LAUSD HOPEFUL CLAIMS MAYOR’S FAVOR

By Melissa Pamer, Staff Writer | Daily Breeze

1/21/09 - Los Angeles Unified board hopeful Steve Zimmer has received Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's endorsement, the candidate said.

The mayor confirmed his backing to Zimmer last week, but was holding off on an announcement until after the presidential inauguration, the candidate said.

Both Zimmer and fellow LAUSD high school teacher Mike Stryer said last month that they were seeking the mayor's endorsement in their race to replace Marlene Canter representing District 4, which includes Westchester.

The race changed significantly in December when top contender Ben Austin, a former deputy mayor who was expected to get Villaraigosa's nod, failed to get enough voter signatures to qualify for the March 3 election.

The news that didn’t fit from Jan 19

KLSC ANNOUNCES TWO SPECIAL BROADCASTS ON THE BUDGET CRISES: The first primarily on the LAUSD Budget Crisis, the second 0n the State Budget Crisis

…both affect you, your children, your school.

BOUND FOR WASHINGTON: Jacquelín Mendoza earned an invitation to Obama’s inauguration

January 15, 2009 -- There is very little time left before Barack Obama becomes the first African American president of the United States. And Jacquelín Mendoza is keeping perfect track of the time.

“I’m very nervous because it’s a great event, and I only think that the moment will be historic and I will be there to see it,” she says.

This eighth-grade student at Nightingale Middle School in Cypress Park will attend Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., next Tuesday, January 20.

CORTINES PROPOSAL APPROVED: It includes cutting 2,290 teacher positions in LAUSD; the union announces protests

January 14, 2009 -- The Board of Education of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has approved a proposal by Superintendent Ramón Cortines that cuts 2,290 positions of teachers who have been teaching for two years or less, within 14 days of their being notified.

The proposal, which Cortines maintained is “tentative,” would eliminate 1,690 elementary school teachers, 300 math teachers and 300 English teachers in middle and high schools. These cuts would save LAUSD 50 million dollars.

“This is strictly a precautionary measure. I’m trying to put pressure on Sacramento. I’m still trying to find options,” maintained Cortines.

Jan 29, 2008: STATE BUDGET CUTS PROTEST, MARCH & RALLY

Published on United Teachers Los Angeles (http://www.utla.net)

3:30- 4:00 p.m
Demo at LAUSD Beaudry Bldg
333 So. Beaudry Avenue,
Los Angeles 90017

A Call to Action: PTA LEGISLATIVE ALERT

California State Budget:

Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times

· We must find a balanced approach to the budget crisis that includes sufficient new revenues to protect children and the future of California.

· Support continued funding for programs and services that help ensure that all children can succeed, such as smaller class sizes, arts and physical education, science, counselors, nurses, librarians, and health and social services for children.

We cannot build a world class public education system by going backwards in funding for education and other children's services.

A PARENT SOUNDS OFF OVER LAUSD BUDGET CUTS

Here's one parent's response, in an open letter to the superintendent:

The return of Don Mullinax: POTENTIAL FOR BAILOUT MONEY FRAUD PROMPTS EXPANSION OF FORENSIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

A prominent forensic accounting firm has opened a new office in Los Angeles and added one of the nation's leading forensic investigators to its team of experts in anticipation of an expected increase in fraud, waste and abuse as billions in Federal bailout money are about to be injected into the economy.

VALLEY ART EDUCATORS EXHIBIT THEIR OWN WORK

Valley Art Educators Exhibit Their Own Work | Art displayed at the Armory Center for the Arts now through Feb. 22

LAUSD art teachers from throughout the San Fernando Valley are currently on exhibit at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena.

"An Art Educated Collection" is an exhibit, which showcases the collective work of the many talented artists who teach in San Fernando Valley public schools," said Spike Dolemite, founder of the Arts in Education Aid Council.

BUDDY SYSTEM BLOSSOMS

Local schools use innovation, collaboration and other approaches to boost student learning

Experiments often produce unintended results, and that is exactly what happened between Angeles Mesa Elementary School and its big brother down the street—Crenshaw High School.

“Last year (2007) Crenshaw students came and read books t our kids, and we called it a Family Fun Day. Mr. Griffin last year loaned us his A.P. (Advanced Placement) English students one or two times a month for one hour, and they read stories to the kids,” explained Elaine Wrice, categorical programs advisor at Angeles Mesa.

NEW SCHOOL TAX EYED FOR 2010 BALLOT

Just two months after winning approval of a $7 billion bond measure, Los Angeles Unified School District officials are considering another proposal to fund local schools.

For now, there are no details on how much a proposed parcel tax would cost homeowners or generate for the district.

But with LAUSD facing a $400 million shortfall this year and expecting chronic underfunding for years, district officials said they need more revenue to keep the quality of education from getting worse.

"It's becoming more and more apparent, based on the economic situation the district is in, that we need to look at a tax," said Superintendent Ramon Cortines.

THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S STATE-OF-THE-STATE SPEECH

“It doesn't make any sense to talk about education, infrastructure, water, health care reform and all these things when we have this huge budget deficit.

“I think you would agree that in recent years California's legislature has been engaged in civil war. Meanwhile, the needs of the people became secondary.

“No one wants to take money from our gang-fighting programs or from Medi-Cal or from education.

“No one wants to pay more in taxes or fees.

“But each of us has to give up something because our country is in an economic crisis and our state simply doesn't have the money.”

More than you ever wanted to know about the school report card: REPORT CARD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PRINCIPALS

LAUSD BOARD VOTES TO POSSIBLY LAY OFF 2,300 TEACHERS

The 4-2 vote authorizes the job actions if no other options are found to decrease a potential $250-million budget shortfall this year caused by the state's financial problems.

