild without athletic fields. Some elementary schools would be
left with nice buildings but no blacktop for recess or lawns or landscape.

This is a quick response but for more answers go to the next CBOC meeting or
call Bill Savidge.

Kevin



To: wccusdtalk@...: bedwellr@...: Sat, 20 Dec 2008
04:10:50 +0000Subject: [wccusdtalk] Re: SF Chron: "Projects Halted"



Does that affect WCCUSD? I thought the projects here were all paid forwith the
bond money.--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com,
"reducingandreusing"<valerie.snider@...> wrote:>> Dec. 18,
2008, front page of SF Chron: "Lack of funding stops at least> 2,000
public works projects in Californa, including school construction> in every
Bay Area County." The article goes on to say that due to a> $40 million
budget shortfall, the CA state govt can use about $3.8> billion (previously
set aside for projects) for other expenses, pending> a vote by the Pooled
Money Investment Board. Projects that had been in> the pipeline will be
halted or postponed.> > "School projects totaling tens of millions of
dollars in the Bay Area> will be put on hold.">





_________________________________________________________________
It’s the same Hotmail®. If by “same” you mean up to 70% faster.
http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_broad1_12200\
8

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links








[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Dear Community Partner:



Happy New Year!



I'm pleased to share that Bank of America is bringing the
Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) to our community for the 6th
year.  As you know, it is a program of our Charitable Foundation and
enables us to recognize and reward non-profit organizations, local
heroes, and student leaders for their contributions to communities
across the country.



At this time, I'm reaching out to ask that you encourage outstanding
high school students in their junior or senior year to apply for the
Student Leaders component of NEI.  The award recipients will be
students who have shown interest and enthusiasm for the kind of
community work that might some day make them leaders in their
neighborhoods, cities, and beyond.



Selected students will receive a paid summer internship with a local
non-profit organization and participate in a six day, all expense
paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C.



Applications can be submitted and a full description can be found at
www.bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders.  You may also review the
attached brochure for more information.  Please share this
opportunity with potential candidates and with your colleagues that
may work with high school students and note that the deadline to
apply is Friday, February 20.



Our selection committee will include community leaders and will meet
in the spring to select winners.



Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your
participation!



Cheryl M. Cayme

Market Specialist

Bank of America - San Francisco/East Bay

Phone: (415) 913.4129

Fax: (415) 913.3267

cheryl.m.cayme@...

Tammy, that doesn't really contradict what the studies have found.
Multiple small schools operating semi-autonomously but housed within a
larger campus are still considered small schools. There have been some
very successful examples of this in New York City, and perhaps
elsewhere. They do cost more than having one large school with a
central administration, however. I haven't worked at a school that has
smaller learning academies, but my impression is that there are
probably added costs for them also; is that true, or am I mistaken?

