EDITOR: As pointed out in a recent Morgan Hill Times editorial,
we have much to be proud of in the Morgan Hill School District, and
we have made huge strides in student achievement.
EDITOR:
As pointed out in a recent Morgan Hill Times editorial, we have much to be proud of in the Morgan Hill School District, and we have made huge strides in student achievement.
Our most recent Academic Performance Index (API) results released today demonstrate continued improvement. Not only have most of our elementary schools met or exceeded their school-wide growth targets, but our two middle schools and high school have met or exceeded their school-wide growth target as well. Since the inception of the API reporting process, this is the first time our middle schools have met or exceeded their growth targets both school-wide and in all student sub-groups. Live Oak High School exceeded its growth target school-wide, and in two of three student sub-groups. This is a significant accomplishment, which we have been working toward for the past six years.
In addition, since 1997 our Board has been working tirelessly to provide a four-year high school and true middle school experience for our students. It has not been an easy journey, but we are on the verge of opening Ann Sobrato High School this coming fall and will realize the dream of two 9-12 high schools and two 7-8 middle schools. All students will benefit from these new grade configurations for years to come.
Other accomplishments have made our district better for all students. We no longer track 11- and 12-year-old students into college-bound, non college-bound paths as seventh graders. We provide opportunities for each student to achieve individual excellence. Our academic standards are higher and more clearly defined than seven years ago. Our professional development and support for teacher improvement is stronger than seven years ago. Our budget is more academically oriented than seven years ago, our student test scores are higher than seven years ago, and more students are taking and passing advanced placement tests. Also, 83 percent of our third graders are reading at grade level compared to 60 percent in 1996.
As these facts support, our efforts to improve the instructional program are paying off with significant gains in student achievement. Teachers, students, administrators, classified employees and board members have all worked hard to realize this achievement. All of these achievements are encompassed in the board’s 2002-2003 goals, against which I am evaluated.
While the Morgan Hill Times editorial of Oct. 21 gives credit to the district for accomplishments, it also points out shortcomings. As superintendent, I take responsibility for the shortcomings as well as the successes of the district. It is important to me that I respond to the assertions made by the Times.
• My compensation has been quoted as being $192,000. That figure is inaccurate. My current salary is $168,500, which includes $1,500 for a doctoral degree. The higher figure published includes amounts that are part of my contract for expense reimbursement and health and welfare benefits. Of the 33 superintendents in Santa Clara County, my salary is right in the middle – an average salary for this county.
• Regarding readjustments of the elementary boundaries after changes three years ago, it might be helpful to remember that in 2000, a boundary committee made up of parents and district employees readjusted the elementary boundaries to accommodate the opening of Barrett Elementary. They made a conscious decision in their boundary recommendation to the Board to leave some boundaries intact. Future growth is difficult to accurately predict, and they did not want to unnecessarily disrupt families.
While we knew that new residential development could present the possibility that some boundaries would need to be redrawn, the majority of the board decided to take a conservative approach. Their decision made many residents whose boundaries were not changed very happy at the time. Without a crystal ball, it is impossible to accurately predict the number of students that will come from any one new development. It is hindsight to sit in judgment three years later and portray their decision as “bungled.” Boundary changes are always difficult, but inherent in a changing community such as Morgan Hill.
• Regarding recent construction projects – Barrett Elementary, Live Oak High School renovations and Sobrato High School, the district has taken actions in response to higher than expected costs of construction. A year ago, the board hired an outside consultant to review the cost and delivery of Barrett Elementary. The consultant reported that while the cost of Barrett was higher than a typical elementary school, a number of factors contributed to the high cost. They include a larger than typical multi-purpose room with a performance stage to accommodate community use, an extensive covered walkway system and covered eating patio for students, installation of curbs, sidewalks, gutters and a traffic signal, and a storm water retention basin. Some of these extras were required and some were enhancements for student and community benefit. Barrett School was also built at a time when construction costs in Santa Clara Valley were at an all-time high.
The Live Oak High School renovation project was originally planned to follow the completion of Sobrato High School. With the litigation that challenged construction of the new high school delaying the ground breaking for three years, the board decided to move forward with the Live Oak renovations by creating a temporary campus of portables for students so that construction could proceed. That increased the cost of the total project. In addition, change orders for the renovation of Live Oak are being challenged by the district and are currently in litigation.
The construction of Ann Sobrato High School is on schedule to open fall 2004. A new construction management firm and new director of construction/modernization are carefully monitoring the progress of the job, and providing regular financial and construction updates to the board.
• The allegation that board members were asked at the Oct. 6 meeting to accept a $498,000 Small Learning Communities grant without having read the document is without merit. Board members first discussed this Small Learning Communities grant in May 2000 and in October 2000. They saw it again in February 2002 and most recently in May 2003.
Prior to Oct. 6, four of the current board members had seen this grant proposal at least four times. The three board members who were elected in November 2002 saw it in May of this year. At the May 2003 meeting, the grant proposal was presented with a four-page handout describing the grant, its goals, objectives, strategies, timeline and funding allocations. In addition, on Thursday prior to the Oct. 6 meeting, one board member did make a request by email for a copy of the entire grant proposal. Copies were prepared for all board members and were ready by Friday morning. The Live Oak staff and department chairs had discussed the Small Learning Communities grant at 10 separate meetings between March 12 and May 5, 2003. Live Oak teachers voted on March 11, 2003, to move forward with the grant. Out of 56 teachers voting, 48 voted in favor of the grant and 8 were opposed.
(As an aside, it was exciting to read in the same Oct. 21 issue of the Morgan Hill Times that Gavilan College receives “High marks for Gav’s ‘learning community.’ ” Gavilan College has recognized the value of small learning communities as well, and they are experiencing success with their efforts.)
In summary to all of the above information, it is important to note that as with any continuous improvement effort like the one that we have been working on since I came to this district, it takes time, effort, energy and most importantly commitment to sustain the momentum.
Our efforts to improve the instructional program for children have involved change. Change makes people uncomfortable and I can appreciate that. Everyone will not agree with the changes. While the process that we work through in the district involves all segments of our school community, there will always be different points of view and different opinions. We need to respect each other for differing opinions, but we also must continue to move forward once decisions are made.
When I look back at what we have accomplished, I know that we have made good decisions for the benefit of children. We strive to be a community of learners, willing to commit to professional development, willing to take risks, willing to learn by our mistakes and our successes, willing to fall but stand up again. To do anything less would not be true to our commitment – educating all children and providing role models of life-long learners.
Carolyn McKennan, superintendent
Morgan Hill
School District