Because of the state's budget uncertainty, the Los Angeles school board agreed Tuesday to potentially lay off up to 2,300 teachers if no other options become available this year.
The Los Angeles Unified School District faces up to a $250-million shortfall, and the move could shave about $50 million from that figure. But Supt. Ramon C. Cortines, in his first board meeting as head of the district, said he hoped not to send the notices.

"This is strictly a place-holder," he said. "I am still trying to find alternatives."

QUALITY COUNTS 2009 | The other Report Card + charts+graphs: The ED WEEK QUALITY COUNTS SURVEY OF CALIFORNIA

50-State Report Card: Amid national political turnover and financial worries, states remain on the front line in the push for school improvement.

STATE BUDGET WOES COULD LEAD TO SHORTER SCHOOL YEAR

Facing a massive budget deficit, California is considering shortening the school year by five days, a move that would save the state $1.1 billion. But the proposal is causing uproar among families and educators, who say the consequences would be disastrous, the Los Angeles Times reports. State schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell told the paper the move would hurt low-income and minority children because affluent school districts will most likely have the funds to remain open all 180 days of the school year. If the California legislature agrees to cut the school calendar, the state will join North Dakota, Kentucky, and a few other states that require the least number of school days.

CA SUPREME COURT TO TAKE ON DISCOUNTED TUITION FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Should illegal immigrants pay discounted tuition rates at state colleges? The California Supreme Court is expected to take up that question later this year when it hears arguments on the constitutionality of California's law granting in-state tuition to undocumented students. Expect educators and lawmakers across the country to pay close attention to the case. The outcome will likely influence other states' college tuition policies for immigrant students who are not legal U.S. residents. At least nine states offer tuition breaks to illegal immigrants who meet certain conditions, including Illinois, Kansas, and New York.

EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS

letters to the Editor | LA TIMES 12 Jan

Re “High court to consider tuition law,” Jan. 5

While your coverage regarding California state law AB 540 has highlighted some important issues, I'd like to underscore that the law -- and good policy -- dictate that we not discriminate against undocumented students who reside in California when offering in-state tuition to California high school graduates.

LAUSD TEACHERS: STRIKE, BOYCOTT POSSIBLE

LAUSD teachers say they may boycott or strike if their contract needs aren't met.

Massive state budget shortfalls are leading to cuts in education.

Union leaders say the district has other options than to lay off teachers and cut their health care.

SCHOOL GAINS ARE PUT AT RISK

Mockler: “The budget bell is ringing for California's schools to take a recessionary recess from reform.”

It's inevitable that California public schools soon will be whacked with hefty program cuts. And that's a shame because students recently have been making significant gains.
A decade of academic advancement due to class-size reduction, tougher curriculum, higher standards, testing, accountability and other reforms could be stalled -- even reversed -- by the necessity to cut spending.

LAUSD SENDS OUT REPORT CARDS EVALUATING SCHOOLS

Supt. Ramon C. Cortines pushed for the mailings to give parents a clearer view of students' graduation and dropout rates, math and English proficiency, college preparation and more.

Parents in Los Angeles this week will receive a one-page report card that will provide a less varnished and more accessible picture of how well their child's school is doing.

KLSC ANNOUNCES TWO SPECIAL BROADCASTS ON THE BUDGET CRISES: The first primarily on the LAUSD Budget Crisis, the second 0n the State Budget Crisis

…both affect you, your children, your school.

Los Angeles Unified School District OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS 333 S. Beaudry Ave., 24th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: 213-241-6766 Fax: 213-241-8952 www.lausd.net

NEWS RELEASE: January 14, 2009
#08/09- 190

LAUSD KLCS-TV STATION ANNOUNCES SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR “Superintendent Cortines: On the Record”

Los Angeles - KLCS-TV, the educational television station licensed to the Los AngelesUnified School District (LAUSD), will begin broadcasting a special report, “Superintendent Cortines: On the Record” featuring LAUSD Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines, David Holmquist, Chief Operating Officer; and Megan Reilly, Chief Financial Officer.

The threediscuss and examine the LAUSD budget outlook and the potential cuts that face LAUSD in the next few years.

His special report will air on the following dates and times:
Wednesday Jan 14 7 p.m.
Thursday Jan 15 4:30 p.m.
Friday Jan 16 6:30 a.m.
Sunday Jan 18 8 a.m.
Tuesday Jan 20 10 a.m.
Thursday Jan 22 10 a.m.

KLCS-TV is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service and its programming is broadcaston analog channel 58 and digital channel 41 to over 16 million viewersthroughout SouthernCalifornia. KLCS is also carried on DirecTV, Dish Network and most cable systems.

###

BOUND FOR WASHINGTON: Jacquelín Mendoza earned an invitation to Obama’s inauguration

Isaías Alvarado | La Opinión

January 15, 2009 -- There is very little time left before Barack Obama becomes the first African American president of the United States. And Jacquelín Mendoza is keeping perfect track of the time.

“I’m very nervous because it’s a great event, and I only think that the moment will be historic and I will be there to see it,” she says.

This eighth-grade student at Nightingale Middle School in Cypress Park will attend Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., next Tuesday, January 20.

She has also been invited to take part in a conference with the former Secretary of State Colin Powell and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize Al Gore.

Yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa offered a reception for Mendoza, her relatives and teachers at City Hall, before she left for the nation’s capital.

“Congratulations!” was the first thing the mayor said to her. “You must be very proud of your daughter,” he said to Jacquelín’s mother, Ana Mendoza.

