WE WON THE HARD FOUGHT BATTLE! ALL OF OUR BLOGGING, WALKING, PROTESTS, PASSING OUT FLYERS, SIGNS, BANNERS AND JUST PLAIN OLE GETTING OUT THERE FOR SOMETHING WE CARE ABOUT PAID OFF. DULLES STAYS OPEN!!!
DEMOCRACY is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. That's just a reminder to the School District in case they have forgotten what the definition of Democracy and America actually means.
Dont Bully us!
Today 1/17/13 The following letter was sent home in the backpacks of all the students of Dulles by NLMUSD.
As of 11:45am on 1/16/13 this blog has been viewed by over 3200 people! That's great news considering it's only been up and running for 5 days! Were sure there will be more to come.
We have gotten a hold of every talk radio show and news channel imaginable regarding this, lets keep this ball rolling and stop this closure!
WHY IS THE DISTRICT WANTING TO KEEP EVERYONE IN THE DARK REGARDING WHAT'S GOING ON.
THIS JUST IN...WE HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT 4 OF THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT SUPERVISORS HAVE EACH BEEN GIVEN A $40,000 RAISE FAIRLY RECENTLY! IT'S FOR THE KIDS HUH? THERE IS NO MONEY HUH? WE ARE SURE THAT RAISES AND INFLATED SALARIES GO MUCH FURTHER THAN JUST THESE FOUR. REST ASSURED WE ARE NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. WE WILL FIND AND POST EVERYTHING WE CAN REGARDING SALARIES AND "PERKS" THAT THE BOARD IS RECEIVING, WHO IS GETTING WHAT AND WHY.
This next statement has not been proven but we are checking into it. We were told that the NLMUSD spends as much as possible to fill their warehouse with products that "MAY OR MAY NOT BE NEEDED" all because they feel if they don't needlessly spend the money proving that they are maxed out, that money may not be there next year. This isn't suprising since this practice within the Government and School Districts has been going on for years and will not stop until we speak up. This is all about protecting their wallets and livelyhoods. IT WAS AND IS NEVER ABOUT THE CHILDREN. More needless spending. We have reporters looking into this. We will post results asap!
DEMOCRACY is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. That's just a reminder to the School District in case they have forgotten what the definition of Democracy and America actually means.
Dont Bully us!
Today 1/17/13 The following letter was sent home in the backpacks of all the students of Dulles by NLMUSD.
Questions and
Answers Regarding Possible Dulles Closure
Anything in response to this is in red by the parents and the
community.
• Why are you not
closing schools in Norwalk?
In the last six years, two schools in
Norwalk were closed, Dolores Huerta Elementary School and Hargitt Middle
School. Every decision you the NLMUSD makes really has other hidden meaning and reason that only you are aware of. Those schools are closed and we can not help them. What we can do is make our fight KNOWN and inform EVERYONE THAT WILL LISTEN, which by the way has been and is many!
• What schools will my child be transferred to and
will transportation be provided?
Depending on the zone your child lives in, the two schools are La Pluma
Elementary or Eastwood Elementary. Most of the parents do not wish to stay in the NLMUSD and let them have the generated funds their child earns for the School District. If the NLMUSD doesn't hear our pleas now, what chance is there for a favorable relationship for the parents, children and community in the future?
• Can I choose a different school if there are
openings at that school?
The District has a permit application process
for parents requesting to enroll their children in a different school. Approval
is determined by capacity at the school requested. If approved, parents will
need to provide transportation to and from the school. Why not send back the 100 plus students that we lost by the poor leadership of the Principal and NLMUSD. During our visiting of the other elementary schools we spoke to MANY parents that had left Dulles due to the past principal. Many expressed an interest in returning to Dulles since there is a new Principal Dr. Jean Maddox.
• How far will my child be bused?
Students will be
bused approximately 2 miles.
• Will this change the middle school my child
attends?
The attendance
boundaries for the middle schools are remaining the same.
• What will happen to the site?
If the School Board approves the closure of Dulles ES, district staff
will seek a tenant, such as Biola University to offer a leasing opportunity. And there it is, a little partial view of a possible scenario. We can't believe that you could generate more income by leasing land then you could by keeping the school open. But mostly we can't believe how you TRULY DON'T CARE WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CHILDREN!
• How will parents be informed of the changes?
The Superintendent will communicate with parents and community if the
School Board closes Dulles ES. The Superintendent and staff will hold town
hall meetings at La Pluma ES and Eastwood ES to ensure a smooth transition for
students and parents. THIS STATEMENT IS RIDICULOUS, THE SUPERINTENDANT DOES NOT, HAS NOT AND WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS. They just want us to stick our heads in the sand and go away and let them decide what's best for us and what's best for us, is clearly what's best for them!
