I am continuing to make improvements to this website.
Today I added pages with news links about the Pleasanton CSR effort and also links to information about the Pleasanton school board trustees, including their contact information and their campaign promises.
I am also updating our list of CSR supporters. If you would like to be added to the list, just send me a note or fill out the online pledge form. All pledges--large and small--are welcome!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
My public comment at the June 4 school board meeting
Thank you to everyone who came to tonight's school board meeting, and an extra thank-you to everyone who spoke about the need for CSR and who asked the board for a future agenda item at the June 18 board meeting to discuss CSR funding possibilities in light of the proposed state budget.
For those who are interested, here is the text of my public comment (I had to cut out a few things when I spoke at tonight's meeting because Board President Jeff Bowser said that speakers would be limited to 2 minutes, and I had timed my comment at just under 3 minutes):
Trustees, Superintendent Ahmadi, and Cabinet, thank you for your commitment to education and to ensuring that Pleasanton students are central in all fiscal decisions.
First, a brief update of the CSR pledge campaign: We have more than $42,000 for 2nd grade, almost $7,000 for kindergarten, and close to $5,000 for 3rd grade. In addition, more than 180 families, teachers, and concerned community members are listed as CSR supporters on our website.
These numbers communicate the high value and priority that our community places on elementary CSR. I know that each of you understands the importance of smaller class sizes, and I urge you to act on this knowledge and provide equitable opportunities for all students by fully restoring elementary CSR in the coming school year.
I would like to request that the Trustees add a future agenda item to the June 18 meeting to discuss funding priorities—including CSR—in light of the new state budget. I understand that until the state budget is finalized, you cannot make decisions to further restore CSR. So I understand that you most likely cannot vote to bring back elementary CSR on June 18.
However, I hope you will discuss and clarify your funding priorities on June 18 so that actions can be made once the new state budget is received.
For example, the current district budget puts $2.9 million in reserves to restore 20:1 K-3 class sizes in 2014-15. This money has been set aside under the assumption that state CSR funds can no longer be repurposed for other district needs. The new state budget may change this assumption. If this happens, will you still restore 20:1 class sizes in 2014-15, or will you instead move very slowly towards the governor’s new target class size of 24:1 in 2020—7 years away?
Please, if the new state budget makes it possible, please consider restoring at least 2nd grade CSR for this coming school year.
A second-grade teacher told me that the entering class of second graders will be the only students in the district who experienced 1st grade with class sizes of 30. I know that each of you understands how critical the early education years are to children. Please, if at all possible, consider smaller class sizes for this group of children. If you make them wait until 2020, it will be too late.
The Albany school board is also meeting tonight. Their sole agenda is to have a "board meeting on budget priorities with the community," and they have published a packet of priorities, divided by school level, for community discussion.
Please consider sponsoring that kind of dialogue here in Pleasanton. The new state budget will offer many new opportunities to exercise local control and make funding decisions. As parents and community members, we would like to participate in the process as you determine the new education funding priorities for our district.
Thank you.
For those who are interested, here is the text of my public comment (I had to cut out a few things when I spoke at tonight's meeting because Board President Jeff Bowser said that speakers would be limited to 2 minutes, and I had timed my comment at just under 3 minutes):
Trustees, Superintendent Ahmadi, and Cabinet, thank you for your commitment to education and to ensuring that Pleasanton students are central in all fiscal decisions.
First, a brief update of the CSR pledge campaign: We have more than $42,000 for 2nd grade, almost $7,000 for kindergarten, and close to $5,000 for 3rd grade. In addition, more than 180 families, teachers, and concerned community members are listed as CSR supporters on our website.
These numbers communicate the high value and priority that our community places on elementary CSR. I know that each of you understands the importance of smaller class sizes, and I urge you to act on this knowledge and provide equitable opportunities for all students by fully restoring elementary CSR in the coming school year.
I would like to request that the Trustees add a future agenda item to the June 18 meeting to discuss funding priorities—including CSR—in light of the new state budget. I understand that until the state budget is finalized, you cannot make decisions to further restore CSR. So I understand that you most likely cannot vote to bring back elementary CSR on June 18.
However, I hope you will discuss and clarify your funding priorities on June 18 so that actions can be made once the new state budget is received.
For example, the current district budget puts $2.9 million in reserves to restore 20:1 K-3 class sizes in 2014-15. This money has been set aside under the assumption that state CSR funds can no longer be repurposed for other district needs. The new state budget may change this assumption. If this happens, will you still restore 20:1 class sizes in 2014-15, or will you instead move very slowly towards the governor’s new target class size of 24:1 in 2020—7 years away?
Please, if the new state budget makes it possible, please consider restoring at least 2nd grade CSR for this coming school year.
