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February 12 , 2018 EDCAL 3

Arcadia USD campaigns for fair , adequate funding

Like many local education agencies throughout California , Arcadia USD is taking its fight for fair funding to lawmakers .
A collective of students , teachers , parents , staff and the Arcadia USD Board of Education recently traveled to Sacramento to advocate for fair and adequate funding for schools , as well as to weigh in on other important education issues at the 2018 California State Parent Teacher Association Legislation Conference .
The annual event offers a forum for California PTA leaders , volunteers , parents , and school representatives to discuss issues in education policy , strategize lobbying efforts , and rally together in an effort to create a unified voice for students , families and teachers across the state .
California is one of the lowest funded states in the country , ranking at 46 out of the 50 states on a highest to lowest funded scale . This year , California PTA ’ s top conference discussion items and priorities to present to legislators included ensuring equity and adequacy in public education and ensuring families are involved and engaged in the local decision-making process through the Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control and Accountability Plans .
“ The California PTA Legislation Conference is one of the most important events we can attend as PTA parents , teachers and administrators ,” said First Avenue Middle School teacher Catherine Keyston , who has attended the conference seven times and counting .
“ In many ways , school funding determines the amount of experiences schools are able to offer students and the quality of education we can give them ,” she said . “ We need to have a deeper understanding of how school funding works , and we need our state government to understand why funding schools is one of the most important places they can allocate state funds .”
The district takes at least one Arcadia High School student to the Capitol each year , offering students the opportunity to advocate for themselves , their peers , and their teachers and letting policymakers hear directly from those most impacted by education legislation .
“ This conference was eye-opening and exposed me to the inner workings of education and policy-making ,” said Arcadia High junior Aaron Wu . “ I originally thought our school district was doing just fine , but after attending this conference , I ’ ve learned that the entire California education system needs major reform . I was honored to represent Arcadia in its fight for needed change .”
Principal of Foothills Middle School Ben Acker said , “ For change to occur , constructive conversations between politicians and those they represent must take place . I ’ ve always enjoyed the political process and advocating for our outstanding students and teachers not only at Foothills Middle School and in Arcadia Unified but throughout all of California .”
The Arcadia USD Board of Education continued the fight following the lobbying event with the unanimous 5-0 vote Resolution 1361 , calling for “ full and fair funding of California ’ s public schools .”
The resolution states that while California has the sixth largest economy in the world , the state falls in the nation ’ s
A contingent of teachers , parents , students and the board of Arcadia USD traveled to the state Capitol to explain to lawmakers why education needs additional funding to thrive .
bottom quintile on nearly every measure of public K-12 school funding and staffing .
Resolution 1361 “ urges the state Legislature to fund California public schools at the national average or higher by the year 2020 , and at a level that is equal to or above the average of the top 10 states nationally by 2025 and to maintain , at a minimum , this level of funding until otherwise decreed .”
For more information about Arcadia USD , visit www . ausd . net . For more information on programs in AUSD , tune into the district ’ s Digital Education Station series at www . youtube . com / ArcadiaUnified .
Participate in ACSA ’ s grassroots lobbying event , Legislative Action Day , April 16 at the state Capitol , with expert presentations and briefings set for April 15 at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento . Contact your region vice president for legislative action to sign up , or visit www . acsa . org / legactionday for more information .

Research shows reforms are narrowing achievement gaps

New research shows that California ’ s overhaul of public education finance and accountability is narrowing achievement gaps between groups of students and helping parents learn about school progress .
The Learning Policy Institute has released “ Money and Freedom : The Impact of California ’ s School Finance Reform ,” a study by researcher Sean Tanner and UC Berkeley professor Rucker Johnson .
The authors examined the impact of the landmark Local Control Funding Formula , which gave school districts greater control over the use of state funds in exchange for greater accountability and parent engagement at the local level . Approved in 2013 , LCFF also increased funding to districts that serve students needing extra support .
The authors found that LCFF “ led to significant increases in high school graduation
rates and academic achievement , particularly among children from low-income families .” Students in the highest poverty districts showed greater academic gain , the authors reported . The study also found that LCFF funding was used to improve classroom learning by lowering student-toteacher ratios and helping districts recruit and train new teachers .
“ Money targeted to students ’ needs can
make a significant difference in outcomes and narrow achievement gaps ,” the study said . “ Money matters .”
State Board of Education President Michael Kirst noted that Tanner and Johnson ’ s study covers more years of research – and uses more recent data – than other studies on LCFF ’ s impact , making it more relevant to decision-making . “ We still
See GAP , page 4