• What about teachers and classified staff?
Per contract language teachers will follow students based on the number
that are distributed between both schools. Classified will still be based on
formula staffing models that are based on student enrollment. Once students are
distributed to their two new schools, enrollment will be analyzed for review to
determine what level of classified staffing the school will qualify for based
on their new student enrollment. WOW! Can we hear that in plain English. Enrollment will be analyzed? Who are the analysts? Let me guess you contract it out. So basically if you aren't one of the protected few. You will be out of a job until the NLMUSD have their analysts review? In the mean time people lose there homes waiting on your "findings" by your analysts, come on already. NLMUSD is the reason many will have no income. (Except of course the District, they are protecting their little cash cow ferociously.)
• What will happen to Junior Kindergarten?
The Superintendent will determine a new home for Junior Kindergarten
for the 2013-2014 school year. If Junior Kindergarten is held this year at Dulles
(applications are currently available), the class will be offered at Dulles ES.
We promise we will NOT just let this happen IF YOU CLOSE DULLES IT WILL ONLY BE THE BEGINNING for the District. If you find us a nuisance now, you haven't seen nothing yet! Those up for reelction will have opposition on many levels and in many forms GUARANTEED
As of 11:45am on 1/16/13 this blog has been viewed by over 3200 people! That's great news considering it's only been up and running for 5 days! Were sure there will be more to come.
We have gotten a hold of every talk radio show and news channel imaginable regarding this, lets keep this ball rolling and stop this closure!
WHY IS THE DISTRICT WANTING TO KEEP EVERYONE IN THE DARK REGARDING WHAT'S GOING ON.
THIS JUST IN...WE HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT 4 OF THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT SUPERVISORS HAVE EACH BEEN GIVEN A $40,000 RAISE FAIRLY RECENTLY! IT'S FOR THE KIDS HUH? THERE IS NO MONEY HUH? WE ARE SURE THAT RAISES AND INFLATED SALARIES GO MUCH FURTHER THAN JUST THESE FOUR. REST ASSURED WE ARE NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. WE WILL FIND AND POST EVERYTHING WE CAN REGARDING SALARIES AND "PERKS" THAT THE BOARD IS RECEIVING, WHO IS GETTING WHAT AND WHY.
This next statement has not been proven but we are checking into it. We were told that the NLMUSD spends as much as possible to fill their warehouse with products that "MAY OR MAY NOT BE NEEDED" all because they feel if they don't needlessly spend the money proving that they are maxed out, that money may not be there next year. This isn't suprising since this practice within the Government and School Districts has been going on for years and will not stop until we speak up. This is all about protecting their wallets and livelyhoods. IT WAS AND IS NEVER ABOUT THE CHILDREN. More needless spending. We have reporters looking into this. We will post results asap!
We can not allow the NLMUSD to make a decision that is going to severely impact our community and surrounding communities property values are just one of the negative impacts this will have. If we allow them to make OUR DECISIONS then that chain reaction will continue on and these "overpaid people" on the school board will continue to be out of control.
Lets be very clear on one thing the lies being told are tremendous and these people at the very least need to be removed from their beloved office. This is a case of "look at me I'm on the board, I know what's best for you!" Really, who knew that there were "lobbyists" at this low level, nothing surprises me anymore. When I think I've heard it all then there is a whole new bucket of crazy that they try and pour on us. We all feel there is a bigger picture here and that their pockets have already been lined to fast track this decision. Lets hit them where it hurts, throw them out of office! PROVE WE ARE STRONG TOGETHER AND THEY BETTER PAY ATTENTION. Here is what was said at the first meeting on it on Jan 7th.
