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Below are speeches made by VTA President,
Tod Critchlow, ​to the VUSD Board.

Below are just a few of the many amazing speeches 
made by community members at VUSD board meetings.


October 13, 2018

SPEECH -
​Closed session, Hello, I’m here to talk to you about the conditions at VHS. VTA has been working with district personnel to solve the issues, but I wanted you to hear about the issues. I want you to be aware. First of all, we have sewage backed up in the boys locker room. I have a video if you want to see it, but I’ll spare you that and just say the water bubbling up on the floor with roaches fleeing in all directions was very amusing to the boys in the locker room. I was just informed that this problem has been fixed. We had a tin can lid down in the drain that was causing the blockage.

We also had a teacher get bitten by a spider. She was forced to go to urgent care last weekend when the bite became swollen and infected. I am told she missed a day of school due to this bite.

We have a water leak in one of the science rooms where chemicals are supplied.

Mosquitos in another room where standing water is a problem. Teacher and students report many bites.  

Rats in a few different locations.

I am scheduled to do a walk through tomorrow to see the conditions first hand. I am hoping that next month I can report back to you that things are well in hand.

VTA Speech
Admin Designee - Elementary (past practice:sub, current practice: no sub) Students split or teacher(admin designee)  deals with issues while kids wait. VTA is of the opinion that this could put our students and employees in untenable situations. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow

SRP Retirement - Going forward I hope the board will revisit the necessity of STRS retirement.

Grievance on Grievance Process: VTA has filed a grievance that stipulates that a level 3 grievance file by the whole board will be heard by the whole board and not just be automatically passed on. 


September 13, 2019

Good Evening Everybody,
​
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a month since we started back up again with another new school year.
Truthfully, so much is going on that it feels like it has been much longer.

I thought I would offer up some acknowledgements and show some appreciation for some of the great things I’m seeing out there.

First I want to acknowledge Dr Kimble and the Equity and Access Committee.  Thank you for the invite. It was so powerful to have an open discussion around some real issues that we have to try and tackle. We’ll see some results of this tonight in the transportation report. We are all striving to make VUSD the model of educational excellence. We just need to acknowledge that sometimes there are unintended consequences. If we can come together and have open, honest conversation we stand a better chance of finding solutions that best address our shortcomings. I want you all to know that I appreciate the chance to participate in these discussions. 

Donna Caperton, I would like to thank you for your conservative outlook regarding the budget. As we’ll hear in your report tonight there are some hard truths we need to face. I appreciate your willingness to talk with me. I appreciate that we have come to an agreement that our budgets for the out years, 19-20 and 20-21 are just our best guess and not reality. Together we can keep VUSD on sound financial footing and hopefully provide more with less.  

Pat Emaus thank you for all you do. I appreciate your willingness to ask hard questions that sometimes have uncomfortable answers. I want to acknowledge that not only are you an awesome teacher, a very appreciated vice president, but also a VUSD community member that wants the best for Vista. Please keep sharing your great ideas.

In closing, we started with a lot of change this year. We have new people and people in new places. We have a lot of students that didn’t show up. What I really appreciate is the way the community of VUSD seems to have come together. We’ve had a lot of “things” going on so far this year. I think that’s why it is so hard to believe it’s only been a month since school started. 

And yet, I am extremely hopeful as I watch us all work together to find solutions. I am so appreciative of all the compassion that is being shown. VUSD - no better place to learn.


May 8, 2018

Good Evening.
​
The Rotary Four Way Test
Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

And Jess’s Speech was to apply the four way test to becoming a teacher. I think it’s appropriate to share this tonight as we celebrate and acknowledge the day of the teacher.

First - Thank you for your declaration “The Day of the Teacher”. And I want to also acknowledge all the other educators that make our system work. 

I will paraphrase from the CTA website: https://www.cta.org/en/Parents-and-Community/Day-of-the-Teacher-2018.aspx

California’s Day of the Teacher has its roots in the community and is patterned after the celebration of the traditional “El Dia del Maestro,” which is observed in Mexico and Latin America countries. Our California’s Day of the Teacher arose out of legislation co-sponsored by CTA and the Association of Mexican American Educators in 1982. Since then, this event honors the instructional excellences in our public schools, community colleges and universities.

California communities share our goals for quality public schools and recognize public education is the cornerstone for strong communities. Students are at the center of everything we do and as committed, caring education professionals, we look forward to building relationships with parents, community organizations, local businesses, other unions, the faith community and senior citizens. We are all part of a community and we will best succeed when we work together.

This year CTA is capturing and sharing the great work educators do on a daily basis to help students succeed. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we provide the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Together, we make sure they have the skills they need for a bright future. 

So SMILE please. While it’s not always obvious we are doing this work together.


April 12, 2018
​
Good evening everyone. 

I want to acknowledge THE Leadership  Academy for a great presentation this morning. What a great way to start my day. The energy and excitement shown by the students reminded me of my memories of elementary school. The students combined fun and work and showed us that education doesn’t have to be that much different than play.  I was especially impressed by the one young man. His comment was something along the lines of “I’ve learned that planning is important. I know that I have to finish my homework before I can practice my violin.”  What a great ethic.

On Tuesday, I got to watch a pair of teacher work together and jointly present a math lesson. Their energy and enthusiasm was infectious.  Thirty or more 9th graders willing worked on arithmetic and geometric progressions. Two of the students actually help me re-learn the concept. This time around “I think I finally got it.”

Both of these experiences demonstrated the great things going on in VUSD and they both are examples of something I heard this morning at THE LA. The concept of Win-Win was spoken of repeatedly by the students and we would do well do learn from their behavior.

I am asking that we all admit and agree to the concept that trying to reinterpret the contract so that a teacher can be responsible for hundreds of different students every day is bad. VTA members are where the rubber meets the road. It is the educators in the classrooms and at the school sites that are doing all this great stuff for out students. Please remember that VTA is it’s members. VTA is not just me standing up hear speaking at you. VTA has always been willing to “do the right thing”. And ask yourself this, if the classroom teachers really think an idea is bad - who are we in this room to argue with them. Trust the experts. Trust the teachers; they;re the ones who spend the most time with the students. 

Here’s some of the “right things” that VTA has been willing to do for the district over the years: VTA allowed a temporary increase to class size to help with funding in the late 2000’s.  VTA agreed to waivers that allowed creative scheduling at VIDA/VMMS. VTA agreed to two extra days so our students can have more time in school.  

Education will be better if you work with us. Nobody benefits if you treat us unfairly or do not offer us the respect that we have shown we deserve.

March 8, 2018
​
So first thanks to the Key Club and Kiwanis for all they do, please accept that from a teacher and a Rotarian.

Last month I was fortunate to be able attend the Servant Leadership Institute Annual Conference. I would like to thank Jim Mihal of JT Designs, a Vista based business, for his generosity. He provided a scholarship that allowed me to attend this fabulous conference. I would also like to thank Roger Gillespie and Art Barter of Datron World Communications for helping to make this possible.

If you were here last year you will remember when I also spoke to Servant Leadership. VUSD has had a partnership with the Servant Leadership Institute and I am here tonight to ask that we continue down this path. 

Let me read from the SLI website: How You Get Results Is More Important than the Results Themselves. This simple statement is something that we would do well to emulate here in VUSD. If you apply this thought to the classroom, students can often learn more from a difficult failure than an easy success.

Another theme from SLI: Inspire and equip leaders in your organization to find meaning and purpose in their work, foster an environment of trust and respect at all levels, and achieve success! I believe you could just as easily say Inspire and equip STUDENTS in your CLASSROOMS to find meaning and purpose in their work, foster an environment of trust and respect at all levels, and achieve success! Or Inspire and equip TEACHERS in your SCHOOLS to find meaning and purpose in their work, foster an environment of trust and respect at all levels, and achieve success! 

So I will repeat my request. I hope that VUSD will continue on the path of Servant Leadership that we started. I hope that you, the board, will continue to equip your teachers with the tools and resources they need so they can continue to inspire our students.

February 15, 2018

​Congratulations to our Golden Apple winners. This is always a great night, and I wish I could be there. 

Thanks to Patrick Emaus for reading this for me. 

As we approach the middle of February, spring is just around the corner. This is the time of year when we have to start our serious planning for the 2018/2019 school year. We still need to focus on our work for this year, but any changes that we want to implement need to be well underway. I ask that you continue to collaborate with VTA and include us in discussions. It is far more productive to work though scenarios first. And I would also ask that you remember the axiom, “Sometimes you have to go slow to go fast.”

When VUSD/VTA agreed on our most recent contract we included language for a subcommittee to work on SpEd. That group should start working together soon and I am hopeful that through collaboration we will see some concrete solutions to some of our current issues. I know there is work going on with the Special Education Task force. Hopefully with this attention we will start to see beneficial results soon. I firmly believe that working together is our best hope for positive outcomes.

We have two charter school proposals tonight. One of the take home messages for me is that we need our schools to have flexibility to develop their own personalities. Personalized learning is instruction that offers pedagogy, curriculum, and learning environments to meet the individual student's needs. The experience is tailored to learning preferences and the specific interests of different learners. I know that VUSD is also pushing this with our schools. It is great to see Dual Immersion finally coming to VUSD. We need all our sites to have the autonomy to develop in the direction they see fit. Site Autonomy is just personalized learning for the school.

Thank you.

FOR HOLD CARD
4B
"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child."
If you are not a classroom teacher and you have not already agreed to pick up a book and read with a child, please contact an of our elementary schools about reading to their students. If you are connected to an elementary school, please make sure you are sending out invitations to adults in this room to join your site when you celebrate Read Across America.

Thank you very much to the City of Vista, the VUSD School Board, and Dr Linda Kimble for supporting Read Across America.


January 18, 2018

Good Evening Board Members, Cabinet and Dr. Kimble,

First, on behalf of the Vista Teachers Association, I want to officially welcome Dr. Linda Kimble to VUSD. I look forward to working with you and I appreciate all the communication that we have already had, much of that before you even officially started your job.
Before I go on however I need to tell you that tonight I have good news and bad news. I’m going to start with the negative. Then we can finish on a positive.
Tonight the board is considering Resolution 18-16 Protection of Teachers’ Discretionary Income. I am extremely disappointed that this is coming up again. We addressed this already back in Nov. I have not pulled a hold card on this item as I don’t want to waste any more on an issue that is not within the school boards purview. I hope you will consider our previous discussions when this comes up again tonight.

October 19, 2017
Closed Session Speech

​This speech was given during VTA’s regular report in Open Session.


It followed a speech given to the board given an hour earlier, prior to closed session.


I hope you have had a chance to reflect and deliberate with each other about our current bargaining status. I hope you have come to a decision that reflects your conviction that VUSD does what’s best for students. I hope you can justify your decision and that you have done the appropriate research, because this is one of those times that our students education hangs in the balance. We’re talking about language that has protected our students education for over 40 years.

We have an opportunity to start fresh. I thought we had. And yet, over the last several weeks we have fallen back into our same old patterns of behavior. I remember when I was new to my activism. I naively told a board member that the district bargaining team was difficult and didn’t seem to want to reach an agreement. The response was “They said the same thing about you”. While we have spent many months now working together and coming to agreements on many articles we have now ground to a halt. We can’t imagine that the intention behind keeping a single word in the contract would actually be intended and used to give teachers 800+ students a week.
Well, at least that is what we wanted to believe, however we now see caseloads over 300 and it seems as though the sky is now the new limit. This is terrifying. It’s not who Vista is, it’s not who we are and it’s not who should ever become. Sadly teacher with students bursting at the seams appears to be the new next big thing, but it isn’t something to be proud of. For a district that touts trust and collaboration as a mantra and strives to be the innovators in change with such items as personalized learning...should I stop now or are you seeing that this is pretty preposterous. We are moving backwards, not forwards….
I do not want to move backwards. I do not want to go back to the conflict. I do not want to go back to board meetings that last until 1 AM. I do not want to wear my black and yellow no large classes tshirt.  I’m tired of the teachers having to protect the students from the district.  We should be working together to do what is best for our students. So I’ll finish how I started. I hope your decision was or will be the right one.

September 14, 2017
​
​Collaboration
Transparency

Class Size - VUSD/VTA have some of the most powerful kid centered contract language in all of California. It has been a source of pride for VTA for years. It has often been a bone of contention among our teams in  years past. The adults in the room throw around concepts like kids first and let’s do what’s best for kids. VTA has striven to do this everytime we come to the bargaining table. VTA, and by VTA all our members have consistently told us that keeping our class sizes low is something we believe in strongly.

In our new models of education as we discuss personalized learning and restorative practices it is assumed that students need to have caring responsible adults that they can relate to. Every child should have contact with adults that know them. Getting to know our students is how we can best help prepare them for adulthood. I know that’s simplistic, but I don’t think that anyone will argue that to be an effective teacher requires a relationship, a connection, with students that allows for the trust and respect that we espouse.

How do we expect our teachers to make those connections with huge numbers of students.  Several years ago VTA agreed to increased student numbers. There was one year, as an 8th grade science teacher, I had over 220 students. There were kids that year that I was never able to connect to. There were just too many.

Our current contract language says that middle school teachers can have 190 students and high school teachers can have 165. That’s a lot of students to be responsible for.  That’s a lot of students to make connections with. AND this is one area that VUSD IS definitely THE MODEL OF EDUCATION in.

Without going into details I am here to stress the importance of keeping the numbers of students that teachers are responsible for at this MODEL level.

I ask you the board to consider if you really want classes as large as some of our neighboring districts have.  

Our practice in VUSD has been to honor this agreement.

Our practice in VUSD is to see the importance of smaller class sizes.

I should have worn my old yellow and black shirt.

August 31, 2017

Good Evening Everyone.
Before I start I would like to acknowledge Sue Butler and her passing. I would ask for a moment of silence in honor of her, as well as our other VUSD family members that are no longer with us.