Ralph

--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, Tammera Campbell
<tammeracampbell@...> wrote:
>
> Ralph,
> Smaller schools may be advantageous at the elementary level, but
become a liability at secondary level.  Body count does provide the
capability for a variety classes at all levels.  Having more students
provides you with the flexibility to have smaller learning academies
on a larger campus.  Think of it this way, you can have small learning
environments, but still provide larger campus amenities.  Numbers
provide you the ability to provide and have more programs.  Please
just keep this in mind.  Small schools are not always the panacea they
are made out to be.
> Tammy
>
> --- On Sat, 12/20/08, Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...> wrote:
> From: Ralph Bedwell <bedwellr@...>
> Subject: [wccusdtalk] Re: WCCUSD releases list of potential schools
to be closed (pre-meeting)
> To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 10:34 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>             I think it's worth reminding ourselves here that ed
studies have
>
> consistently shown that small schools are better for student
>
> achievement than extremely large schools.
>
>
>
> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "Francie" <fdkunaniec@ ...> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > Adding to Ralph's response:
>
> > The students need and deserve an education NOW. Their school records
>
> > and academic achievements stay with them so this is not a time to let
>
> > achievement wane.
>
> >
>
> > UTR is always saying the teachers are professionals. This is the time
>
> > to show it. Teachers will also be vying for jobs at new school sites
>
> > so, more than ever, it's time for all of us to show what great
teachers
>
> > we can be. Most importantly, the students will take their cues from
>
> > their teachers. It's time for the teachers to be calm and supportive.
>
> >
>
> > The two scenarios call for a number of K-8 options, which some
parents
>
> > have long advocated. District administrators also want to fill newly
>
> > remodeled schools. Using El Sobrante Elementary as an example,
students
>
> > will move to newly rebuilt Sheldon & Murphy or the Crespi K-8. All
good
>
> > options for parents and students.
>
> >
>
> > Change is extremely frightening for many people. However, those
who are
>
> > fighting against school closures need to show immediately how the
>
> > district can balance its budget, economically run small schools of
200-
>
> > 300 students and fix the physical plant of schools like Kennedy which
>
> > suffer from years of neglect. Only then will the schools stay
open. The
>
> > district needs to submit budgets for the next 3 years this June.
We do
>
> > NOT want a state administrator in charge, taking over the
>
> > Superintendent and Board positions.
>
> >
>
> > Francie Kunaniec
>
> > Teacher Librarian
>
> > Adams Middle
>
> >
>
> >
>
> > --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "Ralph Bedwell" <bedwellr@> wrote:
>
> > >
>
> > > The obvious answer is that the staff should remain motivated because
>
> > > there are students there NOW who need an education...
>
> > >
>
> > > Ralph
>
> > >
>
> > > --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogro ups.com, "rogerf85" <rogerf85@> wrote:
>
> > > >
>
> > > > Coronado, El Sobrante and Kennedy are on both lists.
>
> > > > Someone should explain why the staff should remain motivated.  How
>
> > > do parents feel
>
> > > > now?
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

There have been 3 recent guest editorials in the West County Times
recently regarding the school closure committee and process. Here are
the links in case you missed them.
Cathy

First, Chris Slamon wrote about the fact the the Richmond mayor
appointed non-Richmond residents as representatives to the committee for
the City of Richmond.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11314888

Next there was an article by Richmond mayor Gayle McLaughlin defending
her selections and stating that we should be keeping the schools open.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11345875

Today, Kensington parent Mark Woo defended his selection to the school
closure committee as a Richmond City representative and explained his
proposal for school consolidation.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_11415720

It was revealed at the Richmond City Council meeting this past Tuesday that
our Mayor actually appointed 4 out of 10 people who are not residents of
Richmond to serve on the school closure committee on behalf of the city of
Richmond.  You would not have believed the groans from the audience when
this came out.

I have been to 4 meetings in the past 5 days on behalf of the students of
Richmond, I feel like I have a second job.   I will continue to attend the
school closure committee and school board meetings, I will continue to speak
out for Coronado and Kennedy and Portola (my own child's school) and I will
continue to represent the students of Richmond.

Christina Slamon

On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 6:23 PM, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:

>   There have been 3 recent guest editorials in the West County Times
> recently regarding the school closure committee and process. Here are
> the links in case you missed them.
> Cathy
>
> First, Chris Slamon wrote about the fact the the Richmond mayor
> appointed non-Richmond residents as representatives to the committee for
> the City of Richmond.
> http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11314888
>
> Next there was an article by Richmond mayor Gayle McLaughlin defending
> her selections and stating that we should be keeping the schools open.
> http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11345875
>
> Today, Kensington parent Mark Woo defended his selection to the school
> closure committee as a Richmond City representative and explained his
> proposal for school consolidation.
> http://www.contracostatimes.com/opinion/ci_11415720
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Report on the school closure process January 8, 2009

A chilling reenactment of the short story  by  Shirley Jackson entitled,  "The
Lottery", (usually assigned in 11th grade English class) wherein a community
would come together on an annual basis and by lottery choose one person and then
ceremoniously stone him/her to death,  is taking place at school auditoriums and
cafeterias across West Contra Costa Unified School District.  Called together to
participate in the school closure process “facilitated” by hired
professionals the dirty work is being whitewashed to look like a fair and
equitable method.

Under the threat of State receivership the community is coming together to do
the nasty deed under a charade of “rational-democratic-processing”.    Even
the participants are not sure what they are being asked to do before they even
do it.

The dog and pony show starts with Dr. Harter’s presentation; a rational  power
point slide show  of the financial crisis of the district.  With all the warmth
of the warden walking the last mile with the condemned the good Dr. did his job.
After his presentation the facilitators told the jury (seated at tables in front
of the room) and the audience seated in the back to discuss which scenario for
closures they preferred of if they wanted another scenario they could propose
one.

