MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 2 0 1 3

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MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS

SCHOOL DISTRICTS HISTORY Merced Union High School District encompasses 8 districts Merced County schools were SNELLING-MERCED FALLS incorporated more than 150 years ago in 1856 when the first County BALLICO- TURLOCK CRESSEY MERCED RIVER Superintendent of Schools, DELHI UNIFIED WINTON William Nelson, petitioned the ELEMENTARY MERCED CITY LIVINGSTON Board of Supervisors to divide the HILMAR UNIFIED UNION ELEENTARY ATWATER ELEMENTARY PLANADA county into three school districts. ELEMENTARY

WEAVER UNION ELEMENTARY The 1860 census reported a MC SWAIN UNION ELEMENTARY

GUSTINE UNIFIED LE GRAND population of 1,141 in Merced ELEMENTARY County and in 1863, the Schools PLAINSBURG UNION ELEMENTARY EL NIDO ELEMENTARY Superintendent reported an enrollment of 267 children and a county schools budget of $1,000. Le Grand Union High School District encompasses 3 districts The first high school was estab- LOS BANOS UNIFIED lished in 1895 with 27 students and two teachers under the ad- ministration of the County Board DOS PALOS- ORO LOMA UNIFIED of Education. In 1897, a new high school was completed on the corner of 22nd and M Streets in Courthouse Square.

Today, there are 20 school dis- tricts with their own Boards of Trustees and Superintendents serving more than 56,000 K-12 students with Steven E. Gomes, Now completed, the Ed.D., serving as the 28th County Merced Union High Superintendent of Schools. School District’s newest high school, El Capitan, currently serves 735 freshman and COVER PHOTOS: Clockwise from top left, sophomore students. Luis Salcedo instructs a math class at Hoover Middle During the next two School in Merced, UC Merced Get S.E.T. service years, the school will learning students work with middle school students at increase to a student population of approxi- Dinner With a Scientist and students perform in the mately 1,600 and serve Merced County Education Foundation performance grades 9-12. of “The Wizard of Oz.”

2 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

hank you for to Merced County and districts like Weaver and Los Banos have seen your interest in increases in enrollment. the 2013 Merced Merced County has gone through T some tough times economically and County Schools Annual socially. However, I remain optimistic about its future. I look at the growth Education Report. in school enrollment this past year, the This document focuses on the beginning of new housing construction, achievements, highlights, struggles and the move toward adequately funding other aspects of Merced County’s our schools based on need and paying 20 school districts and nearly 70,000 schools for money owed to them from P-12 grade students. This report tells previous years, a decrease in fore- MCOE CABINET the story of how 9,000 teachers and closures and an increase in property support staff are working hard every values. day at 114 school sites to provide our We are poised for success. Holly Newlon children with an excellent education. More than 55 percent of our high Assistant Superintendent Too often, headlines depict a failing school graduates are entering higher education and now that UC Merced Career & Alternative Education school system. Although the process can always be improved, the reality is is a choice, perhaps they will not leave that the schools in our county are far the area to earn their post-secondary Christie Hendricks from failing. Most county residents are degree. We want our college-educated Assistant Superintendent surprised to learn that the percentage students to find jobs here and become the workforce that will bring business- Early Education of Merced County students enrolling in higher education ranks sixth in the es to Merced County. state. I am proud that MCOE has 1,500 Janet Riley This report will highlight and explain full and part time dedicated employ- Assistant Superintendent the transitions taking place in the ees providing services to school staff, parents, students and the community in Business Services California educational system. Some of those transitions are unique to the three counties Golden State, while others are not. I am also proud of the hard work Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. In California, we are changing what the teachers and support staff do to County Superintendent of Schools and how we teach, how we measure educate our children every day in our student achievement, how we hold 20 school districts and humbled to schools accountable, how we fund serve as your county superintendent. I Eva Chavez our schools and how we will require hope you will find this report informa- Assistant Superintendent districts to produce a Local Control tive and a glimpse behind the school Human Resources Accountability Plan in order to spend doors. their state funds. Any one of those In advance, I want to thank you for reading this report and gaining a great- Susan Coston changes would be substantial to ac- complish in one year! er understanding of Merced County Assistant Superintendent Voters in California passed Propo- education. Special Education sition 30 giving schools an economic breath of air and I have included how Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. Kathy Pon, Ed.D. those funds have been spent in 2013. County Superintendent of Schools The new school funding formula called Assistant Superintendent Local Control Funding Formula was Instructional Services very favorable to schools in Merced County. As the mortgage crisis has dimin- For more information about this ished, more students have returned report’s sponsors, see page 15.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 3 OUR SCHOOLS, OUR STUDENTS

