Friday, January 31, 2025

Post Notice and Agendas

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print agenda and post in a prominent, publicly accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

 

Martha Corrales

Confidential Admin Assistant II

Board Services Office, San Diego Unified School District

619-725-5551

mcorrales@sandi.net

 

Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.  -Maya Angelou

 

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Media Advisory: 200 Students to Raise Black History Month Flag on Monday

 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

 

200 STUDENTS TO GATHER TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH SPOKEN WORD, FLAG RAISING

WHAT: Student-led Black History Month Flag Raising and Program  

 

WHY: Two-hundred students from Black Student Unions throughout the District will be attending to express what the month means to them, and their stories, before proudly elevating the Black History Month Flag.  

 

WHEN: Monday, February 3, 2025, 10:15 a.m.

 

WHERE: Eugene Brucker Education Center flagpole, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, 92103

 

WHO:   Brooklyn Burnett, Pershing Middle School (emcee)

Malachi Conners, Gage Elementary School (speech)

Maliah Mims, Patrick Henry High School (poem)

Kirena Godwin, University City High School (speech)

Chris White, Correia Middle School teacher (song) 

 

SCHOOLS ATTENDING: Pershing Middle School, Patrick Henry High School, Morse High School, School of Creative and Performing Arts, Point Loma High School, Mira Mesa High School, Canyon Hills High School, University City High School, Hoover High School, and Crawford High School.

 

VISUALS: Student speakers, song by teacher, student-led flag raising.

 

MEDIA PARKING: Parking lot in front of flagpole, 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, 92103 

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*Editor note: Early media interview availability with a district representative beginning at 9:45 a.m.

 

Please RSVP: James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845. 

                            

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Public Information Coordinator

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS OUTPERFORM CALIFORNIA, BIG CITIES ACROSS U.S. IN READING AND MATH ON NATION’S REPORT CARD

Good morning, if you are interested in doing interview about this, please let me know, and we cab arrange for someone from San Diego Unified to speak with you.  Thank you, James

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Media Contacts:

                                                                                      Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790

                                                                                      James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

                                                                                     

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS OUTPERFORM CALIFORNIA, BIG CITIES ACROSS U.S. 

IN READING AND MATH ON NATION'S REPORT CARD

District Scores Among Highest Performing Urban Districts Nationwide

San Diego Unified School District Called "Top Performer" by Council of the Great City Schools 

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 29, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District remains one of the top urban school districts in the country, as shown by results released from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), considered the Nation's Report Card. 

 

The report, from the U.S. Department of Education, shows San Diego Unified 4th grade math scores improved since the last evaluation in 2022, while 8th grade math scores and reading scores for 4th and 8th grades remained largely unchanged. Furthermore, although San Diego Unified's reading scores remained flat, they contrast to declining reading scores nationwide.

 

"These results illustrate the hard work being put in by students each day, and the support they're getting from our district and their families," said Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). "Our educators do incredible work every day for our students. Their unwavering dedication, expertise, and compassion form the foundation of our shared success. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of our students, and for years we have been among the top urban school districts in the country academically, and all involved should be proud of their efforts to remain so. I couldn't be prouder of progress we have made as a team, but there is more work to be done. 

In math, District 4th graders went from 34% NAEP-proficient in 2022 to 41% in 2024; in 8th grade, NAEP proficiency rates changed from 28% to 31%. In reading, district 4th graders went from 37% to 39% NAEP-proficient and 8th graders went from 34% to 37%. The district's results mirror its California state testing results where math increased modestly more than reading.

 

Raymond C. Hart, Executive Director of the Council of the Great City Schools, reviewed San Diego Unified's NAEP results and singled out many of the highlights.

 

"San Diego Unified School District continues to be a top performer in all tested areas on NAEP, leading all large cities that participate in the Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) program in both fourth and eighth grade reading performance nationally. The district also had the second-highest eighth grade mathematics scores and the sixth highest fourth grade mathematics scores among all large city TUDAs," said Hart.