Villaraigosa paused in a meeting with economists from all over the state where they analyzed behind closed doors the “serious” budget deficit in Los Angeles.

A cake in the shape of the U.S. flag with the words “Proud of you, Jacquelín” was given to this student.

On behalf of the city government, Councilman Ed Reyes, representative of District 1, where the Mendoza family lives, delivered to her at the end of 2008 financial support to cover the costs of the trip.

Jacquelín’s academic achievements are countless: she is the president of the group of Academic Achievement in Math, Engineering and Sciences (MESA), and captain of the science team at her school. Furthermore, she participated in a competition in this latter category with some 5,000 students from 26 states.

Therefore, since she was informed of her visit to the White House, she hasn’t stopped studying. She always has a pile of books to read, homework and projects to finish, and “a lot of tests,” she says.

Jacquelín’s mother, Ana Mendoza, who is originally from Mexico City, only finished first grade.

“What she’s doing will help other children who also have the ability, but may not have the drive to do things,” commented Mrs. Mendoza.

For Manuel Díaz, the principal of Nightingale Middle School, the fact that the school is in an area where families with limited resources live and that it has gang problems doesn’t mean that students can’t get good grades.

“She is an example not only for students, but also for the whole community,” he said.

Jacquelín wants to be a doctor. Díaz points out that her excellent grades will open the doors of many universities for her. “In 20 years I can see her doing whatever she wants to do, and very successfully,” said the principal.

The student’s father, who is a tailor, was the one who made the coral-colored dress that the young lady will wear to Obama’s inauguration ceremony. For a few days it has been ready in a closet in the Mendoza residence.

Her parents have counseled her “not to get nervous, to eat well so that I can enjoy my trip and for me to take lots of pictures,” she mentions with an enormous smile.

On the other hand, her fellow students have asked her in jest to “bring back something of Barack Obama’s, like a piece of his suit or his hair.”

Wearing a formal pantsuit and a long-sleeved blouse, Jacquelín stood in front of several media that accompanied her yesterday to City Hall. A few steps away, her mother couldn’t stop looking with pride at what her daughter had accomplished because of her love for books.

 

Translated by LAUSD Translations Unit

CORTINES PROPOSAL APPROVED: It includes cutting 2,290 teacher positions in LAUSD; the union announces protests

Yurina Rico | La Opinión

January 14, 2009 -- The Board of Education of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has approved a proposal by Superintendent Ramón Cortines that cuts 2,290 positions of teachers who have been teaching for two years or less, within 14 days of their being notified.

The proposal, which Cortines maintained is “tentative,” would eliminate 1,690 elementary school teachers, 300 math teachers and 300 English teachers in middle and high schools. These cuts would save LAUSD 50 million dollars.

“This is strictly a precautionary measure. I’m trying to put pressure on Sacramento. I’m still trying to find options,” maintained Cortines.

However, the budget submitted by the chief financial officer of the District, Megan Reilly, to the Board of Education, includes these cuts.

“I’m asking the Board to authorize it, but it isn’t my final proposal,” declared Cortines.

The motion was approved with five votes in favor and two against.

Julie Korenstein and Richard Vladovic voted against the superintendent’s proposal without making any comments on it. The other members also were silent on this measure, which is considered so unpopular.

The effects of this cut, which was approved, would leave more than 40,000 children without teachers and cause them to be assigned to other classes. A total of 921 counselors would be reassigned to the classroom, and 2,000 substitute teachers would be removed from the official listing of teachers.

Furthermore, 1,140 teachers who serve as coaches would be reassigned to the classroom. Of these teachers, 807 would go to elementary schools, 154 would teach math and 179 would teach English in middle and high schools.

The president of the Board of Education, Mónica García, declared that each year they need to hire 2,500 new teachers, but the financial situation is forcing them to lay off teachers, although they are needed.

The beginning salary for a teacher during the first year in the District is $45,637.

Cortines asked the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), as well as parent and teacher organizations on the state level, to join the effort to pressure legislators and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to find a solution to the budget that does not include more cuts to education.

UTLA president A.J. Duffy’s reply was not only that he did not support the proposal; he announced that the union would fight against the layoffs by mobilizing teachers, parents and students.

“This is one of the saddest days for the District. You [Cortines and the School Board] have every intention of laying off 1,600 of our children’s teachers,” said Duffy. And he added: “When you let 1,600 teachers go, they won’t return to the District. They’ll leave the city or the state, or even worse, they will give up being educators.”

Duffy added that this cut will also affect university students who are considering entering the profession; or if they graduate, they won’t want to work for LAUSD.

The teachers’ union representative said that before cutting teachers, they should close down LAUSD’s “toy,” referring to the television channel. With this measure they would save 15 million dollars.

Since the deficit in LAUSD amounts to 80 million dollars, Duffy considered that the eight local districts should be closed down; with this measure they would save 60 million dollars.

“Before cutting a teacher they should cut the bureaucracy. Until there are no longer any bureaucracy or toys, then they should affect teachers and classrooms,” declared Duffy.

Judy Washington, a parent who attended the Board meeting, wondered how she would tell her young daughter that she will be without a teacher.

The Teachers’ Union announced a protest for Thursday, January 29, which will depart at 3:30 p.m. from the central headquarters of the school district (333 S. Beaudry Ave., in Los Angeles) toward Pershing Square, located downtown. At around 4:30 p.m. some teachers and union leaders are expected to make public statements.

At 5:30 p.m. the protest will move to the building of the state administrative offices (300 S. Spring St., also in Los Angeles), where they will remain until 6:00 p.m.

“This will be the beginning of the actions we will take. We will announce other actions as the dates come closer,” declared Duffy.

