Residents of Del Mar/Carmel Valley fortunate to have a refreshing columnist like Marsha Sutton
I want to commend you for greatly adding to the public dialogue about local public education by featuring Marsha Sutton's column in your paper.
I wish we had a refreshing columnist like Ms. Sutton on our local newspaper staff (I live in the Sun Valley area of Idaho; Ms. Sutton's column was recommended to me by my sister who lives in Del Mar). Excellence in local reporting about public education seems to be integral to the process of creating real improvement. What a public service Ms. Sutton is providing— the people of Del Mar and Carmel Valley should be grateful.
Liz Schwerdtle
Hailey, ID
Shores property: DM school board members should keep in mind that they have options
So what is the big deal about the sale? Why not sell it for fair market value and be done with it? Because there are regulations about how to “dispose” of government owned surplus property and it can get a little tricky. Fair market value is not an option when selling government to government because there needs to be a substantial discount. So here are the steps as I understand it: public agencies selling real property must first offer it to other public agencies (for example, city, county, state entities) at a discounted rate, though the discounted rate facet seems to be debatable when reading various legal opinions on this. If the various tiers of public agencies and non-profit entities are not interested in the property, then the property may be offered at auction to any bidder.
In 2007 the DMUSD made a deal with the city of Del Mar to sell the approx. 4.94 (or 5.3)-acre piece of land at a discounted price of $8,500,000. In March, just a week before they were scheduled to close escrow, the city asked for a 30-day extension. It gets a little “sketchy” here, since personnel issues are secret and our board isn’t talking in open session about the Shores property, but somewhere in the middle of all this re-negotiation talk the board forced the Superintendent’s resignation. Is this the “rest of the story” as Paul Harvey might say? Why would this be an issue worth spending nearly $300,000 of reserve money to buy out a contract unnecessarily? Oh, and by the way, what is the fair market value of the Shores property?
From what I have learned from reliable sources, a private trust is (or at least was) ready to make an offer to purchase the Shores property for a great deal more than $8,500,000 – I have heard numbers between $20,000,000-$25,000,000, just to let it sit. (Sounds logical since I recall that the Solana Beach School district paid $4M+ for each acre of land they purchased to build Solana Pacific School a few years ago.) I was told that this particular Buyer would preserve the integrity of the property as a ball park and school for a number of years. This seems like it could be a win-win for everyone if the city is unable to purchase the land.
I feel that we as parents and community members must take note of the spending and big financial decisions being made by our board of Trustees right now. If we add up the ancillary implications of just one decision to oust the Superintendent, that’s close to $300,000. Add to that $500,000 more this year (or next) to make up for the fundraising crises caused to the Foundation by the board’s decision, along with hiring costs of a new Superintendent, this brings us well over $800,000 in unforeseen expenditures from our district reserves! Is it worth it?
Personally, I am not proposing that the district sell The Shores to one entity over another. As a matter of fact, the sale is pretty much a done deal now. What I am asking is that the board of trustees bears in mind that they have had options. Their decisions affect everyone in the Del Mar Union School District boundary area and they should work with all diligence to make decisions that will best benefit the entire district and move forward.
More recently, there has been a movement to call in to question budgeted expenditures that have been a part of DMUSD's successful Strategic Plan. These expenditures afford our teachers planning time and parallel and vertical collaboration opportunities at their school site and throughout the district. I would hope our families will take the time to really understand the benefits our district has enjoyed by daring to be unique. Please don't forget that we can boast having the finest schools because we dare to think outside of the box and be all we can be by working together!
It is obvious that the board of trustees wants control of our district and now they have it. So from this point on I would expect them to make responsible decisions and point us in a positive direction, not a non-specific, non-clarified direction. They should stop the micromanagement and begin supporting the very capable staff in place, empowering them to do their jobs.
I would hope they want to move forward together with a collaborative plan to heal and stabilize our district from the repercussions of their decision. What’s done is done, and now representatives from the Foundation, PTA, community at large, and district personnel from throughout our district should have a say in our future. The next superintendent should be chosen together and given authority due them under the law to be the district’s “CEO.” The superintendent should feel supported by the board of trustees and be allowed to make personnel decisions and over-see the day to day learning at the school sites- keeping our children’s successful education always first and foremost!