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

57,500 6%

57,000 18%

56,500 56,349 56,258 56,000 56,153 56,156 3% 3% 55,500 55,563 69%

55,000 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Hispanic Asian White - Not of Hispanic Origin Source: California Dept. of Education Black - Not of Hispanic Origin Other In the 2012-13 school year, there was a modest increase of 184 Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade stu- dents in county schools. This brings the total number of TK-12 grade students to 56,349. According to the 2013 Califor- nia Child Care Portfolio for Merced County, there are 12,852 children ages 0-4. Of those 12,852 youngsters, 8,660 are 3 and 4 years old, with approximately 40 percent attending preschool, according to the National KIDS COUNT Program. MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS’ BUDGET 2008-14 $ 470,000,000 $ 460,000,000 $ 450,000,000 $ 440,000,000 $ 430,000,000 $ 420,000,000 $ 410,000,000 $ 400,000,000 $ 390,000,000 $ 380,000,000 $ 370,000,000 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Source: Merced County Office of Education Totals include revenue limit, federal, other state and other local funding received through the general fund.

4 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT MERCED COUNTY STUDENTS

STUDENT ETHNICITY

6% 9%

Hispanic Asian White - Not of Hispanic Origin 18% Black - Not of Hispanic Origin Other 26%

3% 53% 3% 69% 6%

Hispanic Asian White - Not of Hispanic Origin 7% Black - Not of Hispanic Origin Other MERCED COUNTY CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education Data collected May, 2013 California has the largest and most diverse student population in America. Statewide, about half a million students are in each grade level. To provide for their education, more than 300,000 teachers work in about 10,000 schools in about 1,000 school districts across the state. In Merced County, there are about 2,500 teachers in 114 schools in 20 school districts.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS BY DISABILITY

11% 11% 15% 15%11% Specific Learning Disability 3% 12% Emotional Disturbance 23% 9% 6% 9% Speech or Language Impairment 49% Autism 3% Other Intellectual Disability (formerly Mental Retardation) 15% 12% 4%

49% 40%

MERCED COUNTY CALIFORNIA Source: California Dept. of Education Data collected December, 2012 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 5 ACADEMIC ACCOUNTABILITY

ith the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in the 2013-14 school Wyear, the Academic Performance Index (API) scores for schools in Merced County, which are based on the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR), will be replaced by the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASP) system.

Schools API SSR Schools API SSR The chart at left Ada Givens Elementary 735 2 John C. Fremont Charter 737 1 shows two scores for Aileen Colburn Elementary 771 8 John Muir Elementary 797 7 each Merced County Alicia Reyes Elementary 672 1 Le Grand Elementary 720 1 Allan Peterson Elementary 855 2 Le Grand High 683 1 school. The API is a Atwater High 787 10 Leontine Gracey Elementary 726 1 single number, ranging Ballico Elementary 838 6 Livingston High 782 10 from a low of 200 to Bellevue Elementary 810 10 Livingston Middle 751 9 a high of 1,000, which Bellevue Senior Elementary 802 * Lorena Falasco Elementary 787 7 reflects a school’s, Bernhard Marks Elementary 733 1 Los Banos Elementary 769 5 LEA’s, or a student Bryant Middle 666 1 Los Banos High 732 5 Buhach Colony High 791 10 Los Banos Junior High 757 4 group’s performance Campus Park Elementary 756 9 Luther Burbank Elementary 822 3 level, based on the Cesar E. Chavez Middle 768 10 Margaret Sheehy Elementary 764 4 results of statewide as- Charles Wright Elementary 756 2 McSwain Elementary 862 7 sessments. In addition Charleston Elementary 854 5 Merced High 793 8 to statewide ranks, Cressey Elementary 768* * Merquin Elementary 636* * schools are ranked Delhi High 703 7 Mitchell Elementary 832 10 Don Stowell Elementary 728 5 Mitchell Intermediate 816 9 compared to 100 Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary 856 5 Pacheco High 736 3 other schools with Dos Palos Elementary 727 4 Peggy Heller Elementary 840 8 similar demograph- Dos Palos High 684 6 Pioneer Elementary 835 8 ic characteristics, El Capitan Elementary 779 10 Plainsburg Union Elementary 835 4 educational challenges El Nido Elementary 777 10 Planada Elementary 811 10 and opportunities. For Elim Elementary 794 2 R. M. Miano Elementary 774 7 Elmer Wood Elementary 823 8 Romero Elementary 648 1 the similar schools Farmdale Elementary 797 7 Rudolph Rivera Middle 749 3 rank (SSR), schools are Frank Sparkes Elementary 842 10 Schendel Elementary 792 10 ranked into deciles ac- Franklin Elementary 823 7 Selma Herndon Elementary 805 10 cording to school type: Golden Valley High 782 10 Shaffer Elementary 835 10 elementary, middle and Green Valley Charter 624* * Snelling-Merced Falls Elementary 817* * high. To determine the Gustine Elementary 719 3 Sybil N. Crookham Elementary 778 9 Gustine High 748 5 Tenaya Middle 708 2 similar schools rank Gustine Middle 772 10 Thomas Olaeta Elementary 872 9 for a school, a com- Harmony Elementary 783 8 Volta Elementary 826 5 parison group of 100 Henry Miller Elementary 725 1 Washington Elementary 732* * similar schools of the Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle 816 2 Weaver Middle 766 9 same school type is Herbert Hoover Middle 731 2 Westside Union Elementary 796 9 formed for that school, Hilmar High 762 7 Winfield Elementary 800 5 Hilmar Middle 747 3 Winton Middle 785 10 based on similar de- Hopeton Elementary 837* * Yamato Colony Elementary 803 8 mographic and other

