Every week, there’s something!
This week, someone on Twitter asked who keeps an eye on San Francisco government. For public education, I’ve done a little bit at holding people’s feet to the fire- from Board of Education (BoE) Commissioners, to the Superintendent, to SFUSD staff, to citizen gaslighters, to lazy people in the media.
I hope we can get to a place where we are all proud that things are working well. There are many good people doing very good things. Little by little, we together make the needle move.
(Apologies for Twitter links not connecting! Just click ‘em)
What’s up this week
Tonight (Tuesday, April 11) is another Board of Education meeting. Has this watchdog been distracted? A little, and in my defense, the BoE Commissioners have done little in public, good or bad, in a while. Student security at schools and on the streets? I saw a couple sentences quoted. Call me nonplussed, as in both confused and unimpressed.
https://twitter.com/stefani4ca/status/1643454155779112961?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
Quite a few items to highlight for tonight’s meeting. Superintendent Matt Wayne will present a reorganization of his leadership team, including what appears to be much slimming of the old regime’s leadership bloat. Positions sought for Commissioner approval include: Head of Communication and External Affairs, Head of Staff, Head of Research, Planning, and Accountability, Associate Superintendent of Schools, 3 Executive Directors, 4 Directors. Whoever they are, I plead for those to do well and to focus on student outcomes.
It’s nigh time to conclude labor negotations for next school year. What will new interim Head of Labor Negotiations Sam Bass present in closed session? We have both a ginormous structural budget deficit and a ginormous need to get educators, paraeducators, and other staff compensated well and in front of students.
https://twitter.com/rorisamantha/status/1643659904736190464?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
Public comment appears on plan to be scheduled for earlier than 10 pm, yay. There may be some popcorn moments, as parents appear ready to share some thoughts on middle school math. I’m mighty curious how all the new leadership will treat this pending lawsuit, cuz Palo Alto schools got walloped.
https://twitter.com/gachopskie/status/1644059219795275777?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
This budget geek is getting excited. LCAP town halls are coming to you over the next few weeks. Huh, you say? It’s the District’s stated most important plan, Local Control and Accountability Plan! Huh, how’s that again? It’s time to give the district leadership staff your thoughts on the budget plans. I got hopes, as an occasional attendee to prior year LCAP Task Force meetings, I heard empy buckets of words and less than clarity. This time, district staff got language services, refreshments, and childcare.
https://twitter.com/sfunified/status/1644097653653815296?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
Hello, Education Forum coming soon, Wednesday night, April 19! Hear from a panel of experts how community advocacy can help bring change to SF public schools. I’m today prepping an Opinion piece on the event, with hopes to be in print this week. One of the Board of Supervisors will give a brief introduction. And media are letting me know they will be there. Get your free ticket, bring some friends, and enjoy the free parking! Register here.
This event looks great.
https://twitter.com/sfunified/status/1644384551261839360?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
The Lance Christensen listening tour on improving California and San Francisco public schools is back on schedule! It’ll be May 9th, 5:30 pm, Richmond District Public Library at 351 9th Ave. Register here.
Hot takes on the news
Enrollment didn’t drop by much. A good sign and a reprieve from past trend. Now time to work on bringing enrollment up.
https://twitter.com/lexleifheit/status/1644698800844578817?s=61&t=wXBozE-XqNoN_4kjANI8PQ
Deep dive here worth a click and subscription.
Surprised in a good way on Dyslexia bill support. Still not yet signed by the Governor.
https://twitter.com/ddcalifornia/status/1645651007119020033?s=61&t=wXBozE-XqNoN_4kjANI8PQ
https://twitter.com/ahsha_safai/status/1643385612295340032?s=61&t=cxAgv9U6fRuNHysclJJTUQ
Enjoy the week, cuz no rain!