What does the PISA report tell us about US education? Video Clip

Not the worst, not dropping off the edge of a cliff, in fact, US education can learn different lessons from the PISA international test results published every 3 years. See this illuminating video to learn more from the American Federation of Teachers. Nations who work WITH teacher's unions are often also nations whose students score highly. Here's the link: AFT YouTube clip "What does the PISA Report tell us about US education?"

Dec 9th Board Mtg Highlights from OEA: Staff Children in OUSD item discussed.

December 9, 2013 Board Meeting Highlights

Video of first 90 minutes including election of officers and staff children in OUSD Schools

Dani Jurichko and Sandy Borneville recognized as Employees of the month.

Consent calendar adopted (exception item D)

Trustee Moran nominated Trustee Severson as president of the Board (selected).

Trustee Moran and Trustee Krompholz were nominated as vice president of the Board. Trustee Butler pointed out that Trustee Moran has twice served as a previous officer and the Board guidelines indicate that an experienced trustee who has not served as an officer shall have the opportunity. Trustee Moran, Rossiter and Severson voted to elect Trustee Moran as VP.

Trustees determined which Trustees would serve on which committees.

Interdistrict transfers for the employees’children:

Trustee Butler supported the attendanc of employees’ children in our schools and had engaged in extensive research of the Education Code and policies in districts throughout Contra Costa. The following school districts accommodate the children of employees attending their schools: Martinez, Mt. Diablo, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, Moraga, Acalanes, and Lafayette.

Mr. Moran expressed concern that if a district favors one group it automatically excludes others. He requested more information. Trustee Rossitor asked for historical information. Mrs. Farrell reported that the majority of teachers’ children who apply are accepted. Since ’09-10 there have been 5 denials and 1 retraction.

Trustee Severson asked if requests are site specific. That stipulation varies.

Teachers, Emily Cashen, Barbara Gunderson, Sue Boudreau, Charles Shannon, Erin Miller, Adam Miller, and Paula Lopez spoke in support of interdistrict transfers.

Ms Gunderson pointed out that at one time state law supported the interdistrict transfers. When that door closed, the Education Code supported interdistrict transfers. OUSD once did so as well and the Board was asked to reinstate.

A Glorietta parent encouraged the board to admit the children of teachers and provided a letter to the Board.

Teacher, Debra Jokish’s son was denied attendance for her child although told upon hiring that her child would be able to attend.  She spoke in support of those teachers’ children who have/will come after her son. 

William Hudson, citizen, spoke in support and is “amazed” that the teachers’ children are not readily admitted.

Trustee Krompholz spoke in support of admitting the children of district employees.

Trustee Rossitor referred to the issue as a “process concern” and expressed unease about legal challenge.

Trustee Severson referred to legal counsel.

Matt Moran would like to see multiple policies and expressed concern about families who buy/rent within the district in late August. In closing he stated that he would like to support the employees’ children.

CDE: District Transfers Laws regarding intradistrict and interdistrict transfers

First Period Interim Report ‘13-14: the Board approved a positive financial status extending through 2015-16.

Furniture for new district office: Board aproved budget of close to $69,000. Mr. Silvas reported that some pieces from previous office will be recycled. The furniture will be purchased from the Sam Clar company.

Mr. Hudson from Friends of Wagner Ranch inquired as to the possibility of a restroom facility in the Nature Area and a more permanent roof than currently exists in the cooking area. FWR underwrites staffing for programs in Nature Area. Inquired about a defined budget, matching funds, materials for possible projects there.

Trustee Rossitor expressed interest in replacing the 11 portables in the district.  The Facilities Task Force budget does not iclude replacing portables b/c of feedback from task force meetings. Other items received the earmarked funds.

Lengthy discussion about items on Task Force Facilities list.

Columbia Training for K-5:

Use of funding from Common Core budget to support spring training approved.

 Common Core Expenditure Plan

Mrs. Marshall identified that the preliminary budget had been composed through OTEC, the Coordination Council, the Curriculum Committee and a teachers’ survey.

