Greater Orange News Service

METRO Views

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:14:00 +0000

METRO Views

Mary Galuska for OC Board of Education
by Kathy Moffat

I am writing to ask you to please consider voting for Mary Galuska for Orange County School Board, Area 3 in Tuesday's election. I have known Mary for more than 20 years, beginning when we were both PTA presidents at our children's elementary schools.

Mary is a bright and dedicated leader who knows education, and knows what is important for children and schools. Mary knows that students today need a complete curriculum, including the basics of language arts, reading, social studies, math and science plus the vital components of technology and the arts in order to be prepared to lead our country in the 21st century. Mary is admired by all for the way she carries out her every responsibility with impeccable professionalism. Mary is a passionate supporter of public education, and her children are all graduates of public schools. This is something that her opponent cannot say, as he sent his children to private schools.

Mary has worked for years to assist parents to become involved in their children's education because she knows that parent involvement is a key to student success. She is a leader who has risen to the top among PTA leaders locally, county-wide, and even state-wide. Mary is an advocate for the arts as a critical part of a child's education, and she was recently appointed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson to a statewide work group to give recommendations for including the arts in every California child's schooling. Mary's strong background in business and finance - including an MBA from Northwestern University - give her unique and valuable perspective on the important fiscal issues dealt with by the Orange County Board of Education. Her education and experience, coupled with her sound judgment and fiscally conservative views, will make Mary an excellent watch dog over taxpayer funds.

It has never been more important to be a fully-informed voter as you mark your ballot. You can read more about Mary by visiting her web site: www.marygaluska.org If you like what you see, and I think you will, please forward this message to your friends and family in the following Area 3 cities – Anaheim Hills, Brea, Irvine, Lake Forest, North Tustin, Orange, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda.

In addition, your donation in any amount to Mary’s campaign is critically important. Campaigns are expensive, and your support will help. You can donate online on her web site. Please join me in voting for Mary Galuska for Orange County Board of Education, Area 3!

Thank you! Kathy Moffat

Views expressed on METRO Views are not those of the networks, or forwarding email ecasts of the Greater Orange News Service and its associated orgainizations.

VP Family Picnic on Sunday continues 50th Anniversary Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Thu, 24 May 2012 03:36:00 +0000

VP Family Picnic on Sunday continues 50th Celebration

Villa Park’s 50th Anniversary celebration continues this weekend on Sunday May 27, 2012 with the Villa Park Family and Friends Community Picnic at Irvine Lake from 11:30 am – 4:30 pm. Incorporated in 1962, 50 years later what better theme for this years’ annual Villa Park Family picnic than “ The 60’s Live on Forever”. Of course no one better represents the 60’s than the King of Rock and Roll himself Elvis- so it is no surprise that the King himself (or at least one of his many reincarnations) Will be there to entertain and for photo opportunities, because who can pass up a picture with ELVIS????

The afternoon brings all of Villa Park and their Greater Orange neighbors together this year to celebrate 50 years of life in Orange County’s “Hidden Jewel”. Aside from Elvis, festivities will include lots of food vendors, a rock band, contests, prizes, carnival rides, a dunk tank and free boat rides on the lake. If that wasn’t enough, the featured rivalry of Villa Park Elementary vs. Serrano Elementary in a tug-o-war for city bragging rights is always a highlight. That would be more than enough, but yes this is an official part of Villa Park’s 50th Anniversary celebration, so this year will include a scavenger hunt for Elvis's Blue Suede Shoes!

Tickets are just $ 2 a person ($5 for an immediate family) and can be purchased at the Villa Park City Hall, Villa Park Pharmacy, or at the gate on the day of the picnic.

For more information CLICK ON: PICNIC

OUSD Trustees vote-a-rama at April meeting

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:19:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

Trustee vote-a-rama at April meeting
At their April 19, 2012, the Orange Unified School District Board of Education became embroiled in a “vote-a-rama” over revisions to various OUSD Board Policies brought on by on-going updating to the document that governs the Board of Trustees. The on-the-outs board minority made up of Trustees Kathy Moffat and Diane Singer argued unsuccessfully to delay adoption of three proposed board policies through a precession of voice-call-votes that saw the duo lose to the aligned OUSD Board majority of Board President Timothy Surridge, Mark Wayland, Dr. Alexia Deligianni, Rick Ledesma and John Ortega.

Moffat’s reasoning was that the first reading for the proposed changes were done at a little noticed Special Board Meeting held March 22, 2012 (CLICK HERE: SPECIAL) which had no members of the public present and was not video taped and shown on local cable like regular meetings. Moffat argued that she felt in the spirit of transparency that the Board should delay the 2nd reading of the policy changes one meeting since none were time sensitive, thus giving the public time to review them. That idea was voted down, so Moffat sought to have the policies that she felt strongly about divided from the other policies and voted on separately. Moffat and Singer were supported by Wayland and Surridge in dividing the policy vote, with Wayland quipping about his vote, “I’m curious!”.

As it turned out, Moffat pulled items from Board Policy 9250 pertaining to: Board Meeting stipend compensation; rules related to increasing Board stipends; and policies on trustees receiving district health benefits. All the questioned policies have origins in various California government codes. Moffat reasoned that those origins in government code did not require OUSD Board Policies addressing them. About the stipend rules, Moffat argued it had never been needed in Board Policy and now was a bad time to add it considering the economic crisis. Moffat argued that a policy allowing a trustee to show up for any part of a meeting should to receive the stipend should be changed to some type of proportional formula, and she argued not including the state language on heath benefits. Moffat also stated that most school district trustees in California are not compensated.

Surridge argued that trustees do more than just show up at meetings, and that the stipend is small compensation for the work they do. He additionally argued that the health benefits are there if any one needs them and that the cost to the district is small, plus without them the district may have trouble attracting people to run for office. John Ortega argued that OUSD is “the most transparent district in Orange County and California”, while Ledesma argued that not including them in district policies because the items are in the state codes when they do apply to the district, was itself “not transparent”.

In the end, the Board voted repeatedly by roll call (at Moffat’s request) to approve all of the policy changes and not approve Moffat’s attempts to delay the adoptions.

INSIDE the May 19 Agenda: El Rancho Charter Renewal
The Thursday May 10, 2012 OUSD Board Agenda (page 8) includes the petition to renew the charter of El Rancho Charter School. The middle school is one of two OUSD charter middle schools. None of the past bruising fights OUSD has seen over charter renewals are expected to occur over the non-controversial Anaheim Hills school’s renewal.

Other Items:
Closed Session 4 C – The Board will review the performance of popular OUSD Superintendent Michael Christensen.
Announcement Item 9 E (Agenda page 3-4) – resolution declaring May 20-26 Classified School Employee Week (district support staff)

INSIDE Former Superintendent Godley’s
Retirement Bonus
Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$54,270.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING May 10, 2012
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday April 19 2012 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 5:30 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: MAY AGENDA

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/

“Independent Local Insight”
WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:
Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

VP Rotary sponsors BE THE MATCH event

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Mon, 07 May 2012 03:03:00 +0000

Villa Park Rotary sponsors BE THE MATCH bone marrow event

The Villa Park Rotary Club wants the Greater Orange Community to know that each person may have the power to save a life through the life saving power of bone marrow. You can give hope to patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases. Thousands of cancer patients are waiting for a bone marrow transplant donor.

The City of Hope has established a BE THE MATCH registry to match donors and patients. The Villa Park Rotary Club is partnering with the City of Hope in honor of a member with cancer who needed a bone marrow transplant and was able to find one using the registry. However, with more patients than donors, the Rotary Club is getting involved by sponsoring a BE THE MATCH DRIVE on Saturday May 12, 2012 in front of the Villa Park Ralphs/Civic Center from 10 am-1 pm.

You can visit the drive to learn more on how simply giving a “swab” could potentially match you as a donor to save a life.
You may also learn more or register on line HERE:
BE THE MATCH

ORANGE ROTARY to host GRAND GARAGE SALE

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:14:00 +0000

Orange’s first “GRAND GARAGE SALE” A garage sale may not seem like news- unless it is “The GRAND Garage Sale” that the Orange Rotary Club is planning for Saturday May 19, 2012.

The inaugural event is designed to raise funds for the Orange Rotary Club’s youth and teacher programs, plus helping support other local organizations by inviting them to participate and keep the profits. The Orange Rotary Club supports youth and teacher programs through grants and scholarships all year round.

