We won

Thanks to all the efforts of so many, I'm happy to say, we won!  Now the real work begins.  Please keep me informed when you have any questions or concerns regarding the District.

Bill Meyer KMED interview

I was interviewed Thursday by Bill Meyer at 7:00 am.  It was a first.  I felt he was quite fair with me.  This link might not work with Macintosh's Safari.

http://www.kmed.com/common/global_audio/51/29669.mp3

KMED interview

This morning I was interviewed by Bill Meyer on KMED.  It was an extremely fair and extensive interview.  That's the first time I've ever been interviewed on the radio.  It's a call-in program and there were several questions, both from Bill and from listeners.   I felt the interview went well.  I wonder how many heard it?  If it's put on line, I'll link it, but I don't believe, looking at their site, the station does this.  I'd love to be able to let you hear it.  We'll see.  Don't ask me what I said.  Being on such a hot seat is a whole different world.  But I believe I came across as credible, and that's what matters.

Comments to the Budget Committee 5-10-2011

I will be making some comments tonight at the Budget Committee meeting.

Here is what I intend to say:

Comments to the Budget Committee                   May 10, 2011  FINAL

Chairman Erb, members of the Board and Budget Committee:

Those of you on the Board involved in the Vacancy Appointment selection will recall when I applied that I made it clear that I can personally respect you and yet differ mightily with policy decisions.  This is one of those times. 

I served on Budget Committees both in the City of Medford and the City of Palo Alto.  In both instances, we took each category from the proposed budget, discussed it, then gave a tentative vote, showing to the policymaking body exactly where the Budget Committee stood on that particular item.  Many votes were called for.  And, of course, the full Council NEVER considered taking up an item prior to receiving a reading and analysis from the Budget Committee. 

Last week the Board Chair, altered the Board agenda barely 24 hours prior to the scheduled  meeting, and by a 4-2 vote the Board voted on an item being considered by this Committee prior to your even providing your position on the matter.  I’m speaking, of course, of thePhase II - rehabilitation and consolidation of old South High and the  maintenance projects which may result in the use of $845,000 of General Fund monies.

I strongly differ with what I consider a high-handed end-around of your legitimate function.   I say this, not knowing where you might come down on this issue, but I strongly object to the Board majority attempting to deny you the legitimate opportunity to approve or disapprove, thus sending an implicit message that this body is irrelevant.   The Board’s approach had to be disappointing and upsetting to those of you who have volunteered your time and talents to analyze and make recommendations to the Board.

Chairman Erb, I strongly urge you to call for motions to tentatively approve or provide alternative recommendations to individual items as you proceed.  Don’t just wait until the end of your deliberations and then vote on the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget as a package.  To simply vote at the end of your deliberations makes your influence minimal at best.

Tonight I encourage this body to vote on a motion that gives tentative approval or disapproval on the Superintendent’s recommendation to this committee with regard to funding the consolidation.  Given that the item is part of the 2011-2012 budget, not this year’s budget,  if the Budget Committee formally differs with the Board’s actions, I strongly suspect the new Board will want to reconsider the item immediately after July 1.  If the Superintendent is made aware that your position differs with the decision of the Board’s, he will no doubt want to defer any implementation of this item to await the outcome of the new Board in July.  And regardless of how you vote, whether to approve or disapprove, you will be sending a clear message both to the Superintendent and to future Boards that you expect your positions to be considered prior to their taking action.

Finally, concerning Administrative salaries and expenses related to this budget, particularly with regard to site deans, assistant principals and principals:  I understand you have received from the Superintendent answers to some of my questions on this matter, so I won’t spend much time commenting, other than to encourage you to note how Deans are classified.

Dr Long indicated at the Latino Budget Hearing that he plans to make some Administrative salary modifications--as yet unseen by either the Board or this committee--and his efforts might rectify the existing problems. But consider carefully his modifications and examine the percentage amounts each budget category is being reduced to determine if there is still a significant discrepancy.  If it is not appropriately addressed, direct the superintendent to consider further reductions and return to the next meeting with another proposal.

Mail Tribune Endorsement

This morning's edition of the Medford Mail Tribune endorsed my candidacy for School Board.  That is a big plus toward winning this thing and I'm extremely grateful.

Many thanks for all who went out canvassing yesterday.  This is one large District!  Do you know there are almost 45,000 registered voters in the Medford School District.