tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32292406358754839872024-03-15T12:58:45.116-07:00John KellyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01558899078054088834noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-89137400010483576732024-03-15T12:57:00.000-07:002024-03-15T12:57:47.543-07:00Questions from the Press, March 15, 2024: Introduction of Ethnic Studies at Sonoma Valley High School.<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNeDxZA1Q3njkjQP9rdZ2VYLuJ0rCQgFr6t8hpLf_baORUyBZnt9pzpgu7IBT-aN8gEjF6t6dLdPi7joHCqB-TPSLYcB4yZlfN2r-rBYW3BgCvwkTwwnfYqjbW1n6mR3A-4HP03LgS5TRv0XIQqimAFQsM85jqMHNpRYnTQk7xrbPDrzRRe-8mDmJuNhB/s3174/IMG_4760.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3174" data-original-width="2381" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNeDxZA1Q3njkjQP9rdZ2VYLuJ0rCQgFr6t8hpLf_baORUyBZnt9pzpgu7IBT-aN8gEjF6t6dLdPi7joHCqB-TPSLYcB4yZlfN2r-rBYW3BgCvwkTwwnfYqjbW1n6mR3A-4HP03LgS5TRv0XIQqimAFQsM85jqMHNpRYnTQk7xrbPDrzRRe-8mDmJuNhB/s320/IMG_4760.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Thursday, March 14th, the Sonoma Valley Unified Board of Trustees approved an Ethnic Studies Course for Sonoma Valley High School, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2024, for 9th graders. Andy Gibson, the chair of the History/Social Science Department, highlighted the course's significance. The course explores "the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and experiences that shape the state of California and our own community." The course itself is structured around four main units: "Exploring Identity and Diversity," "Systems and Power," "Family and Community," and "Movements." Each unit examines various aspects of ethnic studies, from personal and collective identities to historical prejudice and the role of protest movements. This approach seeks to equip students with "the skills to become informed, empathetic, and active participants in our society."</span></div></span><p></p><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The adoption of the course responds to the educational mandate set forth by California Assembly Bill 101, requiring high school students to complete a semester-long Ethnic Studies course to graduate starting with the class of 2029-2030. It also aligns with broader educational goals of fostering awareness as part of our general civics education. The primary text for the course will be "Uncharted Territory Second Edition" by Jim Burke. This is in accord with the District's commitment to ensuring the course fits the California History/Social Science Framework and the CDE Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Feedback from the student body underscores the potential impact of the Ethnic Studies course. Student surveys revealed sentiments such as, "I think this would be beneficial because multiple cultures can be represented, and it is important overall to have a broadened view of the different cultures we live with." This reflects the student interest in seeing their cultures and histories represented in the curriculum, reinforcing the course's goal of fostering a sense of belonging and engagement. The course looks to "give students a well-rounded perspective on the experiences of all while placing a strong emphasis on personal reflection." In general, the course is an example of Sonoma Valley High School's effort to create an inclusive educational environment that respects and honors all voices, while also contributing to the cultivation of a respectful and understanding community, well prepared to participate in America's strong history of democratic self-government. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below, I answer questions from the Sonoma Index-Tribune/Santa Rosa Press Democrat regarding the course. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. What is your reaction to an ethnic studies course being added to the curriculum at Sonoma Valley High School in the 2024-25 school year?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's positive that we're introducing an Ethnic Studies course at Sonoma Valley High School for the 2024-25 school year. This addition, mandated by law, signifies a step towards meeting our educational obligation to all our students, and towards an inclusive educational environment generally.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Why is this course needed?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The State of California created this requirement to address the need for students to understand the cultures and histories that make up our community. It's critical for democracy that, amongst other things, we have an understanding of one another when we cast our votes. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Do you think it will help to improve the overall climate on campus by increasing students’ awareness of diversity? If so, tell me how.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I think that students, staff, and the community will have a stronger awareness of and appreciation of the different cultural perspectives in our Valley. I think the goal is ultimately to cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment, and I think the implementation of this course is a step on the road to that objective.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Do you think it will help students in their post-high school careers? If so, tell me how.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In business, especially those that have an international component, understanding diverse cultures is often the critical element in promoting win-win solutions. The skills and perspectives gained from this course should enhance our students' ability to navigate both the workplace and society, encouraging communication and empathy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. As the course was presented last night, how do you feel about its scope and approach?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The scope and approach of the course, as presented, seems comprehensive and appropriate, touching on important themes of cultural organization and community, which are at the core of a deep understanding of civics.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Do you think that it needs to be modified in any ways?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The course is well-structured, and it will of course benefit from feedback from the community and educators, built on the solid foundation of the current framework.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Do you view the course as presented last night as still a work in progress that might be modified before it is implemented?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our curriculum generally gets regularly reviewed and updated by our educators to reflect new insights and developments. Almost from the moment we approve changes to curriculum, the next set of updates begins, to maintain relevance in light of further developments, and I imagine our staff are already thinking along those lines. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Do you think that it is most appropriate to provide the course for ninth graders as opposed to other grade levels? Why or why not?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Offering this course to ninth graders is strategic, and balanced between the developmental stages the students are traversing as they cross the middle-to-high school boundary. The course provides a scaffolding for cultural empathy and awareness, and should encourage critical thinking at what I think is the right time in students' high school journey. It's a moment where they are preparing for future academic and social endeavors that will necessitate the meticulous work of understanding the context of those with whom they collaborate, or, indeed, disagree.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Do you think that it is sufficient to offer only one semester of the course rather than multiple semesters that could include other grade levels?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This course is a start, and the discussion last night noted that the curriculum could be expanded to provide more depth and engagement. I imagine staff will explore how additional semesters could further enrich students' learning experiences, especially when informed by this initial course.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Would you like to say anything else?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to express my support for the initiative and thank those who put the effort into developing this course. It represents a significant step towards preparing our students to participate in civic life, through thoughtful, informed, and responsible engagement with our democratic traditions. </span></div></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-57135488740492056432024-03-11T12:13:00.000-07:002024-03-11T12:13:17.458-07:00Beyond Technology: The Mother Behind Silicon Valley's Birth.<p style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KEUo7lstPQbuNxqBxzGk7xTQ-OnvZKn0rZDG8BMMR9ya8Mmj5uAhlnQIoZRx_4pOTsvn52X1a3tRBbrXxVPD9CdhQ3qaUb-JDz-7DUStz50WnnC0vh_rcD9J2DNWGEw6WJReFn3DfWnxAumSsiiQHeYFwbhYW7x7OMfGyqLyP-NRI_SoJxnsiD7XhlCR/s304/Screenshot%202024-03-11%20at%2012.09.58%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="304" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KEUo7lstPQbuNxqBxzGk7xTQ-OnvZKn0rZDG8BMMR9ya8Mmj5uAhlnQIoZRx_4pOTsvn52X1a3tRBbrXxVPD9CdhQ3qaUb-JDz-7DUStz50WnnC0vh_rcD9J2DNWGEw6WJReFn3DfWnxAumSsiiQHeYFwbhYW7x7OMfGyqLyP-NRI_SoJxnsiD7XhlCR/s1600/Screenshot%202024-03-11%20at%2012.09.58%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Courtesy <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ShockleyBldg.jpg?uselang=en#Licensing">Wikimedia Commons</a>.</i></td></tr></tbody></table>A friend recently drew my attention to one of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcasts from last <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-valley-on-the-couch/id1119389968?i=1000631786188">October</a>. Starting with a modest plaque at 391 San Antonio Road, Mountain View, marking the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley," Gladwell discusses the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shockley_Semiconductor_Laboratory">Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory</a>, located originally there, that pioneered the first silicon devices. Gladwell then sets out to explore the reasons behind William Shockley's decision to establish his semiconductor laboratory there, especially given the alternatives available to him at the time.<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Shockley was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and the co-inventor of the transistor, and as Gladwell describes, he had the world at his feet with offers from prestigious institutions and cities across the United States. Yet, he chose to relocate to the Santa Clara Valley, dismissing opportunities in Pasadena where he had strong backing from Arnold Beckman, a wealthy entrepreneur and founder of Beckman Instruments. Gladwell notes that, "He [Shockley] finally finds a backer he likes ... who is based near Caltech in Pasadena. Beckman loves Shockley, loves his ideas... Shockley says, no. I want to be in the apricot orchards of the Santa Clara Valley."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gladwell reveals that personal, rather than professional, reasons primarily influenced Shockley's decision. The profound impact of Shockley's mother on his life and choices becomes evident. She desired to instill in him "the feeling of force and the joy of responsibility for setting the world right on something," highlighting the emotional and psychological depths of their relationship. Gladwell challenges the conventional narratives that attribute the rise of Silicon Valley to macroeconomic forces, institutional support, or even the weather. Instead, it presents a more nuanced and personal view: "Why did the Santa Clara Valley become the birthplace of the computer age? Because someone wanted to be close to mom," he says. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The discussion further expands on Shockley's personality, his turbulent professional relationships, and his eventual embrace of controversial public stances, which cast a shadow on his earlier accomplishments. Despite these challenges, the enduring connection with his mother remains a focal point, suggesting that even in the face of professional adversity and personal turmoil, the desire for familial proximity played a critical role in his decision-making.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gladwell's larger thesis seems to be that personal motivations, sometimes dismissed by historians and analysts in favor of larger narratives, can have profound and lasting effects. The story of Shockley and the inception of Silicon Valley serves as an example of how the personal and the professional can intertwine, leading to outcomes that shape the world, at least as far as Gladwell is concerned. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Whether Gladwell is right or not in the degree to which he asserts the primacy of this factual predicate, he is correct to draw attention to the complex interplay between personal desires, familial relationships, and their impact. "We construct a history of the greatest technological revolution of our time, and we build our theory out of macro forces, institutions, and structural advantages. We look for a grand logic, a reason big enough to match the magnitude of the outcome. But there is no grand logic. There's just an aging widow living on a quiet street in Palo Alto who wanted her golden boy next to her, and the golden boy himself stretched to the limit by his own demons, who needed her next to him." While I might not go so far, Gladwell's take is refreshing given the human character of our decisions, which is so often overlooked so quickly by so many.</p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-75885960058398759012024-03-09T15:15:00.000-08:002024-03-09T15:19:17.490-08:00Government by Podcast.<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OzUm6xHMAd-UnbmiziEyl6UfjLbiCOmITM6mrzSv6sH-376O_e264rDod2BKDzcSQVsykMKpwQdryh3mzZXCD8X30BxKBEgTf0Ri2yH_es_9i_jmlENppJYEfT2t1W3phK8qdvGRsW7NcqP_AhP783FL_A3YV6MeHyBsJPue3W-rwGcjPQkKNN6uj9N_/s454/Screenshot%202024-03-09%20at%203.15.42%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="454" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OzUm6xHMAd-UnbmiziEyl6UfjLbiCOmITM6mrzSv6sH-376O_e264rDod2BKDzcSQVsykMKpwQdryh3mzZXCD8X30BxKBEgTf0Ri2yH_es_9i_jmlENppJYEfT2t1W3phK8qdvGRsW7NcqP_AhP783FL_A3YV6MeHyBsJPue3W-rwGcjPQkKNN6uj9N_/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-09%20at%203.15.42%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>The February 22 Economist <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/02/22/podcasts-got-their-name-20-years-ago-this-month">examined podcasting</a>, which caused me to reflect on that industry's similarity to live local government broadcasts in the United States. Both provide lenses to examine the relationship between audiences and their perceptions of trust and legitimacy, and a path potentially to improved public engagement and credibility through direct audience engagement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Since its inception in 2004, podcasting has evolved from "downloadable radio" into a cultural force, engaging listeners with long-form, conversational content. The Economist points out this evolution, noting the medium's impact on audiences with detailed narratives, as seen in the success of "Serial" in 2014. This series, investigating a murder trial, marked a significant moment in podcasting history and highlighted the medium's potential to connect with its audience through storytelling and transparency, while alluding to the importance of trust and legitimacy podcasting might play in a governmental context (here, the perception of the integrity of a criminal proceeding).</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The push for live government broadcasts on platforms like YouTube reflects a demand for transparency and engagement in the public sector, particularly when coupled with the ability of audiences to participate remotely, largely a byproduct of the social-distancing requirements of COVID-19. These broadcasts provide direct access to decision-making processes, allowing the public to observe governance and indeed to participate as well. This aligns with efforts to enhance trust and legitimacy through at least the appearance of openness, demonstrating a desire for transparency in both media and government.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The integration of video in podcasting, as platforms and creators aim to expand reach and engagement, mirrors this trend toward authenticity and visibility. Platforms like Spotify and content creators moving into video podcasts adapt to a preference for visual content and tap into the audience's demand for direct access to content and narrative formation. This shift towards visual podcasting and live government broadcasts caters to the public's desire for a clear view into processes themselves.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Economist article and observations of local government initiatives highlight a societal shift towards transparency and direct engagement in media consumption and civic participation, and the increasing necessity of the same to provide legitimacy. This approach shows a reinforcement between podcasting's evolution and governmental transparency efforts. As each grows, the hope is that the combined impact will be positive on public trust and the perceived legitimacy of the public discourse essential to the preservation of democratic institutions.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-34511497905448447192024-02-28T13:43:00.000-08:002024-02-28T13:43:05.750-08:00New Perspectives on Black Hole Singularities.<div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRir6-9tsJs" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="488" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQ8dvN3ULiFRE6V-t9pwA6eQMaQB-y3-mdtdiiKOysoZGUAXmfXlz5GVXbthhz445D4hKuFEYbAEGkmYf8H1dQutCl-1UxmYFM6mrBTvTHjNRKfxaCvzuScn5RW4Bp8p3mtUemrYTx-KAoKAMnOCQHWN41LXEZhV4yMlykq9Lur4CoUnom2vSn0-8UVMo/s320/Screenshot%202024-02-28%20at%201.41.08%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>From time to time, I link to an episode of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRir6-9tsJs">PBS Space Time</a>, a great short (~15 minutes) semi-weekly physics and astronomy "show" on Youtube. The most recent episode concerned the possibility that an improved understanding of the physics of black holes may eliminate the need for singularities, primarily due to the work of Roy Kerr. I link to the video on the right, and a brief review of what the episode discusses is below, although I strongly encourage you to watch the whole thing, as astrophysicist Matt O'Dowd is quite entertaining and can be downright funny.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">O'Dowd begins by setting the stage for the importance of singularities in physics, highlighting how Isaac Newton's discovery of gravity led to the theoretical prediction of black holes and event horizons—surfaces from which nothing, not even light, can escape. This concept was further refined by Einstein's theory of general relativity, which suggested the existence of singularities at the centers of black holes, where the laws of physics as we know them break down due to infinite density and gravity. This clash between general relativity and quantum mechanics has troubled physicists for decades.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The narrative then delves into the contributions of Sir Roger Penrose, who in 1965 provided a theorem suggesting that singularities are an inevitable outcome of general relativity, a discovery that earned him the Nobel Prize in 2020. Penrose's theorem posited that the existence of an event horizon necessarily implies the presence of a singularity, thereby highlighting the fundamental conflict between general relativity and quantum mechanics. This conflict has led to the search for a unified theory that could reconcile these discrepancies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Roy Kerr's recent <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.00841">paper</a> presents a potential breakthrough in understanding black holes, challenging the inevitability of singularities without resorting to quantum mechanics. Kerr, renowned for his work on the Kerr metric—a solution to Einstein's equations that describes rotating black holes—argues that singularities may not be a necessary feature of black holes. His work suggests that the mathematical interpretation of spacetime paths and geodesics inside black holes could have been misunderstood, pointing towards a possible resolution of the conflict between general relativity and quantum mechanics without requiring singularities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The episode explains the concept of geodesics, which are paths through spacetime that objects follow under the influence of gravity. