We asked readers “If the state put you in charge of San Diego Unified School District, how would you fix things?”
First of all, San Diego Unified School District needs to look at their processes and not at classified staff. Schools and offices are working with minimum support already. Nothing is getting done 100 percent. Customer service is a thing of the past.
In an age of technology, SDUSD still prints everything on paper. Notebooks/manuals of paper that should be electronic. The student enrollment process is still processed on paper and filed in cumulative folders. The “first day packets” in the elementary schools is like paperwork for a mortgage loan. Additionally, when students transfer to other schools entire cumulative folders are copied and mailed or faxed. They could be scanned and emailed. More paper.
The student information system is not used to its full capability. ZANGLE has the capability of tracking lockers, paperwork, books and Associated Student Body funds by student however other programs are purchased instead of using the applications on ZANGLE.
Review all maintenance projects. For the past two months, three painters have been painting the doors and windows on the Mission Beach Center property. A property that is scheduled for sale in the coming year. I’m sure there is a school that could use repairs.
Review professional development. Is it all necessary right now? Would it be more cost effective to provide professional development on Saturday versus paying subs for 30 or 40 teachers for two to three days? Why pay teachers and subs for working the same days? A cost analysis would determine the feasibility of this.
Review the union rules — bumping? What sense does this make? How does it really save money, if people are put into positions that they have no experience or background in? Employees bumped to schools from central office that don’t want to be in schools and have never worked in a school — employees bumped to central office positions that want to work with children and have the skills do so. I personally have been bumped six times since 2008. This last bump has put me back seven years in my career and salary.
And just yesterday, the district announced a new security system for the ed center. What is the cost of this? How secure can it be with four doors still open to the public? Is this the right time to spend this money?
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my thoughts.
Debra Bralla is a administrative aide in San Diego Unified.
Want to contribute to discussion? Submit a suggestion to Fix San Diego.