When we showed up at the "meeting" angry and wanting answers we were given the usual run around NEVER ANY REAL ANSWERS just well the "deficit and budget" I won't get on my soap box to much here but the mess the schools are in is greatly due to their unions mishandling of funds, and overly inflated benefits that they feel "entitled to." If there is no money, how come the financials tell a different story? No ones job is a guarantee (at least not in the real world) and I dont see why the teachers association and school district would be any different. In every aspect of life and professions there will ALWAYS BE SOMEONE BETTER THAN YOU, MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN YOU, AND AT ANY TIME YOU DON'T DO THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THAT JOB. It seems in this USD industry you can go on 6 hour lunches, have and expense account, truly sit on your cushy tush and do nothing that is "FOR THE KIDS." But end up getting a raise for your "efforts," then tell us you have no money. The NLMUSD told us that it is losing money by having Dulles open. Well as you will hear this is the NLMUSD FAULT COMPLETELY. They sat on their hands while the Principal Mrs. Shanks DESTROYED DULLES, brick by brick, student by student. Being a teacher is not an easy job and I more than once last year saw a teacher in tears because of the principal. Really, so on top of teaching our children you have to go to work and be miserable because of the Principal? Year after year parents begged and pleaded with the School Board (deaf ears of course) to get rid of her. She was not qualified to be a Principal at a grade school, for that matter, really no where. We battled and battled with the board complaint after complaint were filed with them but we received the run around and there she stayed. We viewed the financials over the past years and from what we come up with THAT PRINCIPAL ALONE WAS RESPONSIBLE for over 100 students leaving the school. That is where the money went, Dulles used to run with a nice profit, have a waiting list to get in and be a saught after Elementary School. They allowed the principal and themselves to singlehandedly "kill" our school and MADE PARENTS LEAVE THE SCHOOL BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT SWEARS ITS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS, WHEN CLEARLY IT IS NOT. After they quickly ran through the fact that the school doesn't make money, they also moved on the the next thing on the agenda. New signs for a few schools which will cost nearly $400000.00 There is no money but there is money for the people who are "HELPING" the board pass ridiculousness. Then they proceeded to mention how another of our schools was getting a new building, and new equipment in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, and that's a school a stones throw away from Dulles. AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT SMELLS SOMETHING ROTTEN IN LA MIRADA AND THE SCHOOL BOARD. We have no money to keep Dulles open, BUT there is money for this school, and that school etc. I dont understand the blatant lies. They want to throw our children into other schools within their district (not going to happen btw, many parents will leave the district and they will not receive our childs generated income) over crowded class rooms, schools much further away, and lie after lie after lie. Just like Prop 30 that said it would save our schools, nobody read the fine print, it can be used for the general fund and apparently it is. If we keep giving more and more money they will keep saying they need more and more money. THE STUPIDEST THING OF ALL AT THE MEETING WAS WHEN ONE OF OUR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS ACTUALLY SAID, "YOUR CHILDREN AREN'T BENEFITING FROM BEING IN SMALLER CLASSROOMS." PARDON ME BUT...HUH
No more good ole boys club we are paying attention and will not let you do this without a fight. We deserve to have the same amount of time that you gave the past principal to ruin the school to be able to rebuild and get back some of people that left because of her and the school boards decisions to ignore it. It almost seems like they put her there to destroy the school. But that makes no sense right? None of this makes sense. PLEASE HELP!
Here is where we will be posting all news, etc. that you may need regarding saving Dulles, this blog will be updated asap when something happens and so will the recorded message regarding up to the minute information. Everything we have and know will be put here and on our FB and on that phone number 562-714-5226. We have VERY LITTLE TIME AS THE BOARD WILL NOT POSTPONE THEIR DECISION. WE MUST HIT THEM HARD AND FAST AND WHERE IT HURTS AND IT HURTS THEM TO LOSE THEIR CUSHY POSITIONS ALONG WITH THEIR POWER. LETS MAKE SURE THAT THE "COLLECTIVE" HAS MORE POWER! OUR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING AT DULLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FINALLY HAVE A LEADER IN DR. JEAN MADDOX, OUR NEW PRINCIPAL WHOM THEY AND THE PARENTS ALL LOVE!!! HELP US HELP THEM.
Below is Governor Browns Budget plans, there is hope for our school!
The truth of this mess is that we would all be in complete shock if we were to see HOW MUCH of the "school budget" actually goes to the schools, and appalled by how much of it is actually going into benefits, retirement, post retirement funds, pensions and every other thing they can get their hands on OTHER THAN HELPING AND SAVING THE KIDS AND THE SCHOOLS!
http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/budgetsummary/kthru12education.pdf
Last year, Superintendant Dr. Ruth Perez when she said, "WE HAVE NO PLANS NOW OR IN THE FUTURE TO CLOSE DULLES."
NEW BUDGET FROM THE GOVERNOR BELOW. THERE IS NO REASON TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL NOW AND IF THEY VOTE TO DO SO, WE MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO RE ELECTIONS FOR THESE PEOPLE...GUARANTEED!!!
HERE IS A BREAK DOWN AND SOME INFORMATION WE HAVE COLLECTED.
PLEASE COME AND JOIN AND OR SUPPORT OUR LAST AND FINAL PROTEST THIS SATURDAY 1/19/13 FROM 1PM-4PM ON THE CORNER OF IMPERIAL HWY. AND SANTA GERTRUDES. HELP US STOP THE NLMUSD FROM DESTROYING OUR COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL!!!