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trust that those coming in behind you will also have the needs of your students as their first priority . Leave healthy , leave strong and make sure there are many great years left to pursue life ’ s passions that may not have fit into a superintendent ’ s schedule .
Tom Johnstone
Johnstone is retiring from Wiseburn Unified School District after 10 years there and 38 and a half years of service in education .
Johnstone ’ s words of wisdom to aspiring superintendents is to enthusiastically maintain and protect a culture of “ Yes ” and always remember that you have the best job in the world … because you do .
Mary Louise Labrucherie
Labrucherie is retiring from Valle Lindo School District after 25 and a half years there – all as superintendent – and 45 total years of service in education .
To new and future superintendents , Labrucherie says , “ As the ol ’ Kenny Rogers song goes , ‘ You gotta know when to hold ‘ em , know when to fold ‘ em …’” Labrucherie leaves with lasting memories of students who returned as adults to thank her and praise the education they received in her district .
Joan M . Lucid
Lucid is retiring from Saugus Union School District after 37 years there . She has given 48 years ’ service to education .
Her advice to aspiring superintendents is to always do what is best for children and that relationships with everyone matter
. None of us can do what all of us do together , she said .
Mike McCoy
McCoy is retiring from Muroc Joint Unified School District after 39 years of service in education . In addition to two years at Muroc , he also served as superintendent of Sonora Union High School District .
McCoy ’ s words of wisdom to incoming superintendents are to use self-deprecating humor to disarm your critics , keep your ego in check and remember it ’ s about the children , not about you . He also says to work hard , don ’ t watch the clock , pick up litter and be kind to everyone in your community .
Vic Ramos
Ramos is retiring from Wheatland Union High School District after nine years there , and 39 years in education .
His advice to new and prospective superintendents can be summed up in a quote by the author Michael Connelly , “ Everybody counts or nobody counts .” This simple quote should be used as the basis for interactions with students , staff , administrators and community , he said .
Joel Ruiz Herrera
Herrera is retiring from Orchard School District , after two years there and 27 years of service in the cause of education .
His words of wisdom to new superintendents are that each and every school district is filled with gifts and resources that are human – get out there and uncover those gifts and bring them to bear on the success of the district .
Stephanie Siddens Siddens is retiring from Bonny Doon
Union Elementary School District after nine years there , and 30 years of service in education .
Siddens ’ advice to incoming superintendents is that you will be working in an entirely different capacity and gain new understanding and appreciation for what goes on at the district level . While working at that level , continue to keep the welfare of students first and foremost in your mind . Never forget what it was like to be a teacher , and consider the teacher ’ s perspective when making decisions that impact the classroom .
Patrick J . Sweeney
Sweeney is retiring from Napa Valley Unified School District after 37 years of service , eight of them with Napa Valley . He has also served Patterson Joint Unified School District and American School in Durango , Mexico as superintendent .
His advice to aspiring superintendents is to enjoy each moment , including the learning moments . His favorite part of the superintendency has been serving students and the adults who serve them .
Tamra Taylor
Taylor is retiring from Live Oak School District after having served in education for 35 years , the last nine at Live Oak .
Her words of wisdom for prospective superintendents is to use your eyes , your intellect , your heart and your voice for students . Keep them at the center of your work .
Dave Urquhart
Urquhart is retiring from Big Oak Flat / Groveland Unified School District after six years there and 41 total years of service in education .
His recommendation for a new superintendent is to move slowly , get to know the
district culture , and find your support team . Develop relationships with those who are cautious of your motivation and ability to lead the district and listen to their concerns , he said . Gently move forward , get buy-in , and make sure you and the school board work together .
Michael Watkins
Watkins is retiring after 38 years of serving Santa Cruz COE . In his 45 years of service in education , he has also served as superintendent to Oakland Unified and the Alameda County Office of Education . Additionally , he is the first African American to be elected to the position of county superintendent of schools in California .
Watkins ’ advice to new superintendents is to be thoughtful , creative , and kind , find a good mentor and stay away from negative thinkers .
Loren York
York is retiring from Alview-Dairyland Union School District after five years there and 34 total years of service in education .
To aspiring superintendents , York suggests developing and putting into print your own guidelines for being an effective leader so you may refer to them often . York has tried to govern by what he wrote down for himself and called the “ Eight ‘ A ’ s of Education ” – Accentuate Excellence , Announce clearly your intentions and expectations , Acquire new knowledge , Adopt new methods to meet demands , Attack the problem , not people , Accept responsibility for your actions , Apologize sincerely , Appreciate people through your verbal comments , written notes and actions .