Dr. Ott does not know why 1,700 students have left RUSD???
Why do students leave Rowland Unified to Walnut Valley & other districts?
Safe Schools, Better Schools, Better Teachers, Better Educational Experiences that lead to Better Results that lead to a Better Chance to Succeed in College and Life so that they may have a Better Quality of Life!
Parents seek one thing - what is the best school for my child to learn.
Parents seek the best place for my child's education so they may succeed in life. They see results with test scores, ratings and most important results.
Dr. Ott whines, "How does that make for better public education in California?"
Dr. Ott should know better.
Let's examine COMPLACENCY and COMPETITION.
If Dr. Ott had it her way, the old unimproved, poor products and bad experience neighborhood store should be mandatory place for people to shop. The absolute doldrums of complacency and mediocrity. Almost sound like the old Communist Eastern Bloc.
That is the essence of what she asks parents and students to accept is mediocrity or worse. Stay in you neighborhood school district school that is not better, that does not seek or strive to improve nor compete. Administrations and teachers are quick to blame a variety of
socio-economic factors that languish a school in complacency. With a sanctimonious face administrators like Dr. Ott demand that parents keep their kids in a poor performing school and district as if this were CASTE SYSTEM of ORDER. Complacency and Mediocrity are simply a path to failure.
COMPETITION - Essence of Success
Why do people shop at the new store with better products, better prices and the customers have a better experience? Because it it better.
As Cynthia Sims, who does not have a Doctorate Degree in Education,
has noted "...competition makes all of us better at what we do."
Why does Walnut Valley compete for students. More students lead to more money & more resources which lead to better schools and better results. Walnut Valley does not receive all the extra Federal Funding that many other Districts.
Sorry Dr. Ott - America's greatest success was never built to accept mediocrity.
While Dr. Ott notes that DOC may have .."a devastating impact on any district that might be affected by the decline of a neighboring district."
That is a SAD & SORRY PLEA from a LAZY WHIMSICAL ADMINISTRATOR.
Dr. Ott it accept the challenge of competition.
REVITALIZE, REINVENT AND INNOVATE or STEP ASIDE!
Because your neighbor WVSD are already competing.
They are winning and will continue to do so.
Don't ignore competition - Ask the American Auto Industry!

RUSD has more Federal Support than many others. Until this latest economic crunch the voters in RUSD had passed almost every bond and tax that was asked for. FOUR US Foundation is a dynamic organization. Within your own district you have programs that constantly adjust to change and strive to succeed with less where other dare not even conceive.
The Music Department and teachers have found innovative and creative ways to do more with less each year. Creating Roving Music Schools out of old school buses. Elementary and Middle School music programs that exist and thrive where many other wealthy districts have eliminated. A Marching Band program at Nogales that DARED TO DREAM and achieved an appearance at the MACY DAY PARADE. Oswalt and Ybarra have reinvented their schools to
K-8 Academy's and adding computer programs. Those are just a few of the success - there many more.
Dr. Ott ask administrators, teachers, and most important parents what can RUSD do to improve to not just keep the students but create programs that not only retain students but create at atmosphere that will compete to recruit students. The answers are there.

THE ESSENCE of COMPETITION is IMPROVEMENT
Please lead Dr Ott. You are the Superintendent.
You campaigned and were elected - NOW LEAD.
REVITALIZE, REINVENT, INNOVATE!
MOST IMPORTANT - COMPETE COMPETE COMPETE!