Governor's Budget Provides Better News for San Mateo County Schools

For the first time in five years, California schools will receive an increase in the amount of money they receive per student, if the Governor's budget proposal gains acceptance in the state legislature. "For the first time, districts are not being asked to make reductions. Prop. 30 helped school districts to avoid making cuts," says Denise Porterfield, Deputy Superintendent, Fiscal and Operational Services Division at the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE). 

Governor Brown delivers the State of the State address.

"Some San Mateo County districts may still have to make reductions in order to stay solvent, but that's certainly better than having to cut more."

The Governor's proposal, released on January 10, 2013, includes an increase to education of $4.5 billion for K-14 education. When that's broken down it includes: $400.5 million toward Prop. 39 energy efficiency measures, $300 million for adult education through community colleges, $1.8 billion to buy down debt on deferrals, $100 million in mandated block grants on an ADA basis, and $1.6 billion to implement the local control funding formula (LCFF), which is a reincarnation of the weighted student funding proposal the Governor introduced last year. 

In his State of the State address, delivered on January 24, 2013, the Governor emphasized his belief that more control of education should return to the local level:

 "This year, as you consider new education laws, I ask you to consider the principle of Subsidiarity. Subsidiarity is the idea that a central authority should only perform those tasks which cannot be performed at a more immediate or local level. In other words, higher or more remote levels of government, like the state, should render assistance to local school districts, but always respect their primary jurisdiction and the dignity and freedom of teachers and students.

"Subsidiarity is offended when distant authorities prescribe in minute detail what is taught, how it is taught and how it is to be measured. I would prefer to trust our teachers who are in the classroom each day, doing the real work - lighting fires in young minds."

School districts and the County Office are awaiting the state Department of Finance calculations, due out by the end of January, to understand more clearly what they might be getting under the new funding model.

"The purpose of the Governor's LCCF model is to put money where it is needed most," notes Porterfield. That means that school districts with greater numbers of English language learners and students from low-income families would receive a greater share of state dollars under the Governor's proposal.

The state legislature will look closely at the Governor's proposal in February and react to it. Further refinements will come with the Governor's May Revision of the budget. School districts must submit their budgets for 2013-14 by June 30, 2013.

STEM Conference Comes to SMCOE

Calling all teachers, administrators and parents! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 2, 2013 to attend the STEM conference at the San Mateo County Office of Education from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. More than 25 workshops and a variety of exhibitors will provide a wide range of practical ideas and resources to use in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs from Pre-K to 12. A special Pre-K session will be held in the afternoon.

Come explore the many exciting aspects of STEM education, and learn about and discuss the latest news and information. This is also an opportunity to network with colleagues who can assist in building STEM programs, and meet new friends who share your interests and love of teaching.

Check here for a copy of the program and the registration form.

This event is sponsored by the STEM Center at the San Mateo County Office of Education and the Council of Math Science Educators of San Mateo County (CMSESMC).

Dr. Cynthia Simms Focuses on Strategic Goals for SM-FC Schools

"Keep calm and carry on" reads the placard on Dr. Cynthia Simms' bookshelf. And as superintendent of the San Mateo-Foster City School District, that's what she does as she juggles numerous projects to meet the goals she and her board of trustees have set. Dr. Simms became superintendent in the K-8 district a little over a year ago and says it's "an exciting time" to be in the district where "lots of wonderful things" are happening.

Having served in a variety of superintendent positions over 25 years in both large and small districts-- from Steamboat Springs, Colo. to Mercer Island, Wash. to Placerville and Los Gatos, Calif.-- before coming to San Mateo-Foster City, she says she was drawn to the district because of its statewide reputation for being innovative and high performing.

Dr. Simms began her career in education as a first grade teacher in Prince William County outside Washington, D. C. From there her career took her to roles in special education, assistant principal and principal positions in both rural and urban communities, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and then superintendent in several districts.

One of her most interesting experiences was as a K-12 principal in Parachute, Colo., in a rural area experiencing a boom in oil shale mining. The year she was hired the enrollment ballooned from 190 to 402 students. The school included a mobile population of Exxon worker families who moved in and out of the area, as well as second and third generation rancher families.

High on her agenda for San Mateo-Foster City are her goals to provide a safe and secure environment for students, focus on student achievement and zero in on diverse student needs, prepare for the continued increase in enrollment, and revise the middle school report card. In addition, the District is exploring putting a bond on the November 2013 ballot to fund the renovation of Bowditch Middle School and make it a school serving grades 5-8, renovate the empty Knolls school, provide for a technology endowment for district schools, and energy efficiency initiatives including installing solar panels. She is also working with a task force of parents and staff members to address equity among the 20 schools in the district, and the opportunities available to students.

In her spare time, Dr. Simms is a runner who has completed half-marathons and plans to run the Napa Valley Marathon in March 2013. She says she loves being in the fresh air and the running helps to keep her stress levels in check. She also enjoys the company of her Shih Tzu dog, Teddy, and reading and listening to books on CD. She's happy to have her daughter, a recent graduate of Cal Poly, nearby. Her daughter assists in teaching reading to kindergarten students at Fair Oaks Community School in Redwood City through the AmeriCorps VISTA Program.

This article is one in a series of portraits of San Mateo County school superintendents.