It's all presented to be a very "fair" process. Consider the factors limiting
the fairness of the process.  Some schools are on both lists, some schools are
not on either list,   members of the committee are more likely to vote to
protect their own schools and many will be influenced by unconscious prejudices
when they vote against others. Ultimately we end up with  a system limited both
by subjective and objective factors.

I was shocked by the contractor facilitated process and could not contain
myself.  I and took the floor calling for the jurors spoil their ballots.

The room was given about 25 minutes to discuss the options with the people at
their table.  Despite being told they could vote for their own option there was
no forum to present an alternate scenario.

There were about 8 public comments then the voting process was reviewed and the
task was done. 2 minutes is not enough to make the case following Dr. Harter
control of the discourse for a solid hour,

More than one person talked to the the need to look outside the district for
funds and about fighting for the changes in national priorities.

Charles Rachlis

Charles,

Your letter could have been written by me back in the 1990's when the district
was going to close and sell off Mira Vista Elementary. The district put out in a
November board packet that they were going to close Mira Vista and distribute
the students among the surrounding schools. My wife and I went to the next Mira
Vista PTA meeting which had as a topic of their school closure. We listened and
heard confusion, fear and panic. Finally, I got up and said that they should ask
for public hearings on the closure that the district had not even offered.

The district brought together representatives from all the appropriate factions
and hired a professional closer. The chair of the committee was none other than
an assistant superintendent named Santiago Wood. He steered the committee and
the consultant down the road to closure. I spoke with one of the committee
people and asked why is the chair of this committee a school administrator and
he said, because that is how the district set it up. I suggested he make a
motion to the committee to unseat the chair and sit one of the citizens on the
committee as chair. He made the motion, the committee voted and that gentleman
became chair. The meetings then were run as a true citizens committee and tough
questions were asked and the district was forced to answer the questions and the
truth came out about the real motives for closure and today the district still
has Mira Vista as an elementary school.

People take the power of the committee away from the district and force the
district to answer your questions until you get to the truth. Then base your
decisions upon the facts as they are not the way the district and it's paid
consultant's want to slant them.

You have the power but only if you use it and truly want to be in control.
Because being in control also requires due diligence and responsibility. Some
want the control but not the responsibility. Be careful what you ask for because
you might just get it.

Kevin Rivard




To: wccusdtalk@...: crachlis@...: Sat, 10 Jan 2009
20:24:55 -0800Subject: [wccusdtalk] the first school closure meeting



Report on the school closure process January 8, 2009A chilling reenactment of
the short story by Shirley Jackson entitled, "The Lottery", (usually assigned in
11th grade English class) wherein a community would come together on an annual
basis and by lottery choose one person and then ceremoniously stone him/her to
death, is taking place at school auditoriums and cafeterias across West Contra
Costa Unified School District. Called together to participate in the school
closure process “facilitated” by hired professionals the dirty work is being
whitewashed to look like a fair and equitable method. Under the threat of State
receivership the community is coming together to do the nasty deed under a
charade of “rational-democratic-processing”. Even the participants are not sure
what they are being asked to do before they even do it. The dog and pony show
starts with Dr. Harter’s presentation; a rational power point slide show of the
financial crisis of the district. With all the warmth of the warden walking the
last mile with the condemned the good Dr. did his job. After his presentation
the facilitators told the jury (seated at tables in front of the room) and the
audience seated in the back to discuss which scenario for closures they
preferred of if they wanted another scenario they could propose one. It's all
presented to be a very "fair" process. Consider the factors limiting the
fairness of the process. Some schools are on both lists, some schools are not on
either list, members of the committee are more likely to vote to protect their
own schools and many will be influenced by unconscious prejudices when they vote
against others. Ultimately we end up with a system limited both by subjective
and objective factors.I was shocked by the contractor facilitated process and
could not contain myself. I and took the floor calling for the jurors spoil
their ballots.The room was given about 25 minutes to discuss the options with
the people at their table. Despite being told they could vote for their own
option there was no forum to present an alternate scenario.There were about 8
public comments then the voting process was reviewed and the task was done. 2
minutes is not enough to make the case following Dr. Harter control of the
discourse for a solid hour,More than one person talked to the the need to look
outside the district for funds and about fighting for the changes in national
priorities.Charles Rachlis





_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Chat. Store. Share. Do more with mail.
http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t1_hm_justgotbetter_howitwor\
ks_012009

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of our students, Chris. If
every parent was able or willing to put in just a tiny fraction of
that energy, our district would be exceptional.