 

"Notably, the District's gains in fourth grade mathematics from 2022 to 2024 were greater than the gains made by California, and their scale score in 2024 was significantly better than California in fourth grade mathematics. Between 2022 and 2024, San Diego Unified School district maintained steady performance in all other tested areas, and in three out of the four tested areas, the district's 2024 scores were not significantly different from 2019 pre-pandemic scores. The district's strong performance on NAEP is a testament to the board, administration, and staff remaining steadfast in the pursuit of their goals for improving outcomes for all students in the district."

 

 

 

Source: National Center for Education Statistics
"Large City"—public schools in large cities, population >=250,000 

"California"—public schools in the state of California

"National Public"—public schools across the nation

NAEP results are in alignment with the on-going work in the district to develop specific and measurable goals for student achievement. The NAEP results provide an additional indicator of how students are performing in reading and math and also provide opportunities to examine overall performance for key demographic groups, change over time, and comparisons to the nation, states, and urban districts. 

 

NAEP is a congressionally mandated assessment overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP results are available for the nation, the 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and selected urban districts participating in the Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA). In 2024, NAEP TUDA had 26 participating districts including San Diego Unified. NAEP proficiency rates are based on NAEP achievement standards which are not aligned to state standards. In addition, NAEP proficiency does not equate to meeting grade-level standards.

 

The Nation's Report Card, first administered in 1969, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation's students know and can do in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, and writing. Standard administration practices are implemented to provide a common measure of student achievement.

 

To learn more about San Diego Unified's scores, and others in California and across the country, click here.

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

SD UNIFIED WORKS TO CHANGE CULTURE WITH REPORTING MISCONDUCT, NEW LEADERSHIP DELIVERS UPDATE AT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       

 

Media Contacts:

James Canning, Jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845
Mike Murad, Mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790

 

Link to New Title IX Informational Video: https://youtu.be/y5h5I50nWDY?feature=shared  

 

SD UNIFIED WORKS TO CHANGE CULTURE WITH REPORTING MISCONDUCT, 

NEW LEADERSHIP DELIVERS UPDATE AT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 28, 2025) – Two years ago San Diego Unified School District began to overhaul its approach to receiving and responding to reports of sexual harassment (Title IX), civil rights violations and safety, officials from the District’s new Office of Investigations, Compliance and Accountability (ICA) delivered an update at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night on their progress.

 

ICA serves as a centralized resource for students,  parents, and employees to report concerns and complaints, ensuring that every report is evaluated, documented, and addressed in accordance with District policies and procedures.

             

“We are making it easier for our staff and students to report incidents with a new online reporting tool that previously did not exist,” said Farshad Talebi, Esq., Executive Director, Office of Investigations, Compliance and Accountability, on Tuesday night. “Our Title IX Officer now has the support of an expert team that promptly evaluates, investigates and sees each case through until there is an outcome and resolution.” 

 

“The changes we have made are helping us to build trust amongst parents, students and staff,” Talebi continued. “We take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. People now feel safe, and better supported in speaking up when they feel misconduct has occurred.”

 

Talebi told the Board of Education that his office has received more than 3,500 reports since 2023 through ICA’s online Ethicspoint Reporting System. All reports are assigned an investigative specialist, who documents, tracks and ensures the report is addressed appropriately before being closed in their database. 

 

In addition to the Ethicspoint Reporting system, ICA has established other systems and procedures to specifically address Title IX, Bullying and Harassment, and Uniform Complaint reporting. Similarly, the Title IX Officer and other staff evaluate and record all of these reports, and ensure they are addressed in strict accordance with District policies. ICA’s role providing oversight helps protect students and staff, while upholding the District commitment accountability. 

“Our school district has a responsibility to ensure every student and staff member feels safe, respected and protected,” said Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “Sexual harassment and misconduct is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  We are working to maintain a culture of accountability, proactive prevention, and deliver unwavering support for any who are impacted. We have made great progress,  and I believe we’re headed in the right direction.” 

Education & Information is Ongoing

To maintain this culture of accountability and support in San Diego Unified, ICA is continuously advancing opportunities to educate and inform staff, students and families. Some of these activities include: 

  • Working group with District leaders, student advisory boards and groups
  • Working with the District’s family engagement departments and PTAs
  • Professional development and training for administrators 
  • Internal and external communication through district communication channels, including videos, pamphlets, websites, newsletters, publications, and partnering with community organizations   

Superintendent Bagula and Talebi emphasize if there is an incident, it should be reported immediately. Ways people can report include: 

 

To learn more about San Diego Unified School District, click here.

