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BOR Meeting for November 13, 2007

1.) Employees of the Month

Background: Each month the District honor employees nominated for Employee of the Month. This month we honored:

Cindy Wu, Danilelle Alcala, Michelle Thomas, Gloria Munoz-Hughes, Amanda Rider and Lara Weber, Kindergarten Teacher Team, Ruby Bridges Elementary
Mary Baker-Hendy, Resource Specialist, Paden Elementary

Fiscal Implications: None

Superintendent Goal: Goal #4 Recruit and retain highly qualified employees.

2.) Elimination of the Senior Project from Graduation Requirements Beginning 2007/08 School Year

Background: Last year an AUSD task force reviewed the purpose and meaning of the Senior Project as a Graduation requriement. At this time, staff is recommending the elimination of the Senior Project as graduation reqiurement.

The Board approved the elimination of the Senior Project as a graduation requirement.

Fiscal Implications: None, but better use of resources

Superintendent Goal: #1 Close the achievement gap

3.) Superintendent’s State of the District – Focus: Elementary Enrollment Forecast & Facility Capacity

Background: At the October 9th BOE meeting, the Superintendent created two task forces to address issues related to address educational excellence and equity when focusing on boundaries and facilities.

The Elementary Task Force members are charged with presenting recommendation to the Board of Education in February based on the proposed timeline.

The Elementary Facility Capacity Task Force will look at four types of options to address the capacity issue: changing boundaries, creating magnet programs which draw students to under-enrolled schools, diverting students to schools with capacity, and the feasibility of increasing capacity at an affected school.

The Task Force will present each option in terms of its impact on facilities, finances, and the school's educational program.

Lapkoff & Bogalet Demographic Research will present a report evaulating the demographic study (1.4Mb PDF) that was finalized in June, 2007.

The 25+ page report covers a number of areas and will be presented at community meeting on December 5th at Haight School:

  • Evaulation of last year's enrollment forecast
  • Define "enrollment"
    • Where student live, not where they attend school
    • Students on the boundaries of the attendance areas
    • Current versus Future students
      • Forecasting methodology; Edison used as example
    • Special Day Class status
  • Define "capacity"
    • Number of rooms per school
    • Usage of rooms
      • Regular education
      • Special Day Class, Resource rooms
      • Miscellaneous rooms
    • Initial definition of capacity: how rooms are currently used
      • District might consider changes in room usage to increase capacity at some schools
  • Compare enrollments and capacity for each school attendance area
  • Options for dealing with the mismatch between enrollment and capacity

The demographers will present an evaluation of last year's forecast that compares their forecast to actual Fall 2007 enrollments.

Summary of Current & Forecasted Attendace Area Residents

School Current Residents Adjustment for Choice Estimated Students from New Housing 5 years Low Expected 5 yr Growth Medium Expected 5 yr Growth High Expected 5 yr Growth Low Expected Medium Expected High Expected
Bay Farm 466 0 0 -27 3 54 439 469 520
Earhart 539 0 0 -57 -4 38 482 535 577
Edison 386 15 0 40 73 105 441 474 506
Franklin 291 25 0 -18 13 46 298 329 362
Haight 477 -20 0 -110 -18 11 347 439 468
Lum 436 0 0 -10 32 69 426 468 505
Otis 449 -15 0 -3 25 60 431 459 494
Paden 270 0 0 0 22 43 270 292 313
Ruby Bridges 447 0 90 -15 23 60 522 560 597
Washington 328 -5 0 -76 -24 16 247 299 339
Out-of-District 149 0 0 0 0 0 149 149 149
Total 4238 . . . . . 3903 4323 4631

Rooms per School and 2006-07 Usage

School Total Rooms Regular Ed Reg Ed Current Capacity SDC Rooms Special Resource Rooms Misc. Rooms Subtotal
Bay Farm 23 514 1 1 2 4
Earhart 25 554 2 0 6 8
Edison 16 356 1 1 2 4
Franklin 13 287 0 1 2 3
Haight (prelim) 19 425 1 0 7 8
Lum 23 514 1 0 1 2
Otis 17 376 1 0 4 5
Paden 16 356 2 1 3 6
Ruby Bridges 23 505 2 0 4 6
Washington 16 356 3 1 6 10
Total 191 4243 14 5 37 56

Current Resident/Expected Future Residents and Capacity

School Current Residents Expected 5 Yr Future Residents (Medium) Current Reg. Ed. Capacity Current Surplus/Deficit Future Surplus/Deficit
Bay Farm 466 469 514 48 45
Earhart 539 535 554 15 19
Edison 401 474 356 -45 -118
Franklin 316 329 287 -29 -42
Haight 457 439 425 -32 -14
Lum 436 468 514 78 46
Otis 434 459 376 -58 -83
Paden 270 292 356 86 64
Ruby Bridges 447 560 505 58 -55
Washington 323 299 356 33 57
Out-of-District 149 149 0 -149 -149
Total 4238 4472 4243 5 -229

