Re “A Laase Critic Chides Him Over School Board Matter”
Dear Opal Maks:
I read your comments last Friday regarding George Laase’s essay about the Culver City High School soccer vs. YMCA Youth and Government question. I wanted to make a few comments of my own with regard to your assertions.
I believe that when we focus on whether the School District can receive Average Daily Attendance, ADA, revenue when a student attends a Youth and Government event, we are taking our eye off the proverbial ball.
This issue is not about ADA, but about the lack of a clear policy regarding simultaneous participation in two activities that may have a negative effect on one for a single day.
The Education Code places attendance at the Youth and Government conference in the category of an excused absence, as opposed to truancy. But it is true that the state has not paid ADA for even excused absences for several years.
Each of the entities involved may want to protect its own autonomy.
This is not surprising. But when we can plainly see that the lack of a clear, consistent policy negatively affects our students,someone — site, School District administration, the School Board — must step in to correct the problem.
Let me assure you that the School Board has the right to question everything you listed in your letter, and more. There are, indeed, Board policies and/or Ed Code regulations regarding student grades.
Yes, a student may appeal a teacher’s grade to the School Board if the teacher had not followed certain criteria as specified in the Ed Code (i.e. made an error in calculation, exhibited provable prejudice against the student), and parent meetings with the teacher and principal proved fruitless.
There also are guidelines as to the amount of homework, by grade level, a student should be expected to have each night. Believe me, if a parent had concerns about the amount of homework their child was given because it didn’t adhere to District guidelines, and there was no resolution at the site level, this issue, too, could be heard by the Board.
As in everyday life, there are policies and guidelines that apply to all facets of education and the work the District conducts daily.
Everything that takes place in the School District is within the Board’s purview.
Do we want every District issue to immediately be taken to the Board for their consideration, sidestepping counsel with the teacher, coach, or site administrators?
No.
But, if there is no resolution to be found at these initial levels, it does, indeed, become the Board’s responsibility to act as Solomon did in biblical times and find a way.
When all is said and done, avoidance is not a solution.
Ms. Hamme may be contacted at antiquer01@aol.com