Community organizations and individuals are welcome to participate for the nominal fee of $100 for 800 square feet of space ( larger spaces for an additional fee are available). Whether you’re a seller or a buyer, this first ever GRAND Garage sale is certain to be another success from the award winning business and community group.

The Grand Garage Sale will be held at El Modena High School 3920 E Spring Street from 7:30 am to 3:30 am Saturday May 19, 2012. Sign-ups for spaces are due by May 10th, 2012. To sign up for a space, or for more information contact Orange President Jean Abdalla at 714-637-7321 or email her at jeanaabdalla@att.net

OUSD to honor Employees as economic stress indicators take toll

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:46:00 +0000

OUSD to honor Employees as economic stress indicators take toll

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

The Orange Unified School District Board of Education will pass resolutions honoring OUSD School Bus Drivers, School Nurses and Teachers at their April 19, 2012 (the 237th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord). Agenda Item 9 E (Agenda page 3) will designate April 24, 2012 as School Bus Driver’s Day; Agenda Item 9 F (Agenda page 5) will designate May 9, 2012 as School Nurse Day; and Agenda item 9 G will also designate May 9, 2012 as California Day of the Teacher. This is the 31st Anniversary of the California Day of the Teacher.

The value of the district’s employees during the current economic turn down is clearly evident in other items on the April 19, 2012 Agenda. They include the “sun-shinning” (the legal notice) of the district’s positions in upcoming labor negotiations with its two employee unions- the Orange Unified Education Association and the Chapter 67 of the California School Employees Association. In the Agenda Items 12 A and 12 B(Agenda pages 9 and page 11), the district proposes to “extend terms” of previous agreements for continued cuts to instructional days and class size loads for another year.

The extent of the stresses these cuts have placed on the district can be seen in Agenda Item 12 H (Agenda page 116) which asks the OUSD Board for a continuation of the extension of the current OUSD Strategic Plan through 2013-2014. The Agenda Item sites the original extension request was needed because of the “multi-year reductions and increased demands placed on the organization and employees”. Also while the Agenda Item states that the that OUSD has “not stopped working forward with the goals of the Strategic Plan” the item explains that the district “acknowledges that reduced funding, increased class sizes, and reductions in classified and certificated staffing have impacted the pace originally envisioned” for implementation. The real question is of course not the number or how long the extensions of implementation are, but how long all the districts employees can continue working with the stress factors cited in the agenda item. Sources across the district report that the student population and OUSD community are feeling the stress caused by the continued cuts with student suspensions and behavior issues also exhibiting increases.

Other Items:
Closed Session 4 B – Discussion of 4 possible lawsuits
Action Item 12 C (Agenda page 13) – Energy Conservation Contact
Action Item 12 D- G Various Board Policy revisions-mostly necessitated by state law changes
Information Item 13 B- latest update on the ever changing Sacramento story on Transitional Kindergarten

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus
Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$53, 060.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING April 19, 2012
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday April 19 2012 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For AGENDA-CLICK ON: OUSD BOARD

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

WATCH FOR continuation of Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

3rd Annual Anaheim Hills Eggstacaganza is Saturday March 31

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:50:00 +0000

3rd Annual Anaheim Hills Eggstacaganza is Saturday March 31

The 3rd Annual Anaheim Hills Rotary Club Eggsracaganza Easter Egg Hunt will be this Saturday March 31, 2012 from 11 am – 1:30 pm at Ronald Reagan Park (formerly Toyon Park) at 945 S Weir Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills (@ Weir Canyon and Running Springs).

The non-religious free event is and open to all children ages 11 and under, the Eggstavaganza has attracted upwards of 200 kids and their families.

There are THREE egg-hunting stations of varying levels of age appropriate difficulty. Among the hidden eggs will be three “golden eggs” for three age groups, each finder will win a basket full of prizes. Prizes include a bicycle and over 15 pre-stuffed baskets of goodies. Also available will be kids games and crafts including egg-dying and egg races, plus the Easter Bunny himself will be there to take photos with the kids. Adults can join in the fun participating in a small silent auction.

Food and beverages for lunch will be available for purchase.

For more information on the Anaheim Hills Rotary CLICK HERE:
AH ROTARY
or for FACEBOOK here: ROTARY FB
For a map to Ronald Reagan Park CLICK ON:
PARK MAP

OUSD to oppose Rocking Horse Ridge II effort to join TUSD

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:19:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

OUSD to oppose Rocking Horse Ridge II effort
Orange Unified Trustees at their February 16, 2012 meeting directed staff to draft a resolution to oppose the Rocking Horse Ridge II neighborhood effort to leave OUSD and join Tustin Unified. That resolution appears on the March 8, 2012 OUSD Agenda.

The Rocking Horse Ridge II neighborhood has 35 students who currently attend OUSD schools. If efforts to annex the neighborhood to Tustin Unified are successful, those students would have to immediately leave OUSD. Any of those students wishing to continue in OUSD would have to apply for a district transfer. Schools that some of those 35 students currently attended are closed to transfers from outside OUSD. The loss of state funds from the 35 students would cost OUSD over $170,000.

In addition if successful, all residents of the Rocking Horse Ridge II neighborhood would see a property tax increase to pay for two school bonds previously passed in Tustin Unified. Those bond assessments are $64 per $100,000 assessed value (a $1,000,000 home would be assessed an additional $640 in school bonds per year).

The obscure Orange County Committee on School District Organization will hold two hearings on the change on March 14th, 2012, one in Orange Unified at 6:00 pm, and a second meeting in Tustin Unified at 8:00 pm. If the OUSD Board votes to oppose the proposed transfer, it could force a vote on the item by the voters in the proposed transfer area.

For more information on Rocking Horse Ridge CLICK ON: RHRII

Split vote approves new OUSD law firm for surplus propertyThe OUSD Board voted 5-2 at their February 16 meeting to support a proposal by OUSD President Tim Surridge to direct staff to procure legal services from a new legal firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd and Romo for services related to surplus properties in OUSD.

The proposal was vehemently opposed by Trustees Kathy Moffat and Diane Singer. The two noted that the OUSD Board had voted to reject the same law firm last year when then OUSD President Rick Ledesma tried to use the firm to replace long time OUSD legal firm Parker & Covert. The two also additionally objected to naming a firm for a contract without following a protocol of soliciting bids in an open process. Surridge and Ledesma where joined by Trustee Mark Wayland in dismissing the objections, and where then joined by Trustees John Ortega and Dr. Alexia Deligianni in voting to approve a contract for the firm.

INSIDE the March 8th OUSD Board Meeting

Item 12 A: Public Hearing on the new fee increases for school districts allowed on new construction in a January vote by the little known State Allocation Board. Those fees can be only be changed in even years, but with no inflationary increase in 2010 the fees of $2.97 residential and $.47 commercial have remained the same for four years. The new allowable fees are $3.20 and $.51. School districts must take action locally to implement the allowable increases (for more on SAB information CLICK ON: SAB ).

Agenda Item 12 C: Second Interim Financial Report

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus
Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$51, 857.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING March 8, 2012
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday February 16, 2012 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 6:30 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: BOARD

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

OUSD's John Ortega's contract not renewed by Mt San Jacinto after being placed on administrative leave

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:08:00 +0000

Mt San Jacinto Trustees vote not to renew OUSD Trustee John Ortega’s Police Chief contract

In a February 23rd story, the Orange County Register is reporting that Mt. San Jacinto Board of Trustees decided at their February 9, 2012 meeting not to renew Orange Unified School Board Trustee John Ortega’s $115,000 contract as Police Chief of the college’s police force. The paper is also reporting that Ortega will remain on leave “pending further board action”. The story just quotes the college spokes person as saying it is a personnel matter.

OC REGISTER story

On February 4, Orange Net News reported the story that the Liberal OC Blog had broke in Orange County about Ortega being placed on administrative leave after a sex scandal involving Ortega and women on his staff.

ONN story

OUSD looks to maximize lease of Peralta site

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:37:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

OUSD looks to maximize lease of Peralta site

At its February 16, 2012 regular Board Meeting the Orange Unified School Board will vote on a resolution to authorize requests for proposal for leasing the 19.5 acre Peralta School site at 2190 Canal Street in Orange. The current lease to the Peralta Golf Partners expires in 2015. Agenda Action Item 12 A explains that OUSD wishes seeks a ground lease for “maximizing an income stream to supplement its annual operating and capital project budget”.