Joe Stefani Elementary 775 4 Source: California Dept. of Education characteristics. * School does not have large enough sample for accurate reading.

6 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

ennifer Anaya knew at a UC Merced Student Demographics young age she wanted to go Southern California J San Joaquin Valley San Francisco Bay Area to college and, thanks to a sup- 36% 30% portive family, is fulfilling her dreams at UC Merced. The third year Economics major 1 followed her sister’s footsteps at the Jennifer Anaya is a third year Economics Major 7 at UC Merced. She grew up in Merced, attending university, with her younger brother Sheehy Elementary School, Tenaya Middle School 1 and Merced High School. 1 not far behind her. 1 “From a very young age, we saw dent Orientation and Learning 34% 10 Assistance at the campus and her Southern California 9 the growth of UC Merced. We San Joaquin Valley Source: UC Merced Office of 7 younger brother Federico is a San Francisco Bay Area Institutional Planning & Analysis always knew what college was and 36% 30% 5 my parents emphasized the impor- Management Major. She plans to attend graduate 5 4 tance of a college education,” she Jennifer plans to give back to the school and earn a doctorate after 3 says. community after she graduates by completing her bachelor’s degree. 4 Her sister, Dulce Maria, is a working with local schools to edu- “I know that if I stay here (after 7 8 UCM graduate and now works cate younger students about college graduation) it will be easier to give * as the Coordinator of New Stu- access. back to my community,” she adds. 10 9 3 34% 8 erced County Project 8 4 M10% is a first-of-its-kind 10 7 initiative to put a UC Merced 1 student into every middle 3 10 school beginning next school 10 10 year to discuss the importance of high school * graduation. 9 2 The program, which is a partnership between MCOE, 9 UC Merced and the Merced County District Attorney, 5 Former UC Merced student Noel Gomez talks to Caesar E. Chavez Middle * utilizes volunteer UC Merced students, many of whom School students in Planada about the importance of higher education. 9 have come from challenging backgrounds, to speak 9 5 directly to middle school students about their personal Merced County Project 10% presented to more 10 experiences, the importance of high school graduation than 4,000 Merced County students at 18 schools 8 and how they were able to make the choices that en- in 2013 with a volunteer base of 37 UC Merced abled them to gain admission to a UC campus. students.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 7 STUDENT RECOGNITION

erced County students have a myriad of opportunities to participate in student recognition programs, many of which are operated by the Merced County Office Mof Education. Open to all public and private schools, these programs teach students about leadership, teamwork and the value extracurricular activities have on an education.

The Merced County Spelling Bees are open to students grade 4-8 and are split into elementary and junior high events. MCOE provides the practice word list to school districts near the beginning of the school year, which is about 50 pages of words that could be used during the Bee. Unlike the traditional oral com- petitions, words and definitions are read aloud by the Spelling Master. Students then write out the word, which is reviewed by a proctor. Students who earn first and second place go on to the state spelling bee championship.

Celebrating its 33rd year in Merced County in 2014, the Academic Decathlon pits area high schools against each other in a scholarly contest. Students compete in the areas of art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music and science. Local businesses show support by donating money that goes toward student scholarships. Merced College generously offers the use of its classrooms and theater for the event. Students are honored at the public awards reception. Pictured at right is the 2013 top scoring team, Merced High School.

Introduced in early 2011 by Assemblymember Julia Brownley, Assembly Bill 815, the State Seal of Biliteracy, is a verification of linguistic proficiency. The honor, which is listed on student transcripts, is awarded by the Merced County Office of Education in partnership with county school districts in recog- nition of attained proficiency in English and at least one other world language by high school graduation. Pictured at left is a student speaking at the awards ceremony. In 2013, 73 students from Merced County earned the accolade.

