NUSD Race: Following Through on Programs

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

SEVENTH IN A SERIES

THE NATOMAS BUZZ invited the four candidates running for the Natomas Unified school board to participate in a series of articles wherein they answer questions submitted by readers. Today’s question asked,

“There have been programs brought into a school and the money spent. Unfortunately they are not ever brought off the ground and sometimes even shelved altogether with the equipment shoved into a closet (ie. Science Lab at Heron School). What steps can you take to ensure that the program is brought into the school and follow through to ensure that it is implemented?” -Anthony Edmonds

Here are the answers submitted by the deadline, in the order they were received:

Jag Bains

JAG BAINS
Our District has hosed away millions of dollars on programs that looked great on a PowerPoint presentation, but flopped during implementation. The HOSTS program and Restorative Justice are two prominent examples of this phenomenon. Reports of brand new equipment and plastic-wrapped textbooks stashed in utility closets show that top-down leadership does not work. When parents and teachers on the front lines lead the way, we have wonderful successes like the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Inderkum High School. By appointing an independent Parent Advocate, I would empower parents to take initiative in the interest of our students. We need less red tape and more graduation gowns in Natomas. Finally, we need to fully utilize our School Site Councils! These are comprised of parents, teachers and classified employees who volunteer their time and know how to prevent wasteful spending before it ever starts. New programs should be vetted with our Councils.

Lisa Kaplan

LISA KAPLAN
The successful implementation of programs in our schools, which help students thrive academically, is very important. The responsibility of a Board member is to set policy and budget direction for the District. At a school site, the responsibility for leadership, program implementation and accountability is given to a Principal. Programs succeed and are correctly implemented, when the Principal, along with teachers, school site council leaders, PTA, parents and District work together. As your board member in order to ensure accountability, I would request information on programs approved for implementation and their status. Thereafter, I would request the data on the success of the programs. Based on information received, I would then work with the Superintendent and my fellow board members to ensure we take steps to improve the programs, or provide support to make them successful. Finally, I will ultimately hold our district accountable to ensure appropriate implementation.

Teri Burns

TERI BURNS
Most programs are successfully launched, for example the Natomas Gateways Middle School 1:1 computing program, the rolling computer carts at elementary schools, increased instrumental music programs and more. Steps to ensure follow through include listening to teachers and parents who have first-hand knowledge about the progress of implementation. It also involves monitoring the proper training teachers and administrators on the program, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to implement the program (such as remodeled science labs), ensuring that sufficient resources are in place to fully implement the program and holding administrators accountable for managing the roll-out and day-to-day use of the program. Finally, we need to communicate clearly to all stakeholders if a program has been delayed or shelved. The board should expect regular reports back on district approved programs.