Peralta Junior High School was closed due to declining enrolment in 1985. The site has been leased to the golf company since 1994. The resolutions’ Executive Summary states that the land, which was declared surplus, is zoned as single family residential, but that that zoning is inconsistent with the City of Orange 2010 General Plan.

Surridge agendized Legal Services vote
In an unprecedented move, OUSD Board President Tim Surridge has agendized Action Item 12 E for the OUSD Board to consider and vote to direct staff to procure legal services from the legal firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd and Romo for services related to surplus properties. The Fiscal Impact is list as up to $50,000.

Items to authorize legal services have traditionally been on the Consent Agenda, and only discussed if an individual board member pulls the item for discussion. In the past, OUSD legal fees have been controversial. Surridge’s move to place the item on the Action Agenda for Board consideration is an unprecedented move by an OUSD Board President.

Rocking Horse Ridge II files to leave OUSD and join Tustin Unified
Located between Orange Park Acres, Cowen Heights and North Tustin, the hilltop community of Rocking Horse Ridge II has filed a petition to transfer its neighborhood from Orange Unified to Tustin Unified.

The obscure Orange County Committee on School District Organization will hold two hearings on the change on March 14th, 2012, one in Orange Unified at 6:00 pm, and a second meeting in Tustin Unified at 8:00 pm.

The OUSD Administration will make an informational presentation to the OUSD Board at the February 16, 2012 meeting (Agenda item 13C).
For more information on Rocking Horse Ridge CLICK ON:
RHR

OTHER ITEMS:
Agenda Item 9 D: Proclamation of March 5-9 as Week of the School Administrator.
Agenda Item 13 B: OUSD and Stat of California Budget Update

Former Superintendent Godley’s Estamated Retirement Bonus
Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$50,640.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING February 16, 2012
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday February 16, 2012 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: OUSD

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”
WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

Councilman Robert Fauteux 1933-2012

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:48:00 +0000

Villa Park Councilman and Foothills Sentry columnist
dies at the age of 79. The Councilman's unexpected death came one day after the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Villa Park's incorporation.

OUSD Trustee John Ortega in alleged sex scandal

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:29:00 +0000

SPECIAL REPORT
A news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

OUSD Trustee John Ortega in alleged sex scandal

The Liberal OC Blog is citing sources in Murrietta that Orange Unified School Board Trustee has been placed on Administrative Leave by the Mt. Jacinto College. Ortega, a former Orange Count Sherriff Deputy, left that department and served as a police captain for the Montebello Unified School District Police Department. In March of last year, he took the position of Police Chief for the Mt San Jacinto College Police Department.

According to the Liberal OC posting, the Mt Jacinto College administration is citing the issue as a personnel matter. The blog also cites the college campus rumors and campus sources that the paid leave and replacement of Ortega was because he is allegedly accused of having sexual relations with more than one member of his staff.

Santa Ana blogger Art Pedroza reported in November of 2011 that Ortega was lining up to challenge Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez. Ortega was elected to the OUSD Board in 2001 as part of the Citizen’s Board in the Orange Recall. He has never faced a challenger in his Trustee area – Trustee Area #2. His current term is up in November of this year.

Ortega has gone through a metamorphosis on the Board. While an Orange County Sheriff, his missed meetings caused tension on the Board as some fellow Trustees opposed his being granted pay for those missed meetings. Ortega also had some now famous run-ins with the eccentric Steve Rocco. In one he hovered over Rocco in a Board meeting after Rocco brought up the death of Ortega’s brother who was an OUSD employee. Currently, Ortega is now allied with the more conservative majority on the OUSD Board.

The Administrative leave was effective December 12, 2011, just days after the December OUSD Board meeting which Ortega attended. The story of Ortega’s leave hit the Murretta press on January 6, 2012. Ortega was absent from the Regular January 19, 2012 Orange School Board meeting. The Liberal OC broke the story on Friday Feb 3, 2011 in Orange County.

Murrieta Patch Story:PATCH

Posting from Liberal OC Blog:

Orange School Trustee John Ortega On Leave – Sex Scandal Allegations?
February 3, 2012
By Chris Prevatt

Orange School District Trustee John Ortega, who was named Chief of the Mt. San Jacinto College Police back in March of 2011, was placed on paid Administrative Leave by the school on December 15, 2011 for an undisclosed reason. Ortega has been rumored as a potential challenger to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez in Orange County’s 46th Congressional District.

Murrietta Patch reports:
Ortega, who took the position as the top cop March 1, 2011, was on leave as of Dec. 15, MSJC Spokesperson Karin Marriott confirmed. She declined to comment on why, as it was a personnel matter, she said.
Ortega, 42, was listed as an Orange County Unified School District board member. Before he was hired at MSJC, he served as a police captain at Montebello Unified School District. Prior to that he served in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
MSJC, which serves students from much of western Riverside County, lost its former police chief, Kevin Segawa, in 2009. Segawa was charged and later pleaded guilty to eight felonies and two misdemeanors, mostly for directing the majority of towing profits to one company in exchange for gifts. He resigned shortly after his arrest.
Currently serving as interim chief for MSJC is Terry Meadows, a retired Riverside County Sheriff’s lieutenant, Marriott said. Meadows also served as interim when Segawa left.

We looked up campaign finance reports to see if Ortega has raised any money and thus far he has not filed any reports. Ortega is one of those right-wing darlings who touts family values. While the Mt. San Jacinto College administration isn’t talking, the rumor mill on campus is full of insight into the reason for Ortega’s sudden paid vacation.

We are hearing from anonymous campus sources that Ortega has been placed on leave for allegedly having sexual relations with more than one member of his staff. If this allegation sounds familiar, its probably because it is the same scenario that caused Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante to lose his job with the County of Orange Public Works we department last year.

LINK Liberal OC story: LIB OC

LINK to FINDLAW

SPECIAL REPORT
is a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/

Grade Inflation Series: PART 2

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:40:00 +0000

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?
Part 2
Palo Verdes Peninsula Unified
CST Incentive Program dividing community

While Orange Unified’s El Modena High School California Standards Test (CST) Incentive Program is being ignored by the Orange Unified School Board and Administration, the CST Incentive program in Palo Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has been the focus of a community backlash on both sides of the issue. The PVPUSD School Board has found itself caught in the middle of a community crisis it had no say in developing, but has tried to deal with as problems in the school’s ill-designed program began to become evident across the close-knit well-to-do community.

Similar to El Modena High School’s program, the PV High School program developed and initiated by the school’s administration without district approval, first split the high school's staff as the school’s administration pushed the program. Then the PV High School program’s “grade-boosting” reputation caused wide-spread community concern of “equity” and required school board to take action to revoke the school's program in July 2011. Now the school board is faced with a push back on its revoking the program and finds itself becoming as controversial as the ill designed program it and district staff had no say in developing.

The Palo Verdes High School CST Incentive Program has caused a firestorm in this small close-knit community. Blindsided by the controversy and problems coming to the forefront, in July of 2011 the program was revoked by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Board when the PVSPU Superintendent and Board were hit by a barrage of complaints about a policy they did not approve. Parents and educators from the cross town rival school, Palo Verdes Peninsula High School, as well as parents from Palo Verdes High School complained about the equity of the program to the school board who revoked the program in a special meeting in the summer. PVSPU Superintendent Walker Williams was widely quoted as calling the system “not totally equitable”, while the PVPUSD Board President Barbara Lucky stated that the Board was not fully informed about the program. Now the controversy has returned with some in the school wanting the Board of Education to reverse its vote to revoke the program. The Board has directed the high school's staff to try and come to a consensus before taking further action.

Among the concerns that came to light is a change in a senior student’s grade from their 10th grade year (based on a CST Score that year) that allowed that senior student to become the high school’s Valedictorian. The prestige of Valedictorian has enormous consequences. As an example, California State University, Long Beach gives any Valedictorian who selects CSULB a full scholarship. The fallout from the grade change-two years after the fact-that led to the Valedictorian fiasco and the fact that the PVPUSD School Board was not informed of the program, led PVPUSD Board President Barbara Lucky, PVPUSD Superintendent Williams and parents to publicly question the program.

