Pathway to Excellence & Equity September 25, 2007

FACTS AUSD is a community asset AUSD schools provide a good education to our students AUSD community consistently supports the schools AUSD is committed to ensuring educational excellence by providing high-quality educational programs

AUSD historically has: Low per-student funding from state A pattern of declining enrollment An imbalance in enrollment from school to school across the island Smaller than average school sizes have resulted in funding constraints MORE FACTS…

CHALLENGES State and federal funding models are insufficient and even sometimes unpredictable on a year-to-year basis Demand for competitive compensation which will also address rising health benefit costs The mandate to close the achieve- ment gap

CHALLENGES Changing demographics impacting elementary enrollment & facilities = the need to examine boundaries and educational program options Grades 6-12 imbalance in enrollment across the district, which inhibits our ability to provide consistent courses of study, programs & services

HOW? Community & Staff Involvement 1.Establish Pathway to Excellence and Equity Task Force The Task Force charge and focus will be: Changing demographics impacting elementary enrollment & facilities = the need to examine boundaries & educational program options Grades 6-12 imbalance in enrollment across the district, which inhibits our ability to provide consistent courses of study, programs & services

Members of the Task Force will be divided into two sub groups; one focused on elementary (k-5) and the other on secondary (6-12). Members will include district and site staff. HOW? Community & Staff Involvement Task Force Contd

2.Establish a community Sounding Board This groups purpose is to provide the Superintendent with direct access to community members who can provide vital input, feedback and comments on options developed by the Pathway to Excellence & Equity Task Force. HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

Members of the Sounding Board will be volunteers from our community who represent the cultural, racial, and economic diversity of our schools as well as community perspectives such as business and community-based organizations. HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

3.Utilize existing district organizational structures The purpose is to involve AUSD employees, parents and the community to provide feedback on options generated by the Task Force. Employee feedback and input sources: Superintendents Council Employee Representative Groups HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

Regular meetings of counselors, extended cabinet, principals and Board of Education Board workshops HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

Parent and community feedback and input sources: PTA Council, School Site Council District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) Alamedans for Better Schools HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

4.Convene district-wide community meetings to share options and obtain input Issues and Options – both hard copies and electronic publications on School newsletters Superintendents newsletter updates 5.Other communication options HOW? Community & Staff Involvement

Alameda Unified School District Pathway to Excellence & Equity Timeline 2007/2008 DateActionResponsibility Sep 25, 2007BOE presentation: Superintendents State of the District Focus on Educational Excellence, Boundaries and Facilities Superintendent Oct 5, 2007Identify members of Pathway to Excellence Task Force Superintendent Oct 2007 to June 2008 Pathway to Excellence Task Force researches and develops options for consideration Executive Cabinet

DateActionResponsibility Sep 26 to Oct 5, 2007 Invite and identify community members to participate in Sounding Board Superintendent Oct 2007 to June 2008 Regular meeting schedules of existing district leadership structure Superintendent, Executive Cabinet, Employee Group Leadership Oct 2007Neighborhood schools community meetings focus: Enrollment Superintendent, Student Affairs and Compliance Officer

DateActionResponsibility Nov 2007 to June 2008 Agenda item on the second meeting of each month to provide updates on Taskforce and other activities Superintendent, Taskforce members and Executive Cabinet Nov to Dec 2007 Community meetings to present preliminary options Executive Cabinet and Student Affairs and Compliance Officer Jan 2008 and Feb 2008 Presentations to the Board of Education of Superintendents recommendations and community meetings Superintendent Mar 2008 to Aug 2008 Work on implementation of adopted recommendations Executive Cabinet and assigned staff