Crossing the Crises Intersection So Schools Can Carry On

06/04/20 • 34 min

California educators, school leaders and communities have never faced a moment with so many intersecting crises: pandemic, economic, educational, civic. While schools just wrapped up the 2019-20 year, the push is on to determine how to ready schools for the coming year. It's no easy task.

Guest Daryl Camp, Superintendent of San Lorenzo USD in Alameda County and President of the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA), helps us continue to explore the complex decisions and challenges facing California's school communities: How can districts provide quality educational experiences for students within the parameters of COVID-19 health and safety precautions? And how to pay for it when state policymakers are contemplating severe budget cuts to a school system that is already chronically underfunded?

Dr. Camp describes how planning conversations in best district have centered on three principles: Student and staff safety; student learning; and equity. He further discusses difficult trade-offs with different approaches to restarting schools.
To support school districts, Dr. Camp advocates for greater flexibility, changes to certain ways that schools are funded (such as shifting away from funding based on attendance to funding based on enrollment); more clear guidelines from the state and public health officials about safety; and more guidance regarding learning expectations in the context of the extra safety precautions.

We also discuss Dr. Camp’s recent testimony to the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance and why the connection between legislators and educators needs to be strengthened.
MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Daryl F. Camp began serving as the superintendent of the San Lorenzo USD in 2019. Previously, he served for seven years as the superintendent of the Riverbank USD. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College, his master’s degree at CSU Hayward, and his doctorate degree in educational leadership at CSU Sacramento.

VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR RE-OPENING SCHOOLS

Advancing Equity in an Era of Crisis, Professional Learning Webinars from CAAASA
California Department of Education COVID-19 Resource page
Recovering and Improving Stronger, Memo from CCEE
Final Report by the ACSA School Reopening Planning Group
Learning loss and achievement gaps top discussion on school reopening article in EdSource
CASBO COVID-19 Resources
Education Coalition Statement on May Revision to the Budget
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance, April 28 hearing video

About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders.
About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR RE-OPENING SCHOOLS

Advancing Equity in an Era of Crisis, Professional Learning Webinars from CAAASA
California Department of Education COVID-19 Resource page
Recovering and Improving Stronger, Memo from CCEE
Final Report by the ACSA School Reopening Planning Group
Learning loss and achievement gaps top discussion on school reopening article in EdSource
CASBO COVID-19 Resources
Education Coalition Statement on May Revision to the Budget
Assembly Budget Subcommittee #2 on Education Finance, April 28 hearing video

About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders.
About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

Previous Episode

Special State Budget Update: What You Should Know Since the May Revise (And What You Can Do)

Catch up quickly on the latest California state budget news with CASBO’s governmental relations team, Sara Bachez and Elizabeth Esquival. They highlight recent legislative reactions and deliberations since the May Revise was released on May 14, as California grapples with closing a massive state budget deficit.
Sara and Elizabeth review key elements of the Governor's proposal, which called for, among other things, a 10 percent cut to the Local Control Funding Formula.
They describe some initial, positive momentum with regard to special education funding and the state providing more flexibility to school districts; plus, they share top concerns raised by CASBO and the state's Education Coalition.
For a detailed description of CASBO's position in response to the May Revise, read CASBO's May Revise Position Letter, released on May 21, 2020. This letter notes that "the proposed state funding for public education will create new barriers to safety, educational attainment and access; yet, schools are critical to reopening the economy that has been severely impacted by COVID-19. In that spirit, CASBO will continue to emphasize that we prioritize the health and safety of our 6 million students and their families, educational staff, and communities."

A recently released Education Coalition letter stated, "Schools cannot physically reopen safely with the funding level that has been proposed in the May Revision."
Sara and Elizabeth also explain next steps in the state budget process and -- importantly -- they set out a call to action for the next two weeks to ensure that the voices and expertise of those who serve in local school districts inform the state's ultimate policy and fiscal decisions surrounding the budget. Be sure to visit the CASBO's Advocacy Page.

PLUS: We premier a new musical piece created especially for this unique moment by Tommy Dunbar. We call it The Coronavirus State Budget Blues. You'll want to turn it up.
About Our Guests

Sara Bachez serves as Chief Governmental Relations Officer for CASBO. Contact her at [email protected].
Elizabeth Esquivel serves as Senior Director, Policy & Governance for CASBO. Contact her at [email protected].
Tommy Dunbar is a professional musician, songwriter and producer. Since the 1970s he has been playing guitar all over the world with his band, The Rubinoos. Tommy handles all all of our sound, mixing and music for the podcast.
About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. CASBO is dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism in all aspects of school business. Founded in 1928, CASBO serves more than 23,000 members by providing certifications and training, promoting business best practices and creating opportunities for professional collaboration. CASBO members represent every facet of school business management and operations. The association offers public school leaders an entire career's worth of growth opportunities.

About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

Next Episode

Back On The Roads: School District Transportation Leaders Prepare To Re-Start School Bus Service in the COVID-19 Era

What will school bus service look like when schools re-open? What will it take to get those yellow buses we all miss back on the roads?
In this episode, two California school transportation experts lead us on an adventure into “Bus World.” We explore how school districts are planning to meet the many challenges posed by COVID-19 so that California students can be safely transported to and from their school campuses.

Guests Matt Sanchez, Director of Transportation for Elk Grove USD and Kevin Sellstrom, Transportation Specialist in the El Dorado Union High School District, illuminate key issues and considerations for school communities, including:

How new safety guidelines could dramatically impact bus service and routes
Options and strategies being considered to re-start bus service
Prioritizing the needs of those who depend most on buses
Scheduling and routing in a time of uncertainty
Keeping buses clean and disinfected
Collaborating with all departments
Special challenges for rural communities, and
Navigating the difficult funding crossroads (trying to do more with less).

Bus drivers are the most visible and integral part of the school transportation team. We discuss whether the role of drivers will change during the pandemic. Plus, many districts in the state and nation face a serious school bus driver shortage. Matt describes the training and support drivers may need to help their students adjust to changes in school bus services -- and he offers an impromptu call to those who may be interested in a rewarding career as a school bus driver.

We also explore essential operations that school district transportation departments have carried out during the time of campus closures, including the vital role of mechanics. All along the route, Matt reminds us to embrace a mindset of flexibility during these difficult and uncertain times.
We also include a brief "explainer" to help you gain a better understanding about key elements of California's school bus system, including what school districts are required to provide for students.
Coronavirus Response and School Reopening Guidance from California Department of Education

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Matt Sanchez has led the Elk Grove USD transportation department since 2018; he also served in the district previously between 1988-2002. In addition, he served as a Transportation Consultant for the California Department of Education for 11 years, and also as Director of Transportation for Rocklin USD. Matt is currently the CASBO State Chair for Transportation, and also serves on the Communications, Advocacy and Public Relations Subcommittee for STARTS, the Student Transportation Aligned for Return to School, which includes collaboration between the National Association for Pupil Transportation, National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and the National School Transportation Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a minor in business form CSU Sacramento. ([email protected])

Kevin Sellstrom began his career in education as a special education instructional assistant. He has also served as a bus driver, scheduling technician, MOT supervisor and transportation specialist in multiple California School districts. ([email protected])
About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders.
About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback!