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The Pleasanton school board voted 3-2 Tuesday against the motion to rescind June’s approval of the “modified lite” calendar for the 2015-16 school year.
Trustees Valerie Arkin and Jamie Hintzke voted for the rescission, stating that they would like to see the community more involved in the decision-making process.
“There probably isn’t a right answer but it’s about how we get to it together, because that’s the right thing to do,” Hintzke said.
The board heard from 18 speakers — with 16 people asking the board to rescind their vote. Parents wanted a rescission due to the lack of data presented, parent involvement, communication and transparency.
“We desire to work with you in making these kinds of decisions.” said Pleasanton parent Kevin Benson.
Pleasanton parents Mary Madir and Susana Lopez-Krulevitch stated that too much time has already been invested in the calendar issue and for the board to stand by their vote.
The adopted “modified lite” calendar would schedule school to begin early August and end late May. The calendar also includes a one-week break in October, a nine-week summer break, and has the first semester ending before winter break.
However, for the 2015-16 school year — school will start August 11, 2015, end May 27, 2016 and have no October break. This will allow for a 10-week summer going into the 2016-17 school year.
For the 2016-17 school year — school will start August 9, 2016 and end June 2, 2017, with an October break.
In previous board meetings, students and parents addressed the board about how high school students would not have the opportunity to take SAT prep classes with the “modified lite” calendar.
Pleasanton schools superintendent Parvin Ahmadi told the Weekly that the district has already started working with Kaplan, a company that provides students testing preparations, to hold SAT prep classes for Pleasanton students at one of the Pleasanton school sites.
She also added that the district will continue to work with the community and surrounding communities to accommodate Pleasanton students in sports, internships, jobs, etc.
“We’re working together to support the students and the families,” Ahmadi said.
During last night’s community comment session, Amador Valley High School registrar Linda Pipe and husband Ennis addressed the board with words of disappointment and anger.
“Over the last six plus months, it has become abundantly clear that I work for a district that uses lying, cheating, intimidation and stealing as standard protocol,” Pipe said.
During the investigation against former Walnut Grove Elementary principal Jon Vranesh, Pipe’s name – along with Walnut Grove health clerk Mary Snell – were used in witness statements in the investigation led by Shon Davidsen. However, both employees addressed the board on March 11 that they were never interviewed.
Pipe stated, “A Walnut Grove kindergarten teacher was allowed to make false and malicious statements about me which were then disseminated to others in redacted form.”
In June, she filed a formal complaint to the district but the district legal counsel’s preliminary findings stated there was no violation to Pipe’s privacy or slander.
“The arrogance you exhibit is astounding,” she said.
Also during the community comment session, senior Ally Hintzke addressed the board about Amador Valley’s dress code policy.
In other business, the board unanimously approved the waiver application requesting Diane Anderson to teach American Sign Language at Foothill High School.
Trustee Jeff Bowser also recognized two employees that recently passed away – former Alisal Elementary teacher Patricia Allison and Village High School math teacher Sandy Sansoe.
During Tuesday night’s closed session, the board appointed Janet Gates as vice principal of Lydiksen and Hearst elementary schools, and Patty van Looy as business services administrative assistant.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for September 23 at 7 p.m. in the district’s boardroom, 4665 Bernal Avenue.
Time for Paige and Mark!
I am so disappointed in the vote. I thought the speakers were very respectful last night and were simply asking for a better process. To here the board president talk about being uncomfortable with how things were handled and to have already asked for information from Palo Alto’s process says a lot. It was too rushed and it is too bad that three members of the board were not willing to take a step back and let the community be more involved.
Thank you to those of you who wrote letters and took the time to speak last night.
Time for Paige and Mark and no Ahmadi.
I agree that the District’s standard protocol is lying, cheating, intimidation and stealing. But I would also add complete stupidity as anyone who has seen Jeff Bowser’s mass mailing email message that he sent to constituents a few days ago.
To “Agree with clean up and Linda Pipe”
I would love for you to post Bowser’s mass email.
Thank you to Mr. Bowser, Mr. Laursen and Mr. Grant…..thank you for doing what is BEST for the kids. Parents are up in arms because it is not what is best for their family, work schedule, etc. In the end it is a week difference….a week. Out of 30,000 parents, only 600 people signed a survey and 20 people speaking up at a board meeting to ask for a rescind. It is a very, very small portion of people who are up in arms. Time to move on to focus on more important things.
At least two of these board members will be replaced, not soon enough.
I will be voting for whomever is running against Bowser, Laursen and Grant in the next election.
It’s still not about the calendar, it’s about the process. This is by far the most transparent and seemingly simple issue that has come across PUSD in months, and to see how it was bungled from the start, and then the attempted cover-up, and then pre-determined… And then last night. If our leadership can’t handle a simple calendar shift, how are they handling the real issues that go into providing our community the quality of schools we deserve and have historically enjoyed?
They are being exposed… And we deserve better!
Thank goodness our family is almost out of this district. I appreciate the two board members who voted to reconsider the calendar. I never quite understood the big rush on it in the first place. Time would be better spent on other matters, like evaluating slacker teachers in this district. Every year my student has at least one to two teachers who hand out worksheets and then sit on their behinds the rest of the class period. No lecture, no getting to know the class, just worksheets. Calling all paid tutors! You can make some serious money in Pleasanton because as parents we have to hire them to do the teachers’ JOB! And for those of you with younger kids, brace yourself….you’re in for a shock in high school. Ask questions, stay involved. And save your money now for tutors later on …..