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

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Friday, January 24, 2025

Post Notice and Agendas

PLEASE NOTE:

Notice Link:  https://www.sandiegounified.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=207399578

Open and Closed Session Board of Education Meeting Information: https://sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/meeting_information

Public Testimony:  https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/board_of_education/public_testimony_request

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print agenda and post in a prominent, publicly accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

 

Martha Corrales

Confidential Admin Assistant II

Board Services Office, San Diego Unified School District

619-725-5551

mcorrales@sandi.net

 

Do the best you can until you know better.  Then when you know better, do better.  -Maya Angelou

 

Posted by at

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

San Diego Unified Protects Students from Trump’s Actions Against Immigrants

Good afternoon,

 

Below and attached is a statement you can use for your reporting regarding Trump's immigration effort, and its impact on schools. The statement is attributed to our Superintendent. Also:  

  • Attached is the memo the District sent to staff in December 2024, and again today (1/22) on the actions they should take.  
  • Here is a link to the immigration policy our District follows. It was approved by our Board of Education and reaffirmed in December 2024.
  • Here is a link to the resources and information on how to report incidents that we have provided students, families, and our administrators   

 

Let me know if you have questions, thanks, James Canning, 313-580-2845    

 

--

 

Statement: San Diego Unified Protects Students from Trump's Actions Against Immigrants  

January 22, 2025

 

It's unlikely the actions President Trump has taken so far will have a direct effect on our students. In December, our Board of Education reaffirmed its commitment to uphold a long-standing policy on our response to immigration enforcement. 

 

Our District is committed to ensuring everyone in our school communities feel safe, valued, and supported. We have also made resources available and communicated regularly with parents and administrators. If anything, other than our standard policies are required, we will take action.  

 

Fabi Bagula, PhD

Superintendent (Interim) 

San Diego Unified School District

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

Posted by at

Media Advisory: Student Mental Health Space to Open at Miller Elementary

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY 

 

MILLER ELEMENTARY TO LAUNCH ‘THE LIGHTHOUSE,’ A SPACE TO ENHANCE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR HUNDREDS OF MILITARY-CONNECTED STUDENTS


WHAT: A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Miller Elementary to officially open a space on campus to be known as The Lighthouse. The space is a repurposed room on campus with a nautical theme, made possible through a partnership with SAY San Diego and a two-year grant from the Prebys Foundation. 

 

WHY: With a military-connected student population rate of 98% that can often change schools multiple times based on a parent(s) deployment, and with 25% of its students registered with Individualized Education Plans, Miller Elementary faces unique challenges and recognizes a critical need for enhanced mental health support throughout its school. 

 

In The Lighthouse, students can engage in one-on-one or group discussions, build social-emotional skills, and parents and staff can be connected to vital community resources.   

 

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 23, noon.

 

WHERE: Miller Elementary School, 4343 Shields St., San Diego, 92124.

 

WHO:   Dr. Denise Goulart, Principal of Miller Elementary; Kelly Hinch, Lead School Counselor

Alexandra Kritchevsky, Program Officer of the Conrad Prebys Foundation 

Nancy Hornberger, CEO of SAY San Diego

 

VISUALS: Ribbon cutting, tour of The Lighthouse, interviews with students, school officials, organization representatives.

 

MEDIA PARKING: Miller Elementary School, 4343 Shields St., San Diego, 92124.

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RSVP: Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790; James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845.       

 

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Thanks,

 

Mike

 

Mike Murad

Public Information Coordinator

San Diego Unified School District

mmurad@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 619-925-4790

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Posted by at

Friday, January 17, 2025

Post Notice and Agendas

PLEASE NOTE:

Committee Meeting Agenda: District Advisory Council (DAC) for Compensatory Education Programs; General Meeting - Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m.; Zoom Teleconference

Please forward to staff and as appropriate, print agenda and post in a prominent, publicly accessible location at your site.

 

Thank you.