I was appalled at the flimsy excuses the mayor gave at the Richmond
City Council meeting this week for her choices of community members.
Her lack of knowledge about the school district - one of the largest
employers in her city - is apparent. One primary reason that she gave
for keeping Kennedy open and not moving the children to other high
schools is that it isn't safe to walk across parts of our city. Who's
responsibility is that? She must believe that keeping the Richmond
city streets safe is also a school district function.

Francie Kunaniec

--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, "c slamon" <cslamon@...> wrote:
>
> It was revealed at the Richmond City Council meeting this past
Tuesday that
> our Mayor actually appointed 4 out of 10 people who are not
residents of
> Richmond to serve on the school closure committee on behalf of the
city of
> Richmond.

I have a question about school closures and busing.  When we get compared to
other school districts that have fewer schools with more students in each
school.  How many of those districts pay for busing their students to
school.  Our district does not pay for busing.  It is not fair to compare us
to other school districts of similar size if they are paying millions for
busing and our district isn't.  That's like comparing apples and oranges,
how can you make a fair comparison?  If anyone has additional information to
provide on this subject, I'd like to hear it.

thanks
Christina Slamon


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Here is a link to our district's website with recently posted information
regarding K-8's.

http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/Fiscal/School_closure/Cost_Neutral_K-8.pdf



West Contra Costa Unified School District
*

Criteria for Cost Neutral K-8
*

January 2009

    1. While there may be one-time costs for changes to the campus such as
    adding relocatable classrooms, there are no on-going or additional operating
    costs. To qualify for adding 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, there
    must be sufficient acreage for the additional classrooms without
    substantially displacing playground or other space for the current K-5 or
    K-6 students. Gym space or specialty classrooms (science, music) would not
    be added.

2. Seats available are limited to allow parents to choose to keep or
transfer 6th, 7th and then 8th graders in or into an elementary school
environment;

3. The K-8 program will be built around an elementary school schedule with 7th
and 8th graders taught at standards in the core academic subjects in a
self-contained model;

4. In order to make space available for added 7th and 8th graders in that
attendance area, transfers may be revoked and ancillary programs (child
care) occupying school owned facilities may be required to move;

5. Equipment for science labs, technology, textbooks, materials would be
brought in to the K-8 school from other schools where available due to
decreased enrollment or school closure; there would be no additional expense
for equipment and materials;

6. Students who wish to take instrumental music, foreign language, tech
labs, career wheels, etc. would have to take them at other schools or in
after school programs;

7. Multi-subject teachers would be assigned to 7th and 8th grade classrooms
rather than attempting to hire single subject teachers. In this respect, K-8
schools would help the district have sufficient single subject teachers for
the remaining middle schools.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Although I don't live in Richmond any more, I have friends and family
who do. They felt insulted that the mayor didn't think there were
Richmond residents capable of serving on this committee and were
especially angry that she would appoint someone from a "hill school" to
tell the flatlands residents what they ought to be doing.

I agree with Francie's assessment that McLaughlin has a lack of
knowledge of the school district. Her list of ideas illustrates this.
1. Selling other properties. The district is already doing this. They
are also looking at consolidating the district office that are currently
scattered around the district, possibly at Kennedy, to free up that
space to be sold or used for education.
2. Solarizing schools. Great idea - in fact, solar panels were installed
during the construction of El Cerrito High school and there's discussion
of including them with other new construction. All renovation includes
energy-efficient lights and heating systems. Converting existing schools
to solar energy would be extremely expensive, as anyone who's thought
about converting their homes knows.
3. Recycling. All schools and district offices already recycle in a big
way.
4. Forgiving the state loan. Those of us who were in Sacramento during
the March 4 Education remember well the governor's reaction to that
request and his refusal to talk to representatives from this district.
The loan was eventually restructured so the payments are lower but there
has been no interest in Sacramento in forgiving the loan. It's certainly
worth trying again but I'm not holding my breath.