What a disappointment. The board had the opportunity to do the right thing and 3 of the 5 did not. It was clear in the meeting there was no data to back the change. It was clear in the meeting the survey was flawed, it was clear in the meeting they agreed they lacked proper involvement from the community. Yet, they don’t allow for a redo to get the proper involvement on something so important. Come November, please vote for change. It is so very necessary.
There was plenty of notice about the calendar change and plenty of opportunity to provide input if one did not have their head in the sand. Whining after the vote because you were not paying attention all year is your own fault.
Personally, I’d prefer no October break and dismissal before the Labor Day weekend. I suspect many will bail on that last week after Labor Day to get a jump on those summer vacays.
Sympathies to Mrs. Pipe and Ms. Snell. That investigation was clearly botched, shameful and left a huge black mark on our wonderful community. So sorry your names were dragged through the mud in the process.
Thank goodness we only have 3 more years to go in this horrible district.
To hear from 4 out of 5 board members last night say the process could have been better, could have been more transparent was astounding. To hear Jeff Bowser question the superintendent what the vote in JUNE could have been & what options they COULD HAVE voted on & what the process WOULD have been if they did not choose the modified lite was a joke. Think that should have been asked before the June vote.
I attended each of the 3 “info” meetings in Feb/March/April & NOT ONCE did a single presenter say they would be holding a vote, only the board was CONSIDERING looking at calendar options & this group was here to educate the community on the options the board & district were considering.
I am told by multiple teachers (none of which would go to the board meeting for fear of retaliation by the district or union reps) they were asked to vote if they would accept modified lite calendar…NOT which of the 5 options did they prefer & they WERE NOT given all 5 options to choose from.
Anyone running against Larsen & Bowser has my vote (watch the replay of any school board meeting. Jeff Bowser does not give any speaker the time of day, has the worst body language imaginable. He does not look at any speaker, incredibly rude and condescending to the other members and is continuously playing on his ipad. Chris Grant is not much better, every month want to wipe the smug look from his face and to say he is voting with his heart like Juanita Hauggen suggested he do is completely disrespectful to her legacy).
Hopefully two new board members come January can do something about this issue.
Ms Pipe and Ms Snell along with Jon Vranesh are all victims of an incompetent administration and board. Hopefully every last one of the people who harmed by the actions and non action by members of the board and the administration will get their justice soon.
We are now officially the laughing stock of the tri-valley. No other district will do the early schedule because it makes absolutely no sense. Unfortunately we are dealing with people who are not very bright. Is stupidity illegal? The current board will be voted out and the schedule will be changed back. The superintendent will be forced to resign. She isn’t up to the task.
While the modified calendar works for me and I agree that PUSD did try to inform the public in their “usual” way -via each schools PTA (or non-PTA) parent groups, PUSD e-Connection. Bowser, Larsen, Ahmadi, Kevin Johnson, Bill Farraghan, PUSD’s attorneys (do not serve (or allows others to not serve) in the public’s best interests and therefore need to go. Ahmadi may have a good heart, but she needs to be strong enough to legally eradicate the crony-like practices that go on. The Board of Trustees who are supposed to represent parents, can’t if they’re too close to teachers – teachers already have their own union. Additionally, the Board of Trustees are basically volunteers themselves, holding other jobs, they only make $400/month AND they cannot possible know what ALL parents want if there is no info-system in place besides what exists today. Parents need to be organized and have a voice, but involvement must be systemic, not reactionary as with the anti-modified-calendar group, who are also friends of friends etc and had to have been living under a rock to know what was going on sooner or selectively choose what they will/won’t get involved in. It’s a complex scenario and I’m dying to know how Wright and Miller plan to address how they plan to be better informed than even the more competent board members (Hintzke an Arkin). We need a superintendent who believes in transparency (vs just managing “exposure” and listening to legal counsel who def doesn’t give a hoot about parents), an info officer who together with the technology director puts together an info system that allows more transparency, is inclusive of ALL stakeholders/parents (sorry community forums don’t cut it) and people in place who are trustworthy. It’s just too hard for the average parent to get involved even if they wanted to – the issues are complex, there’s not enough transparency, and frankly anyone can choose to simply not respond to them.
Change is good. I am in favor of the modified schedule as this will be a good quick break for the students during the school year. The San Jose School District has a week off as well, but it’s during the February time frame. I hope Dublin and Livermore will follow Pleasanton’s calendar as this is much better for the STUDENTS.
Jack is spot on. It is not about the calendar. It is about the process. Or lack thereof.
The school district/school board train has derailed.
Incompetence. Nonsense. Lack of common sense. Dysfunction.
Go Paige!!! Go Mark!! We need you!
I don’t understand all the uproar now. There were plenty of community meetings and the district wide survey. I was one of the 600 people that gave my input back when they were asking for it. Where were the other 29,400 people? And only a small percentage of those are the people complaining now. Typical. Get over it.
I think the commentor above (Agree with Thank You), means Memorial Day rather than Labor Day, yes?
Instead of giving front page stories to teachers union members to provide slanderous stories about past vendettas we should really focus on the quality of our teachers. I feel terrible for those that do an amazing job because they get brought down with the crappy ones just riding out their tenure at our kid’s expense. Why do parents have to pay for expensive tutors when presumably we have school ratings that people move here for- ridiculous.
To be honest, I’m posting under multiple names in order to best carry out my vendetta against the school system. My kids didn’t do very well in Pleasanton schools, and rather then blame it on myself I chosen to blame it on Ahmadi, the nitwits on the bored, and the incompetant teachers whom the union teaches to bring every body down.