PV High School Principal Dr. Nick Stephany however has publicly defended the program, putting him at odds with the school board and the Superintendent. The principal cites the CST Incentive as one of the programs in an arsenal of programs that PV High School used to get their API Score to 898. While the principal has also defended the program by stating that only 5 percent of the students have boosted their grades using the program he also acknowledges that because of so many new programs at PV High School, nothing can be directly attributed to any one for the school's increase in API. However, parents and faculty point out that cross town rival PVP High School also increased its API score to 898 without the CST Incentive program or the controversy. The program has also divided the staff at PV High School as well. While the school board has directed the staff to come to a consensus for the school board to consider, with the controversy in the open and community-wide, the staff appears even more divided.

In addition, Board members under advice from district counsel were concerned about possible exposure of the district to an ongoing American Civil Liberty Lawsuit (ACLU) lawsuit over the use of fee-based Advanced Placement (AP) tests and the grade-boosting based on AP testing results. That issue is yet to be addressed.

None of the issues that PVPUSD is dealing with have yet developed in the case of Orange Unified’s El Modena High School’s CST Initiative Program. In comparison El Modena’s less thought out CST Program has even more troubling attributes than the PV High School program has- as this series will continue to examine.

LINK to PART 1: PART 1

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?Is an investigative news series of
Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

WATCH FOR Part 3 Of Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

Surridge elected Orange Unified Board President

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:31:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

Surridge elected Orange Unified Board President
One year after being elected to the Orange Unified School Board by defeating former trustee Kimberly Nichols, Trustee Tim Surridge was elected as Orange Unified School Board President on a split 4-2-1 vote. Surridge was nominated by John Ortega just a moment before Trustee Diana Singer nominated Trustee Dr. Alexia Deligianni for the position. On the vote for Surridge, Deligianni abstained, with Trustees Kathy Moffat and Diana Singer voting No. Surridge voted for himself and was joined by Trustees John Ortega, Mark Wayland and outgoing OUSD Board President Rick Ledesma giving Surridge the majority vote. Deligianni was then elected Board Vice President on a 7-0 vote and Wayland was again voted Board Clerk on a 7-0 vote.

In parting comments, Ledesma reflected that he had started the year with Superintendent Dr. Renae Dreier, and was ending the year with Superintendent Michael Christensen, praising both of them. He went on to then describe the OUSD Board’s imitative to address the district’s surplus properties as a source of income stating the district was looking to “maximize value" of the under and unused parcels it owns. He also warned that some “media and gadflies may not like some of these decisions” and stated he was committed to getting value from those properties (see item 12 C below).

For his part, new President Tim Surridge reflected on the California School Boards Association annual convention, this year held in San Diego. Surridge stated he took the keynote speaker’s message of telling positive stories of local schools to heart. He pledged to spend the year of his presidency telling positive stories about Orange Unified.

OUSD Budget certified Positive
It wasn’t long before the first case of positive news was heard. OUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Joe Sorrera reported that despite the now all but certain State of California budget “trigger cuts”, OUSD would be able to absorb the $8.1 million in anticipated revenue shortage without further program cuts by extending the present cost-saving measures already in place.

Later, OUSD Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources reported on the required R-2 Administrative Ration report required by the State of California of every school district. The report is to make sure that school districts are compliant with mandated administrative to teacher acceptable ratios. OUSD, which over a 5 year period has had the lowest ratio of any Orange County Unified District, continued to post a very low administrative to teacher ratio in the current report. Allowed 8 certificated administrators per 100 credentialed teachers under the current formula, OUSD would be allowed about 87 certificated administrators. Currently (not including percentages of the two charter schools and federally funded positions) OUSD has 66 certificated administrators, falling far below the allowable number and ratio.

INSIDE the January 19 OUSD Agenda
Closed Session Agenda Item 4A: discussion of Meadows Construction Services Inc. v Orange Unified School District. In 2008 the firm had been awarded the modernization contract for Sycamore Elementary School. In 2009, two phases (#5 & 6) were terminated by OUSD decreasing the contract and days of constriction.

Closed Session Agenda Item 4 D: Discussion of the Superintendent’s evaluation instrument

Action Item 12 B ( Agenda page 5): in dealing with the ‘trigger cuts” OUSD is requesting a continuation of the waivers for two more years to the California Education Code it received for the school years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. The annual savings to the district is projected to be $1.9 million annually.

Action Item 12 C (Agenda page 6): Public Hearing on waiver to sell or lease Killerfer site surplus property site. OUSD is seeking a waiver from state requirements outlining the process for selling or leasing property that a district may not receive the highest price. OUSD is seeking to determine “what constitutes the most desirable bid, set its own terms and conditions, and remove the requirement that oral bids be accepted”.

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus
Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$49,390.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING January 19, 2012
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday Jan 19, 2012, 2011 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 5:30 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: AGENDA
For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?
Part 2

Whitney Amsbary wins 2011 GOPY

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Orange Unified Educators Association President Amsbary wins 3rd Annual Greater Orange Person of the Year award

The Orange Communication System, has announced Orange Unified Educators Association (OUEA) President Whitney Amsbary has been named the 2011 recipient of the GOPY (Greater Orange Person of the Year).

In a December 29th press release, the Greater Orange Community Organization announced that the Orange Communication System awarded 2011 GOPY Award based on the award’s criteria of "the person who’s actions most influenced the Greater Orange Community” during the year. Amsbary, a 5th Grade teacher at Nohl Canyon Elementary School in Orange Unified, is serving her second term as OUEA President. The press release states Amsbary:

“has been a standout leader in improving communication, cooperation and understanding between the Orange Unified School Board, the Orange Unified Administration and with the Greater Orange Community at large. Her commitment to open and honest communication and finding common ground during this unprecedented economic turmoil has helped make Orange Unified a shinning example in Orange County and across the State of California of how cooperation and trusts unites a community.”

Orange Communication System is the communications arm of the watchdog group the Greater Orange Community Organization. The Orange Communication System is the producer of original local central Orange County news services that include Orange Net News (ONN) and the Greater Orange News Service and is affiliated with national citizen news organizations.

Past GOPY Award recipients are:
2010- Orange Unified Deputy Superintendent Michael Christensen (now Superintendent)
CLICK ON: 2nd GOPY

2009- Orange Unified Superintendent Renae Dreier (now retired)
CLICK ON: 1st GOPY

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation: Out of the Box or Out of Control PART 1

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:25:00 +0000

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation
Out of the Box or Out of Control?

Most of the handful of schools across California that have implemented a California State Standards (CST) Incentive Program are doing so on their own with a wide-range of approaches. Only Los Angeles Unified School District has a district-wide experimental program in place with district-wide policies for the 39 schools selected to participate in the experimental program. Those policies include legal and logistical policies to navigate the legal pitfalls that the program encounters. By contrast, Orange Unified's El Modena High School, with a more fly-by the-seat-of-our-pants approach, has done none of the legal legwork to prevent another colossal El Modena scandal from erupting in the myriad of issues that could and may have already happened with the program at El Modena. This school year in Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control? the newest Orange Net News investigative series, we will be examining the good, the bad and the ugly issues that this new program opens up, not only specifically with the program at El Modena and its potential far reaching consequences for Orange Unified, but also with the possible future of CST Incentive programs overall.

PART ONE:
AP and honors Students penalized: Student Segregation Returns
Orange Unified’s El Modena High School is no stranger to controversy, or controversial programs. The most recent foray into the land of educational controversy is being pushed by El Modena Principal John Briquelet. Under Briquelet, the principal has pushed El Modena to join a handful of California high schools experimenting with motivating students to do better on the California State Standards (CST) exams by increasing classroom grades for students who perform well on the tests.

The idea of the grade improvement program is to improve apathy among high school students towards a testing regime that students have come to realize by high school has no real world consequences for poor performance because they do not effect grade-points, do not fulfill graduation credits or requirements for college entrance or help on college applications. At El Modena however, the program tries to not reward motivated AP and honors students who would be more inclined to be “motivated” to use the rewards program.

Any new program can be a hard sell, especially when California Education Code makes teachers the final authority over classroom grades. By most accounts, Briquelet used his bully pulpit to impose the system on the El Modena staff. That can clearly be seen in the paper issued by Briquelet titled A CST Incentive Program FAQ . In it Briquelet repeatedly uses the pronoun “I”. More astonishing is the A CST Incentive Program FAQ presentation of antidotal evidence, generalizations, stereotypes and assumptions as fact.

The A CST Incentive Program FAQ includes phrases like;

“We would like to be accurately represented as a an academic institution”;

“Believe it or not, a school’s performance can affect home values in its attendance area!":

“We do not expect excessive grade inflation”.