As we all know we had a record number of retirees last year. And while it’s hard to watch friends and colleagues leave, it also means we get to welcome a new cohort of teachers. On Aug 11, we had our certificated orientation and I would like to share that it was my pleasure to be part of the welcoming committee. Over one hundred new certificated employees were in attendance and the excitement and enthusiasm was obvious.  So on behalf of VTA I want to welcome all the new teachers to VUSD, again.

In addition we have over one hundred teachers returning for their third year. That means they have gained permanent status. I find that encouraging as it means that we are hiring candidates that are qualified and dedicated. I think it also means these newer educators see something good in Vista. Something that is keeping them here. Hopefully something that will encourage them to stay.

Tonight I want to extend an invitation to members of the school board to join me at The School Board Brunch sponsored by CTA. On Sat, Sept 23, 2017 from 10:00 to 1:00 at the Coronado Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse. We would like you to join us to meet other school board members from around the county. We hope to provide you with information on the contributions that VTA, CTA and the NEA make to public education. So please accept our invitation and we hope you can join us.

So I don’t have to pull a hold card on 11A I want to acknowledge Elaine Alexandres, Asst Sup of HR and her department. Suffice it to say that much of what AB 119 requires us to do was already common practice in VUSD. In addition, this MOU is an example of our values demonstrating mutual Respect, Trust and Collaboration.

In closing I hope everyone had a good summer. School has started again and we are back to doing what we do best, Teaching Kids. ​


April 20, 2017

​Good Evening everyone.
Tonight is bittersweet.
I would like to offer my congratulations to our superintendent, Devin Vodicka. It seems like just yesterday that he showed up at the end of a long day of bargaining and helped us reach an agreement. If I can be allowed some poetic license, he showed up like a knight in shining armor and saved the day. By the end of the evening we had a tentative agreement and started down a road to a better Vista.

So Devin. Congratulations. I will miss our talks. While we didn’t solve all the problems associated with public education, I think we did discuss most of them. I know you will bring the same positive outlook to Alt School. And I wish you all the best. I know our loss is their gain.  

But as we all know school districts keep going on.
Congratulations to Roger Royster, Ramiro Santana and Andrew Driffill and thank you to the Vista Education Foundation for recognizing these outstanding teachers. While I wish I could attend, I have family commitments, VTA is sending two members to represent. I hope those of you that are going enjoy the Heroes of Vista Event.

With the approval of the District’s retirement incentive, we will have a record number of retirements this year. Another big change that is going to ripple through our community.  I hope to see you all at the retirement reception next month.

I would like to remind everyone that last Dec, the VUSD school board approved a proclamation safeguarding our students. The VUSD school board is to be commended for this and the audience should know that VUSD was one of the first districts in CA to do so. We acted as the model of educational excellence.  I bring this up now to draw your attention to May 1. On May 1, VTA is joining all of CTA in a day of action. A day to show our support for public education.  And among other things I will be encouraging VTA members (and I ask you) to join us at a rally on May 1, 4pm Wildwood Park.

VUSD and VTA have just started our negotiations. The two bargaining teams have met twice and are off to a positive start. Speaking for the VTA team I can say that they appreciate the professionalism and sincerity of the VUSD team. Even if we made them do an icebreaker. I am hopeful that the two teams will continue to move forward and find common ground as we continue forward.

Lastly, I will offer a simple reminder. Last month I offered a survey asking teachers what the best thing about teaching is. The vast majority of responses made reference to our students. It was made very clear to me that VTA members clearly value the impact they make on their students. So I ask you, the board to remember that the Teachers of Vista care. The Teachers of Vista are invested in the success of their students. The Teachers of Vista love the “Ah! Ha!” moment students share with us when they discover or master something new.  I ask you to remember this as bargaining continues.

Thank you.

March 14, 2017
​

Good evening everyone.
I had the privilege to attend the Servant Leadership Conference this week.
It was a day and a half of incredible speakers. Awesome stories. And great advice.
I would like to thank personally thank Robin Swift, the President of the Servant Leadership Institute, whose generosity allowed me to attend.
I would also like to acknowledge Roger Gillespie and Danielle Delaney as this wouldn’t have happened without their help.

Let me read from their website: “Servant leadership is set of behaviors and practices that turn the traditional "power leadership" model upside down; instead of the people working to serve the leader, the leader exists to serve the people.
When leaders shift their mindset and serve first, they unlock purpose and ingenuity in those around them, which results in higher performance and engaged, fulfilled employees.”

I would also like to share with you tonight a print out of “The Nine Behaviors of a Servant Leader”.

Serve First - In each encounter, ask the question, “How can I serve you?”
Build Trust -  Are you trustworthy? Are you willing to extend trust to others?
Live Your Values - What are your values? In order to live your values, you must first define them.
Listen to Understand - Do you talk more than you listen? Can you set aside all distractions and be present for people?
Think About Your Thinking - What is your attitude as a leader? Are your thoughts about yourself or others holding you back?
Add Value to Others - Are you a leader who consistently adds value? Do you always have to take the credit?
Demonstrate Courage - Are you willing to make tough decisions and follow through on them? Do you keep your commitments?
Increase Your Influence - Will you do what is right even when it may produce an unpopular outcome? Do you strive to be open and authentic with no hidden agendas?
Live Your Transformation - If you have something, do you share it? If you need something, do you ask for it?

I want to point out that VUSD has partnered with the Servant Leadership Institute. We have had most of our administrators attend trainings. Dr Vodicka can tell you more about this if you ask him. It is my hope that as the leaders of VUSD we will embrace this idea. I hope you will take the time to learn about Servant Leadership and see the value in it.

We are getting ready to start bargaining and I am confident that if we as the leaders of VUSD are willing to serve first, build trust, live our values, listen to understand and truly practice Servant Leadership that we will get far more accomplished with far less acrimony than in past bargaining sessions.

February 23, 2017
​
Congrats to all our Golden Apple Winners.
MIndy Ayers, Susan Moynihan, Craig Gastauer, Rosy SImmonds, Judi Luna, Heather Golly and Doris Shapiro.
Thank you for all you do.

And if I may take a point of personal privilege,
Susan - Craig  It’s an honor to call you both friends. My life is better for having known you.

One week from today will be Read Across America Day, hence the hat. Sorry just couldn’t do the costume
I want to take a moment to recognize VIsta HIgh Noon Rotary. Thanks to their generosity, all Vista 1st graders received their very own book to read and keep. You should have seen their smiles...a mile wide, I kid you not! Also, just last week, the Vista High Noon Rotary donated $500 to Maryland Elementary Libary.

We all know that a child's ability to read has a direct effect on their future success which is why we know how very important those foundational years are for our students as they begin their learning . SInce 1968, educators across the country have set the week of March 2 as Read Across America to honor the legacy of Dr Seuss. Drop everything and read! Many of our elementary schools, individual teachers as well, plan fun reading events such as family read, spotlight on reading with flashlights, wacky reading theme costumes and spirit days! It reminds us all how important, special and even magical reading is especially for our youngest little learners. So this year on March 2, I hope you will all join me, grab your hat and a book and go read to a child!
​

I’ll leave you tonight with one of my favorite Dr Seuss quotes. Your have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose! Oh the places you’ll go!

December 8, 2016

Good Evening Everybody.
Board, Admin, Students, Audience.
I want to extend a warm VTA welcome to the two newest members of the Vista Unified School Board.
Mr Vargas. Mrs Smithfield. Congratulations and welcome. I hope your tenure is one of progress and success. I am looking forward to working with you and I would like you to know that if there is anything I can do help, you just need to ask.  Dr. Alderson congratulations on your re-election.

To  the school board as a whole, thank you. You play an invaluable role in our community. While the role of a school board member may not be the most glamorous of positions; we know it doesn’t pay all that well. And yet, you are responsible for overseeing the education of our youth. You should take pride in the part you play in making the world a better place to be.

That said, I want to ask you tonight to think about a couple of things. We have great things going on in VUSD. I think I can even say that it might even be safe to say, “This is Vista” with pride. But we shouldn’t get complacent.  We can’t relax and rest on our laurels.

While there are lots of great things going on there are still areas that need our attention. The successes are the easy things. It’s the things that we haven’t fixed yet that we need to pay attention to.

I’m not going to go into a litany of problems or list all the things that I think are wrong.

Instead I want to comment on a conversation that a few of us had a meeting about the LCAP. It was a forum for feedback from teachers and we were discussing both successes and “not-successes”. Talk turned to ways to help make programs successful. And what I got out of that evening was that even good programs can fail if they aren’t implemented correctly. Just adopting the perfect curriculum wont isn’t the answer. We need to be sure that when we start a new program that we do it in a way that will lead to success.

We have examples of roll outs that have worked and ones that have not. Let’s learn from our past mistakes and follow best practices. We can’t just throw new programs at teachers and expect instant success. It takes work to learn new systems. It takes time to master a system. It takes resources. It takes training. It takes practice.

Please bear this in mind as we hear reports and make plans. As we discuss programs and curriculum We can do great things! Hey we are doing great things. This is Vista after all. ​


November 17, 2016

Good Evening,

​I’m sure everybody has seen some version of a political cartoon that cites 2016 as something out of the ordinary. My favorite was one that was a message from Father Time. “Thought you deserved a break: Cubs vs Indians.”  Showing 2016 giving us the gift of the 2016 World Series. So with apologies to any Cleveland Fans for opening old wounds there was a lot of good to be said of this year's World Series. The fans of both teams held it together and demonstrated how despite overwhelming differences and competition decorum could prevail. And “Oh Boy!” was game 7 a fun one to watch.


So with that introduction I would like to thank all of our school board members for their service. It is your hard work and willingness to serve that insures our success.  I especially want to acknowledge Elizabeth Jaka and Angela Chunka. Thank you for your service and for all you have done for the students of Vista. VUSD has come along way in the past 5 years. Angela! Elizabeth!  You deserve our thanks for your part in our transformation.


School board races are down ballot events that don’t often get a lot of attention. And yet to those of us in the room tonight, the VUSD School Board Race was the election event that we have the most connection too. The conversations I’ve had around town this last week demonstrate the same sort of decorum shown by the Cubs and Indians. This was a school board election without the rancor and negativity that we’ve seen in other races.  


So to all the candidates and their teams I say thank you. We are the Vista Unified School District and we believe in Trust, Respect and Collaboration.


Good night.


September 8, 2016

The school year is moving right along. Signs of fall are in the air and before we know it spring will be here. And one of the classic signs of fall is elections. I want to talk tonight about Prop 55 and our role in this campaign. California public school funding was cut to the bone during the recession, forcing more than 50,000 teacher and staff layoffs, huge class sizes, and the elimination of programs like music and art that make our kids well-rounded. My personal anecdote: the district decided to cut funding for middle school sports and Surf Club went away.
 

Public schools and colleges are just starting to come back from these cuts, and unless we pass Prop. 55 to maintain the current income tax rates on the wealthiest Californians, our schools will lose up to $4 billion a year. Furthermore, California is facing a severe teacher shortage. There is a need to hire more than 22,000 teachers next year alone, and schools are just beginning to restore critical support staff, including school security, library aides, bus drivers and custodians.

​Funding from Prop. 55 will give local school districts the money they need to hire quality teachers and school employees, and to maintain or reduce class sizes. Furthermore, Prop. 55 will help keep tuition rates stable and make more classes available to California’s 2.1 million community college students. It does our students a disservice to prepare them for colleges that they can’t afford or are full. Proposition 55 Does Not Raise Taxes on Anyone, the Wealthiest Will Temporarily Continue Paying the Same Amount they are Now to Protect Schools and Vital Services from Deep Cuts.

Many school boards across the state have adopted resolutions in support of Prop 55. While there are many initiatives on the ballot this year. Prop 55 will have a direct impact on our schools. It is the one proposition that we in the education community should get behind for the benefit of our kids. I urge you to join me in support of Proposition 55 - Help our children thrive - Yes on 55

 August 18, 2016

Well the 2016/17 school year has actually started. This year’s Freshmen will be the class of 2020 and the Kindergartners will be the class of 2029 - WOW! This group of students will come of age in a world that will be so incredibly different. And yet, what’s the saying? “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So many of the skills these students will need to succeed are the same skills every generation has needed. And as I recently discussed with a colleague - every thing you really need to know you learned in kindergarten.
With thanks to Robert Fulghum (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten),  for borrowing his ideas and adding a few of my own.
​

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're SORRY when you HURT somebody.
Be on time
Always do your best
Don’t be afraid to try
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

With the possible exception of #10 - these fit pretty well with our Values - Respect, Trust and Collaboration.

So as we enter another school year I hope we can all keep these ideas in our hearts. And I’ve pulled some hold cards. So I’ll end here and just wish everybody a great year.

HOLD CARDS - I kept my speech short and friendly. Below are some comments made on specific board items.

5A - Public Comments -  Rosemary Smithfield - Music Teachers split between schools, so half time at sites. The program will run every other week. Rosemary asked why is this only grades 3-5, why not grades TK-2? Rosemary is asking that the committee that will be deciding how this program will be run to reconsider. She asked the board to please look into and reconsider offering music to our youngest students as well. Let’s offer music to all our TK-5 students.

8A - Attendance/Dropouts etc…I want to point out the with the passage of AB 420, restorative practices are important. Implementation is challenging. Mr Hargraves and his team are to be commended for training the entire Mission Meadows Site. I am excited to watch the program work at that site. If we really want to stop the School to Prison Pipeline we need this sort of full implementation. Last year it was two people at every site. Those were supposed to then train the rest of the staff. There wasn’t time or resources to make that practical. Hopefully with success at Mission Meadows we can see the value of the entire district getting trained in Restorative Practices.

The following topics (and others) will be discussed later with the appropriate district personnel.
    What are the rates of class suspension numbers?
Where are the kids that aren’t getting sent home after being suspended from class?
Who is supervising students that are class suspended?
There are a lot of interventions being started and utilized across the district. Is this the best practice? How do we insure continuity of programs?