Why do students need a break in October with the thanksgiving and Christmas breaks right around the corner? Makes no sense. But I agree, it’s really not about the calendar, it’s the process. I am counting the days until we are out of here. Yes, we’ve had some wonderful teachers and some real stinkers. Sadly it gets progressively worse, from grade school to high school. PMS math dept. is amazing (Mrs M and Mrs S). AVHS not so much. Have your tutors lined up. Sad, but true.
Mr. Honesty, your grammar/spelling cracks me up! wow….
Thank you and Agree….Where are the facts that state starting earlier and ending earlier is better for the students? Other than the one week break added, isn’t this all the modified calendar is? What will it cost to have “special” testing for a “special” calendar? This WILL affect Cities, and private individuals who provide VERY valid extra curricular activities for students in the Tri Valley and in turn, Pleasanton students. PUSD’s one special calendar is not going to be catered to by Scouts, Other Parks and Recs, and private companies providing camps, instruction etc!
They will even use more energy cooling down schools in the warmest part of the year!
It was also very dishonest of the district to put out a web survey with the guise of taking what the community wanted into the decision. The outcome was decided and the Superintendent told the board how they had to vote based on what decision was already made. Dictatorship with the guise of a vote. Those of you that want to just sit back and let this happen are the reason we are headed for a Third World Country. Fascination with fake celebrity news, a big and little dictatorships are just a few signs of it!
When we lived in San Jose, the October break was useless and an interruption. At least start school one week later and do not have an additional break in October. This process was disappointing and I really do believe the majority does not agree with the vote…at least not in my neighborhood and teachers and staff at our kids schools. Why would we only choose a calendar based on test dates??…there is a bigger “community” picture to consider. All in all, we love Pleasanton and the schools.
I get why people are upset about the process and I’m also a little disgusted with those ranting and raving about how horrible our district is and how parents have to hire tutors to do the jobs of the teachers because the teachers aren’t doing them.
You people cannot be serious. Look around the Bay Area and the state and the quality of schools. We are lucky to live here and we are not the laughing stock of everyone around. People are still clamoring to move here and get in to our schools and our schools are still EXCELLENT in spite of this superintendent, so calm down for a minute.
The modified calendar should be a benefit to the kids especially at the high school level with timing of exams and selfishly I welcome a week off in October. The weather is beautiful and I can do something with my kids that I might not choose to do in the summers when everything is mobbed and double the price. I see it as a win for all.
Parvin needs to go but not because of a fairly minimal change in the calendar.
This was a blatant political move by Hintzke. In addition, her behavior at the meeting was terribly unprofessional and inexcusable. I am grateful that Laursen, Bowser & Grant showed class and dignity while being attacked by parents and Hintzke. I wasn’t sure about how I would vote this coming November, but Laursen and Bowser secured my vote after what took place last night.
I was equally disgusted with Lauren and Bowser
My vote for Paige and Mark will cancel Politic’s votes
Isn’t democracy grand?
Great Decision! Thanks for keeping whats best for students in mind…. you have my vote. Love the October break coming in a few years… imagine taking the kids on vacation without hundreds of students out of school…. it was the calendar that should trump the process… obvious! We have the best teachers and school system anywhere.. keep up the good work!!!
Thank you to Trustees Laursen, Bowser & Grant for making the right decision last night. I applaud your professionalism and standing firm in a tough situation. Great leadership!
This change will benefit our children in many ways. High schoolers done with finals before winter break and the district out of school in May shortly after state tests. Bravo!
Love the October break. Kids need it and it’s a great time to travel with your family when everyone else in the nation is not.
Thanks again to those trustees that are moving our district forward. You have secured my vote!
I hope you enjoyed your political tenure – your fifteen minutes are about up
To all those that keep claiming that this is ‘best for the students’, where is the data, research to support your claim? If it suits your lifestyle, great, but acknowledge that this is about opinion not facts.
Totally agree with POLITICSl.
DISGUSTED by Jamie’s move. She definitely secured a lot more votes for Bowser and Laursen last night. She is unprofessional and played a game that is not going to work in her favor. She is playing games with our children. Shame on her.
The process that the board took to approve the calendar lacked integrity (except for Arkin and Hintzke!). Parents and teachers felt tricked and manipulated. We were willing to work with you on this issue and all the myriad of other issues involving this board.
Bowser, Grant and Laursen: I am so disappointed in how you blatantly ignored the majority! I will be voting for Mark Miller and Paige Wright!
Change who is on the school board and rebuild trust with this community – this district needs it!
I agree with a lot of the comments here regarding frustration and downright discust at the process used to determin the school schedule. Many choices were given for schedule changes, but keeping with the traditional schedule received the highest percent of the votes. Additionally, we find out after the fact only the modified lite schedule was ever under consideration. The modified lite schedule was agreed to behind closed doors before the vote. Unfortunately this is a common practice within Pleasanton politics. The parental surveys and public hearings are a sham meant to delude people into thinking public opinion has been taken into account.
I am disappointed with the schedule change. However, I am discussed at the lack of democratic representation. I’m hoping November brings a positive change.
I agree with a lot of the comments here regarding frustration and downright discust at the process used to determin the school schedule. Many choices were given for schedule changes, but keeping with the traditional schedule received the highest percent of the votes. Additionally, we find out after the fact only the modified lite schedule was ever under consideration. The modified lite schedule was agreed to behind closed doors before the vote. Unfortunately this is a common practice within Pleasanton politics. The parental surveys and public hearings are a sham meant to delude people into thinking public opinion has been taken into account.