8 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT RESTORATIVE JUSTICE & TRAINING

TRIVE — which stands for Safe, LE GRAND HIGH Trust, Respect, Inspiration, SVision, Encouragement — is a JUSTICE LEAGUE restorative justice model implement- n 2010-2011, Le Grand High ed at all Valley Community Schools School Principal Javier Martinez in Merced County. Isuspended 49 students and ex- The program started in part pelled six. The following year, he because of AB 1729, which states suspended 15 and expelled only one. alternative methods of correction This is in part because of the should be used before a student Restorative Justice League of Le is suspended or expelled, but also formal punishment. Grand High. Operated by after to develop and maintain positive This process helps to give misbe- school program coordinator Andre relationships between students and havior a context, so the student sees Griggs, the student-led Restorative staff. how their actions affect others. Justice League has trained other While a formal school discipline It also reduces the amount of students to be mentors for incom- model focuses on a system of pun- time spent on discipline because it ing freshmen. ishment and reward, the restorative addresses the root of the problem. They even hosted a restorative justice model encourages a culture Students may be assigned in-school justice conference for students from of mutual respect and recognizes suspension for up to five days. surrounding school districts. the behavior as a bad choice. The in-school suspension curric- Team members also started a Instead of a referral, students and ulum is designed to help improve freshman apprenticeship program, so staff begin a mediation process and students’ academic and social skills that students can develop restorative follow a behavior intervention plan. and provides counseling. justice leadership skills earlier rather This gives students and staff an Full-day home suspensions have than waiting until their senior year. opportunity to air grievances and dropped a staggering 58 percent The restorative justice program discuss the problem to restore the since the implementation of the coincides with after school and par- relationship instead of a traditional, STRIVE program. ent outreach programs.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING In August, Merced County school and law enforcement officials converged at Merced College for a training exer- cise conducted by the Sheriff’s Department to prepare county school administrators for the possibility of a gun- man coming onto a campus. During the day of training and simulations, 41 school administrators, which includ- ed principals, vice principals and superintendents, had the opportunity to see first-hand how law enforcement officials would coordinate their efforts and respond to a shooter on a school campus. Training events like this give More than 40 school administrators from districts throughout Merced County participated in an active shooter training at Merced College in educators the valuable tools to coordinate with law en- August. Conducted by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department, the train- forcement in the event of a violent situation on campus. ing put school officials in scenarios with a gunman on campus.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 9 Merced County Education:

his is a year of historic change for Merced County students. With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the voter-approved passage of Proposition 30, students will reap the benefits of a re- Tal-world curriculum, a funding mechanism that gives local school districts more control over how moneys are spent and accountability over how the new system will work. Combined, this will give students the tools to succeed.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS On August 2, 2010, the California State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The CCSS are designed to allow students to develop creativity and collaborative, critical thinking and communication skills. CCSS will prepare students to be college and career ready in reading, writing, speaking and listening, across all disciplines, including mathematics. By the time students leave high school, they will have mastered the literacy skills they need to go forward, in their own time and in their own way, to a college or career path of their choosing. Prepared in rich content knowl- edge, relevant thinking skills and the expertise to be successful in the college of their choice and in their chosen careers, students will be ready and able to address 21st Cen- tury challenges. LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) represents a historic shift in how Califor- nia funds public schools. Instead of allocating funds for programs and services the state determines are a priority, the new funding formula gives local school boards control over how to use funds and resources in a way that improves outcomes and opportuni- ties for all students. The new funding model specifically addresses students with greater needs. English Language Learners, foster youth or low socio-economic status students have greater needs and require more resources. LCFF presents a historic opportunity to focus on improving student outcomes, closing achievement gaps, and increasing the level of communication between our schools and our community.

10 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT A Historical Transition his is a year of historic change for Merced County students. With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the voter-approved passage of Proposition 30, students will reap the benefits of a re- Tal-world curriculum, a funding mechanism that gives local school districts more control over how moneys are spent and accountability over how the new system will work. Combined, this will give students the tools to succeed.

LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN An important component of the LCFF, the Local Control and Accountability SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENT Plan (LCAP) gives control to school The Smarter Balanced assessments will re- districts, which must develop a plan place the former California State Standards aligned with improving student academ- Test. Smarter Balanced assessments will go ic achievement and closing the achieve- beyond multiple-choice questions to include ment gaps. The plan must address eight extended response and technology enhanced priorities: Student Achievement, Stu- items, as well as performance tasks that allow dent Engagement, School Climate, Basic students to demonstrate critical thinking and Services, Implementation of Common problem solving skills. Performance tasks chal- Core State Standards, Parental Involve- lenge students to apply their knowledge and ment, Course Access and other Student skills to respond to complex real-world prob- Outcomes. School districts will work lems. These activities are meant to measure ca- with parents, educators, employees and pacities such as depth of understanding, writing the community to establish these plans. and research skills, and complex analysis. This The plans will describe the school dis- approach represents a significant improvement trict’s overall vision for students, annual over traditional paper-and-pencil assessments, goals and specific actions the district providing scores that are more accurate for all will take to achieve the vision and goals. students.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 11 EDUCATION IN TRANSITION

