Answers to FCEA Questionnaire

By James R. "Jim" McGowan

This is my response to questions asked of me by the Folsom Cordova Educators Association regarding my candidacy

ANSWER- It is no secret what my involvement has been regarding the matter of reorganization of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD or District). During the Measure O campaign, it was my firm belief that a reorganization of FCUSD would benefit the students and that was my primary motivation for supporting Measure O. Unfortunately, Measure O was a big fiasco with misconceptions and misunderstandings abounding. What I learned from Measure O and the unprecedented response from voters in Rancho Cordova was that this is a matter that will have to be examined and, if proven to be beneficial to the students of both communities, done in partnership with Rancho Cordova.

After Measure O, I made it a point to reach out to those who spearheaded the impressive response from Rancho Cordova with the objective to mend wounds and to attempt to begin building a partnership with Rancho Cordova that would take us past the fallout of Measure O. This effort gave rise to the Folsom And Cordova Taskforce for Education (FACT). FACT, for over two years, met regularly to discuss past reorganization studies and current issues germane to the matter of District reorganization. It was our conclusion that, before any further determination regarding reorganization could be made, another study was necessary. It is our belief that this study would examine the matter of the change in funding that has occurred since Measure O, class-size reduction, the debt situation of the District, and the incorporation effort in Rancho Cordova. The focus of the study would be to examine the effect on the students of both communities. It is our belief that this study should be done jointly; Folsom and Rancho Cordova so that a fair and objective study could be done that has "buy-in" from both communities. Only then would it become a valuable resource to voters in their effort to determine whether or not a reorganization of the District would be beneficial to students of both communities.

With this in mind, I would like to tell you that I still believe reorganization would be of benefit to the students of both communities. I believe that a district that can focus entirely on the matters of the immediate community will be most effective in dealing with problems unique to the students of the respective community. I don't buy the rationale sometimes offered that we would lose economies of scale in the administrative costs. That rationale holds if we were talking about a company that produces widgets all day. But we aren't producing widgets, we're educating children, each of whom are unique with different personalities. However, I recognize that my beliefs are not yet verifiable or supported in a study that we can all agree is objective and complete. I have pledged to those with whom I have worked with on FACT that I will not support a reorganization of the school district if the study FACT would like to see done clearly demonstrates that the most effective way to educate the students of both communities is as a district of both Folsom and Rancho Cordova. I have gone further in promising that I won't push for reorganization unless a study is done. I am well aware of the existing debt situation and it is imperative that Folsom takes a good look at the debt before pushing for reorganization. In a reorganization, the debt will follow the asset and most of the debt, if not all, of the FCUSD is on schools recently built in Folsom. In a reorganization, the resulting Folsom Unified School District would be burdened with a very heavy debt load.

Finally, I do believe the matter should be addressed soon. The population growth in Folsom will soon result in a very strong and active electorate that is hungry for their own school district. Presently, Rancho Cordova stands as an equal in voting strength with Folsom. However, that strength will wane soon. A Folsom dominated school board is not something Rancho Cordova will find palatable indefinitely. If a reorganization of FCUSD is inevitable, then now is the time to take a good look at it so that if it is done, it can be done as equal partners resulting in two neighboring school districts that continue to be partners, working together to take care of special needs that can be better done jointly. I don't wish to see a situation whereby a reorganization is done entirely at Folsom's command and thereby alienating a valuable neighbor; i.e., Rancho Cordova. I have worked hard to establish a partnership with many leaders in Rancho Cordova and I anticipate working with them in the future as partners; as a unified school district or as separate districts.

2. QUESTION- WHAT IS YOUR POSITION REGARDING THE FCEA PLAYING A PART OF THE DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND PART OF THE SCHOOL BOARD DECISION MAKING PROCESS?

ANSWER- I strongly support an arrangement whereby partnership exists in decision making between the school board and employee groups in the school district. This could be something like an advisory committee to the board or a stakeholder board. The input from FCEA would be invaluable, especially in areas that affect curriculum and working conditions. However, I do not support putting a seat on the board to be held by FCEA as the board is elected by the general public and their public charge is to answer to the general public in matters regarding the governance of the school district. I presently work for Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), a municipality that is governed by a publicly elected board. There is no seat on the board held by anyone other than those who have been elected by the public at large within the service area of SMUD. I don't expect there ever will be for the same reason.

3. QUESTION- WOULD YOU SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN SALARY AND BENEFITS OF 15% TO THE FCEA BARGAINING UNIT MEMBERS?

ANSWER- If a 15% increase in salary and benefits is what it would take to make salaries in FCUSD competitive with neighboring school districts, then I would support it. I strongly support paying teachers competitive salaries to ensure FCUSD recruits and keeps the best teachers. Under the present circumstances, I am not in a position to state what effect an increase like this would have on the budget as approved. I would not be willing to support a salary and benefit increase of this size in one year if it had a significant detrimental effect on the financial well-being of the District. Understanding that the disparity between the present salary structure and that of neighboring school districts occurred over a period of years, I think it would be prudent to spread that increase over a number of years to ensure the financial strength of FCUSD. A financially strong District is in the best interests of everyone to ensure the ongoing ability to keep pace with the area in salaries and benefits, provide needed administrative support services, and keep facilities well maintained.

4. QUESTION- CURRENTLY CURRICULUM DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT CONSULTATION FROM FCEA, FROM PARENTS, OR FROM STUDENTS. FCEA BELIEVES THAT THE BEST DECISIONS ARE SITE-BASED DECISIONS WHICH ARE MADE IN CONSULTATION WITH FCEA, PARENTS, AND CHILDREN. DO YOU AGREE?

