Happy September!

In this message:

1. Additional Community Meeting for By-Area Trustee Elections
2. Full & Fair Funding for Schools: will you take action?
3. Emerge California applications due Sept 24th

Additional Community Meeting for By-Area Trustee Elections

By community request, one more input meeting was scheduled for By-Area Trustee Elections: Wednesday Sept 11th!  All are welcome to attend, and translation to Spanish is provided. (other languages upon request)

And two more maps were designed (see pink and purple). See maps and details at https://mdusd.org/boardelections

Click here for printable flyer in English y Espanol

Can't attend? A digital feedback form has been added to the District’s website so you can provide your input online in English or Spanish.  

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Community Input Meeting

Meadow Homes Elementary, Multi-Use Room, 5:30-6:30pm, 1371 Detroit Ave., Concord, 94520

Monday, September 23, 2019 Public Hearing

Mt. Diablo Unified School District Offices/Board Room, 7pm, 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, 94519 

This will be the third formal Public Hearing to solicit public input on draft maps of trustee areas and proposed sequence of elections and summarize input from community forums.  The meeting may include potential Board action to narrow number of published draft maps for final consideration, and/or to direct the creation of one or more revised draft maps.  

Monday, October 14, 2019 Public Hearing

Mt. Diablo Unified School District Offices/Board Room, 7pm, 1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, 94519

This will be the fourth formal Public Hearing to solicit public input on draft maps of trustee areas and proposed sequence of elections. The meeting will include resolutions to adopt the trustee-area maps and proposed sequence of elections.

Full and Fair Funding for Schools: Take 1 minute for Action

I've heard from many of you who are asking for smaller class sizes, more librarians and nurses, and higher pay for teachers and staff.  I would love to guide our district to do every one of those things, however the struggle is to find what is currently affordable within our fiscal means.

Please share your stories with our state legislators, so they can see and feel how immediate these needs are for our students, teachers and staff... their constituents.  They need to raise our state investment in public education at least to the national average, as soon as possible!

We need you now as together we try to make a seismic shift in school funding in California.

What you can do

• Social Media: Post this to twitter and Facebook:

@BauerKahan @AsmGrayson @Steve_Glazer, The time to be BOLD is NOW! Will you be bold & stand with educators, students & community to put Full & Fair Funding on March 2020 Ballot so voters can decide to support education funding? #FullandFairFunding #March2020 #Education #BeBold

@BauerKahan @AsmGrayson @Steve_Glazer, The time to be BOLD is NOW! Will you be bold and stand with educators, students, and the community to support a School Facilities Bond? #FullandFairFunding #March2020 #Education #BeBold #OurBuildingsAre50yrsOld

• Call your legislator: Ask him or her to be bold for education.  Put Full & Fair Funding on the March 2020 ballot, pass a school facilities bond, and show that education truly is a priority by funding it. (state your specific example of the need in 1-2 sentences, e.g. Our school district Facilities Master Plan just identified $1Billion in facility needs, yet our local bond that taxpayers recently supported is $150 million) 
  • Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan: (916) 319-2016  https://a16.asmdc.org/
  • Assemblymember Tim Grayson: (916) 319-2014  https://a14.asmdc.org/
  • Senator Steve Glazer: (916) 651-4007 https://sd07.senate.ca.gov/

• Spread the word: Reach out to your fellow parents, teachers, and neighbors to ask that they join in this historic fight!  Share www.fullandfairfunding.org 

Emerge California Applications Due Sept 24th

Are you a woman who has thought about running for office, whether it be city council, school board, water board or state level office?  Consider the EmergeCA program. As an alumnus I highly recommend this as a deep learning opportunity with women from around the state who all strive to serve and improve their communities.  Feel free to contact me directly for more information.

Find online webinars here, starting this Friday Sept 13th, some of which specialize in recruiting minorities and LGBTQ women in particular:

https://ca.emergeamerica.org/training/recruitment-salons/

Emerge California offers an in-depth, six-month, 70-hour training program that provides aspiring women leaders, who are Democratic self-identified women in the State of California, with cutting-edge tools and training to run for elected office and elevate themselves in our political system.

But hurry!  Applications and recommendations are due Tuesday Sept 24th at 11:59pm sharp!

Next MDUSD School Board Meeting - Monday September 23rd

See all board meeting agendas and schedule here: https://mdusd.org/agendasminutes

Thank you for joining together for all students!

Sincerely,

How was the first day of school?

We have so many positive and wonderful teachers, staff and parents in our district who worked hard for a smooth and welcoming start to the school year for all students.  Thank you all!  It was not easy, especially with that off-the-charts heatwave.

