MEASURE EE (PARCEL TAX - NOVEMBER 3, 2009) (MY INITIAL THOUGHTS AND NOTES)

By Patricia G. Siever

"THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS = THE SUCCESS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CULVER CITY"

Patricia Siever, Candidate for CC School Board

1. READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL...

2. The CCUSD HAS BUGETARY SHORTFALL

3. MEASURE EE - $96/YEAR x12, 000 PARCELS = $1,152,000 X 5 years = $5,760,000 or $8/ MONTH/PARCEL X 60 MONTHS = TOTAL $480.00

4. LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR STUDENTS, SCHOOL SYSTEM AND COMMUNITY...

"THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS = THE SUCCESS AND PRODUCTIVITY OF CULVER CITY"

"With the current economic downturn, we should affirm our "Collective Investment in Education": i.e., parents, teachers, staff, counselors, administrators, business and community should develop a coalition that would create an environment and culture in which student success (teaching and learning) prevails. It appears, from my reading of the initial text (of Measure EE)that it presents "win/win" for both our school district and our community: better schools = excellence in education and increased property values."

The purpose of Measure EE is to maintain and ensure that our students have the best education possible, so that they will be prepared to be successful in a global economy / environment. In 1999, the California Department of Education (C.D.E.) created the Public Schools Accountability Act, which measures the academic performance and growth of districts and schools on a variety of academic measures, which is called the Academic Performance Index. The API ranges from 200-1000 Our CCUSD has an API of 800 . The funds from Measure EE can not only help us to maintain our 800 API, but, can expedite our CCUSD`s move toward an API OF 1000, (which the Beverly Hills School District has at the present time)!

In the earlier text of Measure EE, there were main points, A-G page 1 of Exhibit A as being the purpose for the creation of Measure EE. These A-G points present a picture of the coordinated items that will perpetuate student success and the City's commitment to our students. After reading the text, I've looked at A-G and the words in italics are my initial thoughts as to how each of the A-G items can help our students move forward academically and educationally. For example:

A. Advanced Math, science, technology and college-prep programs.

(1) Advanced Math - absolutely needed for transfer to higher institutions, and as the CCUSD connection and communication with community colleges increases, parents of Middle and High School students will be able to take advantage of free concurrent enrollment in community colleges; after which their children will be able to transfer to a 4 year institution as juniors upon graduation from High School (saving much money for the parents).

(2) Science and Technology - Students have to be prepared to compete successfully in these areas, because according to the California Council on Science and Technology - "...there are underutilized pools of labor in the areas of Science and Technology, which provide high paying jobs."

(3) College Prep Programs - AP Classes. AP students have proven to be extremely successful in the transition to a community college or a 4 year University. Having these classes in High School gives students confidence and "an edge" because their achievement rate is high as compared to most non AP students.

B. Maintaining small classes. Especially, in advanced classes and (grades 1-5, in Math) and Middle and High School. Small classes give the teachers the time to give more direct/individual attention to the students.

C. Retaining quality Teachers (e.g., Friendly, experts in their academic areas, good relationship with students, high student retention rates, etc.) Quality teachers who give 100%+ should be recognized and valued because they:

(1) Foster persistence in students

(2) Teach the value of learning

(3) Love teaching and are ones who are in a state continual learning, which leads to growth and innovation.

(4) Keep students excited about learning.

D. Keeping School Libraries Open with skilled Library Staff.

(1) Students must learn how to actually use a library as a resource and research agent and not rely so heavily upon the internet

(2) Libraries should be open at times when there is student need

(3) A skilled library staff can introduce students to the magic of reading and rewards of studying.

E. Providing up-to-date institutional materials (and a technological mode of delivery)

(1) "Smart Classrooms" equipped with technology; wherein, the teacher and student benefit, i.e., Podcasts, where the instructor can send his/her lesson/notes that can be posted for student examination

(2) The CCUSD Educational Foundation might be able to help in the area of providing IPods on loan (as are books).

F. Art and Music Education Programs.

(1) Extremely important in grades K-12. The development of the appreciation and exposure to art and music presents to the student an aesthetic realm which enriches and expands the student's awareness of his/her own connectivity to others and with the beauty of life.

(2) An example of the above is Culver's AVPA & the school's alliance with the Actors' Gang and Sony (Janice Prober).

G. Keeping School facilities clean, safe and well-maintained. All of these foster pride in the students, teachers, staff and administration. A welcoming environment is a morale booster.

Early Thoughts/Notes

• When one looks at Measure EE, it appears that businesses are getting by, but, Businesses present the opportunity for our students to have "cooperative education and/or internships. (Vocational Ed; Workforce development- school interacts with the private sector= student opportunities).

• Clarity is needed in language (A-G). The Board will have to clarify the ambiguities in A-G so that the taxpayer's monies are spent according to the intent of the parcel tax. It is the responsibility of the Board to lead and set the direction of the Oversight committee.

• Exhibit A (Items A-G) the Board will need to prioritize and create a time table for implementation.

• What was the demographic environment surveyed by the Consultant? What did the results of the survey reveal?