Our View: Our picks for Rowland Unified

ROWLAND Unified is understandably proud of its four National Blue Ribbon schools, its 16 California Distinguished Schools and being named one of the top high schools in the nation by Newsweek in its annual survey weighted toward Advanced Placement offerings.

[Janet Almqvist]

Although all the candidates have excellent qualifications, I think Dr. Morris is head and shoulders above the rest. He is not only a concerned parent, he has the experience with budgeting large figures and he is also an educator. On top of all that, he is PTA president and volunteers his time doing presentations at our Rowland schools. I admire his deep seeded love for education and his concern to make the world a better place for our children. In these times of hard financial decisions, we need someone who will make knowledgeable decisions... We need someone who will work smarter, not just harder. I think Dr. Morris fits the bill.

[The People 4 Estrada]

The Parents and Community R with Estrada. He understands what we want and need. A true leader, parent and community activist. BTW, When did RUSD implement "The Kimo Morris Mentoring Program?" We will take a "hard worker" any day of the week over an "out of touch with the community candidate." Viva ESTRADA!!!!

[Dr JFH]

Robert Hidalgo is my choice. Leading the Board as it raises its S&P credit rating is almost magical in these difficult economic times. And becoming Southern California's center for online virtual schooling is impressive. The high schools are the area's best kept secret and I've been a high school educator myself. Keep an effective board leader of a district that even the challengers praise. Then, think about who else impresses you. HIDALGO for the Rowland School Board.

[FACTS about RUSD]

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune article on the Rowland Board election dated October 9 states “Facilities Issue May Dominate the Rowland Unified Election”. The condition of the school campuses is relevant in terms of how the tax funds from the 2000 and 2006 Bonds have been used. This includes the $4 million spent on the high school football fields while many classrooms, libraries, science labs and teacher lounges continue to be unimproved.
However, the recent presentation to the Board on September 15, 2009 and posted on the District website indicated a continuing decline in enrollment of 317-378 students per year and 522 this current year in spite of the expiration of District of Choice.. That is almost 2,000 students in the past five years! When the District of Choice legislation is signed and re-enacted, the District will continue to lose larger numbers of students for reasons of students’ academic performance, safety on campuses and the condition of schools. Thus, more important than facilities is the decline in student achievement which was inaccurately stated in the Tribune article which indicated that the District shows ”increasingly pretty test scores” and “shined on last year’s Academic Performance Index”.
If you have not studied the California Department of Education (CDE) website where scores are posted for the District and each school on the Academic Performance Index (API) and the No Child left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) you have missed the most important indicators of the decline in student achievement under the current Board and Administration which must be on the top of the agenda for the new Board members. www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ay/index.asp
In summary:
API –
- district growth has been less than 10 points a year over the past 5 years, primarily due to a few elementary schools on the south-side of the District and Oswalt in Walnut
- in 2009, African American students declined 13 points; in 2008, English Learners declined 15 points; in 2007, Asian, Filipino, White and Students with Disabilities declined 3 – 9 points over the previous year.
- In 2009, Giano and Farjardo each declined 24 points and La Seda declined 6 points
- In 2009, ten (10) schools did not meet their school-wide and/or subgroup targets , almost half the schools the District
- Students not meeting API targets include Hispanics, English Learners, Socioeconomically Disadvantaged and Students with Disabilities, the latter two groups in spite of millions of state and federal categorical dollars allocated to the District
AYP –
- in 2007, 08 and 09, the District did not meet the AYP proficiency target in English/language Arts
- in 2008 and 09, the District did not meet the AYP proficiency target in mathematics
- in 2009, ten (10) schools were labeled Program Improvement Schools; including Yorbita in Year 2 and Hurley and Nogales High School in Year 3
- this level of failure should result in the District being named a Program Improvement District
The CDE requires specific action for each Program Improvement School including Supplemental Services and transfer to a performing school in the District. In the case of year 3 schools, removal of the principal, reassignment of teachers whose students are not achieving or creating an entirely new instructional program are options.
With only a few remaining weeks left to the campaign, the community should be made aware of the issues that are contributing to the decline in Rowland and those responsible. If you wish to become an elected official in Rowland, you must represent the interests and needs of the entire community and take on the tough issues of student achievement, safety and facilities openly at the public forum scheduled for October 12th.

