News From Davis Schools

Davis School Board Endorses California Forward 2010 Reform Plan

At its October 29 meeting the Board of Education received Superintendent James Hammond’s preliminary plan for reducing the 2010-11 budget by $3.5 million dollars. This is a 5% reduction in general fund operating expenditures from the 2009-10 budget and follows two previous years of budget reductions.  For current information and budget documents, visit the DJUSD website.

The Board of Education also adopted the following resolution endorsing the California Forward 2010 Reform Plan:

RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE CALIFORNIA FORWARD 2010 REFORM PLAN

WHEREAS, the Board of Education recognizes that its ability to fulfill the community’s expectations for a high-quality educational program depends on the level of support provided by the state and federal government as well as the community; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education studies legislative processes and issues, adopts positions on key issues, sets priorities for advocacy, and collaborates with other organizations and coalitions in legislative and legal advocacy efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education recognizes the current system of California government is negatively affecting the district’s ability to meet the educational needs of its students; and

WHEREAS, California Forward, a nonpartisan organization funded by non-profits with no political affiliation, has advanced a package of reforms that would result in:

• Responsible budgets on time, including proposals to identify stable funding for state programs, continue only those programs proven effective, and reduce the legislative vote requirement for approving the state budget to a simple majority while retaining the two-thirds threshold to raise taxes.
• Government that is closer to the people, including proposals to prevent state borrowing of local revenues, lower the vote threshold for local tax measures, and encourage school districts, cities and counties to work together to address local community needs.
• Constituent access and accountability, including a proposal to reduce the total time newly-elected state legislators may serve from 14 to 12 years, regardless of whether the time is spent in the Assembly or Senate.

WHEREAS, research shows that states which have implemented these reforms have improved student achievement; and

WHEREAS, California Forward hopes to qualify these reforms for the state ballot in 2010; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education believes public participation and advocacy are essential to mobilizing for reform;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Davis Board of Education joins other school, city and county governments throughout California in endorsing the California Forward 2010 Reform Plan.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 29th day of October 2009 by the following vote:

AYES: Allen, Daleiden, Harris, Lovenburg, Taylor
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None

Last Friday, California Forward submitted two ballot initiatives to the Attorney General: Best Practices Budget Accountability Act and the Community Funding Protection and Accountability Act.  694,354 signatures are needed by April 16, 2010 to qualify these initiates for the November 2010 ballot.  For more information, visit the California Forward website.

In Other News

Board Meeting Thursday

The Board  meets again this Thursday, November 5 at 7:00 pm.  Items on the agenda include: approve letter regarding California Voting Rights Act, report from Korean delegation, presentation of the 2009-2014 Montessori Master Plan, and update from the board subcommittee on website development.

Future Board meetings: November 19, December 17

Homework Survey Update

Monday marked the start of a district-wide survey about homework. Parents can access their survey online or by obtaining copies from their child’s school office.

Responses are limited to one survey per computer. If you have more than one child enrolled in the Davis School District, please download additional copies from the website and return them to your child’s school office by Friday. (There is no school for grades K-6 on Friday, but offices will maintain normal hours.) If you do not have access to a computer or copier, your child’s school office will make copies for you.

To complete the survey, click here.

Teachers and students in grades 4-12 will be surveyed at school.

For questions, please contact committee co-chairs Deanne Quinn at dquinn@djusd.k12.ca.us or Heidy Kellison at heidy@cwo.com.