A second-grade teacher told me that the entering class of second graders will be the only students in the district who experienced 1st grade with class sizes of 30. I know that each of you understands how critical the early education years are to children. Please, if at all possible, consider smaller class sizes for this group of children. If you make them wait until 2020, it will be too late.
The Albany school board is also meeting tonight. Their sole agenda is to have a "board meeting on budget priorities with the community," and they have published a packet of priorities, divided by school level, for community discussion.
Please consider sponsoring that kind of dialogue here in Pleasanton. The new state budget will offer many new opportunities to exercise local control and make funding decisions. As parents and community members, we would like to participate in the process as you determine the new education funding priorities for our district.
Thank you.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
May 29 pledge update
After last night's school board meeting, I thought that maybe I should shut down the online pledge form.
I am glad I didn't. Thank you so much to the families who have continued to pledge, especially the Lydiksen families--9 new pledges from Lydiksen since last night's school board meeting! Great job in spreading the word at Lydiksen! :)
We have now surpassed $40,000 in pledges from more than 100 individuals and families for 2nd grade CSR!
If this trend continues, it looks like I will need to go back to the school board on June 4 to provide an update about our pledges and community support for CSR!
If you would like to show your support for CSR, please email the board members, and please continue to spread the word about the CSR pledge campaign! Remember, we are not collecting any money, just pledges.
Here is the pledge update as of Wednesday, May 29:
2nd grade CSR
$40,295 from 104 individuals & families
We have also received $6,845 in pledges for K CSR (1 Alisal, 1 Donlon, 5 Hearst, 4 Lydiksen, 2 Valley View, 1 Vintage Hills, 10 Walnut Grove, and 2 community members) and $4,645 in pledges for 3rd grade CSR (1 Alisal, 3 Donlon, 2 Hearst, 2 Lydiksen, 2 Valley View, 9 Walnut Grove).
I am glad I didn't. Thank you so much to the families who have continued to pledge, especially the Lydiksen families--9 new pledges from Lydiksen since last night's school board meeting! Great job in spreading the word at Lydiksen! :)
We have now surpassed $40,000 in pledges from more than 100 individuals and families for 2nd grade CSR!
If this trend continues, it looks like I will need to go back to the school board on June 4 to provide an update about our pledges and community support for CSR!
If you would like to show your support for CSR, please email the board members, and please continue to spread the word about the CSR pledge campaign! Remember, we are not collecting any money, just pledges.
Here is the pledge update as of Wednesday, May 29:
2nd grade CSR
$40,295 from 104 individuals & families
- 2 Alisal families
- 13 Donlon families
- 2 Fairlands families
- 20 Hearst families
- 11 Lydiksen families
- 5 Mohr families
- 8 Valley View families
- 12 Vintage Hills families
- 30 Walnut Grove teachers/families
- 1 community member not affiliated with a school site
We have also received $6,845 in pledges for K CSR (1 Alisal, 1 Donlon, 5 Hearst, 4 Lydiksen, 2 Valley View, 1 Vintage Hills, 10 Walnut Grove, and 2 community members) and $4,645 in pledges for 3rd grade CSR (1 Alisal, 3 Donlon, 2 Hearst, 2 Lydiksen, 2 Valley View, 9 Walnut Grove).
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Report: May 28 school board meeting
Public comment
Thank you to the parents who attended tonight's board meeting, and a special thank-you to the parents--Ryan Zollner and Stacey Luther from Donlon and Sharolyn Borris, Julie Frey, and Leena Joshi from Walnut Grove--who shared their CSR stories during the public comment period.
As I promised, I presented our pledge campaign results to the school board and asked them to add a future agenda item to the June 4 meeting to discuss options regarding the restoration of elementary CSR beyond 1st grade. The full text of my public comment is available on this blog.
Budget report
Most of the parents left after the public comment period, but a few of us stayed until the end. I was curious to hear the budget report from Deputy Superintendent Luz Cázares and wondered if she would mention funds for CSR or if any of the board members would ask about possible funds for CSR. They didn't mention anything about CSR.
Future agenda item?
I then wondered if any of the board members would honor my request for a future agenda item regarding CSR at agenda item 15.1 "Board Reports and Requests for Future Agenda Items." Again, none of the school board members mentioned CSR.
So...I'm guessing that elementary CSR will not be an agenda item at the June 4 school board meeting. We will know for certain on Thursday evening when the June 4 agenda is published online.
What now?
If you would still like to ask the school board to explore the possibility of restoring elementary CSR beyond 1st grade this fall, please email the school board and let them know. Ask them to put elementary CSR on the agenda for the June 4 meeting.
Here are their email addresses:
Jeff Bowser: jeff.pusd@gmail.com
Valerie Arkin: valerie@arkinhome.com
Chris Grant: chrismgrant@gmail.com
Jamie Hintzke: hintzke@gmail.com
Joan Laursen: jlaursen@pleasantonusd.net
I think that's about all we can do for now. Maybe in the fall, we can try again.
