Priorities for change within Pasadena Unified School District

By Gregor Q. Edwards

· Development and implementation of comprehensive board policies to guide and direct the design and delivery of the curriculum and provide for curricular quality control. These policies will encompass procedures that will ensure program focus, accountability, effectiveness, and consistency.

· Ensure board policy provides adequate oversight and necessary quality controls to complete Measure Y efforts.

· Review current board policy to determine if applicable to district needs and adjust as necessary. (i.e. classroom behavior)

2. Our current security systems are level 6 security systems; according to board employees responsible for these systems they are state of the art. However, the issue of security for our children begins when that child leaves home in the morning and ends when that child returns home in the evening. A "security system" is composed of more than electronic surveillance. To ensure the safety of our children we need better articulation between our police agencies, parent volunteers with proper identification and cell phones patrolling our streets during times when children are coming and going to school, and neighborhood watch programs which emphasize the importance of knowing the kids in the neighborhood and the need to protect school site facilities. These are a few of the steps that need to be taken to ensure student safety. We must not forget that the board has a responsibility to ensure that its policies reflect the needs of all stakeholders and are designed and implemented to ensure safety of our kids and protection of district facilities.

3. It is important first to have a plan that all stakeholders in the educational process agree. An effective school system has a clear set of policies that establish an operational framework for management that promotes accountability. Without definitive and operational policies, the Board cannot adequately perform its role. This framework defines for the Superintendent what the Boards expectations are and within what timeline and how he will be held accountable.

4. I believe that we need a school site in the North West. However, I feel we need to look at what is the root cause of the need. I feel that one of the primary reasons is the lack of an adequate education. While the building of a new school will reduce class size and bussing issues, will it improve instruction? It is the improvement of instruction that needs to be address-NOW. This solution also has relocation issues attached to it that will be very costly. Do we look at short term solutions or long-term systemic change?

5. We need to provide a comprehensive educational program that provides for not only academic challenge, but also opportunity to develop skills in art, music, vocations, and technology. When our children graduate from our school system they should be able to choose what they want to pursue as a career and have the skill set to do so. Our challenge is not how to encourage Pasadena families to enroll their children in our schools; our challenge is how to keep those students currently enrolled in our schools. Remember parents enroll their children in schools that will provide them with the best education and opportunity.