10 B HR Registry - In the past six months only 4 tchrs granted a LOA for child rearing. Those four teachers deserve the advantages of AB 375. I am also pretty sure there are other new parents out there that aren’t taking any additional leave. AB 375 was written so new parents can bond with their children.
The actual language of the bill says that  “to the extent these provisions conflict with any provision of a collective bargaining agreement entered into before January 1, 2016, by a public school employer and an exclusive bargaining representative, these provisions shall not apply until the expiration or renewal of that collective bargaining agreement.” I would argue that there is no conflict as we don’t address the issue.

AB 375 is the right thing to do. Don’t let this be something that we could have done but didn’t. It will be in the next contract regardless. There is no reason not to implement it now. It’s also a powerful recruitment/retainment tool. I have it on good authority that Carlsbad would love to hire any of our teachers that are starting families. Can I ask the board to request that VUSD at least investigate the Scope and impact of implementing 375 ASAP.
16 A  1st Reading Board Policy Animals at School-I would ask that VTA input be considered as the regulations are developed.

July 28, 2016

Good Evening,

Summer is almost over and the new school year is about to begin. As we start this next school year, I think about all the students coming back into the classrooms and those Vista students that have now graduated and made their way out into the world.

In the Starbucks line today, I stepped forward and saw the face of a former student working at the counter. I've seen newly hired teachers coming in that are former Vista graduates as well. Though I'm not a Vista resident, I consider and feel that Vista is my community too. As we come closer to the 100 year celebration of Vista Unified School District, I hope that the District and School Board make sure to include VTA in the celebration; as we would very much like to be part of and contribute to this occasion as well.

Finally, back to AB 375. This Assembly bill was enacted and went into effect in January 2016. This bill would give Vista employees, as new parents, the ability to take up to 12 weeks off to bond with their child. Now, all over the county, other districts (such as Carlsbad and Valley Center) are enacting AB 375; even though their contracts are closed- it's the right thing to do. Let's make it right and do it now. Right now, starting at the beginning of this school year! Let's honor the intent of the newly passed bill and make this happen. I'll be speaking on this, every meeting, every chance I get, until we have enacted AB 375 in Vista.

Thank you.


May 19, 2016

Good evening everyone. What a hard act to follow; Joe Green you’ve done great things for the Del Norte PTA. Congratulations and thank you for all you’ve done. And I know we’ll see you here again.

I wanted to say thank you to Dr Vodicka, Marie Hoveln, Rich Alderson and Brett Killeen. The five of us traveled to Orange County last week for a meeting of the Labor Management Initiative. We spent the day with a dozen other districts discussing best practices for real and productive collaboration between labor and management. It was a great day. We had some honest discussions about the possible problems as well as the benefits that would come from true collaboration between, VUSD, CSEA and VTA. We can be stronger together. We won’t always agree, but if we can develop a trusting relationship based on mutual respect than true collaboration is possible. This will truly make VUSD the model of educational excellence and innovation.

I also want to acknowledge Brett Killeen. While we haven’t always seen eye to eye we have developed a working relationship that can be the model of collaboration we are striving for here in VUSD. I want to congratulate Brett on his new job and as a resident of the San Dieguito community I can say that we are lucky to have you back. As the President of VTA I want to say thank you for working with me this year and helping me grow as a leader. 

And congratulations to Debbie Riehle as well. Debbie and I go way back and while I know her retirement is much deserved. I know that she will be greatly missed as well. 

So as the year winds down it seems proper to acknowledge some of the History of Vista, but with an eye to the future.  We are coming up on 100 years of VUSD and while we are celebrating the past I know we will also look to the future. 

Now to many of you this will seem hard to believe, but I ate at the Pepper Tree for the first time today. Wow!  Why haven’t I done that before; I am sure it won’t be my last visit. Now I am not a native of Vista so this cultural icon is new to me. If you grew up here in Vista you understand what the Pepper Tree represents. “Don’t mess with the Pepper Tree”. Vista is a community with deep roots and a strong sense of family. While there is lots of “NEW” in Vista there are still some great treasures left over from an earlier time.

The same is true in VUSD we are a district with a strong sense of family and community. Many of our educators live and have their own families here. It’s not uncommon to run across an educator that went to Vista Schools; I even personally know some second generation Vista teachers. To me that speaks volumes of the success of VUSD. In my perfect world VUSD is becoming and will continue to be the kind of place that I can hope my children will work.

Finally, I want to thank Dr Vodicka and the board for the retirement reception that was held today. It was a great opportunity to show the respect and gratitude we feel for those that have spent their careers in VUSD. It was a chance to honor those that have served VUSD and are starting the next chapter of their lives.  Congratulations to the 2016 retirees. We wish you all the best. 

​Tod Critchlow

April 21, 2016

Topic AB 375

Last October Assembly Bill (AB) 375 was passed. This law became effective January 1, 2016. The intention of the law is to allow certificated employees who have exhausted all available sick leave to receive differential pay for up to 12 school weeks.  This “bonding leave,” is for the birth or placement of a child in connection with the employee’s adoption or foster care.
AB 375 applies equally to male and female certificated employees who wish to take maternity or paternity leave.
AB 375 only provides this benefit if the parent first exhausts all available and accumulated sick leave. In other words the 12-week differential period is reduced by any period of sick leave. 
Differential pay during the 12 week leave period is defined as his/her salary minus the sum that is actually paid or would have been paid to a substitute employee to fill the position during the employee’s absence. Implementing this in VUSD could conceivably even be cost neutral.
Many districts are currently implement AB 375.

Since our contract is currently closed, this law won't take effect until the 2017-18 school year.
WE are asking for you to honor the intention of this  law immediately as many other districts already have, Valley center for one. To postpone its implementation until the 17-18 school year, simply put, punishes those who dared to become pregnant this year.  It would be an act of respect and human decency to invoke this law for your employees now.

It is the right thing to do. We pride ourselves on living and upholding the tenets of respect, trust and collaboration.  What a true show of respect this would be.  We urge you to see the basic human rights issue here and the disconnect in our core values in this district should we continue to ignore enacting this law simply because we can due to a contractual loophole in the law.  Please do what is right, what is just, and what would truly honor our values.

I am going to read a letter from our Organizing and Crisis Chair:
Patrick Emaus - 
Board Members,
I am currently at the hospital with my wife having our second baby.  In order to take paternity leave and bond with my new child, VUSD is making me take UNPAID family medical leave. This is clearly an unfortunate circumstance, as I am forced to choose between bonding with my child and providing for my child.  California agrees with me.  The New York Times published an article yesterday titled, "States' Lead the Way on Paid Family Leave."  The article states that since 2004, California Law makes employers pay workers 55% of their wages for up to six weeks of leave to care for a new child. 

California expanded on this leadership by passing AB 375 on January 1st of this year, granting teachers 12 weeks of parental leave for the cost of the substitute, after exhausting sick leave.  Making teachers take unpaid family medical leave is against this law.  

I am not the only teacher in this circumstance.  Many of our younger teachers with very little accrued sick leave will be forced to choose providing for their new children and bonding with their new children.  This is an urgent issue and we need to be on the right side of the law.  We will eventually incorporate these laws into the district's policies at ZERO cost.  I am asking the board that VUSD fulfill it's mission of being "the model" and incorporate AB 375 immediately so we can lead the way with California, show respect for the profession, recruit quality teachers in accordance with standard 5 of the blueprint and above all, just do the right thing and follow the law.

Thank you for considering this issue. 

February 26, 2016

First of all congratulations to the Golden Apple Winners, and the board as well.  Happy 100th birth-year to VUSD. 

We’re hearing lots about the current state of digital learning and personalized learning. The potential to remake education into a something new for the 21st century is incredibly exciting.

When I first started teaching I was one of the few teachers at that time that did my grades on a computer. I eagerly pioneered early digital programs like ALEX, Quizdom, Explorelearning. I have personally seen the advantage to teaching that rapid access to data provides.  

I imagine tonight and in the future we will continue to spend significant and important time discussing data that has been mined from the various programs that are being used at our school sites and by our teachers.  

However we also need to keep in mind that with all this access to data comes a tendency to over prescribe.  

As a teacher and the president of VTA I am fully aware of the importance of using data to monitor the success and struggles of our students.  Data is vital and essential to teachers and their instruction.  

However, I want to ask that we just realize and consider the following: In the course of the day teachers must balance their instruction and their assessment.  In a perfect world those two activities would be seamlessly woven into the perfect lesson and make the actual job of teaching not only easier, but more effective.  But if the balance tips too far the data can overwhelm the instruction and the education of our students will get lost in the mining of the multitude of data.

Tod Critchlow

December 10, 2015

Good Evening,
​
Tonight I get to give the speech that I have been hoping for since I stepped into my role as president of the Vista Teachers Association. Tonight WE, and I stress the WE are bringing a tentative agreement to the board for approval. WE are pleased that this agreement will be good for students and employees, and allow us all to focus on student learning to actualize our Vision, Mission, and Values and to achieve our goals as identified in the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation. WE hope that the board sees this agreement as the positive step forward that it is. 
I know how much we all like to dig into the data so I’ll give you the break down.  989 members voted and over 98% of those voted to approve the agreement. An overwhelming majority.  That’s even more impressive when it is acknowledged that there were only three days of voting.  The site representatives deserve our sincere thanks for the hard work it took to make that happen so quickly. They are a fantastic group of people.
Now with your blessing bargaining can be finished and we can get back to the real work. The work of educating the next generation to make our community and our world a better place to be.  
But while it would be easy to just say thank you and put this behind us.  I don’t want to pass up the chance to reflect. One of the things that I have realized is that we need to figure out a way to get through this bargaining process in a more civilized manner.   We are a community.  While some of us live in other cities we all still spend a huge portion of our lives in Vista.  Rather we live here or not, we are all part of this community and responsible for striving to make it better place to be.  To make Vista a community that attracts people because of all the good things that happen here. To make Vista someplace people want to be.
And yet, we start the bargaining process every year (or every two years as the case has been recently) and we seem to put our relationships on hold. Albert Einstein said “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." If we don’t change our process we are going to find ourselves right back here again in the 17/18 school year going through this all over again.  INSANITY. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could learn from our adventures and do it better next time?
I was asked once, “What is your goal as the new president of VTA?” I wish I could say I had some brilliant, solve all the problems kind of answer, but I didn’t.  As I have played that conversation over in my mind I have come to the realization that I know what I want, that part's easy.  It's the actualization that is hard.  I want VUSD to be a better place when I’m done.  I want to have made a positive difference in my community. In our community.
Respect!  Trust!  Collaboration! I want to live those words.  I want to be able to say honestly, that I respect the people I work with.  I want to trust the people I work with and I want to be deserving of their trust.  I want to be part of an organization that values collaboration between all stakeholders.  
So how do we accomplish this?  As I read somewhere recently, “Pick the low hanging fruit first.”  We already do so many things really well together; Vista’s Big Give, The VUSD Festival of the Arts, Stem Fest I could go on and on. But let’s not be afraid to have real conversations about the hard stuff; School Discipline, Bell Schedules, Teacher Evaluations, Salaries, and  yes we could go on and on about the hard to reach fruit as well.  
But we have to remember that conversations are exchanges of ideas. They are not lectures. They are not directives. Conversations can get us to a place where we can trust each other. Conversations can get us to a place where true collaboration can occur and conversations can lead to mutual respect. We can become a place where people want to be.  
So let’s have those conversations. The bargaining maybe over, but we can keep talking. We should keep talking. It’s only by establishing mutual trust and respect for each other that we will able to truly collaborate. And it will take collaboration to make VUSD a better place to be.

Tod Critchlow
VTA President

September 10, 2015

Good Evening.
​
It’s the middle of September and we are done with most of the events that mark the beginning of the new school year.  Kids are settling into their routines and as I’ve heard in the staff room many times, the honeymoon is over. Teachers have established their routines and education can begin again. The newness of the new year has worn off  and just being the new face at the front of the room isn’t enough anymore.
    
Much the same could be said of my  tenure in office. I’m learning to live without bells. I’ve made my first mistake (several actually - but who’s counting).  My concerns have gone from what’s the name of the principal at… to how can I help. And as I used to pride myself in learning all 200 student names in as short a time as possible I’ve also met with many of the principals and had some great discussions.  
What strikes me in these conversations is the passion.  The passion to teach.  The passion to make the world a better place for the children in our care. And the passion that principals see in those teaching our children.  I won’t say I was surprised, because it has always been obvious to me that teachers care.  But it was nice to have this belief confirmed. Day in and day out, through the heat or the cold, our teachers do their best to help their charges grow and learn and develop.  I think I can honestly say I have yet to run into an educator that says anything different. 

We, the Vista Teachers, do our best to educate all the children that come to us. What I want to focus on tonight is the WE.  We are the WE.  The WE should include all of us in the room tonight. Even the students in the room tonight should be part of the WE.  We are the W in WAVE.  We are all educators.  We all get to work for or with the students.   

BUT -  There is no but in this speech tonight.

I Challenge all of us in this room tonight to become part of the WE.  I challenge all of us in this room to accept the others in this room as part of the WE.  Lip service will not do it. If we really want to make a difference, if we really we want build a better community, if we really want to inspire others, if we really want the respect that is part of positive working relationships then we have to start by being part of the WE. Without the WE it’s Us and Them.  This is Vista.  We’ve seen how the us and them plays out. I for one want to be part of the WE.  I want to be able to say that We Educate.  

So my commitment tonight - Board members, I will try my best to meet with you in the next two weeks if you are willing.  I apologize for not having done it sooner. It was not an intentional slight.  I hope to build a working relationship with you so that WE can make Vista an even better place to be.  

Dr Vodicka - I will try to remain an optimist.  Communication and Collaboration are essential to avoid continually repeating the same ineffective processes over and over. WE can make this work. WE have the power to make Vista an even better place to be.

And To the the audience in general I will strive to always show respect. I will strive to act in a way that allows you to see me as one of you.  And I will strive to see all of you as fellow educators with the best of intentions. 