PROPOSITION 30 Proposition 30 Expenses By Function The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012, approved by the voters on November 6, 2012, 98% temporarily increases the state’s sales 98% tax rate for all taxpayers and the personal income tax rates for up- 2% per-income taxpayers. The revenue 2% generated by the measure’s tempo- rary tax increases is included in the Instruction Instruction Source: Merced County Office of Education calculations of the Proposition 98 Instruction-RelatedInstruction-Related Services Services This chart shows that 98 percent of the $62,816,317 from minimum guarantee — raising the the Education Protection Act allocated for Merced County guarantee by billions of dollars each in the 2012-13 school year was spent directly on instruction. year. School districts receive these tax dollars through a new Education CHANGE IN ASSESSMENT

Protection Account (EPA) as estab- Since there is a change in curriculum with the lished by Prop 30. Because voters implementation of the CCSS, it makes sense to change the way in which students are assessed. were assured these taxpayer dollars Assembly Bill 484 helps with this transition would be spent for instructional pur- by suspending many of the statewide assess- poses, full disclosure of school dis- ments beginning this year. This bill authorizes State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom trict expenditures is available to the Torlakson to not provide an API score to a general public. All school districts school or school district since a transition to the new standards-based assessments would are required to post financial expen- compromise comparability of results. The diture information of these EPA funds bill also prohibits the comparison of CAASP assessment results with results from STAR to school district websites. Merced assessments that measure previously adopted County Office of Education and all content standards. MCOE is working with districts to prepare for this next generation of Merced County school districts were student assessments by providing professional provided more than $62 million for development to support instruction and assis- tance with technology. the 2012-13 fiscal year.

12 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT EDUCATION IN TRANSITION

ATWATER DRUG STORE PROJECT Students in the Atwater Elementary School District had a sobering experience about making tough choices during an event at Mitchell Senior Elementary School. The Drug Store Project is a day-long event in which students are taken through a journey of vignettes, observing the po- tential consequences of drug use. Organizations ranging from law enforcement, schools, county agencies and health care organizations were on hand to teach students about the danger of drugs. Though sixth grade may seem early to impart these lessons on children, there is research that points to it as an appropriate age.

GUSTINE HIGH MILESTONE Gustine High School celebrates its 100th year of operation in 2014 with a celebration planned on July 5. On Sept. 8, 1913, the school opened with two teachers and 20 students. The school was needed because of a lack of modern roads in the rural West Side of Merced County. The school now has an en- rollment of just over 500 students who are served by approximately 30 staff members, including admin- istrators, faculty members and classified personnel.

WEAVER PERFORMING ARTS More than 50 students in the Weaver Union School Dis- trict took part in the district’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” Students went through the process of audi- tioning and rehearsing that culminated with five perfor- mances, all at the Merced Theatre. This isn’t Weaver’s first big scale production, in fact, it is the eighth musical since the district started performing musicals with “The Wizard of Oz” in May, 2003. Jeff Sanders, teacher at Weaver and director of the musical, says, “most students will memo- rize lines, stage directions, songs and dances. In the end, they will perform in front of audiences of up to 1,100 people. Every child will have a different experience, but some of these students will gain so much in confidence and skill that it will change their future in a positive way.”

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 13 DISTRICT PARTNERSHIPS

CAREER INDUSTRY DAY The Merced County Office of Education’s Regional Occupational Program hosts an annual Career In- dustry Day at the Merced County Fairgrounds that gives approximately 1,000 sophomores from Merced County high schools, and Chowchilla High School, the opportunity to explore career options in California’s 15 industry sectors. The largest career exploration event in the Central Valley, sectors of industry in- cluding agriculture, business and marketing, arts and communication, education, automotive transportation services and health care, among others. Pictured at left, State Senator Anthony Cannella participated in the 2013 Career Industry Day. EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION For eight years, the Merced County Office of Ed- ucation and Educational Employees Credit Union have recognized Excellence in Education in Merced County. In 2013, the program expanded to honor both teachers and other school employees. There were six nominees for school employee of the year and seven nominees for teacher of the year, with top honors in both categories going to the Los Banos STACY BETSCHART VERNICKY GOLD Unified School District. The Merced County Teacher Third Grade Teacher Instructional Assistant of the Year advances to the state awards program. Teacher of the Year School Employee of the Year Los Banos Unified School District Los Banos Unified School District RACE TO THE TOP GRANT Merced County Office of Education’s Early Education Department was awarded a $915,000 Race to the Top grant in 2011, titled Quality Counts! In Merced County. The goal is to ensure that children have access to high quality programs that profoundly shape a child’s ability to succeed in school and life. This will be accomplished through the implementation of a local Tiered Quality Rating Improvement System (TQRIS) that focuses on three areas: a child’s readiness for school; teacher interac- tions with children; and overall program quality and class- room environment. Recently, Quality Counts! In Merced County received an additional $297,000 to expand its efforts into Madera and Mariposa counties.