“First, very few students will have sufficient knowledge to move from F to D, but their certainly will be a few who manage to do so."

“AP and honors students and honors students should be able to score Advanced in most cases with little effort- the CST exams are not much of a challenge for these kids”

The El Modena plan also includes the legally questionable policy of penalizing Advance Placement (AP) and honors not only by not only requiring them to score higher on the CST exams with an Advance score, but also by giving those already motivated students only one-third the grade “bump” if they do score higher on the CST. The El Modena CST Incentive Program FAQ explains: “AP and honors classes are already provided a bump of sorts through weighted GPA’s, therefore, therefore a full grade increase would result in excessive grade and GPA inflation.”

The LAUSD Board of Education approved Los Angeles Unified plan treats all students equally while recognizing the extra efforts AP and honors students make. Far from penalizing AP students, those students are treated the same as all students by the LAUSD CST Program. The LAUSD program rewards any student improving their score by one achievement category to the next achievement category. In addition, the Los Angeles Unified incentive policy recognizes and rewards AP students for the extra efforts needed to pass the AP examinations by allowing students to petition for an A in a class for a passing score on those college level AP examinations.

Finally, the El Modena CST Incentive Program FAQ addresses what many critics cite as the educational ethical questions with more of an opinion piece:

“Are extra credit assignments unethical? What about the administration of final exams? How about giving students’ college course credits for passing Advanced Placement exams? No, I do not see the CST Incentive Program as remotely unethical.”

Unfortunately, this is just where our series begins.

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation
Out of the Box or Out of Control ?
Is an investigative news series of

Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

WATCH FOR PART 2 of
Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation
Out of the Box or Out of Control?

OUSD Board rejects returning to Rotating Officers

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:03:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

OUSD Board rejects returning to Rotating Officers

At the November 17, 2011 Orange Unified School Board meeting, the Board rejected on a 2-5 vote returning to the practice of rotating Board officers, keeping the current policy of electing them. Trustee Diane Singer sponsored the proposal to revise the Orange Unified School Board Policies to again include the rotation of Board officers as first implemented by the Citizens Board that was elected after the 2001 Orange Unified Recall election.

Currently Trustee Kathy Moffat and OUSD Board President Rick Ledesma are the only remaining trustees that were elected as part of that original Citizens Board that implemented the package of Board Policy reforms dubbed the Recall Reforms that included the rotation of officers. A few years later, the controversial election of Steve Rocco to the OUSD Board proved too much for the then citizens majority and they began changing Board policies. Those changes including eliminating the rotation of officers to deny Rocco any leadership role as they simultaneously tried to pursue a recall against Rocco.

At the November 17th meeting it was Moffat who moved Singer’s proposal and asked her fellow Board members to support it. Acknowledging for the first time in public (without mentioning him by name) that Rocco’s election was the motivation behind the change away from the rotation system, Moffat noted that having served under both systems of rotation and election, in her experience the rotation system was a “healthier one”. Moffat explained that she felt under the rotation system it gave proper perspective to the officers, making their service more positive, and avoiding the feeling that the Board President’s position was a “super board member” position. Moffat noted that if the situation ever again arose that the by-law needed to be changed, it could.

Trustee Mark Wayland reasoned that some members are not as prepared to be Board President as others. Wayland also countered the argument that rotation of officers ensured fairness with the statement, “Life is not fair”. Trustee Timothy Surridge, who has often been a bridge builder between the majority and minority members, reasoned that the Board President must be a “consensus builder” and an election ensures that the Board President “has support”.

The 2-5 vote had Moffat and Singer voting to return to the rotation system with Wayland and Surridge being joined by Trustees Rick Ledesma, Dr. Alexia Deligianni, and John Ortega to oppose the change.

Agenda Item 9 A (Agenda page 1) for this week’s Thursday December 8, 2011 OUSD Board Meeting is the Annual Organizational Meeting that will elect new OUSD Board officers for next year.

Villa Park Councilman Robert Fauteux praises OUSD Superintendent

Villa Park Councilman Robert Fauteux is no stranger to the OUSD Boardroom. Commenting for years in the Foothill Sentry on OUSD, his November 17 reason for his appearance before the OUSD Board was remarkable for anyone who has followed Fauteux’s career. The councilman stood before the OUSD Board to heap praise on Superintendent Michael Christensen for his attendance at a Villa Park City Council Meeting to hear community complaints about the traffic centered around OUSD’s four schools located in Villa Park. Fauteux also praised the Superintendent for beginning the work to address the traffic issues that with City of Villa Park staff and officials. While he was there the councilman also invited everyone to the Villa Park Great Dry Land Yacht Parade on Sunday December 13- and you know what- we could tell he really meant it.

OUSD sound as California prepares to pull the Budget Trigger

After a stellar Annual Audit Report from the independent auditor, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Joe Sorrera gave an update on the financial outlook for OUSD with the prospect of an estimated $3.7 billion California budget deficit forcing double trigger budget cuts built into this year’s California budget. As the weak economy continues to take its toll, OUSD could see a loss of $8.1 million dollars. With a current $13 million dollar reserve (due in part to lower interest rates on its OPED Bonds) OUSD should not have further budget cuts or be required to cut further days off its school year this year. The two outlying years will require applying for continuing the Class Size Waiver in grades 3-8 for two more years and may require further negotiations to extend current pay agreements with its employees through 2014 to offset continued projected revenue losses.

No takers on OUSD Killefer site or OUSD Bond offer

The economy is taking its toll on more than just tax receipts from the Sacramento. The opening on bids for purchase of the OUSD Killefer property site on Lemon Street in Old Towne proved anti-climatic as no bids were received for the site during the Public Hearing at the November 17 meeting.

Meanwhile, a day later on November 18, Standard and Poors withdrew it’s A plus rating of OUSD 2008 Bonds because no one bought them.

For More Information CLICK HERE: OUSD BONDS

Superintendent Christensen pushes back OUSD Strategic Plan goals to 2014

Explaining to the OUSD Board that the OUSD 3 year Strategic Plan was good but “We need more time”, OUSD Superintendent Christensen extended the timeline to accomplish the goals to 2014. Honestly explaining to the OUSD Board that “The timelines [to accomplish the goals] are moving back because they cannot be met”, Christensen used the example of technology as how the economy has impacted meeting the goals. Citing the lack of funds to upgrade technology, the elimination of teacher in-service days to train on new technology and the shear stress and workload on the district’s human resources, the forthright Christensen explained “We are not finished with what is in place” and therefore needed to extend the timelines assuring the Board that “We are moving ahead”.

INSIDE the December 8, 2011 Agenda-New Xerox Machines

While officers for next year will be decided at the December 8 OUSD Board meeting, perhaps more interesting to teachers and support staff is Consent Item 15 D (pg 50). OUSD’s current 5 year lease with Xerox Corporation will expire in June, 2012. The Agenda Item reports the new lease includes: new copy machines throughout the district with the latest technology; and a 17% savings over the current contract (less machines) a five year $940,000 savings.
Also..
Announcement 10 E (Agenda pg 5-6) Proclamation recognizing Villa Park’s 50th Anniversary
Announcement 10 F (Agenda pg 7-8) Proclamation recognizing the Orange Chamber of Commerce 90th Anniversary
Action Item 13 A- (Agenda pg 9-42) First Interim Financial Report on the OUSD budget

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus

Running total (beginning 8/2008)
$48,180.00*
* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING December 8, 2011
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday Nov 17, 2011 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
CLOSED SESSION- 5:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: AGENDA

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:
Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation:
Out of the Box or Out of Control?

Tis the Season for Greater Orange Hoilday Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 19:16:00 +0000

METRO Talk:

Santa to Tour Villa Park before heading to North Pole
Few people outside Villa Park may know that Santa and Mrs. Claus keep their Southern California vacation residence right here in Greater Orange at the Claus Villa in Villa Park. Each year before making the final push towards getting ready for that Christmas Eve world tour, the Claus family spends a weekend at their Villa Park get-a-way. Traditionally, Santa has thanked his home-away-from home neighbors with the Annual Villa Park Santa Tour winding his way through the Greater Orange “Hidden Jewel” in a bright red fire truck. This year’s tour is Saturday December 3, 2011 starting at 8:00 am.