When we showed up at the "meeting" angry and wanting answers we were given the usual run around NEVER ANY REAL ANSWERS just well the "deficit and budget" I won't get on my soap box to much here but the mess the schools are in is greatly due to their unions mishandling of funds, and overly inflated benefits that they feel "entitled to." If there is no money, how come the financials tell a different story? No ones job is a guarantee (at least not in the real world) and I dont see why the teachers association and school district would be any different. In every aspect of life and professions there will ALWAYS BE SOMEONE BETTER THAN YOU, MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE THAN YOU, AND AT ANY TIME YOU DON'T DO THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THAT JOB. It seems in this USD industry you can go on 6 hour lunches, have and expense account, truly sit on your cushy tush and do nothing that is "FOR THE KIDS." But end up getting a raise for your "efforts," then tell us you have no money. The NLMUSD told us that it is losing money by having Dulles open. Well as you will hear this is the NLMUSD FAULT COMPLETELY. They sat on their hands while the Principal Mrs. Shanks DESTROYED DULLES, brick by brick, student by student. Being a teacher is not an easy job and I more than once last year saw a teacher in tears because of the principal. Really, so on top of teaching our children you have to go to work and be miserable because of the Principal? Year after year parents begged and pleaded with the School Board (deaf ears of course) to get rid of her. She was not qualified to be a Principal at a grade school, for that matter, really no where. We battled and battled with the board complaint after complaint were filed with them but we received the run around and there she stayed. We viewed the financials over the past years and from what we come up with THAT PRINCIPAL ALONE WAS RESPONSIBLE for over 100 students leaving the school. That is where the money went, Dulles used to run with a nice profit, have a waiting list to get in and be a saught after Elementary School. They allowed the principal and themselves to singlehandedly "kill" our school and MADE PARENTS LEAVE THE SCHOOL BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT SWEARS ITS ALL ABOUT THE KIDS, WHEN CLEARLY IT IS NOT. After they quickly ran through the fact that the school doesn't make money, they also moved on the the next thing on the agenda. New signs for a few schools which will cost nearly $400000.00 There is no money but there is money for the people who are "HELPING" the board pass ridiculousness. Then they proceeded to mention how another of our schools was getting a new building, and new equipment in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range, and that's a school a stones throw away from Dulles. AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT SMELLS SOMETHING ROTTEN IN LA MIRADA AND THE SCHOOL BOARD. We have no money to keep Dulles open, BUT there is money for this school, and that school etc. I dont understand the blatant lies. They want to throw our children into other schools within their district (not going to happen btw, many parents will leave the district and they will not receive our childs generated income) over crowded class rooms, schools much further away, and lie after lie after lie. Just like Prop 30 that said it would save our schools, nobody read the fine print, it can be used for the general fund and apparently it is. If we keep giving more and more money they will keep saying they need more and more money. THE STUPIDEST THING OF ALL AT THE MEETING WAS WHEN ONE OF OUR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS ACTUALLY SAID, "YOUR CHILDREN AREN'T BENEFITING FROM BEING IN SMALLER CLASSROOMS." PARDON ME BUT...HUH
No more good ole boys club we are paying attention and will not let you do this without a fight. We deserve to have the same amount of time that you gave the past principal to ruin the school to be able to rebuild and get back some of people that left because of her and the school boards decisions to ignore it. It almost seems like they put her there to destroy the school. But that makes no sense right? None of this makes sense. PLEASE HELP!
Here is where we will be posting all news, etc. that you may need regarding saving Dulles, this blog will be updated asap when something happens and so will the recorded message regarding up to the minute information. Everything we have and know will be put here and on our FB and on that phone number 562-714-5226. We have VERY LITTLE TIME AS THE BOARD WILL NOT POSTPONE THEIR DECISION. WE MUST HIT THEM HARD AND FAST AND WHERE IT HURTS AND IT HURTS THEM TO LOSE THEIR CUSHY POSITIONS ALONG WITH THEIR POWER. LETS MAKE SURE THAT THE "COLLECTIVE" HAS MORE POWER! OUR CHILDREN ARE THRIVING AT DULLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FINALLY HAVE A LEADER IN DR. JEAN MADDOX, OUR NEW PRINCIPAL WHOM THEY AND THE PARENTS ALL LOVE!!! HELP US HELP THEM.
Below is Governor Browns Budget plans, there is hope for our school!
