I don't fully understand the idea of priority based budgeting but I will do my best to report on the latest SDUSD Board meeting which was held Tuesday, Jan 12. The meeting started at 2:00 but I only paid attention to the budget portion which started at 5:00. Again, the meeting started with public testimony. The GATE program had a few speakers including a couple of students who talked about GATE, Seminar, and the importance of supporting advanced children.

Then the discussion began between the Board members and staff. And it went on and on and on. A list of 15 priorities for the school district were developed over the past few months based on various input including the Town Hall meetings. The goal tonight was to determine the top priorities so that the staff could begin building a budget with those top priorities in mind. I again heard from Mr. Barrera that schools need to be considered on an individual basis and that one program won't necessarily work at another. Mr. de Beck disagrees with the entire process because he feels we need all of the items on the list to be successful and does not want to affect students. He repeats himself over and over. I believe he would like to see an across the board temporary pay cut so that the District can maintain all programs for all students. He thinks that making any program cuts will go against the highest priority which is to educate children. He does believe, though, that we need to look at ways to make the programs more efficient and run on less money.

Each Board member finally voted on the priorities by placing 20 colored dots next to those that were most important to the Board member. Thankfully, number 3 is "Diversity, integration and choice (Magnet Schools)." The highest priority list is below:

• Raise the achievement level of all students (ELL, Special Ed, GATE)
• Broad-based (full) curriculum (including art, music, athletics, OCILE, college-competitive prep, A-G)
• Diversity, integration and choice (Magnet schools)
• Safe and supportive environment (vice principals, police, counselors, nurses)
• Class size maintenance (don't let class sizes get any larger)

The following were the remaining items on the list:

• Class size reduction
• Program improvement/achievement gap -Meeting the needs of disadvantaged students (Free and Reduced lunch/ELL/Special Education)
• Don’t hurt kids. Instruction comes first.
• 21st Century learning environment/technology
• Professional development
• Community engagement in neighborhood schools
• Maintain 180-day school year
• Retain quality staff (keep all our talent)
• Drop-out prevention program
• Baseline budgets for schools

In relation to "Diversity," Ms. Jackson said she would like to get the Principals more active in marketing and recruitment for Choice programs. She feels that if the school would like to increase their student body, then more recruitment must occur. Mr. Evans stated that he would like the staff to find ways to save money - look at the programs that are the most essential.

Now the staff goes back to the office to punch in the numbers. Mr. Barrera asked that parents somehow be involved in the budget process. By February 2, the first budget plan will be presented to the Board. If possible, please attend the SDUSD Board meeting on either Jan. 19 or Jan. 26. Parents must stay involved so that the children are protected. The link to the public testimony can be found here and the SDUSD Board meeting schedule can be found here.

Thanks to Suzanne, a Longfellow parent, for attending the meeting and assisting me with this blog!

Julie

mother of Isabel, 1st grade