I am disappointed with the schedule change. However, I am discussed at the lack of democratic representation. I’m hoping November brings a positive change.
Only 18% of parents and 30% of teachers voted for this calendar. No data or research to support the change, flawed process. I hope we can revisit this issue when the new board members are in place later this year. If its done right, the community will be behind them whatever the outcome even if its a calendar they do not personally support.
So much for democracy. Sad day. School board does not have the best interest of the children or our once charming city.
Distrust – I don’t believe there is a better word to describe the attitude of a large percentage of PUSD parents toward the school board. And the problem is, with the exception of Jamie Hintzke and Valerie Arkin, the Board is either blind to this state of affairs or simply doesn’t care. Unfortunately, the calendar issue is merely the latest in a long line of trust-killing actions of this board. If you haven’t already, please read the following article from the Weekly. It is eye-opening.
http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/2014/08/21/troubled-schools
Fortunately, Joan Laursen and Jeff Bowser are up for reelection in November. By voting in Mark Miller and Paige Wright to replace them we can give the board a much needed “do-over”.
Bowser, Grant and Laursen were spot on. Thank you for doing what is right for the kids.
ps..Jamie thank you for securing my votes for Laursen and Bowser. We all know this move was political and that is so wrong. Not cool at all to use our children in your strategy to try and get that 3rd seat on yours and Arkins side. People are very aware of what you did and it is not going to work. The community respects Bowser, Laursen and Grant. Thank you to those 3 for always being professional and thinking of the right thing to do for kids. For those of you, who didn’t watch or attend last night make sure you watch the video to see Jamie’s performance. So many times last night, she was completely unprofessional and down right rude. I can not believe she is the President of the School Board acting that way. Her actions are not a good representation of Pleasanton PUSD at all.
I do believe that the majority of the PUSD school board does have the best interest of our kids. Thank you!
I do believe the minority of the school board. Is looking out so that due process is done. Thank you!!
It is so tough for David to challenge Goliath, but we know how that ended!
It’s not just about the school calendar.
Keep the faith!
It is not, in any way shape or form professional to use victims of suicide and dead board members to justify how a trustee is voting as both Bowser and Grant did last night.
Shame on both of them.
Valerie and Jamie, keep up the good work and thank you for keeping our families and children’s best interests in the for front.
Thank you, Joan, Chris and Grant…..enough said. So many people have confidence in your decision in June and again last night. This weekly board is the minority and that is evident of only 600 signatures on a change.org petition in over 2 weeks timeframe. Last night you restored our faith. Cant wait for November. Votes are for Bowser and Grant.
Meant….Bowers and Laursen.
In terms of the Bowser desperate sounding email blast, it appears that Mayor Jerry Thorne is not on Bowser’s endorsement list anymore. However, he lists people on the endorsement list on the email that aren’t on his web page. In Bowser’s desperate plea for $$$ MONEY $$$, his tone is quite despondent because he waxes wistfully for EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.
Bowser, Mr. Twist Reality and Distort the Truth states: “We have….restored reading…programs” which is a complete fabrication because the District eliminated the Reading Specialist program and the Barton program under his watch.
Bowser, Mr. Attack His Opponent(s) and Create a Social Class War states among other things: “The other is privileged man who is upset that we changed the school calendar and his kids won’t be able to go summer camp.”
The rambling email continues until he repeats the fictional statement that he restored a reading program that in fact he voted to eliminate.
No one thinks rationally or can make a reasonable decision with distrust present on either side of this fight.
Two new sets of eyes are needed to bring a sense of calm to start reparation in PUSD.
For the good of all, no matter which side you’re on
Wow, nothing like a relatively unimportant issue to bring out the haters. I think the level of vitriol and hatred among a few parents, some even using multiple names to vent their venom, should give pause to any notion of giving parents more say in the education of their kids.
” give pause to any notion of giving parents more say in the education of their kids.”
You must work for the PUSD because that seems to be their mantra.
Parents have ALL the say in the education of THEIR own children. If you think otherwise you are delusional.
How many names on the change.org petition FOR the new calendar? Oh right, there isn’t anyone on change.org supporting for the new calendar.
Sorry, Change-Bucko, but one of the prime reasons for public education has always been that parents aren’t competent to do it on their own.
Take yourself as a case in point: jumping (wildly) to erroneous conclusions; and incapable of doing doing basic math — i.e., there isn’t anyone on change.org supporting a new calendar because, once the zany, zealot,venom-spewers are factoreed out, there isn’t much of an issue here. Thank goodness you are not in the classroom. You’re free to mess up your own kids on your own time. Don’t bring your hate and venom into my kid’s classroom.
Contrary to your own very pronounced delusions, we have trained teachers and administrators as a buffer against the lunatic fringe so overly represented here. Tenure is but another way to protect trained teachers from the wacko crowd who seem only to be able to screech out “Off with their heads!”
My background is in education, but I’m not affiliated in any way with PUSD. Yet another of your illogical conclusions. Please go away. Spew your venom at whomever will listen to you, a tall order I know, but, truly, you seem to be a menace to all that is good about this community.
Neutral – wow! Seems you are guilty of the very thing that you are accusing another….
Please remember Valerie is the only member that voted to support our community. No need for an Oct break. Communication was terrible and I went to the meetings, filled out the survey, … Don’t ask for monetary donations from the very people you are not communicating with and expect them to support your future causes. Good example of what not to do.
Dear Parent,
I see no similarity between Neutral and Change. Perhaps you’d care to elaborate? I mean really, you read the article and the 50 or so posts and that’s all you have to say?
“I will be voting for whomever is running against Bowser, Laursen and Grant in the next election.”