14 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT COMMUNITY SUPPORT

CAMP GREEN MEADOWS VOLUNTEER DAY early 120 volunteers from Education- al Employees Credit Union, Merced NSchool Employees Federal Credit Union and Merco Credit Union came to- gether to paint, stack, clean and rebuild at Camp Green Meadows in late August. The list of tasks ranged from painting pic- nic tables and splitting and stacking firewood to rebuilding the archery back stop and con- structing a retaining wall, among others. Bob Bassett, the principal at Green Mead- ows, says, “this many people working and Volunteers from Educational Employees Credit Union, Merced School Employees Feder- smiling together was a joy to see and the al Credit Union and Merco Credit Union came together for a massive cleanup at Camp Green Meadows near Fish Camp in late August. It’s estimated the nearly120 volunteers work they did made a real difference on put in close to 300 hours of work, collectively. The outdoor school focuses on ecology, campus.” Earth science and team building and celebrates its 50th year of operation in 2014.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS Stifel Nicolaus & Company is the leading underwriter of municipal bonds for California K-12 school districts, selling more school bond issues during the past five years than any oth- er firm. With the merger of Stifel Nicolaus and Stone & Youngberg LLC in 2011, the firm has a history of assisting public agencies in California with their bond financing needs since 1931. Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors Educational Employees Credit Union is the 67th largest credit union in the U.S., the 13th largest in California, and the largest locally-based credit union in the Central San Joaquin Valley. As of December 31, 2013, the credit union had more than 220,000 members and over $2 billion in assets. EECU has branches in Fresno, Clovis, Hanford, Merced, Madera, Reedley, Selma and Visalia.

Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union was formed in 1954 by seven school employees and has grown into a full service financial institution with four branches located in Merced, Atwa- ter and Los Banos. The field of membership consists of school employees in Merced and Mariposa Counties, including UC Merced and Merced College, MSEFCU and McClatchy Publishing Co. em- ployees, high school students, UC Merced students and eligible Merced College students along with the immediate family of each group.

Headquartered in Vacaville, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit, cooperative finan- cial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 12th largest credit union in California, with more than 161,000 members and over $2.1 billion in assets.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 15 MERCED COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS The Merced County Edu- cation (MCE) Foundation was established to support programs and activities which maximize academic achievement and educational enrichment for students in Merced County. The MCE Foundation will strengthen and support collaborations and partnerships among the MCOE, businesses, founda- Nearly 100 students from grades 4-8 representing multiple school districts performed in four per- formances of “The Wizard of Oz” during the summer. Instruction aligned to California Content tions, agencies, organizations Standards in Visual and Performing Arts, Language Arts and Physical Education. and families. MCOE FOUNDATION SPONSORS

SUPERINTENDENT’S CIRCLE BRONZE SPONSORS Medical Association Inc. Educational Employees Credit Union Robert & Yvonne Ayers Keith Chastain • Mary Ellen & John Chavez Merced School Employees Kathleen Crookham Kent Christensen • DLP Real Estate, Inc. Federal Credit Union CTA Merced/Mariposa Teachers Elizabeth Dooley • Evelyn Eagleton Uniserv Council Lisa Escobedo • Lydia Flores DIAMOND SPONSORS Delta Farms Trucking, Inc. Foundations Public Schools Hilltop Ranch, Inc. Michele & Frank Fagundes Frances Gallegos • Lori Gattuso Golden Valley Engineering & Surveying, Inc. Gallo Cattle Company Edgardo Gomez • Marigene Gordon PLATINUM SPONSORS Kathy & Ron Hansen Fred Honore • Image Masters Community Foundation of Merced County Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. Marie Janz • Elvira Lopez • Lee Lor Kagome, Inc • Kiwanis Club of Merced Lifestyle Community Investment, GOLD SPONSORS Live Oak Farms LLC/Lorenzi Rentals Fluetsch & Busby Insurance Mason, Robbins, Browning & Godwin Rebecca Lincoln • Norma Mahurin Stewart Family/Delta Sierra Beverage Merced County NAACP Branch #1047 Marie’s Mexican Kitchen Merced School Employees Jennifer Mockus • Ed Morford • May Moua SILVER SPONSORS Federal Credit Union Employees Holly Newlon • Jerry O’Banion County of Merced Board of Supervisors Michelle Oldenhage Office Depot • Antonio Ortiz Doug Fluetsch Riggs Ambulance Service, Inc. Ann Peters • Teresa Pitta Foundation For Medical Care Beverly Ryan • Demetrios Tatum Nathan Quevedo • Janice Rogge of Tulare & Kings Counties Tesei Petroleum • The Pentagon Company Sengsouly Sanychanh-Vang Steve & Victoria Gomes Tinetti Realty Group • Rhonda Walton Hoof Health • Slaters Home Furnishings Hoffman Electronic Systems Soldavi Realty • Stefani Family Trust Jeanne & Mark Knapp FOUNDATION FRIENDS Jean Okuye • Travis Credit Union Ann and Lee Andersen • Peggy Biddison James & Janell White James Binion • CalPrime Sponsor list as of February, 2014 David & Holly Zacharias Central Valley Nephrology 16 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT MERCED COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

