ESUHSD Weekly Report {WR} November 4, 2011

Community & School

East Side Union High School District Education Foundation

East Side Pride Shines at 2011 Hall of Fame Induction

East Side pride beamed brightly last weekend at the Hayes Mansion. Over 300 people attended the East Side Union High School District Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame event to honor the 2011 Thomas P. Ryan Hall of Fame Inductees. Former Superintendents Frank Fiscalini and Joe Coto joined current Superintendent Dan Moser to extend greetings to the crowd and commend the honorees. All three of the Superintendents highlighted in their comments on the significant roles East Side graduates have played nationally and locally in all sectors – government, education, health, business, sports, performing arts, and community organizations. CBS news reporter Len Ramirez, former graduate of James Lick and the Master of Ceremonies for the event reinforced that fact and encouraged everyone to be vigilant about promoting our successes in the community.

The highlight of the evening was the induction of 12 deserving honorees who exemplify the spirit of the award. Each inductee gave a short acceptance speech; expressing how proud they are to be graduates of the East Side Union High School District and the impact the District had on their lives. Many expressed appreciation to the various East Side staff who helped and supported them over the years.

2011 Inductees Left to Right: Congressman , Rodney G. Moore, Marisa Hanson, Kathy Camin, Papia Gambelin , Bill Christopher, Eddie Garcia, Judge Jacqueline Duong, Mrs. Luis Hernandez (accepting for Luis), Marc J.Spears. (Missing from Photo Joe Nedney and Tim Ryan)

The outstanding individuals who were inducted included:

Journalist Marc J Spears - Andrew P. Hill High School Congressman Mike Honda - Andrew P. Hill High School Corporate Rep Papia Gambelin - Independence High School President of East Side Teachers’ Association Marisa Hanson - Independence High School Former ESUHSD Board member Eddie Garcia - Corporate Rep Kathy Camin - James Lick High School Entrepreneur Bill Christopher - Oak Grove High School Former NFL Player Tim Ryan - Oak Grove High School Former NFL Player Joe Nedney - Attorney Rodney G. Moore - Silver Creek High School Musician Luis Hernandez - William C. Overfelt High School

Judge Jacqueline Duong -

The Thomas P. Ryan Hall of Fame is an honorary association established to publicize and honor the outstanding achievement of graduates of the district’s high schools. Named after the late Thomas P. Ryan, the founding superintendent of the East Side Union High School District, it serves to reinforce respect for excellence and the expression of admiration for former East Side Union High School District students who have achieved notable success in the fields of public service, arts, science, athletics, business, the professions and education.

Calendar: November 7 – 11

Nov 7 9:30 a.m. Yerba Buena High School Board Member Site Visit

Nov 7 1:30 p.m. SCCOE – SELPA Office AB 3632 Meeting

Nov 7 4:00 p.m. Independence High School Student / Board Relations Meeting

Nov 8 7:30 a.m. EC: Board Room APA Meeting

Nov 8 9:30 a.m. Piedmont Hills High School Board Member Site Visit

Nov 8 10:00 a.m. Superintendent’s Conference Room CBOC Sub Committee

Nov 8 11:30 a.m. Oak Grove High School Athletic Field Oak Grove Marching Band

Nov 8 2:00 p.m. EC: Board Room Principals’ Meeting

Nov 8 4:00 p.m. Oak Grove High School Foundation Meeting

Nov 9 8:30 a.m. Campbell Union High School District Superintendents’ Meeting

Nov 9 1:00 p.m. James Lick High School JL Alternative Governance Committee

Nov 9 1:30 p.m. EC: Board Room Subject Area Coordinators’ Meeting

Nov 9 5:00 p.m. SCCOE – Oak Grove Conf. Room Superintendents’ Forum – Joe Coto

Nov 10 8:00 a.m. Campbell Union High School District AB 3632 Meeting

Nov 10 9:30 a.m. Mt. Pleasant High School Board Member Site Visit

Nov 10 2:00 p.m. EC: Superintendent’s Office Scott Henry – De LaRosa Company

Nov 11 ----- Schools & District Office Closed Veteran’s Day Holiday

Administration & Business Services

Enrollment

Week Enrollment CBEDS Percent of Student Drops Oct 21 Oct 5 CBEDS For Week 12 12 23,955 24,028 99.69% (6)

Non-Public School (Special Education) Enrollment = 56 Students

Information Systems

The second student progress marking period ends Tuesday, November 2. Student grades may be entered on School Loop until Tuesday, November 8, 4:00 p.m. And on Infinite Campus the entry period will close Wednesday, November 9, 4:00 p.m.

Maintenance

Andrew Hill High School reported a section of solar panels and a concrete post damaged, over the weekend, by a facility user. Chevron immediately assessed the damage and is assisting in the repair planning.

Facilities

Facilities

Title IX Interior Projects Finishing Up

Several Title IX Interior Projects are finishing up this month. These projects involve modernizing the locker rooms to ensure that they are in compliance with Title IX and ADA requirements.

Andrew Hill High School

Tile work is being finalized as are other interior finishes. Revisions to the locker layout were completed in the girls’ locker area. A part of this project included the construction of a stucco wall in the pool area and this has been completed. Landscape repairs are being made to that area. The contractor is waiting on delivery of new HVAC equipment so that can be installed.