Elementary Task Force Timeline

Date Action
October, 2007 Identify members
Oct, 2007 to Dec, 2007 Task Force Meetings
October, 2007 Neighborhood School Community Meeting - Enrollment Policy
Nov, 2007 to Dec, 2007 Community Meetings, Facility Capacity
December 12, 2007 Board of Education Workshop
February 12, 2008 Board of Education Meeting (Information)
February 26, 2008 Board of Education Meeting (Approval)
March 4, 2008 Special Board of Education Meeting (Impact to Staffing)

Members of the Elementary Facility Capacity Task Force:
Luz Cazares, Chief Finance Officer
Joy Dean, Principal, Earhart Elementary School
Dave Dierking , Student Affairs Officer
Jan Goodman, Principal, Ruby Bridges Elementary
Jeff Knoth, Principal, Otis Elementary
Leland Noll, Director of Facilities, Maintenance & Operations
Marcheta Williams, Principal, Edison Elementary
Leni Von Blackenese, Coordinator of Assessment

Fiscal Implications: To be determined

4.) Approval of Enrollment Policy AR 5116.1

Background: At the August 14 BOE meeting, staff bought a revision to Administrative Regulations (AR) 5116.1 to improve kindergarten enrollment procedures (Kindergarten Round-Up). Staff also proposed changes to the enrollment priority order for consideration for other grades, transfer requests, etc.

In summary, the proposed revision recommended a change from a "First Come, First Served" basis of returning kindergarten enrollment applications, to a random drawing process that would be used only when a school was over capacity for the number of applications it received. Public comment at the August 14 meeting requested that the District provide more time for parents to be informed about the proposed change and that the District explore additional options for making enrollment decisions when a school is over capacity.

As a result of this request, the Superintendent scheduled a series of five school neighborhood meetings to hear from parents on this issue. Meetings were scheduled on Monday, October 8 (Bay Farm and *Earhart), Wednesday, October 10 (*Haight and Washington), Monday, October 15 ( Edison and *Otis), Tuesday, October 16 (*Franklin and Lum) and Wednesday, October 17 (Paden and *Ruby Bridges). (*Asterisk indicates where the meeting will took place.) The meetings were also attended by pre-school parents who became aware of this issue. Parents were also invited to share their comments and suggestion by email and the District website provided information and updates on the meetings.

Input gathered from the meetings was extremely helpful in understanding the perspective of new parents entering our system and re-affirming the high value that our community places on Alameda's neighborhood schools. The discussion also produced several excellent suggestions for improving our overall enrollment process. These suggestions will be developed and implemented by staff for 2008-09.

After thoughtful consideration of input garnered from community meetings and other communications, staff is recommending the revision to AR5116.1 as originally proposed. While many parents said they would prefer to maintain a First Come, First Serve process, most parents acknowledged that a random drawing was a fair and equitable means of determining priority. Most people also recognized that a random drawing provides no advantage to any parent, regardless of personal circumstances. As public school educators, it is our obligation to recommend policies and regulations that are both equitable and fair.

For additional background of the activities leading to this agenda item, you read this recap.

Annual Kindergarten Round-Up Enrollment

Each year during the month of January, a two week initial enrollment period (Kindergarten Round-Up) will be held. If after the initial two week period there are more students than available spaces, first enrollment priority will be given to siblings of currently enrolled students in grades one to four living in the zone of attendance that have returned a completed application within the two week period. The remaining students will be assigned enrollment priority numbers through a random drawing. These students will then be enrolled until all spaces are filled. The remaining students will also be provisionally enrolled, and given a notice that they may be placed at a different school. Depending on how many students a school is over capacity, the district may open an additional class at the school or divert these students to neighboring schools. This reassignment may take place at any time between May 1st and the 20th school day of the new school year.

Annotated Annual Kindergarten Round-Up Enrollment Procedures

Each year during the month of January, a two week initial enrollment period (Kindergarten Round-Up) will be held.
The enrollment period for 2008-09 will be held from January 22 to February 1, 2008.
If after the initial two week period there are more students than available spaces,
Space is determined by initial enrollment projections made by the district in early January. If there are not more students than proejcted space, this process ends and we revert back to first come, first serve for those students that enroll after the two week period has ended.
first enrollment priority will be given to siblings of currently enrolled students in grades one to four living in the zone of attendance
Only applies to students within that school attendance zone
2006-07 School Attendance Zones (a very large 6MB file) boundary maps are posted at the schools and the district web site.
that have returned a completed application
A completed application consists of enrollment forms, presentation of original birth certificate, immunization record that is medically up to date, parent/guardian picture identification and proof of residency with original documents.
within the two week period. The remaining students
Those without resident siblings in that school.
will be assigned enrollment priority numbers through a random drawing.
Held within one week of the end of the two week period.
These students will then be enrolled until all spaces are filled.
Example - A school projected space for 60 kindergartners and recieved 64 completed applications, including 10 that have siblings already in the school. The 10 kinergartners with siblings would be enrolled. The remaining 54 applicants would be randomly assigned number 1-54. A representative of student services will randomly assign the number. Number 1-50 would also be enrolled. Numebrs 51-54 would be subject to the following.
The remaining students will also be provisionally enrolled, and given a notice that they may be placed at a different school.
When students are diverted from their home school, subject to available seats, we place them at the nearest school to thier home school. We also work with families to provide other choices if the next closest school does not work for daycare or other family concerns. After two week round-up, remaining seats will be filled on a first come - first serve basis.
Depending on how many students a school is over capacity, the district may open an additional class at the school,
This depends on the availability of a suitable classroom.
or divert these students to neighboring schools. This reassignment may take place at any time between May 1st and the 20th school day of the new school year.
The timing of reassignment depends on the capacity and level of enrollment at the neighboring schools where students may possibly be sent.