Really? What do you know about the others running, except that they are not Bowser, Laursen, and Grant (who, by the way is not on the current ballot).
I hope that when the PTA Council hosts forums among the candidates, moderated by the League of Women Voters, you will all tune in. I’m not rooting for either the incumbents or the challengers. I want to see them defend their positions and then decide who I trust.
This whole “vote for the challengers” thing has me concerned, because how do we know if they are better?
I want to see all the candidates asked the hard questions, then I will decide.
We all understand that change is difficult. Change is something that is new and different but honestly over two years notice of a change is more than enough time to plan and prepare.
But guess what, this is what is best for our children. The high school students will benefit, and you as parents will benefit. Just think of all the vacations that you can now take at “off season” prices because your children will not be in school for a few weeks when “other” students are.
We live here because we love the community and the schools are some of the best in the Bay Area. However, if you no longer believe this, then you are more than welcome to exercise your right and move and find another school district that is more in line with what you think is best for your children. This is a free country and you are more than free to relocated. Remember, the housing market it hot, and we have great schools, and there are many other families who would love to live in your house and support our schools.
Tired of complainers – this has nothing to do with not supporting our schools or loving our community. People that like the modified lite keep saying that this is ‘best for the kids’ but there is no data or research to support that. It’s ‘opinion’ and as such the board should have obtained better feedback from teachers and the community before rushing ahead. That’s my opinion, yours is different, maybe the new calendar suits your lifestyle. Maybe you haven’t got elementary children that are already only in school 10 days in Nov, not much more in Dec, and another week off in October will just mean more disruption to their education. Maybe you missed the petition signed by more than 300 high school students that don’t think this is in their best interests. A lot of people have a lot of valid concerns that haven’t been addressed by the Board. I’m glad you’re happy with the calendar, that it doesn’t have any negative impact to your family, and that you can now have a vacation with ‘off season prices’.
The week off in October is stupid. Whatever… We’ll adjust and make the most of it… But to all the Bowser, Grant and Laursen fans: How do you justify the process? How do you explain the five choices put to the parents at the eleventh hour, yet the board only being allowed to consider two options? it’s either dishonesty, or ignorance, take your pick! What about the turnover in principals? What is going on at Walnut Grove and Hart? Where does the buck stop? You might not appreciate the “throw the bums out” mentality, but really, what is the case for the incumbents?
That in a nut shell is the problem. Educators who think parents are the enemy.
Parents in this district prepare their children well for school, then open their pocket books wide when it’s time to fill in the gaps when the needs of the children aren’t being met by the school. Parents in this district are vastly under appreciated by the current administration.
I will continue to advocate for my children. It’s my job.
PS- Hate and venom? You are even more dramatic than Bowser. No hate and venom here. It’s a differing opinion. I am not the one telling people to leave town or go away, or asking for anyone’s head on a platter. I will leave that to the holier than thou lemmings, who think Pleasanton should be some sort of stepford community that quietly does whatever the school board administration tells them to do.
Two years ago we noticed a change in how the pleasanton school district was managed. Right at that time we needed to make a decision as our daughter was finalizing middle school. We pulled her from the public school system and got her to a private high school in concord. Two years into it now we are happy with our decision and so is our daughter. We chose pleasanton as our new home in 2006 because of the school district. Sad to see it changed.
From what I remember, with regards to Pleasanton’s best ambassador to education, informative and persuasive writing is in order from our trusted, trustees. Elementary…don’t you think? Use analogies that are your own, for crying out loud. Be informed/concerned of all changes around town…that may involve/concern all our children.
Whether or not you agree with the new calendar, I am surprised that nobody raises the issue that we are modifying the summer schedule in 2015 in a way that will give the kids 8 weeks of vacation but will ask them to study for 15 weeks straight without a break in October!!! I’d rather have my kids get their summer vacation shorten one summer (7 weeks is still plenty of time to rest and have fun), if it allows them a one-week break between August and November. Asking them to go for 15 weeks of learning without a break in between, that is just cruel! I thought this whole thing was for the benefits of the children. Well I see no benefits for my kids to get 8 weeks of vacation but then asked to be full brain power for 15 weeks.
It may be too late to change the approved new calendar, but hopefully it is not too late to review the summer schedule and back to school date in August 2015.
L – it will be about 13 weeks to Veterans day when there is the 4 day weekend (plus a minimum day for k-5) but I suspect that a lot of people will take an extended break at Labor day.
The first year will be a change but then after that it will be an ideal schedule. Thank you Bowser, Grant and Laursen. I think once people get used to the new schedule they will learn to love it.
I am not a teacher, but I checked into the votes by the teachers about the new schedule and over 70% voted in favor of the new schedule. The number of parents was nearly the same (but I am not sure enough parents were surveyed or given ample opportunity to be surveyed). So, please do not state that only 30% of the teachers voted for the calendar. That is completely false!
Reposting this as it shows the root of the issues. Can the local government understand this analysis?
