2018 Confirmed Speakers :
4 EDCAL March 26 , 2018 |
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Transitions
ACSA is saddened to learn of the death of Ron Bennett , chief executive officer of School Services of California , whose state budget insights have been a highlight of ACSA ’ s Superintendents ’ Symposium for many years . Bennett passed away suddenly March 17 and leaves a hole in the school business
and finance community .
In addition to his leadership role at School Services ,
Bennett
Bennett was an expert in the areas of collective bargaining , leadership development and school district governance . He was involved in shaping the state ’ s most critical public policy issues , and a key participant in
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resolving issues within school districts both large and small .
In addition to the ACSA symposium , Bennett organized and led the annual School Finance and Management Conference , Governor ’ s Budget Workshop and May Revision Workshop – all offering the latest information and assisting school district leaders in implementing best practices .
He previously served as chief financial officer and deputy superintendent in Long Beach , Fresno and ABC unified school districts . He had extensive experience in school facility policy and management and had served as a director of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing .
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The Accrediting Commission for Schools , Western Association of Schools and Colleges has announced that Barry
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Groves will be their next president . Groves will serve part time as President-elect until he formally takes over for retiring President Fred Van Leuven on July 1 , 2018 . Groves was a successful superintendent for 23 years . He represented ACSA for two terms on the ACS WASC Commission . Groves holds doctorate and master ’ s degrees in Administration and Policy Analysis from Stanford University .
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New Haven Unified School District Superintendent Arlando Smith was honored by state Sen . Bob Wieckowski in February , when he received an African American Heritage Leadership Award for his positive contributions to the Union City community . In recognition , Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L . Karen Monroe said , “ Dr . Smith is a cherished
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educational leader in Alameda County and throughout our region and state . He is an invaluable voice for students , staff , and community members , consistently focusing his efforts and that of his colleagues on embracing the well-being of all students . Dr . Smith is committed to equipping students , including the most vulnerable , and those who serve them , with the tools to thrive . Senator Wieckowski ’ s African American Heritage Leadership Awards are a testament to servant leadership , something that Dr . Smith embodies every day .”
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Jose Guzman , formerly with Fresno USD , has been named administrator for Educational Programs in Kings Canyon USD .
Send ACSA-member news for Transitions to Cary Rodda at crodda @ acsa . org .
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SAC CITY
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the specialty program lottery were overrepresented by more than double their enrollment numbers . African American and Hispanic students were underrepresented
Students protest gun violence
in the specialty program lottery by more than half of their enrollment numbers . This lack of diversity in the pipeline creates a challenge for diversifying the enrollment in each program .
For example , in the case of the Humanities and International Studies Program ( HISP ) at C . K . McClatchy High School , only 17
As part of the National School Walkout protest , students at Hiram Johnson High School in Sacramento City USD surrounded 17 empty desks with name tags , representing the 17 victims of the Florida high school shooting . The student-led event included speeches from the student body president , several students , and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg . percent of students in the program are Hispanic and less than 2 percent are African American . By contrast , district enrollment data shows Hispanics make up 40 percent of the district ’ s total enrollment and African Americans make up more than 14 percent . HISP prides itself on “ providing a unique global perspective to learning and understanding and preparing students for success at any college or university .”
However , the program has recently been criticized for its lack of diversity .
“ I was disturbed by what I saw in the data ,” Aguilar recently told Sacramento Bee writer Marcos Breton . “ The data shows a low number of eighth-grade students who are demonstrating the academic achievement levels we want .”
Among the changes Aguilar plans to implement to address this issue is a centralization of the specialty program application process . Whereas the selection process in the past was handled by one evaluator at the school site , the selection process in the future will be managed by the district office . The goal will be to introduce more objectivity into the selection process . For example , the new process will ensure that evaluations of student application essays are conducted by multiple readers , rather than one reader , so that there will be a system of checks and balances in place .
Aguilar also determined that the district needs to take on more responsibility for educating students about the availability of specialty programs . Simply sharing information about the programs is not enough . So instead of bringing the information to the students , the district is ramping up efforts to bring the students to the information .
A one-day event called Choose Your Futures is now giving students access to all of the district ’ s specialty programs in a single location so they can learn more about these options , meet the teachers and coordinators of each program , and ask questions to determine which programs are most attractive and interesting to them .
Under Aguilar ’ s leadership , Sacramento City USD is also ramping up efforts to provide additional assistance to students in grades K-8 if they are not achieving grade levels in reading , writing and math . The district is working to expand its summer learning programs to target off track students and automatically enroll them in a summer academic program if they are not meeting grade level requirements . Parents who do not want to have their student ( s ) enrolled in the summer program would have to sign a waiver form to opt-out and provide an explanation .
“ When a system is inequitable you have to interrupt it ,” said Aguilar . “ We have to make sure we serve as many students as possible ,”
Learn more about the work of Sacramento City Unified School District by visiting www . scusd . edu .
Clear your calendars now to attend one of the summer residential programs for school leaders , held at UCLA each summer . Participants have said their experience was life-changing , and have said it helped them achieve a clear vision of their leadership path and how to get others to follow in their journey . These events sell out each summer so be sure to sign up early . Register today at acsa . org / summerprograms
2018 Confirmed Speakers :
n Tom DeLapp n Jeff Eben n Sharroky Hollie
n Kate Kinsella n George Manthey n Pam Robbins n Horacio Sanchez n David Verdugo
Principals ’ Summer Institute June 24 – 30 , 2018
Institute for New and Aspiring Principals June 25 – 29 , 2018