At the school board meeting last week, we officially appointed Dr. Robert Martinez as the new MDUSD superintendent.  The decision was unanimous, and we are looking forward to seeing his experience and passion take flight here in our schools, bringing everyone together to ensure quality education for every student.  His first official day is today.  Welcome Dr. Martinez!

Meanwhile we have also been busy with two key items that need your attention:

1. Maps for the 2020 by-trustee-area election: attend a community meeting
2. Full & Fair Funding opportunity: will you take action?

And this week Congressman DeSaulnier is holding an Immigration Town Hall.  See details below.

Community Meetings for By-Area Trustee Elections

Your perspective is needed! 

Please plan to attend any one of these community forums to give your input on draft maps for the five trustee areas. See the conceptual maps and details at https://mdusd.org/boardelections

Flyers publicizing the forums have been translated into multiple languages:  
Arabic | Chinese | Dari | English| Farsi | Hindi | Korean | Pashto| Spanish | Tagalog |Vietnamese

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Loma Vista Adult School  Noon – 1 p.m.

Willow Creek Center 5 – 6 p.m.

Pleasant Hill Middle School 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Pine Hollow Middle School 5 – 6 p.m.

Foothill Middle School 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

District Office/Board Room 5 – 6 p.m.

Riverview Middle School 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Translation available upon request. 

Full and Fair Funding on the March 2020 Ballot?

Are you feeling frustrated with the budget reductions our schools currently face?  I am. And we are not alone.  Schools across CA are in the same boat.

CSBA (CA School Board Association) just informed us that there is serious momentum for the legislature to place a Full and Fair Funding education initiative on the March 2020 ballot and to have a bill number for this by Labor Day. That will give us just a couple of weeks (September 13^th is the deadline)  to push it over the top.

We need you now as together we try to make a seismic shift in school funding in California.

Background on Measure

This measure would raise $15 billion dollar a year for K-14 education through increased taxes on incomes over $1,000,000 a year and a 5% increase in corporate taxes. This initiative would provide approximately $2,000 per ADA in each district (i.e. almost $60,000,000 extra a year for MDUSD). CSBA just got back poll results that show that such an initiative placed on the March ballot would be almost unstoppable given its popularity with voters.

What you can do

• Social Media: Post this to twitter and Facebook:

@BauerKahan @AsmGrayson, The time to be BOLD is NOW! will you be bold and stand with educators, students, and the community to put Full & Fair Funding on the March 2020 Ballot so voters can decide to support education funding? #FullandFairFunding #March2020 #Education #BeBold

• Op-eds: Write an op-ed using this template: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AmfpubkWg1sdhRBuAEpX6aS1dEl2
• Call your legislator:
  • Rebecca Bauer-Kahan: (916) 319-2016  https://a16.asmdc.org/
  • Tim Grayson: (916) 319-2014  https://a14.asmdc.org/
• Spread the word: Reach out to your fellow parents, teachers, and neighbors to ask that they join in this historic fight!

Immigration Town Hall Thursday Aug 22nd

6:30-8pm, Meadow Homes Elementary, 1371 Detroit Ave, Concord.

Congressman DeSaulnier will provide a firsthand account of what he witnessed at detention facilities during his two visits to the southern border and share the work he is doing in Congress to protect immigrant rights and ensure detainees are treated with the dignity they deserve. 

Legal resources and information about immigrant rights—regardless of immigration status—will be available in English and Spanish. A translator will be on hand during the event. RSVP online: https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp For information call 925-933-2660.

Please share this Safe Haven Resolution with parents & community, to know that the Mt Diablo school district is dedicated to educating all children regardless of immigration status. This resolution was unanimously passed by the school board in Feb 2017, and includes stating that no student data on immigration status is collected by MDUSD, and ICE officials are not allowed on any school campus without prior approval from the superintendent.

Also, here is a useful article with recommendations on how schools should respond to ICE raids.

Next MDUSD School Board Meeting - Monday August 26th

See all board meeting agendas and schedule here: https://mdusd.org/agendasminutes

Thank you for joining together for all students!

Sincerely,

Can you believe that school is starting soon?  I hope that you all had a wonderful summer.  Mine was busy with quite a bit of school board work, but I did also get away with my family for some much needed unplugged adventure.  My daughters both have walk throughs this week, and I love seeing students as they excitedly gather to share schedules and sign up for sports and clubs!  I am so impressed with the dedication of our district administrators, teachers and staff as they navigate through the busy preparation needed for the first day of school.