She obviously thinks this committee should decide to keep all the
schools open. Unfortunately, if they do that the state will decide for
us which schools will close. I'd rather have members of this community,
who actually care about our students and community, try to make this
decision.

Cathy

Francie wrote:
>
> Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of our students, Chris. If
> every parent was able or willing to put in just a tiny fraction of
> that energy, our district would be exceptional.
>
> I was appalled at the flimsy excuses the mayor gave at the Richmond
> City Council meeting this week for her choices of community members.
> Her lack of knowledge about the school district - one of the largest
> employers in her city - is apparent. One primary reason that she gave
> for keeping Kennedy open and not moving the children to other high
> schools is that it isn't safe to walk across parts of our city. Who's
> responsibility is that? She must believe that keeping the Richmond
> city streets safe is also a school district function.
>
> Francie Kunaniec
>
> --- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:wccusdtalk%40yahoogroups.com>, "c slamon" <cslamon@...> wrote:
> >
> > It was revealed at the Richmond City Council meeting this past
> Tuesday that
> > our Mayor actually appointed 4 out of 10 people who are not
> residents of
> > Richmond to serve on the school closure committee on behalf of the
> city of
> > Richmond.
>
>

I've uploaded Mark Woo's proposal to the files section of the wccusdtalk
web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wccusdtalk/files/

I've read Mark's proposal and have some concerns about it. I don't agree
with closing Portola and Crespi, but leaving Adams open, especially
given the recent seismic reports, and then creating 5 K-8 schools. I'm
also concerned about the resegregation, whether intentional or not, of
the Kensington and El Cerrito schools.

This proposal creates K-8 schools at Kensington, Washington, Stege,
Bayview, and Olinda. None of these schools currently has room for more
students without either expenditure of bond funds to add buildings or
portables or redistricting to reduce or eliminate transfers. It also
creates "mini middle schools" on both the El Cerrito and De Anza
campuses. El Cerrito High will be at capacity next fall so this proposal
would make room for the middle school students by redistricting the
Stege students away from ECHS. You would have a Kensington K-8 school
only for Kensington residents and a middle/high school only for
Kensington and El Cerrito residents. Then you have a K-8 at Stege, only
for Richmond residents. Whether this was the intention or not, it feels
like separate but equal education.

If the district does create any K-8 schools, it's important to realize
that middle school curriculum counts. It counts in preparation for high
school and it counts in fulfillment of college application requirements.
The middle schools are currently working closely with the high schools
to articulate the curriculum at all levels. Students are entering high
school much better prepared for success. It's also important for
students who are already working at grade level or above to have the
advanced/accelerated sections of the core subjects available. This
rigorous curriculum prepares them to take AP and honors classes in high
school. The middle schools are doing a good job of looking for students
who should be taking these classes but didn't self-select and giving
them the encouragement and support to be successful. It's paying off
since for the last 2 years the number of students graduating with honors
has increased in both number and diversity. It's also crucial to realize
that middle school classes can fulfill the UC a-g requirements. Classes
in world language and math count if they are taught with the UC-approved
curriculum. Students who take French 1 or Spanish 1 in middle school
then move directly into the next class in high school and that year of
language counts as a year of language on the UC application. The same
goes for Algebra 1. These classes, however, need to be taught with the
same curriculum as at the high schools. This is being done now at all of
the district middle schools. It's difficult to do this with a small
population, such as at a K-8. It should be noted that Stewart, which is
a K-8, does not have any advanced sections in English, math, science or
social science. It also does not have middle school level music or drama
or leadership.

If the district moves toward K-8 people need to be aware of the impact
it will have on the education of the students.
Cathy

Adding just a little more to Cathy's analysis of Mark's proposal:
The DeAnza construction has not yet begun (destruction is finished).
The new school will not be ready to house students for quite some time.

Washington Elementary is on the list of schools with seismic issues due
to the potential for liquifaction during a major earthquake.

--- On Sun, 1/11/09, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:
It should be noted that Stewart, which is a K-8, does not have any advanced
sections in English, math, science or social science. It also does not have
middle school level music or drama or leadership.
================================
Can anyone fill in the following chart?
 