Translated by LAUSD Translations Unit

Jan 29, 2008: STATE BUDGET CUTS PROTEST, MARCH & RALLY

Published on United Teachers Los Angeles (http://www.utla.net)

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

We need you at the January 29th march and rally, after school, to fight back against district and state budget cuts that will result in cuts to our health care, increased class sizes and layoffs.

"Say NO to state budget cuts! Say NO to a shortened school year!"
"Say NO to larger class size! Say NO to health care cuts!"
"Say YES to a fair UTLA contract!"

March and Rally Handout Flyer [1]

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Teachers and health and human services professionals, parents, students and community members are all encouraged to participate in the march.

EVENT SCHEDULE AND MARCH ROUTE MAP
(You may join the protest at any location!)

3:30- 4:00 p.m
Demo at LAUSD Beaudry Bldg
333 So. Beaudry Avenue,
Los Angeles 90017

[2]

The blue line is the march route.
Click on the map for an interactive Google map [3]

4:00 p.m.
March to Pershing Square

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
RALLY at Pershing Square
532 So. Olive Street,
Los Angeles 90013

5:30 p.m
March to State Building

5:40 - 6:00 p.m.
Demo at State Building
300 So. Spring Street,
Los Angeles 90013

PARKING INFORMATION

Parking near The State Bldg

Joe's Auto Park: NE corner of 3rd and Spring St
Joe's Auto Park: Corner of 3rd and Hil St (2 blocks west of Spring St)

PUBLIC TRANSPORATION FROM YOUR AREA

Central
The Red Line stop would be “Pershing Square" OR
take the F dash shuttle bus. Cost is 25 cents. Board it at Jefferson/Vermont and it goes directly to Beaudry Bldg

East
The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

Harbor

Board the Blue line NORTH-BOUND, and transfer to the Red or Purple line EAST-BOUND at the end of the Blue Line. Pershing Square is just one exit up from the 7th and Metro station.

Possible Stations to board the blue line nearby:
- Del Amo and Santa Fe
- Artesia and Willowbrook
- Compton and Willowbrook

North
The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

South
The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

Valley East

North Hollywood station is the Northernmost stop on the Metro Red line located at Lankershim Blvd. & Chandler Blvd. in North Hollywood, California. This station has an island platform. This station is also the Easternmost stop on the Metro Orange Line transitway and is located across the street from the Red Line station on Lankershim Blvd.

The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

Valley West

North Hollywood station is the Northernmost stop on the Metro Red line located at Lankershim Blvd. & Chandler Blvd. in North Hollywood, California. This station has an island platform. This station is also the Easternmost stop on the Metro Orange Line transitway and is located across the street from the Red Line station on Lankershim Blvd.

The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

West
The Red Line stop is “Pershing Square"

Other resources are:
- MTA Trip Planner [4]
- MTA Bus and Rail System Maps [5]
- MTA Schedules/Timetables [6]
- MTA Fares [7]

A Call to Action: PTA LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Legislative Alert
January 15, 2009

 

 

California State Budget:

Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times

Action Needed – you need not be a PTA member to act for children:

Please call or email your state assembly member, state senator and the governor right away and deliver the following messages:

• We must find a balanced approach to the budget crisis that includes sufficient new revenues to protect children and the future of California.
• Support continued funding for programs and services that help ensure that all children can succeed, such as smaller class sizes, arts and physical education, science, counselors, nurses, librarians, and health and social services for children.
• We cannot build a world class public education system by going backwards in funding for education and other children's services.

To find your legislators' contact information, click here. To contact the governor, click here.

Background

With a worsening economy, state legislators and the Governor are faced with difficult decisions to adopt a balanced state budget. The Governor's 2009-2010 budget proposal includes deep cuts to education, health and human services as well as tax increases and borrowing.

In releasing the proposed budget last week, the Governor stated:

"California, like the rest of the nation is in the midst of a severe economic downturn. The combined effect of the state's continuing structural budget deficit and the loss of revenues resulting from the economic downturn results in a budget gap of $41.6 billion, just under half of the revenues projected for 2009-10. This is the most challenging budget in the state's history. It demands quick action and calls for every type of solution possible, including major spending cuts, revenue increases, borrowing and cash management strategies."

California State PTA issued a press release (copy follows) yesterday in response to the latest budget proposal. In the release, Pam Brady, President, states:

"Don't think for a minute that we don't understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.

"We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state's children."

The Governor's latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to public schools over the next 18 months.  When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, the total cuts are nearly $11 billion -- not including other cuts to vital children's services.

A recent national study revealed that California recently slipped from 46th to 47th in the nation in terms of per-student funding -- funding which goes to hire and train teachers, provide instructional programs and materials, ensure smaller class sizes, and provide all other aspects of a quality education to every student. 

Next Steps

The Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children. In the coming weeks we will be providing additional information, resources and advice to help you communicate a strong message for a greater investment in children and against deeper budget cuts.

Budget Details on the Web

Press release issued by PTA in response to the state budget

Education Coalition Response to the Governor's State of the State: California's Schools Face State of Emergency

California Budget Project Analysis

Schwarzenegger seeks education cuts

Governor Holds Press Conference to Discuss State Budget

Legislative Analyst's Office 2009-10 Budget Analysis Series: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Governor's Budget 2009-2010

California State PTA | 2327 L Street | Sacramento | CA | 95816 | info@capta.org

---

press release

CONTACT: Carol Kocivar

Vice President, Communications

(415) 577-1125

Alison apRoberts, Communications Manager

(916) 440-1985, ext. 106

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 14, 2009

PTA Responds to State Budget:

Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times

Pam Brady, President of the California State PTA, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's budget proposal and ongoing negotiations with legislators.

