You can make a difference
Merely in the way of introductory remarks, my personal philosophy is anchored in optimism. Attitude is a little thing but it makes a big difference. My father would say, “Son, if you do not like your job, change your attitude or quit.”
I truly enjoy my “job” as a member of the Ramona Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education. It pleases me and my wife, Connie, when someone steps forward and states, “John, keep up the good work.” I have received minimal criticism and even two of my most severest critics have been supportive and I of them.
Criticism has made me a better human being. I continually entertain the notion that I may be wrong. I also tend to doubt those who found the truth rather than those who search for it. I ask forgiveness for my transgression and forgive those that may have transgressed against me.
RUSD has served our two grandchildren and countless other children very satisfactorily. I have found that in public education “activity” is mistaken for achievement, and there is a tendency to judge programs by their intentions rather than results. Many times I have stated, ”All it takes is an effective teacher, a willing student and a supportive home.”
The effective teacher bridges the gaps, if any. Also through the years I have noticed that persistence and interest on the part of the student trumps test scores.
The school district budget is singularly the most significant policy statement made by the school board. The budget is a political document, and school board members are politicians. The budget in essence determines whose values shall prevail.
School systems are obviously labor intensive and salaries account for the lion’s share of the budget. The Rodda Act with the advent of collective bargaining in 1975 changed “budgeting.” Today it is the “negotiated” employee contracts that not only dictate salaries but class size, days and minutes taught, and a myriad of other procedures. Check out the employee contracts. They are online.
I have no qualms with collective bargaining because the final decisions, within legal constraints, are made by a democratically elected school board. In fact, collective bargaining is a product of a democratically elected Legislature and governor.
The right to a public education in California is a fundamental right fully guaranteed and protected by the California Constitution. The Constitution in turn basically gives the Legislature plenary power over education.
The people through referendum may change the Constitution, and of course they can vote politicians out of office at all levels of government.
If someone dislikes the direction things are moving, look into the mirror and you will more than likely see someone who can make a difference.
A concluding comment on the budget. I just hurriedly scanned the district audit report for last year. The report basically deals with the budget and related procedures.
Page 8 of the report states, “over the years, the Ramona Unified School District has maintained a strong, financially responsible budget.” Much of what follows is not in the purview of the auditors, but it is difficult for me to conclude that the RUSD maintains a “financially strong budget“ when the roofs leak, math scores are declining, and there is no “clay in the ceramics class” — not to mention a “qualified” budget at times and dipping into reserves.
This is not a criticism of the RUSD business manager who operates within policy and the dictates of the school board.
The budget is more than numbers and balancing accounts. The audit report has 78 pages. Redaction of repetitive boilerplate language would reduce the the length of the report to a maximum of 15 pages. Of course the auditors can refer to the laws that dictate requirements and procedures to be followed in the course of the audit.
Audits should let the worst be known so the best can come of it. Considering what the district pays to audit a $50 million dollar budget, the auditors perform admirably.
Check out the audit report for last year’s school operations. The audit report is online.
John Rajcic is a Ramona school board member who stresses that this is his opinion as an individual and he is not representing the board.