                      Stewart   Hercules   PMS    Crespi    Adams   Helms   
Portola
Adv English
Adv Math
Adv Science
Adv Soc Sc
Music
Drama
Leadership




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Cathy
 
You've got an old version of my plan.  The updated version, December 18, answers
many of your questions.  You can see the updated version on the District website
at:
 
http://www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/Fiscal/School_closure/Alternate%20Proposals/Alternat\
iveProposal-MarkWoo.pdf
 
I realize that you have a concern about K-8 schools.  However, it is important
to note that both of the District proposals include K-8 schools. 
 
I also know of your concern about population increases at El Cerrito HS.  That
is why I propose adjusting boundaries with Kennedy HS in Richmond, which I know
you do not like. 
 
More importantly, if El Cerrito HS is having this large population increase, you
should be voicing this to the District, since both of their plans call for
closing Kennedy. If El Cerrito and Kennedy are at capacity, then
the redistricting 900+Kennedy students will impact every District high school. 
 
 
My proposal is not cast in stone and I believe that it can be improved. 
However, I do believe it is improvement over the two District proposals.  It
keeps Kennedy HS open, particularly important if there is no available capacity
at the neighboring high schools.  It merges the two middle schools that are at
less than 2/3 the recommended minimum capacity with the local high school -
which is the primary point of this exercise, closing schools that are too small
to operate cost efficiently.  And it creates K-8 schools, which the District
apparently agrees is necessary, since both of their plans call for them. 
 
I appreciate the feedback on my proposed plan and hope that others will be able
to find the time to develop other alternative plans or voice their support for
one of the two District plans.
 
Mark Woo 

--- On Sun, 1/11/09, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:

From: Cathy Travlos <cbt@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] school closure proposals
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 3:44 PM






I've uploaded Mark Woo's proposal to the files section of the wccusdtalk
web page:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/wccusdtalk /files/

I've read Mark's proposal and have some concerns about it. I don't agree
with closing Portola and Crespi, but leaving Adams open, especially
given the recent seismic reports, and then creating 5 K-8 schools. I'm
also concerned about the resegregation, whether intentional or not, of
the Kensington and El Cerrito schools.

This proposal creates K-8 schools at Kensington, Washington, Stege,
Bayview, and Olinda. None of these schools currently has room for more
students without either expenditure of bond funds to add buildings or
portables or redistricting to reduce or eliminate transfers. It also
creates "mini middle schools" on both the El Cerrito and De Anza
campuses. El Cerrito High will be at capacity next fall so this proposal
would make room for the middle school students by redistricting the
Stege students away from ECHS. You would have a Kensington K-8 school
only for Kensington residents and a middle/high school only for
Kensington and El Cerrito residents. Then you have a K-8 at Stege, only
for Richmond residents. Whether this was the intention or not, it feels
like separate but equal education.

If the district does create any K-8 schools, it's important to realize
that middle school curriculum counts. It counts in preparation for high
school and it counts in fulfillment of college application requirements.
The middle schools are currently working closely with the high schools
to articulate the curriculum at all levels. Students are entering high
school much better prepared for success. It's also important for
students who are already working at grade level or above to have the
advanced/accelerate d sections of the core subjects available. This
rigorous curriculum prepares them to take AP and honors classes in high
school. The middle schools are doing a good job of looking for students
who should be taking these classes but didn't self-select and giving
them the encouragement and support to be successful. It's paying off
since for the last 2 years the number of students graduating with honors
has increased in both number and diversity. It's also crucial to realize
that middle school classes can fulfill the UC a-g requirements. Classes
in world language and math count if they are taught with the UC-approved
curriculum. Students who take French 1 or Spanish 1 in middle school
then move directly into the next class in high school and that year of
language counts as a year of language on the UC application. The same
goes for Algebra 1. These classes, however, need to be taught with the
same curriculum as at the high schools. This is being done now at all of
the district middle schools. It's difficult to do this with a small
population, such as at a K-8. It should be noted that Stewart, which is
a K-8, does not have any advanced sections in English, math, science or
social science. It also does not have middle school level music or drama
or leadership.

If the district moves toward K-8 people need to be aware of the impact
it will have on the education of the students.
Cathy















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I forgot to address one other issue in my plan.  The District has a drop-out
rate of 40% according to the most recent State figures.  The highest number of
drop-outs occur in 7th and 9th grades.
 
