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Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The OUSD January Board Meeting is full of…NO CONTROVERSY!
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD
The OUSD January 21, 2010 Board Meeting is full of…
NO CONTROVERSY!
Board President John Ortega presided over the first meeting of the Orange Unified School Board for the year 2010 on January 21st. Unlike the 2009 meetings, the maiden 2010 meeting had no major controversies and no tough decisions; in fact it was almost a regular love-feast. Starting with a one-minute SACBE (student high school representatives) reports on happenings at Canyon, El Modena, Orange and Richland high schools, the Board then quickly voted 7-0 on the following items that in the past have created their share of controversy:
• 2010-2011 Student Calendar-approved 7-0
• Memorandum of Understanding between OUSD and the CSEA bargaining union- approved 7-0
• Extending popular Superintendent Dr. Renae Dreier’s contract to July 13, 2013-approved 7-0
• Approving the Legislative Coalition’s 4 point Legislative Agenda-
approved 7-0
INSIDE the January Information Reports
The non-controversy continued as congratulations continued to pour from the Trustees over the highly successful OUSD energy saving program. OUSD is just one of only three school districts in California to achieve the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Star Leader designation for outstanding energy savings (only Cupertino Unified and San Diego Unified share the distinction). The energy savings mean educational taxpayer dollars not going to the energy companies, but staying in the OUSD schools.
The OUSD Trustees also received a report on future student population “build-out” projections once the Irvine Company East Orange and Mountain Park developments are eventually completed. Davis Demographics, using projection models that are subject to change, projected OUSD’s current 14,000 student population could someday in the future grow to 16,000 students (projections also include a drop from the current student population in 2015-2016). While OUSD appears well over stocked (with a large surplus) in elementary school space, a minor shortage in middle and high schools space (with high schools the most impacted) could develop at eventual “build out” populations. Trustees requested that the “build-out” projections continue to be updated with the regular two year demographic reports the Board now receives.
INSIDE the February 18, 2010 OUSD Board Meeting
Hoping to save $2.9 million dollars annually by increasing class sizes, Agenda Item 12 A (Agenda page 3) on the February 18th Agenda will have the OUSD Board approve sending a waiver request for exemption from the California Education Code penalties on class sizes to allow OUSD to increase the district-wide class size in grades one-three from 30:1 and in grades 4-8 from 29:1. In addition OUSD is asking for a waiver from the state mandated district-wide class size of 7 and 8th grades of 32:1.
In addition to the state waivers, the district must negotiate a change in the class size language in their contract with the teachers.
Also:
• Information Item 13 B (Agenda page 7) Kaiser rate reduction- with more employees choosing Kaiser as a medical option, the heath giant lowered rates to OUSD.
• Information Item 13 C ( Agenda page 8) Budget Update-here we go again- the Governor’s new 2010-2011 budget proposal includes, yea you guessed it-more cuts to education!
• Consent Item 14 L (Agenda page 37-39) The plan for a scaled back summer school at El Modena H.S. for secondary students and “special” programs spread throughout OUSD for some elementary students.
INSIDE Community Donations
Sandra Liberman-$800 to Sycamore E.S. for supplies; Robyn Tunstall-to $100 Nohl Canyon E.S. for supplies; Steven Ricker-$50.00 to Panorama E.S. for supplies; Christina Gnesda- $500 to Linda Vista E.S. for supplies; Tammy Wagstaff- $1000 to El Rancho for computers; Beckman Coulter-$100 to Anaheim Hills E.S. for supplies; Barona Band of Mission Indians-$5,000 to Olive E.S. for equipment; Orange County Community Foundation- $ 2,000 to Palmyra E.S. for a traveling scientist.
For a complete list of the $66,088 in community donations see the Agenda page 10.
INSIDE the OUSD Budget
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2010: $ 0
Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus running total (beginning 8/2008):
$21,500.00*
* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2009: $1,041,000
2009 Attorney Fee Tally:
11/13/08 Parker & Covert (for 1/09 -6/09) $ 200,000
3/12/09 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya (Sp. Ed) $ 50,000
3/12/09 Parker & Covert (Special Ed) $ 98,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (09-10) $ 400,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (Special Ed) $ 200,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (property) $ 55,000
6/18/09 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya (property)$ 35,000
Total $1,038,000
2009 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
01/24/09 Leadership Associates Consultants $ 3,000
2009 TOTAL $1,041,000
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2008: $901,200.00
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2007: $704,090.00*
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $849,717.00*
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *
* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $978,300.00:
NEXT BOARD MEETING: THURSDAY February 18, 2010, OUSD BOARD ROOM
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: FEB AGENDA
CLOSED SESSION- 5:30 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
a news service of Orange Net News /O/N/N/
Independent insight into OUSD
The OUSD January 21, 2010 Board Meeting is full of…
NO CONTROVERSY!
