Academic Office Squandering $2.2 M in Title I Funds?
Here we go again!
Last spring, the state of California’s Department of Education suspended the Supplemental Educational Supports (SES) program and asked local schools to determine alternative programs to meet the needs of low income students.
The Academic Office was informed of these changes in May, 2016.
But Chief Academic Officer Iris Taylor made no effort to discuss the District’s plan until September, after school started.
Once discussions started, the goal posts moved. On September 3, the Iris Taylor stated the amount in question was $3 million.
On September 27, Iris Taylor disclosed the number had dropped to $2.2 million–with no justification or documentation.
The District never gave a specific proposal detailing exactly how it would spend the money.
On October 28, 2016, we gave a proposal to the District. Our proposal adds an additional Resource Teacher at all forty seven Title 1 schools for the 2016-17 school year, and fits within the District’s $2.2 million budget. We offered to sign the agreement that day so that positions could be posted immediately.
The Academic Office’s response? There hasn’t been one. Despite repeated requests to Iris Taylor, shehas refused to respond to our proposal or to offer a counter-proposal. We raised the issue at bargaining on November 30th, and Iris Taylor and the District refused to respond.
In the meantime, students in many of neediest schools go without the additional front-line educational support.
The real question remains: what is the District doing with the money?
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