School Board OKs Action Plan, Hears Good News

There were more announcements than items to vote on at Wednesday night's school board meeting, it seemed, but they were good ones:

• Five school Parents Clubs so far have agreed to donate an additional $100 per student to the Piedmont Unified School District this year, according to Superintendent Connie Hubbard. She said that will mean about $250,000 extra for the district's general fund, especially welcome at a time when PUSD, like school districts across California, is facing fiscal challenges.

• Despite rumors, block scheduling at is not "a done deal" but still in the discussion stage, Hubbard said. She urged parents to attend a meeting on block scheduling Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. in the PMS multipurpose room.

• The school board will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7 to 9 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers to discuss additional criteria for allowing students who live outside the district to attend Piedmont schools. One proposal would allow the grandchildren of Piedmont residents to attend local schools.

• Community members interested in running for the Board of Education in the Feb. 7, 2012, municipal election can pick up the necessary forms at the starting Monday, Oct. 17. Forms are due back by Monday, Nov. 14.

But the night's big item was a detailed look at a 2011-2012 "action plan" for the district's  goals, eventually approved 4-0 (Board President Roy Tolles was absent). Hubbard noted that the plan presented to board members Wednesday differed slightly from the version initially included with the meeting agenda packet. Copies of the revised version are available at the district ofices.

The plan ranges from from specialized training for teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff to development of multi-year budget scenarios, but a theme of communication runs throughout. Some highlights:

• Conduct parent and community surveys on student outcomes and satisfaction with PUSD, to compare with a comprehensive survey done in 2009.

• Complete the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation process at Piedmont High School, with a goal of receiving a six-year acreditation.

• Expand the use of teacher-developed assessment tools.

• Develop a district newsletter for distribution to the entire community.

• Communicate to parents and community the issues to be addressed as part of collective bargaining with employee associations, with adequate time for community members to provide "meaningful input."

• Begin working with political consultants in preparation for renewal of the current parcel tax in the spring, 2013 election.

• Support efforts to expand service learning for students.

The board also gave its informal approval to moving ahead with a joint city/school district plan to fund long-range renovation of playing fields and other athletic facilities. You can read about that issue here.