MMerced CCounty EducationE FOUNDATION 2,014 in2014 The MCE Foundation is on a mission to ob- tain 2,014 donors in 2014, who will commit to a minimum of $5 monthly, tax-deductible donation. Help the Foundation meet this goal to provide enhanced learning opportu- nities for our students in Merced County! To become an MCE Foundation sponsor, contact FOSTER YOUTH Lee Lor at (209) 381-6601. For the second year, approximately 40 foster youth Frequent changes of homes and schools have a detri- had the opportunity to spend one week at Camp mental effect on foster youth, especially their academic Green Meadows, Merced County Office of Edu- performance and future success. A large percentage of cation’s outdoor school located in Fish Camp near children placed in foster care experience physical and Yosemite National Park. They explored the outdoors emotional trauma as a result of abuse, neglect, separa- and were exposed to many educational areas such tion from family and thus lack a stable home. This expe- as astronomy, archeology, culture and wildlife ecology. rience provided foster youth in Merced County, grades Equally important, they worked on team-building skills six through eight, the opportunity to learn and build on while enjoying themselves in Yosemite National Park. their academics, social skills and self esteem. AGRICULTURE The MCE Foundation, in collaboration with the Merced County Farm Bureau, MCOE and the Merced City School District, pro- vided all third grade students from Merced County the opportunity to see where the food they eat comes from. The learning ex- perience, held at the Merced County Fair- grounds, increased students’, teachers’ and chaperones’ awareness of locally-grown specialty crops produced in Merced Coun- ty and taught children the importance of agriculture’s role in history, economics and health, while introducing them to healthy food choices.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 17 MCOE DEPARTMENTS & PROGRAMS

BUSINESS SERVICES (209) 381-6736 The Business Services department provides accounting, budgeting, information technology, purchasing and facility development and construction services to various MCOE programs. Business Services also oversees maintenance and operation support for many county sites, including maintenance of a large vehicle fleet. In addition, business advisory, financial services, technology services and payroll processing services are provided to the 20 school districts in Merced County, as well as the responsibilities of fiscal oversight through the AB1200 process. With the advent of LCFF the Business department in conjunction with the Instructional Services department is directed by the state to review and approve the LCAP of the school districts within the county.

CAREER & ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION (209) 381-6607 The Career and Alternative Education Department operates schools and programs in service to students and school districts. Merced Scholars Charter School provides middle and high school students a non-class- room based, personalized learning model of education; Valley Community and Court Schools provides a comprehensive education program for at-risk K-12 students who learn best in alternative programs; the Re- gional Occupational Program (ROP) provides career-technical training courses and services to high school and adult students; Foster Youth Services assists students, ages 4-21, who are placed in state licensed group homes and foster homes to improve academic achievement; the Empower Program prepares students for college and career; the Youth Opportunity Program supports students toward high school completion and college and career readiness; the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) improves the flow of information about postsecondary education/financial aid, and raises achievement levels of tar- geted students through collegiate academies established on high school campuses; and Building Healthy Youth AmeriCorps Program provides mentors to at-risk middle school and high school students to reinforce positive choices and behaviors.

EARLY EDUCATION (209) 381-6794 The Early Education Department provides leadership and operates multiple programs to ensure quality early educa- tion services to our community. Programs include Early Head Start, Head Start, Child Care Resource and Referral services for accessing licensed child care, Child Care Subsidy Payment services, the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN), the Family Resource Council and Parenting Center, Caring Kids, Abriendo Puertas, the Local Child Care and Development Planning Council, and workforce development services for early education professionals. The Early Education Department also MCOE has operated Head Start in Merced County since 2005. implements the Race To The Top-Early Learning Challenge grant The federally funded early education program has 16 Head Start called Quality Counts! In Merced County. sites serving nearly 1,200 young children and their families.