ANSWER- I agree that decision-making in FCUSD should be done in such a way as to obtain input not only from the public but from those who will be directly affected by decisions made by the Board. I support the site-based decision-making concept. However, to maintain overall consistency within the District and because the Board is ultimately answerable to the public for the governance of the District, I think it is important to maintain a balance of decision-making power such that the Board is still able to direct policy within the entire District. Policy should be developed with input from the public and in consultation with FCEA and staff, giving each school latitude to make site-based decisions that are appropriate to ensure effect response to needs unique to the respective school. Once policy is developed and communicated, I believe that it should be used as a roadmap by all the schools within the District in their site-based decision-making process.

5. QUESTION- WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE YOUR ROLE AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS AND WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE CHALLENGES FACING THIS DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS? HOW DO YOU PROPOSE SOLVING THESE CHALLENGES?

ANSWER- I believe the role of any publicly elected board, regardless of the industry, should be: 1) to help establish a long-term vision for the District 2) develop overall policy direction for the District 3) maintain an effective and efficient structure for the District 4) ensure public accountability and 5) provide community leadership. In the case of FCUSD, to do all of this without regard to the community from which the board member lives but to fulfill their obligation equally to both Rancho Cordova and Folsom.

The top five challenges as I perceive them to be are: 1) Effective solutions to the District's facilities needs 2) Challenging students and enabling them to increase academic performance 3) Recruit and keep high performing teachers 4) Ensure the District remains financially strong 5) Leave the daily management of the District to an accountable and competent Superintendent and staff

Solutions to these challenges are: 1) Find an effective solution to financing Phase 2 of the Folsom High School. The most immediate and obvious solution is to issue a bond. However, I think there may be other solutions that might also be considered to help mitigate the amount needed from a bond. I think it would be wise of the District to invite partnerships with surrounding businesses in the building of additional amenities. I also think that the District should consider selling the Riley site. If SB50 passes, all state liens on school properties will be waived which means the proceeds from the sale of the Riley site would go to the benefit of the District. The proceeds from the sale could be used to beef up the Middle School facilities on Blue Ravine so that more students can be comfortably accommodated and also on Phase 2 of the Folsom High School. The combination of business partnerships and proceeds from the Riley site wouldn't be enough to take care of all the needed funds for Phase 2 but would help a great deal making the size of a bond to finish the Folsom High School much smaller.

Measure V provided funds for modernization and overdue maintenance on Rancho Cordova schools. However, I don't believe it should always come to this everytime our schools need modernization. The District should plan for ongoing maintenance and needed modernization by setting aside funds, being aggressive in their efforts with state funding mechanisms, and by being proactive in coming up with creative solutions rather than reactive. This is also the case in planning for new growth. Again, I would like to see the District develop strong working relationships with developers and new businesses so that schools are seen by developers as a tool for ensuring strong and quick sales of their new homes.

I recently had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting of the Facilities Taskforce that Joe Spaulding, FCUSD Superintendent assembled recently. I was really impressed with the people who are on the Taskforce as the ideas being presented. The most important thing I took with me from that meeting was the importance of creating partnerships with businesses and stakeholders to brainstorm solutions to problems facing the District. After having attended that meeting, I believe it will be of utmost importance to support the passage of Proposition 1A. It will go a long way in providing for additional funds to finish the Folsom High School, get a gym for the Folsom Middle School, and prepare us for the additional grammar schools projected to be needed within the next five to seven years.

2) To enable our children to increase their academic performance, it is imperative they have adequate facilities, good teachers, good equipment, and the necessary textbooks. I would like to see curriculum that focuses on developing good skills in the basics; math, english, spelling, reading & comprehension, and writing. I would also like to see more effort made in language programs. I would really like to see Spanish taught as a regular part of the curriculum. The state of California has a very large Spanish-speaking population and this population is projected to increase dramatically by the time our children finish high school. We have Mexico as a neighbor. It is no secret that second language exposure in the early years has a very beneficial effect on brain development. Finally, I would like to see us keep strong a curriculum that incorporates arts and music. Again, it has been proven many times over that exposure to these disciplines is beneficial to brain development.

3) To recruit and keep high performing teachers it will be important to pay competitive salaries, provide competitive benefits, and to provide a desirable working environment. I intend to do what I can to see that the District does just that. I also will do what I can to ensure that the District has some positive and creative resources available to ensure that the children continue to get the best from their teachers. Just as the superintendent and staff should be held accountable for performance, I believe we should expect the same accountability from teachers. It is something we all face wherever we work.

4) Regarding the matter of ensuring the District remains on solid financial ground; put simply, I will insist on effective and prudent management of District funds, resources, and assets. I will insist that the District be proactive in the pursuit of any funds the State may be able to provide our District. A district that is financially strong will benefit everyone indefinitely and provide the kind of teaching environment we need to ensure our children receive the best education. Good facilities, well-paid teachers, and good services are all possible when the District is financially strong.

5) I will insist on accountability and competence from the Superintendent. For too long, I have watched our past Boards take on the daily management details of the District because of a weak superintendent or a divided Board. The Board is made up of people who are elected from the general public at large. These people bring valuable skills and strong community commitment to the governance of the District, but they usually aren't people who are recognized experts in education. The District recruits these experts by way of the Superintendent whose job it is to manage the daily operations of the District within the framework mandated by the State of California and the Governing Board of the District. It is foolish to allow the Board to become involved in micromanaging the operations of the District. It usually indicates that there is a weak superintendent or a board that is not decided or divided on policy. It is my intent to see that the Board is united on policy direction and that the Superintendent of FCUSD does the job he or she is paid to do. If the Superintendent proves to be unable to perform to reasonable expectations, then the Board needs to be proactive and expeditious in doing what is necessary to ensure the District is managed by someone who is competent and accountable.