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penrose–Hawking_singularity_theorems">Penrose's theorem</a> argued that inside a black hole, these paths must converge and end, implying a singularity. However, Kerr's objection centers on the nature of these geodesic paths and their termination points, suggesting that the conclusion of singularities might be based on a misinterpretation of the mathematical framework of general relativity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kerr's argument is rooted in the distinction between null geodesics, which describe the paths of light and are critical to Penrose's theorem, and timelike geodesics, which describe the paths of matter. Kerr suggests that the termination of null geodesics inside a black hole does not necessarily imply the existence of a singularity. He argues that the affine parameters used to track the progress of light paths might not indicate a breakdown in the spacetime fabric, as previously thought.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, Kerr emphasizes the difference between idealized black holes, which have been the focus of much theoretical work, and real astrophysical black holes, which are likely to rotate. He argues that the singularities predicted by Penrose's theorem might not apply to these rotating black holes, which are better described by the Kerr metric. In rotating black holes, the supposed singularities could be avoided due to the spacetime dynamics induced by rotation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The episode concludes by highlighting the significance of Kerr's work, suggesting it offers a path forward in understanding black holes without relying on singularities. This could fundamentally alter our theoretical approach to black holes, potentially paving the way for a new understanding of their interiors and the laws of physics that govern them. Kerr's challenge to the traditional view of singularities, in the view of O'Dowd, ignites a debate among physicists and encourages a further reevaluation of our understanding of one of the universe's most mysterious objects.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-47514201566438476212024-02-27T13:44:00.000-08:002024-02-27T14:19:55.617-08:00AI use in California Education. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt-VdswQouXHvJspAQzD2poBTeqXJ7s7K_7vYT8DXAGHTTQWU9O4Nz9PRkL2al5HN7iolbdafFfVpM4xpMM2OD0yIoXzCWlOYQvujrieYOdwRMyg1kWOlwpOwLR1ShFGehs0maCIt9BGCJrWppvpXJumXAEoAke8H-VLZ8iVJsAySOcLgwXHYTB1ThV3F/s686/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20at%201.43.41%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRt-VdswQouXHvJspAQzD2poBTeqXJ7s7K_7vYT8DXAGHTTQWU9O4Nz9PRkL2al5HN7iolbdafFfVpM4xpMM2OD0yIoXzCWlOYQvujrieYOdwRMyg1kWOlwpOwLR1ShFGehs0maCIt9BGCJrWppvpXJumXAEoAke8H-VLZ8iVJsAySOcLgwXHYTB1ThV3F/s320/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20at%201.43.41%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Karen M. Rezendes, Esq.</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Managing Partner, Lozano Smith.</i></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Lozano Smith, an education law firm, did a podcast today, regarding the use of AI in education in California, and I put some notes together when listening to it. The discussion concerns the impact and integration of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, within public agencies and school districts. It was hosted by Karen Resendez, the managing partner at Lozano Smith, alongside Nick Clair, Rob Lomeli, and Karina Demirchian from the firm's artificial intelligence working group.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Generative AI, including systems capable of creating text, images, and videos, is spotlighted for its potential to mimic human reasoning and creativity. The conversation highlights the accessibility of AI tools, available in both free and paid versions, and stresses the crucial role of human oversight in ensuring the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated content. In practical applications, AI is being utilized in drafting ordinances and providing language translations for public meetings, as well as aiding educators and parents in developing Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals for students with disabilities. These examples underscore AI's utility in enhancing efficiency and inclusivity in educational and public services. However, the podcast also addresses significant concerns such as privacy, the risk of bias, and the phenomenon of AI "hallucinations," where the technology might produce inaccurate or fabricated information.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Legal considerations form a core part of the discussion, including the mention of a Biden Administration executive order aimed at regulating AI models and directing federal agencies, including the Department of Education, to develop regulations covering employment, bias, data privacy, and educational AI use within a year. Furthermore, about a dozen bills related to AI are being explored in the California legislature, indicating a proactive stance toward establishing guidelines on AI usage, its applications, and the types of AI systems that can be employed. The podcast reviews the potential legal risks and liabilities associated with AI use, including copyright issues and general liability for inaccuracies or harm resulting from AI-generated content. The panelists underscore the importance of public agencies maintaining a human in the loop for accountability and decision-making processes informed by AI.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Recommendations for public agencies include the establishment of policies and parameters for AI use, the importance of evaluating AI systems and use cases, and the necessity of hiring or consulting with experts to develop and adapt policies as AI technology evolves. Training for employees, staying abreast of developments in AI, and revising existing policies to address AI's impact are emphasized as critical steps for agencies. The concerns about privacy and bias are highlighted, <u>advising against inputting personally identifiable information into AI systems, particularly free versions</u>, and acknowledging the potential biases in AI responses due to the data on which they are trained.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The podcast is available at this link: <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lozanosmith.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Ddaa4c4f7d3852aee3394d4393%26id%3D43ff2060c8%26e%3D6cfdc40d8c&source=gmail-imap&ust=1709664410000000&usg=AOvVaw0QJr7q6tBB6qXb2A8xdAaU">Lozano Smith Podcast.</a></p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-81013812066830174822024-01-09T22:22:00.000-08:002024-01-09T23:03:12.407-08:00The State of Sonoma Valley. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8j2V0k8wP5g" width="320" youtube-src-id="8j2V0k8wP5g"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">This past Friday, in the </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=8j2V0k8wP5g" style="text-align: left;">State of the Valley address</a><span style="text-align: left;">, newly appointed Mayor John Gurney, Council Member Sandra Lowe, and First District Supervisor Susan Gorin each provided insights into their visions and reflections on their terms. Gurney spoke candidly about the city's challenges and opportunities, highlighting the need for community involvement and introducing fresh ideas on revenue and city services. Lowe emphasized the city's commitment to diversity and cultural engagement, while Gorin offered a retrospective of her tenure. Sonoma Valley Housing Group member Fred Allebach afterward provided a critical analysis, urging attention to systemic issues and advocating for a focus on socio-economic needs over new city departments. The speeches collectively painted a picture of Sonoma's past achievements and the road ahead, with a call for active community participation and inclusive growth.</span></div><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Newly appointed Mayor John Gurney shared his perspectives on key city issues. He opened by acknowledging his recent marriage to Lita Davis, quickly transitioning to the challenges facing the city, including housing affordability and budgetary concerns. Gurney emphasized, "There is no simple answer," underlining the complexity of these issues.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gurney highlighted the importance of community engagement, particularly involving the youth. He stated, "We need to start getting the younger generation in the community involved," stressing the necessity for their active participation in shaping Sonoma's future. On the topic of annexation, Gurney approached it as a necessary discussion for efficient service management, urging the community to openly consider it. "It's not to be feared," he said, addressing the common apprehensions around the subject.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gurney also spoke about the city's staffing challenges, particularly in filling key positions, and the need for creating attractive job propositions. Additionally, he mentioned exploring new revenue measures to support enhanced city services, including parks and recreation. In conclusion, Gurney invited the community to actively participate in the upcoming council goal-setting session, emphasizing collaborative efforts. He thanked former Mayor Sandra Lowe for her leadership and expressed commitment to working with council members and the community for Sonoma's betterment.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Council Member Sandra Lowe also spoke, presenting her initiatives and experiences. She started by discussing the streamlining of business processes, mentioning, "We've cut red tape in Sacramento, making it easier for our local businesses." Lowe then talked about the role of arts in the community, citing her work with local art museum events. "Art brings us together, it speaks to our common experiences," she stated, highlighting the role of art in community cohesion.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Her speech also addressed the significance of diversity, particularly through LGBTQ events. "These events are not just about celebration; they're about recognition and inclusion," Lowe commented, pointing out the city's dedication to diversity. On city infrastructure, Lowe outlined improvements in public spaces and safety. "We've redesigned parks to be more family-friendly and boosted our public safety measures," she detailed. Concluding, Lowe focused on fiscal responsibility and city development. "It's not just about spending; it's about investing in our future," she noted.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Susan Gorin, the first district supervisor, took her opportunity to speak to highlight her tenure and significant community developments. She opened with a light-hearted remark about the attendance, "I was a little worried when I first came in... I think Chase [Hunter, a reporter] and I were the only people here." Reflecting on her service, Gorin stated, "It has been such an honor to represent you as the first district supervisor for a long time," and acknowledged her final term, "I'm in my last year of my third and final term."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Gorin proudly mentioned the transfer of undeveloped land to state parks, emphasizing its protection and future management, "It is a great day to know that that undeveloped land is protected, moving into state parks..." She also celebrated the opening of the East Sonoma County Services Center, a crucial step in improving community service accessibility. Highlighting the importance of teamwork, Gorin remarked, "It takes a village to support a supervisor." She concluded by emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in community service, "It is time to talk about shared services for sure." </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In a detailed commentary on the State of the Valley address, Sonoma Valley Housing Group member Fred Allebach shared his pointed observations. He noted a lack of focus on "systemic poverty and segregation," indicative of a surface-level treatment of the Valley's state. Addressing housing issues, he highlighted the affordability crisis, and brought attention to the Latino community, a significant part of the Valley's demographic and economic fabric, suggesting that their struggles were overlooked at the event.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">He scrutinized the city's budget allocation, contrasting the high percentages for police and fire services with the smaller slice for planning. On homelessness, he questioned the practicality of the strategic plan, asking, "How do homeless know when it has been 32 degrees for three days?" Suggesting new revenue streams should focus on socio-economic needs first, he challenged the creation of a Parks and Rec Department, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the needs of lower-income populations.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Regarding annexation, Allebach's views were clear. He urged for an inclusive approach, arguing that annexation should not just be about services but also about equal representation, potentially reshaping the Valley's political landscape to include underrepresented voices. His commentary called for robust leadership akin to the Roseland annexation in Santa Rosa, underscoring the need for a strong campaign to address local inequities.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the midst of these speeches, annexation emerged as a topic of considerable importance and debate. Mayor John Gurney encouraged an open dialogue, stressing that annexation should not be feared, but rather explored as a means to efficiently manage services. Fred Allebach added depth to the discussion, emphasizing the potential of annexation to address not only service provision but also equal representation, potentially reshaping the Valley's political landscape. As the community reflects on the State of the Valley address, the question of annexation remains a critical issue, highlighting the need for thoughtful consideration and robust public engagement in the path forward.</p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-55005314772843451922023-12-18T12:24:00.000-08:002023-12-18T12:26:33.440-08:00Questions from the Press, Monday, December 18, 2023. <div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizseQoho_dEr5sgfjND5PrWz3r9RWSCEDNM2ixo8yh6Jm9jbOa45xT32s2Vkpz9BNWZGSVtxRBvouLgX3OgDO_ZxcTFBMmLF4itIc9iFEnLwjB1k8RPAxmFzPhiTgv43-OifNIwFmti8NaPmzcRvmQcRK7rLgmo6dthiRNwUAn3-jRBja2Fd4EMQL0NLF/s766/Screenshot%202023-12-18%20at%2012.22.03%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizseQoho_dEr5sgfjND5PrWz3r9RWSCEDNM2ixo8yh6Jm9jbOa45xT32s2Vkpz9BNWZGSVtxRBvouLgX3OgDO_ZxcTFBMmLF4itIc9iFEnLwjB1k8RPAxmFzPhiTgv43-OifNIwFmti8NaPmzcRvmQcRK7rLgmo6dthiRNwUAn3-jRBja2Fd4EMQL0NLF/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-18%20at%2012.22.03%20PM.png" width="249" /></a></div>Starting last Wednesday evening through Saturday morning, I got a series of emails from the Press Democrat/Sonoma Index-Tribune with questions about the Sonoma Valley Unified budget, the Sonoma Splash Memorandum of Use, SVUSD’s Special Education Plan, and trustees seeking compensation from the District. Because the four are related, I have answered them in one consolidated post. Photo is of Margie, who for Christmas could really use two front teeth. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The problems with the SVUSD budget are straightforward. Accompanying the budget report are the SACS printouts. "SACS" is shorthand for Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) Web financial reporting system, which allows for the preparation of budget, interim, and unaudited actuals reporting period data and reports that are submitted to oversight agencies and the California Department of Education (CDE). While the District puts out PowerPoint presentations with processed information, examining SACS allows for the review of the actual data. The SACS report forced SVUSD to explain why there are such large changes, leading to a massive projected deficit. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On page 366 of the agenda, SVUSD gave a succinct explanation of the very large changes in the budget that have effectively eliminated the District's unrestricted reserves and dropped Sonoma Valley Unified into qualified status. "Expenditures were not budgeted accurately during budget development and are being corrected at First Interim." That is an understated explanation for a budget that was riddled with errors when presented, as previously discussed <a href="http://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/06/questions-from-press-friday-june-16-2023.html">here</a>. The trustees must demand balanced budgets, as the lack of rigor in the SVUSD budgeting process continues to plague the District.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These errors have comprehensively undermined our District's reporting of its condition to the public. However, the errors are not limited to the $1.4 million dollar loss due to SVUSD failing to file its transportation plan by the April 1, 2023 deadline, or the nearly $2 million underestimation of benefits, or the improper entry of more than a million dollars of expenses as revenue items (<i>a negative number being entered as an expenditure</i>). Instead there are structural problems with our actual revenues and expenses, rather than merely a mess of a projected budget for SVUSD, that demand action. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, the District is finally coming clean about its actual attendance. On page 357 of the agenda, SVUSD admitted that its actual attendance (ADA) for 2023-24 is 2,957, and not the 3,202 earlier reported. Attendance continues to drop exactly as projected by Davis Demographics, as discussed <a href="http://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/11/questions-from-press-nov-2-2023.html">here</a>. <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: justify;">We have, as trustees, been notified of continuing serious problems with the financial and demographic data provided by our District, and SVUSD is now </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.850001px; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;">acknowledging</span></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.85px;"> its errors, which at a </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.850001px;">minimum</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14.85px;"> is necessary before we begin to address the District's issues. </span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moving to further actual issues, after years of underpaying teachers, SVUSD finally has a contract in place that compensates educators appropriately, and due to "me too" clauses our classified staff and some administrators are now being paid in a manner reflective of their contributions to our community. However, this means that SVUSD needs to staff appropriately, as the consequences of overspending now become serious faster. This means that right-sizing the District promptly via realignment and school consolidation is ever more important, to cut waste. The District had an opportunity to do so this past March, and largely fumbled the chance to do so, although the end of enrollment at Dunbar and the consolidation of that site, essentially, into El Verano has provided some of the $3.2 million in savings that could have been achieved by moving to a 3 elementary-1 middle school-1 high school configuration (<i>as has been recommended by staff</i>). </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Make no mistake, both educational effectiveness, in terms of the special education plan, and addressing the financial problems in the District, depend upon reducing our footprint and maximizing administrative effectiveness as a consequence. Turning to our new special education plan, which I thank our educators for developing, I remain cognizant of the fact that our century-old District footprint disperses services, impacting the identification and support of special education students during elementary and middle school years. To effectively implement these new strategies, we must accelerate consolidation and realignment to apply our administrative resources effectively, otherwise we can only expect more of the same.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Similarly, the District must make sure it partners effectively with the community when District operations are obviously of dual use to Sonoma Valley at large, as SVUSD's unrestricted revenues need to be dedicated to educational purposes. The relationship with Sonoma Splash has, since its inception, been intended to ensure the cost of operating a community pool does not reduce the compensation of our teachers and staff. I commend Sonoma Splash for all their hard work. Splash specifically requested a modification of their MOU to allow them to expand their hours in furtherance of that mission, which they received on Thursday. However, Sonoma Splash is currently running at an untenable monthly deficit of tens of thousands of dollars, and given the District's own mismanaged finances, SVUSD cannot afford to operate the pool directly, meaning it is almost inevitable that the aquatic center's situation will be back before the Board for urgent discussions in the near future.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">The process of drawing attention to the problems of waste and educational ineffectiveness in SVUSD has not been an easy one, as demonstrated <a href="http://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/03/questions-from-press-march-27-2023.html">here</a> and <a href="http://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/04/questions-from-press-friday-april-21.html">here</a>. During the realignment conversations this past March and April, a staff member of the District made public comments, specifically concerning me, that I brought directly, confidentially, to the attention of the superintendent. The comments from the staff member referenced the Board and the actions of certain Board members. That is precisely how a trustee should handle the improper conduct of a staff member. Make no mistake, the realignment process was deliberately brought to the attention of the board and the public because of the inevitable budget problems that would be created should nothing be done. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The complaint was handled improperly, in violation of explicit District policies. I brought a closed session item in November to address the breach, which has led to the ending of the District's relationship with its former coordinator of investigations. The substance of those conversations cannot be disclosed by a trustee, and the board has not waived its right to those closed session protections. However, two of the trustees who are named, but were not the focus, have sought to make the process about them, and those trustees claimed that the board should waive the attorney client privilege regarding the report, so that they could review the matter privately, assuring that the report would not be published. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">However, the true motive for asking the board to waive the privilege was to cause a heavily redacted version of the investigation to be made public, and then seek money from SVUSD based upon the false light those trustees themselves sought to create. This was unprofessional, and has further undermined the integrity of our investigatory process. The report should not have been released in a fashion that would further intra-board conflict, and I am disappointed this was done. However, I am not surprised that the investigatory process is being weaponized, as it has happened before.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We as a District need our investigatory processes to function properly, as our students themselves depend on the integrity of those procedures when wronged. The defects with SVUSD's investigatory processes have been made clear in the context of this matter, and related litigation SVUSD has been engaged in recently. Further, the publication of some, but not all of the report by SVUSD, including covering up both the central part of the conduct that led to the process, and failing to disclose the improper behavior of the investigation coordinator, makes it unlikely that the procedure will help address wrongs in the future, and necessarily increasing polarization in our community and leading to a further lack of accountability. This is all to the detriment of our students. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The board must get its budget under control. Balanced budgets should be required in the future, and deficit spending should only be allowed on a 4/5ths vote, as we cannot break this cycle of behavior without it. We must consolidate our schools to reflect the actual student population of our valley, rather than fitting our instructional program to an inherited set of real properties. The same set of trustees responsible for our fiscal fiasco must stop weaponizing the investigatory process to distract attention from the District's real problems. Only then can we continue to ensure our teachers and educators will receive the compensation they deserve.</p></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-69078631065104755452023-11-28T13:13:00.000-08:002023-11-28T13:17:31.491-08:00Questions from the Press, November 27, 2023. <span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">Questions today </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> for </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a> <span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">concern the District's basic aid status, which touches on a lot of other issues. Picture is of Siena and Ally, and me and my mom, from Thanksgiving weekend this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik-U4fRzMGMPYqNVrnBqeSeYh4WoT3wE5E-ffYH_XXfS6cK-pYiememxlWwm21w6m1yTxCZIgXyOvZjrSDEwGUZJXWzUrAjLGhva2yMNvFljXv59nG8RoIDbcSyk4f6K2Il0I6VHUWJBAKf5ySErxbXz-xm4glZOs41k8M9TPpG3wgbEz4NIRfRf9z1BX/s1396/Screenshot%202023-11-28%20at%201.12.20%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1030" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik-U4fRzMGMPYqNVrnBqeSeYh4WoT3wE5E-ffYH_XXfS6cK-pYiememxlWwm21w6m1yTxCZIgXyOvZjrSDEwGUZJXWzUrAjLGhva2yMNvFljXv59nG8RoIDbcSyk4f6K2Il0I6VHUWJBAKf5ySErxbXz-xm4glZOs41k8M9TPpG3wgbEz4NIRfRf9z1BX/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-28%20at%201.12.20%20PM.png" width="236" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">[</span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Combined 1-2.</i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">] </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">How much money does SVUSD receive annually from local property taxes? How much money does SVUSD receive from the constitutionally guaranteed basic aid funding?</i></div></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2022-23, Sonoma Valley Unified had $78,070,268.21 in actual revenues. When asked, experts will say that is approximately $11 million more than SVUSD would have received if, like roughly 90% of California's school districts, it was funded based on average daily attendance ("<i>ADA"</i>) under the State's LCFF (<i>Local Control Funding Formula</i>). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Article IX, Section 6 of the California Constitution guarantees every school district in the state $120 per student (<i>which is the "basic aid" so frequently referenced</i>). There are no CALPADS reports (<i>the State's official data system for students per District</i>) on ADA for 2022-23 for SVUSD and there will not be any until the Spring of 2024. In 2021-22, the last year for which we have reported data, SVUSD's ADA was 3,001. Therefore, the basic aid for SVUSD, presuming that ADA held steady into 2022-23 (<i>a big if</i>) was $360,120 (<i>that figure is not a mistake</i>). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The call of the question, though is what would the LCFF base grant be for SVUSD presuming those numbers. In 2022-23, the LCFF base grant per student (<i>which is probably what you're getting at</i>) varied between $9,166 per ADA (<i>what we would think of as a "student"</i>) in TK-3 to $11,102 for grades 9-12. There are a series of additional adjustments upward for some of these numbers. Again, using the 2021-22 ADA numbers, we would have expected LCFF base grant funding of about $33,011,000 in 2022-23. The presentation reported that SVUSD's funding per student (<i>characterized as "Funding Per ADA</i>" <i>in the presentation) </i>in 2022-23 was $14,563.31. That would amount to $43,704,493.31 in revenues for SVUSD. These numbers are clearly nowhere near the actual revenues of the District. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deciphering these numbers demonstrates exactly why California school finance is so difficult for the voters to analyze. Based on my experience over the past decade with the school district, I don't believe these numbers illustrate in any meaningful way how a reasonable person should think about the budget. Instead, I think you have to start with actual revenues and the actual number of students meeting the standard for attendance (<i>which is ADA</i>). For SVUSD, for the last year we have full data, 2021-22, the total, audited, actual revenues were $71,619,903. The total, actual average daily attendance was 3,001. That translates into $23,865.35 per ADA. If we presume that ADA for 2022-23 just holds steady at 3,001, and with unaudited actuals of $78,070,268.21, that amounts to $26,014.75 per student in attendance. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[<i>Combined 3-5.</i>]<i> Why are SVUSD’s 2023 student achievement scores in ELA and math lower than all the other districts that were included in the presentation (except for Plumas Unified in ELA)? What are the main reasons why SVUSD’s scores are low? Have you heard complaints from the greater SVUSD community about the district’s low scores, despite the additional property tax money it receives?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The school board is accountable for student performance, and it has inadequately employed the resources at its disposal, thereby fostering wastefulness. Additionally, the board's approval, on a 3-2 vote, of further deficit spending has severely compromised the budget's central role in sound fiscal planning. A rigorous approach is needed to create a balanced budget that accurately mirrors our revenue and expenditure forecasts. Such a budget serves as a dependable base for making strategic choices, allocating resources methodically, and planning for prospective growth, which is the cornerstone of the educational reform SVUSD so urgently needs to improve student performance. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Critically, I wish to stress that the board must avoid the misguided and antiquated tendency of laying blame on teachers for student performance. Incompetent architects blame their carpenters. We have outstanding teachers and we compensate them accordingly -- our teachers have, per the comments of Bernadette Weissmann (<i>the union's negotiator</i>) at the Fairmont UNITE HERE! rally on November 10, the best contract in Sonoma County. We have the talent necessary to achieve the results the community expects. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yet spreading those terrific teachers out to sustain a physical footprint inherited from another century has undermined educational effectiveness. Realignment is urgently needed to focus resources on our at-need students. Spreading out Tier 1 implementation across too many sites, while not effectively supporting any of them, robs Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the resources to identify and serve students, and prevents us from fully implementing Universal Design for Learning ("<i>UDL</i>") strategies. These form the cornerstone of our multi-tiered systems of support ("<i>MTSS</i>"). Indeed, given the demographic projections for our District, even a 3-1-1 footprint may not be sustainable in the near future, which is exactly why our District needed to take prompt action this past March.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, the June approval of millions of dollars in additional deficit expenditures for the current fiscal year, on the votes of trustees Ching, Knox, and Landry, has intensified the fiscal mismanagement. The precarious position a three-member majority has placed the District in has resulted from failing to make the hard choices regarding reducing our footprint to match our student population and improve student performance -- the board has refused to complete the realignment necessary to make the compensation for our teachers sustainable and implement educational reform. Indeed, the argument of Trustee Anne Ching precisely illustrates the point as documented in the Sonoma Sun on March 15 of this year, as "Ching believes the current financial scenarios allow the District to continue to operate as is, drawing down reserves which could last for five years." The District never could do anything of the sort.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further, the inability to achieve a balanced budget led to a series of multimillion-dollar blunders in the Business Office when assembling the 2023-24 budget. The severity of these errors could exceed the District's unrestricted reserves and is expected to come fully to light at the First Interim in December. The existence of such chaos during a period of unprecedented revenue that has been on an upward trend for the last thirteen years is wholly unacceptable. SVUSD now finds itself in precisely the crisis that could have been avoided had realignment decisions been made in March, and had a balanced budget been passed in June, rather than the obviously inaccurate mess that was ultimately approved. Low student performance, a continued source of distress for our parents and community, meanwhile remains unaddressed.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. SVUSD’s scores fared better in terms of change from 2022 to 2023. SVUSD showed more improvement or less of a decline than three of the nine school districts listed in ELA and five of the districts listed in math. What are your thoughts about this? </span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The decline in ELA performance was larger than the increase in Math. SVUSD's performance remains lower than the comparable basic aid Districts, and merely to equal the Math level of the District most similar to SVUSD (<i>which notably has significantly more disadvantaged students than SVUSD</i>), it would take approximately 15 years at the current rate. The low absolute level of performance means that fractional gains are far too slow (<i>and that says nothing of the continued declines in ELA</i>). This can't continue.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[<i>Combined 7-8.</i>] <i>What is being done or can be done to improve SVUSD’s scores? Are you optimistic that they can be improved?</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Realignment is critical to ensure that educational resources are no longer wasted. The board's refusal to make the tough calls necessary to balance the budget and match our schools to our students means SVUSD's finances are in disarray. The squandering of capital improvement dollars (<i>including the failure to reserve funds necessary to retrofit Altimira Middle School and instead spend them on the SVHS science building on a 3-2 vote</i>) has exacerbated these problems. The board must act in a unified fashion to address these concerns, but instead, a group of three trustees, specifically trustees Ching, Knox, and Landry, has saddled SVUSD with a set of decisions that make progress harder. This was done in the face of well-articulated reasons that none of those 3-2 votes should have been made. This has to end if we're going to make any meaningful progress on student performance.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Would you like to say anything else?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, thank you. </span></div></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-33213484454756351592023-11-27T15:51:00.000-08:002023-11-27T15:57:25.374-08:00Questions from the Press re Arts Education, November 20, 2023.<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI3gyTdJATPDbaXanY0c4IGZkuPTSgYiCBJONtqHYcqh66aok3atIjZiBmTl-MRcRruo_sK16eu6LpJUGeCpuWwSh9gx-Lli18olQ4Gg1IYsbSwluc0UoLw90w09ktVQK8No90WBMn4uLIPVvKkIfHIdvUn399tlIxoJRZ2LUv9oaJuEku7D7Jj_KkmOs/s1255/617E92BA-B123-4916-B262-A4F3F442314F_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="994" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI3gyTdJATPDbaXanY0c4IGZkuPTSgYiCBJONtqHYcqh66aok3atIjZiBmTl-MRcRruo_sK16eu6LpJUGeCpuWwSh9gx-Lli18olQ4Gg1IYsbSwluc0UoLw90w09ktVQK8No90WBMn4uLIPVvKkIfHIdvUn399tlIxoJRZ2LUv9oaJuEku7D7Jj_KkmOs/s320/617E92BA-B123-4916-B262-A4F3F442314F_1_201_a.heic" width="253" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Catching up today, with some questions from last week regarding Arts Education </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat<span></span></a><span style="text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> for </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">. </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Photo is Margie with the giant inflatable Snowman in our front yard. </span></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">---</span></i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1. How and when did Creative Bridges begin working with SVUSD on establishing a five-year Strategic Arts Education Plan?</i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creative Bridges officially partnered with SVUSD to work on the Strategic Arts Education Plan as part of a collaboration involving 45 nonprofits aiming to improve and expand arts education for all students. Creative Bridges' partnership with SVUSD is an excellent example of collaboration and thorough preparation. This successful collaboration model, where stakeholders engage in prebriefing and one-on-one discussions with trustees, sets a standard for how proposals should be presented to the board.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Why is it important for Sonoma Valley Unified School District to have a strong arts education program?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A strong arts education program is vital for SVUSD to provide every student with a vibrant, culturally relevant, and sequential standards-based arts education. It supports skills like curiosity, empathy, communication, collaboration, engagement, initiative, and critical thinking, which are essential for 21st-century careers. Arts have played a vital role in my life and the lives of students like my daughter, Siena. Teachers like Amee Alioto at Adele Harrison and Jane Martin at the high school, who have significantly impacted students, exemplify the transformative power of arts education. Our students learn valuable life lessons in the process, underscoring the essence of arts education in fostering resilience and creativity.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. What are some of the main qualities that distinguish Creative Bridges from other efforts to boost arts education in schools?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creative Bridges stands out due to its collaborative approach, involving a wide range of community stakeholders, including nonprofits, community members, parents, students, teachers, and government officials. This broad alliance advocates for equitably improving visual and performing arts education across all TK-12 students in SVUSD. The manner in which Creative Bridges has approached this project, especially their effective communication, serves as a model for others, and should be emulated by anyone presenting to the board.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. In what ways will Creative Bridges continue to be involved in planning and helping to implement SVUSD’s Strategic Arts Education Plan?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creative Bridges will continue to be involved in the planning and implementation of SVUSD’s Strategic Arts Education Plan through advocacy and partnership expansion. They will likely play a key role in creating a hub of community arts education advocates and contributing to the strategic direction of the program. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. What does the district hope to achieve through the plan?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SVUSD aims to equitably improve TK-12 arts education by building a sustainable, standards-based visual and performing arts system. The plan also seeks to maximize district and community resources, including Proposition 28 funding, for the benefit of all TK-12 students. Personally, I think the district’s goals acknowledge the role of the arts as a pivotal aspect of life. The district hopes to inspire similar passion and motivation in students through this comprehensive plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. An emphasis is being placed on providing equal access to the arts for all students. Tell me about this.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The plan emphasizes providing all students with equal access to arts education, which involves developing a sequential, culturally relevant curriculum and ensuring that resources are allocated equitably. This approach aims to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to engage with and benefit from arts education. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to benefit from arts education.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. How will this plan boost arts education in SVUSD?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The plan will boost arts education in SVUSD by developing a comprehensive curriculum, recruiting and retaining specialized teaching staff, improving facilities, and utilizing data collection systems to measure the impact of arts instruction. It will also involve community partnerships and sustainable funding, including Proposition 28 funds. The plan's approach to enhancing arts education in SVUSD mirrors what I believe are the virtues of education generally. It aims to cultivate resilience, creativity, and passion in students that are part of everyone's personal journey with the arts.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Would you like to say anything else?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This Strategic Arts Education Plan represents a significant commitment by SVUSD and Creative Bridges to enhance arts education, recognizing its crucial role in overall student development and preparing students for diverse and creative career paths in the future. The collaborative and comprehensive approach of the plan reflects an understanding that arts education is not just an enrichment activity, but a fundamental component of a well-rounded education. I personally appreciate the work of Connie Schlelein, Cheryl Coldiron, and others involved. I believe that a life well-lived is a work of art itself, and that this plan, reflecting the dedication and collaborative effort of all involved, promises to enrich the lives of every SVUSD student.