“Don’t think for a minute that we don’t understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.

“We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state’s children.

“The latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to schools. When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, we’re looking at total cuts of about $11 billion.

“Cuts of this magnitude fail the basic test of good government. They hurt our children.

“These proposed cuts will completely derail efforts to provide a world-class education to all students. We are already 47th in the nation in terms of how much our state spends per student on education. These cuts are likely to make us dead last.

“The mission of California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families. We cannot and will not back away from that mission during tough economic times. In fact, these are the times when the children of California need our advocacy the most.

“The 120-member Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children from drastic budget cuts.”

 

The California State PTA is a branch of the 111-year old National PTA, with nearly one million members statewide. The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest-profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all California children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-commercial. For more information, go to www.capta.org.

A PARENT SOUNDS OFF OVER LAUSD BUDGET CUTS

L.A. Now Blog | LA Times

Southern California -- this just in

2:35 PM, January 15, 2009 -- The Los Angeles school board voted this week to lay off up to 2,300 teachers, if no other options become available as the district struggles to close a $250-million gap in this year's budget. Supt. Ramon C. Cortines also recently wrote to parents of LAUSD students to explain some of the cutbacks.

Here's one parent's response, in an open letter to the superintendent:

Dear Superintendent Cortines,

Well, I see that your holiday break is over and that you wasted no time in addressing the  families of LAUSD students about budget cuts. I received your letter in my kids' backpacks, along with a form for child ID cards, homework, Scholastic book orders, a thank-you note from a teacher for a holiday gift. I set it aside and helped my kids do their homework before hustling them to gymnastics (because one weekly session of parent-group-funded physical education per child does not go a long way toward providing lasting health benefits). Then I fielded phone calls from other members of our parent-directed nonprofit group (Parents for Riverside Drive, "PFRD"), which raises funds to help pay for "enrichment" programs like PE and drama, as well as classroom aides and a full-time copy room aide for our teachers' benefit -- things that LAUSD does not provide for our school or our kids.

This afternoon, while your letter sat on my kitchen counter unread, I also spoke to our principal about my role as the liaison between PFRD and our parent community.  In the eyes of some school administrators, I have sometimes over-stepped my boundaries by using the forum of my parent-directed email blasts not just to keep our families up-to-date with reminders of school events, but also to alert them to various issues that affect our school.  Little things, you know: budget cuts, teacher walk-outs, construction delays.  We have had three principals since my oldest child arrived at this school in kindergarten a scant four years ago, and I'm gathering that administrators don't seem to appreciate the parent community's right to know what's going on -- and your letter seconded that thought without ever having to say it.

In the midst of your matter-of-fact speculation about LAUSD having already been forced to cut $427 million (you likened it to closing down eight high schools but without shutting their doors... only cutting all programs, supplies and salaries) and about the possibility of "at least $250 million" in deeper budget cuts, I got an eerie sense that you were asking for my understanding in all of this.  A kind of "we're all in this together," sort of feeling.  Like, "Gee whiz, we're united in our belt-tightening, this being the recession and all."

And I'm not buying it for a second. 

 

Photo: LAUSD School Board members listen as (then) Superintendent David L. Brewer, III speaks at a press conference. School board members, left to right, President Monica Garcia, Marlene Canter, Julie Korenstein and at far right, Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte. (Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times)

Comments

A well written letter by a concerned stakeholder in the education process. If more parents took such an interest in where their children spend most of every day, perhaps the education system would not be so shabbily run. I wonder why schools are providing gym towels? In my day, kids brought their own from home and that is where they were laundered. Think of how many other millions of dollars are likely being wasted on similar types of programs. How about putting the schools on a zero based budget approach where every expenditure and program is evaluated for the pros and cons of it's value? Keep the critical expenditures and get rid of the waste. What do you want to bet that Los Angeles could balance their school budget without cutting a single teacher?

Posted by: P. Rodgers | January 15, 2009 at 03:26 PM

Superintendent Cortines is faced with an unenviable task. Undoubtedly there is waste in LAUSD, it is not possible in such a large bureaucracy to totally eliminate it. Two parents think that LAUSD need not provide gym towels for students. I guarantee that there will be an equal number of parents who disagree. Although I agree with the sentiments in this letter, it is directed at the wrong person. Send it to Sacramento. Better yet try convincing all those who want to see taxes decrease and services, such as education improve. If we want a world class public education system, if we want health care for all, we have to be willing to pay for it. Superintendent Cortines cannot provide us with a public education system we can be proud of when he is told to cut costs by $200 Million this year and another $200 Million next year. The reality is you cannot have your cake and eat it too!

Posted by: Ian Rees | January 15, 2009 at 04:39 PM

The return of Don Mullinax: POTENTIAL FOR BAILOUT MONEY FRAUD PROMPTS EXPANSION OF FORENSIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

From a Forensic/Strategic Solutions press release

A prominent forensic accounting firm has opened a new office in Los Angeles and added one of the nation's leading forensic investigators to its team of experts in anticipation of an expected increase in fraud, waste and abuse as billions in Federal bailout money are about to be injected into the economy.

Los Angeles (PRWEB) January 15, 2009 -- A prominent forensic accounting firm has opened a new office in Los Angeles and added one of the nation's leading forensic investigators to its team of experts in anticipation of an expected increase in fraud, waste and abuse as billions in Federal bailout money are about to be injected into the economy. Forensic/Strategic Solutions, PC announced that Don Mullinax will lead its expanded government practice team from the firm's new Los Angeles office. Mullinax is a 29-year veteran of conducting complex forensic investigations involving allegations of fraud, waste and abuse and providing anti-fraud consulting services in the public and private sectors.

