Here are some topics that came up in last night's board meeting that I believe are important to parents and I plan to address over the coming days:

* Kindergarten class size

* Fast For Word - a new program for special education

* Lack of board oversight for district projects

I'd like to begin with kindergarten class size.

Last night we learned the district had problems monitoring class size last year. I know to most of us this comes as no surprise. Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Mays Kakish, reported that due to a "formula error" the district violated state caps on kindergarten class sizes. She told us last night that there are two caps the district must follow to qualify for class size reduction funds, 1) Average class size - 31 students per class and 2) Maximum class size - 33 students in every class. She told us she had developed a spreadsheet to monitor the average class size but a "formula error" in her spreadsheet resulted in the district not maintaining individual class size per the state requirements. It was difficult to decipher from her comments if this will result in any lost revenue from the state.

When asked if she has fixed the errors that led to the problem and if it will be a problem again this year, Kakish said she couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be any problems with spreadsheet formulas in the future. When we are paying Mrs. Kakish $129,061 a year and picking up her personal retirement contribution, we should be able to expect there to be no more problems with her spreadsheets. I think this is more than a spreadsheet formula error and that Mrs. Kakish has some explaining to do.

In a board meeting during the first week of school last year, I questioned the board and administration on the size of their classes. There were some kindergarten classes with 34-37 students and one fifth grade class with 40. Mrs. Kakish told us that they were on top of the situation and would be re-assigning students in the first few weeks once they had a solid count. I asked her, and the board, what the largest class size they would allow. Mrs. Kakish responded that they only needed to meet the class size average requirement. I then asked her if there was maximum number of students that would be allowed per class. She reiterated that they only needed to monitor averages. Last night, BTA President, Trina Brown, reported that last year the teachers went to Mrs. Kakish to warn her of the individual class size cap violation.

Now Mrs. Kakish is reporting that they were aware of an individual class size cap and they were properly monitoring the situation but the spreadsheet formula error caused the problem. The two stories don't jive. Last year she said she wasn't aware of any cap for individual classes but this year she says she knew of the cap but a clerical error is her excuse for not adhering to the cap. Which is it? We deserve a better explanation.

My son begins kindergarten this year which is good news and bad news for the district. The good news, the board and administration will only have to put up with me for another 13 years. The bad news, I will be watching them closely for those 13 years. This year I will be watching kindergarten class sizes very closely.

The Beaumont Spirit Run is making great progress and looks like it will be a huge success. Steve Leach and Shari Scholte have been able to recruit enough sponsors to cover almost all our costs. At this point about 90% of every runner's registration fee will go directly to Beaumont Schools. With a few more key sponsors we will reach one of our primary goals, 100% of all registration money going to the schools.

With the majority of the expenses covered by our sponsors and each additional runner resulting in more money being donated to each school, the focus of our efforts will now be directed towards marketing and promotion, and increase runner registration. We are still looking for more sponsors but now we need to concentrate on generating a "buzz" about the event. In the coming days and weeks leading up to September 11, you will see and hear more about the First Annual Beaumont Spirit Run.

As a result of popular demand, we will be offering a new Family Pricing Plan. The pricing will be $50 for the first two runners in a family and then $5 for each additional family member to register. The only way we can offer this special pricing is through advanced, in person registration. We will be offering in person registration atBeaumont's Chamber of Commerce Market Night on August 3rd and August 17th. We also plan to have in person registration at each school's Back-to-School night scheduled before the run. If your school doesn't have a Back-to-School night scheduled before 9/11/10 but you have another school event you would like us to attend, send us an email to info@BeaumontSpiritRun.org and we will be there.

We are inviting all PTAs or Booster clubs to join us at Market Night and take this opportunity to help promote what they are doing in their schools while at the same time helping us to promote the Spirit Run. Some PTAs will be signing up members for the new school year, selling school t-shirts, and organizing Running Clubs. Contact your PTA president or other board members and make sure your school is represented.

I want to add a special thank you to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Maureen Latham and Superintendent Dr. Barry Kayrell for all their support. Also, thank you to Action Learning Systems for their generous contribution. Without the district's support and encouragement and ALS's financial support, we wouldn't be in a position to contribute at least 90% of every registration dollar to the schools.