I ask that you join me in this.  Together WE can Educate.

Tod Critchlow
VTA President

Below are speeches made by 
VTA President Barbara Dawson
​to the VUSD Board.

May 21, 2015

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the
audience.


The school year is rapidly coming to a close and teachers and students 
are busy preparing for promotion ceremonies, finals and graduation.  It 
was very nice to have the retiree reception today and I want to say 
thank you for taking the time to honor our employees who have put 
years into work for the District.  It is the first time in a long time that we 
have done this type of reception.


I have one issue to share with you today and that is a safety concern at 
RBV.  There was a lockdown in April and at that time many of the 
teachers were unable to complete one of the safety procedures 
required during the lockdown, securing the blinds and windows in their 
rooms. I have a list of the rooms that have broken or missing blinds for 
each of you.  This is an important issue because if an intruder were on 
campus without being able to close blinds, they could see in the rooms 
and perhaps a tragedy like Sandy Hook could occur. I ask you to make 
this a priority to protect our students and teachers.


As we come to the end of the school year, I personally am coming to 
the end of my tenure as the VTA President.  The work our Association 
has been involved in over the years has been stressful, contentious, and 
collaborative and at all times well worth the effort. 


I would like to say thank you for the respect I have been shown in this 
position and I look forward to going back in the classroom next year.
Now I would like to hand over the microphone to Tod Critchlow our 
new VTA President.


April 16, 2015

Good evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka, members of the audience.  

The school year is swiftly moving along.  Many students are working on the SBAC testing at this time of year.  But it is also a time to reflect on how the year has gone in Vista.  We have implemented so many new technologies, programs and continue to develop curriculum to meet the new common core standards.  It is now a time to look to the future and evaluate what has worked, what needs to be eliminated and what needs to be edited to meet the needs of our students.  

With the new funding formula, LCFF, and the supplemental and concentration grant monies in the LCAP we have an opportunity to work on curriculum, literacy and critical thinking skills, unlike years in the past when we have been teaching to the test.  This is an opportunity to be a cutting edge District by changing the delivery of instruction and allowing teachers the freedom to develop best practices based on their professional experiences.  We have hired so many new District personnel who are trying to micromanage every aspect of the instructional day.  The amount of programs, software and hardware being parceled out to the school sites is overwhelming. Teachers are not sure what a priority is, what is suggested or optional and what is mandatory.  I brought to the Board earlier in the year a spread sheet of all the programs just in elementary; the list has grown since then.  There doesn't seem to be a plan to evaluate what has worked and what needs to be expanded or deleted.  I urge you to direct the District administration to take the time to evaluate their programs and set realistic goals to move our District forward.

Speaking of moving forward, VTA and VUSD have begun the bargaining process and so far we are not making progress.  Part of the reason is: At Monday's session the district was not prepared, refused to respond to whether our information was correct or not, refusal for a joint bargaining update, they didn't bargain or negotiate, it was a complete waste of our time out of the classroom. Our bargaining team members are dedicated teachers who only want to be out of the classroom to make progress on bargaining.  Part of the problem is the District's unwillingness to agree and accept the facts.  I have a list of 22 irrefutable facts about the District finances based on previous interim financial reports, unaudited actuals and actual budgets.  Yet the District cannot agree that they are facts.  As School Board members it is important that you verify what is accurate information for yourself.  Don't take what we say as the truth either but look at the documents yourself and question the staff. 

In the handout are facts that we would like to confirm and that both sides should agree are true:

 I would like to highlight a few.

1)  For 2013-2014 the beginning fund balance was $44,262,659.67 and the ending fund balance was $45,330,919.93.

9) Step and Column costs have not come close to the 1.6% (or above) annual projection.

10) In 2012-2013 the salary for Asst. Supt.-Business Services was $130,545. It is now $165,934.94, an increase of 27.11%.

11) In 2012-2013 the salary for Asst. Supt.-Human Relations(Resources) was $138,577. It is now $165,934.94, an increase of 19.74%.

12) In 2009-2010 the salary for the Asst. Supt-C&I(now called Deputy Supt.) was $121,752. It is now $175,592.52, an increase of 44.22% Part of this increase was due to adding 20 work days to the contract, which is an increase of about 10% in the number of work days.

13) In 2012-2013 the salary for step 30, Class F on the VTA salary schedule was $81,262. It is now $89,184, an increase of 9.75%.

17) The 2011-2012 2nd Interim report projected an ending balance of negative $2,934,299.36 for 2013-2014. The actual 2013-2014 ending balance was $45,330,919.93. The projection was off by $48,265,219.29.

18) The 2010-2011 2nd Interim report projected an ending balance of $5,667,229.54 for 2012-2013. The actual 2012-2013 ending balance was $44,262,659.67. The projection was off by $38,595,430.13.

19) The 2009-2010 2nd Interim report projected an ending balance of $6,504,440.16 for 2011-2012.The actual 2011-2012 ending balance was $44,985,779.34. The projection was off by $38,481,339.18.

20) The 2008-2009 2nd Interim report projected an ending balance of $11,869,748.47 for 2010-2011. The actual 2010-2011 ending balance was $42,879,936.54. The projection was off by $31,010,188.07.

21) The 2014-2015 2nd Interim report projects an ending balance of $3,692,881.93 for 2016-2017. The average difference between the projection and actual ending balance for the 4 years noted above was $39,088,044.16. If that average were to continue, the actual ending balance for 2016-2017 would be $42,780,926.09.

22) School Services states that for 2015-2016 the Governor has proposed, “a significant year-to-year dollar and percentage increase in funding.” They also state that the May Revise will be, “an opportunity for Governor Brown to recast his Budget proposals and present new proposals in view of a revised revenue outlook that is expected to be significantly positive. More funding and substantial local control presents us with a tremendous opportunity.”

Based on these facts, which we would like you all to verify, the insulting offer of a 0% raise and no increase on health benefits leaves the Vista Teachers 9/9 in the surrounding school Districts in salary and benefits.  This is based on the District's own figures presented to us on Monday.  This offer does not live up to the Blueprint goal of Strategy V- High Quality, Flexible and Adaptable Staff - We will recruit, hire, develop, and retain team members who exemplify our values and ensure our ability to achieve our mission.

With the teacher shortage predicted in the next five years how do we stay competitive with Oceanside, San Marcos and Carlsbad to retain teachers when our pay and benefits are the lowest?

On another note, I would like to announce that Tod Critchlow will be the new VTA President beginning June 26th.  Reagan Duncan will be the new Vice President.  I wish them all the best in their new roles.

Thank you for your time.

Good evening.


February 26, 2015

Good Evening Board members, Student Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the Audience.

We are so grateful to all the Golden Apple Award teachers for their dedication to their craft and to the students they teach. Congratulations to all of them. 

The teachers here in Vista always give so much of their time and energy to their students.  I am proud to be the spokesperson for such incredible teachers.

To attract and retain the best and brightest instructional leaders VUSD must offer a competitive salary. With a huge teacher shortage looming in the near future our ability to hire teachers will be in competition with every District in San Diego County.  We have already felt the impact of sub shortages this year and soon we will not be able to hire teachers when the competition will become fierce for the fewer teacher candidates coming out of our Universities. Board members, take an honest look at the most recent SABRE data provided by School Services of California. For far too long VUSD has been second to last in every possible salary schedule comparison. 
 
Over the last eight (8) years Health benefits costs have increased yearly.  Working with the Medical Benefits Committee, VTA has worked diligently to lower costs through plan changes and moving to SISC.  Our efforts are not enough to keep up with the ever increasing costs. It is unfair for our members to continue to bear the brunt of the increased costs.  Surrounding School Districts pay substantially more for their members’ benefits then Vista.  Last year for the first time VUSD increased the CAP by $200.  This is not enough to cover the basic coverage for families.

The raise we bargained for last year was a good start and we hope to continue to work together to make our school District the best in San Diego. Our students, families and the employees of VUSD deserve the very best. The governor’s budget proposal calls for increases in funding and the economy in California is improving at a rate greater than anticipated. 

On another note, Monday is Read Across America day and in California we will celebrate the whole week.   I hope that all the Board members will be able to visit our schools and read to students. We have several schools with events planned for Wednesday and Friday.  

Thank you



October 9, 2014

Good Evening School Board members, Dr.Vodicka and members of the audience.  Today I spent time with teachers in San Ysidro on the strike line. It was a sobering event with teachers facing a severe pay cut. It made me grateful that we were able to avert a strike last May. 

But with that thought in mind I want to remind the Board that Vista teachers are still at the bottom half in pay for San Diego County.  The raise we received in July and the one we get in January are the first we have had in seven years. We have begun to rebuild relationships that were strained during bargaining sessions. Then this week in the Board packet we became aware that there are proposals to increase the salaries of the Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and the two Assistant Superintendents. 

It is obscene that the proposal includes a 27.1% raise for one of the Assistant Superintendents. This includes a retro-active pay increase to July 1, 2014 of more than $22,000. This is at a time when Special Ed teachers are telling me that they cannot get a copy of the teachers' edition to help their students because there is not enough money.  Another school is limiting teachers to 2000 pieces of copy paper for the entire trimester, which is less than 1 piece of paper per day, per student. This is at a time when we are transitioning to common core and teachers in their collaboration time are designing lessons. These lessons are not in textbooks; in fact the State has not approved new textbooks for English yet. They need to have these lessons to print out for their students.

Another issue that brings to light some of the inequities in our District is the benefits for our hourly teachers. These teachers work daily with our students. The District is refusing to allow them to participate in BTSA because it costs too much and they didn't budget for it. We are not talking about hundred's of teachers, maybe 20 who need the BTSA training to clear their credential. The District is not willing to allow these teachers to continue their professional development and improve their craft for the benefit of our students. 

As you consider these proposals tonight keep in mind that we are all here for the students. The educational benefits for our students are served by teachers having the supplies they need in their classrooms, and that new teachers be allowed to participate in professional development to improve their craft. Are we serving our students best by giving one person a $33,000 dollar raise? I think NOT.

Good evening



March 13, 2014

Good evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and audience members.  I would first like to add my voice to everyone who is praising the work Kelli, Trish and all the content resource teachers did to make the Stem Fest a success.  I saw most of the Board members at the event, Mayor Jim Wood from Oceanside but the best part were all the students and teachers who came out and shared their projects with us.  I hope this event grows and becomes a strong yearly Festival for Vista. 

The teachers here in Vista always give so much of their time and energy to their students.  I am proud to be the spokesperson for such incredible teachers.  What I would most like to say on their behalf is that I hope that tomorrow when our bargaining teams meet it will be successful and that we can come up with a fair and equitable agreement.  We need an agreement that honors VTA members’ commitment to smaller class sizes.  We have always put great value on the conditions in which our students learn.  Recently I was talking to some members about witnessing kindergarten classes of 32 students and how difficult it is to give the attention needed to so many young children.  The benefit to those students in their first year of school of having smaller class sizes is immeasurable. Returning grades 6-12 to the pre-Mou class sizes will impact our high school and middle school students as we transition to common core. The time and effort needed to facilitate project based learning and assisting students in completing A-G credit classes will be aided by smaller class sizes. 

As one of the few Districts in the county that has not negotiated a teacher pay raise in over seven years, it is time to offer a reasonable salary increase.  With the passage of Prop 30 and the healthy economy in California; Vista can afford it and it is well deserved.  When I first started working in Vista our pay schedule was in the top five (5) in the county, today we are in the bottom five (5).  Our district has a reserve well over the required three (3) % and it can be used to lower class sizes and salary increases.  

The State is also giving Districts supplemental grant funds to use especially for English learners and our neediest students. We need to lower class sizes for students and attract and retain the best and brightest teachers for them. When the LCAP is submitted to the county in July, VTA believes that it should include a plan for those two priorities. We have met with Dr. Vodicka and shared our ideas and thoughts for the plan.  Many of members are also involved in adding their voice to our LCAP. This is new territory for all Districts to work through but Vista has a chance to be a leader in the education community.  We look forward to working with the District and the Board to not only write the plan but to implement it next school year.  

These are exciting times in Education in California and we would like to settle a fair contract and get to work building Vista into a true pioneer in Public Education. Thank you and good evening. 



January 16, 2014

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and audience members.

As we have begun our new year it is with hope that we can come to an agreement in negotiations.  Our team and the District have met on four occasions and meet again on January 30th.  With the Governor's budget proposal announced last week it looks much better for public Education.  After years of declining enrollment and funding deferrals we will be receiving much needed revenues.  

As I go out to school sites and visit with teachers there are two topics weighing heavily on their minds; their large class sizes and teacher salaries.  Our teachers work hard daily with students and they love their work.  But the large class sizes in grades K-12 are one issue that we feel it is time to go back to our model of exceptional practice. We have repeatedly stated that "Class size matters".  When you have a middle school technology class with 37 students and you are cramming them into a corner and at some sites they have to share computers. High School science classes have so many students that it is not feasible to have as many labs as teachers and students would like. There are numerous studies linking student achievement to smaller class sizes.  We know that students need to have connections and to get the needed mentoring and attention to stay engaged and energized to complete their studies and graduate. It is hard to foster those connections and relationships when you have 213 students every day. It is difficult to individualize the instruction for 32 needy kindergarten students who are excited and happy to be at school but don't get enough one-on-one contact with their teacher. Again, we say class size matters for our students, our families and our teachers.

Comparing Vista with our surrounding school districts we are woefully underpaid.  In order to attract and retain the best and brightest in our profession we need to make real strides in diminishing the pay disparity. Our members have gone seven years without a raise and the gap between our members and Oceanside is $10,000 a year.  With the passage of Prop 30 and Governor Brown's budget proposal we are on track to be able to make up some lost ground.  I am optimistic that we will be able to again be the school District that new teachers want to work for and veteran teachers are proud to say "I work for Vista".