Thank you for your support for CSR.
Thank you to the parents who attended tonight's board meeting, and a special thank-you to the parents--Ryan Zollner and Stacey Luther from Donlon and Sharolyn Borris, Julie Frey, and Leena Joshi from Walnut Grove--who shared their CSR stories during the public comment period.
As I promised, I presented our pledge campaign results to the school board and asked them to add a future agenda item to the June 4 meeting to discuss options regarding the restoration of elementary CSR beyond 1st grade. The full text of my public comment is available on this blog.
Budget report
Most of the parents left after the public comment period, but a few of us stayed until the end. I was curious to hear the budget report from Deputy Superintendent Luz Cázares and wondered if she would mention funds for CSR or if any of the board members would ask about possible funds for CSR. They didn't mention anything about CSR.
Future agenda item?
I then wondered if any of the board members would honor my request for a future agenda item regarding CSR at agenda item 15.1 "Board Reports and Requests for Future Agenda Items." Again, none of the school board members mentioned CSR.
So...I'm guessing that elementary CSR will not be an agenda item at the June 4 school board meeting. We will know for certain on Thursday evening when the June 4 agenda is published online.
What now?
If you would still like to ask the school board to explore the possibility of restoring elementary CSR beyond 1st grade this fall, please email the school board and let them know. Ask them to put elementary CSR on the agenda for the June 4 meeting.
Here are their email addresses:
Jeff Bowser: jeff.pusd@gmail.com
Valerie Arkin: valerie@arkinhome.com
Chris Grant: chrismgrant@gmail.com
Jamie Hintzke: hintzke@gmail.com
Joan Laursen: jlaursen@pleasantonusd.net
I think that's about all we can do for now. Maybe in the fall, we can try again.
Thank you for your support for CSR.
My public comment at the May 28 school board meeting
Thank you to everyone who came to tonight's school board meeting, and an extra thank-you to everyone who spoke and asked the school board to restore elementary CSR.
For those who are interested, here is the text of my public comment:
Trustees, Superintendent Ahmadi, and Cabinet, my name is Emmeline Chen, and I am a parent of two children at Walnut Grove Elementary School.
First, thank you for your May 14 decision to fill in the funding gap for 1st grade class size reduction this fall. I know that all of you value education and understand the importance of smaller class sizes. On behalf of many parents of entering first graders, thank you for publicly recognizing this importance through your support of 1st grade CSR.
I would also like to thank PPIE and all the parents, teachers, and community members who supported and contributed to the 1st grade CSR effort.
At past school board meetings, I asked you to consider not only restoring CSR for 1st grade but also restoring elementary CSR completely for grades K-3.
Now that 1st grade CSR has been restored for the coming school year, I would like to again ask you to consider restoring elementary CSR completely, beginning with 2nd grade according to the CSR program priorities listed in the California Education Code.
Following the May 14 school board meeting, I received multiple requests to join my CSR email list, was informed that parents at other school sites had been unaware of our CSR advocacy efforts, and was asked repeatedly whether there was any possibility to reduce class sizes in other elementary grades for the coming school year.
Based on this feedback, I started wondering if our community could work together to accomplish even more. So last week I began a fundraising pledge campaign for 2nd grade CSR for the upcoming school year.
In one short week, we received more than $37,000 in pledges for 2nd grade CSR from 94 families, teachers, and concerned community members, with support from all 9 Pleasanton elementary schools.
Although we focused on 2nd grade CSR since it is the next eligible grade to receive additional state CSR funds, we also received almost $7000 in pledges for kindergarten CSR and close to $5000 in pledges for 3rd grade CSR.
I am reporting these numbers to you to communicate the high value and priority that our community places on elementary CSR. These numbers and the feedback that I have received from other parents are further supported by the results of PPIE’s Parent Survey in 2012. This survey found that 74% of elementary parents ranked classroom sizes as one of their top 3 priorities.
This past Friday, I met with Superintendent Ahmadi and Ms. Cázares and was told that at present, the district is unable to reduce elementary class sizes beyond 25:1 in 1st grade.
However, I was also told that they are waiting to learn the details of the California state budget. From my research about Governor Brown’s proposed budget, the new budget may grant additional flexibilities regarding the use of formerly categorical, restricted funds.
I would like to respectfully request that the Trustees add a future agenda item to the June 4 meeting to discuss options regarding the restoration of elementary CSR beyond 1st grade. I would also like to ask the Trustees to commit to exploring creative options for restoring elementary CSR in the 2013-14 school year and beyond once the California state budget has been approved by the California state legislature.
