Author: miles
A simple question for board members…
Our group has identified two alternatives for the 2012-13 budget that would save our music programs:
Alternative #1: Avoid NEW positions.
Alternative #2: Add furlough days.
We know that several Board Members were not aware of certain specifics / effects of the budget. This is not a surprise and we cannot blame them given the date that the budget was delivered and the superficial level of explanation provided by the District.
Here is some background information that will assist us in framing simple questions for the School Board this Monday:
In the 2012-13 budget, there are 32.5 new Intervention teachers (note the description says ½ committed to student time and other to collaboration). There are 19.9 new Technology Instructional Assistants and one new Administrator for Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. ***That is $4,750,000 of NEW positions with no track record of proven achievement.***
Intervention (a.k.a. RTI / “Response to Intervention”) was a new activity funded by federal stimulus dollars which have since dried up. There were no targets for improved results put in place when these programs were started and there has been no report of effectiveness-per-dollar since.
According to the 2009 Five Year Financial Report, the District has ‘purposefully spent down’ $40M in ending fund balance on literacy coaches and the collaboration (a.k.a. PLC / “Professional Learning Community”) strategy. Again, there were no targets for measuring success/value-per-dollar and no evidence or reports to justify continued expenditure.
Simple Question for Alternative #1 – Avoid NEW Positions.
“Dear Board Member, When you voted, did you know your vote FOR the budget was a vote for NEW positions at the expense of mitigating the damage to proven programs?”
Simple Question for Alternative #2 – Add Furlough days.
“Dear Board Member, When you voted, did you know that the extra furlough days had not been negotiated for with specific intent to avoid damage to proven programs?”
Simple follow-up Question:
“Dear Board Member, Now that you know these specifics, do you still feel the same way about your vote?”
Save BSD Music Programs — Attend the School Board Meeting
We had another great music advocacy meeting last night with about 20 parents and teachers attending. So much groundwork is being laid, but I will elaborate on that in other messages.
Our #1 short-term goal is to overflow the room at the board meeting this Monday, June 18th
Beaverton School District Administration Center 6:00pm
16550 SW Merlo Road, Beaverton, OR 97006
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1) Wear RED and bring a homemade sign.Sign Examples Include:
– “Music Makes a Difference” – “I Support Comprehensive Education” – “Educate The Whole Child” – “Budget Reduction Days Will Save Our Teachers & Our Programs” 2) Arrive EARLY to get a seat. Carpool if possible. Overflow parking is available across the street at Merlo Station High School. Please do NOT skip the meeting. We NEED a large turnout for impact. Dress for the weather in case some time has to be spent outside of the building. We had about 120 supporters show up last time, we want to DOUBLE IT this time. Bring a friend… bring three.
***If you plan to speak***
Arrive by 5:15pm and proceed directly to the front desk in the main lobby. Fill out at blue card if you wish to speak during the initial hearing, yellow if you wish to speak during the “community engagement” section. We should try to balance blue cards and yellow cards to make sure we fill the time and that all are heard. Make sure you write your speech in advance and rehearse it prior to the meeting. It should time out to 2 minutes or less. Call Jennifer Mohr if you want to speak but need advice about what to say or how to prepare: 503 764 8877 or jennifer_mohr@me.com. 3) During the meeting, stand silently when someone is speaking about the music programs. Please be respectful and do not speak or make any other unnecessary sounds during the meeting. |
Basically, we need a repeat of what we did on June 4th—HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE wearing RED SHIRTS and CARRYING SIGNS. The advocacy leadership team will organize speakers to put forward our platform, but we need BODIES (students, parents, and teachers) standing there and backing us up. The overall communication will be IT’S NOT TOO LATE (to fix the budget) and WE ARE WATCHING and WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.
We need an all-out EFFORT from EVERYBODY on this list to spread the word, attend the meeting (wearing RED) and bring two friends. Offer to drive them or buy them coffee. Whatever you need to do. Make it fun!
****You can invite people using this FACEBOOK EVENT****
Save BSD Music Programs — Attend the School Board Meeting #2
On June 4th, we had over 130 people at the meeting. Let’s use every tool we have to get people there AGAIN on June 18th. Let’s double the turnout this time. Please work as hard for this as you did to get the petition signed. 1440 people signed that petition. What if all of them showed up at the board meeting on June 18th? Even 20% of that amount would be a victory. We need to have large numbers to get press, recognition and credibility. Please leave instruments at home, carry your sign, politely move chairs to make room for everyone, silently stand to show support when one of our own talks on the mic.
Speeches will:
• Review the cuts (and present music allocation grid for all 60 positions) and affects to class size, comprehensive programs
• Explain that we do not accept a transfer of blame for the cuts to the legislature or the levy that didn’t pass; we are holding the board and the district accountable
• Remind the board that it is not too late, and that they have alternatives (someone will read John Burns’ letter aloud)
• Remind the board that cutting days is the better solution for ALL students, not just music programs
• Demand that the board reopen the budget process on June 18th or set another meeting in July to reopen it
• Explain the consequences of not reopening the budget: programs cut (with not intention to reinstate?) class sizes skyrocket… and our group grows even more insistent.
• Remind the board that the administration has created this problem by adding 54 new positions and not covering them with days, and they need to start by putting a hold on those positions.
• Our challenge to board is: are you voting for 54 new positions with theoretical value rather than supporting positions with proven value (music/pe/library)? If the administration wants the new stuff, go get furlough days!
Each speaker should:
• Write a 2-minute speech, rehearse it at home the night before, and deliver it powerfully at the meeting
• Have a handout of your speech to give to each board member after speaking
• E-mail us a copy of your speech by Sunday, June 17th.
More instructions and communication between speakers will be needed. Take initiative and stay tuned.
MUSIC TEACHERS, BAND AND CHOIR PARENTS & STUDENTS:
38,000 CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE EDUCATION FROM THE BSD ARE DEPENDING ON YOU TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!
• blast your e-mail list
• call your friends
• talk to parents during field day, or music/sports/graduation/end of year events this week
Volunteers needed:
• use your school roster/directory
• make cold calls to parents to talk about the budget and invite them to the meeting