</span></div></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-25377273156584773622023-11-17T09:03:00.000-08:002023-11-17T09:04:02.828-08:00Questions from the Press re Attendance and Absenteeism, Friday, November 17, 2023. <p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oh2GKB0d5Xwv7iwldfeXiD6Xat6F0UvH1YkCMaqHiFmzEVrwe-kZWzn6CL3VhVej2Uu-HuEnMEr3s-DgFarsNmpm3gsL7LdiyBV0tGPC3MWeB-9uV6VV-fK-nQaRtm6LaeFjQVJyYnOdYKqo7kDID5jjQBq6bUM_JGRAguRRtSDl7UmtaSp_CIRis4qg/s2048/IMG_1187.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oh2GKB0d5Xwv7iwldfeXiD6Xat6F0UvH1YkCMaqHiFmzEVrwe-kZWzn6CL3VhVej2Uu-HuEnMEr3s-DgFarsNmpm3gsL7LdiyBV0tGPC3MWeB-9uV6VV-fK-nQaRtm6LaeFjQVJyYnOdYKqo7kDID5jjQBq6bUM_JGRAguRRtSDl7UmtaSp_CIRis4qg/s320/IMG_1187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;">Q</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">uestions today from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> concern attendance and absenteeism for </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a><span style="color: #333333;">. Here, also, is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/HHLNWDuVjHU?si=79_69aVzPFKv-Bf_&t=7944">a link to my video comments</a> on this subject, which I haven't done in the past, but I think people might be interested in viewing the meeting, too. Photo is of my sister, Heather, and my nieces Clara and Ruby, who I recently visited in Houston. </span><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">---</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Why is it important for SVUSD to decrease chronic absenteeism?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Decreasing chronic absenteeism is critical to our post-pandemic recovery as a school district. Like a car rejoining a freeway, it's time to accelerate and make up for lost time. The efforts from staff, teachers, and administrators in SVUSD mirror this sentiment, showing us getting back up to speed. While we're not all the way back to the low levels of absenteeism of 2018-2019, it's clear that the hard work and 'renorming' of behavior among students is paying off, especially considering the collective challenge we've overcome in handling the pandemic. There's more work to do, but I congratulate our teachers, staff, and admin for what they've accomplished so far. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. What is your main take-away from the chronic absenteeism data SVUSD?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The chronic absenteeism data from SVUSD is heartening, showing a rebound after the pandemic. The district's dedicated response, like a driver punching the gas to rejoin traffic, demonstrates a commitment to swiftly addressing and overcoming challenges posed by absenteeism.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Did anything about the statistics surprise you?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The doubling of chronic absenteeism rates during and after the pandemic is a stark reminder of the impact of extraordinary events. However, the responsive actions of SVUSD show a remarkable recovery process, reflective of our resilience in getting through the pandemic. For a government agency, that kind of focused, direct application of effort shows the strength of our local democratic institutions. I don't think it "surprised" me so much as encouraged me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. What accounts for the significant reductions in chronic absenteeism from 2021-22 to 2022-23?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The significant reductions in absenteeism can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of staff, teachers, and administrators. When it comes to attendance, they said "let's hit it," they put the pedal to the metal. The results speak for themselves. This effort shows SVUSD rapidly getting back up to speed.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Do you expect SVUSD’s overall chronic absenteeism percentage to continue to decrease, and eventually reach or be lower than the prepandemic level?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the concerted efforts seen in SVUSD, mirroring the economic rebound analogy, there's a strong expectation that chronic absenteeism rates will continue to decrease. The district's rapid response and adaptive strategies suggest a return to, or surpassing of, pre-pandemic attendance levels is within reach.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Jillian Beall mentioned four areas of continued focus to reduce chronic absenteeism. Please tell me your thoughts about each one, starting with addressing the causes of absenteeism.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A. Addressing the Causes of Absenteeism: Addressing causes requires a sensitive approach, especially considering our collective experience with the pandemic and understanding for those who may engage in 'school avoidance', particularly students with disabilities.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">B. Fostering Positive and Inclusive School Climates: Efforts to create welcoming environments in schools are akin to the supportive atmosphere we've all needed post-pandemic, helping students adjust back to a more normal context.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C. Lowering Absenteeism Rates for Specific Student Groups: Targeted support for groups like students with disabilities is essential, as the causes of 'school avoidance' are often driven by students failing to receive essential services that would provide them with a foundation for success.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">D. Building Trust and Transparent Communications: The pandemic taught us the value of joint exercises and collaboration. Building trust through clear communication is central in continuing that team effort.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Tell me about efforts to foster positive and inclusive school climates.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">SVUSD's efforts are reflective of the broader social effort in renorming behavior post-pandemic, creating environments where students feel supported and motivated to attend, just as we collectively adapted as a society to the continuing challenges of endemic COVID-19.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Tell me about efforts to continue to lower absenteeism rates for student groups (students with disabilities, EL, SED, etc.).</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Addressing absenteeism in specific groups, especially students with disabilities, is critical. Our own experiences with 'school avoidance' lend empathy to these efforts, acknowledging the unique challenges these students face.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Tell me about efforts to continue to build trust and transparent communications.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The pandemic highlighted the importance of joint exercises and collective resilience. SVUSD's commitment to open communication is key in maintaining this spirit of unity and understanding.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Would you like to say anything else?</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Reflecting on the progress made, it's clear that SVUSD's approach is similar to how our economy recovered post-pandemic. Abseentism is being reduced by rapid, determined, and effective action. The collective hard work and adaptability shown by everyone, from staff to students, should keep driving us in the right direction.</span></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-7114611505113675202023-11-10T15:22:00.005-08:002023-11-10T15:23:31.852-08:00Questions from the Press, November 10, 2023. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmqCQXEhyphenhyphenOMYkBpZnfzboZnph5fo5iQ3sJoACae0PnBTtdnOaT3_bT7GDclwxUG-WdEfTUzG9SRw39jlFu_MBKtWYVT0ZSdk7fkq1uGLl1AUKzQ2PoFkTHHsM6tcv1i7lAKM_bNx5DrmgB8AF7ffOPDnxbTlfqnb5_DaVoSz1BaBX3tSdSvZZzn-R2d_a/s2788/job_3035%20Untitled.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="2056" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmqCQXEhyphenhyphenOMYkBpZnfzboZnph5fo5iQ3sJoACae0PnBTtdnOaT3_bT7GDclwxUG-WdEfTUzG9SRw39jlFu_MBKtWYVT0ZSdk7fkq1uGLl1AUKzQ2PoFkTHHsM6tcv1i7lAKM_bNx5DrmgB8AF7ffOPDnxbTlfqnb5_DaVoSz1BaBX3tSdSvZZzn-R2d_a/s320/job_3035%20Untitled.jpg" width="236" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">I received questions from today from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> regarding the school board meeting for </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a><span style="text-align: left;"> on </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Thursday, November 9. This, perhaps expectedly, also addresses the <a href="https://www.sonomanews.com/article/news/sonoma-valley-schools-on-lockdown-due-to-threat/">threatened attack </a>on our school campuses that same day. Per past practice, questions and answers are below.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">---</span></span></p><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Why did the board approve the purchase of the cloud-based security cameras?</span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I had successfully moved at the beginning of the meeting for us only to proceed with the bare minimum of items on Thursday. Handling the security situation and threatened shooting at the Broadway campuses of SVUSD, in partnership with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and various other local government agencies, had probably been the most challenging day for our teachers, classified staff, and administrators since the onset of the fires on October 9, 2017. They were physically and emotionally exhausted, and we wanted to send them home to recover.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oz Robledo, our IT Manager, specifically requested though that we address agenda item 14-7 regarding the purchase of Cloud Based Security Cameras from Verkada, Inc. Approval of this item was initially scheduled for the consent agenda. Negotiation related to this contract has been in progress since occurrences at the most recent 'Fugitive Night' in May. Based on his request, I proposed an amendment to the agenda to address the cloud-based security cameras, leading to the Board's consideration of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By way of background, the existing cameras at Sonoma Valley High did not have the necessary resolution and detail to allow the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office to establish probable cause to permit enforcement action concerning those responsible for property damage to the school campus this past May. This led the Board to discuss restricting access to Chet Sharek Plaza (<i>the location of the Dragon Statute at SVHS</i>) by installing access controls similar to Midgley Field in the center of the campus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Working in conjunction with Sonoma Police Chief Brandon Cutting, Mr. Robledo was able to identify a technical solution that, in the future, will permit the police to establish probable cause should events similar to Fugitive Night recur, without the need to alter the physical environment of the campus. This solution is generally favored by administrators, law enforcement, and, after the vote, I presume the Board as well, for a variety of reasons. Mr. Robledo was further aware that executing that contract would allow the cameras to become operational by the start of the 2024 calendar year. Even a week's delay could have potentially pushed the installation into the second quarter of 2024, which might mean the cameras would not be ready in the event of another 'Fugitive Night' incident. It was his deft thinking that directly led to me advancing the matter at the Board on Thursday night.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please note that we, as a Board, were not informed that these cameras would have had a material impact on the handling of Thursday’s events in any specific way. However, I believe, as do my fellow Board members, that implementing the recommended security equipment will only enhance future responses to similar situations. Consequently, I believe it was both right and proper to act promptly on the advice from our staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2. What cameras have been used on the campuses and why do they need to be replaced?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The existing scope and capabilities of SVUSD's security and monitoring systems remain necessarily confidential. Such technologies are intentionally installed to guarantee the safety and protection of all our children, along with our teachers and staff. Whereas some details of existing infrastructure were discussed during Thursday's meeting, the Board usually only contemplates these details in a closed session. In the past, when we have done so, we have requested the Chief of Police to report specifically on the benefits of newer methods and the reasons they will enable a more robust law enforcement response in the future. Consequently, I respectfully decline to further discuss this question.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. How will these cloud-based security cameras improve security on the campuses?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our team relies upon the information provided by our classified staff and law enforcement when making decisions regarding the acquisition of security technology. They have endorsed this equipment installation, which provides them with the necessary tools to assure our community's protection. I am convinced that we, as a Board, need to ensure that our staff are equipped with the appropriate resources to perform their roles effectively, prioritizing safety across all campuses. I believe the rest of the Board concurs. Further, considering that this equipment's installation will enable us to avoid erecting additional fences, gates, walls, and access controls on our campuses, it's clear we're opting for a more effective solution that aligns with our staff’s advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4. When will installation begin and when will it be completed?</i></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My understanding from Mr. Robeldo is that due to the prompt action of the Board on Thursday, November 9 the equipment will be installed and functioning as of January 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Has the need for tightened security become an issue on SVUSD campuses?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This issue has been gaining importance for nearly a decade. The historical, legacy-based design of several Sonoma Valley campuses does not correlate with today's school design and construction best practices. For instance, no modern high school design would include a public footpath running through the center of the campus. Similarly, locations such as Sassarini Elementary were, before recent upgrades, almost completely open and accessible from nearly every direction. Consistent vandalism at Flowery Elementary used to be a regular issue for Sonoma Valley Unified before upgrades. None of these sites had incorporated additional security features in their designs, which would come as standard today. Although the District should probably have gradually invested over the decades to mitigate the situation, that did not occur. This, coupled with concerns about inefficient and ineffective sprawl brought about by many underutilized campuses, means there is a backlog of work needed to meet current requirements. The Board has marked a series of security measures as a priority in recent approval of the use of bond funds. However, there is still more work needed to elevate our schools to modern standards. This was highlighted by the facilities master plan, included in Thursday night's agenda, documenting approximately $181 million worth of essential work District-wide.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. How will the cameras help school and law enforcement personnel in situations such as the one at Sonoma Valley High School yesterday?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the chief of police has previously informed us, the quality of the systems being installed will allow for sufficient detail to establish probable cause, and to allow remote monitoring that will prevent SVUSD from needing to install comprehensive access controls on SVHS and other sites akin to those at Midgley Field. The precise details of the capabilities of these systems are confidential. I have confidence in the recommendation of staff regarding these systems, and I imagine the other board members do, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>7. School district and law enforcement personnel were deservedly praised for their efficiency yesterday. But it also seems important to look at what could have been done better. For one thing, a student at Sonoma Valley High School said that the food students were given in her class was “ inedible, moldy and expired.” Other students said they didn’t receive food. Will the district take steps to address this problem? What else could have been done better, either by the school district or law enforcement?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been approximately 24 hours since the initial alert regarding the situation at SVHS was broadcasted. A number of things went right. The trustees were appropriately informed by professional staff, including the Superintendent, as events unfolded. The operational security of the Sheriff's work in supporting the safety of all students, teachers, and staff, necessarily limited the amount of information that could be provided to the public during the initial stages of the emergency. This is primarily because a potential threat might exploit any information gleaned from such reports about the methods and techniques that law enforcement is utilizing to protect us all. On balance, I believe our government agencies, including Sonoma Police, the Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol, California State Parks, Sonoma Valley Fire Rescue, the City of Sonoma, and SVUSD, struck the right balance. However, I will need to review the reports we receive over time to further evaluate this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In general, as Chief Cutting pointed out, in nearly every single case, the students conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion handling the exigencies of the situation. Similarly, the teachers of VMTA worked to protect the students under their charge with exactly the type of professionalism we have come to appreciate over the years. The classified staff of CSEA similarly worked tirelessly to protect all our students, and I directed special thanks to our school office staff, our maintenance and grounds team, our information technology and transportation departments, and so many more of the unsung heroes of our District who made the comprehensive response possible on Thursday. The law enforcement officers and other first responders demonstrated exactly why we as a public are getting our money's worth from so much preparation and expense, that makes certain those who put themselves in danger for the benefit of us all are equipped to handle potentially the worst of situations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those of us who experienced the early, dark hours on campus on October 9, 2017, know all too well that access to emergency supplies is a recurring issue in the initial phases of an emergency. hear the concerns voiced by our students regarding our ability to sustain them during an extended lockdown. It's encouraging that the situation is an improvement over what we faced in October of 2017. However, the continuing safety risks associated with gun violence indicate that future planning may necessitate extra logistical backing. The most common scenario imagined previously I think concerned addressing a specific indivual or individuals rather than a sweeping search of the entire facility for a rifle - the reality on Thursday. These two situations have different timelines, and I expect that future planning will continue to hold the needs of both scenarios in mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>8. Would you like to say anything else?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The scourge of gun violence linked to our mental health crisis continues to afflict our country, and our inability to address this leads to continuing deaths of innocents on a scale unmatched by any other major industrialized nation on Earth. Our first task as parents is caring for our children. We are not as a society meeting that obligation. To end them, we must change. There is nothing playful or fun about guns. If there is even one step we can take to save another child, we must. From law enforcement to mental health professionals to parents and educators, we know we have the power to address this, that the politics are never "too hard" when lives are at risk.</span></div><p></p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-12342662919963178852023-11-07T15:44:00.002-08:002023-11-07T16:13:15.469-08:00Questions from the Press, Nov. 2, 2023.<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>This past week, I received questions from the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a><span> regarding </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">'s attendance and enrollment. As these are critical questions given our work on realignment as a District, accurate data is at a premium. The information provided cited by the newspaper directly disagrees with State and County level data from SVUSD. We have, as trustees, been notified of continuing serious problems with the financial and demographic data provided by our District, which the newspaper was cautioned by me concerning in the presentation of this article. I provided the below information to the reporter, and the article as produced eliminated all of the context, as well as the graph provided to SVUSD regarding enrollment and attendance produced by the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE). Below is the original information provided to the newspaper. