Issues Affecting our School District

I will be discussing a series of items that affect our Schools and District.  I will elaborate on issues from the classroom, to technology and and funding. Here is my postion on out of district transfers into our schools.

Meshkaty Permit Position and Rationale

1. The BHUSD should NOT issue any new opportunity permits.

2. The BHUSD should abide by the Los Angeles County Office of Education's (LACOE) stated policy, which allows for one natural transition point between 8th grade and 9th grade (change of school).

3. The BHUSD should open discussion with LACOE immediately to understand and explore the limits of its position on barring the non-renewal of current permits except at 8th grade.

4.  Any changes to the District's Permit Policy MUST consider the financial impact on the District in the event the District reverts back to ADA (State) funding should our local property taxes (Basic Aid) no longer be sufficient to fund our schools.

5. I DO NOT favor closing any of our K-8 schools.

6. I DO NOT favor suing the Los Angeles County of Education nor engaging in other expensive litigation.

The rationale for these postions is that the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is the is the governing body and ultimate authority regarding permit approvals or denials. The current trend from LACOE makes no distinction between Opportunity, Legacy or Diversity permit holders in the District. The Meshkaty Plan follows the direction of the County Board of Education which allows for one transition break between 8th and 9th grade (change of school) yet opens up the dialogue with LACOE to explore an additional break between grade school and middle school (5th to 6th grade).

LACOE has already ruled against the District on several permit appeals. [The Goldberg/Fenton plan which removes ALL opportunity permit students in June 2010 puts the District at financial risk with defending a doomed plan, fighting 500+ appeals and causing the potential closing of one school.]

 We must consider the financial implications if we move from Basic Aid back to ADA funding, which could pose fiscal challenges and cause teacher layoffs, school closures and programming cutbacks.

 The Meshkaty Plan buffers the financial risks to the District by weaning the District away from permits using good governance, fiscal responsibility and compassion. I will not subscribe to any plan that could put the District’s financial security in jeopardy.

I will NOT favor using our precious funding on lawsuits against the County Board of Education, when we could use these monies for programming, books, teachers and our children’s classrooms.