7th=471
8th=200
9th=732
10th=361
11th=292
12th=423
 
Education researchers have found that school transitions (e.g. from elementary
to middle school) result in multiple problems for the youth. This is why my plan
calls for reducing the number of transitions by creating adding 5 K-8 schools
(in addition to Stewart) and 2 7th-12th grade schools (in addition to Hercules)
to try and reduce the number of drop-outs, which is second highest in the Bay
Area. 
 
Mark Woo 

--- On Sun, 1/11/09, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:

From: Cathy Travlos <cbt@...>
Subject: [wccusdtalk] school closure proposals
To: wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 3:44 PM






I've uploaded Mark Woo's proposal to the files section of the wccusdtalk
web page:
http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/wccusdtalk /files/

I've read Mark's proposal and have some concerns about it. I don't agree
with closing Portola and Crespi, but leaving Adams open, especially
given the recent seismic reports, and then creating 5 K-8 schools. I'm
also concerned about the resegregation, whether intentional or not, of
the Kensington and El Cerrito schools.

This proposal creates K-8 schools at Kensington, Washington, Stege,
Bayview, and Olinda. None of these schools currently has room for more
students without either expenditure of bond funds to add buildings or
portables or redistricting to reduce or eliminate transfers. It also
creates "mini middle schools" on both the El Cerrito and De Anza
campuses. El Cerrito High will be at capacity next fall so this proposal
would make room for the middle school students by redistricting the
Stege students away from ECHS. You would have a Kensington K-8 school
only for Kensington residents and a middle/high school only for
Kensington and El Cerrito residents. Then you have a K-8 at Stege, only
for Richmond residents. Whether this was the intention or not, it feels
like separate but equal education.

If the district does create any K-8 schools, it's important to realize
that middle school curriculum counts. It counts in preparation for high
school and it counts in fulfillment of college application requirements.
The middle schools are currently working closely with the high schools
to articulate the curriculum at all levels. Students are entering high
school much better prepared for success. It's also important for
students who are already working at grade level or above to have the
advanced/accelerate d sections of the core subjects available. This
rigorous curriculum prepares them to take AP and honors classes in high
school. The middle schools are doing a good job of looking for students
who should be taking these classes but didn't self-select and giving
them the encouragement and support to be successful. It's paying off
since for the last 2 years the number of students graduating with honors
has increased in both number and diversity. It's also crucial to realize
that middle school classes can fulfill the UC a-g requirements. Classes
in world language and math count if they are taught with the UC-approved
curriculum. Students who take French 1 or Spanish 1 in middle school
then move directly into the next class in high school and that year of
language counts as a year of language on the UC application. The same
goes for Algebra 1. These classes, however, need to be taught with the
same curriculum as at the high schools. This is being done now at all of
the district middle schools. It's difficult to do this with a small
population, such as at a K-8. It should be noted that Stewart, which is
a K-8, does not have any advanced sections in English, math, science or
social science. It also does not have middle school level music or drama
or leadership.

If the district moves toward K-8 people need to be aware of the impact
it will have on the education of the students.
Cathy















[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, Jim-
I can't fill in your chart but I can answer for Adams. We have
advanced classes in English, Science and History in grades 7 & 8. All
8th graders take Algebra (not the case in every middle school). We
have instrumental music classes daily for grades 6-8. We also offer a
computer elective (7 sections per day). There is no formal Leadership
class but there are 7th and 8th grade AVID classes which serve many
of the same functions as our old Leadership class. We also have a
Student Council which meets after school.

All of the middle schools have libraries run by credentialed
librarians, open every school day. Stewart receives one day of
library services weekly from a paraprofessional, as do the rest of
our elementary schools.

Francie Kunaniec

--- In wccusdtalk@yahoogroups.com, jim cowen <jimcowen@...> wrote:
>
> --- On Sun, 1/11/09, Cathy Travlos <cbt@...> wrote:
> It should be noted that Stewart, which is a K-8, does not have any
advanced sections in English, math, science or social science. It
also does not have middle school level music or drama or leadership.
> ================================
> Can anyone fill in the following chart?
>  
>                       Stewart   Hercules   PMS    Crespi    Adams  
Helms    Portola
> Adv English
> Adv Math
> Adv Science
> Adv Soc Sc
> Music
> Drama
> Leadership