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: inherit;">--- </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6ucQXtf7twbIU6qcsPexNmJjDKhM3xp3QVInuSTDabrSiK-e-zgv2qofJpKac337HijG01kzwthsXNV8TPzd-2AUU2ffPuSwGddtLr4q0uLdyTvoSv7CfN_hvMuUzC-WBdDzmFEiVvg3EyVOlbpE5hAfukLI2gO5TRQW07yAO4cJ-tbkJqgk58UW1-GF/s1066/image0.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1066" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6ucQXtf7twbIU6qcsPexNmJjDKhM3xp3QVInuSTDabrSiK-e-zgv2qofJpKac337HijG01kzwthsXNV8TPzd-2AUU2ffPuSwGddtLr4q0uLdyTvoSv7CfN_hvMuUzC-WBdDzmFEiVvg3EyVOlbpE5hAfukLI2gO5TRQW07yAO4cJ-tbkJqgk58UW1-GF/s320/image0.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Q. [C]omparing the totals the district provided in 2022 and 2023 with the Davis Demographics report, Davis Demographics projections were lower by 99 students in 2022 and 244 students in 2023. </i>I’m trying to understand 1) why SVUSD’s enrollment decline the past two years has been less than expected and 2) why the enrollment declined by only 12 students from 2022 to 2023.</span></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The data provided by the Sonoma County Office of Education confirms the trend reported by Davis Demographics, as does the data reported by the California Department of Education. I have confidence in Greg Medici, the Deputy Superintendent of Business Services for SCOE, who delivered a report on this subject on September 16, 2023, to the SVUSD board, and the graphic prepared by Mr. Medici is attached. I similarly have confidence in the data produced by the California Department of Education via the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, commonly referred to as CALPADS. This system serves as the foundation for California's K–12 education data system by maintaining individual-level data including student demographics, course enrollment, student achievement, English learner status, and other student-related data.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regarding the information you cited, its author was Adrian Palazuelos, and his separation agreement prevents me from commenting on him or on data he provided to the Index-Tribune/Press Democrat. As for the data in the spreadsheet you sent, there is no name on that data, it does not state from which system the data was drawn, and it lacks the foundation necessary to be treated as reliable. SVUSD has a long history of producing inaccurate data, starting with 13 straight years of projecting declining revenues that never materialized, with budget misses now regularly approaching 20%. I will continue to rely on SCOE and CDE data and will not consider the spreadsheet you sent in my analysis. I deem it unreliable and believe the voters should, too.</span></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-30770519802563721662023-10-14T07:56:00.010-07:002023-10-14T07:58:37.763-07:00Questions from the Press, Thursday, October 12, 2023.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZr92_fwwZceYNdZQi85I4io-nDHx_wkfG30EUmpgRON16kLCDrY_Tm_sl47B3_JgrmNSuc59OYD5RBZiGkQ_9e8F61xNOK_rtcAMBl3Hemqn7l3ptqwmXvHi54lrlsNkYNwPjg8Nxc74HRrJZSaByyKN-jqXhf_LdgkIVJC51HKSDr5pVcMk9vGFd_-j/s1024/2DEA8D89-FD11-4E01-B630-9A0763D64971_1_105_c.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZr92_fwwZceYNdZQi85I4io-nDHx_wkfG30EUmpgRON16kLCDrY_Tm_sl47B3_JgrmNSuc59OYD5RBZiGkQ_9e8F61xNOK_rtcAMBl3Hemqn7l3ptqwmXvHi54lrlsNkYNwPjg8Nxc74HRrJZSaByyKN-jqXhf_LdgkIVJC51HKSDr5pVcMk9vGFd_-j/s320/2DEA8D89-FD11-4E01-B630-9A0763D64971_1_105_c.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday, October 7, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Valley Unified</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> conducted a study session of its special education programs. I received questions, per usual practice, from the</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Press Democrat</a><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">/</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R" style="color: #0b8043; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a>.<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"> Answers are below. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've uploaded the pdf of the <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/uqi72qybscuqe1v03z40c/Study-Session-Special-Education-Presentation-2023_2023_10_07_001.pdf?rlkey=bnzclrmefvewjgqjqk9oiq0yb&dl=0" target="_blank">presentation</a>, because I think this is something the public should be able to review over time. There's handwriting from me on the document, noting that the parent surveys only reach parents whose children are receiving services, which I compared to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetlight_effect">searching only under streetlights for lost keys</a>. We need to hear from parents whose children aren't receiving services, but should. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further, I wrote "insular minor," a reference to footnote 4 of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Carolene_Products_Co.">Carolene Products</a>. </i>(<i>United States v. Carolene Products Co.</i> (1938) 304 U.S. 144 [58 S. Ct. 778; 82 L. Ed. 1234].) That footnote points out that "discrete and insular minorities" that cannot expect the normal protections of the political process deserve a heightened standard of review. In Sonoma Valley, while 2/3rds of our students are Latinx, 2/3rds of our voters are white, the type of situation I think contemplated by the court in that case. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Photo this time is of Margie at a recent soccer practice. Without further ado: </span></p><blockquote style="margin-left: 30pt; margin-right: 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1-5. (answered together): Why was the meeting important? What do you feel were the main findings presented? What are some of the problems the district is having in addressing the needs of special education students? What are some specific steps that need to be taken?</i></span></p></blockquote><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sonoma Valley Unified consistently directs Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions (<i>which Special Education is a part of</i>) towards white students at double (<i>Speech/Language Impairment</i>) to nearly triple the rate (<i>Specific Learning Disability</i>) it does for Latinx students. This is a wildly disproportionate allocation of resources, suggesting that Sonoma Valley's structural racial discrimination problem is being replicated in the administration of its special education program. I believe this is almost certainly due to under-identification of Latinx students; I am not persuaded there is any "over-identification" of white students.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our District needs to identify those students who SVUSD should have known require services (<i>our "child-find" obligation</i>). The existing data suggests that we are failing to pinpoint at least 50 Latinx students who require Tier 2 and Tier 3 support. If the prevalence of Speech/Language Impairment and Specific Learning Disabilities is akin to that in our White population, the number in our Latinx community could reach as high as 350 missed students. Based on my experience reviewing student disciplinary files as a trustee over the past seven years, which is often where the unidentified students are revealed, I estimate that the actual figure is likely between the two numbers, probably around 170-190 students, equating to approximately 10-15 students per grade.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To provide those services, Sonoma Valley Unified should fully implement Universal Design for Learning (<i>"UDL"</i>) strategies. These form the cornerstone of our multi-tiered systems of support (<i>"MTSS"</i>). Our Tier 1, our general education program, serves as the initial instructional approach and is expected to address the needs of approximately 85% of students. Our Tier 2 supports, partly administered by our special education department, are designed to support roughly 10%, whereas the remaining 5% should be obtaining Tier 3 support.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Overally, Sonoma Valley Unified is a wealthy basic aid school district that nonetheless exhibits poor performance across a range of measures. This situation is unusual, considering that rich districts like Sonoma Valley make up only about 9-10% of the approximately 1100 districts in the State, and are anecdotally known for their good results. Likely, the persistent poor performance despite ample resources is linked to how many students are not receiving the services they deserve. I believe this has probably led to behavioral issues that fester over time, as students are not being educated in a fashion consistent with their rights under the law. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further, the situation has been exacerbated by a footprint that is too large for the current student population, which has declined nearly 35% in the past decade. Realignment is urgently needed to focus resources on our at-need students. Spreading out Tier 1 implementation across too many sites, while not effectively supporting any of them, robs Tier 2 and Tier 3 of the resources to identify and serve students who are at need.</span></p></div></div><blockquote style="margin-left: 30pt; margin-right: 0in;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>6. Would you like to say anything else?</i></span></p></blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On a personal note, I had a very hard time reviewing this information, and anyone who would like to view the Youtube video of our meeting is welcome to go and see that. I do not apologize for my emotional reaction. This is a situation that should shock our consciences. We all should be upset, together, to see that this situation has been allowed to develop, and to continue, for so long. Only concerted action will begin to address the situation and right the wrongs that have persisted without remediation, which will take action by the entire community. </span></p></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-16450543223826383002023-09-22T12:52:00.005-07:002023-09-22T13:12:13.666-07:00Questions from the Press, Friday September 22, 2023. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vRrb9jgNmmGlrhixRa4h3dXELyTjAGvj8UrAOzuntMi7nWnTTVbe2do2wKNFFmwtsP9LbslOSDnl6xM-2b7oKnYbRPguNFCHZXvrDSu53aANhrpVkuHd6AB3wKnjE44U3zHxDGcUtLaXjvXkUSOT2NZDXHXOtioZg_MSGodvQZ8jjA7Qz7zIoOWbrQ07/s3300/2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vRrb9jgNmmGlrhixRa4h3dXELyTjAGvj8UrAOzuntMi7nWnTTVbe2do2wKNFFmwtsP9LbslOSDnl6xM-2b7oKnYbRPguNFCHZXvrDSu53aANhrpVkuHd6AB3wKnjE44U3zHxDGcUtLaXjvXkUSOT2NZDXHXOtioZg_MSGodvQZ8jjA7Qz7zIoOWbrQ07/s320/2.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Per my usual practice, I have answered questions from our local newspapers below in writing. The subject of this week's questions concerns attendance. To underscore the importance of physical presence, the theme that runs through this subject, I have included a photo collage of my daughter Siena, with me as we recently attending a Taylor Swift concert.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">---</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>1. What was your overall impression of the content of the presentation?</i></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Ironically for something that seems so simple, attendance is the source of the stream of benefits that flow from education. Empirical data on the point is beyond question. Further, school for our students is the place where they have permission to let what is within their nature be and allow it expression. In school, we affirm our students' struggles and encourage them to live rich, full lives. They learn every day that their lives are in their own hands, that each has a spiritual summons to be honored, and that when they miss days, they miss another opportunity to bring out their more developed selves to share. I hope every student feels that a day at school is an opportunity to be seized, not something given.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a community-funded school district (<i>so-called "basic aid"</i>), Sonoma Valley's finances are largely unaffected by attendance. Our community is wealthy and successful, and our school district has been running surpluses for years and is solidly in the black. We care about attendance because it matters for our kids, not because it affects how much money is available. This common misconception should regularly be debunked, as it creates cynicism about why SVUSD cares so much about seeing our students every day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>2. In your opinion, what were some of the positive things in the report?</i></div></i><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Our District is engaging in exactly the type of program I would hope it would implement to encourage attendance, and our very strong staff in this area, particularly Ms. Jillian Beall, has taken the academic research and translated it into a fun (<i>indeed, sometimes hilarious</i>) effort to encourage kids to be excited about coming to campus. Attendance Works' Attendance Awareness Campaign (<i>which our staff has been implementing</i>) underlines the need for a supportive and caring response with an emphasis on making students feel valued and establishing trust-based relationships. The campaign reiterates the importance of creating a secure, caring and engaging environment for learners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Using a data-driven, solution-oriented approach is another essential aspect of this campaign. The welfare and health of students, families, and school staff is emphasized. Additionally, the campaign calls for a joint effort among the wider community, families, and schools to overcome entrenched obstacles to student attendance and engagement. </div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OxifWy4SZBGyECKnPPoFsE-Ia4v-glP4wyQ5_RGyZYy06jtZXZq_psDGT7dbVD3SbRx84TstEdrxQ0SXBCvuZPb6lAbML_-S-Fzm3omIpIJ6Hs-xBsReZ_1MjSvE3JCvhGBMiOjelqyzHP-uZJR5QxT5I4J8YlNWK_dIxeRp_q9JBzV3N5M0fgwZpDo8/s692/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%2011.37.43%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OxifWy4SZBGyECKnPPoFsE-Ia4v-glP4wyQ5_RGyZYy06jtZXZq_psDGT7dbVD3SbRx84TstEdrxQ0SXBCvuZPb6lAbML_-S-Fzm3omIpIJ6Hs-xBsReZ_1MjSvE3JCvhGBMiOjelqyzHP-uZJR5QxT5I4J8YlNWK_dIxeRp_q9JBzV3N5M0fgwZpDo8/s320/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%2011.37.43%20AM.png" width="228" /></a></div><br />Specifically, Sonoma Valley Unified employs a system called multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), which encompasses a variety of strategies aimed at promoting student attendance. The first level includes approaches such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), proactive communication through various channels, creating welcoming school environment, utilizing attendance data, conducting empathy interviews, and making phone calls home. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second tier consists of interventions that provide a more individualized approach, such as School Attendance Team Problem Solving Meetings (SART), forming belonging groups, promoting consistent two-way family communication, and regular monitoring of attendance. The third tier applies strategies for students with chronic absenteeism issues, which includes collaborative problem-solving, a program called Keeping Kids in School (KKIS), School Attendance Review Team Meetings (SARB), and conducting home visits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the core, though, our staff has managed to inject life into the program, by making it fun in the way experienced teachers know best. A small example was the theme days used to get kids excited and through the door in the morning. As a parent, I was particularly amused and gratified that they managed to do it without turning to "crazy hair day," which as the father of three daughters, has been something of an issue in the past. I include below the listing of the days, to illustrate exactly how our team is making this happen. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>3. What do you feel were some of the troubling things in the report?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscC4TFCEFBuhVDBveZwXCZRCLBK6YfEWFpZrSgRm9bHc164LwX4O4Z-TvvB8LgKvMArl9sSN8wWZodHYWe6yNjGR4m9dsZ4nAxesRE77RbtaelDiwc2KosDCNx3VsCjaHGtD-aWKnneq9qMALUKjtewuSqVtuyDfH_sQG7V_FRnoSYh9UuYPUxX-ky6kp/s586/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%2011.30.45%20AM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="586" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscC4TFCEFBuhVDBveZwXCZRCLBK6YfEWFpZrSgRm9bHc164LwX4O4Z-TvvB8LgKvMArl9sSN8wWZodHYWe6yNjGR4m9dsZ4nAxesRE77RbtaelDiwc2KosDCNx3VsCjaHGtD-aWKnneq9qMALUKjtewuSqVtuyDfH_sQG7V_FRnoSYh9UuYPUxX-ky6kp/s320/Screenshot%202023-09-22%20at%2011.30.45%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>What troubles me more is the information we received Saturday in our finances overview, rather than the information in the attendance presentation. There has been a significant deviation between enrollment and attendance for some time in SVUSD. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our attendance is, and has been for some time, about 2,800 students per day, as the below graph from Saturday's presentation showed. We have been narrowing the gap recently (<i>to be expected with the transition from pandemic to endemic COVID</i>), but the figures illustrate just how small the student population of our Valley has become. Sonoma Valley's enrollment peaked at 4,673 students in 2012, and attendance at 4,022. The decline shows just how serious the issues are for our District in terms of realignment -- we are staffing a system designed for another era, and the entirely reasonble complaints from our teachers and staff regarding the waste that creates is a continuing issue I am committed to addressing for our community. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>4. Do you feel confident about the approach the district is taking to improve overall attendance and reduce the number of students who are chronically absent?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes. Staff are doing exactly what I would expect to narrow the enrollment/attendance gap and the objective data show that they are getting results.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>5. How can the board help to improve overall attendance and reduce the number of students who are chronically absent?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;">We have made addressing this issue a priority for our staff, and in doing so, the board has exercised the leadership role the community expects of us. We, as board members, take attendance seriously. As a parent myself, I know just how hard it can be to encourage students to go to school sometimes. From a tired high-school-aged teenager to a stressed-out middle schooler, to a slightly-under-the-weather first grader, all of whom I support on a regular basis. In that capacity, we are doing what we have advocated. Finally, the most important thing we, as a board, can do, having set the direction and being in the process of ourselves following the advice, is to let our staff implement the program they have devised with fidelity -- which I think is happening.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>6. Would you like to say anything else?</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;">No, thank you. </p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-3948280993000341672023-08-23T11:18:00.005-07:002023-08-25T10:35:11.308-07:00Bus Driver Shortages and the Baumol Effect.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a5/William_Baumol.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="257" height="386" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a5/William_Baumol.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>William Baumol<br />Namesake of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/3229240635875483987/394828099300034167#">Baumol Effect</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table>In an August 17 article for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/17/us/schools-bus-drivers-shortage-delays.html">The New York Times</a>, Colbi Edmonds covered the critical shortage of bus drivers in the Jefferson County Public School District, in Louisville, Kentucky, that threw the first day of school into chaos. With the district encompassing around 100,000 students, this resulted in children mistakenly misplaced or stranded without transportation, creating near-panic levels of anxiety for parents. The Superintendent, Marty Pollio, acknowledged that bus driver scarcity is a nationwide issue, and pledged to work to resolve it, considering options such as a wage increase.