If you are a runner and would like to register, or you would like to volunteer or donate to the Beaumont Spirit Run, visit us at www.BeaumontSpiritRun.org<http://www.BeaumontSpiritRun.org> for more information or send an email to info@BeaumontSpiritRun.org.

Here's what I found interesting or important at this week's BUSD board meeting.

Board approved DELL purchase for hardware, training and installation for the technology project.

The approval received applause from the audience and we were treated to another evening of the cabinet and superintendent patting themselves on the back for all their efforts to bring technology to every classroom. Assistant Superintendent Kakish told us she got the idea from neighboring districts that were considering technology upgrades to every classroom.

A little history first:

* The administration originally proposed 2-3 classrooms in each school would be remodeled to become 21st Century Classrooms. These rooms would be outfitted with state of the art technology and infrastructure including solar lighting and speakers.

* In December 2009 I asked for an agenda item to be placed the 12/08/09 board meeting agenda to open a public discussion regarding the priority and cost of the Measure Z projects.

* The district's Technology Planning Committee (TPC), composed of teachers, parents and other district staff, had recommended updating every district classroom's technology, not just a few super classrooms.

* Teachers and parents asked the board on 12/8/09 to consider adopting the TPC's recommendation.

* The administration was standing by their proposal of a few 21st Century Classrooms and was hesitant to give up on the solar tubes and built in speakers.

* Board President David Sanchez was against bringing technology to every classroom. He stated that technology was a convenience and only needed to be in computer labs and technical career classes at the high school.

* The other four board members disagreed with Sanchez and argued for following the TPC's recommendation.

* Assistant Superintendent Kakish was concerned that there wasn't enough time to change the scope of the project but reluctantly agreed to bring back a new proposal to upgrade all the districts classrooms.

I think the applause and praise we heard this week should be directed to the teachers and parents who pushed for this and to the four board members, Vaccarello, Greenwood, Lara, and Orozco, for leading the administration in the right direction. If we had followed David Sanchez, the cabinet and the superintendent, we would not be in a position to boast that BUSD is the only district in the area bringing upgraded technology to every classroom in every school.

The board approved cuts to compensation for board members, management and confidential employees. This measure will require the board and administration to match comparable reductions in compensation that the two labor unions may agree to. Similar measure was passed last year and never amounted to anything. This is what I referred to earlier this year as an empty promise. I'll let you know if management ever takes a pay cut.

The board held a public hearing regarding the budget update the administration was presenting that night. BTA President Trina Brown spoke to the board and asked them to reconsider rolling the funds the district received for our Gifted and Talented students GATE (more than $49,000 next year), into the general funds and use the funds for what they were intended, GATE programs.

Later in the evening, a new program for struggling and emerging readers, Fast ForWord reading assistance program was presented by the cabinet for board consideration. The cost of this new program is more than $39,000. Lara, Vaccarello, and Orozco, concerned about cost, voted against the program until they had more information. Sanchez and Greenwood approved this new program. Greenwood said "We will find the money."

I find it interesting, and disappointing, that the district is considering "finding the money" to fund a new program while they continue to ignore the needs of the GATE students. The district qualifies for the GATE funding from the state based on the performance of these kids on the state's standardized tests. The governor and legislature have authorized districts to use the GATE funds for general expenses. Contrary to what the administration will lead you to believe, using GATE funds for general purposes is voluntary not mandatory.

The test results of the GATE students not only generate the additional income from the state but they also raise the overall scores for each school and the district as a whole. For districts that are so concerned these days about low test scores and staying out of program improvement, they seem to be taking for granted high test scores the GATE students earn. Parents can opt out their children from taking the tests. I wonder if the district would reconsider their actions if parents of GATE students prevented their kids from taking the state tests until GATE funds were used to provide enrichment to our top performing students.

Another school year has ended and it has been a good one. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of the improvements I've noticed for 09/10. Here are the successes that were important to me. I'd be interested in hearing about the ones that were important to others.

New District Website - The new site is kept current and provides a lot of useful information. It ismuch easier to navigate than the old version. I think the individual school sites are also an improvement but, speaking from experience, the schools could use more volunteer time from parents to help keep them current.