Santa has been known to drop by or stop along the route where ever there is a gathering of believers. For more information contact the Villa Park City Hall at 714-998-1500. The Annual Santa Tour is sponsored by the Villa Park Foundation.

For a map and times CLICK ON: SANTA TOUR

17th Annual Orange Plaza Tree Lighting and Candlelight Choir Procession
The Christmas holiday season’s official Greater Orange kickoff celebrates 17 years of tree lighting ceremonies in the Orange Plaza. The 350 voice Orange Master Chorale choir led by Orange High’s world famous choir director Michael Short and a 60 piece orchestra in the traditional Choir Procession and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The festivities start at 3:30 pm on Sunday December 4th with food booths and kids activities including those holiday photo ops with none-other than Santa himself followed by the official choir and tree ceremony starting at 5:15 pm.

In case of rain please call the official Orange Special Events Hotline for details: 714-744-7278.

14th Villa Park Great Dry Land Yacht Parade Kicks off 50th Celebration

Being land-locked never bothered many in Greater Orange, especially in Villa Park where the 14th Annual Great Villa Park Inland Yacht Parade takes place on Sunday December 11th, 2011.

Kicking off Villa Park’s 50th Anniversary of cityhood, the mighty armada sets sail starting at 5:00 pm, to arrive at its home port at the Villa Park Towne and Community Centre at around 6:00 pm. The hometown festivities including a tree lighting ceremony and entertainment and promises of special 50th year surprises. The Great Villa Park Inland Yacht Parade is sponsored by the Villa Park Foundation.

For a Parade Route Map: CLICK ON:BOAT PARADE

The newest education controversy comes to Orange Unified

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:13:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

The newest education controversy comes to Orange Unified

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation
Out of the Box or Out of Control?

OUSD’s El Modena High School expands Grade Inflation Incentives
Orange Unified’s El Modena High School, a school with a long history of scandals, is posed to again take center stage in the latest educational ignominy to boost testing scores: Grade Inflation Incentives. Orange Net News has obtained documents about the changing year old grade incentive program at El Modena High School to try and increase the school's California Standards Test (CST) called the CST Incentive Program. El Modena’s program has spread to Orange High School, and may soon be in place at other OUSD schools. Beginning this month, Orange Net News will produce a new investigative series on the controversial testing practice:
Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

El Modena High School under Principal John Briquelet has instituted, without Orange Unified Board approval (but with the full knowledge of upper OUSD Administrators), a plan to retroactively boost student classroom grades based on their performance on the California Standards Test (CST). While the plan is similar to controversial CST Incentive Plans in a few other California schools, unlike the other CST Incentive Plans, the El Modena Plan was not approved by the Orange Unified School Board, was implemented by what some characterize as a “strong handed” approach by the El Modena School Administration, and lacks protections and safeguards of other plans. Those other plans, even with their safeguards have come under question.

Similar to a plan authorized by the Los Angeles School Board Trustees in 39 schools in that district, the El Modena Plan differs substantially in administration, participation and equity. In addition, ONN has documents showing the plan has changed since its introduction and without safeguards could lead to possible unethical and possibly illegal abuses of the system now in place.

In our new investigative series Orange Net News will explore and examine the serious issues raised by the El Modena CST Incentive Program and other CST Incentive Programs including the serious issues around “retroactive” grade reassignments. Those issues include: High School Grade Inflation relating to college entrance exams; competitive college applications; adult initiation vs. student driven grade changes; CIF athletic and grade required activity participation eligibility; equity of incentives; accreditation issues; and the legal, moral and classroom issues of the CST Grade Incentive idea in general as well as investigating Orange Unified’s current version in specifics as implemented by El Modena and Orange High School.

Trustee Diane Singer proposes
OUSD return to Recall Reform of rotating Board officers
Trustee Diane Singer has placed a proposal on the November 17, 2011 Orange Unified Board Agenda to revise the Orange Unified School Board Policies to again include the rotation of Board officers as first implemented by the Citizens Board that was elected after the 2001 Orange Unified Recall election. Item 14 D (Agenda page 7) requests a return to the rotation of officers adopted in December 2002. Current Trustee Kathy Moffat and OUSD Board President Rick Ledesma are the only remaining trustees that were elected as part of that original Citizen’s Board that implemented the a package of Board Policy reforms dubbed the Recall Reforms that included the rotation of officers. Ledesma had been on the OUSD Board prior to the Recall, but was ousted in the election that brought the Marty Jacobson Radical Board to power. Ledesma was returned to the OUSD Board in the Recall Election.

After the 2001 Orange Unified Recall, then President Bob Viviano, with the newly elected Trustees, proposed and passed several reforms known as the Recall Reforms. Trustee Viviano was an outsider on the Recalled Conservative Board and knew very well how a majority could weld power. After the Recall Election, his contribution to approved package of Board Policy changes included a plan of having the three Board offices rotated between all the Trustees so a small minority would never be isolated by another overwhelming majority. Both Moffat and Ledesma supported all of the Recall Reforms.

Later, after the controversial election of Steve Rocco to the OUSD Board, then Superintendent Dr. Thomas Godley proposed (under the guise of saving money) to eliminate the Recall Reform of televising OUSD Board Meetings. It was Trustee Rick Ledesma that rallied the community to save the Trustee broadcasts, and those broadcasts continue to this day ( although for a time Godley censored items he did not want broadcasted involving Rocco, leading ONN to report to the community all items Godley censored). Rocco’s election however also proved too much for the then majority. After Trustee Kim Nichols became Board President after Moffat, Nichols and her allies took aim at Rocco and began changing Board policies, including eliminating the rotation of officers so as to deny Rocco any leadership role as they simultaneously tried to pursue a recall against Rocco. The Recall Reform of rotating officers was changed the rule back to electing Board officers. Kathy Moffat supported that move.

Now, with another super majority in control of the Board, minority members again are shut out of the Board power structure and forced again to try to participate from outside, the exact situation, former Trustees Bob Vivano, Bill Lewis, and current Board President Rick Ledesma had fought in the past to change with their then ally Kathy Moffat.

INSIDE the OUSD Agenda for November 17, 2011
Work Study Session- 5:30 pm pm An Orientation on the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) and the Emergency Operation Center (EOC).

Closed Session – 6:00 pm The OUSD Board will appoint an Assistant Superintendent and a Administrative Director for Business Services and a Coordinator, Special Education-Learning Services.

Action Item 14 A- (Agenda page 3) Opening bids for the purchase of the Killefer Elementary School site at 541 N Lemon Street in Orange. Bids must be at least $3.4 million.

Information Item 15 B – (Agenda page 10) Budget Update- What a difference trust makes for the Greater Orange Community. As the state budget continues to tank…and the trigger dates for automatic dates for the state budget cuts approach- OUSD’s highly regarded financial staff will continue to look into their renowned crystal ball and try to make sense of it all for the Trustees, staff and community.

Information Item 15 E – (Agenda page 13) A Progress update on OUSD’s current three year Strategic Plan. Under former Superintendent Dr. Dreier those updates grew refreshingly honest; with Superintendent Christensen we expect that level of integrity to continue.

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus
running total (beginning 8/2008):
$46,970.00*
* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING November 17, 2011
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday Nov 17, 2011 -OUSD BOARD ROOM
Work Session- 5:30 CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For AGENDA-CLICK ON: NOVEMBER AGENDA

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

WATCH FOR Orange Net News newest investigative series:

Orange Unified’s Grade Inflation Out of the Box or Out of Control?

OUSD's Ledesma calls Attorney ruling “minutia"

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:15:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

OUSD Board President Ledesma calls
OUSD Attorney ruling “minutia”
The last Orange Unified Board Meeting on September 15, 2011 started off with a disagreement over the meeting Agenda which did not include a requested agenda item from Trustee Diane Singer. Singer objected to Board President Rick Ledesma not placing a legal opinion from OUSD Attorney Covert Spencer on the use of “Board consensus” that Covert issued in September. Singer had requested the clarification over concerns about Ledesma’s proposals at the June 2011 meeting on changing the process Board members were to go through for requests for information from the district staff. Ledesma used a non-voting “consensus” to require all requests for information go through him. Covert was asked to issue a legal opinion, and Singer asked that the legal opinion be included in the agenda for discussion. Ledesma did not include it, and Singer objected. Answering Singers concern, Ledesma called the letter “board minutia” and offered that as the reasoning for not including it as an Agenda item to be discussed in public as Singer continued to object. Ledesma then moved on with the meeting. The Agenda was approved 6-1 with Singer voting “NO”.

