CONNECTIONS
MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
MDUSD FRIENDS AND FAMILIES
February has started briskly and beautifully, with a promise of what will be a beautiful and busy spring here in Mt. Diablo! (The watercolor in the background is from one of our student artists at Wren Ave. Elementary School of the Arts, with a beautiful interpretation of nearby mountains.)
Starting February 12, we begin our series of "Town Hall" forums for our school communities to come see what we've gathered so far in feedback related to facility priorities for the implementation of our Facility Master Plan (FMP). We have a total of seven forums planned in various parts of the District, giving staff, families, students, community members, neighbors, and others a chance to look at draft Master Plan documents and look at school-specific facility assessments. We'd welcome your attendance and participation.
Development of the budget for the 2019-2020 school year is underway and the feedback of our families and community will be essential to developing site-based budgets that fund district and school priorities that focus on the classroom and reflect our values while also making sure we live within our means. The amount of funding from the state, while improved, continues to be inadequate for current needs.
February has a number of special and important observances, including Black History Month, Presidents' Day, the start of the Chinese New Year, and Valentine's Day. As I visit our schools, I really do love seeing how students express themselves in their writing and artwork and performances around the holidays and other seasonal themes. You'll see some great examples in Scenes from Schools below.
Warm regards,
Dr. Nellie E. Meyer
Superintendent
DISTRICT NEWS
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
As we continue the work developing our budget for next year, we are facing a budget shortfall, as are most districts in California. MDUSD is projecting a $12 million shortfall for 2019-20; budget reductions will need to be made in order to continue our long-term plan for strong, sustainable fiscal health. We have already begun implementing the first of several budget solutions in response.
Many have asked about what caused the shortfall. There are several variables but chief among them is the continued insufficient state funding for K-12 education over the next few years, especially in regards to students with disabilities. As you may recall, the goal of California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is to gradually return school district to the level of funding in place before California’s 2008 depression essentially decimated education funding. When you read or hear about LCFF being “fully funded,” this is a good thing but it’s important to understand that this means school districts are returned to funding levels from 2007, not what is required in 2019-2020.
We will continue to see declines in enrollment, down from 32,000 in 2015-16 to approximately 30,000 students this coming year; a 1% change in enrollment is approximately the equivalent of $3.2 million in revenue, up or down. We do anticipate making some staffing cuts for next year, prioritizing what vacancies may be filled, and how natural attrition can help us reduce staffing while continuing to ensure classrooms are fully staffed and supported.
Another significant variable is the increasing costs of ongoing personnel expenses including pensions, step and column increases, and health benefits.
By implementing spending restrictions, and being very thoughtful and purposeful about how we spend for the remainder of this fiscal year we can already address some of the $12 million shortfall. We will be working closely with our Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) and School Site Councils (SSCs) in the development of budget solutions both at the District and school levels, and appreciate the valuable input of these trusted partners.
We are moving along on schedule with our districtwide Facility Master Plan (FMP) development. To date, we have conducted extensive focus group work, actively sought stakeholders' feedback on facility priorities, and assessed data from the surveys of all principals. The results of these surveys, detailed in the Facility Master Plan Phase I Update to the Board, show some very clear priority trends. We appreciate the time and thought our principals put into their survey responses.
As we move forward, the Master Plan schedule includes several 'town hall' type meetings to share FMP progress. These forums, scheduled for February 12, 19, and 20, are open to the community. We encourage the attendance of our families, neighbors, and community and business leaders so we can share data and information thus far, and provide an opportunity for attendees to look at site-specific assessments and survey results. Learn more!
ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR KINDERGARTEN AND TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN (TK) FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is excited to prepare for the 2019-2020 school year, and to welcome incoming Kindergarten students as the Class of 2032! Enrollment is also open for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students (Class of 2033) – the first year of a two-year Kindergarten program - and for families who are new to the District
The first day of school for the 2019-2020 school year calendar is Thursday, August 15, 2019. New TK/Kindergarten students will begin enrollment by first completing online enrollment forms. Families then may bring their online enrollment summary and required documents to their resident school site to complete registration. We welcome our new families in advance!
LCAP SPEAKER SERIES CONTINUES MARCH 26 - "HOW PARENTS' SOCIAL MEDIA USE AFFECTS THEIR CHILDREN AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES"
Parents, do you find your child’s use of social media and technology concerning? Did you know children often feel the same about their parents’ use of social media?