Ralph Q. Summerford, president of Forensic/Strategic Solutions states, "As the perception and likelihood of fraud continues to grow in the public and private sectors we want to remain at the forefront of the country's most prominent forensic accounting firms. Due to our past work experience with Mullinax in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) matters, his extensive knowledge and nearly three decades of experience in the field, Don Mullinax is the ideal choice to lead our firm's government practice group."

According to Mullinax, "Our current economic crisis unfortunately creates an environment that fuels bad decisions in both the public and private sectors. In addition to investigating and resolving fraud and improper activity, our team will also consult with organizations to analyze their systems to reduce the opportunities for fraud to occur and to put safeguards in place to prevent fraud before it happens."

Mullinax also sees the growing government "economic stimulus" and "bailout" programs as a breeding ground for fraud, waste and abuse. "In California alone, more than $11 billion dollars in school bond measures were passed in the November election," he said. "Billions more are expected from president-elect Obama's public works programs to create new jobs. In many cases, there is very little accountability in place for the management of those funds.

Forensic/Strategic Solutions is in a unique position to help government organizations, non-profits, businesses, and associations create safeguards to prevent potential fraud before it occurs and to find and stop fraud, waste and abuse when it does occur."

About Don Mullinax

Before joining Forensic/Strategic Solutions, Mullinax was a principal with the Forensic & Dispute Services practice group of a national accounting firm. Prior to that, Mullinax was Inspector General for the LAUSD, where he served as chief audit executive and chief investigator for the nation's second largest public school system. He also served as Chief Investigator on the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Director of Contract Investigations at the District of Columbia's Office of Inspector General, Investigator on the U.S. Senate's Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, and served 15 years in a variety of audit positions with the U.S. Army before working on Capitol Hill.

Mullinax is a leader and an active member in many professional associations including the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (Former Chairman, Board of Regents), Association of Government Accountants (Board of Advisors & Former President, Los Angeles Civic Center Chapter), Association of Inspectors General, Institute of Internal Auditors (Board of Governors & Former President, Los Angeles Chapter) and National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association to name a few.

NO COST @ WHAT COST?: who is the Boston Consulting Group when they're at home?

by smf for 4LAKids | updated 1/19 see note following*

Rumor (and press reports) have it that the Boston Consulting Group was the principal author and driving force behind the recent School Report Card and BCG seemingly has a blanket consulting, planning and implementation contract with LAUSD on day-to-day operation of the District - having also had a  role in the Superintendent’s 100 Day Plan. This BCG contract is reportedly funded at no cost to the District by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation* – which makes BCG  an outside consultant, once or twice removed – with dubious public accountability.

* CBS news adds The California Community Foundation

From the Official Story: "The Gates and Dell Foundations invested heavily in the district and funded the development of the Report Card. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) also provided pro-bono contribution to the effort." More: “The development of the Report Card began in iDesign at the start of this year. Mr. Cortines first heard about this work as Deputy Mayor, and was able to implement this reform effort district wide when he came to LAUSD as Senior Deputy Superintendent.”    - Report Card Frequently Asked Questions for Principals

The above misstates the history. The School Report Card  had at least part of its genesis in the LAUSD A-G Working Group about two years ago. “(T)he start of this year” refers to 2008; iDesign didn’t exist at that time. iDesign and its progenitor iDivsion is a subset of LAUSD created to administer non-traditional programs, such as The Mayor’s Partnership Schools, The LMU Partnership, etc.

MSNBC gets it closer to right when they report: “These reports were originally developed through collaboration between the LAUSD and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's Partnership for LA Schools.”

Searches of the Dell and Gates Foundations websites for grants to Los Angeles, LAUSD, Los Angeles Unified School District or Boston Consulting Group show no evidence of this investment “in the district”.

 

More from the Official Story: Q: Doesn’t the school score reflect poorly on the school, Principal and teachers? No. The school score holds schools accountable for their performance and progress by identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The school score will help teachers, Principals, Local District staff, Central District staff , parents and students work together to determine ways individual schools can improve their performance to better meet the needs of students. Q: Won't the report card be used to point fingers at Principals? None of the metrics in here relate to Principal performance. The Report Card is focused on student outcomes and leading indicators of student academic performance. There are also qualitative metrics about teaching, leadership, school culture, safety and parent/ student satisfaction. These metrics are about joint accountability for student outcomes and progress and will be collaboratively developed by Central staff, Local District staff, school administrators, teachers, parents and students. We are measuring progress over time with the Report Card, not pointing a finger at any one particular group. - Report Card Frequently Asked Questions for Principals Mayor Villaraigosa, at the press conference unveiling the School Report Card, asked what would happen if schools don’t improve, said the cards “could ultimately lead to reorganizing schools. (It) means we have to change the leadership, the teachers, everybody," he said.   Who “we” is is worrisome; the mayor is constitutionally precluded from this sort of decision making; the case law is LAUSD v. Villaraigosa.

Not to be a conspiracy theorist – but sometimes there are conspiracies: Remember the words of the shadowy man in the parking garage: “Follow the money.”

Remember also that the consulting contract did not pay the $700,000 to $1 million it cost to distribute the School Report Card.

• If that was money well spent and valuable information parents want-and-need (the “qualitative metrics”) was effectively shared that’s a good thing;
• But if it was an ineffective  ‘data download’  — misinterpreted and/or  mis-or-over understood by parents and leveraged by critics in agreement with the pro-charter/privatization-of-public-education/mayoral control agenda of the sponsors of BCG it is not.
• Q: At a recent District meeting with parents I was asked why the information wasn't posted on the web?
• A: It was and many parents don’t have web access.
• Q: …and why it wasn’t simply sent home with children?
• A: Backpack mail doesn’t work in Secondary school …though I’m not sure how effective direct mail/’junk mail’ is either.