18 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT MCOE DEPARTMENTS & PROGRAMS

HUMAN RESOURCES (209) 381-6627 Human Resources staff administer personnel activities for the Merced County Office of Education. These activities include employee recruitment and selection, employment related counseling, leadership development, maintenance of employment records as well as negotiating, implementing and administering collective bargaining agreements for represented staff. Human Resources coordinates compensation and benefits for internal staff. The office also provides credentialing advice and monitoring to Merced County certificated personnel.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES (209) 381-6634 Instructional Services delivers support services based on re- searched-based practices and data-informed decision making to meet the ongoing challenges of Common Core State Standards implementation, and preparing for a new assessment and funding system. The ASSETS after school program, Camp Green Meadows Outdoor Education, Merced Educational Television (METV), Migrant Education, The Administrative Keys Tier II Credential Program, Be- ginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) and Special Events, which operates the Academic Decathlon and many other special events, are all located in Instructional Services. The department also leads the Merced County Seal of Multilingual Proficiency process. In 2013, the Instructional Services staff provided professional devel- opment and technical assistance to all 20 school districts, reaching approximately 1,500 teachers and 100 administrators.

SPECIAL EDUCATION (209) 381-6711 Special Education provides a wide range of services for children and young adults with special needs. Ranging in age from newborn to 22 years, these young people need special education for disabilities. They are served in a variety of places: homes, local schools, and schools with specialized class- es. Services are available to students residing in Merced County. Services include special classes for students with significant disabilities, the deaf and hard of hearing program, the emotional disturbance program, adaptive physical education services, occupational and physical therapy, the visually impaired program, the orthopedically impaired program, early start infant care, the early intervention autism program, speech and language devel- opment, nursing and health assistance, school psychologist and staff devel- opment. The Merced County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) ensures that quality special education programs and services are available throughout the region. The SELPA provides staff development, information system technology and technical assistance, transition planning support, education related mental health services, among other services.

2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT 19 2013 MERCED COUNTY SCHOOLS ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT County Superintendent of Schools Merced County Office of Education Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D 632 W. 13th Street, Merced CA 95341 • www.mcoe.org County Board of Education Gloria Honey Mary Ellen Chavez Dennis Hanks Fred Honoré David R. March

MCOE MISSION OVERARCHING STRATEGIC GOALS The mission of Merced County Office of Education, as • Annually, all staff will report improved communication, morale, trust, the educational leader of the Central Valley and trusted and accountability within MCOE. community partner, is to transform education and inspire • All clients will report that MCOE has provided innovative and high quality programs that resulted in increased learning. personal, social, and academic achievement of students • Clients will report that MCOE has promoted a college-going through collaborative partnerships, accountable leader- culture and meaningful career pathways; the number of Merced ship and innovative, high quality programs and services. County students enrolling and succeeding in institutions of higher education increased annually.

MCOE Schools School District Superintendent Phone Atwater Valley Community School ­­ Atwater ESD Sandra Schiber, Ed.D. 357-6100 1800 Matthews Ave., Atwater (209) 381-4550 Ballico-Cressey ESD Bryan Ballenger 632-5371 Los Banos Valley Community School ­­ Delhi USD Brian Stephens, Ed.D. 656-2000 715 West H St., Los Banos (209) 827-5600 Dos Palos-Oro Loma JUSD Brian Walker, Ed.D. 392-0200 Merced Valley Community School ­­ El Nido ESD Rae Ann Jimenez 385-8420 1850 Wardrobe Ave., Merced (209) 381-4501 Gustine USD Ronald Estes, Ed.D. 854-3784 Floyd A. Schelby School Hilmar USD Isabel Cabral-Johnson 667-5701 6738 N. Sultana Dr., Livingston (209) 394-7420 Le Grand UESD Rosina Hurtado 389-4515 Merced Scholars Charter School Le Grand UHSD Donna Alley 389-9403 808 W. 16th St., Merced (209) 381-5165 Livingston UESD Andres Zamora 394-5400 Green Meadows Outdoor School Los Banos USD Steve Tietjen, Ed.D. 826-3801 77798 White Chief MT. Rd., Fish Camp McSwain UESD Stan Mollart 354-2700 (559) 642-0122 Merced City SD RoseMary Parga-Duran, Ed.D. 385-6600 Merced County Juvenile Court School Merced River UESD Helio Brasil, Ed.D. 358-5679 2840 W. Sandy Mush Rd., Merced (209) 381-1414 Merced COE Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D. 381-6600 Merced UHSD Scott Scambray, Ed.D. 385-6400 We welcome your questions, comments and Plainsburg UESD Kristi Kingston 389-4707 Planada ESD Jose Gonzalez 382-0756 feedback. Please email us at [email protected]. Snelling-Merced Falls UESD Alison Kahl 563-6414 Weaver USD John Curry 723-7606 Content organization, photography and design by Winton ESD Randall Heller 357-6175 MCOE Public Information Officer Nathan Quevedo

Publication and Report Announcement Activities Proudly Sponsored By

Bond Underwriters & Financial Advisors MERCED COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Steven E. Gomes, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools