School Board Notes 2.14.06
School Board Notes
2.14.06
By Nicole Achs Freeling
Enlivening a meeting held Valentine's Day eve, about a dozen UESF members carrying big hearts reading "Fair Play" and "Equal Protection" passed out candy and cards in a lighthearted effort to call attention to its ongoing contract battle with the district. "We are asking you to be our Valentine," teacher Darcie Chan Blackburn said. "We love our jobs. … But love is a two-way street," Blackburn said, calling for the district to meet the union's pay raise demands. Contract negotiations are currently at an impasse, largely due to conflict over salary increases; UESF has asked for an 11 percent increase over the next 18 months, while the district has proposed a 7.5 percent increase in that time.
UESF President Dennis Kelly said the tone of the demonstration reflected a sense of optimism that the district and union can come to an agreement. "I think this is resolvable," he said. "If not, we'll be back in here screaming. But I'm hopeful. I don't think the numbers are that far apart."
Chief Administrative Officer Orla O'Keefe presented information to the board about students transitioning from schools recently voted to be closed or merged. Out of the 408 students in the closed schools who would have to find new placements, over 300, or about 75 percent, have submitted applications for other schools. In schools that were voted to be merged into other schools, 53 percent have applied to go to another school in the district entirely. Many JBBP West students have asked to be placed in Dianne Feinstein Elementary, a brand new school that will open next fall, while many John Swett students have applied to Tenderloin Elementary.
The board unanimously passed a resolution to call for the immediate withdrawal of California National Guard Troops from Iraq. The resolution, which calls on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to push for the withdrawal of the state's troops, joins similar calls made by the California State Legislature and numerous cities and counties, including San Francisco. While some have questioned the sway a school board resolution can carry in such matters, Commissioner Dan Kelly, who introduced the resolution, noted that the resolution helped underscore strong grassroots opposition to the war in the community.
Several members of the community appeared to support a call by Sarah Lipson and Norman Yee for an independent financial audit of the district as it changes leadership from outgoing superintendent Arlene Ackerman to interim superintendent Gwen Chan, who presided over her first meeting as acting superintendent Tuesday. The item, which was introduced for first reading Tuesday night, was not acted upon and did not generate discussion among the board. The call for an audit has reportedly sparked controversy, however, between some members of the board, who say it is standard, and Ackerman, whose lawyer has said it is an attempt to harass her.
2.14.06
By Nicole Achs Freeling
Enlivening a meeting held Valentine's Day eve, about a dozen UESF members carrying big hearts reading "Fair Play" and "Equal Protection" passed out candy and cards in a lighthearted effort to call attention to its ongoing contract battle with the district. "We are asking you to be our Valentine," teacher Darcie Chan Blackburn said. "We love our jobs. … But love is a two-way street," Blackburn said, calling for the district to meet the union's pay raise demands. Contract negotiations are currently at an impasse, largely due to conflict over salary increases; UESF has asked for an 11 percent increase over the next 18 months, while the district has proposed a 7.5 percent increase in that time.
UESF President Dennis Kelly said the tone of the demonstration reflected a sense of optimism that the district and union can come to an agreement. "I think this is resolvable," he said. "If not, we'll be back in here screaming. But I'm hopeful. I don't think the numbers are that far apart."
Chief Administrative Officer Orla O'Keefe presented information to the board about students transitioning from schools recently voted to be closed or merged. Out of the 408 students in the closed schools who would have to find new placements, over 300, or about 75 percent, have submitted applications for other schools. In schools that were voted to be merged into other schools, 53 percent have applied to go to another school in the district entirely. Many JBBP West students have asked to be placed in Dianne Feinstein Elementary, a brand new school that will open next fall, while many John Swett students have applied to Tenderloin Elementary.
The board unanimously passed a resolution to call for the immediate withdrawal of California National Guard Troops from Iraq. The resolution, which calls on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to push for the withdrawal of the state's troops, joins similar calls made by the California State Legislature and numerous cities and counties, including San Francisco. While some have questioned the sway a school board resolution can carry in such matters, Commissioner Dan Kelly, who introduced the resolution, noted that the resolution helped underscore strong grassroots opposition to the war in the community.
Several members of the community appeared to support a call by Sarah Lipson and Norman Yee for an independent financial audit of the district as it changes leadership from outgoing superintendent Arlene Ackerman to interim superintendent Gwen Chan, who presided over her first meeting as acting superintendent Tuesday. The item, which was introduced for first reading Tuesday night, was not acted upon and did not generate discussion among the board. The call for an audit has reportedly sparked controversy, however, between some members of the board, who say it is standard, and Ackerman, whose lawyer has said it is an attempt to harass her.
Labels: GreatSchools.net, School Board Notes, SFUSD Politics
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