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Two years can make huge difference. Here are just a few of the
changes that have been made under my leadership on the Irvine Unified School
Board ... |
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2004/2005 ... |
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... November
2006 |
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Equalization |
Irvine was under funded relative to neighboring districts to the
tune of $100 per pupil and the State Government avoided resolving
the equalization issue for years. |
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Under the new state budget, Irvine
Unified is receiving nearly $2M ongoing for equalization. |
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Class Size
Reduction |
3rd grade
class size reduction program was jeopardized annually and maintained
by aggressive fundraising campaigns which sometimes fell short of
the fundraising goal |
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The district agreed to cover Class
Size Reduction, eliminating the aggressive and divisive annual
campaigns.
In
addition, this year, for the first time ever, the school board
pledged additional money to deal with the impacts of larger
classes on learning
- Class size reduction is
maintained in Kindergarten, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 9th grades.
- Also, each class in 4th to 6th
grade will be smaller by 2 students
- There is additional grading
support for Humanities and English classes in middle and high
school that are impacted by larger class sizes
- Additional support for
combination classes (such classes are now fewer than in previous
years) |
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Donald
Bren Foundation Gift |
The Donald
Bren Foundation (Irvine Company) pledged matching grants of $750,000
per year for Art, Science, and Music in upper elementary grades. |
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This year, the Bren Foundation
presented Irvine with $20M over 10 years for upper elementary
Art, Science, and Music programs
- Existing programs are maintained
long term.
- 3rd grade art is restored.
- 5th grade science increased
immediately and 4th grade will be increased next year. |
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IUSD
relationship with the city of
Irvine |
The City of
Irvine financial and in-kind commitment to schools included shared
use of sports fields and other facilities, crossing guards, and
school resource officers. |
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IUSD is receiving unprecedented
support from the Mayor and City Council. The City of Irvine increased its
commitment to include up to 10% of annual carryover to Education
Partnership Grants for Health and Guidance initiatives totaling
$900,000 in 2006-2007.
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Relationship with teachers |
Labor
negotiations with teachers had stalled and board meetings were
filled with protesting teachers & staff. |
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IUSD implemented a new bargaining
process and came to a contract agreement well ahead its peer
districts. |
