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SFUSD superintendent warns on state budget; district releases spring 2008 survey and recognizes student trips and awards
Summary
Superintendent Garcia urged public pressure on Sacramento over the unresolved state budget and previewed a district satisfaction survey; the Board recognized student trip participants and two high schools honored by the National Academy Foundation, and PAC and student advisory groups reported on after-school access and outreach.
San Francisco ' Superintendent Garcia opened the board meeting by urging parents and the public to press state lawmakers and the governor to pass a budget, saying the lack of a state budget weeks into the school year could force districts into borrowing and hurt students.
"We still don't have a state budget passed. I think that's a disgrace here in the state of California," Garcia said, urging public engagement if public education is a priority.
The Board paused to recognize 20 eighth graders and accompanying adults from Excelsior Middle School who traveled to Washington, D.C. in June; several students and a parent described the trip as an enriching experience achieved with modest local expenses and community planning. The board also recognized two high schools for National Academy Foundation honors: Galileo High School earned first-year design-studio status and Philip Burton High School received the Al Papone award.
Student Advisory Council representatives reported a successful initial meeting with roughly 20 students and plans for outreach and upcoming SAC cabinet elections in October. Parent Advisory Council (PAC) members presented work on expanding access to after-school programs, describing community conversations involving more than 150 parents and a telephone survey administered by San Francisco State to more than 1,000 families; PAC said it will present formal findings when analysis is complete.
District data staff presented results of the spring 2008 staff, parent and student satisfaction surveys used as baseline data for the district's balanced scorecard. The presenter said administrators, staff (teachers and support personnel), students in grades 5, 8 and 11, and a mailed parent sample (20% response rate) were included; highlights showed strong parent-reported inclusion of language and culture at school sites and mixed results on student perceptions of respect and technology use. Staff noted limitations including the mailed parent sample and response rates and said the full disaggregated results are available on the district website.
During the consent calendar and subsequent public comment, union representatives and other speakers asked questions about retroactive budget transfers, school site council sign-off for transfers, and the memoranda of understanding with community-based organizations; district staff said some transfers were retroactive and that they would provide additional documentation and clarify the process.
The meeting ended with memorial remarks and a closed-session report that included administrative appointments and a reported amendment in a real-property negotiation.
What's next: the district said survey results and detailed disaggregations are posted to the district website and that PAC and SAC findings will be presented to the Board when available.