The truth of this mess is that we would all be in complete shock if we were to see HOW MUCH of the "school budget" actually goes to the schools, and appalled by how much of it is actually going into benefits, retirement, post retirement funds, pensions and every other thing they can get their hands on OTHER THAN HELPING AND SAVING THE KIDS AND THE SCHOOLS!
http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/budgetsummary/kthru12education.pdf
Last year, Superintendant Dr. Ruth Perez when she said, "WE HAVE NO PLANS NOW OR IN THE FUTURE TO CLOSE DULLES."
NEW BUDGET FROM THE GOVERNOR BELOW. THERE IS NO REASON TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL NOW AND IF THEY VOTE TO DO SO, WE MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO RE ELECTIONS FOR THESE PEOPLE...GUARANTEED!!!
HERE IS A BREAK DOWN AND SOME INFORMATION WE HAVE COLLECTED.
Governor Brown's new budget which was adopted five days ago on January 10, 2013, “includes Proposition 98 funding of $56.2 billion for 2013-2014, an increase of $2.7 billion over revised funding levels for the 2012-2013 year. With the passage of Proposition 30, the Schools have been spared billions of dollars of mid-year trigger reductions.” “In addition to revenues provided by Prop 30, schools w...ill also benefit from the passage of Prop 39. The expenditures from this special fund for energy efficiency programs will also count towards meeting funding obligations for schools under Prop 98.”
“Since reaching an all-time high of $56.6 billion in 2007-08, Prop 98 funding for K-14 education slipped to $47.3 billion for the 2011-12 year. In recognition of the key role schools play in promoting equal opportunity for Californians, …, the [new] budget reverses this almost half-decade decline in funding for education programs. It gives schools resources to fund base programs and services, stabilize and expand their teaching and support personnel, and renew investments in facilities, instructional materials and other education infrastructure.”
The new total per-pupil expenditures from all these sources are “projected to be $11,455 in 2012-13 and $11,742 in 2013-14.” Therefore the district will be receiving 30% more for each student. Hence, it is even more important for the district to try to retain their students in order to increase their revenue. In a current survey taken at Dulles Elementary, parents were asked were they would enroll their student if Dulles closes. 82% of the parents responded, they would take their student out of the District. It behooves NLMUSD to keep Dulles open, else they will loose hundreds of thousands of dollars in students leaving the District.
The Governor's report states that public school attendance is projected to increase during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years. The district contradicts this by stating that Dulles will continue to decline in its enrollment in the next 3 school years. Their statements are inaccurate. The decline in Dulles' enrollment in the past 4 years was due to inadequate administration. With our new administration this trend has not only been stopped but reversed. For the first time in 4 years Dulles has more students now then in the beginning of its school year. And we foresee its enrollment to continue to rise.
The decline in the prices of homes has brought in many young families into the neighborhoods surrounding Dulles. In speaking to home owners in the Green Hills and Crane Creek neighborhoods, many parents expressed that they are looking forward to enrolling their young children in Dulles next year and in the years to come. Since Californian schools are projected to increase in their enrollment, closing Dulles will be a grave mistake. There will be overcrowding in the schools that remained opened and the quality of education given to our children will substantially suffer. The Governor's report further states under “Linking funding in the K-3 grade span adjustment to maximum class sizes”, “A student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 is established as the maximum standard in grades K-3 upon full implementation of the new formula. This ratio may be exceeded if agreed to at the local level according to local priorities.” So with this recommended lower student-to-teacher ratio, we will be needing more classrooms for our K-3 classes. This is another reason why closing Dulles Elementary is not sound.
All in all to close Dulles Elementary is to lack foresight. The Governor's budget which was introduced only 5 days ago sheds more light on the facts and hope for all of our schools. Lets allow Dulles time for growth. Let's keep our elementary schools open. We need the present room in our schools for the foreseeable future growth.
Here is more interesting information for you to view as well.
“Since reaching an all-time high of $56.6 billion in 2007-08, Prop 98 funding for K-14 education slipped to $47.3 billion for the 2011-12 year. In recognition of the key role schools play in promoting equal opportunity for Californians, …, the [new] budget reverses this almost half-decade decline in funding for education programs. It gives schools resources to fund base programs and services, stabilize and expand their teaching and support personnel, and renew investments in facilities, instructional materials and other education infrastructure.”
The new total per-pupil expenditures from all these sources are “projected to be $11,455 in 2012-13 and $11,742 in 2013-14.” Therefore the district will be receiving 30% more for each student. Hence, it is even more important for the district to try to retain their students in order to increase their revenue. In a current survey taken at Dulles Elementary, parents were asked were they would enroll their student if Dulles closes. 82% of the parents responded, they would take their student out of the District. It behooves NLMUSD to keep Dulles open, else they will loose hundreds of thousands of dollars in students leaving the District.
