SAN DIEGO – Citing the need for decisive leadership to reform San Diego’s financially troubled school system, District Attorney and candidate for Mayor Bonnie Dumanis today proposed an ambitious and comprehensive plan to put the district on a new course.
The “Framework for America’s Finest City Schools” consists of eight critical points, including: increasing the size of the district’s Board of Trustees from five to nine members; adding members who are nominated by a panel including parents and the leaders of our local colleges and universities; an independent financial advisory board; steadfast opposition to new taxes; greater transparency in district management, and more.
“The future of our schools is threatened by the possibility of financial insolvency, a lack of stability in top management positions, and a structure that puts too much distance between parents and decision-makers,” said Dumanis. “Leadership is required to provide a vision for first class schools in San Diego, and transforming that vision into reality.”
For several months Dumanis has met with education experts, parents, teachers, local officials, members of the business community and other stakeholders with an interest in improving San Diego’s school system. The Framework released today is the product of those meetings.
“Our schools are too important to the city, its residents, and its future. Leadership based on sound and proven principles is required,” added Dumanis.
The Framework for America’s Finest City Schools embraces reform at every level:
• To add expertise to the Board of Trustees, the size of the Board would grow from five to nine members through an amendment to the San Diego City Charter to appear on the ballot in 2014. The four additional members would be appointed by the mayor from a list provided by a new Citizens Advisory Panel. That panel would include the leaders of UCSD, SDSU, USD and the community college system, plus the leaders of the School Advisory Committees, who are elected by parents.
“The additional members of the Board of Trustees will allow additional expertise to be brought to district management, and the selection of those new trustees will involve parents through the School Advisory Committees, and the leaders of our universities, who have a strong interest in ensuring our public schools fully prepare students for entry into college, and the workforce,” said Dumanis.
• Improving transparency, forecasting, and financial expertise are the main goals for a new Independent Financial Advisory Board to be appointed by the Mayor from lists of financial experts forwarded by the Citizens Advisory Panel. While the Board will be advisory in nature, it will have the power to monitor and report on the district’s financial position, adopt guidelines for reporting and transparency, and keep the Mayor, the City Council, and the public well informed of district finances.
“While the responsibilities of school board trustees are very broad, the Independent Financial Advisory Board will have a narrow set of responsibilities directed at district finances and serving as an expert watchdog for parents, students, and taxpayers,” said Dumanis.
• As Mayor, Bonnie Dumanis will forcefully advocate for a greater role for parents in district management, including the appointment of parents to the negotiating teams charged with forging bargaining agreements with the district’s labor unions. “Parents deserve a seat at the table,” said Dumanis.
• To solve the district’s current financial troubles, Dumanis is calling on the district leadership and employee groups to come to the table and negotiate to bring costs in line with reality. “Negotiating labor contracts that make sense in today’s economic environment is something the city has had to do, the county has done it, and San Diego Unified needs to do it as well,” added Dumanis.
• To protect taxpayers, Dumanis is flatly opposing any tax hike, such as a proposed parcel tax, to bail out the district. “San Diegans are taxed enough already, and the voters have made clear they are not interested in new taxes for a district which has had trouble with financial decision-making. These challenges need to be met without further burdening San Diego taxpayers, particularly in this economy,” said Dumanis.
• Due to the heavy role of the state in education, as Mayor Bonnie Dumanis will convene a task force of local legislators and district leaders to propose reforms needed to stabilize education funding and provide school districts with additional tools to control costs and make sound financial decisions. “Too much innovation is being stifled by state laws that are arcane, outdated, or just don’t make sense any more. To improve our schools in San Diego, it’s clear that reform in Sacramento is necessary too,” said Dumanis.
• To maximize the number of students benefitting from experience in the workplace, as Mayor Bonnie Dumanis will provide leadership for a Summer of Work and Learning program together with the San Diego Workforce Partnership. “As Mayor, I’ll provide the leadership and support necessary for thousands of our students to make the most of their summer, helping them build relationships in the private sector and learn what it takes to succeed,” said Dumanis.
• To ensure a high level of coordination and support between the city and the school district, as Mayor Bonnie Dumanis will establish the Office of the Mayor’s Education Liaison. “We need to seize every opportunity to work together – the city and the school district. We will establish an office responsible for ensuring we identify and take advantage of each of those opportunities,” said Dumanis.
Dumanis encouraged city residents to join the dialogue on improving city schools. “The Framework we’re releasing today is the start, not the end, of this process. In the coming weeks I’m looking forward to meeting with parents, teachers, taxpayers, and other stakeholders to ensure that we can move forward aggressively next January with ensuring our schools help every student reach their full potential.”