Posted by What Parent Voice?
a resident of Pheasant Ridge
on Sep 10, 2014 at 9:10 am
While the modified calendar works for me and I agree that PUSD did try to inform the public in their “usual” way -via each schools PTA (or non-PTA) parent groups, PUSD e-Connection. Bowser, Larsen, Ahmadi, Kevin Johnson, Bill Farraghan, PUSD’s attorneys (do not serve (or allows others to not serve) in the public’s best interests and therefore need to go. Ahmadi may have a good heart, but she needs to be strong enough to legally eradicate the crony-like practices that go on. The Board of Trustees who are supposed to represent parents, can’t if they’re too close to teachers – teachers already have their own union. Additionally, the Board of Trustees are basically volunteers themselves, holding other jobs, they only make $400/month AND they cannot possible know what ALL parents want if there is no info-system in place besides what exists today. Parents need to be organized and have a voice, but involvement must be systemic, not reactionary as with the anti-modified-calendar group, who are also friends of friends etc and had to have been living under a rock to know what was going on sooner or selectively choose what they will/won’t get involved in. It’s a complex scenario and I’m dying to know how Wright and Miller plan to address how they plan to be better informed than even the more competent board members (Hintzke an Arkin). We need a superintendent who believes in transparency (vs just managing “exposure” and listening to legal counsel who def doesn’t give a hoot about parents), an info officer who together with the technology director puts together an info system that allows more transparency, is inclusive of ALL stakeholders/parents (sorry community forums don’t cut it) and people in place who are trustworthy. It’s just too hard for the average parent to get involved even if they wanted to – the issues are complex, there’s not enough transparency, and frankly anyone can choose to simply not respond to them.
so much wrong info – You are referring to the percentage of overall staff that didn’t vote for traditional, not the specific calendar choice of modified lite. Here is the break down (handout picked up from the school board meeting in May/June):
APT first choices:
Traditional – 33%
Lite – 30%
Other 3 choices – 37%
APT Elementary :
Traditional – 45%
Lite -25%
APT Secondary:
Lite – 33%
Traditional – 27%
CSEA first choices:
Lite – 29%
Traditional – 25%
Others – 46%
Parents:
Traditional – 35%
Early start/finish -20%
Lite – 18%
Oh, and management was 85% in favor of modification to the calendar…..
To Parent of 2: Are there any stats as to the number or percentage of teachers who actually voted?
Not specifically teachers but overall staff members completing survey was 700
When we offered our opinion (can’t really say voted, right?), we were asked to select 3 calendar options. So each person was FORCED to select their favorite and two others. If their favorite was traditional, it was only 35% of the selections they made. The non-favorites were 67%. So the percentages in the survey really didn’t have much meaning, and it was probably designed that way.
Anyway, the unions had already decided this for us. Since they have the best interests of our children at heart, we just need to support them. Or don’t you support children?
Totally agree Kathleen.
The October break is craziness, especially when Halloween and the November/December break period is right around the corner. How many people will go on a long vacation in October and get back early enough to get right back to work in school? It’ll take another 1-2 days on either side of the October break to allow for “breakitis” and a “settle-down” period.
Who was the board member that has his family in a school system that mimics our new calendar? I remember hearing about him/her. I think maybe it might have been just a spouse in that system.
There are lots of people that love the new calendar…..and lots of people who dislike it. Just like everything else in the world.
Thank you, Bowser, Laursen, and Grant for choosing the best calendar for our kids.
Shame on the President of the Board for being so unprofessional, and making this a political issue. Plan failed miserably. Not right to play stunts with thousands of kids at stake.
Someone above posted “I am told by multiple teachers (none of which would go to the board meeting for fear of retaliation by the district or union reps) they were asked to vote if they would accept modified lite calendar…NOT which of the 5 options did they prefer & they WERE NOT given all 5 options to choose from.”
I am a union member and you are absolutely correct. There are many members who are against the calendar, but are afraid of retaliation – especially with our current union leader who is argumentative and uses bully tactics.
Some districts are starting to match years of service. Fremont is now paying teachers more and includes health care. In both of these scenarios, the districts are following a traditional calendar. I’m betting you will see a lot of teachers leaving our district because our desires were ignored by our union.
I think this was a conspiracy. I’m a union member myself but I’m afraid of harsh retaliation against my family, friends, and even distant acquaintenances if I protest. I hate my unionized salary, and my tenure, and my pension, and I’ve seriously been thinking about quitting and working at WalMart instead. Because, face it, being coerced into a union sucks. Big time. People who don’t belong to the union gulags have much happier lives. It’s liberating not having minimal job security and protections. And the 1% taken out of my check for union dues irks me far more than the 10% less salary I’d be making if I were a free, nonunion teacher.
But back to the point: the conspiracy involves the union bigwigs wanting everyone to vacation in October when travel rates are lower. That’ll be the tell-tale sign. When we see people taking vacation on their vacation days, then we’ll know, and the concerns of the gadzillions of us who chafe at change will have been confirmed.
Perhaps Union Member’s group did not get the same survey that I got? Are you part of APT?
I was given all five options to vote on, and almost every teacher I’ve talked to either likes or is cautiously optimistic about the new school calendar. Granted, we’re all high school teachers and this change benefits us most.
I love the new calendar, though it will pose a major inconvenience to me as my children attend school in a neighboring district, but I think it’s going to be better for my students and for me in the long run. Besides, I believe that PUSD will be the front runner on this one and within a year or two the neighboring districts will want to join us.
As for transparency and district leadership…that’s another thread!
To Steve – not quite right. While each person was required to make 3 choices, the percentages I quoted are for the preferred (first)choice of calendar only. So the traditional calendar was the first choice for 35% of parents, early start/early finish was the first choice for 20% of parents, and so on. You could actually choose the same calendar ie traditional for all 3 choices but that was never made clear.
One of my concerns about the survey results is that the district never made any mention of the comments. A number of parents told me that they answered yes to the question “In general, are you in favor of modifying our school calendar” but qualified that in the comments section by saying that they would be in favor only if the Palo Alto calendar was adopted, if not, then they wanted no change. Very poorly designed survey, the District should and could have done way better.