[Just to clarify]

The People 4 Estrada wrote:

The Parents and Community R with Estrada. He understands what we want and need. A true leader, parent and community activist. BTW, When did RUSD implement "The Kimo Morris Mentoring Program?" We will take a "hard worker" any day of the week over an "out of touch with the community candidate." Viva ESTRADA!!!!

I believe the article said, Kimo Morris took part in a 'teacher-mentoring' program. I am also wondering who you referring to when you mentioned 'out of touch with the community candidate". It sounded like you were trying to slander Kimo Morris, who actually is the PTA President for a Rowland School. I think that is pretty active in the community. They are in fact having a community event on Thursday evening. You should attend.

[Concerned citizen]

Kimo Morris was impressive during the RHCCC forum on 10/12. But my concern is that he is so busy already, when will he have time to take care of Board matters?

I have to agree that the current Board's oversight of the bond money spending appears lacking to many community members. I know that there is supposed to be a citizens' committee to over-see the spending: Maybe they should be replaced.

The priorities of where to spend the money definitely need some re-alignment. I believe that is the main reason the parcel tax did not pass. Residents are losing confidence in the the current administration, and should truly be concerned that three open positions on the Board could drastically change the nature of the school district & the property values of the communities it serves.

[Another citizen]

Concerned citizen wrote:

Kimo Morris was impressive during the RHCCC forum on 10/12. But my concern is that he is so busy already, when will he have time to take care of Board matters?
I have to agree that the current Board's oversight of the bond money spending appears lacking to many community members. I know that there is supposed to be a citizens' committee to over-see the spending: Maybe they should be replaced.
The priorities of where to spend the money definitely need some re-alignment. I believe that is the main reason the parcel tax did not pass. Residents are losing confidence in the the current administration, and should truly be concerned that three open positions on the Board could drastically change the nature of the school district & the property values of the communities it serves.

I think many of the candidates are very busy and I am sure Dr. Morris plans to prioritize his time accordingly. Also, it is not really how much time you have but how you uses the time that you have.

[dean evans]

i think it says a lot about a candidate that just attacks someone mentioned in an article.
you didnt get mentioned so you attack the people that did? the last decade of politics have been ugly enough that we dont need it in a school board election

i seriously wonder how many of these comments are done by the person who didnt get picked.
this article really helped me make up my mind..along with the "real" comments

[Parent]

It was very nice to see Candidate Estrada @ Santana High's Back To School Night yesterday evening. As a parent of a student at Santana High, my family and I were happy to see a potential RUSD Board Member touring our school. Thank you Mr. Estrada and we wish you the best of luck!

[Parent and Comm Member]

The People 4 Estrada wrote:

The Parents and Community R with Estrada. He understands what we want and need. A true leader, parent and community activist. BTW, When did RUSD implement "The Kimo Morris Mentoring Program?" We will take a "hard worker" any day of the week over an "out of touch with the community candidate." Viva ESTRADA!!!!

I think it is quite presumptuous for this writer to say that "parents and community r with Estrada." Maybe some parents and part of the community. I think many of the candidates have very good followings...

[Stan in south Walnut]

This sounds like an unfounded attack on Dr. Morris - not too fond of the Estrada camp for being so negative. My wife and I like Dr. Morris and also Robert Hidalgo - Dr. Morris gave a slide show at my son's school, I think last year (Rincon) for their career day. For a month, all my son could talk about was being a scientist after "Dr. Kimo" showed pictures. I've never met him but the kids really like him, and I'm doing my homework before voting day - that's how I found this article. I like his business and education history, but more important he left an impression on my son. Hell, I have a hard time motivating my boy! Also, I like that Mr. Hidalgo is a teacher to- he knows what it takes to make it work in the classroom. My vote is for Morris and Hidalgo - don't know who or if I'm voting for a third.

The People 4 Estrada wrote:

The Parents and Community R with Estrada. He understands what we want and need. A true leader, parent and community activist. BTW, When did RUSD implement "The Kimo Morris Mentoring Program?" We will take a "hard worker" any day of the week over an "out of touch with the community candidate." Viva ESTRADA!!!!