</div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Edmonds is correct in pointing out that Louisville is not the sole sufferer of the bus driver crunch. Numerous school districts are grappling with similar predicaments due to reasons like insufficient pay, hard hours, and the after-effects of the pandemic. For instance, the Tampa, Florida, school district still has 203 driver vacancies even after the school year has begun. Other institutions have resorted to public transportation or last-minute hires, highlighting the intensity of the problem.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the commencement of the 2023-2024 school year, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District (SVUSD)—where I serve as a trustee—has also faced a lack of bus drivers, as reported by Dan Johnson in the August 18 <a href="https://www.sonomanews.com/article/news/sonoma-valley-school-district-urgently-needs-bus-drivers/">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a>. This shortfall critically impacted high school students' transportation. Despite the district's advertising for four full-time openings with a fairly competitive hourly wage ranging from $22.51 to $24.83, recruitment efforts have been met with little success, as noted by Superintendent Dr. Jeanette Chien.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Compensation inadequacies and work-hour incompatibilities contribute to the driver shortages surfacing throughout the nation. SVUSD has sought assistance from Sonoma's city manager, David Guhin, in addition to reaching out to the Sonoma County Office of Education, neighboring districts, and private entities to help with staffing. Fellow trustee Celeste Winders encouraged applicants to explore the full-time openings, promising competitive wages and impactful roles in facilitating students' success.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Despite these efforts, as noted in the New York Times article, a comprehensive solution appears distant. The job's negative factors, including often low wages and occasional confrontations with parents or students, reduces its appeal. Erica Groshen from the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations suggests increasing pay as a direct solution. Jefferson County use of AlphaRoute, though, a routing software, actually made the impact of driver shortages worse. As those knowledgeable of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baumol_effect">Baumol Effect</a> are aware, there are few productivity gains available for jobs, like nurse, teacher, and school bus driver, that hinge on the quality of interpersonal connections, and the cost of such employees will continue to rise. These industries must compete for labor with those sectors that do see productivity gains, simply to continue to offer the same level of service. Hence, for struggling families, the seemingly distant prospect of a return to regular transportation for schooling remains a continuing concern.</p><p></p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-14075370509836818682023-08-14T11:06:00.006-07:002023-08-14T11:07:19.776-07:00From Franklin to DeJoy: Navigating the Future of the USPS and the Potential of Postal Banking.<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh41kndpZK4zYf-7TVSoz6XsoY0l8rDDwmTL8PnbtLy4ofzH8qSYDK2hmfkhoDZkYl0Ek7hHCFYqGyk53mCiHX8NyE7Eh5YmfxZRsqoYdP85bIJ9rOUydDOySguNtn5zlX1wH4iAZSA6AskPAEPSg-sbZN0-pC9uX9e2aYron9eEiuEOtE3SvmWUQs2PBV4" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh41kndpZK4zYf-7TVSoz6XsoY0l8rDDwmTL8PnbtLy4ofzH8qSYDK2hmfkhoDZkYl0Ek7hHCFYqGyk53mCiHX8NyE7Eh5YmfxZRsqoYdP85bIJ9rOUydDOySguNtn5zlX1wH4iAZSA6AskPAEPSg-sbZN0-pC9uX9e2aYron9eEiuEOtE3SvmWUQs2PBV4" width="197" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin">Benjamin Franklin</a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>1st United States Postmaster General.</i></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today's post concerns The Economist's recent <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/08/13/louis-dejoys-ambitious-plans-for-americas-postal-service">article</a> on the United States Postal Service (USPS). The article begins with a wry allusion to Benjamin Franklin's role in starting the post office, but moves quickly to an evaluation of Louis DeJoy, the 75th Postmaster General. He has embarked on significant reforms for the financially troubled USPS. Upon taking office during a politically fraught period, he was faced with an institution projected to lose $160 billion by 2030, a problem exacerbated by declining first-class mail and burdensome regulations. DeJoy's efforts have resulted in efficiency improvements and bipartisan postal-reform legislation, though controversial measures such as consolidation and price increases lie ahead in his “Delivering for America” plan, while making sure we protect the letter carriers the United States had depended on since before the Revolution. </p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The article alludes to one notable potential reform for the USPS, the introduction of postal banking. This concept has proven successful in places like Japan, where post offices offer routine check clearing and banking services. The existing infrastructure of the USPS provides an opportunity to extend essential banking functions to underserved communities, without the volatility often associated with the traditional banking industry. By offering a stable and accessible alternative, postal banking could present significant benefits to the American public.<br /></p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-32008431987813663672023-06-29T13:57:00.001-07:002023-06-29T13:59:03.801-07:00Questions from the Press, Thursday, June 29, 2023.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtqTqd0nKbTKa2X3J0Nm5rWZWUM_2zPUx1pM8FTWvDcqeYSYVUXTq2GPflGsCQr9A6jDVhbS1x92eLju1wzHBcRpfzQPfkefc17Ra7ixx35Pd9B6PAwYxN2pjR-0t49N1oxW8gJK4xQLCWw7ljUEjSWcS_9BTyWN8k52Z5LkUmsTJ1di2Af37D9_XnpK9/s4032/IMG_0198.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtqTqd0nKbTKa2X3J0Nm5rWZWUM_2zPUx1pM8FTWvDcqeYSYVUXTq2GPflGsCQr9A6jDVhbS1x92eLju1wzHBcRpfzQPfkefc17Ra7ixx35Pd9B6PAwYxN2pjR-0t49N1oxW8gJK4xQLCWw7ljUEjSWcS_9BTyWN8k52Z5LkUmsTJ1di2Af37D9_XnpK9/s320/IMG_0198.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Margaux Kelly.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pressdemocrat?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">Press Democrat</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaIndexTribune?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">Sonoma Index-Tribune</a> asked questions today about the Supreme Court's rejection of race-conscious college admissions, and the impact on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SonomaValleyHighSchoolOfficial?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">Sonoma</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100053643111257&__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">Valley Unified</a>'s students. Answers are below. Photo is Margie, clowning around with her sisters at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Leaning-Tower-of-Pisa-113669021976972/?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=kK-R">Leaning Tower of Pisa</a>. <br /><br />---<br /><br /><div><i>1. What do you think about the Supreme Court's Decision? <br /></i><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">62% of Americans now lack confidence in the Supreme Court, with only 37% expressing a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the institution. Decisions like the one today, and the increasingly common revelations of corruption amongst the conservative justices, continue to destroy the bench's hard-earned reputation. Undisclosed gifts from wealthy right-wing donors who have business before the court are anathema to the maintenance of the public's trust. When coupled with further anti-democratic policymaking from the court, the justices are continuing to act in a fashion inconsistent with Americans' belief in due process. The justices should have left the matter to the President and to the Congress, rather than reigniting yet another culture war. I expect there will be little of benefit to show for their most recent detour into legislating from the bench. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>2. How will it affect Sonoma Valley students who are planning to attend colleges and universities?</i></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">The long-term impact is probably greater than the short-term one. Racism is real in American society, and, as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/barackobama?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">Barack Obama</a> has noted, generations of students have been systematically excluded from most of America’s key institutions. Students will continue to be discriminated against in their efforts to get the seats at the table they deserve. As a country and as a society, we must work to end the horrible effects of prejudice on the basis of race, sex, or ethnicity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the short term, it is important to note that the vast majority of Sonoma Valley's high school students attend California's public institutions of higher education. California's voters have prohibited state governmental institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity in the areas of public employment, public contracting, and public education since Proposition 209 was passed in 1996. That policy was for practical purposes reaffirmed with the defeat of Proposition 16 in November 2020, 57%-43%, despite the Proposition enjoying near-universal support from a wide range of educators, civil rights leaders, and California businesses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Initially, there were stark consequences for California's flagship public universities from the end of affirmative action. However, those institutions have worked hard to restore diversity to their campuses. In 2021, for example, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UCLA?__cft__[0]=AZU_giRV4S_ERQ49FxGBHLh83pzpoXKA8sOHoKlyzJRqNYpw798dTUDVc4gvknO8GHv6SIukdqyqb3zbpGlULofSWtN44pkc4RHO1g4pYvmmlw&__tn__=-]K-R">UCLA</a>'s in-state first-year class included more Black students — 346, or 7.6 % — than their 1995 numbers of 259, or 7.3%. The same is true for Latino students, whose numbers grew to 1,185, or 26%, from 790, or 22.4%, during that same period. This is generally attributed to recruiting diverse students, and working relentlessly to persuade those students to accept admission offers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The California State University system, with 23 campuses, never experienced the same dramatic drop in Black and Latino students after Proposition 209. Indeed, CSU currently closely mirrors the state's diversity. As of fall 2021, 47% of its 422,391 undergraduates are Latino, 21% are white, 16% are Asian, and 4% are Black, which aligns closely with the demographic breakdown of California high school students who met UC and CSU eligibility standards in 2020-21.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My sense is that the hard work done in California since Proposition 209 will protect this year's class from the destabilizing and destructive consequences of a Supreme Court that has decided to impose its policy preferences on the country at large. Again, California is at the forefront of ensuring all of our citizens' civil rights are protected, regardless of the continuing ridiculous behavior in Washington. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>3. How will this affect their pursuit of careers?</i></div></i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The long-term consequences of the destructive and backward imposition of conservative policy preferences via unelected judges should alarm all Americans. As we have seen over the past few years, civil rights long protected under Federal law, rights recognized and supported by the majority of Americans, are susceptible to reversal by an institution that continues to be plagued by crass corruption that is unacceptable and illegal at virtually every other level of government. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I idealized our Supreme Court as a student in school, and the belief that justice under our Constitution was available for all Americans was amongst the strongest of reasons that motivated me to study law at the highest level, despite the hardship incident to that effort. To see those principles undermined for mere political advantage despite the empirical evidence in support of their continuance, and in the face of the overwhelming support of those policies by leaders from across our society, strikes at the same idealism that motivates our students today. There is nothing so valuable to the future of our country as the belief of our students that the values America is founded upon will be supported and fought for by those in positions of power. I can only imagine the discouragement and cynicism that today's decision will foster. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We increasingly seem to live in a country that believes the strong should be allowed to do what they will, and the weak deserve to suffer what they must. That ancient maxim has led to the destruction of civil society wherever it has been instituted. The hope of all Americans is that this madness can end, and that our enduring belief in justice, due process, and democratic self-governance, government that is of, by, and for the people, will again find its rightful place at the center of our civil discourse. </div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>4. Would you like to say anything else? </i></div></i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No, thank you.</div></div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-49635195388004048722023-06-20T12:26:00.006-07:002023-06-20T12:28:20.678-07:00Questions from the Press, Tuesday, June 20, 2023. <p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJS1b5SjIdDAVB2C-3SmN53K_2W98sI5sn5E7W0u0BNMxgrP3sJKQykYt2PgUMZj8WtqxPw5F3rVds0lBTbJgwnoEgku_GSt01JNSOP7O9bSvRFNxkM4971dROeVCdgqwPHnUgGmqFe_8g8ISRJbx_Wk_8BW9KmgxAh2jbtDlKzhCi7lmhTANxxqof4ge/s4032/IMG_2655.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJS1b5SjIdDAVB2C-3SmN53K_2W98sI5sn5E7W0u0BNMxgrP3sJKQykYt2PgUMZj8WtqxPw5F3rVds0lBTbJgwnoEgku_GSt01JNSOP7O9bSvRFNxkM4971dROeVCdgqwPHnUgGmqFe_8g8ISRJbx_Wk_8BW9KmgxAh2jbtDlKzhCi7lmhTANxxqof4ge/w300-h400/IMG_2655.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Margaux Kelly, </span>2022.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I received questions from Dan Johnson of the Sonoma Index-Tribune about the Sonoma Valley Unified LCAP, which is our Local Control and Accountability Plan. The answers, in writing, are below. <span style="text-align: justify;">The photo is of my daughter Margaux, at the start of school this past year, as a contrast to the previous photo. It's amazing how fast they grow up. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">---<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>1. The board approved the LCAP, 5-0, correct?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, that is my recollection.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>2. Why is the LCAP report important?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) requirement was created during Jerry Brown's governorship as a part of a reform of school finances in 2013–14. Required by law to be approved prior to the school district's budget, and perhaps originally intended as a planning document, the LCAP now resembles more of a compliance instrument. However, with its objective metrics over a three-year window, the LCAP contains valuable information regarding the performance of a district that is often hard to find in one place elsewhere. It is a significant piece of work for our staff, and I commend the SVUSD employees who worked hard to ensure fidelity to the facts in this year's LCAP.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>3. Trustees expressed concerns about the LCAP, though. What do you feel were the main concerns expressed?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hesitate to speak regarding the concerns of other trustees. I feel I need to let their comments speak for themselves.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>4. What are your main concerns with the LCAP?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The demographic characteristics of the District drew my attention to begin. The 2021 American Community Survey conducted by the US Census Bureau showed 68% of SVUSD's 38,732 residents identify as White, while 25% identify as Hispanic/Latinx, roughly a 3:1 ratio. However, the demographics within our schools presents a contrasting picture. SVUSD schools have 1,156 White students and 2,305 Hispanic/Latinx students, nearly a 1:2 ratio in the opposite direction. This translates to roughly 22 White residents for every White student, and about 3 Hispanic/Latinx residents for each Hispanic/Latinx student. The significant difference between the composition of our electorate and our student body is an important point to keep in mind to understand SVUSD.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Moving on to measures of performance, our LCAP reveals several key issues that need immediate attention. First, we are faced with significant staffing shortages. The district is managing with only 1.4 full-time equivalent English Learner Support Teachers. This shortfall, in addition to the statewide teacher shortage, particularly impacts our special education department, requiring us to resort to virtual instruction in some cases.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Second, we are witnessing an alarming trend in chronic absenteeism. During the 2021-22 academic year, there has been a notable increase in this concern, especially among our English Learner and Low Income students. In fact, our overall attendance rate has slipped from 94% in 2020-21 to 88% in 2021-22. This trend is evident in our target schools too, with Dunbar experiencing the most significant drop in attendance. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Third, our student performance in key areas is declining. In the 2021-22 academic year, only 21% of 11th-grade students met or exceeded the math standards, down from 24% in the previous year. We've also noted a drop in our English Learner reclassification rates, from 15% to 12% over the same period.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fourth, our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) analysis has revealed a significant discrepancy between our local data and state testing data. This gap is particularly pronounced for our English Learner and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students in state tests. Furthermore, a decrease in the percentage of students in grades 3-8 and 11 meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Math, as per the 2021 CAASPP data, compounds this concern.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fifth, we are grappling with legal compliance issues in our special education department, specifically concerning Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for our English Learner special education students. Coupled with this, our students with disabilities are not meeting the proficiency goals in STAR Reading and Math.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, our attempts at professional development have encountered challenges. For instance, our Orton-Gillingham training program had no participants in Fall 2022, indicating a need to reassess our approach and make professional development more accessible and engaging for our staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The array of issues identified above illuminates the necessity for a comprehensive, targeted approach to surmount these challenges while keeping in mind the welfare of our diligent staff and students. They bear the real brunt of these issues, and their resilience in the face of such obstacles inspires our persistent efforts to enhance SVUSD's performance. However, the enduring inaccuracies in our budget have unfortunately sown seeds of mistrust in the data reported about educational outcomes. Critics have a valid point in their concerns that if our budget regularly underestimates revenues, could it be possible that our student performance metrics are similarly discounting student performance? This lack of trust only magnifies the complexities of the educational reform work we strive to undertake for our Valley. I think the Board understands the emotional toll this can take on our community, students, and staff, making our mission to restore trust even more urgent. This is especially poignant given a historical pattern of misinformation and distrust which has not only increased polarization but has also undercut accountability and degraded the quality of our public discourse. The impact of this on our students and staff is not lost, and I think reinforces our Board's commitment to transparency and accuracy.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>5. Melanie Blake said that it is important to view the LCAP as one part of the district’s strategic plan. Do you agree? What are the other important components of the plan?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I leave Melanie Blake's public comments to her, which I think speak for themselves.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>6. When was the district’s last strategic plan created? What is its purpose and how often are they created?