Kathleen – the start date for 2015/16 is August 11th and no October break. That’s the transitional year. Modified lite starts 2016/17 with a start date of August 9th and a break in October.
For all those trying to frame Hintzke as being political – may I remind you that it was who Bowser who tried running for Alameda County Superintendent with Laursen shamelessly supporting him in just weeks ago. Or could it be because you feel uncomfortable seeing an Asian women being assertive and doing the right thing?
Obviously the previous poster WAS Jamie Hintzke. She would be the only one who couldnt see herself in action during the meeting. This happens all the time, Arkin is the same way, totally unprofessional and rude. Just watch the tapes and see for yourself!
Totally agree with obviously…Mrs. Hintzke needs to watch Tuesdays board meeting herself so she can view her unprofessional actions. It has nothing to do about Mrs. Hintze being a woman, your ethnicity…it has to do with her incredibly poor professional attitude and behaviors. There were too many instances to count on how unprofessional and rude her actions were. Maybe a REVOKE of the President who is running our school board meetings should be made. Maybe Mr. Hintzke and Jamie Hintzke “THE VOICE OF REASON” as she explained him to be in their household on Tuesday should sit down and watch it together. There was no absolutely no reason for Mrs. Hintze to act as she did. Maybe she will change her behavior and professionalism like she did with her stance on the calendar change that she totally supported just a few months ago. This whole thing was a political set up on a hot topic. She needs to focus on the needs of the PUSD children and not her individual needs.
Time for Paige and Mark!
It is NOT time for Paige and Mark. They are both endorsed by Mrs. Heintze and did not support the new calendar change like so many parents wanted because it is best for the kids.
See parent of 2 comment above about survey results.
From the survey results on the board provided handout, most parents did not, in fact, want the new calendar change.
Nobody knows what the whole parent population really wants regarding the calendar since not everybody voted.
It’s not about the calendar. It’s about the process not being credible
65% of parents wanted a calendar change. The CREDIBLE ones are the ones who stuck to their original vote.
I can only find board reported parent results of 35% for traditional and 18% wanting lite calendar?
Where does the 65% come from? I’d like to verify for myself.
35%=traditional (keep calendar)
65%=wanted change in calendar
And that what was done.
Early start finish was 20%. Traditional 35%. Lite 18%
Meaning that accounts for 73%. 27% is unaccounted preference,
Those stats do not reflect that most people want the lite calendar
Parents surveyed wanted traditional most, followed by no preference(?), followed by early start, and, lastly, lite
These stats do not reflect that most parents want the lite calendar, not people
Here’s a survey:
Where would you rather live (Select 3 choices):
1. Fremont
2. Pleasanton
3. Oakland
4. San Ramon
5. Livermore
I’ll bet that “Anywhere but Pleasanton” will get the highest percentage.
Dishonest people will use statistics to say whatever they want them to say. Vote for honesty this November.
@Obviously – I can assure you I am not Jamie Hintzke. I am however, a supporter of any Board Member who listens to parents and does not pander to unions and administrators, and are in it for selfish political motives (like Jeff Bowser whose wife is very active teachers union voice, and who himself tried running for the Alameda County Superintendent. Does it pain you too much for PARENTS to have a legitimate voice in education politics?
It’s really too bad that the survey was done how it was. Everyone who I have talked to who wanted a modified calendar…well they voted for one of the “many” modified calendars, not caring all that much which one it was. The people who did not want change, they voted for “traditional” Truly, it is
65 percent – open to change
35 percent – stay the same.
Personally, I’m very excited for a break in October. It’s important for my children to see the world and it will be about 30 percent less expensive for plane and hotels in October. That’s a lot of money to me. I guess the people who don’t want the change either do not value travel as important, or they are so wealthy that it does not matter. The rest of us (65 percent) are happy.
I have watched and attended several board meetings over the past few 2 years. Those that are trying to portray Hintzke as “unprofessional” when she’s simply exercising her duty to speak must be pretty biased (racist? sexist? power hungry much) because I certainly don’t find that to be the case. Thank you Mrs Hintzke for having the courage to stand up in this white-dominant school district (and if you doubt this, look at the leaders, teachers…those “in charge” … they are heavily white and do not represent the makeup of the population they are “leading/teaching”). I still like Pleasanton because there are lots of “nice” people, whatever color. Sorry, but I’ll take HONEST over some racist/sexist’s BIASED OPINION of “unprofessional” any day. I mean really, “unprofessional” is all you got? According to who?
You can argue about who is ‘professional’ and not ‘professional’ because it is subjective.
What is objective and factual is that Grant, Bowser, and Laursen have supported, continued to support and have never disciplined Luz Cazares, Deputy Superintendent, who has endangered the lives of all the children in this school district and has endangered the entire nation.
Cazares negotiated a lease with a person straight out of a State psych to run a criminal fake university on district property, where any person from overseas could buy fake student visas by shelling out $10,000 in cash at PUSD and come into the United States.
The Federal anti-terrorism law enforcement agencies had to place listening devices all over the various school sites and District office for years to conduct a sting operation to shut it down.
If you support criminal activity on PUSD campuses and incompetent administrators, by all means continue to vote for Bowser, Laursen and Grant. Otherwise, boot them out and vote for Paige Wright and Mark Miller
To “see to world” – Yours is the most ridiculous post I have seen on this issue 🙂
If you want to see two people act unprofessional and rude in a school board meeting ..watch Bowser try to use dead children to support his views and Grant try to stand behind a dead person. Using the dead to promote your own agenda is both unprofessional and crass. I would have rather both of them say their spouse told them to vote the way they did. At least it would have been HONEST.