Thank you so much for your attention and for considering my request on behalf of elementary parents, teachers, and concerned community members. Most of all, thank you for caring for our kids and for your commitment to provide equitable opportunities for all students.
For those who are interested, here is the text of my public comment:
Trustees, Superintendent Ahmadi, and Cabinet, my name is Emmeline Chen, and I am a parent of two children at Walnut Grove Elementary School.
First, thank you for your May 14 decision to fill in the funding gap for 1st grade class size reduction this fall. I know that all of you value education and understand the importance of smaller class sizes. On behalf of many parents of entering first graders, thank you for publicly recognizing this importance through your support of 1st grade CSR.
I would also like to thank PPIE and all the parents, teachers, and community members who supported and contributed to the 1st grade CSR effort.
At past school board meetings, I asked you to consider not only restoring CSR for 1st grade but also restoring elementary CSR completely for grades K-3.
Now that 1st grade CSR has been restored for the coming school year, I would like to again ask you to consider restoring elementary CSR completely, beginning with 2nd grade according to the CSR program priorities listed in the California Education Code.
Following the May 14 school board meeting, I received multiple requests to join my CSR email list, was informed that parents at other school sites had been unaware of our CSR advocacy efforts, and was asked repeatedly whether there was any possibility to reduce class sizes in other elementary grades for the coming school year.
Based on this feedback, I started wondering if our community could work together to accomplish even more. So last week I began a fundraising pledge campaign for 2nd grade CSR for the upcoming school year.
In one short week, we received more than $37,000 in pledges for 2nd grade CSR from 94 families, teachers, and concerned community members, with support from all 9 Pleasanton elementary schools.
Although we focused on 2nd grade CSR since it is the next eligible grade to receive additional state CSR funds, we also received almost $7000 in pledges for kindergarten CSR and close to $5000 in pledges for 3rd grade CSR.
I am reporting these numbers to you to communicate the high value and priority that our community places on elementary CSR. These numbers and the feedback that I have received from other parents are further supported by the results of PPIE’s Parent Survey in 2012. This survey found that 74% of elementary parents ranked classroom sizes as one of their top 3 priorities.
This past Friday, I met with Superintendent Ahmadi and Ms. Cázares and was told that at present, the district is unable to reduce elementary class sizes beyond 25:1 in 1st grade.
However, I was also told that they are waiting to learn the details of the California state budget. From my research about Governor Brown’s proposed budget, the new budget may grant additional flexibilities regarding the use of formerly categorical, restricted funds.
I would like to respectfully request that the Trustees add a future agenda item to the June 4 meeting to discuss options regarding the restoration of elementary CSR beyond 1st grade. I would also like to ask the Trustees to commit to exploring creative options for restoring elementary CSR in the 2013-14 school year and beyond once the California state budget has been approved by the California state legislature.
Thank you so much for your attention and for considering my request on behalf of elementary parents, teachers, and concerned community members. Most of all, thank you for caring for our kids and for your commitment to provide equitable opportunities for all students.
May 28 Pleasanton school board meeting -- please come to support CSR!
The agenda for the May 28 Pleasanton school board meeting has been published, and elementary CSR is not on the agenda.
Therefore, I will present our CSR pledge campaign results to the school board during the public comment time, which is estimated to begin at 7:15 p.m.
Please come join me at the school board meeting to show your support for elementary CSR. Please also consider submitting a blue public comment card and asking the school board to meet the funding gap for 2nd grade CSR, and if possible, go even further and restore K and 3rd grade CSR as well.
Please note that the board cannot respond to or act upon any issues raised during the public comment period. We will need to ask the school board to add a future agenda item to vote on the possibility of restoring elementary CSR. There are three more board meetings for this current school year: May 28, June 4, and June 18.
Attendance at the May 28, June 4, and possibly the June 18 school board meetings is crucial if you would like to see the complete restoration of elementary CSR.
Pleasanton school board meeting details
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Public comment time: ~7:15 p.m.
Place: District Board Room, 4665 Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton
Therefore, I will present our CSR pledge campaign results to the school board during the public comment time, which is estimated to begin at 7:15 p.m.
Please come join me at the school board meeting to show your support for elementary CSR. Please also consider submitting a blue public comment card and asking the school board to meet the funding gap for 2nd grade CSR, and if possible, go even further and restore K and 3rd grade CSR as well.
Please note that the board cannot respond to or act upon any issues raised during the public comment period. We will need to ask the school board to add a future agenda item to vote on the possibility of restoring elementary CSR. There are three more board meetings for this current school year: May 28, June 4, and June 18.
Attendance at the May 28, June 4, and possibly the June 18 school board meetings is crucial if you would like to see the complete restoration of elementary CSR.
Pleasanton school board meeting details
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Public comment time: ~7:15 p.m.
Place: District Board Room, 4665 Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)