Tomorrow we will have a District wide day for our "Best Practices Conference".  Each certificated and classified member was able to choose from a variety of workshops, and sessions and get the Professional development we all want to improve our practice. Many of the sessions are our members sharing their expertise and passion with their colleagues. It is an opportunity to connect and share best ideas and practices with each other.  I look forward to meeting with teachers and participating as a presenter.  I hope we will see some of the Board members tomorrow at Mission Vista.

Thank you and Good Evening

December 12, 2013

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and audience members.

        As the District and VTA begin our bargaining sessions we hope they proceed better than in past years.  The teachers in this District have taken on larger class sizes, furlough days, increased costs in medical benefits and have not had a raise in 7 years.  The new Local Control Funding Formula is increasing the District’s per student funding for this year and years to come.  Our District has an increase in student enrollment which is a good trend we hope to see continue.  With the new monies and the large reserve in the District budget we feel it is appropriate to ask for and receive a substantial raise. Our colleagues in neighboring Districts earn $8-9000 more per year than teachers in Vista.  We need to be competitive in order to retain and attract the best and brightest teachers in the years to come.  We have a veteran cadre of teachers throughout the state and in order to fill the jobs that we will have as they retire we need to be appealing to new teachers entering the profession.

In this District in the last few years we have added five new District level employees:

Two (2) C & I Executive Directors

an HR Coordinator

a Special Education Executive Director

and just last month created a new job category for a Director in charge of charter schools.

All of these expensive employees have been added at a time when teacher pay has not increased.  We need to keep resources where it matters the most; in the classroom.  

Along with pay raises our teachers believe that smaller class sizes benefit the education of our students and we are looking forward to the District returning to pre-MOU class size language. VTA believes that when we return our class sizes to reasonable levels again and as we transition to the common core; these smaller class sizes will assist Vista School District in being the leader in Educational Excellence and Innovation for the rest of the county.  As we embark on our bargaining sessions we hope to bring a new sense of collaboration and a duty to settle fairly and at benefit to our students, members and the District.

In two weeks many of us will be celebrating Christmas Day with our families.  I am hoping for a positive bargaining outcome, the best for our students, teachers, staff and the District.  I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

Thank you and Good Evening



November 14, 2013

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and audience members.

Middle School and Elementary teachers have just completed parent conferences for the fall. The school year is going quickly and the holidays are soon upon us. Teachers are working hard to adapt to changes in programs with common core implementation, working with co-horts and changes in Special Education services.  All of these changes are coming fast and furious this year and while we know there is a need for collaboration and we welcome the time to work with colleagues; too much time out of our classrooms is worrying teachers.  We have to take off full days and some ½ half days to collaborate, while all studies show the best predictor of student achievement is the classroom teacher.  

We would urge the Board and administration to work with VTA to come up with alternatives to collaboration during the student instruction time of day.  Some teachers have to be out 4 days every month, some even more.  We cannot afford to have the expert in the classroom out so often.  Another unforeseen problem with the collaboration days is the lack of substitute teachers.  If a sub doesn’t show up or is moved to a different assignment then the remaining teachers are asked to take the students into their classroom.  Now you have a situation where one teacher has their own 25-27 students and must take on 6-10 of their colleagues’ students.  This impacts the learning and teaching of all these students.   We must find a better way to maintain high educational instruction and offer beneficial teacher collaboration. 

        Another issue concerning teachers and their classrooms are the changes to the Special education model.  This year many students are being mainstreamed; which teachers and admin agree is the model we want to have for our students, the least restrictive environment. The problems arise when the areas of concern impact the learning of all students in the class.  This year more than any other the incidences of students disrupting classrooms in a dangerous manner have quadrupled.  Nearly every day since the beginning of school I am contacted by a teacher asking for help.  Some examples: 

·      Student has bitten three other classmates and drawn blood

·      Student throws chairs and desks hitting the teacher and other students

·      Student verbally attacks students in kinder class and makes them cry daily

·      Student yells out continuously in class using curse words- 2nd grade

·      Student runs from class or playground nearly everyday

·      Student kicks and screams at teacher and students

These are just some of the cases teachers bring to me asking for help.  They are told to write everything down, give breaks, reward good behavior or send to another teacher.  The time to try all the changes is at first six (6) weeks and then they are told to try 3-4 more weeks.  The stress on the other students in the class increases, the teachers are feeling lost and the students are not getting the correct setting for their needs. We need to rethink the one size fits all approach to placement for students and go back to the Individualized approach as advocated in IEPs.  The mission of the Special Education Department has identified four key commitments and one is responsiveness.  We believe that some issues are not being met in a timely manner.

General Education teachers are not trained as special education teachers; we take one class for one semester.  Unlike Special education experts who have in depth study and practice.  Our general ed teachers are given high needs students with no training and sometimes they don’t even get a copy of the IEP until days after the student is placed with them. Many middle school and high school teachers have 12-14 Special Ed students in their class with no aide, no support and no training.   The safety and welfare of all students in the class must be the top priority, how long must the students suffer?  When are the needs of one student better served in another placement?  Teachers have been injured; stabbed with pens, bitten, kicked and hit with objects.  We have a serious problem in this District right now and we need to address it before more children and teachers are injured.

        As the District and VTA begin our bargaining sessions we hope they proceed better than in past years.  The teachers in this District have taken on larger class sizes, furlough days, increased costs in medical benefits and have not had a raise in 7 years.  The new Local Control Funding Formula is increasing the District’s per student funding for this year and years to come.  Our District has an increase in student enrollment which is a good trend we hope to see continue.  With the new monies and the large reserve in the District budget we feel it is appropriate to ask for and receive a substantial raise. Our colleagues in neighboring Districts earn $8-9000 more per year than teachers in Vista.  We need to be competitive in order to retain and attract the best and brightest teachers in the years to come.  We have a veteran cadre of teachers throughout the state and in order to fill the jobs that we will have as they retire we need to be appealing to new teachers entering the profession.

Along with pay raises our teachers believe that smaller class sizes benefit the education of our students and we are looking forward to the District returning to pre-MOU class size language. VTA believes that when we return our class sizes to reasonable levels again and as we transition to the common core; these smaller class sizes will assist Vista School District in being the leader in Educational Excellence and Innovation for the rest of the county.  As the parent stated earlier tonight; the early bird later gator schedule is not working for our kindergarteners as some schools. With the new 24:1 law in K-3 we look forward to seeing smaller class sizes next year. As we embark on our bargaining sessions we hope to bring a new sense of collaboration and a duty to settle fairly and at benefit to our students, members and the District.

As a member of Vista Education Foundation I would like to let you know that we funded three grants this past week. We funded the arts at Lake, technology at both RBV and the Stem Fest. In two weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day with our families.  I hope to give thanks for a positive bargaining outcome, the best for our students, teachers, staff and the District.  I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

Thank you and Good Evening



September 12, 2013

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and audience members.

The school year is well underway now and there have been Back to School nights and staff development days. The school year beginning was much smoother than last year when we were in crisis with fact-finding and midnight bargaining to resolve issues. But as we begin this school year we will be bargaining in the Spring for the whole contract and this Fall to satisfy conditions of the MOU we signed last year. 

Another portion of the MOU dealt with excess funds in the budget after restoration of furlough days.  The agreement was a one-time off salary schedule bonus.  Our members will be receiving this bonus in their September 30th pay warrant.  We want to thank the Board and Dr. Vodicka for honoring our agreement.

With that agreement and the bonus in mind I wanted to discuss the District budget and the audited and unaudited actuals Donna Caperton will be presenting tonight. I want to share some facts we have gathered over the past few years.

1) Three years ago we were told that we would be out of money at the end of 12-13. Instead, we have $44 million in reserves. Now we are told that we will again be out of money in 3 years. Does anyone believe this? How many times can the district administration cry "wolf" before the Board stops believing them? How many thousands of our students have to sacrifice the quality of their education so that a few administrators can sleep better at night knowing that the millions that should have been spent on education are instead in the bank?

2) Over the past 4 years our ending balanced has been an average of $20.8 million higher than projected when the budget was adopted. That would mean that this year will end with over $45 million in reserves, rather than the $25 million that the board was told would be left.

3) Over the past 3 years we have estimated our total deficits to be about $19 million; instead, we have racked up a surplus of over $9 million. Continuing this reliable trend will all but wipe out this year's projected $10 million deficit.

I could go on. The bottom line is that this annual charade has got to stop. The board must insist on accurate financial projections. Every September the Board is told that, "we have great news - we have a lot more money than we thought we would - oh, but this year is going to be so much worse."  We all hear that; year after year, after year, and it is NEVER true. For the first time in a decade we actually did deficit spend this year, by about $700,000. If this worst-case performance continues, we WILL run out of money - IN 60 YEARS!! With $44 million in the bank, we need to be spending that money in order to provide the best possible education that we can.

To compare our school District to the Business model, as Ms. Caperton does, is the wrong philosophy to have about education.  Taxpayers want good schools, they want their taxes spent on educating students and not held in reserve for a “Maybe” rainy day.  The funds we have in reserve are more than the state mandated 3%, more than the 5% our District recently increased it to.  So instead of spending money on students, smaller classes, better, more current supplies we are going to hold back more reserves and make students learn in class sizes of 39-48 in high school, 36 in middle, 34 in upper primary and 25 to 27 in primary grades. 

And by the way, you, The Board, should insist on the Budget Advisory Committee being reconvened in order to get input from all stakeholders as we transition to the Local Control Funding Formula and Common Core State Standards. With the lack of credibility shown annually by our financial projections, the district should not be excluding people from the budgetary process. At this time when we are having the first major change to how Public Education is funded in 40 Years it is the time when you need classified, certificated and parents to work together.  We will have more local control but we need to make sure it fits our needs for the students of Vista.  The best way to know that is to have input from the employees and residents of Vista.

I am excited about the transition to common core, the collaborative work happening at our schools and the beginning of building back a District that is the model for the state.  We need to be vigilant and responsible but also respectful of all members and make sure our decisions are fair, sound and ultimately benefit our students.

Thank you and Good Evening



August 15, 2013

President’s Board speech

Good Evening Dr. Vodicka and Board Members,

I always love the beginning of a new school year.  A fresh start, new students, newly decorated rooms and new supplies.  Sometimes we have new colleagues and maybe even a new school site.  It is a time of hope and happiness. The beginning of the school year began with our Buy Back Day at Mission Vista High School today.  Like in January, it was a great time and venue to meet new colleagues and catch up with friends after our summer off.

A chance to collaborate is an important part of our profession and I am glad that it is starting by all teachers, staff and administrators learning the same programs and getting set up on Google apps and My Big Campus. There was a level of excitement and cheerfulness as you walked around campus today.  It is good to bring teachers and staff together to talk and laugh and share vacation stories.  It made the beginning of the school year a more positive experience than we have had in this District for years. 

Each employee also had the opportunity to hear Dr. Vodicka’s presentation on our Vision, Mission, and Values.  This is an exciting time in education and in Vista. We have an opportunity to make this District a leader in the educational community. VTA wants to work to make Vista again “No Better Place to Learn”.  

I have also had the privilege of meeting many of our new principals and am looking forward to meeting the rest in the next few weeks. I have sat down and met with Brett Killeen, our new Assistant Superintendent of Human Relations and I am happy to say we are working on problem solving together and heading off problems before they become grievances.  VTA is hopeful that this year the District and Association can continue to heal our relationship and together put the needs of students first while respecting the rights of the employee groups.  We are able to accomplish more when our goals are aligned and we begin to listen and respect each other. 

There are exciting issues in education such as our new funding method (LCCF) and a change from drill and kill instruction to more rigorous and challenging curriculum. New national common core standards are being developed and our District is working to implement them with the strong Language Arts and math programs we already have in place.  Each teacher today received instruction by the new Common Core Resource teachers.

Lastly, I would like to take this time to thank all of our CSEA employees who worked hard over the summer preparing our rooms and campuses for our students.  We are happy to hear that they were able to get a contract with the District. 

Thank you and let’s have an amazing school year.




May 16, 2013

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the audience.  We only have 12 more days of school and then our seniors will be graduating and our students will begin enjoying their summer off.  Many changes occurred this school year; a new superintendent, 13 new principals and one new Board member (Mr. Alderson). While we have had some new experiences such as the format for our Buy Back Day in January other changes will be happening next school year. 

One of those I would like to address first is the reduction of aides in Special Day Classes throughout the District.  Several of our teachers have voiced concerns to me about how this will make their task much more burdensome. The loss of aides will make instruction more difficult and it will be harder to meet the needs of their students. This is a reduction of 25 hours of support for some of our neediest students. They have also disbanded the Functional Skills classes and are placing the students in LH classes for next year. Basically, they are receiving more students with a higher level of needed support, with way less staff support. Teachers are frustrated for themselves, but also for their students. 

This change is inevitably going to hurt the amount of support that students will receive. With 16 students and one assistant, teachers are unable to provide small groups (8:1 student:teacher ratio compared to 4:1 that they have now), diaper changes (that will be necessary with functional skills students), proper coverage during recess/lunch, and mainstreaming opportunities. I hope as you look at the suggested changes think not so much that we should be like every other District in the state but what is in the best interests of our students.  Each of these students has an IEP and that is what should drive staffing to meet those individual student’s needs.  

On another issue I am happy to say that the Governor’s May Revise has allowed the District to keep our Adult Ed program at least for two years and all the Adult Ed teachers’ pink slips have been rescinded. I know that none of you wanted to lose the Adult Ed program that is so valuable to our community. You have many happy teachers in Vista tonight.  

We are also going to change the way elementary teachers receive their prep periods next year.  The District intends to hire hourly teachers to teach art or character education for the students.  I applaud the Districts efforts to make sure the instruction is delivered by qualified and credentialed teachers. I do wish that the teachers were given contracts to allow them to have full benefits of employment but I understand this is more costly. It would give more stability to the programs if the teachers were given contracts because they will be less likely to look for full time work in another district.

