From: Michael Cunningham
To: "randallenos@sbcglobal.net" <randallenos@sbcglobal.net>; "elizabeth.block@wccusd.net" <elizabeth.block@wccusd.net>; "mkronen@aol.com" <mkronen@aol.com>; "valerie.cuevas@wccusd.net" <valerie.cuevas@wccusd.net>; "toddagroves@gmail.com" <toddagroves@gmail.com>; "matthew.duffy@wccusd.net" <matthew.duffy@wccusd.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2016 12:29 PM
Subject: RE: Students Make Small Gains on State Tests

Dear President Enos, Trustees, and Superintendent Duffy:

It was encouraging to read the District's announcement (http://bit.ly/2bAX5bw) that its test scores continue their (modest) improvement, that the District acknowledges that the gains are insufficient, and that full day kindergarten is a top strategy for further extending the gains ("The District has taken several steps to improve achievement for students including full day kindergarten at 34 of 36 elementary schools").  The contrast of this statement with the actual actions of the District, however, could not be more stark and more disappointing. Having acknowledged that all day Kindergarten is a key strategy to accomplish its most fundamental obligation and goal, the District has nonetheless spent or committed $1.4 billion of construction bond funds without placing any priority on -- apparently without ever even considering -- providing adequate classroom space for all day Kindergarten.  In adopting a Facility Master Plan update to establish priorities for the remaining $200 million of existing bond funds, the District again failed to prioritize or consider the most fundamental purpose of educational facilities: to provide adequate space for essential educational functions. As a result, the predominantly low-income students at Fairmont Elementary will be denied the benefits of all day Kindergarten in 2016-17, at the same time that the District trumpets its commitment to extending educational gains through all day Kindergarten. This is not a failure of inadequate resources; the money has always been available -- and remains available -- to provide sufficient classroom space for all day Kindergarten at Fairmont.  It is instead an unmistakable failure of leadership.  As the District's leaders, it is up to you to remedy this failing, to align your actions to your words, and to put educational goals first and foremost in all actions including use of bond funds.

Sincerely,
Mike Cunningham