Don’t forget Bowser doesn’t even know what is going on…he stated that the children were survived and the superintendent had to correct him.
Bottom line is the district went to the union in June 2013 (as confirmed my Trustee Joan at last week’s meeting) to negotiate a new schedule. Modified light was agreed upon by the district and the union. March the district started going to parents, pretending there were options when the deal had already been struck with the district and the union. Why pretend to parents there were options, when the deal was already done. Why not just be truthful with parents and say that they are changing the calendar without any input? I don’t even care if parents agree with the calendar change, I just wonder how anyone can agree with the process.
Seriously how can anyone say it is best for the children, when families (THAT INCLUDE THE CHILDREN) were “consulted” until it was a done deal.
I guess we will really see how many people support Bowser and Joan in November. I really think we need some honest people on the board for a change.
Sorry typo… darn auto correct. In my previous post I typed “he stated that the children were survived and the superintendent had to correct him.”
What I meant to type is:
He stated children were SURVEYED and the superintendent had to correct him .
Bowser thought that children were surveyed regarding the schedule change and they were not.
My child was told that for the new summer schedule by two teachers that they live in another community, and they will not start the school year early because their children in their community have the regular calendar.
They both indicated for the first 3-4 weeks, when the new schedule starts, their classes would have substitutes because they are not available to teach until their children go to school.
Vote for Miller and Wright so this stupidity can be reversed before it is too late. Also, for those of you that are enduring substitutes now because of the idiots at PUSD, file complaints.
Then those teachers will be getting another job. That is simply crazy. Now that is just making up crazy rumors.
Change must be written by either Mark Miller or Paige Wright Henry…
Anyone backed by Heintze will not get my vote because of how she handled this entire calendar situation and the political game she made of this situation. Maybe the two new candidates (Henry and Miller) should also add Heintze’s husband to their endorsement page since he is the VOICE OF REASON in their household as quoted by Jaime Heintze.
Vote for Laursen and Bowser
School boards are supposed to protect the public interest.
It’s a thankless job, as is evidenced here
A person with integrity should step down when no longer able to serve that purpose.
I am neither Mark or Paige nor I am I Arkin or Hintzke . By your logic you must be Bower or Grant? I am a person who was at the meeting and I form my own opinions.
I just can’t understand how anyone could support a person who brings up dead children justify the reason he voted the way he did. It was appalling.
You want to know my name? Tell me yours first.
When a difference of opinion is embraced in this community instead of being attacked then I will post under my own name.
Speaking of political games, the whole calendar change was a political game. The calendar issue was decided long before it was ever brought to the 1000’s of families effected by the change. Why pretend that parents actually had a voice in the the change, when they did not.
IF – Heintze used a political maneuver to give other board members the chance to do the right thing, I would say she did her job well. A lot of game playing goes on at the district level seems they don’t much like it when the tables are turned.
Here is the solution. During the Oct. break, take your family to Hawaii for good weather and no crowds. Probably good airfare and hotel pricing too.
Enough said.
I am neither Bowser or Grant or Laursen. I am in interested PUSD parent with the best interest of the kids. I am moving on from this subject just like people should be moving on with the new calendar on to more important things.
Well said, Spudly. Totally agree. I can’t wait for that October break for my kids.
For those of you so upset by the calendar change only 600 and something people signed change.org petition in over 2 weeks and only 20 people spoke up Tuesday night. Therefor, a majority of the people support the new calendar or simply didn’t care enough to sign the petition or attend the meeting. Why don’t you start blaming PUSD parents for not getting involved, not reading newsletters, not being in the know for the childs education. The calendar change talk was everywhere for months. Shame on them for not knowing what was going on.
It might be HUGE in your world but not in everyone else’s world with PUSD kids. Time to move on.
Now there are on no excuses as to what the board is doing either because they send recaps the next day too.
Total calendar days 93
Total instructional days 74.5 (grades 1-5) 76.5 for grades above 5th
There is a better way to relieve the “stress” of high school students IF the only answer is to end the semester before Christmas break….which I’m not convinced is the silver bullet it’s being made out to be to the student stress problem. I believe it goes far deeper than a calendar change which is being lost in this whole calendar debate and frankly only addresses a very small population when the “solution” impacts so many others.
You can do what is best for children and not start August 4, artificially add a week off in October, and still have finals before winter break. Never saw the answer about the implications to sports, cheer, band, or for all the camps and competitions children have when they will now be in school. It will be interesting to see who does not show up the first week of school. I’ll also be watching to see all the supporters heading out of town on vacation in October with their families.
You can lovenewcalendar if you understand how it impacts each and every one of the “thousands of kids,” not just your own children. That is the job of all members of the board, not just the two who realized they needed to rethink the survey method, the dubious results, and the continuing concerns of many families.
HS Teacher, Can you tell us the implications to sports, cheer, band, or for all the camps and competitions children have when they will now be in school? I wholeheartedly agree having finals before winter break is great (and PUSD is not the first to do it), but how do you feel about this still being accomplished by starting a week later (August 11 for 2015-16) and not having a break in October?
Parent of 2, thanks; I clearly missed that. I am not in favor of the break in October no matter when it starts.
>> Pleasanton school board votes to continue modified lite calendar <<
Did anyone seriously expect any other outcome?
Calendar Schmalendar…
We’re over it…
But… How did the Trustees all get fooled so as to think they were going to vote on 5 choices, when in fact they were only able to vote on 2?
Whatever your answer to that question is, might also be the answer to the question, why change?