Board President John Ortega presided over the first meeting of the Orange Unified School Board for the year 2010 on January 21st. Unlike the 2009 meetings, the maiden 2010 meeting had no major controversies and no tough decisions; in fact it was almost a regular love-feast. Starting with a one-minute SACBE (student high school representatives) reports on happenings at Canyon, El Modena, Orange and Richland high schools, the Board then quickly voted 7-0 on the following items that in the past have created their share of controversy:
• 2010-2011 Student Calendar-approved 7-0
• Memorandum of Understanding between OUSD and the CSEA bargaining union- approved 7-0
• Extending popular Superintendent Dr. Renae Dreier’s contract to July 13, 2013-approved 7-0
• Approving the Legislative Coalition’s 4 point Legislative Agenda-
approved 7-0
INSIDE the January Information Reports
The non-controversy continued as congratulations continued to pour from the Trustees over the highly successful OUSD energy saving program. OUSD is just one of only three school districts in California to achieve the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Star Leader designation for outstanding energy savings (only Cupertino Unified and San Diego Unified share the distinction). The energy savings mean educational taxpayer dollars not going to the energy companies, but staying in the OUSD schools.
The OUSD Trustees also received a report on future student population “build-out” projections once the Irvine Company East Orange and Mountain Park developments are eventually completed. Davis Demographics, using projection models that are subject to change, projected OUSD’s current 14,000 student population could someday in the future grow to 16,000 students (projections also include a drop from the current student population in 2015-2016). While OUSD appears well over stocked (with a large surplus) in elementary school space, a minor shortage in middle and high schools space (with high schools the most impacted) could develop at eventual “build out” populations. Trustees requested that the “build-out” projections continue to be updated with the regular two year demographic reports the Board now receives.
INSIDE the February 18, 2010 OUSD Board Meeting
Hoping to save $2.9 million dollars annually by increasing class sizes, Agenda Item 12 A (Agenda page 3) on the February 18th Agenda will have the OUSD Board approve sending a waiver request for exemption from the California Education Code penalties on class sizes to allow OUSD to increase the district-wide class size in grades one-three from 30:1 and in grades 4-8 from 29:1. In addition OUSD is asking for a waiver from the state mandated district-wide class size of 7 and 8th grades of 32:1.
In addition to the state waivers, the district must negotiate a change in the class size language in their contract with the teachers.
Also:
• Information Item 13 B (Agenda page 7) Kaiser rate reduction- with more employees choosing Kaiser as a medical option, the heath giant lowered rates to OUSD.
• Information Item 13 C ( Agenda page 8) Budget Update-here we go again- the Governor’s new 2010-2011 budget proposal includes, yea you guessed it-more cuts to education!
• Consent Item 14 L (Agenda page 37-39) The plan for a scaled back summer school at El Modena H.S. for secondary students and “special” programs spread throughout OUSD for some elementary students.
INSIDE Community Donations
Sandra Liberman-$800 to Sycamore E.S. for supplies; Robyn Tunstall-to $100 Nohl Canyon E.S. for supplies; Steven Ricker-$50.00 to Panorama E.S. for supplies; Christina Gnesda- $500 to Linda Vista E.S. for supplies; Tammy Wagstaff- $1000 to El Rancho for computers; Beckman Coulter-$100 to Anaheim Hills E.S. for supplies; Barona Band of Mission Indians-$5,000 to Olive E.S. for equipment; Orange County Community Foundation- $ 2,000 to Palmyra E.S. for a traveling scientist.
For a complete list of the $66,088 in community donations see the Agenda page 10.
INSIDE the OUSD Budget
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2010: $ 0
Former Superintendent Godley’s Retirement Bonus running total (beginning 8/2008):
$21,500.00*
* The Godley Retirement Bonus presented here is an estimate of the amount in “bonus retirement” accrued since the Superintendent’s retirement on 6/30/08 using a 6% lifetime formula calculated here at $1210 a month since 8/08. The actual retirement plan the former OUSD Superintendent opted to take is not public information and the figures presented are only as an estimate of the taxpayer costs after the OUSD trustees voted against an amendment to exclude Godley from the retirement program. The on-going estimated figure is presented as a reminder to the community of the high cost in educational tax dollars the OUSD Board vote to allow the former Superintendent to participate in the 6% retirement incentive cost the OUSD education community in tax dollars. Godley retired from OUSD on June 30, 2008 after he worked for the school district for a little over five years.
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2009: $1,041,000
2009 Attorney Fee Tally:
11/13/08 Parker & Covert (for 1/09 -6/09) $ 200,000
3/12/09 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya (Sp. Ed) $ 50,000
3/12/09 Parker & Covert (Special Ed) $ 98,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (09-10) $ 400,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (Special Ed) $ 200,000
6/18/09 Parker & Covert (property) $ 55,000
6/18/09 Atkinson, Andelson, Loya (property)$ 35,000
Total $1,038,000
2009 Consultant/ Speaker Fee Tally:
01/24/09 Leadership Associates Consultants $ 3,000
2009 TOTAL $1,041,000
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2008: $901,200.00
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2007: $704,090.00*
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2006: $849,717.00*
2006 Administrative Conference/Travel: Total $ 18,317 *
* JUNE 8th, 2006 Trustees VOTE to Give OUSD Superintendent the power to
APPROVE OUSD Travel Requests taking this item OUT of the PUBLIC AGENDA
Total for Watched Tax Dollars approved in 2005: $978,300.00:
NEXT BOARD MEETING: THURSDAY February 18, 2010, OUSD BOARD ROOM
For AGENDA-CLICK ON: FEB AGENDA
CLOSED SESSION- 5:30 pm
OUSD Regular Session: 7:00 pm
For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040
For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015
ORANGE Unified Schools INSIDE
Independent insight into OUSD
is an independent news service of /O/N/N/
Labels: Dreier Contract student calendar CSEA OUSD Legislative Coalition Energy Star OUSD build-out