Independence High School

Painting and tiling has been finished. The contractor is currently working on plumbing fixture installation.

Oak Grove High School

The Punch list items are being addressed. In addition to making the locker rooms compliant with Title IX gender equity and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, new bleachers were put in and a new boiler is being installed.

Silver Creek High School

Boys’ locker room is complete. Locker installation is in process in the girls’ locker room. Because of the way the lockers had to be installed in the girls’ side, the Division of State Architect has to approve the design. Contractor is waiting on their approval to finalize the work.

Human Resources

Extension of Medicare Premium Payment Program Deferred (Reprinted from the CalSTRS – Connections Fall 2011 publication)

{Editorial – Medicare Premium Payment by CalSTRS on the “chopping block.”}

The CalSTRS Medicare Premium Payment Program pays for the Medicare Part A hospital insurance premium for eligible retired members who would otherwise be responsible for paying their own monthly premiums.

If you are an educator who started working prior to April 1, 1986, you were not initially subject to the Medicare Tax. If you switched employers after that date, or if you employer held a Medicare Division election and you voted “yes,” you began paying the Medicare Tax. If you or your spouse paid the Medicare tax for 10 or more years, you most likely qualify for premium- free Medicare Part A on your own.

However, if you don’t qualify for premium –free Medicare Part A, and you meet other eligibility criteria, CalSTRS will pay your Part A premium directly to Medicare. The Medicare Part A premium is $450 per month in 2011. If you are planning to retire in the near future, consider the potential health benefit cost savings if you retire by July 1, 2012.

Extension Deferred Due to Unfunded Liability

Under state law, employer contributions credited to the Teachers’ Health Benefits Fund – which supports the Medicare Premium Payment Program – would otherwise have been credited to the Defined Benefit Program, from which your core benefits such as retirement disability and survivor benefits are paid.

The Defined Benefits Program is not fully funded, with no plan yet enacted by the Legislature that would ensure full future funding. Any extension of the Medicare Premium Payment Program to those retiring on or after July 1, 2012, would increase the unfunded liability of the Defined Benefit Program. As a result, the Teachers’ Retirement Board cannot extend the Medicare Premium Payment Program at this time. However, members who meet the eligibility criteria and retire by July 1, 2012, still qualify.

Future of the Program

During its June meeting, the board directed staff to investigate the funding and legislation that would be required to extend the program to the small remaining population of members who might otherwise be eligible for the Medicare Premium Payment Program. The board will discuss staff’s findings in November.

Although the board cannot extend the program at this time, it may elect to extend it in the future. If this happens, the program would become available to those who retire after July 1, 2012, with premiums payable beginning on the date the program is extended.

For More Information

Any updates regarding the Medicare Premium Payment Program, including eligibility tools, updated information and the outcome of the board’s discussion will be posted on CalSTRS.com. Also look for more information in the spring 2012 issue of Connections.

Instructional Division

Instruction

Special Education

The Advisory Commission on Special Education granted the district’s appeal to place the Post Senior Program at Calero High School. The district’s decision to place the program at Calero High School was being challenged by the CDE Special Education Unit on the basis of not meeting the Least Restrictive Requirements (LRE) under federal law. Testimony from parents, staff, and Special Education Coordinator, Carole Hersom, swayed the Commission on the LRE issue in favor of the Post-Senior Students. With the positive decision, in hand, modernization plans are able to move forward with expected occupancy during the 2012-13 school year. Congratulations Post-Senior Students and Parents.

Facing Budget Gap, CTC Endorses Hike in Credentialing Fees By Tom Chorneau, Friday, November 04, 2011

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing acted to close a looming budget gap by endorsing what could be a near-doubling of credentialing fees next year – a move largely applauded by the education field.

The CTC is one of the few state departments funded entirely by fees collected on the administration of certification exams and credentials. But teacher layoffs and falling enrollments in preparation programs in recent years has dramatically dropped revenues and created a $2.4 million shortfall out of an overall budget of only $20 million.

Without action, the gap would grow to $4.4 million in 2012-13

Although commissioners grappled with the prospect of hiking fees at a time when teachers are under a variety of pressures, they endorsed increasing the cost of a five-year teacher credential renewal to $100 – nearly double the existing rate of $55 or $11 annually.

The governor’s Department of Finance had requested the commission provide direction on how it wanted the agency’s shortfall to be addressed as the administration prepares in the coming weeks next year’s proposed state budget.

Along with authority to negotiate with the governor’s office on the higher credentialing fees, the CTC also endorsed raising penalties on late or exceptional applicants for a number of other services.

It is expected that a final mix of increases will be worked out with the Department of Finance and will be included in the governor’s January budget.

To raise the five-year credentialing fee to $100 will require legislation.

Fees generated by the CTC’s credentialing programs fell 14 percent over the two-year period ending in 2010-11. This fiscal year the credentialing fees are expected to drop another 6 percent for a total decrease of 20 percent over three years.

Based on those trends, there are expectations that there could be an additional 6 percent decrease in 2013, according to estimates made last month.

Among those who voiced caution about the higher credentialing fees was Ken Burt, an attorney representing the Teachers Association who said the union was taking a “watch” position.

But the commission adopted a position aimed at raising any and all user fees to ensure the agency does not operate at a deficit.