The Governor's report states that public school attendance is projected to increase during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 fiscal years. The district contradicts this by stating that Dulles will continue to decline in its enrollment in the next 3 school years. Their statements are inaccurate. The decline in Dulles' enrollment in the past 4 years was due to inadequate administration. With our new administration this trend has not only been stopped but reversed. For the first time in 4 years Dulles has more students now then in the beginning of its school year. And we foresee its enrollment to continue to rise.
The decline in the prices of homes has brought in many young families into the neighborhoods surrounding Dulles. In speaking to home owners in the Green Hills and Crane Creek neighborhoods, many parents expressed that they are looking forward to enrolling their young children in Dulles next year and in the years to come. Since Californian schools are projected to increase in their enrollment, closing Dulles will be a grave mistake. There will be overcrowding in the schools that remained opened and the quality of education given to our children will substantially suffer. The Governor's report further states under “Linking funding in the K-3 grade span adjustment to maximum class sizes”, “A student-to-teacher ratio of 24 to 1 is established as the maximum standard in grades K-3 upon full implementation of the new formula. This ratio may be exceeded if agreed to at the local level according to local priorities.” So with this recommended lower student-to-teacher ratio, we will be needing more classrooms for our K-3 classes. This is another reason why closing Dulles Elementary is not sound.
All in all to close Dulles Elementary is to lack foresight. The Governor's budget which was introduced only 5 days ago sheds more light on the facts and hope for all of our schools. Lets allow Dulles time for growth. Let's keep our elementary schools open. We need the present room in our schools for the foreseeable future growth.
Here is more interesting information for you to view as well.
On February 7, 2011, the Norwalk- La Mirada Unified School District Board (Board) selected 11 persons to be on the 7/11 District Advisory Committee (7/11 Committee) whose purpose is to advise the Board on the use of excess property. Excess property is synonymous with surplus property which is property no longer in use for school purposes. Education Code Section 17389 provides for no less than seven advisory members and no more than eleven advisory members thus the name 7/11 Committee.
On May 5, 2011, the 7/11 Committee drafted a report citing California Education Code Section 17387-17391. The 7/11 Committee was of the opinion that the Education Code required them to convene and report to the Board prior to the Board selling or leasing properties that are no longer used by the School District. Education Code Section 17388 provides the following:
The governing board of any school district may, and the governing board of each school district, prior to the sale, lease, or rental of any excess real property, except rentals not exceeding 30 days, shall, appoint a district advisory committee to advise the governing board in the development of districtwide policies and procedures governing the use or disposition of school buildings or space in school buildings which is not needed for school purposes.
In plain language, the Board needs to appoint an advisory board prior to selling or leasing of any “excess property” which is not needed for school purposes. This committee was established in attempts to comply with managing school properties that are closed within the district. The obvious problem is that the May 5, 2011 report by the 7/11 Committee relates to Dulles Elementary which is currently in use as a school. In other words, the Committee has no advisory authority over Dulles Elementary and any report by the committee relating to Dulles is in direct violation of Education Code Section 17388.
Additionally, nothing in the Education Code gives the Committee the authority to make recommendations declaring a property surplus. In this May 5th report, the Committee recommended to the Board that “Dulles Elementary School Property be declared surplus to the needs of the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District” should the Board choose to close Dulles Elementary school.” This recommendation is essentially saying that the Board should close Dulles Elementary thereby making the Dulles Elementary surplus. The Committee over stepped its authority declaring Dulles Elementary to be surplus property because the Education Code does not delegate the authority on the Committee to declare any property surplus.
The Committee recommendation regarding Dulles Elementary should be considered void because such recommendations violates Education Code Section 17388 due to Dulles Elementary not classified as excess property and the Committee does not have statutory authority to recommend school property as surplus . This erroneous report is prejudicial to the community because it violates statute.
The formation of the Committee seems directly related to justifying Dulles closure. It appears that some Board members did not want an open discussion about potential closure. The one sidedness of keeping the Dulles parent in the dark and advancing closure without adequate notice is simply wrong. The above violations of statute is just another example of how the Dulles parents and the La Mirada community are being treated unfairly. The Save Dulles parents respectfully request that the Board not consider the 7/11 Committee report and reject the closure of Dulles Elementary.