At that same District meeting Superintendent Cortines promised full public accountability and disclosure as to the cost, effectiveness and results of all District consultant contracts. The BCG contract – because it is technically free to the district it may be outside this oversight – all the more reason why disclosure and accountability is merited. No cost at what cost?

Has LAUSD held off a takeover by the Mayor only to have takeover accomplished through other means?

 

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The Official story: The LAUSD FAQ/Factsheet on the Report Cards

The LAUSD School Report Card site

The BCG site.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Type	Partnership
Founded	1963
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts 66 offices in 38 countries
Key people	Hans-Paul Bürkner, President & CEO
Industry	Management consulting
Products	Management consulting services
Revenue	US$ 2.3 billion (2007)
Employees	about 7,000
Website	bcg.com

The Boston Consulting Group is a global management consulting firm and a leading advisor on business strategy. BCG partners with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses.

BCG believes it differs from competition by its customized approach that combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. The Group is a private company with 66 offices in 38 countries.

Founded in 1963 by Bruce Henderson the firm prides itself on its employee focused culture: from early implementation of an employee stock ownership plan to winning ‘Best small company to work for’ by Fortune magazine 3 years in a row.

STARS, QUESTION MARKS, CASH-COWS & DOGS:

The BCG growth-share matrix

In the 1970s, BCG created and popularized the "growth-share matrix", a simple chart to assist large corporations in deciding how to allocate cash among their business units. The corporation would categorize its business units as "Stars", "Cash Cows", "Question Marks", and "Dogs", and then allocate cash accordingly, moving money from "cash cows" toward "stars" and "question marks" that had higher market growth rates, and hence higher upside potential.

The chart was popular for two decades and "continues to be used as a primer in the principles of portfolio management," as BCG says.

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▼The following is from the BCG website: one of the "Industries" (their word) they serve is PUBLIC EDUCATION.

smf notes: Not to be a conspiracy theorist again, but note BCG's work for Charter Schools: charter and charter management organization support and for the New Orleans School District. The strategy - implemented by BCG for New Orleans Schools post-Katrina- is to make every school a charter school. (Like Huey Long's "Every Man a King" …only Charter Schools!)

Remember also that some say politics in New Orleans and Louisiana exist to make Chicago and Illinois look good!

 

And please note this: the words "Child", "Children", "Student" and "Students" appear nowhere on the BCG website or on it the Wikipedia entry about them — and certainly nowhere in the BCG vision or mission statements.

Boston Consulting Group is a multi-billion-dollar for-profit growth-and-performance-model-driven business consulting practice.

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from This Week in Education

Alexander Russo's inside scoop on education news.

Russo wrote in his EdWeek Blog back in June ‘08

Here Come Consulting Firms (Again) 

Today's Washington Post has an interesting piece about the use of high-priced management consultants -- Deloitte, KPMG, McKinsey, Alvarez & Associates (of St. Louis and NOLA fame) -- in urban school districts, a good reminder that it's not just the policy wonks and think tanks that drive real live schoolpeople crazy. "Two dozen high-priced consultants have set up shop on three floors of the D.C. public schools' headquarters, wearing pinstripe suits, toting binders and BlackBerrys and using such corporate jargon as "resource mapping" and "identifying metrics," begins the piece (Big-Name Consultants Greeted With Wariness).

"They come from big-name restructuring firms, and the city is paying $4 million for their services this summer."

It's not just DC, of course. Chicago has used Boston Consulting Group on several projects, some of which haven't turned out particularly well. St. Louis and New Orleans have both used Alvarez, to mixed reviews. And, as the article points out, few of the consultants offer project management services or stay on to implement the plans that they make. Binders and powerpoints are all well and good, but making the plans work and building buy-in and capacity are the real keys.

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Back to the Wikipedia entry▼

Contents [hide] 1 Competitors 2 Recruiting 2.1 Interview process 3 Publications 4 BCG growth-share matrix 5 Offices 5.1 Offices in Asia Pacific 5.2 Offices in Europe and the Middle East 5.3 Offices in the Americas 6 Notable current and former employees 6.1 Business 6.2 Politics and public service 6.3 Others 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

Competitors

BCG most often competes directly for contracts with McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.

Recruiting

BCG typically hires for an Associate or a Consultant position. Whilst so called "lateral hires" as Project Leader, Principal or Partner are possible, they are not the norm. BCG recruits MBA graduates to join as Consultants from the world's top business schools[1]. Additionally, increasing effort is being placed on hiring advanced non-business degree holders. Graduates holding JDs, MDs and PhDs in disciplines like engineering, science, and liberal arts receive training in business fundamentals and then typically join the firm as Consultants. There is also an opportunity to join as a Summer Associate or Summer Consultant (internship) position for 10 weeks, which for the majority of interns will result in an offer for full-time position.

Interview process

BCG uses the case method to conduct interviews, which is an interview technique designed to simulate the types of problems inherent in management consulting and to test the qualitative and quantitative skills deemed important for abstract thinking in a business setting.

Publications

Every year, BCG publishes articles, industry reports, government commissioned studies and books relating to particular industries or authorial practice areas. Many partners have written books on issues facing management in the modern business environment. Some recent publications:
Trading Up - Why Consumers Want New Luxury Goods and How Companies Create Them. By Michael J. Silverstein and Neil Fiske, 2003. A Business Week Bestseller and Berry AMA book prize winner.