Here are some ways you can get informed over the next few days about district news & resources:

Superintendent Meet & Greet: Friday August 9th

Our School Board held interviews this summer, and has chosen a finalist for Superintendent. You are invited and welcome to come meet Dr. Robert Martinez tomorrow, August 9th, at the district office!

We will officially vote on this at the August 12th board meeting.

 Meet & Greet Dr. Robert Martinez

August 9, 2019
MDUSD Board Room
1936 Carlotta Drive, Concord, CA 94519
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Districtwide Parent Conference: Saturday August 10th

Mt. Diablo Unified School District

2019-2020 Back-to-School Parent Conference 

 Saturday, August 10, 2019

8:00am to 1:00 pm

Loma Vista Adult Education Center, 1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord

Educational workshops and exciting keynote speaker will provide valuable resources and tools to help guide you and your children to a successful school year. Children not required to be present.

• Free for all MDUSD families!
• Childcare available for children 3-10 years old. (Space is limited, prior registration is highly recommended.)
• Lunch will be provided for registered participants.
• Free bus transportation provided from Bel Air and Riverview schools
  (Bay Point).

Online registration ends on August 8th.  Walk-ins are welcome on August 10th.

2019 Parent Conference English Registration Form:

https://tinyurl.com/PARENT-Conference-Registration

2019-2020 Conferencia Padres de Regreso a la Escuela

Sábado, Agosto 10 del 2019

8:00am a 1:00pm

Centro de Educación Para Adultos de Loma Vista, 1266 San Carlos Avenue, Concord

Nuestros talleres educacionales y la presentación de nuestro gran orador principal, ofrecerán herramientas e información para ayudar y guiar a sus hijos a tener un año escolar exitoso. Niños no necesitan atender el evento.

• ¡GRATIS para las familias que viven en el MDUSD!
• Se ofrecerá cuidado de niños entre los 3 y 10 años de edad. Espacio es limitado, registración previa al evento es altamente recomendada.
• Se ofrecerá un paquete de materiales escolares por familia (niños no necesitan atender el evento).
• Habrá almuerzo después del evento.
• Se ofrecerá transportación gratis desde las escuelas de Bel Air y Riverview, Bay Point

Registración online cierra el 8 de Agosto.  También puede registarse el dia del evento.

Registración Para la Conferencia:

https://tinyurl.com/Registracion-para-padres

Next MDUSD School Board Meeting - Monday August 12th

See all board meeting agendas and schedule here: https://mdusd.org/agendasminutes

The August 12th meeting will include voting on our new Superintendent, informing the public about community input opportunities on maps for the by-area elections for school board, and more.

May you have an excellent new school year,

Did you hear?  We selected a Finalist for MDUSD Superintendent!  I am proud of the work our School Board team did together to unanimously support Dr. Robert Martinez as our Finalist for the position of Superintendent of Mt Diablo Unified School District.

Here is a message from School Board President Joanne Durkee:

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education is pleased to announce that a finalist for the position of Superintendent has been identified.  Pending a site visitation to the candidate’s current District and final negotiation of a contract, it is anticipated final approval of the appointment will occur on August 12, 2019, at the regular meeting of the Board of Education.    

Currently Dr. Robert A. Martinez is the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District where he has served the students, families, and employees of FSUSD for thirty-two years.  A native of Baldwin Park, California, Dr. Martinez completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at the University of California, Davis, and his Educational Doctorate Degree from Drexel University.

Dr. Martinez says he is humbled and honored to be provided the opportunity to serve the students, families, employees, and broad stakeholders in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. He is excited about the opportunity to enhance services to students, bring our diverse community together on their behalf, and work with courageous leaders at every level of the District. “I am honored that the Board of Education has selected me as the finalist for Superintendent.  I am especially proud to be part of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District.  Mt. Diablo has shown a clear commitment to creating learning environments that are based in equity, strive to assist each child with excelling academically and socially, and are focused on readying students for college readiness, careers, and as citizens of their community.”

The Board of Education made its decision with input gathered from key stakeholder groups regarding the qualities of our next Superintendent. Based on the feedback received from our parents, staff, and community members, we sought someone who is a collaborative, energetic leader, who values our accomplishments, and wants to continue our efforts to provide the quality education our students deserve and our families expect.  After a rigorous screening and interview process, Dr. Martinez was chosen as the best fit. He brings the skills, intellect, heart, and passion to lead our District into the future.

The Board of Education looks forward to introducing Dr. Martinez at a ‘meet and greet’ to our entire community in early August.

Joanne Durkee, MDUSD Board President