The Board selected eleven advisory board member for the 7/11 Committee. Their names are on the NLMUSD website. The troubling question is, who are these people? Why did the Board fail to notify the parents from Dulles that a committee was being formulated to decide the fate of Dulles property should closure occur? How were these advisory members selected? How many of these members are parents or teachers from Dulles? Are there any members that are owners or renters that live near the Dulles community? What stake do any of these advisory board members have in La Mirada and the Dulles Elementary community.
Education Code Section 17389 provides that “A school district advisory committee appointed pursuant to Section 17388 shall consist of not less than seven nor more than 11 members, and shall be representative of each of the following: (a) The ethnic, age group, and socioeconomic composition of the district, (b) The business community, such as store owners, managers, or supervisors, (c) Landowners or renters, with preference to be given to representatives of neighborhood associations, (d) Teachers,(e) Administrators, (f) Parents of students, (g) Persons with expertise in environmental impact, legal contracts, building codes, and land use planning, including, but not limited to, knowledge of the zoning and other land use restrictions of the cities or cities and counties in which surplus space and real property is located.” (Emphasis Added)
The public has the right to know the background of each of these persons to determine if the Education Code 17389 is duly satisfied. Therefore, pursuant to the Public Information Act, we are requesting the resumes or biography of each 7/11 board member to determine if all seven categories were complied with.
Lastly, where a property is declared excess by the Board the 7/11 Committee must follow California Education Code Section 17390. This section provides:
The school district advisory committee shall do all of the following: (a) Review the projected school enrollment and other data as provided by the district to determine the amount of surplus space and real property, (b) Establish a priority list of use of surplus space and real property that will be acceptable to the community, (c) Cause to have circulated throughout the attendance area a priority list of surplus space and real property and provide for hearings of community input to the committee on acceptable uses of space and real property, including the sale or lease of surplus real property for child care development purposes pursuant to Section17458, (d) Make a final determination of limits of tolerance of use of space and real property, (e) Forward to the district governing board a report recommending uses of surplus space and real property.” (Emphasis Added)
The 7/11 states that “ various members of the public, have reviewed, approved and retained complete Minutes of all the meetings.” To our knowledge, the Board’s proposed closure came as complete SURPRISE to the entire community surrounding Dulles. There was not one public hearing for the attendance area to give input to acceptable use of Dulles property as provided by the Education Code. Nor did the 7/11 Committee establish a priority list of use of surplus space and real property that will be acceptable to the community.
The 7/11 Committee and its May 5, 2011 report are riddled with Education Code violation. The Board’s reliance in whole or in part on this committee’s report is damaging to the public due to the number of egregious errors. We once again urge the Board not to follow the 7/11 recommendation and allow Dulles to remain open.
On May 5, 2011, the 7/11 Committee drafted a report citing California Education Code Section 17387-17391. The 7/11 Committee was of the opinion that the Education Code required them to convene and report to the Board prior to the Board selling or leasing properties that are no longer used by the School District. Education Code Section 17388 provides the following:
The governing board of any school district may, and the governing board of each school district, prior to the sale, lease, or rental of any excess real property, except rentals not exceeding 30 days, shall, appoint a district advisory committee to advise the governing board in the development of districtwide policies and procedures governing the use or disposition of school buildings or space in school buildings which is not needed for school purposes.
In plain language, the Board needs to appoint an advisory board prior to selling or leasing of any “excess property” which is not needed for school purposes. This committee was established in attempts to comply with managing school properties that are closed within the district. The obvious problem is that the May 5, 2011 report by the 7/11 Committee relates to Dulles Elementary which is currently in use as a school. In other words, the Committee has no advisory authority over Dulles Elementary and any report by the committee relating to Dulles is in direct violation of Education Code Section 17388.
Additionally, nothing in the Education Code gives the Committee the authority to make recommendations declaring a property surplus. In this May 5th report, the Committee recommended to the Board that “Dulles Elementary School Property be declared surplus to the needs of the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District” should the Board choose to close Dulles Elementary school.” This recommendation is essentially saying that the Board should close Dulles Elementary thereby making the Dulles Elementary surplus. The Committee over stepped its authority declaring Dulles Elementary to be surplus property because the Education Code does not delegate the authority on the Committee to declare any property surplus.
The Committee recommendation regarding Dulles Elementary should be considered void because such recommendations violates Education Code Section 17388 due to Dulles Elementary not classified as excess property and the Committee does not have statutory authority to recommend school property as surplus . This erroneous report is prejudicial to the community because it violates statute.