Payback - Reaping the Rewards of Innovation. By James P. Andrew and Harold L. Sirkin, 2006. Published by the Harvard Business School Press, Payback has become a staple in the MBA curriculum.

Blown to Bits - How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy. By Philip Evans and Thomas S. Wurster, 2000.

Treasure Hunt - Inside the Mind of the New Consumer. By Michael J. Silverstein with John Butman, 2006.

The Change Monster - The Human Forces that Fuel or Foil Corporate Transformation and Change. Jeanie Daniel Duck, 2002.

Globality: Competing with Everyone from Everywhere for Everything[2]. By Harold L. Sirkin, James W. Hemerling and Arindam K. Bhattacharya, 2008.

[edit] Offices

[edit] Offices in Asia Pacific

Auckland founded in 1990 Bangkok founded in 1994 Beijing founded in 2001 Hong Kong founded in 1990 Jakarta founded in 1995 Kuala Lumpur founded in 1992 Melbourne founded in 1990 Mumbai founded in 1996

Nagoya founded in 2003 New Delhi founded in 2002 Seoul founded in 1994 Shanghai founded in 1993 Singapore founded in 1995 Sydney founded in 1990 Taipei founded in 2003 Tokyo founded in 1966

[edit] Offices in Europe and the Middle East

Abu Dhabi founded in 2007 Amsterdam founded in 1993 Athens founded in 2001 Barcelona founded in 2002 Berlin founded in 1999 Brussels founded in 1993 Budapest founded in 1997 Cologne founded in 2001 Copenhagen founded in 1998 Dubai founded in 2007 Düsseldorf founded in 1982 Frankfurt founded in 1991 Hamburg founded in 1994 Helsinki founded in 1995 Istanbul founded in 2003 closed in 2005 Kiev founded in 2007

Lisbon founded in 1995 London founded in 1970 Madrid founded in 1987 Milan founded in 1986 Moscow founded in 1994 Munich founded in 1975, European headquarters Oslo founded in 1996 Paris founded in 1972 Prague founded in 2004 Rome founded in 2001 Stockholm founded in 1988 Stuttgart founded in 1997 Vienna founded in 1997 Warsaw founded in 1997 Zürich founded in 1989

[edit] Offices in the Americas

Atlanta founded in 1995 Boston founded in 1963, Global Headquarters Buenos Aires founded in 1995 Chicago founded in 1979 Dallas founded in 1994 Detroit founded in 2005 Houston founded in 2003 Los Angeles founded in 1982 Mexico City founded in 1998 Miami founded in 2003

Minneapolis founded in 2007 Monterrey founded in 1993 New Jersey founded in 2006 New York founded in 1984 Philadelphia founded in 2007 San Francisco founded in 1974 Santiago founded in 2002 São Paulo founded in 1997 Toronto founded in 1993 Washington D.C. founded in 1996

[edit] Notable current and former employees

[edit] Business

• Indra Nooyi - CEO of Pepsi
• Jeff Immelt - CEO of General Electric (MBA internship)
• Gary M. Reiner - SVP and CIO of General Electric
• William Browder - co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management
• Martin Halusa - World wide CEO of Apax partners
• Gerald Corbett - CEO of Railtrack
• Michael R. Eisenson - co-founder of Charlesbank Capital Partners, former managing director of the Harvard Management Company
• Ahmed Fahour - CEO of the Australian operations of the National Australia Bank
• Stefan Quandt - owner of Delton AG (internship)
• Andreas Jacobs - Chairman of Barry Callebaut
• Jim Whitehurst - CEO of Red Hat, former COO of Delta Airlines
• Neil Fiske - CEO of Eddie Bauer
• Michael Dornemann - Chairman & CEO of Bertelsman Entertainment
• Jeffrey Hunker - National Security Council member under President Bill Clinton and professor at Carnegie Mellon University

Politics and public service

• Ira Magaziner - Aide and policy advisor to President Clinton, CEO of SJS Advisors and co founder of Brown University's open curriculum
• Benjamin Netanyahu - Prime Minister of Israel (1996-1999)
• Steve Poizner - California businessman and Republican politician
• Mitt Romney - Governor of Massachusetts, CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, co-founder of Bain Capital, former CEO of Bain and Company
• Hans Wijers - Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands (1994-1998), CEO of Akzo Nobel

Others

• Kaz Uchida- Professor, Waseda University, Tokyo
• Aiba Koji- Professor, Waseda University, Tokyo
• John R. Wells - Professor, President International Institute for Management Development, Switzerland
• Linda Bilmes - academic, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
• Clayton M. Christensen - Robert and Jane Cizik Professor, Harvard Business School
• Michael Chu - senior lecturer, Harvard Business School, Former partner KKR and a founding senior partner of Pegasus Capital <
• John Legend - Grammy award winning musician
• Jesse Ward - golf pro
• Jehan Ratnatunga - Co-Founder of Ripple (charitable organisation)
• Alex Michel - Star of the Bachelor, season one
• Michael J. Silverstein - Author of several bestselling business books, including "Trading Up" and "Treasure Hunt"
• Azwan Khan Osman Khan - Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development, Celcom
• Aamir A. Rehman - Author of "Dubai & Co.: Global Strategies for Doing Business in the Gulf States"
• Harold L. Sirkin - Author of several business books, including "Payback" and "Globality."[3]

[Growth-share matrix

References

• CNN.com
• BusinessWeek
• Consulting Magazine

External links

• BCG Official Web Site

* note  :|: 1/19 update:  Upon rereading the above I must allow for misunderstanding because of what I do not know. I AM unable to ‘follow the money’ – and the timeline - from the foundations to the District to BCG, or from the foundations to the BCG. - smf