"....keep things going the way they are, or back to the way things used to be...

“Do you want to keep things going the way they are, or do you want to go back to the

way things used to be?”

Good question from Don Ball as quoted in the Valley Times (Oct. 6).

1. Opportunities for the public to speak at board meetings has decreased. I would

support a board that encourages dialogue and open exchange of ideas rather than

one that discourages it.---- “go back to the way things used to be.”

2. Board minutes do not reflect what is said at the meetings. I would support a

board that looks at the minutes and corrects glaring inaccuracies and omissions.---

“go back to the way things used to be.”

3. Details of the Principal/superintendent’s contract and salary are not reported out

from closed session. Attempts were made to even hide the P/S’s salary in the

budget by reporting it piecemeal in several different places. I would support a

board that is not ashamed of or afraid to report out decisions about the P/S’s terms

of employment.--- “go back to the way things used to be.”

4. Board passes (unanimously) motions that they know nothing about. The most

damaging was the administrative item (April 2008) that irrevocably changed the

character of the district. Not one board member could explain it to the

community members in attendance. I would support a board that knows what

they are voting on before they vote on it, and maybe have some discussion before

the vote.--- “go back to the way things used to be.”

As far as the School Board goes, I think the answer is obvious… “go back to the way

things used to be.”

Things have been improving at SGS every year from way before this board took their

seats, including public support for the school, the bond issue, and the building program.

Having great test scores is nothing new for SGS over the past few decades. But if Mr.

Ball really wants an answer to his question, then “go back to the way things used to be.”

Student enrollment goals-

4,5,6,7,8th grades at 25/per grade (target average set by the board) = 125 students

3 K/first’s and 3 second/thirds at 20/grade (class size reduction limit)= 120 students

Small class sizes used to be considered a big plus for SGS. Unless the district hopes to

increase class size averages or build some additional classrooms, it looks like the

maximum enrollment should be about 245. More students means more dollars, but there

is some point of diminishing returns as far as education goes.

There is nothing I can do to improve your school. I can’t change any of the above. BUT

YOU CAN! I strongly recommend Diane Everett and Gerry Beemiller for the Sunol

Glen School Board.

Phil Mumford, Sunol Glen Teacher 1978-2010