EDITOR: On Thursday, July 22, I spoke with Nick Boden, the new
principal at Live Oak High. He confirmed to me that Live Oak
’s master schedule is not finished.
EDITOR:
On Thursday, July 22, I spoke with Nick Boden, the new principal at Live Oak High. He confirmed to me that Live Oak’s master schedule is not finished. He also agreed in concept that it is far more convenient to move students before rather than after school opens and especially before teachers have been notified of their schedules (which is currently the case). He did suggest that his numbers show that LO is nearing capacity, but made no comment as to the accuracy of those numbers. He also commented that LO appears to have a trend of opening with far less students than is shown on the books, but whether or not that will be the case this year is unknown.
Perhaps most important is that Mr. Boden was quite clear that the decision to move any students rests entirely on the School Board. This is opposite of what several board members have indicated – that the principal has the leeway to move the kid without a green light from the school board. He clearly does not believe that he has that authority in this case. The Board needs to issue direction to solve this problem.
In addition to these immediate concerns, trustees also know that there appears to be preparations to remove two portables from the LO campus. Please call a halt to such poorly timed actions. Removal of capacity from Live Oak in the midst of this choice placement issue would be a disgusting insult to our community.
I urge you once again to consider the solution offered to you the other night – a solution that was reviewed by Donna Foster and found acceptable to the teachers’ union. Please direct your staff to register the 9th and 10th graders at the school of their choice … in the unlikely event that space is unavailable, then students can be moved back during the open enrollment period. This is consistent with the contract specified and community sensitive manner that should be solved. It is consistent with the choice provisions intent of the No Child Left Behind Law. The sooner this direction is given, the easier the changes will be – and the sooner you will end the turmoil for 80 of our families (20 to Sobrato and 60 to Live Oak – a net change of only 40).
Glen Webb,
Live Oak teacher,
Morgan Hill