The formation of the Committee seems directly related to justifying Dulles closure. It appears that some Board members did not want an open discussion about potential closure. The one sidedness of keeping the Dulles parent in the dark and advancing closure without adequate notice is simply wrong. The above violations of statute is just another example of how the Dulles parents and the La Mirada community are being treated unfairly. The Save Dulles parents respectfully request that the Board not consider the 7/11 Committee report and reject the closure of Dulles Elementary.
The Board selected eleven advisory board member for the 7/11 Committee. Their names are on the NLMUSD website. The troubling question is, who are these people? Why did the Board fail to notify the parents from Dulles that a committee was being formulated to decide the fate of Dulles property should closure occur? How were these advisory members selected? How many of these members are parents or teachers from Dulles? Are there any members that are owners or renters that live near the Dulles community? What stake do any of these advisory board members have in La Mirada and the Dulles Elementary community.
Education Code Section 17389 provides that “A school district advisory committee appointed pursuant to Section 17388 shall consist of not less than seven nor more than 11 members, and shall be representative of each of the following: (a) The ethnic, age group, and socioeconomic composition of the district, (b) The business community, such as store owners, managers, or supervisors, (c) Landowners or renters, with preference to be given to representatives of neighborhood associations, (d) Teachers,(e) Administrators, (f) Parents of students, (g) Persons with expertise in environmental impact, legal contracts, building codes, and land use planning, including, but not limited to, knowledge of the zoning and other land use restrictions of the cities or cities and counties in which surplus space and real property is located.” (Emphasis Added)
The public has the right to know the background of each of these persons to determine if the Education Code 17389 is duly satisfied. Therefore, pursuant to the Public Information Act, we are requesting the resumes or biography of each 7/11 board member to determine if all seven categories were complied with.
Lastly, where a property is declared excess by the Board the 7/11 Committee must follow California Education Code Section 17390. This section provides:
The school district advisory committee shall do all of the following: (a) Review the projected school enrollment and other data as provided by the district to determine the amount of surplus space and real property, (b) Establish a priority list of use of surplus space and real property that will be acceptable to the community, (c) Cause to have circulated throughout the attendance area a priority list of surplus space and real property and provide for hearings of community input to the committee on acceptable uses of space and real property, including the sale or lease of surplus real property for child care development purposes pursuant to Section17458, (d) Make a final determination of limits of tolerance of use of space and real property, (e) Forward to the district governing board a report recommending uses of surplus space and real property.” (Emphasis Added)
The 7/11 states that “ various members of the public, have reviewed, approved and retained complete Minutes of all the meetings.” To our knowledge, the Board’s proposed closure came as complete SURPRISE to the entire community surrounding Dulles. There was not one public hearing for the attendance area to give input to acceptable use of Dulles property as provided by the Education Code. Nor did the 7/11 Committee establish a priority list of use of surplus space and real property that will be acceptable to the community.
The 7/11 Committee and its May 5, 2011 report are riddled with Education Code violation. The Board’s reliance in whole or in part on this committee’s report is damaging to the public due to the number of egregious errors. We once again urge the Board not to follow the 7/11 recommendation and allow Dulles to remain open.
PLEASE COME AND JOIN AND OR SUPPORT OUR LAST AND FINAL PROTEST THIS SATURDAY 1/19/13 FROM 1PM-4PM ON THE CORNER OF IMPERIAL HWY. AND SANTA GERTRUDES. HELP US STOP THE NLMUSD FROM DESTROYING OUR COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL!!!
EMAIL ADDRESSES OF THE "DISTRICT" PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO BOMBARD!!!
SAVE DULLES FROM CLOSURE!!
Ed Hengler
edhengler@gmail.com
Margarita Rios
larivers5@aol.com
Darryl Adams
educ8us@aol.com
...
Karen Morrison
KL4morrison@yahoo.com
Chris Pflanzer
chrispflanzer@gmail.com
Jesse Urquidi
jesse.urquidi@gmail.com
Ana Valencia
valencia_ana@nlmusd.k12.ca.us
Dr. Ruth Perez Superintendent
rperez@nlmusd.k12.ca.us
Next a link to an article by WDN
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_22358114/parents-protest-pending-closure-la-mirada-schoolEd Hengler
edhengler@gmail.com
Margarita Rios
larivers5@aol.com
Darryl Adams
educ8us@aol.com
...
Karen Morrison
KL4morrison@yahoo.com
Chris Pflanzer
chrispflanzer@gmail.com
Jesse Urquidi
jesse.urquidi@gmail.com
Ana Valencia
valencia_ana@nlmusd.k12.ca.us
Dr. Ruth Perez Superintendent
rperez@nlmusd.k12.ca.us
Next a link to an article by WDN
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