Singer’s Agenda item however does now appear, with Covert’s legal opinion letter, on the October 20, 2011 Board Agenda as item 13 B (agenda pages 9-16). Singer, received support from Trustees Kathy Moffat and Tim Surridge to have the item placed on the Agenda. In his letter, Attorney Spencer Covert states that current Board Policy allows trustees to submit requests for information directly to the Superintendent. Covert also states that to change the policy takes a vote of the Board, and states that that a vote for changing the policy never occurred. Covert also notes that the word “consensus” does not appear in the Brown Act and that any change to a Board Policy requires an item placed on the agenda and a formal vote be taken.

Under current Board rules, the President with the Superintendent, decides if a trustee requested agenda item is in the “subject matter jurisdiction” of the Board and can be placed on the Agenda. If a requested item is not placed on the Agenda, in practice it can be added if three trustees request it (basically an appeal of the ruling). Singer also objected to the Board rule that requires three Board members to sign on (appeal) an item to add it to the agenda. Singer called that appeal process a violation of the Brown Act, reasoning that three members would have to discuss an item. However, OUSD Board Policy states the appeal process is to be done in Open Session. In addition, the Brown Act states that a majority of the Board may not discuss an item outside of Open Session, which in OUSD’s case would be four Trustees-not three.

Ironically the agenda appeal item rule was changed from two Board members to three Board members after Ledesma had supported a request by then estranged OUSD Trustee Steve Rocco to place two items on the OUSD Agenda to the dismay and outrage of the then Board Majority. After Rocco used the agenda items to further his conspiracy theories, the then majority (which current Trustee Kathy Moffat was then apart of) voted to change several Board policies aimed at isolating Rocco and any support Ledesma might offer him. Those changed policies, now in the hands of a new voting block majority with Ledesma as President, have proved to be powerful tools and have isolated the current two vote minority.

Another of the policies changed by Moffat and her allies aimed at Rocco, was one of the so-called Recall Reforms from 2001. After the Orange Recall, then President Bob Viviano proposed and passed several reforms known as the Recall Reforms. Trustee Viviano was an outsider on the Recalled Conservative Board and knew very well how a majority could weld power. After the Recall election, his contribution to approved Board Policy changes included a plan of having the three Board offices rotated between all the Trustees so a small minority would never be isolated. That plan lasted until Rocco was elected. The idea of having Rocco in a leadership role was too much for the new majority of the then Citizen’s Board that was elected because of the Recall. They quickly changed the rule back to electing Board officers and ended the rotation of officers. Now, with another super majority in control of the Board, minority members again are shut out of the Board power structure and forced again to try to participate from outside, the exact situation, former Trustees Bob Vivano, Bill Lewis, and current Board President Rick Ledesma had fought in the past to change.

SB 161 Seizure medication law signed by Brown
SB 161, authored by Senator Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), was been signed by Governor Jerry Brown. The Orange Unified Board’s LegCo Committee supported the bill and the OUSD Trustees voted to support the bill. The new law allows volunteer employees at California schools who have been properly trained to provide emergency assistance to students with epilepsy who suffer a seizure at school. Diastat Acudial is a pre-dosed preparation of diazepam gel that was developed to be used by those without medical training. It is considered to be the fastest, safest, and most effective way to treat epileptic seizures. Huff’s office issued the following statement:
"The Governor's signature on SB 161 marks the victorious end to a long and bitter fight to provide the safety net that children with epilepsy desperately need in our schools. This victory proves that a determined group of parents, doctors, schools and other citizens can overcome even the most powerful of special interests."

INSIDE the AGENDA- October 20, 2011

Ledesma Places Trustee Boundary Changes on Agenda

Taking a page from former Board President Kimberly Nichols, current Board President Rick Ledesma has added Item 13 B (Agenda Page 9) to the October 20, 2011 Agenda to look at adjustments to the Trustee Area Boundaries.

The famous Nichols Realignment in 2007 came about after failing to gather enough signatures to qualify a recall election against former Trustee Steve Rocco. The 2007 realignment moved Rocco’s out of his Trustee Area so that he could not run as an incumbent in the Area that elected him. Rocco was moved into Ledesma’s area and later ran against Ledesma and lost.

INSIDE the OUSD BUDGET
OUSD Finances sound even with pending trigger cuts
During a report to the OUSD Trustees at the September meeting, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Joe Sorrera stated that Orange Unified’s approved budget will be able to “absorb” the $ 7.7 million in possible mid-year budget cuts if the “trigger” revenue loss to the state is reached that will cut into California’s state allocations to K-12 districts.

Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus running total
(beginning 8/2008):

$45,760.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING October 20, 2011
Next OUSD Board Meeting Thursday -OUSD BOARD ROOM
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: BOARD
CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD

is an independent news service of /O/N/N/

Orange Unified School Board meets

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:13:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

Orange Unified School Board meets
Thursday September 15 – 7:00 pm

The Orange Unified School Board will meet in Open Session at 7:00 pm on September 15. 2011.

The Agenda will include:
• Action Item 12 A (page 6-24) Adoption of the 2010-11 Revised Budget

This “Unaudited Actuals” meets the states 3% reserve and continues to show OUSD finances are as good as it gets when compared to most school districts and other government entities around the state.

• Information Item 13 B- Legislative Coalition Update on SB 161 emergency administration of Diastat epilepsy drug by school employees. Controversy and political turf wars surround this OUSD sponsored legislation.
CLICK HERE for administration instructions: DIASTAT

New Student Advisory Board members (page 3).

Proclamation of Walk to School Week and Day (page4)

CLICK HERE for more information:WALK

INSIDE the OUSD Budget
Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus running total (beginning 8/2008):
$44,550.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: THURSDAY September 15, 2011
OUSD BOARD ROOM
For AGENDA-CLICK ON:AGENDA

CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at
714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
is an independent news service of
/O/N/N/ Orange Net News
“Independent Local Insight”

Orange International Street Fair's 2011 theme- " A world of Flavor at your Finger Tips"

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 20:31:00 +0000

39th Annual Orange International Street Fair this Labor Day
The Orange International Street Fair is the annual end-of–summer Labor Day Weekend bash that is celebrating its 39th year since being the centerpiece of the City of Orange centennial celebration in 1972 as a re-creation of a 1910 Orange International Fair. The celebration literally draws the world to the center of Greater Orange as world famous Orange Traffic Circle becomes the center of pedestrian traffic on the numerous international themed food streets. Over 1200 volunteers have been preparing to make the expected half million visitors feel welcome. More than 80 community organizations dedicated to serving the Greater Orange Communities rely on the Orange International Street Fair as one of their biggest fundraisers of the year.

A World of Flavor at Your Finger Tips

This year’s theme is “A World of Flavor at Your Finger Tips!!”. Like the past 39 years, the fun is all about the food, music, more food, drinks…and don’t forget the FOOD…from around the world. Craftsmen will be selling handmade items around the Plaza and present and past Orange Street Fair commemoratives will be on sale to complete your Orange Street Fair collection. As always no pets are allowed at the orange Street Fair and wristbands for public alcohol consumption are required.

Fourteen bands to play
The free entertainment includes fourteen bands that will perform thought the four block downtown Old Towne Orange Plaza traffic circle center representing music from around the globe on the numerous stages on the various streets including the famous Main Stage.
Band Entertainment Schedule CLICK ON: BANDS

Children’s Street
The Children’s Street family oriented activities will again be offered on North Orange Street just off East Chapman Ave. No alcohol is allowed in the Children’s Street area. Children’s Street hours are:
Friday September 2nd: 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturday September 3rd: 10 am – 8:30 pm
Sunday September 4th: 10 am – 8:30 pm

Parking and Traveling to the Orange Street Fair
The event draws half a million visitors over its three days. Visitors from out-of- town are encouraged to avoid the parking crunch by taking the Metrolink (at reduced weekend rates-see below) to the historic Orange Santa Fe (Metrolink/Amtrak) Depot conveniently located adjacent to the street fair. OCTA will sell you a $10 weekend Metrolink trains will allow you to ride anywhere in the regional system from 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday midnight. Weekend passes are only sold at the vending machines located at Metrolink stations (no web sales). Those wishing to brave the parking drama may try the Chapman University lots or parking on the surrounding streets. Expect to walk several blocks from where you park just to get to the Traffic Circle area where the Street Fair takes place.

