On the rare occasion where all parties involved in a situation can come to a common-sense solution, time is of the essence.
Recently an accounting error by the Chino Valley Unified School District has caused quite a stir in our community. The school district has come across an error in its bell schedule, and consequently fourth through sixth graders at two elementary schools were a few minutes short of instructional minutes on several shortened days.
Currently, if no action is taken, the school year will be extended 34 days to make up the time lost due to this mistake. These make up days would be mandatory for all fourth- through sixth-graders at those two elementary schools. Aside from the fact that these school kids are paying for the mistakes of irresponsible adults, it is astounding for me to learn about all the regulatory red-tape we impose on our local school districts. I understand the need for rules and regulations, but it should also be obvious to even the most ignorant of observers that this mistake was not made with malicious intent.
With bi-partisan support, support from the school board, the school district superintendent and the local teacher’s union, a proposal has been put forward that will cut the extended school year from 34 days to just 10 days. AB 35XXX is currently in special session and we are short on time. The bill passed the Assembly Education Committee yesterday and we are pushing to have the bill heard on the floor of the Assembly next week. In the meantime the kids will continue to get up early in the morning and go to school, when they should really be enjoying their summer vacation instead.
I am not surprised that California voters have lost confidence in the State government. When silly things like this take place, it is hard for even the best parents to explain to their kids the reason why. Recently a ten year old at one of the elementary schools in question stated that his classmates “think it’s dumb that they have to go to school for those extra days because some lady messed up”. I agree.
At least the kids get it.