On a final note, with the governor’s proposed budget Vista Unified School District will be seeing increased revenues and this is good news.  It also means that you the School Board Members will have more control over the programs and funding for them than ever before.  We hope that you keep in mind the benefits of smaller class sizes K-12 and make that a priority for next year and beyond.  We look forward to a productive new year.  Please enjoy your summer and we will see you in August.



​
[Spoken on behalf of Barbara Franklin by JB Barton, VTA Vice President]
April 18, 2013

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka, cabinet and members of the audience. 

As we progress through the next several weeks of high stakes testing in our schools let’s try to remember that we do not aspire to teach to the test but to teach the child.  Our goals, our passion and our commitment are to make the learning of each child special and meaningful. We want to see them aspire to be lifelong learners and to achieve their goals and to nurture their talents.  With so much emphasis on this one testing window over the last few years we have diminished the educational experiences of our students.  Arts, science, history and music are nearly non-existent in many elementary classrooms and many middle school and high school students must take additional English and math classes and therefore are not allowed to have electives to nourish their diverse interests.  

Many of our teachers are working to align what they are doing now to the new common core standards which will be fully implemented in two years. We are excited at the possibilities of what common core will bring to our profession for our students and individually for us as teachers.  We will finally be allowed to bring depth of knowledge to our core curriculum areas and bring in creativity and higher order thinking skills for our students.  

While common core is two years away there are decisions being made now that will affect students and teachers alike. There are a few areas of concern that I would like to bring up about the new kindergarten schedule and the presentation Dr. Vodicka’s will give this evening.  Many teachers were offended by some of the remarks written in the presentation,

“Just what does Dr. Vodicka think I am doing in my kindergarten class now if only with the new schedule can I shift my focus to implementation of Common Core and learning experiences of my students?  

I am asking that as my VTA president you address this statement and make him aware of how offensive and demeaning the statement is.   Many kindergarten teachers have begun to implement Common Core and the learning experiences of our students have always been our focus.  The "win/win" statement does not belong in a presentation to the board.

The next area of concern is about the extended kindergarten programs at Bobier, Maryland, Casita, Olive, and Grapevine. Some teachers at these schools have concerns about their programs being dismissed without addressing the serious needs of their students.

“As you know, our first choice is to keep extended day. We understand the need for uniformity in the district; however we still have some questions that Dr. Vodicka’s presentation to the board does not appear to address. How will we safely dismiss the early kids while teaching the late kids? How will our students be able to have the time to learn the common core when for many of them this is their first experience in school?  We must be allowed the extra time to teach them in smaller classes the social skills needed, explore topics in depth; eliminate the need for extra transition time to class time; establish routines; and provide an education tailored to their needs that are developmentally appropriate and individualized.  With the staggered day model our students will have too many distractions with all the transitions and learning experiences will be constrained.” 

In his presentation Dr. Vodicka references several research articles that dismissed the benefits of extended or full day kindergarten and in one of his citations we found the following statement:

“Certain subpopulations might benefit more than others; given current budgetary constraints, policymakers may find it more effective to target full-day classes to schools most likely to benefit, such as those with low API rankings.”

This is what our schools that had the full day or extended kindergartens were doing, targeting our low API schools and our socio-economically disadvantaged students.

We ask that you consider some of the following highlights of research on full day kindergarten before you cut our programs. I have copies of two articles for each of you and I would like to highlight some other notes for you.

According to research that our teachers looked at conducted by:

 Prepared by Dr. Sherrill Martinez, Dr. Gayle Stuber, and Lue Ann Snider

Research and Evaluation

Kansas State Department of Education

The practice of scheduling kindergarten students for only half a school day has been more a function of economics (less expensive to schedule two groups of children for half-day each than to schedule one group for the entire day) than of early childhood education best practice. Many kindergarten children who do not attend full-day kindergarten attend a preschool program or are in daycare for the remainder of their day, so full-day kindergarten is not more taxing for them (ECS, 2004).  

Observers of trends in kindergarten scheduling argue that changing the length of the kindergarten day is not as important as making sure that all kindergartners are provided with developmentally- and individually-appropriate learning environments, regardless of whether these programs are full-day or half-day. These individuals say that worksheets and early instruction in reading or other academic subjects are largely inappropriate in kindergarten, whether half-day or full-day, as is spending most of the day in large-group instruction (Karweit,1992).

A study by Cryan, Sheehan, Wiechel, and Bandy (1992) found that attending a full-day kindergarten program positively related to school performance until at least first grade. The children in the study who attended the full-day program were more likely to score higher on academic tests and less likely to be retained or ‘held back’ than their peers who attended half- or alternate day programs.  

In their conclucion:

“Research has shown that full-day kindergarten, if appropriate scheduling and curricula are used, can boost academic performance and bring social benefits. This is particularly true when considering children from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Children with full-day kindergarten experience score higher on standardized tests and have fewer grade retentions and higher attendance rates. There is also clear evidence that participation in full-day kindergarten has a significant impact on classroom behavior. Studies show that full-day kindergarten students rate higher in originality, independent learning, and involvement in classroom activities. Such students evidence more productive peer relationships and a more intellectual orientation. “

As you listen to the presentation from Dr. Vodicka please realize that there are many conflicting studies and reports on extended kindergarten models.  We only ask that you re-evaluate the need to eliminate these programs at some of our neediest schools.  Perhaps instead of eliminating them we should conduct our own research and determine the true value for our students. 

I hope that as Board members you have been out to visit some of our kindergarten classrooms and seen the amazing success our teachers are having and the bright, eager faces of our students.  These are the lives you are affecting as you ponder your decision and we know it is not an easy decision but we wanted you to hear both sides of the issue.  We feel the full day kindergarten classes are successful and vital for our students. 

Thank you and good evening.


December 13, 2012

Good evening board members and our newest member Mr. Alderson, Dr. Vodicka and members of the audience.  

We are nearing the end of 2012 and I wanted to wish all of you a happy holiday season and a happy new year. 

It has been great fun the last few weeks as our rotary club, shadowridge rotary, has spent time in our first graders classrooms to read to the students and give them each a new book to take home.   Some of our students have stated that it is their only book, or maybe they have four and this will make five and some ask "I get to take it home?"   It shows the great need for students to have those resources available in their classrooms and homes.  I am grateful we were able to do our small part. 

I also wanted to take this time to thank the del Norte PTA for the holiday luncheon on dec. 4th.  They always do such a nice job and we appreciate it. We need the support of all the PTAs at each of our school sites. 

VTA wanted to share with the Board how grateful teachers and staff at both Lake elementary and VMMS last week were when we had two serious issues arise. They wanted to let dr. Vodicka and the district staff know how much it meant to have administrators there to take care of students and staff. 

Have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday season. 
Good evening. 


Barbara Franklin
VTA President

October 11, 2012

Good evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the audience. 

I would like to take some time this evening to comment about the school visits I have been on this year.  I have been to all but two of our schools so far and the energy and enthusiasm is exciting to witness.  The principal at Foothill Oak, Erin English, invited me to go and visit classrooms.  I took the time to go in kindergarten classes and fourth grade.  I was impressed by the dedication, hard work and fun I witnessed in the classes.  The students were engaged and the work was rigorous.  Not a moment was wasted and the transitions were seamless.  The only concern was of course the large class sizes, 32 kindergarteners is a lot of students to teach.  

That brings me to my next point this evening and that is Prop 30.  We need to work together to make sure that Prop. 30 is approved on November 6th.  Our neighboring Districts all have contingency language, just as we do, if it fails to pass.   One glaring difference though is that, San Marcos, as an example has their Superintendent, principals and teachers working together to phone bank on behalf of the measure.  In fact, the School Board of San Marcos voted unanimously to support a resolution for Prop 30 at their September Board meeting.

In Vista, we would lose approximately $457 per student in ADA if it fails. This would mean we would have 11 furlough days this school year and next.  I am disappointed that our School Board fails to support a resolution in favor of Proposition 30.  But we need all of you to please talk to your family, friends and neighbors about supporting YES on Prop 30.
Thank you for your time this evening.


September 13, 2012

Good evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the audience. 

We have been in school for 18 days now. There have been a few hiccups but for the most part it has gone smoothly.  We were unhappy, and surprised that an administrator left suddenly the second week of school and the transition since has been bumpy.  We have dedicated, hardworking staff at Washington and Olive but change is difficult and especially when it is unexpected.  They just want to make sure that the changes are the least disruptive for their students and that the programs and systems they have had are maintained.  The District has met with the staff and we hope they continue to check in and watch over the two campuses.

Dr. Vodicka has been out visiting school sites and going into classrooms and I have heard many positive comments about what he has seen and the schools he has visited.  It is important to get out to the schools and let the students and teachers know how important they are and that we are interested in their education.   The VTA Executive Board and our membership appreciate the fact that the District re-instated the two furlough days this year and the four for next year.  It is important to our members that the agreement was honored and in such a timely way. Thank you.  We hope this trend continues and that trust is rebuilt along the way.  Along with the restoration of the days we are working hard to get the message out that Prop 30, on the November ballot, while not a perfect package will go far in maintaining the services we have for our students now.  

Many positive changes have occurred at school sites throughout the District, VAPA had some much needed repairs completed, Olive is getting new water fountains for the kindergarteners so they can reach them and other sites are excited about their new IPads to use with students and to use to plan lessons. On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to visit Vista High’s Culinary Arts Classroom/ kitchen.  It is very impressive and the instructor, Kim Plunkett, was kind enough to show me around and explain the program and what her students are working on. VTA hopes to work with Kim to have a catered meal later on this school year as her students get more experience. 

Along with our new superintendent we also have 13 new principals this school year.  It is quite a change of leadership in one year and there will be growing pains and adjustments on everyone’s part.  VTA is dedicated to working with Administrators to make sure the needs of students are met by ensuring that class sizes are correctly maintained and heading off problems over insufficient supplies or classroom aides.  

We have an issue this year that we also had last year in our K-3 grades, where the teachers only have enough consumables for students and not an extra copy for the teachers to use to model instruction. It is so important for the little ones to see their teacher modeling and practicing with them.  What I have been able to discover is that the books are sent out and then redistributed to schools on at need basis but the numbers don’t take into consideration that the teacher also needs a copy.  Then the problem worsens because the books seem to get shuffled so much no one is really sure how many are where. One solution might be to order enough that each teacher gets four or five extra copies so they have one they can use this year and extras in case they get extra students during the year and if one or two are left at the end of the year then the teacher will have their copy ready for a new year.  I am sure there are other solutions available but I hope we can work together to come up with one soon for the students and teachers. 

Thank you for your time this evening.

Thank you,
Barbara Franklin
President
Vista Teachers Association
760-758-2690


August 16, 2012

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Vodicka and members of the audience.  I am Barbara Franklin, President of the Vista Teachers Association.

Today was the first day back for teachers in the District.  I was able to join teachers for a short time at both Vista High and Vista Magnet Middle School.  It was a time to catch up with each other, ask about how our summers went and learn new strategies and programs.  As we begin this new school year I am hopeful that it will be a smooth transition and that all of our students will happily be ready to learn on their first day back Monday.

We have had an eventful and stressful last three months in this District and many challenges and changes have occurred.  First, we have a new superintendent and he has been reaching out to all stakeholders in our community.  The communication systems he has implemented have been a welcome change in VUSD.  The daily tweets, the Blog and emails have kept us updated and informed and we welcome this new leadership style.  It is a necessary and long-awaited change needed in Vista for many years. 

Second, we have 12 new administrators beginning this school year.  This is an amazing turnover of leadership and it can be challenging for teachers, staff, students, parents and the new administrators.  I wish them all well in their new positions and welcome them to the VUSD community.  

As you are aware the VTA and the District have been in a bargaining crisis since March of this year.  On August 3rd we came together to try to reach an agreement.  For the teachers of Vista it was very important to protect students in this District.  We feel strongly that smaller class sizes are important for student achievement.  Our teachers have today ratified the tentative agreement with the District. 

Vista teachers have not had a raise in six years, we have agreed to reduce instructional days to help the District stay solvent and we have agreed to temporary increases in class size for the next two years.  This is a sacrifice that the teachers of Vista reluctantly chose, to work with our District to balance the budget.  

As we continue in these tough economic times, that even the experts can’t tell us when it will get better, I hope you, the Board, keep in mind the commitment to Vista Unified that the teachers and classified staff have shown over the years. When times are better and they will get better, we hope you will work together with us to make sure Vista teachers are no longer one of the lowest paid teachers in the County.  

One way we can all work to improve our budget problems is to make sure Prop 30 passes on November 6th.  We know it is only a patch on the budget problems but without it the whole state will be worse off than now.  With the guarantees written in to protect Prop 98 school funding we would be able to have the same funding as we received last year. I hope you join me in supporting and advocating for public education over the next few months.

As we begin this new school year we have an opportunity to work together and strengthen our partnerships.  We can move forward and work together to make this year the best in Vista for students.  I am excited by the opportunities becoming available with the new Common Core Standards set to be implemented in phases over the next few years.  Our District is working hard to be ahead of the learning curve on Common Core instead of trying to catch up later.  It would be nice for Vista to become the model in the County for implementation. 

Thank you for your time this evening and I look forward to seeing you all out at our schools celebrating the successes of Vista students and Teachers.

Thank you,
Barbara Franklin
President
Vista Teachers Association
760-758-2690


May 10, 2012

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Bales, audience.  We are coming to the end of another school year.  Many schools are finished with State High stakes testing while others are in the middle of testing.  The students are working hard, trying their best.  Teachers are encouraging and supportive while trying to help students focus on the tasks at hand.  This is usually the most stressful time of year for students and teachers.  Add to the mix the uncertainty of the budget for next year, contract negotiations and the search for a new superintendent and it is no wonder so many of us are feeling the pressure.  We also have 10 new principal positions open for the next year.  A few of them have been filled many more are still open.  This will bring about a different look for our District next year.  