Benchmark Testing - I hear a lot of complaints, mostly from my eight year old daughter, about how there are always tests to take. Educators have been complaining for years about having to "teach to the test" but it is a reality and I think the benchmark tests will provide an invaluable tool for diagnosing the weaknesses for students as well as teachers.

Recognition of Volunteers - The district, this week, finally provided recognition to the outstanding volunteers in every school. The schools have been honoring their volunteers for years but I think it is important for the administration and the board to also show their appreciation.

Board Transparency - I've seen a lot of improvement in the communication of the board members regarding their decision making process. I know the board meetings are much longer but I am getting a better idea of what the thought processes are in their decision making. I think there is still a long way to go and I will continue to encourage thisnext year.

The Parent Academy - It is important to me to see the district making an effort to reach out to parents and I think the PA meetings have been a great step forward. It would be great to see regularly scheduled nights, maybe once a trimester, so parents could begin to include these events in their annual planning.

Anyone who is familiar with my posts, knows that I appreciate all the people that make up BUSD. I think the teachers, classified staff, district office staff and volunteers are good people and outstanding at what they do. Contrary to popular opinion, I appreciate the work of our administrators and yes, even the board members. I think many times the administration is moving in the wrong direction and that the board needs to show more leadership but I appreciate the challenges they face. I think it is key to the success of our kids that we parents get more involved and make sure the board and administration know what is important to our families.

You may have noticed I haven't written much lately. I have been very involved with the Beaumont Spirit Run (9/11/10). I think the work we are doing to produce this fundraising run to benefit all Beaumont schools, is going to provide a solid beginning for developing a much needed educational foundation in Beaumont. We desperately need volunteers and sponsors to make our first event the kind of success we can build on in the future. Please get involved as a sponsor or as a volunteer. You can find out more information by going to our website www.BeaumontSpiritRun.org<http://www.BeaumontSpiritRun.org> or by sending an email to info@BeaumontSpiritRun.org.

Thank you and have a great summer!

I believe the board has shown the kind of leadership in the last two board meetings that our kids deserve. The board has been considering a new administrative regulation that sets parameters and standards for the district to follow when considering promoting or retaining 8th grade students. The regulation covers all students; but the board's focus appears to be on 8th graders.

It is my opinion, and it appears the opinion of most of the board, that the regulation is too vague and lacks clear direction for enforcement. Board President, Mr. Sanchez (a product of retention himself), believes promoting a student when they are not ready is setting the student up for inevitable failure. Dr. Vaccarello argued wording in the regulation that sets minimum requirements for promotion; while the very next sentence outlines a process that allows staff to overlook a student's failure to meet the minimum requirements. It allows the school to promote the student to a probationary program at the high school. I think this sends the wrong message. Mr. Sanchez stated that if minimum requirements are not going to be enforced, it would be better to not have them in the first place.

There are two types of students this regulation appears to address: 1) The underachiever who fails to complete their classwork but is able to pass the exams; 2) The hard working student that scores below basic on standards test.

The administration's position is that they want direction from the board that will show they are allowed to retain a student; but their comments show they are reluctant to act.

One board member (I don't remember who) was concerned about running into an upset parent because his child was promoted with out the necessary skills to succeed. Dr. Latham's response was they are more likely to hear from a parent concerned about why his child was being held back. Even though the board's position seems clear, Dr. Latham was still asking for direction. The administration appeared to be hesitant to "start all over" and get it right. They suggested minor changes could be made to the wording and brought back quickly for a vote.

I agree with, and support, the board's position. Most of you know how critical I have been of this board's lack of leadership. It is refreshing to see them stick to principles that I feel are best for our kids. I'd like to see the same parents and community members who have supported my prior criticism of the board come out in support of the board now. I plan to ask the board to go back to the drawing board and draft a regulation with some teeth. We need to follow up by supporting the board as well as the administration when they decide retention is in the best interest of a student. If a parent is angry because he feels the district is unfairly holding his child back while the district is able to defend its decision, then the staff should feel supported by the rest of us who are concerned about the future of all the kids, even when their parents aren't.