LINK to Metrolink Pass story: $10 Metrolink Pass

LINK to Orange Old Town Metrolink Station Information:Orange Station

Orange Street Fair Schedule
The Orange Street Fair is in Orange Old Towne at the Orange Plaza the Traffic Circle intersection of Chapman and Glassell Streets in Orange. The fair runs Friday- Sunday (yes Sunday is the last day…Monday Labor Day is clean-up). Entering the street fair as always is free. Alcohol Sales on the street are over at 9:00 p.m. and a wrist band to purchase and drink at the fair must be purchased each day

Dates and hours of the 2010 Orange International Street Fair are:
September 2 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
September 3 & 4 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
CLOSED MONDAY

Link To Orange Street Fair website: Orange International Street Fair

OUSD keeps Covert as Christensen Administration begins

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:19:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD

Spencer Covert remains in OUSD with 2-5 Board vote
Orange Unified Board President Rick Ledesma was handed a rare defeat during the July 28, 2011 OUSD Board Meeting on Action Item 12 B (Agenda page 5) as the OUSD Board voted 2- 5 against Ledesma’s proposal to replace long-time OUSD law firm Parker & Covert. Ledesma sought to replace OUSD’s lead counsel Spencer Covert of Parker & Covert as lead negotiator for OUSD with its employee groups with Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo. Only OUSD Trustee John Ortega voted with Ledesma to replace Covert, who was once replaced in OUSD by various right wing counsel under the Radical Board, but then brought back as lead counsel in 2001 after the Citizen’s Board won the Recall election. At the May 12, 2011 Orange Unified School Board meeting, OUSD Board President Rick Ledesma recommended that OUSD change legal representatives for negotiations with its employee groups. Ledesma asked the OUSD Board for consensus to have staff ask for a quote from law firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Rudd & Romo to be the legal representative for the district in employee negotiations. At that time Ledesma stated it was “good business sense” to occasionally rotate firms for a fresh perspective. While Ledesma during the May meeting was getting the consensus of nodding heads to pursue the switch, only Trustee Kathy Moffat spoke up at that time with concerns. However when the proposal was brought forward at the July meeting, most of the Trustees spoke up against the switch for various reasons, many echoing the concerns Moffat had initially raised in May.

The July 28 meeting was also the last for the popular retiring OUSD Superintendent Dr. Renae Dreier.

INSIDE the August 25, 2011 OUSD Board Meeting
The August 25, 2011 OUSD Board Meeting will be the first official meeting for incoming OUSD Superintendent Michael Christensen. As OUSD’s first Deputy Superintendent, Christensen was a familiar figure at OUSD Board Meetings keeping the OUSD Board updated on the OUSD’s responses to the states financial crisis. Christensen is widely credited with making OUSD a standout in the state for fiscal management during the current budget crisis. If anyone on the Board was hesitant about moving Christensen up from his stellar performance as OUSD’s head budget guru, the August 28 Agenda may lay any fears aside that Christensen will not keep an eye on the hard-won fiscal soundness that has made OUSD the envy of statewide educational insiders. Under the Consent Agenda Item 14 F (pages 21-23) Christensen will remain a member of the OPED Bond Board of Authority. In addition, Thursday’s four Action Items 12 A-D (pages 1-13) are applications to the state to waive state requirements for an open bidding process on four district surplus properties. While on the face of it, retreating from an open bidding process may not seem like an ideal course of action, but as the Christensen Administration explains it, the purpose is to give OUSD greater flexibility to not only get the right price for the properties, but also the right match for the surplus properties since two of them ( Killefer and Walnut) are adjacent to existing school sites.

Earning the trust of the community over these last 2 years also earns the OUSD Administration community support for this waiver and the reasoning behind the waiver request. We expect the OUSD Board will vote to support the waivers.

INSIDE the OUSD Budget
Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus running total (beginning 8/2008):
$42,340.00*

* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: THURSDAY August 25, 2011, OUSD BOARD ROOM
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: AUGUST 2011

CLOSED SESSION- 6:00 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at
714-628-4040

For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of
/O/N/N/ Orange Net News
“Independent Local Insight”

2011 STAR test results: Culture continues to play role

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:48:00 +0000

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
2011 STAR test scores results:Culture continues to be ignored by state educational bureaucrats

California has released the 2011 STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) results for the 2010-2011 school year. In a news release like his processors, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson began by heaping praise on the system and students scores:

“California's students continue to steadily improve their performance across the board, with a larger proportion than ever scoring proficient or higher on the 2011 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program exams in English–language arts, mathematics, science, and history–social science”

Five paragraphs into his press release however, the real news of the continued “achievement gap” was given in this short terse paragraph:

“While the STAR results show an increase in proficiency levels among all subgroups, a troubling and persistent achievement gap exists for African American, Latino, English-learner, and low-income students, compared to their peers.”

The “achievement gap” is the real racial and socio-economic difference in scores on the STAR test that have persisted since its inception. However, while the state acknowledges the differences in “a troubling and persistent achievement gap exists for African American, Latino, English-learner, and low-income students, compared to their peers”, it continues to ignore the real issue of “culture” by failing to address those who make-up the over-achieving “peers” of the under-acheiving minorities. The acheivers are by-in-large middle-to affluent white students AND all economic levels of Asian students. The fact that all economic brackets of Asian students out perform their white counterparts and all other minorities across the state continues to provide clear and present evidence to the de facto role of culture in education. However, because "culture" cannot be addressed by the educational system, educational bureaucrats continue to ignore the elephant-in-the-room of long standing and overwhelming evidence that culture plays a significant role in test scores and those bureaucrats continue to chase after a solution that cannot be addressed by the current testing system that reports scores by race, but ignores the cultural differences of those races.

This fact can be seen in Orange Unified that is divided by the clearly defined and now openly acknowledged OUSD 55 Divide of economics and culture. In OUSD’s 2011 Hispanic/Latino Economically Disadvantage CST General Math scores for 8th Grade, 4% of those 678 students scored advanced and 28% scored Proficient. Looking at the 2011 CST General Math scores for OUSD’s 19 8th Grade Asian students who are also Economically Disadvantage; 32% scored Advanced and 32% scored Proficient. Clearly the differences are stark and real. The stark differences can be seen across the board (see LINKS below), not only in OUSD, but state-wide. In addition, the shear numbers of the different cultures continue to take a toll on the education system. The facts are crystal clear, a school with a high percentage of Asians will outperform a school with a high percentage of other minorities.

This is not an “achievement gap” it is a “cultural gap”. To deny this is to deny reality. However, that denial is deeply seated in today’s educational bureaucracy and continues to eat away at public confidence in our schools. To ignore the cultural differences and to demand that “better” strategies are needed (paid for by taxpayers) is the modern equivalent of the continued saga of The Emperors New Clothes, or perhaps the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s New Clothes.

LINK for OUSD District-wide Scores 2011 OUSD

LINK for OUSD Individual School Scores
OUSD Individual schools (select school on drop menu)

LINK for OUSD Asian Economically Disadvantage Scores
2011 OUSD Asian Economically Disadvantage Scores

LINK for OUSD Hispanic/Latino Economically Disadvantage Scores
2011 OUSD Hispanic/Latino Economically Disadvantage Scores

ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
“Independent Local Insight”

Orange to participate in August 2nd National Night Out

noreply@blogger.com (/OCS/ Orange Communication System) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:34:00 +0000

Orange will participate in the 28th Annual National Night Out

Tuesday August 2nd 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm the Orange Police Department will host the local celebration of National Night Out at the Orange Target parking lot. This years’ event will mark the 28th national anniversary of the annual event with the stated purpose to “strengthen our neighborhoods and enhance police-community partnerships”. The event highlights crime and drug prevention awareness and offers information on local anti-crime program and allows the community to get to better know the police officers who serve them. The event also serves as gathering place for community members to visit with fun family-oriented activities.

This year’s event will again feature police and fire equipment and demonstrations; children finger printing; Mc Gruff the crime fighting mascot; and refreshments.

Last year, over 15,000 communities in the United States, Canada and on U.S. military bases around hosted 37 million people in National Night Out.
CLICK ON: NIGHT OUT

National Night Out in Orange
Tuesday, August 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Orange Target store parking lot at
2191 N. Tustin Street.
FREE for the whole family
For more information contact Brad Beyer: 714-744-7327