Comischell Bradley-Rodriguez
Concerned DMUSD Parent and Volunteer
We’re supposed to be a team working together to educate children
Ms. Sutton thinks the enrichment classes funded by the foundation are nothing more than a way for teachers to sneak some much-needed planning time into the school day. Here’s the truth: Del Mar teachers have had planning time for over 20 years, well before Tom Bishop was the superintendent. Teachers finally formed a union while he was superintendent, and then negotiated guaranteed planning time while students were in these special classes. The only new aspect of this “juicy perk” is that it is now written in our contracts.
State and federal laws require the teaching of art, music, technology and science. Ms. Sutton suggests using local artists and musicians to teach some of these classes. Here’s another fact: that is against the law. The state of California requires that all adults teaching children be certified by the state. Luckily, many of our current enrichment teachers not only have their teaching certificate, but they have real world experience in their area of expertise. If Del Mar cannot afford $75,000 (a number quoted by Ms. Sutton that I assume includes benefits) to pay each certified enrichment teacher, having a foundation with generous donations by the community is a plausible way to fund this.
Another hot button that Ms. Sutton pushed related to teacher planning time in general. I did some quick research and asked several Del Mar teachers to estimate how many hours they spend outside the school day planning, making copies, grading, etc. According to my survey, the average teacher at my school is working a 51-hour week. That’s 32.5 hours from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. during school, plus 18.5 extra hours working before school, after school, and on the weekends. That’s how much we’re working even with our contracted planning time. In other districts, I have seen a lack of planning time result in teachers giving busy work during the school day so they can grade papers or plan lessons. Would that be an improvement? Hardly. To maintain our top position throughout the county and state, teachers need their planning time to effectively prepare and assess students. Is it really such a big deal that we can get work done while our students are in enrichment classes covering standards? Besides, I know most of the parent community highly supports these valuable enrichment classes.
As for planning time being something that only we in Del Mar get to enjoy, that is just plain wrong. While it is true that districts like the Escondido School District do not give teachers any contracted planning time, many districts do. The San Diego Unified School District gives teachers at least 60 minutes per week, and some schools get more if parents donate money to pay for it. Solana Beach gives teachers about 225 minutes for grades 4-6. These minutes are not necessarily guaranteed in a contract, but teachers in those districts would like to move in that direction. Out-of-state-districts such as Naperville 204 in Illinois give teachers 175 contracted minutes a week. All schools across Minnesota are required by state law to give 5 minutes of planning time per 50 minutes of instruction. I could go on and on. This practice is not a perk, but a common practice all over the country in elementary, middle, and high schools. Let’s not forget, according to Time Magazine, the number one reason teachers quit their profession is lack of planning time.
Many of the finest teachers end up in Del Mar due to the great reputation, family support, and the “juicy perks” like contracted planning time. Taking away opportunities for planning and collaborating will not only upset teachers, but more importantly it will directly impact the students’ learning. Remember: we’re supposed to be a team working together to educate children. Let’s stop trying to take away the tools we need to successfully do that.
Michelle Brashears
Del Mar Union School District Teacher
The path to improvement should be grounded on solid evidence
Her letter appears as an angry rant as opposed to a well-thought out and caring argument towards the betterment of the schools. Ms. Sutton’s “article” is short-sighted in several ways: 1) understanding the California Education Code, 2) understanding the Del Mar School District, and 3) understanding her responsibility as a public voice.
Understanding the California Education Code:
The California Educational Code is not unclear in explaining the law regarding a credentialed teacher in each classroom. There is no gray area with this and it has been upheld in court; there must be a credentialed teacher with the students. Ms. Sutton poses the question “is Del Mar over-the-top in its strict application of California’s Education Code?” Were the leaders of Enron over the top? If you are speeding are the police “over the top” if you get a ticket? This kind of “eek-my-way around rules and laws” thinking and behaving is how students learn to be irresponsible and dismissive of the laws that govern us as a people. If a law is unfair, petition for its revocation; I am all for change for the good of the whole. Purposely ignoring a law because it is inconvenient is irresponsible and arrogant — like the Enron leadership was. This kind of thinking erodes people’s participation in a representative democracy, which is what we are arguably trying to teach our students — how to think, act and participate as a responsible citizen in a democracy. Ironically, Ms. Sutton also criticizes past rumors of Del Mar Schools ignoring rules governing their behavior. Do as I say, not as I would do?
