Concord Transcript - Candidate Questionnaire 2002

By Karl Kaste

The full answers to a Q&A requested by Theresa Harrington of the Concord Transcript

First of all there has to be an admission that there's a problem. The current School Board and MDUSD administration appear to be in denial. The fact is, that the academic performance for all schools in the Bay Point area, as measured by the five-year old California STAR program, are the worst in the whole East County.

There's another large group of under-performing schools, from Pleasant Hill through Concord. The latest 2002 scores actually show that district-wide, for all grades 2-11, that the majority of all students are less than proficient in English, Math, and History, with 20-40% below or far below basic ability. The state goal is for all students to be proficient or higher; the vast majority of MDUSD students are not.

No uncertified teachers in under-performing schools.

2. Do you think the district is doing the best job it can, given budget restrictions, of serving its diverse student population, including English language learners, special education and gifted students, and students who desire vocational education? Why or why not?

No.

There have been significant budgetary increases for MDUSD from the state in the last few years, and substantial increases in the dollars per student spending. The percent of the MDUSD budget that goes for teacher and administrative salaries are both currently above the state average.

Far too often English proficiency is used by MDUSD trustees and administrators as an excuse, yet the students themselves and state statistics show they are capable learners. Problems concerning special education students have more to do with the lack of trust the district created with its lack of respect for the parents of handicapped students and the subsequent consent decree. That fiasco cost MDUSD hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and was absolutely avoidable.

My daughter was a GATE student; none of them ever saw any of that additional revenue to MDUSD.

3. Mt. Diablo Unified is the largest school district in Contra Costa County, serving 37,000 students in Bay Point, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek schools. Do you think the district is serving the needs of the various communities equally? Why or why not?

No.

The district has put far more money from the general fund and previous bond measures (Measure A) into schools like Northgate H.S. than it has into Mt. Diablo H.S. or Riverview middle school. Bay Point saw little of "Measure A" while most other schools got new muti-use facilities. While "Measure A" money wasn't being spent on the schools in Bay Point more than $1million was spent on a swimming pool in Pleasant Hill.

The schools in communities like Bay Point have far more teachers, without credentials, on waivers, or teaching "out of subject" than occur in more affluent communities. That's a fact, proven by the district's own published information. The lower academic performance of the schools in Bay Point and other less affluent neighborhoods is because their teachers often are straight out of college, teaching a subject they don't know, or without credentials.