We invite you to join us for an evening with Kim Karr, social media use expert and founder of #ICANHELP, an organization dedicated to empowering teens to respond with common sense to online negativity. Kim’s presentation will provide strategies for both teens and parents, with a reminder that, as adults, we are role models and mentors for our children, and they are affected by our behavior online. The session will be held on Tuesday, March 26, starting at 6 p.m. at College Park High School. Spanish translation will be provided!
Our fifth and final presentation will be on our LCAP and its impact on the MDUSD budget. Save the date - May 22 at 6 p.m. at the District Office, 1936 Carlotta Drive in Concord.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PROGRAM EXPANSION
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Mt. Diablo Unified is growing! The IB program was established to offer students a balanced, global education; facilitate geographic and cultural mobility; and promote international understanding. The efforts to be approved for this rigorous program are significant, taking the better part of three years and hundreds of hours of training, planning, and preparation.
Ygnacio Valley High School is our first school to be awarded the IB Diploma Programme (DP), and is now in its second year, with the first IB students graduating this year. The Diploma Programme is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising Theory of Knowledge (TOK); creativity, activity, and service (CAS); and the extended essay. Through this program, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a project that involves community service.
A couple of years ago, we began the application process for Oak Grove Middle School, and it is now considered a ‘candidate’ school – the next step toward full authorization – for the IB Middle Years Program (MYP).
Now, we are in the application process for two of our elementary schools – Sequoia and Monte Gardens – to establish the IB Primary Years Program (PYP).
We are excited about the opportunities these programs offer our students, and believe the IB programs promote greater equity and access for our students to an engaging, globally-inclusive college preparatory experience, especially for those students who haven’t believed that they can be college-bound.
SCHOOL NEWS
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Mt. Diablo Unified is always looking for potential team members. Please check our Human Resources website and our LinkedIn page for updated classroom positions and other positions we’re looking to fill, such as Special Education Assistants, Instructional Assistants, Campus Supervisors, and a variety of administrative and clerical positions.
Right now, we’re also looking to fill vacancies for Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. And we are always recruiting for Custodian Trainees, School Bus Driver Trainees, and Clerical Substitutes A $5,000 signing bonus is offered for Speech Language Pathologists.
- Check here for classified (non-teaching) openings!
- Check here for certificated openings!
Come join #TeamMDUSD! Together, we make a difference!
SCENES FROM SCHOOLS
Ygnacio Valley High School
There is some really gorgeous student artwork gracing the halls of Ygnacio Valley High School. Student artists are honoring inspirational African Americans with floor-to-ceiling murals during Black History Month. #studentart #honorhistory
Valhalla Elementary
Mt. Diablo High School
College Park High School
Walnut Acres Elementary
Riverview Middle School
Valle Verde Elementary
Sun Terrace Elementary STEM Magnet
Cambridge Elementary
ABOUT US
Email: mdusd@mdusd.org
Website: https://www.mdusd.org/
Location: 1936 Carlotta Dr, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 682-8000
Facebook: facebook.com/MDUSDnews
Twitter: @MtDiabloUSD
DATEBOOK
February 11, 2019
Regular Meeting - Board of Education
1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, CA 94519 (Get Directions)
- Closed session - 6:00 p.m.
- Open session - 7:00 p.m.
- View Agendas and Meeting Documents here!
February 15, 2019
School Recess Day - No School
February 18, 2019
Presidents' Day Holiday - No School
February 21, 2019
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord
- 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- View Meeting Materials here!
February 25, 2019
Regular Meeting - Board of Education
1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, CA 94519 (Get Directions)
- Closed session - 6:00 p.m.
- Open session - 7:00 p.m.
- View Agendas and Meeting Documents here!
March 11, 2019
Regular Meeting - Board of Education
1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, CA 94519 (Get Directions)
- Closed session - 6:00 p.m.
- Open session - 7:00 p.m.
- View Agendas and Meeting Documents here!
March 11, 2019
Teachers' Professional Development Day - No School
March 25, 2019
Regular Meeting - Board of Education
1936 Carlotta Dr., Concord, CA 94519 (Get Directions)
- Closed session - 6:00 p.m.
- Open session - 7:00 p.m.
- View Agendas and Meeting Documents here!
March 28, 2019
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Willow Creek Center, 1026 Mohr Lane, Concord
- 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- View Meeting Materials here!
March 29, 2019
Cesar Chavez Day Holiday - No School
COMING UP
April 1 - 5, 2019
Spring Recess - No School
May 27, 2019
Memorial Day Holiday - No School
June 5, 2019
Last Day of School