VISION
Schools as Great as our Mountains
We will become the district of choice for families seeking excellence in education
consistent with our unparalleled natural setting in a safe, small town environment.
District Priorities 2011-2012
o 1. Preserve and strengthen district fiscal health
o 2. Improve achievement for all students and narrow the gap for underperforming sub-groups by implementing a comprehensive data driven approach to continuous improvement
o 3. Increase rigor and pathway options and track the progress of our graduates in order to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs
o 4. Begin to adopt the common core state standards in the area of ELA and Math
o 5. Enhance the positive image of the district through transparent consistent communication to all stakeholders
January was the month that the Governor unveiled his proposed Budget for the next school year. There is no good news in the release of that budget. There continues to be reductions in funding for public education – we continue to fall below the national average of per pupil funding to the tune of $2811 per student and are ranked 46th in the country. We once again are expected to do more with less – what service will we reduce now?
We experienced a snow storm on Monday the 23rd and there were some concerns expressed about the decision that was made that day as related to the concept of a red or yellow day. I accept the responsibility for that decision and based on the comments that people have shared with me I have taken the opportunity to review the process, the parameters and the timeline of that decision making process. These are serious decision to be made and they are not taken lightly.
Our number one priority has to be a focus on safety, physical, social and emotional. In those good old days when we went to school the entire focus was on learning, period! But these days this concept of learning is so much more complicated and goes far beyond the four walls of the school house. We are all challenged to develop strategies that will meet the wide and varied needs of our students, their families and the community.
The recent loss of life has caused and will continue to affect this small community. We will continue to work with the community to provide whatever leadership and assistance that is needed to assist this community with the healing process. All of us are making thoughtful and reflective decisions that sometimes may cause some debate but at the end of the day they were made from the heart with a primary focus on our students.
This has not been an easy month for any of us. There have been many lessons learned and we are exploring territory that many of us have never touched in our lifetimes. We all may not agree with those daily decisions but know in our hearts that every human being in this organization loves your children dearly and will do whatever we need to do to ensure their success.
Lastly, the State is transitioning to an earlier birth date to enter kindergarten. Effective with the 2012-13 school year your child has to be five years old by November 1st to start school. This will continue to be rolled back over these next three years as the 2013-14 school year has a five year old age by October 1st and for the 2013-14 school year they are required to be five by September 1st.
Rich Boccia
Superintendent of Schools
Mammoth Unified School District
Producing Global Citizens