 

Martha Corrales

Confidential Admin Assistant II

Board Services Office, San Diego Unified School District

619-725-5551

mcorrales@sandi.net

 

Posted by at

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED EMPLOYEES TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE EXCEEDS DISTRICT EXPECTATION BY 27%

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       

 

Media Contacts:

James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845

Mike Murad, mmurad@sandi.net, 619-925-4790

                                                                                     

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED EMPLOYEES TAKING EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE EXCEEDS DISTRICT EXPECTATION BY 27%,

DISTRICT WILL WORK TO ASSESS & REIMAGINE ITS STAFFING APPROACH

Large Number of Layoffs Likely Avoided, District on Track to Eliminate $112M Projected Deficit    

 

SAN DIEGO (JANUARY 17, 2025) – San Diego Unified School District’s strategy to drive down its $112 million projected deficit for next year is advancing better than expected with some unplanned developments that heavily favor SD Unified. Employees deciding to take the Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP) was about 27% higher than originally anticipated. The estimated projection was 755, but 965 filed the SERP paperwork by the January 15 deadline.

  

“The higher number of people taking early retirement is another positive step toward our goal of delivering a balanced budget in June,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified School District Superintendent (Interim). “The increased number of retirees provides us an opportunity to work with site administrators to assess the way we have been doing things and reimagine our staffing approach to better serve our students and families.”

 

SD Unified’s Budget Review Team communicated with principals, site administrators and labor partners that the increase in SERP applicants “gives us an opportunity to develop and implement an attrition model that is both fiscally aligned and allows us to retain as many employees as possible to avoid a large amount of layoffs.” 

 

Dr. Bagula, talking about the long-time district employees who took the SERP added, “I am thrilled that we get to honor the work of our colleagues with a retirement pathway that recognizes their commitment and service to our students.”  

 

Specific SERP savings data is not yet available because an analysis is underway.  

 

Governor Gavin Newsom’s recently released 2025-26 budget is another bright spot for California’s second largest school district as it works to eliminate a projected $112 million budget deficit by June 2025. Currently, ahead of the May Revise, Gov. Newsom’s proposal includes:: 

 

  • $118.9 billion projected minimum Prop. 98 guarantee (which establishes minimum funding levels for schools and community colleges), an increase of $3.6 billion from the enacted level in the 2024-25 budget.
  • $4.4 billion in expanded learning programs; $2.4 billion to expand access and lower staffing ratios in Transitional Kindergarten; $2 billion towards universal meals; $1 billion for Arts and Music through Prop. 28 

 

However, while the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is being funded at this year’s statutorily required level calculated at 2.43%, the District built out its budget based on the COLA projection at the time of 2.93%. The District will advocate for the projected COLA to be included in the final budget to provide much-needed fiscal stability. 

 

“There is reason to be hopeful for school districts across California when it comes to Gov. Newsom’s funding proposals, and we will continue to advocate to ensure our students get their fair share of funding in the final state budget,” said Dr. Bagula. “At the same time, we will continue our work at San Diego Unified to identify potential savings, while not compromising our values and vision of keeping students at the center of everything we do.”   

 

The Governor's proposal lays a strong groundwork of educational investments to support student outcomes. However, given the increasing numbers of students with disabilities that San Diego Unified serves, particularly those with extensive support needs, the District will continue to advocate for increased investments in special education funding to be included in the final state budget.

Upcoming SD Unified Budget Activities 

  • Budget Workshop – In February, the District will have another budget workshop with the community, where the Governor’s proposed budget, SERP, and the work being done to reduce the District’s deficit to zero, will be shared. 
  • Second Interim Report – In March, the District will present the second interim budget to the Board of Education, where Trustees will detail specifics on further reductions to achieve a balanced budget. 
  • Lead Up to June Budget Adoption – After the second interim report, the District will continue to work on the budget, make adjustments, issue possible notices for certified or classified employees – if needed, and review the Governor’s revised budget. 
  • In June, the Board of Education will adopt a final budget.

To read about San Diego Unified’s budget presentation from December, click here. To learn more about the budget process, click here, and for more about San Diego Unified School District, click here. 

 

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James Canning (He/Him)

Executive Director, Strategic Communications & Information

San Diego Unified School District

jcanning@sandi.net | www.sandiegounified.org

Mobile Phone: 313-580-2845

4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92103

 

 

Note: I may send and respond to emails outside of my normal workday or workweek. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule. Thank you.

 

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