I would next like to discuss some of the issues that were brought out at the Board meeting when the District sunshined the contract with VTA.  After the open hearing questions were raised about classroom availability for CSR in grades 1-3.  I went to my teachers on the campuses and asked about empty classrooms or rooms that are being used by coaches, after school programs, etc.  I found out that we have the rooms to add the 48 classes needed on our campus.

For example:  I found 47 empty rooms from only 10 of our 15 elementary schools.  
o   Grapevine: 8
o   Beaumont: 6  (one is lit coach, one is speech/lang - but we have a smaller room that could be used for that, one is music, and one is family reading)  The other 2 are empty. 
o   Mission Meadows: 9 (1 – Preschool(#8 – Empty, #24 - Occupational Therapy, #22 - Lit Coach, #12 - Lower Grade RSP, #17 – Empty, #11 - Storage/Meeting Room, #31 – Music, #29 - Upper Grade RSP (I think))
o   Casita: 8  ((boys and girls club, speech teacher took a larger classroom rather than the speech room, PLC room)  
o   Maryland: 2 (1 completely empty room, 1 room is being occupied by RSP 1 by speech)
o   Lake: 3 (3 empty rooms 1 kinder 1 intensive intervention 1 coach)
o   Alamosa: 5 available (11 is empty and used by ithe RSP/Intensive Intervention teacher (2 hours a day), Room 23 is empty and used by our ELD Coordinator
room 20 is empty and used by our Literacy Coach ( no kid contact)
room 24 isused used for for A.M./P.M. (they pay the District $1.00 for its use)
Room 25 is empty but used in the afternoon by HawkClub)
o   Bobier: 4 (one classroom that is used for storage, one classroom used for counseling groups (the counselor has her office where AP was before), one room is used by the English Learner person, and one room is used by the reading coach.)
o   Hannalei: 1 
o   Breeze Hill: 1



This is one example of how information is not always shared correctly.  While some rooms may be used for staff development or meetings or an office they can be converted back to classrooms easily.  

The second point was that we are $15 million dollar deficit spending next year.  While the projected budget states a $15 million deficit it is based on 20:1 in grades 1-3 and we have the money in reserves that has been saved over the last four years to easily cover the deficit and still leave us with a healthy reserve.  

The last four year budgets have also projected a deficit but the reality is that we actually saved $18 million that should have been spent on students.  The taxpayer dollars are for education and not to pile up in a savings account.  We need to spend the money on smaller class sizes and maintain 180 days of instruction. 

When and if the projected budget actually is going to be deficit spending is when we should talk about cuts not a projection that has historically been off by millions of dollars.

In bargaining many mistakes are found in the budget, questions are asked and not answered and the procedures and process for bargaining are not followed.  We need to follow the rules for sunshining contracts and completing one year before moving on to the next. 


Thank you,
Barbara Franklin
President
Vista Teachers Association
760-758-2690




April 12, 2012

Good Evening Board members, Dr. Bales and members of the audience. 

I attend nearly every Board meeting and have for more than 5 years.  In all of that time I have been witness to some of the most negative, and derogatory comments made by members of the community against the School Board, VTA teachers and in particular the current and past Presidents of the Association.  While I believe it is better to ignore these comments most of the time, I am tonight going to address them and their vicious attacks on teachers.

Even tonight we blamed for “dismantling” Olive. Olive moved next door and is thriving.  The Grant Olive received “QEIA” was actually from a lawsuit won by the Union, CTA.  So the union actually helped Olive succeed.

I understand the need for open and honest public input and commentary.  What I don’t understand is why teachers are so vilified by these members of the community.  The majority of teachers I know spend many dozens of hours above their contracted day reading papers, grading, calling parents, preparing lesson plans, working with individual students and meeting with colleagues to plan together. We are not in IT, as accused, for the money; we do not get extra pay if our students fail their tests. 

We care deeply about our students and their success.  That is why we became teachers; we could work in other industries with our qualifications and make more money.  Myself, I have a Master’s degree in educational technology yet I consider teaching and education my calling.  

On Feb 9th a member of the public, who by the way, doesn’t even have a child attending one of our schools, stated they were concerned about VTA and Board involvement.  Well, as employees of the District and leaders of the Union, which is the official representative of the teachers in the District, it is our obligation to meet and discuss issues affecting our school District.  The leaders of VTA are all teachers, each one of them, except me, is in classrooms with students every day.  Our union is not made up of thugs as accused but hardworking teachers who volunteer their time to make our students and our careers stronger and better for the community.

That is what we do; we teach the students who become citizens, employees and active members of society.  We must talk to Board members, District employees and Principals to problem solve and create safe, healthy and nurturing environments for our students, staff and teachers. 

These same members of the public make false accusations and broad sweeping generalizations about teachers and our Association monthly.  Why? Where does this anger come from, why such hatred for teachers? 

The last item was an editorial in the North County Times by someone I don’t know, have never met and yet they accuse me of being a “puppetmaster”.  Believe me if I were, I would be the worst one in the world.  I do not control any Board member and in fact when they ran for school board I was one of the first to ask them to do their best and always think of the students first. 

Tonight I wear a T-shirt which is a reminder to the School Board Members to think of the students and what is best as you build the District Budget.  Do not be distracted by the hateful, untrue and divisive comments by a few misguided members of the community. Let’s continue to work together, meet and talk and problem solve together so our students will be have the best education possible.

Thank you,
Barbara Franklin
President
Vista Teachers Association
760-758-2690



March 13, 2012

Good Evening Board Members and members of the audience.  As you have heard many teachers are upset at the District’s decision to declare impasse. We have been here before and it not healthy for our teachers, students or the community.

We gave up class size language and unpaid leave days two years ago to help the District and for that year the District actually did not have a budget deficit but in fact were able to put away $8 MILLION Dollars into the reserve account. Now you want to slash that agreement and force us to take larger class sizes PERMANENTLY and FIVE (5) unpaid leave days. I say enough is enough. We have sacrificed enough, our students have sacrificed and we will not again give up so much at the detriment of our students' education. 
We DEMAND that cuts be made as far away from the classroom as possible. The District is spending $600,000 on pool repairs for Washington Middle School this year. Yet this same pool has been in disrepair for five years, why fix it this year? 

We are told that we are cannot advocates for students but if not us, WHO? If not NOW, when? We are told to work harder, give more tests and follow the directed curriculum and make sure all of our schools get out of PI status but at the same time the District tells us to take on more students in each of our classes and accomplish this with five less days of school. 

It seems that you, our School Board Members, speak out of both sides of your mouths. On the one hand, you praise Olive Elementary and ask why all of our elementary schools can’t perform as well as Olive. But you never acknowledge that while Olive teachers do a tremendous job and are amazing teachers, they also have advantages the other schools in our District don't have; a QEIA Grant that allows them to have 20:1 in grades k-3 and 22:1 in grades 4-5. Olive teachers have told me that it is not just the small numbers of students but the individual time they are able to give to students that lead to their success. They also have funds available to bring the students in early to school as a jump start program. This gives their students more days in school not less. All of our elementary schools deserve the same advantages, yet you the Board think it is okay to demand the same results from our other schools while you demand we take on larger class sizes and fewer days of school.

When budget projections are good, the district refuses to commit money to employees until the projections become reality. Yet when projections are bad, you insist on concessions from employees immediately. This is not right.

2nd Interim budget report projects $205 million to be available next year from revenues and reserves. Last year's 2nd Interim report underestimated this year's available funds by $30 million. The year before that we ended up with $22 million more than the 2nd Interim projection, and the year before that it was $25 million. Based on this history, it is not reasonable to demand permanent class size increases and less days of student instruction from employees now when it may not be needed. If it turns out to be necessary, our history shows that we will step up and make sacrifices. 

We have $16.5 million budgeted for books and supplies this year. We do this every year, and every year we spend only about $7 million. Change that $16.5 million to a realistic number, and we can file a positive interim report.

You, the board, have some difficult decisions. There are millions of dollars in reserves that are currently not being used to cover the projected budget shortfall - $5 million in flexible money from funds 12 and 20, millions more in general fund reserves that have been earmarked for capital projects. You need to decide what your priorities are - school days for all children or a bigger parking lot? Manageable class sizes or a new kitchen? Again, there are choices here that would allow us to file a positive interim report.

We are always told that the district wants to keep cuts as far from the classroom as possible. No cuts are more harmful to student achievement than fewer days of school and larger classes. In addition to the ideas presented above, VUSD gave VTA a list of possible budget solutions yesterday. To demand larger classes and fewer days of school without implementing any of these ideas is the exact opposite of keeping cuts away from the classroom.

Thank you,
Barbara Franklin
President
Vista Teachers Association
760-758-2690
November 19, 2015

​Esteemed Board Members, Dr. Vodicka and team,

I may very well be the oldest member of the Vista Unified family in the room.  I joined the Vista Unified School District in 1972 when I started first grade at Monte Vista Elementary School.

I am the oldest of 8 children who all attended Vista Schools.  To this day I can picture my mom driving the Ford station wagon around those winding roads with no seat belts and a lot of rowdy kids...we drove around for hours to soccer practices and all kinds of events. Often when my siblings were getting too rowdy I would watch her reach back and try to get their attention.  Because they weren’t wearing seatbelts they would move out of her reach.  But THEN she would stop the car, usually near the corner of Monte Vista and Buena Creek.  And THEN she would order the children who were fighting to get out of the car and told them to walk home and work out their differences by the time they got home.  (This rarely happened I assure you...they were able to work out their differences quickly before she hit the corner and they jumped back in the station wagon).  

I LOVE VISTA...I love the winding roads, the PERFECT CLIMATE, Peppertree Frosty, the Vista Icebox; Moonlight Amphitheater and MUCH MUCH MORE...and YES, I LOVE the Education we provide in Vista Unified.  I firmly believe that we offer the same FABULOUS education to our students today as much as we did in 1972.  

We have some AMAZING teachers, and some AMAZING students in our district.  Fallbrook HS had 62% of their students meet or exceed the State English standard last year; Scripps High School had 67% and yet 71% of our Rancho Buena Vista students MET or EXCEEDED the State English Standard last year. That is a tribute to our students AS WELL as our teachers.  This did not happen by accident...this was a result of YEARs of planning, and coordination and execution.  This involved an administration with a vision!  THIS is what leadership looks like!

We also have AMAZING Community members here in Vista.  Did you know that Vista’s Big Give is on the 2nd level of donors at the San Diego Make A Wish office?  We are on the same level as Disney!  Doesn’t that say everything about us?... especially when we are not the wealthiest community in the county by far...but we have the biggest heart for sure!

I love the people here... we are GOOD and DECENT PEOPLE!  We are not too stuffy, and not too uneducated...as I like to call it, just right!  For those I personally know here, you are GOOD and DECENT PEOPLE!!!  Is there room for improvement? Sure!  

Whether we realize it or not, WE ARE A FAMILY!  And We CAN do HARD THINGS!!!!  

YEARS ago before any of us were here... the Vista City Council voted to deny several car dealerships to set up shop here in Vista.  So, of course they went elsewhere and now we all shop for cars at Car Country Carlsbad.  Can you imagine the amount of taxes that our little community missed out on over the years?  I think we will all agree that that decision was seriously short sighted.  

In 2007 my father passed away...he had been a local dentist and served many people in Vista since the 1970s.  At his funeral my brother gave a talk...he talked about the lesson he learned in losing our father.  He said “I came to the conclusion that I would trade every wave I ever surfed, every concert I ever attended, every movie I ever saw or hour I spent watching T.V.; I would trade every photograph and every memory from all of my crazy adventures around the world – for one more week with my father.  I came to the realization that I would trade every memory I had except for those that contained my family.  I learned that the only thing that matters in life is the relationships we form with other people... Nothing matters except the love we create.”

We are such a great Vista community and family that I am hopeful we will circle the wagons and join together to show others what we are made of.  Let us not be short sighted.  Let us find a resolution.  And unlike the resolution the Montegues and Capulets found in Romeo and Juliet, let’s find ways to bury the hatchet.  If we need to go to family therapy let’s do it!  IT IS TIME!!!  “NOTHING MATTERS EXCEPT the LOVE WE CREATE”...and I might add that if we don’t learn this now I might be tempted to follow my mom’s example and stop the car on the corner of Monte Vista and Buena Creek and push everyone out of the station wagon and make them walk home until they resolve their differences!  Thank you!

September 10, 2015

Good Evening.

It’s the middle of September and we are done with most of the events that mark the beginning of the new school year.  Kids are settling into their routines and as I’ve heard in the staff room many times, the honeymoon is over. Teachers have established their routines and education can begin again. The newness of the new year has worn off  and just being the new face at the front of the room isn’t enough anymore.

Much the same could be said of my  tenure in office. I’m learning to live without bells. I’ve made my first mistake (several actually - but who’s counting).  My concerns have gone from what’s the name of the principal at… to how can I help. And as I used to pride myself in learning all 200 student names in as short a time as possible I’ve also met with many of the principals and had some great discussions.  


What strikes me in these conversations is the passion.  The passion to teach.  The passion to make the world a better place for the children in our care. And the passion that principals see in those teaching our children.  I won’t say I was surprised, because it has always been obvious to me that teachers care.  But it was nice to have this belief confirmed. Day in and day out, through the heat or the cold, our teachers do their best to help their charges grow and learn and develop.  I think I can honestly say I have yet to run into an educator that says anything different. 

We, the Vista Teachers, do our best to educate all the children that come to us. What I want to focus on tonight is the WE.  We are the WE.  The WE should include all of us in the room tonight. Even the students in the room tonight should be part of the WE.  We are the W in WAVE.  We are all educators.  We all get to work for or with the students.   

BUT -  There is no but in this speech tonight.

I Challenge all of us in this room tonight to become part of the WE.  I challenge all of us in this room to accept the others in this room as part of the WE.  Lip service will not do it. If we really want to make a difference, if we really we want build a better community, if we really want to inspire others, if we really want the respect that is part of positive working relationships then we have to start by being part of the WE. Without the WE it’s Us and Them.  This is Vista.  We’ve seen how the us and them plays out. I for one want to be part of the WE.  I want to be able to say that We Educate.  

So my commitment tonight - Board members, I will try my best to meet with you in the next two weeks if you are willing.  I apologize for not having done it sooner. It was not an intentional slight.  I hope to build a working relationship with you so that WE can make Vista an even better place to be.  

Dr Vodicka - I will try to remain an optimist.  Communication and Collaboration are essential to avoid continually repeating the same ineffective processes over and over. WE can make this work. WE have the power to make Vista an even better place to be.

And To the the audience in general I will strive to always show respect. I will strive to act in a way that allows you to see me as one of you.  And I will strive to see all of you as fellow educators with the best of intentions. 


I ask that you join me in this.  Together WE can Educate.

​1/22/2015 by Tod Critchlow

Good Evening Everyone, Board members and Dr Vodicka.

Happy New Year.  Seems like I keep saying that even though we’re almost done with January.  And mentioning the end of January - brings me to my first topic tonight.  A tribute to somebody that is leaving us on the 31st after almost that many years as a teacher in VUSD.  JB (does anybody know what JB stands for?) Barton is retiring.  He has been a member of the VUSD family since the mid 1970s.  Long enough that some of our veteran VUSD teachers were students of his.  As a founding member of the RBV faculty he is one of the few people left who can still remember what the original building practices were and probably give you the article number that I am talking about. 

Some of us here tonight also had the privilege of attending his retirement party at Nucci’s.   That evening I had a chance to see what WAVE is really about - a teacher that has dedicated his career to making VUSD a better place to be. It was overwhelmingly obvious that night that JB is both loved and respected by his fellow teachers.  He will be incredibly missed.  

JB, Thank you for all you have done.  And please answer your cell phone when I call to ask for help.

So to continue I would like to honor JB by describing other teachers in VUSD that make a difference.  Teacher’s that deserve your respect and appreciation for going above and beyond their classroom duties.  Teachers that deserve to be recognized for being a part of the WAVE.

At RMS -  Stephanie Daost who is in her second year in VUSD.  She is their new ASB director and has completely invigorated that program and increased the number of students who are involved in leadership while also improving the culture of RMS.  She was recognized by the staff as their very first recipient of the Wildcat of the Month.  She has made a big impact on their staff and students.  Thank you Stephanie.


At RMMS - Madison Pelzel is their new special ed teacher. She is co-teaching, running ASB and offering tutoring before and after school. Second honoree is Listhamay Dunaway who uses technology whenever she can. Her lessons are amazing. In addition she also provides tutoring to students almost everyday, before and after school and at lunch time. Thank you ladies.  You are riding the WAVE.

At RBV next week is their annual fundraiser, THE RANCH REVIEW TALENT SHOW, to support students who cannot afford to take AP and IB exams.  Although there is federal funding for certain populations, RBV believes that all students should have access, therefore this funding covers ANY student who cannot afford to take the test. 

The cool thing about this is that the production has students and teachers participating. The Queen Bee of this event is Melissa Neumann.  I was told to “Invite the board and the sup...they should come!”  I hope to see you there.

Also at RBV, Joyce Rhee, math teacher.  She is there after school EVERY DAY tutoring kids until 4.  

At MMS, Carol Levin, Gabriele Shannon, Kim Lunde, Susan Moynihan and others were instrumental in organizing a bone marrow screening to help find a donor for one of our students who needed a transplant.  You may have seen them working the crowd at the Arts Festival with giant cue tips.  

We Are Vista Everyday and we are proud of it.  

But WATE.  

We Are Teachers Every day as well.  We participate in our community not just our classrooms.  The students that come into our rooms every day are not just our students they are our kids.  Teachers ARE a generous bunch.  We donate our time and our dimes to encourage the success of the next generation.  We are altruistic, with a desire to make the world a better place to be. 

However, teachers also have to live in this same world.  Many new teachers are going to come out of college with loans needing repayment.  Our veteran teachers,  who have given so much, live in a world where just a few short miles down the freeway in either direction, veteran teacher salaries are considerably higher.   We As Vista Every Day must realize that we can’t ignore these facts.  


One more site story, a cautionary tale. This site shall remain anonymous for obvious reasons.  We are talking about some new teachers at a site that are innovative and do amazing things.  The discussion goes something like this.  “We are thinking about applying to San Marcos because of the unclear direction VUSD is taking and the constant changes that are happening...it is too much stress.”  And while these teacher’s didn’t specifically mention salary, an increase in personal finances in San Marcos certainly wouldn’t discourage them from leaving.  With a teacher shortage imminent, is this really what Vista wants to hear?

As new money starts to flow in from the state I hope that VUSD will remember:  WATE is a big part of WAVE.  We Are Teachers Every day and  We Are Vista Every day.  Treat us with respect and we will go the extra mile for you.


11/20/14 by Tod Critchlow 


Good Evening Everyone.
Board members, Dr Vodicka 

I would like to start by wishing Barbara Dawson a happy birthday and to express our thanks for all she has done for the Vista Community.

I would like to read something from our VUSD webpage.  This comes from the Blueprint and LCAP Feedback form.  Vista Unified is actively promoting 2-way dialogue and feedback to ensure that the services provided to students and families are as effective as possible. Please use this form to provide your feedback on the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation and the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).   I thought I would share my responses here tonight before I actually submit them. 

Question #1:  What’s your Role.  I am a Teacher.  Well that one was easy.  

Questions #2: What is your general impression of the Blueprint for Educational Excellence and Innovation? 

Hmmm!!! Not so easy.  It looks so good on paper or should I say online.  The graphics are great. There are some really cool videos to explain things and I’ve seen the powerpoint so many times I almost have it memorized.  It’s obvious that there has been a lot of time, energy and resources spent on developing the Blueprint..  

I’m an optimist, so I’m going to give it a rating of “fair”.  I am hoping that the VUSD community can come together and build something that is truly “the model of educational excellence and innovation.”  I am rating “fair” instead of good or excellent, because I am not convinced that the many things we do really well, owe their excellence to the LCAP, but rather to the people of VUSD. 

Here’s an example: last month was the VUSD Festival of the Arts. If you were fortunate enough to attend you saw or heard some wonderful examples of “EXCELLENCE” despite inadequate financial support.  The “EXCELLENCE” of that event came from our staff, our teachers, our students with funding from grants, fundraisers and pockets of VUSD teachers,  not because of the LCAP.

My hope is that we will use the LCAP to direct more money to school sites where students will be directly impacted.  Let’s use the LCAP to insure that proven programs like AVID are fully funded instead of building security fencing that turns our campuses into jail like edifices.

Questions #3: What feedback do you have to improve the Blueprint and LCAP?

Strategy 5: High Quality, Flexible and Adaptable Staff.  Hopefully we all agree that a good teacher is one of the best ways of ensuring the success of our students.  So why is it that there are only 2 action plans in this section and neither of these discuss ways to help our current teachers to become the best that they can be? 

In fact the implication of Strategy 5 is that we can just hire new teachers. That they will be excellent. But the reality is that there is a teacher shortage.  And VUSD, even after a 9.25% increase, is not offering competitive wages for teachers. While our District Administrators are earning top salaries our teachers are not. 

Our District boasts of all the wonderful things that are being done in VUSD and yet our faculty and staff are not seeing salaries that reflect the excellence they are responsible for.    

How can we improve our communication about the Blueprint and LCAP? 

Bring back the concept of the Town Hall meeting.  Not a lecture, a Power Point or a PR opportunity, but a forum for open discussion.   Not WAVE presentations, but open discussion forums at neighborhood schools.  Inviting parents and community members to come and talk about how “WE” can make VUSD and even better place to learn.

What questions do you have about the Blueprint and LCAP? 

If we decide that something in the Blueprint needs to change how long should that take?  And how do we make that happen?


My name is Susan Clark and I teach art at Murray High School and have also taught art at Washington and Vista High.

Amanda needs a band-aid.   Javier needs safety pins to fix the hem of his pants.  He also wants to know where he can get airbrush supplies and do I have an extra 6B pencil because he wants to draw at home. Valente doesn’t want to wreck his shirt do I have an apron. Rosalva needs a rubber band for her hair and Mariana wants to know if I have a throat lozenge. Carlos wonders if I have a sewing machine at home because his brother tore his favorite Black Sabbath t-shirt and it’s irreplaceable.   Eileen asks me about going to beauty school because she has a flair for fashion and Brandon needs some hand lotion.   Joey wants to show me his logo he designed, and do I think he could do that for a living?  Would he need to take classes at Palomar college?  “Dylan you have really been improving, let me write your Dad a note commending you.”   “Alex, don’t give up on this, I know this part is hard, but you need this assignment to get credits.  Let me give you some extra help.” ” Brian, I’m concerned about you falling asleep in class, What time are you going to bed?” 

These are the caring adult connections that are so important for children.   And I haven’t even mentioned my curriculum and the help the students all need daily on an individual basis.  

And these are my 17-year-olds.  Imagine a class of 38 4th graders, or 40 unruly 8th graders!

We can put a child in front of a computer to work on a math program so his test scores can improve, but it takes one-on-one time with student and teacher to make a real difference in their lives.  In a high school or middle school 50 minute class, we need to take attendance and teach the daily lesson. With a class of 34 that leaves maybe 30 seconds or less per student of face to face time.  Many of our students are so needy of adult attention that often other students will have days at a time with no individual time with the teacher.   I can only imagine how much harder it would be with more than 34.

In my art classes, more students means more supplies for me to purchase, more time for me to prepare materials, more time to grade projects.  There is little or no money for supplies, so I have to fundraise for materials to teach my curriculum or buy out of my own pocket.    I would be spending more time preparing and spending more of my own money, so am I getting more compensation for that?   No.  Here is the rub: my salary is most likely getting cut.   If class size is increased it means More work, More spending my own money and Less compensation.   But the worst is that the students’ quality of education will be sacrificed.

__________________________________________________________

Good evening everyone and thank you all for joining in a celebration of the marriage of Vista Unified School Board and their Teachers.

The Secret to 30 Years of Teaching

There was once a school board and teacher who had been married for more than 30 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They kept no secrets from each other -- except that the teacher had a shoebox in the top drawer of her desk that she cautioned her school board never to open or ask about.

For all those years, the school board had never thought about the box, but one day this teacher grew very sick and the doctors said she might not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the school board took out the shoebox and brought it to their teacher’s bedside. She agreed it was time the school board should know exactly what was in the box. When the school board opened it, they found one pair of knit socks and a stack of money totaling over $25,000.

"When we were to be married," the teacher said, explaining the contents of the box, "my colleagues told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. They told me if I ever got angry with the school board, I should just keep quiet and knit a pair of socks."

The school board was so moved, they had to fight back tears. Only one pair of socks was in the box. The teacher had only been angry with them one time in all those years of marriage! The school board nearly burst with pride.

"Well," the school board said, "that certainly explains the socks, but what about all this money? Where did it come from?"

"Oh," the teacher said, "that's the money I made from selling all the socks."

In case you missed the point…we are not about to just keep quiet. We are here to argue for our families, our profession, our livelihood and we’re tired of knitting socks.

by Jim Ryan
_____________________________________________

Good Evening, 

My name is Sheryl Bushey-Anello, and I am a teacher at Rancho Minerva. 

On December 8, I stood, with my colleagues, in the gym of Vista Magnet and listened as Dr Bales congratulated us on raising the test scores of our students. Dr. Bales said you were all proud of our efforts. 

We were proud too. 

These test scores didn’t increase by fortune or by accident but by the dedication, time, and hard work of our teachers and administration, and by the hard work of our students and their parents who supported them. Our site administrators know that and acknowledge our efforts and our successes often and we feel validated and respected by them.

I ask you, Dr. Bales, and you, our school board members -- what validation did you give us?

Oh yes, you had us come forward and you gave us these certificates – our names bunched together like so many cattle – not caring enough even to take the time to print a separate certificate for each teacher who had worked so hard to make YOU look good. 

You then asked us to come to you to shake your hands, as if in homage, and all the while, you knew that the very next day, you would use those very same hands to slap us in the face by declaring Impasse.

As I sat down I looked at each of you, I thought, “How can you, Dr. Bales, and you, the Board, stand there and smile at all of us when you have every intention of declaring Impasse and cutting away any security we have in our jobs? How can you hypocritically give us kudos, when tomorrow you will be telling us how worthless we are by declaring Impasse?”

Dr. Bales, I wanted to ask you that night, and will do so now, knowing our budget crisis, how can you, in good conscience, refuse to step up as the leader for which you are being paid such an exorbitant salary? How can you justify being unwilling to take the same 2% pay cut you are demanding of us? 

This Impasse is not just about solving our financial problems. The Impasse is not an attempt to create a budget that is fair to all and that seeks to resolve the crisis in which we find ourselves. 

This Impasse is a power play on the part of the Board and the District. It is an effort to “put those teachers down in their places” as you have often tried before.

This is evidenced by your demands that you be allowed to strip teachers of any power and abolish site-governance, but along with cutting the teachers’ power, you are also cutting the power of the classified staff, and, even more, you are denying the parents and students who are currently on those governance teams any power or input as well. This is NOT RIGHT. 

It is further substantiated by your demands that administration be allowed to transfer teachers at their whim, further jeopardizing our job security and our students’ progress. This is NOT RIGHT.

Those items have nothing to do with solving our money problems and everything to do putting teachers down where it is obvious you think we should be. 

You all know this to be true and you all know what you are doing is not the right thing to do. To continue this Impasse, to demand from us that which our own superintendent is unwilling to give, to take so much more than you know is prudent, is not right. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, 

Quote: “Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher of consensus but a molder of consensus. On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” End Quote.

I implore each of you to be a genuine leader. Listen to your conscience and do what is right. 

Thank you.

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VTA President Speeches to the VUSD Board


​Vista Teachers Association
(760) 758-2690
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