Franco bucks state trend, strengthens district music program
From the Woodland Record:
On the day state schools chief Jack O'Connell released California STAR results – which focus on English, math and science - district superintendent Carmella Franco pushed through local music program improvements.
During last night's Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting, a group of community music supporters were pleasantly surprised by the unanimous approval of a two-year plan to strengthen the program.
According to a Woodland Record correspondent, the move to bolster music offerings at Whitehead Elementary, Lee Middle and Woodland High was unexpected by those in the audience - and even those on the administrative staff. Franco's recommendation was distributed to trustees after an oral staff report suggested that there was no problem with program as it was presented in early summer. The superintendent's recommended changes seemed to be a surprise to at least three senior administrators.
To view the superintendent's recommendation, click here.
Read more at the Woodland Record.
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19 comments:
The School Board should be commended for their strong support for the music program as should new Superintendent, Dr. Franco. We're back on the right track and moving forward.
Thank you school board members! We appreciate your leadership and service!
Woodland parent
Woodland Parent,
I am also glad that the board approved the new superintendent's plan for the music program.
Whether the district is back on the right track and moving forward is yet to be seen. One senior administrator will be gone soon... that's good. There are a couple of other administrators who clearly wanted to leave the music program in a diminished state.
Also, the support of the music program does not erase the bone-head decisions made in the Blue Shield issue.
The recall process needs to take it course and reach its conclusion. The voters will decide if it moves forward or if the board members are recalled.
What it is clear to me is that the board is not functional and much damage has been done. The decision on the Blue Shield building and the recall attempt that followed have contributed to the low morale and dysfunction of the board.
The Interim Sup comes highly recommended and so far seems to be doing and saying the right things. I hope she stays for one year and helps the district during these difficult times. The board should start the process to hire a permanent Sup after the recall reaches its conclusion.
If members of the board are recalled and replaced by new ones, then it should be the new ones that hire the new sup.
Dino,
Math & Music is like Peas & Carrots....
And that's all I have to say about that.
Forrest
What ever happened to the entry I submitted about an hour ago?
Forrest,
Yes. I've seen some of that research. They do seem to complement one another, but are both important in their own right.
Where we might differ in our opinions, however, is that I think there is too much emphasis on math.
Impatient 4:43,
Your original comment, submitted 33 minutes prior to your follow-up comment, was moderated when it was moderated. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours, it could have tomorrow.
We don't monitor this blog 24/7. We tried to allow unmoderated comments but a couple of trolls ruined it for the rest of us.
As to the content of your 4:10 comment, I agree that the permanent superintendent should be hired after the recall - if it occurs.
Let's focus on the good things that are happening right now and let the past be the past. The district worked with the parents and the community for a positive outcome. If you didn't put your shoulder to the wheel, butt out and dont' criticize.
I think it's in everyone's best interest to examine what's right and what's wrong.
I didn't see anyone here criticize the board's decision to increase funding for the music program, have you? Maybe some people - like some in the administration - would have preferred less funding, but nobody has expressed it here.
If you want to let the past be the past, then make your case as to why we should... oh wait, you're one of those who only criticize the messengers - you have your head in the sand.
Don't be so fast to give credit to the board for the music program changes! It was proposed by Dr Franco as a resolution after every board member gave their comments.
4:21
Yes. The story states the recommendation was the superintendent's.
Members of the board were wise enough to support the Sup..
I hope they will listen to her but with a critical eye.
I attended the last board meeting and I was saddened by the way members of the board behaved. It was like a circus atmosphere. The have on respect for each other and act like spoiled brats. I am talking about most of them.
No, Dino, it does not erase the Blue Shield decision but then again, your assumption is that the Blue Shield decision is more important or takes precedence. You can stay stuck where you are. Those of us with kids in the schools need to move on. There are other more important battles to wage and you need to get off Blue Shield and move on yourself.
Anon 7:54
You said "There are other more important battles to wage..." WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? Are you saying it is ok to spend our tax dollar above value of a building?
In your world it must be good business to build an empire for the administration and cut school programs at the same time.
This subject is a good example of how the cuts were made by the fab four. Fortunately, Dr Franco has seen through them and put together the proposal.
I do not think the public should sit back and watch the money blow away in the lease. Have you read the terms??? I have!
Jim
7:54
Focus? Precedence? It's called multi-tasking. Try it.
Jim:
I thinking about the most important aspect of a school district which is educating my children. I have books and calculators and other things to worry about that are a lot more important than the decision to buy a building which will save us money in the long run.
You people need to find something positive to support instead of criticizing all the time. It's really pathetic.
Calculator (small family expense) vs. building (huge taxpayer expense). That's intelligent.
Think of all the calculators the district could by for underprivileged families if that particular building wasn't leased/bought.
Multi-tasking. Big picture. You don't see.
Anon 9:31:
I as well have concerns for the education of my children. There are always clothes, school supplies, sports fees, fund raisers and field trips that are all part of expenses we are expected to pay for. I attended school in this district growing up and my parents were never required to pay for the extra activities I was involved in. Guess we can chalk that up to changing times.
You mention that “to buy a building which will save us money in the long run” as your reasoning for looking the other way on this topic (moving on). I have never questioned the ownership issue, rather the price. Where does it say in the elected official’s handbook of the Woodland Joint Unified School District that it is permissible to buy a building for a price that is above market value by 25%? And this is with tax payer money.
I think that is a very fair question. The monthly payment (lease or purchase) is going to be double that of the current value paid in a lease. The building maintenance is the responsibility of the district as well even in the lease agreement. Do some simple math and you can see why this is actually is a BAD deal for the District. Several people have tried to discuss this with the trustees but they held secret meetings and would not listen to reason. The president was even willing to make a false statement regarding the cost of the lease for the existing location.
End result – I am worried about the ability of WJUSD being able to provide a good education not only for my children but my grandchildren as well.
Jim
So Anon:
Tough to answer the questions? You are quick to mouth off but obviously do not have an answer for the $M question. Don't feel alone, the fab four cannot answer either.
Jim
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