Enrollment Priorities

(Note: These priorities do not relate for Kidnergarten Roundup)

Schools receiving requests for admission and intradistrict enrollment requests shall give priority for attendance in the following order:

First: Students residing in the school's attendance area.
Second: Students diverted from their resident attendance zone.
Third: Siblings of children already in attendance at the school.
Fourth: Students placements requesting transfers from Title I schools identified for program improvement.
Fifth: Students requesting transfers who are victims of an on-campus violent crime or are attending a school identified as persistently dangerous.
Sixth: Students approved through the AUSD open enrollment program.
Seventh: Children of district employees applying under the Allen Bill.
Eighth: Students applying under the Allen Bill.
Ninth: Students applying under an interdistrict transfer.

If attendance area boundaries need to be adjusted, the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services will recommend procedures to assure an equitable redistribution of student enrollment with Governing Board approval.

Suggestions for Improving AUSD Enrollment Process

Gained form School Neighborhood Meetings on Kindergarten Enrollment Policy

October 10-17, 2007

As a result of holding school community meetings to discuss potential changes to AUSD's kindergarten enrollment policy, many useful suggestions were made to improve the district's enrollment process. While some suggestions may not be practical due to resource constraints or Education Code regulations, other suggestions may offer new ways to help families make the transition into their new school. The Office of Student Services will work to implement or adapt the following suggestions for the 2008-09 school year.

  • Provide pre-school parents with some form of a "Notes of Intent to Register". While it is not possible to guarantee a space for students in advance of the Annual Kindergarten Roudn-Up, such a process could provide an additional source of information for school specific projections, as well as district enrollment projections. Such a process could also provide an opportunity for early communication with potential AUSD parents, thereby acquainting them with their educational system and helping them to affiliate with their neighborhood school.
  • Do better outreach to Alameda's pre-school and local parent networks in order to provide information about the district's kindergarten enrollment process, educational programs and meetings of interest.
  • Utilize more non-traditional sources to gather enrollment information, for example Coast Guard engineering contacts, school surveys of siblings, PTA neighborhood surveys, etc. Parents we heard from were very willing to assist with surveys in order to provide an additional source of information for projecting enrollment.
  • Do better outreach to support Coast Guard families who have not yet relocated to Alameda. If a Coast Guard Housing Office or official can verify in writing that a family has been assigned to Alameda housing, then we should consider accepting this as a proof of residency in order to complete a student's registration packet.
  • Do a better job of communicating enrollment procedures to parents in writing. While formal enrollment policies can be written in "legalese" there is a need for a simple parent- friendly version that include examples. First time parents in the system may not be familiar with our enrollment procedures and terms. We should make these clear and understandable in order to relieve anxiety about the process and welcome them into our school family, e.g. we should put in writing that if a student is diverted, parents have a choice of the closest school and other schools based on space available.

The Board approved the revision to the policy.

Fiscal Implications: None

Superintendent Goal: Goal #3 Ensure safe edcuational environment.

5.) Approval of Resolution 07-4141 SB77 Art and Music Block Grant

Background: This year SB 77 was enacted into law. It requires districts to adopt a resolution plan for the 2007-08 Arts and Music Block grant, and each year herafter.

The Board approved the resolution.

Fiscal Implications: None to the general fund. Categorical funds of $148,229 will be used.

Superintendent Goal: #1 Close the achievement gap.

6.) Public Employee Union, Local One Decertification Process

Background: Local One representatives filed a decertification petition with the California Public Employment Relations Commission (PERB). As a result a decertification election was held on November 7.

PERB representatives counted the votes:

1 vote - no representation
32 votes - Local One
65 votes - CSEA

Fiscal Implications: None

Superintendent Goal: Not applicable.

7.) Proclamation America Recycle Day - November 15, 2007

Action - 10 minutes

Background: America Recycle Day is November 15. This is the 10th year for the national celebration.

In 2006, there was a Go Green presentation at a PTA Council meeting.

Fiscal Implications: None

Superintendent Goal:

 

 

 
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Last modified: October 16, 2007

Disclaimer: This website is the sole responsibility of Mike McMahon. It does not represent any official opinions, statement of facts or positions of the Alameda Unified School District. Its sole purpose is to disseminate information to interested individuals in the Alameda community.