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My recollection is that the last two strategic plans were created in 2005 and 2013, and that SVUSD began the creation of a new strategic plan in 2018. The board received updates on the strategic planning process based on listening circles and other information solicited in February of 2019. On April 27, 2019, the Board held a study session on this subject. In the fall of 2019, the process was continuing, when it became clear at the resignation of Nicole Abate Ducarroz, that the trustee areas were out of compliance with California law, and that redistricting had not occurred after the 2010 census. At that time, Sonoma Valley Unified engaged Davis Demographics to complete a demographic study to allow redistricting, which did, in fact, occur in 2020. My recollection is that the board thought an accurate demographic study was also a prerequisite to completing a new strategic plan. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The onset of the pandemic in February and March of 2020 interfered with the continuation of the strategic planning process, as District resources were shifted to handling the transition to distance learning. The District investigated restarting the process in the fall of 2022. There was disagreement between the then-sitting trustees about the nature and scope of that work. Further, as no facilities master plan had yet been completed, and because SVUSD was again considering realignment in the context of that facilities master plan, the District chose to focus on its facilities plan. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That facilities master planning process in many respects came to reflect a hard-nosed recognition that waste on so many underutilized sites required attention prior to implementing new programs across a portfolio of campuses constructed for a different student population, residing in different places, in different times. The facilities master plan should be complete this fall and that, along with our demographic data, will likely supply the necessary supporting materials for SVUSD to again conduct listening circles and surveys regarding the strategic plan. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The strategic plan can be thought of as a process of documenting and establishing the direction of our District by assessing where we are, and envisioning where we want to be. I have compared the process at times to painting the Golden Gate Bridge, a continuing task that is never completed, but which is essential to serving our community. Ten years is a bit long between plans, but given the serious problems with redistricting and facilities, and the changing demographics of the District, coupled with the impact of the pandemic, I think the time frame since the last strategic plan is understandable. </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>7. Do you think it is time to create a new strategic plan? Why or why not?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With the completion of the facilities master plan in the fall, yes, I believe we are in a position to undertake this work. </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>8. What do you feel were the most encouraging and most disappointing findings in the LCAP report?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The LCAP data paints a sobering picture, a reflection of the challenges our school community is navigating. There are both inspiring and disheartening elements. On a positive note, it is heartening to acknowledge the dedication and professional integrity of our staff in ensuring the accuracy of the information. They have not shied away from presenting unvarnished facts, a testament to their commitment to our students' education and well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, it is deeply concerning that enduring distrust over budget misinformation and consequent polarization in our community threatens to overshadow these efforts. Such a climate does not just cast doubt on the credibility of our reports, but it also hampers accountability and efforts to create a higher-performing institution. It's distressing to consider that this mistrust could adversely affect the morale of our hardworking staff and the educational experiences of our students.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's vital that we work to resolve the trust issues stemming from underestimated revenues. We need to create a shared understanding that our commitment to transparency and accuracy extends equally to our financial and student performance metrics. By doing so, we can foster a more supportive and trusting environment for all members of our community, especially our students, who deserve nothing less than our best efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>9. Would you like to say anything else?</i></span></p></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, thank-you. </span></p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-55647288993807970472023-06-18T11:14:00.000-07:002023-06-18T11:14:25.586-07:00Questions from the Press, Friday, June 16, 2023.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZNDIxj5udFh4-q-mYvZzOUWv7CwImPeRWHM6Pp3Djey-o1_I_aQgXodzFx8uzX7pQ5OHtwaGic_c5KwYyZUVGErcScJ6Uxx78wtUV9p0v0I8YPRMoXQKgQSNl51VZcX4jiU-ktqN0ZIGy2KpFmDP-NuDpxx3499xJhNcIm1bRiGKg_R84tIxOi6-EA/s2506/Screenshot%202023-06-18%20at%2011.05.10%20AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZNDIxj5udFh4-q-mYvZzOUWv7CwImPeRWHM6Pp3Djey-o1_I_aQgXodzFx8uzX7pQ5OHtwaGic_c5KwYyZUVGErcScJ6Uxx78wtUV9p0v0I8YPRMoXQKgQSNl51VZcX4jiU-ktqN0ZIGy2KpFmDP-NuDpxx3499xJhNcIm1bRiGKg_R84tIxOi6-EA/w400-h228/Screenshot%202023-06-18%20at%2011.05.10%20AM.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Margaux Kelly and John Kelly.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2023, at Kindergarten Flyaway (<i>Graduation</i>).</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As usual, I have answered questions I received from the Sonoma Index-Tribune about this week's Sonoma Valley Unified budget, and post the same here for the public. </p><p>---</p><i>1. The board approved the budget by a 3-2 vote, with you and Celeste Winders dissenting. Why did you vote against it?<br /></i><br />My decision was based on a thorough analysis of the district's historical budget data. It is rooted in long-standing discrepancies that I believe we need to address.<br /><br />Since 2010, a persistent issue has been the consistent underestimation of actual revenues versus our budgeted predictions, exceeding the generally accepted 5% margin of error, averaging 10.5% error up until the pandemic, and now approaching nearly 20% for several years since then. Our staff have presented a variety of arguments ranging from changes in revenue streams to federal funding reductions and projected decreases in future revenue to explain this discrepancy. However, after closely examining these arguments, I found that they do not address the core issue at hand.<br /><br />Specifically, arguments relating to stable federal and state program revenues, projected revenue decrease for 2023-24, enrollment decline, and federal funding reductions do not clarify the root cause of the repeated underestimation. In fact, logically, some of these factors should lead to overestimations, which is not the case. While the shift in revenue streams following the Local Control Funding Formula implementation and the increase in property tax revenue could potentially explain underestimations for a year or two, these points also do not adequately explain the persistent underestimation of revenues for more than a decade.<br /><br />These discrepancies not only undermine the trust and reliability in our budgeting practices, but also have tangible impacts on our district. They exacerbate our staffing challenges, particularly in supporting English Learner students and the special education department, as the distrust of our finances deters good employees from joining our District. Furthermore, they create misleading narratives of deficit spending through documents like the Budget Adoption Letter and First and Second Interim Letters from the Sonoma County Office of Education, further eroding staff and community trust.<br /><br />The continuous underestimations underscore the urgent need for a balanced budget that accurately reflects our district's revenue predictions. This is why I voted against the budget: to draw attention to these issues and to insist that we address them. I believe we need to adjust our budgeting practices to better reflect the true financial status of the district.<br /><br />By doing so, we can better align our resources, improve our staff recruitment efforts, enhance our professional development programs, and restore the trust of our staff and community. In short, we need to ensure the accuracy of our budget to support the effective fiscal planning of Sonoma Valley Unified.<br /><br /><i>2. You made a strong appeal for the board to approve only balanced budgets. Why is that important?</i><br /><br />The significance of a balanced budget lies in its fundamental role in effective fiscal planning and overall district operations. A balanced budget properly represents our revenue and expenditure projections. It provides a reliable foundation from which we can make strategic decisions, allocate resources efficiently, and plan for future development. This helps in maintaining a healthy fiscal environment, which is essential for the smooth operation of our educational services.<br /><br />When the budget is not balanced, or in our case, when revenues are consistently underestimated, it creates a skewed picture of our financial situation. This can lead to misconceptions about our district's fiscal health, such as misleading narratives of deficit spending. These misconceptions can impact our district's operations, decisions, and overall reputation. This inaccuracy can also result in eroding the trust of our staff, parents, and the broader community, as they may not have confidence in our financial planning capabilities. Such misinformation undermines accountability and only serves to polarize opinions, rather than allowing the creation of mutual understanding.<br /><br />Furthermore, persistent budget underestimations have had tangible impacts on our district. They have exacerbated staffing challenges, particularly for supporting English Learner students and the special education department. These errors have also hampered our recruitment efforts due to perceived instability, further straining our resources.<div><br />By insisting on a balanced budget, we aim to rectify these issues. A budget that accurately mirrors our financial reality can eliminate false narratives of deficit spending, restore trust within our community, and better inform our strategic planning. Moreover, it can provide a more stable foundation for staff recruitment and resource allocation, thereby improving the overall quality of our educational services.<br /><br />In short, approving only balanced budgets is an essential step towards transparent and effective fiscal planning, thereby fostering a stronger and more trustworthy Sonoma Valley Unified.<br /><br /><i>3. Both you and Winders referred to VMTA’s complaints during negotiations last year that the district’s projected revenues were inaccurately low. Do you think that the projections, which indeed turned out to be low, influenced the negotiations?<br /></i><br />The unreliability of the District's financial documents was a frequent topic during our negotiations with VMTA, and at the same time with SCOE. On October 31, 2022, following the start of Adrian Palazuelos extended absence, the District acknowledged an additional $7 million in revenue and promptly resolved its contract with the teachers' union. If the June budget had accurately projected our revenue trends, we could have avoided that protracted dispute leading to an impasse and factfinding.<br /><br /></div><div>Furthermore, due to the imbalanced budget, the District provided inaccurate information to SCOE. This led to a series of automatically generated letters from SCOE to SVUSD suggesting the District might receive a "qualified" or "negative" status. That is simply ridiculous for a District like Sonoma Valley that has robust revenue growth and reserves that have been growing at an average pace of over a million dollars a year for the past five years. These SCOE letters, which created an impression of financial mismanagement amongst our constituents, were based entirely on SVUSD's estimates, not an independent analysis by SCOE.<br /><br />Throughout the process, I consistently raised concerns about the inaccuracies in our financial documents. Indeed, I regularly pointed out that at least four million, and probably seven million dollars were missing from our financial statements. Notwithstanding that accurate criticism, we still received a proposed budget this year that, again, given the assumptions with which it was built, requires deficit spending.<br /><br /><i>4. Do you feel that the board and school district administration make decisions based on a budget with revenues projected to be significantly lower than they turn out to be? If so, can you cite some examples of important decisions in which this is the case and how they negatively affected the district?<br /></i><br />Our labor relations have been strained for over a decade due to this consistent under-projection of our revenues. The proposals extended to our teachers and staff often draw understandable disbelief from our union partners, who, at this point, are fully cognizant of the recurring underestimation of revenues. The credibility of our District Office, our Board, and the institution itself is justifiably questioned due to budgets that serve more to misinform than enlighten. <br /><br />The repercussions of such consistent misinformation have led to divisiveness within the educational community, diminished accountability, and eroded trust in our schools. Consequently, talented teachers, staff, and administrators, frustrated with the routinely dysfunctional financial statements that glaringly do not reflect reality, leave the District. Furthermore, once the trustworthiness of the documents detailing revenues is undermined, the essential trust for implementing educational reform suffers an immediate blow, hampering the enhancement of outcomes for our students.<br /><br /><i>5. As I understand him, Josh Braff feels that even though after the budget is approved, the district receives additional funding during the course of the year, he can’t put that into the budget because he doesn’t know how much the money will be and what category it will fall under. Is that your understanding of his position? If so, what is your response to his position?<br /></i><br />The issues we are facing significantly predate Mr. Braff's tenure with the District. It's unjust to lay the blame on an individual who appropriately recognized additional revenue after changes within the Superintendent's office last year. In fact, the comprehensive analysis I carried out over the past two weeks, which I shared with Mr. Braff, provides data that he acknowledged could be used to construct a budget addressing these concerns in the future.<br /><br />Though it is not customary for a trustee to dedicate such a significant amount of time to perform this type of work, my decade-long experience with these issues meant I knew where to go to find the necessary data. I cannot see how this persistent underestimation, which has happened for more than a decade and has veered toward double or even triple the acceptable level of error in recent years, can continue. I do not foresee future budgets being presented to the board that rely on inaccurate assumptions. <br /><br />As a trustee, I plan to propose changes to our board bylaws as a trustee agenda item. This would require deficit spending to be approved by a four-fifths vote in the future and require that the permitted level of expenditure align with accurate revenue projections. Consequently, this would necessitate a balanced budget, unless a supermajority is willing to continue to deficit spend<br /><br /><i>6. Do you feel that the trustees will do anything to resolve this situation in the future?</i></div><div><i><br /></i>The finance office now has the historical data clearly presented to illustrate the issue. After comprehensive discussions among the trustees, who largely recognized the problem, it would be surprising to see a readiness to approve further deficit spending in the future. All the trustees understand that our constituents expect us to approve a balanced budget, particularly given our significant revenue growth and steadily increasing reserves. I can't envision them being willing to vote for such a budget again. <br /><br />As for my part, I plan to propose changes to our board bylaws as a trustee agenda item. This would require deficit spending to be approved by a four-fifths vote in the future and require that the permitted level of expenditure align with accurate revenue projections. Consequently, this would necessitate a balanced budget, unless a supermajority is willing to continue to deficit spend.<br /><br /></div><div><i>7. What do you feel should be done?<br /></i><br /></div><div>For now, the issue is settled; the unbalanced budget with deficit spending has been approved. <br /><br />Our Board of Trustees plays a critical role in our District, serving as the center of financial decision-making. The Board is structured to foster communication between the government and its citizens, conveying public opinions, desires, and complaints to our staff, and justifying the actions taken and decisions made by the same to the public. Our voters have clearly communicated to us as a board, that they expect responsible financial management and balanced budgets, particularly given our strong growth in revenues and steadily increasing reserves, and our Valley deserves nothing less. <br /><br />We must break the cycle of repeated misinformation and deception that our budgeting process has placed at the heart of our relationships with our teachers, staff, and community. Only then can we rebuild the trust necessary for effective educational reform, reform that our Valley deserves.<br /><br /><i>8. Would you like to say anything else?<br /></i><br />No, thank you. </div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-57820389932572606512023-06-10T10:56:00.004-07:002023-06-10T11:08:44.024-07:00From the Courtroom to the Newsroom: The Polarization of Perception.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc0y65fOAfETSQkoXUEgvA7rVlwM-0uTlqHsFdYN2Tb5y6CUMGXz1ITbiv2hizjE3f6uEZrWE8rXhoKTTrciw8z4MeDvFkU8XFGDyboRfDvUUbzy4QSoA47XJXtBwIfeezzaG1aAugHaoxvuLWj4iavsWMi9vFiC-IEymEJ2KHNfRuAF_m9mOwNSSPw/s1024/D_nn_skj_ld_Generate_a_photograph_of_a_gavel_resting_next_to_a__0b8ed68c-eb6f-467a-b4e2-041f959b2333.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc0y65fOAfETSQkoXUEgvA7rVlwM-0uTlqHsFdYN2Tb5y6CUMGXz1ITbiv2hizjE3f6uEZrWE8rXhoKTTrciw8z4MeDvFkU8XFGDyboRfDvUUbzy4QSoA47XJXtBwIfeezzaG1aAugHaoxvuLWj4iavsWMi9vFiC-IEymEJ2KHNfRuAF_m9mOwNSSPw/w400-h400/D_nn_skj_ld_Generate_a_photograph_of_a_gavel_resting_next_to_a__0b8ed68c-eb6f-467a-b4e2-041f959b2333.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Truth and fairness are tested, as old sturdy pillars strain under new pressure."</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2023, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/deed.en_US">CC-BY-SA 3.0</a>.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The American justice system, a cornerstone of our democracy, is being tested in light of the ongoing federal criminal case against former President Donald J. Trump. Peter Baker's <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/us/politics/trump-documents-indictment-democracy.html">article</a> in The New York Times brings to light the challenge that Trump's attempts to discredit the charges pose to the public's perception of justice. This is reminiscent of the decline in the perceived credibility of news outlets, further reflecting the ways in which our democratic institutions are grappling with challenges of legitimacy and trust.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="https://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/04/fox-news-7875m-settlement-with-dominion.html">erosion of the Fairness Doctrine</a> in 1987 has contributed significantly to the polarization of American media and the general public's discourse. As partisan voices like Rush Limbaugh dominated the airwaves without presenting balanced viewpoints, we have witnessed a similar trend in political communication, with accusations of bias and corruption becoming more prevalent.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">This context is critical in understanding Trump's current strategy. Facing multiple felony counts, Trump's response has not been limited to defending himself but includes an active attempt to portray the justice system as partisan and corrupt. This narrative echoes his past efforts to discredit news outlets by labeling them "fake news," a strategy that resonates with a considerable portion of the public in a politically polarized landscape.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The parallels between the public's perception of the media and the justice system are striking. In both cases, the integrity of the institution is questioned, contributing to an environment of skepticism and polarization. Just as the case of Fox News' settlement with Dominion Voting Systems highlighted the dangers of unbalanced reporting, Trump's attempts to delegitimize the justice system underscore the risks associated with the loss of public trust in democratic institutions.