South Bay Standardized Test Scores Drop; Prop. X Audit Discussed at School Board Meeting

(SBUSD) students saw a small increase in the number of students who scored below average or far below average on California Standardized Tests, district officials said at their meeting Aug. 25.

Compared to 2010 scores, the percentage of students districtwide who scored below basic or far below basic increased 3.6 percent in English-language arts from 22.8 to 26.4 percent.

The largest difference was for sixth-graders who saw a 11 percent increase in students who scored below basic or far below basic.

In mathematics, there was a three percent increase from 16.2 to 19.2.

Among students who took the standards-based tests in Spanish, there was a two percent increase in students who scored below basic or far below basic from 15.8 to 17.8, but a 0.8 percent decrease in the number of students who scored below basic or far below basic in mathematics tests from 14.2 percent to 13 percent in 2011.

“We have had a little bit of a district setback this year,” said Assistant Superintendent Shelley Burgess, “but we have made a recommitment in going forward. Although dips or gains of a percentage point either way aren’t statistically significant, and the dips we’ve seen are within that range, we’d rather be on the up than down.

"This is really just a dip of awareness that we have an opportunity to talk about what it is we weren’t doing last year that we were doing two years before," she said.

To review the performance of individual schools within the district, click here.

Advancements in district physical education, however, were reported as being positive.

“The education code requires that students receive 200 minutes of physical training every 10 days, and although we’ve fallen short of that in the past, that is not the case this year,” Burgess said. “I am happy to report to [the board] that every grade in every one of our schools has the required number of minutes, with some actually exceeding that.”

Other key items discussed in the meeting included amendments to the district's agreement with the Classified School Employees Association (CSEA) and results of an audit of Proposition X spending.

Passed by voters in 2008, Proposition X authorized SBUSD to issue and sell $59.4 million in general obligation bonds. Those funds were to be used to renovate school facilities, improve technology and qualify SBUSD for an additional $17 million provided by state matching grants.

Associate David Randolph of the consulting firm Eric Hall and Associates, which performed the audit, said he was happy to report the district has done a lot of excellent work.

"The Measure X bond program has been well-managed, with tight alignment between bond language and actual projects," Randolph said, referencing construction projects at and in Imperial Beach that were completed on budget and on schedule.

“We looked at Prop. X spending and wanted to make sure you’re ready for state audits, and you will be in good shape to make those requirements,” he said.

To read the audit click here.

The board of trustees also approved key amendments to the agreement between the district and the CSEA.

“The two biggest changes are raising the health and welfare cap and the equalization of hours for the transportation department,” Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Scott Buxbaum said. “The cap increase will reduce the out-of-pocket cost for CSEA health care. Although Kaiser increases their cost annually, we haven’t raised our cap in two years which means CSEA employees have been picking up an additional 5 to 15 percent.”

The increase will be retroactive to December 2010, meaning that CSEA employees who have endured additional costs will receive a reimbursement.

“There will be another increase in health care costs in 2012, and that gap will grow again, but at least we’re able to help out with a portion of last year’s increase,” he said.

Employees within the district's transportation department, Buxbaum added, can now expect to have additional hours better shared among those who wish to receive them.

“For things such as field trips and random routes that come up, the union and the district will be better served in sharing those hours more equally between drivers who wish to receive them,” he said. “The term of this agreement will be extended through June 30, 2014.”

With heavy hearts, the trustees said farewell to Buxbaum, recalling fond memories and highlights of his tenure with the district.

Buxbaum's position will be filled by Abdollah Saadat, .

Superintendent Carol Parish said that out of the eight different chief business officials she has worked with throughout her career, Buxbaum wins her “golden academy award for excellence”.

"I am going to miss you every day you are not with us," Parish said. "I will miss your style in terms of humility and innovative risk-taking ideas in terms of projects, without taking risks with our money. You treated that like Fort Knox."

Board President Chris Brown agreed.

"One person can make a difference and you have made a great difference in this district," she said. "We will miss you greatly."

The next SBUSD board meeting will take place Sept. 9.