$200.96 per student based on 2012-13 enrollment

$499,995.00 to be spent by 7/15/13

Develop and adopt an expenditure plan, explain at public meeting, adopt at future meeting

Funds may be used in three categories: instructional materials, professional development. integration through tech-based instruction including infrastructure, band-width, connectivity, support, software

Preliminary Funds distribution:

39% professional development

52% technology

9% instructional materials

2013-15: $44,234.00  ELA, math, both subjects integrated into Common Core, report card development, software programs

$196,010.00: Columbia , “other” training, teachers collaborating together”

 ELA, math, science, tech training

$259,751.00: technology; focused on infrastructure, equipment, installations software

Charles Shannon spoke to increased time devoted by teachers to developing Common Core units without compensation and the lack of available materials for transition/Common Core. Charles encouraged looking at other funding sources for technology due to high percentage earmarked for that area.

10:00 pm: consensus to continue Board Meeting. Trustee Moran departed.

Communication: Trustees attended CSBA Conference

Dr Jaconette thanked Trustees for attending and thanked Trustee Rossitor for her tenure as previous Board President.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by,

Colleen Sullivan

OEA VP

What OEA is doing for you: 2013-14 OEA Issues/Actions/Resolutions

2013-14 OEA ISSUES

ACTIONS / RESOLUTIONS

·    District needs to be transparent about issues that impact teaching and learning. ·    At one site, a student was sent back to class during a teacher’s prep time ·    At one site, an optional tech training was scheduled during teachers’ duty-free lunch ·    Principals need to support teachers during IEP meetings ·    Teachers need assurance from the District that their children will have enrollment priority ·    Need clarity regarding the collection of field trip money ·    Class placement of Special Ed students needs to be fair and equitable ·    Teacher transfer compensation for teaching a combo class needs to be consistently applied. ·    A few tenured teachers whose previous evaluation met or exceeded district criteria have felt pressured to take on a focus question that is not consistent with what they feel will help them grow professionally. ·    Teacher workload is at an all-time high. ·    Principals need to be reasonable with teachers and consistently treat them with respect

·    OEA now has a Blog to discuss issues that impact teaching and learning. ·    Site Rep met with Principal and this practice has not happened again. ·    Charles met with Principal & District Leadership and half-day release time is now being offered for these trainings. ·    Charles & Colleen met with District leadership to discuss this important issue and Brian Inglesby will continue to provide ongoing training opportunities. ·    OEA Leadership has been working with the District on this important issue and it will be discussed at the December Board of Trustees’ meeting. ·    OEA Leadership will discuss this with Superintendent. ·    Site Reps need to collect data regarding this issue so OEA Leadership can discusses it with the District. ·    In our contract it states, “A returning teacher who is voluntarily or involuntarily reassigned to a grade level or subject that the teacher has not taught for at least three (3) years is eligible for up to $400 for materials. ·    On page 34 of our OEA-OUSD Contract, it states, “A reflective evaluation provided upon agreement between the teacher and the administrator, to tenured teachers whose previous evaluation met or exceeded district criteria.” ·    OEA needs to organize and address this issue. ·    OEA Leadership needs to address this with Principals and the Superintendent.

Task Force Recommendations

From Sleepy Hollow Parents' Club News, November 8th:

Facilities Task Force Update

The Facilities Task force wrapped up its community and district meetings this past week and presented its recommendations to the OUSD Board of Trustees on Monday, Nov 4th.  After having community meetings at each school site and three additional task force meetings, the group recommended the following as priorities for the remaining $13.2 million dollar facilities improvement account left in the "Pulte" monies.

• Temperature/Climate control in classrooms throughout the district
• Bathroom upgrades throughout the district
• Establishment of a maintenance fund reserve
• $100K per elementary site and $200K to OIS as a discretionary facilities fund
• Solar project at OIS
• Shade/Rain cover at school sites on the yards/play areas
• Necessity of transparency /accounting on all expenditures
• The need to all address items on Appendix E of the district facilities needs plan in a systematic and intelligent way

The Board will vote on these priorities at the December 9^thOUSD Board of Trustee meeting.  Parents are encouraged to attend this important meeting to ask questions.  PC would like to thank Paul Dolan for representing Sleepy Hollow on the Facilities Task Force and for the many hours he put in helping frame these important recommendations.  If you would like learn more, click here: http://www.orindaschools.org/board/agendas

to listen to the audio of the OUSD trustee meeting. The Facilities Task force segment begins at minute 1:28.  The decision making has now shifted to the Board of Trustees.  Click here:

http://www.orindaschools.org/boardmembers

call or email the Trustees with your questions, comments and/or suggestions.

See blog page on this issue for more background.