Residents raise concerns over AUSD politics

By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun

     ALPINE — Alpine Union School District board members heard from concerned residents last Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the group’s regular meeting.
     Concerns over recent items read in the paper, left some Alpine citizens worried that our school district’s Board of Trustees may be going on a political bent. The board members assured all present, that the board members were not politically minded, and the students were always the first priority in their business.
     Another concern brought to the school board’s attention was that some of the Joan Mac Queen Middle School restrooms on campus were locked. This matter was referred to Superintendent Greg Ryan, who deftly explained that the JMMS campus was constructed for a student body that was more than 1,000 students. Currently there are about 800 students enrolled at JMMS, and all facilities may not be available, but there were an adequate number of facilities available for the current population. Ryan said he would look into this matter.
     Bill Cudog, Assistant Superintendent, with the help of Moana Miller, principal from Creekside Early Learning Center, presented our STAR testing scores to the board with an in depth report on how our students scored, as well as the students strengths and weaknesses. Reiterating that our students’ scores were over the state’s recommended number, Cudog presented how we can still strive fore achievement. He said that, “We are not sitting on our laurels”.
     Cudog explained that the A.P.I., or Academic Performance Index, is a part of the “no child left behind,” and the school principals as well as the administration are always looking at new strategies to establish the best programs for our students. This is achieved by on-going assessments and constant dialoguing with teachers on the varied learning that takes place among our students.
     Rob Turner, Business Manager for the District presented the years enrollment numbers. Currently our district is down by approximately 70 students. Turner handed out an enrollment report that listed student enrollment numbers back as far as June 1999. He pointed out certain trends that showed enrollment as a flow and ebb of numbers that seem to change throughout the year.
     He reminded the board that when our enrollment fluctuates our funding fluctuates.
     Meeting-goers were also introduced to several newly hired Boulder Oaks teachers. Principal Deann Jeffreys proudly introduced new members of her staff, who were almost all present at the meeting. Her list of new staff to introduce started with Julie Zukas the new R.S.P teacher, and then Tyra Wilson who is a part-time teacher for the fourth grade, who comes to Alpine from Lemon Grove. The next to be introduced was Staci Arnold who has been a long-term substitute teacher in the district and coming from Coronado. Arnold will be teaching first grade.
     Ken Zimmer was introduced next. He spent his student teaching, teaching under Liz Meade’s watchful eye. Tamara Ripke was also hired. Ripke will be teaching third grade, and Jeffreys tells us that the parents already love her as a Boulder Oaks teacher.
     John McCambridge, speaking for the teachers association, mentioned only the insurance shift that the association was currently handling. When asked further on this, McCambridge explained that the association is working in a positive manner to resolve the change in VEBA. VEBA, which stands for Voluntary Employees Benefits Association, has currently stopped offering Scripps Clinic on their plan. McCambridge was very happy with how teachers are handling the change, and is also sure that VEBA is shopping wisely to offer teachers the best coverage possible at the most affordable rates.
     Gayle Malone, who is the Teacher’s Association Vice President and Political Action Chair, presented each board member with a copy of an article from the California Educator titled, “Are Special Needs Ignored In Effort To Raise Scores?” to further educate them on our own district’s special needs population.
     As the meeting closed, Mark Price revisited the political comments made earlier. Price said again that the board is not political and, as a group, they have always risen above politics to put the kids first.
     Mary Wiggins supported Price’s comments saying that the board has always upheld the students’ best interest and in the district, the kids always come first. Anne Pierce shared her belief adding that our district does not marginalize Special Ed, and agreed that the board is there for the children.
     Greg Ryan reported that the Read-In at JMMS was very successful. Approximately 75 people were present. Also, Ryan said that there was extra funding available to the schools, as it is an election year. This extra funding is to be spent on Music, Art and Physical Education.
     The state is also reimbursing the district for past-due amounts that were paid out for state mandated duties that the district fulfilled. Ryan said that this reimbursement is a one-time income, and will help our district’s budget, regarding our declining enrollment.
     Ryan closed his comments with a reminder that the PTA Council is sponsoring a parent/teacher workshop with the Fred Becker Institute in the month of October.
 

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