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The key challenge now is to restore trust in these institutions by promoting transparency, accountability, and balanced perspectives. These principles, central to both journalism and justice, are fundamental to the functioning of our democracy. We must not only recognize the parallels between the challenges faced by our democratic institutions but also learn from each other in our efforts to address these issues. Ultimately, the survival and integrity of our democracy depend on our ability to trust these institutions to uphold truth, justice, and fairness.</p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-49407171092678867972023-06-09T11:35:00.003-07:002023-06-09T11:37:05.258-07:00The Silent Struggle: LGBTQIA+ Rights in Contemporary China.<span style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesMo8hyztcVeofLb3lFzpleZoMoVQvFVMSN4WBgFP5ugGj6u7PeVrqgvlUCtWGm2Tkyh806SFGpCsaZEVtY9zmll0_LkKzt8Li_tAXm1Qz8PBOcF9qcw3bQUZSSlXlCZUyxwd2tBe2-_mnWBbMaCttzCUwY_x95wD0zGvn8zHRPVMCYFrn4oRicLiPQ/s1024/D_nn_skj_ld_Create_an_evocative_illustration_that_symbolizes_th_b1fda203-e62f-4bff-8b3f-f98602db33ed.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesMo8hyztcVeofLb3lFzpleZoMoVQvFVMSN4WBgFP5ugGj6u7PeVrqgvlUCtWGm2Tkyh806SFGpCsaZEVtY9zmll0_LkKzt8Li_tAXm1Qz8PBOcF9qcw3bQUZSSlXlCZUyxwd2tBe2-_mnWBbMaCttzCUwY_x95wD0zGvn8zHRPVMCYFrn4oRicLiPQ/w400-h400/D_nn_skj_ld_Create_an_evocative_illustration_that_symbolizes_th_b1fda203-e62f-4bff-8b3f-f98602db33ed.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><i>"China's firm door shuts on vibrant rainbow's portal. Rights fade in the hush.</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>Voices silenced now as the vibrant spectrum dims. Human rights obscured."</i></div><div style="text-align: right;">© 2023, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/deed.en_US">CC-BY-SA 3.0</a>.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>In a recent </span><a href="https://www.economist.com/china/2023/05/25/why-the-communist-party-fears-gay-rights">article</a><span> from The Economist titled "Why the Communist Party Fears Gay Rights," the authors shed light on the harsh reality for LGBTQIA+ communities in China, under the rule of President Xi Jinping. The current atmosphere is characterized by increased power of security agencies and ideological commissars, leading to a systematic closure of LGBTQIA+ support groups.</span></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;">The Chinese government seems to view sexual minorities as a political risk, stressing national security over morality in its dealings with gay-rights advocates. Despite more social tolerance for LGBTQIA+ individuals, they face strict regulations against forming communities, which is deemed a more serious offense.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Beijing LGBTQIA+ Centre, which had existed for over 15 years, recently announced its closure. The center, among other accomplishments, had successfully filed a lawsuit in 2014 against a clinic providing electroshock therapy to "convert" gay patients. This closure, among others, is seen as a significant setback for LGBTQIA+ rights.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Interestingly, the article highlighted a shift in public sentiment. As an example, the authors referred to a 2019 case when the public was allowed to submit comments on new marriage regulations, and many citizens recommended changing "husband and wife" to "spouses" as a step towards recognizing same-sex marriages. But the Chinese government has yet to make any legislative changes reflecting this sentiment, and several groups advocating for this change have since been shut down.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The article also discusses corporate capitulation to government pressure. For instance, in 2020, a gay flight attendant at state-owned China Southern was fired for a public display of affection with a male pilot, leading to public controversy. Additionally, WeChat, the widely-used social media app, shut down dozens of accounts related to LGBTQIA+ topics.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As for the future, the authors point to an increasing sense of isolation among young people due to a lack of safe spaces for discussion. They further argue that the Chinese Communist Party perceives vulnerable groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community, feminists, labor activists, and ethnic minorities as potential instruments of subversion by foreign influences. As a result, these marginalized groups are viewed more as security threats than deserving of compassion in the current sociopolitical climate of China.</p>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-42505599134902549192023-06-08T14:12:00.001-07:002023-06-08T14:18:46.825-07:00AI and Legal Practice: The Cloud's Impact on the Ground.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnar-j8LFsSvdHYJm4RH-uHM5XSWKGPVhfhFZzGIEi-mw9DzsIntiRSDWT--rxmef15t7-ndvDxLTNlwoHkgpg8SGr6JCgnzagh3UWi-4zYLFrgB5TBXaPjRQlmj3KKW9DpqlpryhHHspgkXPH4Lg3q5uts0N7gHiuZ4DgtxYBfqILlbY4tdoEn3CfyA/s7360/pxfuel.com.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="7360" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnar-j8LFsSvdHYJm4RH-uHM5XSWKGPVhfhFZzGIEi-mw9DzsIntiRSDWT--rxmef15t7-ndvDxLTNlwoHkgpg8SGr6JCgnzagh3UWi-4zYLFrgB5TBXaPjRQlmj3KKW9DpqlpryhHHspgkXPH4Lg3q5uts0N7gHiuZ4DgtxYBfqILlbY4tdoEn3CfyA/w400-h268/pxfuel.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Technology, Hands, Agreement."</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2023 PXFuel.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Free for Commercial Use.</span></div><i><div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://pxfuel.com">pxfuel.com</a></span></i></div></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence">Artificial Intelligence (AI)</a> continues to evolve within the expansive cloud of technology, its impact is becoming increasingly evident in traditionally conservative fields such as the legal profession. The transformative power of AI, much like the influence of air and naval strategies in the historical context, is reshaping the ground realities of the profession, underlining the importance of the events happening "in the cloud".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2023/06/06/generative-ai-could-radically-alter-the-practice-of-law">June 6, 2023 Economist article</a>, AI is portrayed as a tool with the potential to fundamentally alter the workings of law firms and the practice of law. Similar to how tactical decisions made at sea or in the air during World War II, as explained by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Davis_Hanson">Victor Davis Hanson</a>, mattered because they could drastically affect the outcomes on the ground, the AI developments "in the cloud" are influencing the strategies and operations on the ground level in the legal field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today's legal profession, shaped by its current challenges and advancements, provides the context for its future evolution. A recent Goldman Sachs report suggests that up to 44% of legal tasks could be automated by AI, indicating a profound shift set to redefine traditional practices. However, the integration of AI into the legal field also brings challenges. There are concerns about AI's ability to convincingly present falsehoods and the critical need to safeguard sensitive attorney-client privileged information.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In charting the future of the legal profession, the concept of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markov_chain">Markov Chain</a> offers a useful analogy: the state of the system at a given moment (<i>the "present state"</i>) heavily influences what will happen next, while prior states (<i>the "past"</i>) hold little sway. As AI continues to evolve and exert influence over diverse sectors, this idea becomes especially relevant to the legal field. The power of AI to address contemporary challenges should be the guiding force shaping the profession's future, rather than lingering attachments to historical practices.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The transformative potential of AI has been established. However, its integration into the legal field isn't merely about introducing a new tool or streamlining existing processes. It's about leveraging AI's capabilities to address the unique and complex issues that the profession currently confronts and will confront in the future. The legal profession is an evolving system of conflict mediation, contract review, policy formulation, and, ultimately, a facilitator of organic social life. The role of AI in this context isn't just to automate tasks but to enhance the profession's capacity to perform these functions more effectively and efficiently.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the profession grapples with AI integration, it's critical to remember that AI isn't an end but a means to an end. The goal isn't to mold the profession according to what AI can do, but rather, to harness AI in service of the profession's purpose. This doesn't mean discarding the past entirely. Indeed, the principles that have defined the profession, such as justice, fairness, and adherence to the law, remain essential. They must guide the profession's AI journey, ensuring that AI is used in ways that amplify these principles rather than undermine them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To navigate this journey successfully, the legal field must recognize that its present state is the most relevant factor for determining its future. Rather than clinging to past practices or fearing the future, the profession should focus on addressing its current challenges using the best tools available, which now include AI. In doing so, the profession can ensure that it not only survives but thrives in an AI-enhanced future, effectively serving society while staying true to its core principles.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-40155849507415815952023-05-24T15:25:00.004-07:002023-05-24T15:25:55.511-07:00Minor Trims on Major Issues: The Triviality of Current U.S. Debt Ceiling Negotiations.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxWarG6dZaX71Hj4ZXZcfcLXCv47YhneRjsp2hD1X_l9pgDS_T8cxgYb7bNYOQ0i7JB52l9wMXAZWZcIGaP3ndYlUeCbTQzCSbz6EV2d97oIvOCoS2JpDGI4tiLwey8GDZ53yFP0KDj1nGFlhvBlDapsgLo8vkwqYM5dJzo4-kUgdSOnLTYZKuwX1KA/s7368/Tunnel_View_2,_Yosemite_Valley,_Yosemite_NP_-_Diliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4239" data-original-width="7368" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxWarG6dZaX71Hj4ZXZcfcLXCv47YhneRjsp2hD1X_l9pgDS_T8cxgYb7bNYOQ0i7JB52l9wMXAZWZcIGaP3ndYlUeCbTQzCSbz6EV2d97oIvOCoS2JpDGI4tiLwey8GDZ53yFP0KDj1nGFlhvBlDapsgLo8vkwqYM5dJzo4-kUgdSOnLTYZKuwX1KA/w200-h115/Tunnel_View_2,_Yosemite_Valley,_Yosemite_NP_-_Diliff.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sunset, Yosemite Valley.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2013 Dliff.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-style: italic;">via </i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tunnel_View,_Yosemite_Valley,_Yosemite_NP_-_Diliff.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a><i>.</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/us/politics/debt-ceiling-deal-federal-spending.html">article</a> today in the New York Times, Jim Tankersley discusses the ongoing negotiations between President Biden and House Republicans concerning the U.S. debt ceiling. The primary focus of these talks has been to curtail nondefense discretionary spending, which encompasses areas such as education, environmental protection, and national parks. However, this sector represents less than 15% of the government's anticipated spending of $6.3 trillion for the year. Meanwhile, the negotiations have precluded any substantial changes to Social Security and Medicare, which account for the majority of future projected spending growth, and military spending, which rivals nondefense discretionary expenditure in size.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The proposed budget cuts chiefly target areas that are not primary sources of spending growth in the upcoming years, such as education and environmental protection. The reductions could lead to a 30% decrease in many popular government programs, according to White House officials and independent analysts. Additionally, the negotiations are unfolding in the wake of a substantial spike in federal spending during the Covid-19 pandemic under both President Trump and President Biden's administrations. Despite this increase, the Congressional Budget Office expects a modest drop in total government spending for this fiscal year, followed by a rise later in the decade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The projected increase in federal spending over the coming decades is attributed primarily to major federal health programs and Social Security. These trends were apparent even before President Biden took office. The current negotiations, with their focus on trimming relatively small parts of the budget, have been criticized from both ends of the political spectrum. The stalemate over addressing mandatory spending programs and the nation's tax system continues with no immediate solution in sight. The trajectory suggests that an agreement capable of significantly altering federal spending in the future is unlikely under the current approach.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-37326425254039032042023-05-22T09:22:00.004-07:002023-05-22T09:22:39.244-07:00Balancing Equity and Efficiency: The Case for Congestion Pricing on Highway 37.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIPNYobA7Qd_-MIqO4N_k9EQmEB3yOBqufy4BctNQwYw4eMS4Mq-xColdm3edieJugPMv7bUcNVn655zNgL2O5zoNr_y_T9UwDDvM_Qk9GwoaZWGKCM94LU26eTMBnEYYUml_h4huyEZHB1t6vnhuNCww_UP1ALsY6h8pqaM9AUmTT56_VuWkw1AAuA/s1600/027_ERP_gantry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvIPNYobA7Qd_-MIqO4N_k9EQmEB3yOBqufy4BctNQwYw4eMS4Mq-xColdm3edieJugPMv7bUcNVn655zNgL2O5zoNr_y_T9UwDDvM_Qk9GwoaZWGKCM94LU26eTMBnEYYUml_h4huyEZHB1t6vnhuNCww_UP1ALsY6h8pqaM9AUmTT56_VuWkw1AAuA/w200-h150/027_ERP_gantry.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> "Road Pricing in Singapore."</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2007 VK35.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-style: italic;">via </i><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:027_ERP_gantry.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a><i>.</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Highway 37 is once again making headlines. A recent <a href="https://www.sonomanews.com/article/news/highway-37-toll-proposal-approved/">article</a> by Susan Wood for The North Bay Business Journal announced that the California Transportation Commission has endorsed a Metropolitan Transportation Commission proposal to institute a toll on State Route 37. The exact toll figure is yet to be established, but it's expected to reflect the $7 charge for San Francisco Bay Area bridges, projected to rise to $8 by 2025. The toll approval includes two amendments, namely regional income-based discounts and revised guidelines for toll hearings. The projected toll's purpose is to help fund the $430 million expansion of the highway, currently carrying over 35,000 vehicles per day, predominantly from Solano County and the City of Vallejo.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The toll implementation on Highway 37 should consider the integration of a congestion pricing system, where fees vary based on traffic volume. This approach addresses several critical policy principles. Higher charges during busy hours promote vertical equity, as those choosing to drive at such times are often more financially able. It might also enhance efficiency by discouraging traffic during peak times, facilitating more effective highway use. Despite being more intricate than a single flat toll, current technology can simplify comprehension and compliance with variable pricing. Revenue sufficiency might be amplified by earning more during peak periods, contributing to highway upgrades. Congestion pricing might spur economic growth by reducing traffic and rendering the highway more attractive to businesses and commuters. It may also be more politically acceptable than a flat toll, as it provides drivers the option to evade higher costs by traveling during quieter periods. This approach's potential improvements in efficiency and equity might enhance the overall effectiveness of the toll policy. Hence, the adoption of congestion pricing for Highway 37 could better align with the tenets of an effective and fair policy, optimize the highway's efficiency, and secure the required revenue for its upgrades.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In contrast, a flat toll without supplemental congestion pricing has inherent shortcomings. While it exhibits horizontal equity by holding all drivers equally responsible, it lacks vertical equity as it is uniformly applied regardless of income. Public acceptability varies, with some considering it essential and others protesting the increased commuting cost. The toll is intended to cover a substantial portion of the $430 million needed for road enhancements, but a $250 million funding shortfall suggests potential insufficiency. Without price signals to enhance roadway efficiency or encouragement for better usage, a flat toll may prove deficient in areas like vertical equity and revenue sufficiency. Consequently, it could be less politically viable.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3229240635875483987.post-71728458930381582542023-05-19T12:39:00.003-07:002023-05-19T12:41:25.193-07:00Potpourri for Friday, May 19, 2023.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSsXVzbpBqclhDrNgD4Jy03BqdPaZT9_zUCg5-gJNQxct-3UI8NZpTfqm8BdD6hTbuvXWpwJ1ZAXVc5yggujHEaJ6ofAK2ykeytYPo3gcOc3lLVczP8vH_Itapuk3HYuY2iIKzbtmmN8v-2-SxkTZbt71l-NxExZzrhbBoHaRCbbt9NjF-gYBqVon4Q/s3072/Image_California_State_Route_37_at_Raceway_Hill.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSsXVzbpBqclhDrNgD4Jy03BqdPaZT9_zUCg5-gJNQxct-3UI8NZpTfqm8BdD6hTbuvXWpwJ1ZAXVc5yggujHEaJ6ofAK2ykeytYPo3gcOc3lLVczP8vH_Itapuk3HYuY2iIKzbtmmN8v-2-SxkTZbt71l-NxExZzrhbBoHaRCbbt9NjF-gYBqVon4Q/w200-h150/Image_California_State_Route_37_at_Raceway_Hill.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"CA-37 at Sears Point."</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2007 Aztecrosales.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-style: italic;">via</i><i> </i><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Image_California_State_Route_37_at_Raceway_Hill.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>.</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The Thursday edition of the Press Democrat headlined three stories, each focusing on local roadway issues. The first, by Susan Wood, <a href="https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/north-bays-highway-37-toll-proposal-approved/">reported</a> that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission had unanimously agreed to impose a toll on California's State Route 37. The toll aims to generate funding for upcoming enhancements to the highway. These include adding a lane and raising the entire route to combat flooding. The widening project, costing $430 million, and a $6 billion flood prevention initiative are due to start in 2025 and will span multiple years until completion. However, it's important to note that no plans have been formulated to manage potential increased traffic on the Napa River Bridge, a possible <a href="https://blog.law-kelly.com/2023/05/the-overlooked-impact-of-highway-37.html">alternative route</a> for those wishing to avoid the toll.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Madison Smalstig <a href="https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/crews-begin-29-million-project-to-repair-nearly-50-miles-of-roads-in-sonom/">wrote</a> about commencement of a $29 million repair program targeting nearly 50 miles of Sonoma County roads. The project, planned for this summer, involves paving, sealing cracks, and removing vegetation to address the poor conditions of these roads. Despite over $203 million invested in the past, the overall condition of the county's extensive 1,368-mile road network has only marginally improved. To elevate the roads to a "good" to "very good" standard, the county estimates a necessary investment of $954 million over two decades, amounting to about $47.7 million annually. The topic of road financing issues and the subpar condition of Sonoma County's roads has been a recurring <a href="https://blog.law-kelly.com/2015/06/the-fall-of-measure-and-roadway.html">theme</a> on this blog.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, Amelia Parreira <a href="https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/proposed-petaluma-crosstown-connector-at-caulfield-takes-leap-forward/">describes</a> a new development in Petaluma. The City Council gave a green light to proceed with the proposed Caulfield crosstown connector bridge. Estimated to cost $48.5 million, the project involves the construction of a 300-foot movable bridge over the Petaluma River. Expected to be operational by 2026, the bridge will improve citywide connectivity and reduce traffic congestion. It will not only serve drivers but also provide a more accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists. Given the longstanding bottleneck at D Street and the peculiar layout near the 101/116 interchange in Southern Petaluma, the construction of this bridge, first proposed in 2006, seems like a logical solution. This highlights the prolonged timelines all too often required to implement meaningful transportation projects in Sonoma County.</div>John Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06622278361782935865noreply@blogger.com