The training that goes into becoming a credentialed teacher includes child development and training in a supervised environment. Throwing someone into a classroom from industry may make sense financially, but the health and well being of the students are an important factor. Ed. Code accounts for this by making it law that teachers go through the supervised training.
Understanding the Del Mar School District:
Del Mar has figured out a way around a problem that many districts can’t — that is the lack of outside core classes. Music and art are crucial for developing different ways of thinking. The language of music makes the brain respond in different ways than other thinking. The district has ensured that all students get to experience these disciplines that some other districts do not.
nderstanding her responsibility as a public voice:
I applaud questioning leadership and the system in which we teach children. Honest questions designed to raise awareness of how to better serve our students, particularly the underserved and underrepresented, are important and empowering, even noble. If Ms. Sutton began her discussion of the Del Mar School District in this manner, I applaud her. However, what the Carmel Valley News/Del Mar Village Voice chose to publish does not come across as being focused on the best practices for children, but an angry article serving to misinform and mislead; on accident or on purpose I do not know. Public dialogue and good research showing the best practices in teaching is crucial; divisive, misinformed finger pointing is destructive to a community and its children, and we as a community can do better for ourselves and our children. I want all community children to experience what the Del Mar Schools have to offer; I do not want any children reading that article or the Carmel Valley News/Del Mar Village Voice if this is representative of its reporting. Is there room for improvement in teaching? Of course, that is why it is a practice, a profession. The path to improvement should be grounded on solid evidence, logical proceedings and the best interest of the students and community at the forefront of the conversation in order to create a world where laws matter, people have a deeper understanding of their community and heresay (sic) and rumor mongering are a thing of the past.
If she wishes to continue the conversation, along with Rory Devine of NBC San Diego, I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this further.
Erik Conklin
Doctoral Candidate, Education
UCSD/CSUSM
Time, research, and planning are required to provide instruction that will meet the goals of students
If you will recall the history of Del Mar Union School District, we use to staff enrichment courses in a similar manner to Solana Beach. The Del Mar Foundation committed to raising funds to acquire certified teachers for those positions to meet the needs of the California State Standards and a growing district with high expectations. This model was set up long before the contract was formed between the teachers, board members, and administration.
Now, enrichment teachers have a specific credential to instruct in science, music, physical education, technology, and art. This has fostered a higher level of achievement among the students in Del Mar. Students have benefited from the instruction that has come out of having a teacher with a subject-specific credential for those areas of the curriculum. In turn, this has affected the educational community of Del Mar as follows:
Benefits to the Student
California has a plethora of standards that each student must learn within one year. Every teacher in Del Mar is committed to meeting these standards with each student. During the 180 minutes that are allotted each week, the classroom teacher ensures that all lessons incorporate the essential standards. It takes time and forethought to combine standards that will produce a high level of achievement with students. Secondly, as Del Mar teachers, we are committed to planning lessons that accommodate all learners in the classroom. Next, there are seven known styles of learners; teachers are committed to representing those styles in each lesson, therefore, hands-on materials must be prepared for each lesson to ensure student success. Finally, teachers across the district are committed to providing individualized instruction to students who need this to be successful. Time, research, and planning are required to provide instruction that will meet the goals of these students, often student by student. In addition, the teacher must be prepared for meetings that regularly occur regarding these individualized plans. The teachers of Del Mar have committed to increasing student achievement.
Benefits to Parents
Because the Del Mar teachers and the Foundation understand that parent involvement is crucial to the learning process of each student, it is my belief thatwe share the common goal of providing prompt feedback to parent’s questions and concerns. On an average, a teacher receives eight to 10 e-mails and phone calls a day. These e-mails usually involve a request that may require planning, research, and a reply. It takes time to accomplish this. In addition, teachers regularly update a Web site to further communicate with students and parents. We are committed to communicating with students and parents.
I have been actively involved in the Del Mar Teachers Association since being hired. Our association recognizes the professional responsibilities we have to the students and parents. We utilize interest-based bargaining for that sole purpose. Viewing the glass half full, all stakeholders come to the table to mutually agree upon guidelines between the teachers, board members, and the administration so that the focus of the district remains on the student. The current contract allows for openers from each side, on a yearly basis, which would prevent any stakeholder from feeling permanently bound to the contract. It is my main goal to continue to foster the professional relationship between the teachers and the community we serve.
Mary Ann Loes
Lead Negotiator—Del Mar Teachers Association
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