Pre-K-12 Public Education

The successes of our children, our communities, and our futures directly correlate to the support we extend to every Californian.  This is #OurCalifornia.  Governor Newsom’s Failed Promises and the #OurCalifornia Way must still be addressed and adopted immediately.  His failure to do so only compounds the harm done to Workers, families, and communities across the State during this pandemic.  

California can and must take care of us ALL.  We can no longer afford the economic inequalities of the past or present.  We need bold vision and immediate action. #OurCalifornia expects it. #OurCalifornia demands it.

When workers, labor leaders, unions and communities are given seats at the table, when they’re involved from the beginning to end – there’s smarter, safer, healthier & more equitable outcomes for all Californians.  This is #OurCalifornia and this is the framework that would be used for our schools re-opening.  

In reviewing 8 countries currently achieving success in their re-opening processes during the pandemic, I identified 11 criteria that each country has built their educational models and policies around (Appendix A).  While some results and specific policies vary, there remains striking similarities in most responses and outcomes.  Through this analysis, I selected policies, approaches, and a framework with the most success, safety, and overall worker and community satisfaction as it aligns with #OurCalifornia.

Specifically, the satisfaction and successes of a collective approach achieved in Denmark’s COVID19 Educational Model are goals my plan works towards and incorporates.  This type of approach is bold, radical, and unlike anything California has done before.  It is inspiring to think what this involvement could produce for our teachers, administrators, childcare providers, staff, labor leaders, unions, students, parents, local communities & local governments during and long after this pandemic has passed.  The framework acknowledges that a local collective is best at determining what is best for their local community, but needs State support to fund and see those policies.  This type of empowerment and flexibility to achieve safety measures increased buy-in for the policies they created, strengthened support for all school staff, and ensured communities felt safe in returning their children to schools, and thus returning to work themselves.  #OurCalifornia needs the support and the funding to address re-opening safely – this is the responsibility of the Governor of California.

California’s pre-COVID world wasn’t situated on a level playing field.  This is all too apparent when reviewing public education differences, access, facilities, and funding across the State.  Compounding these stark differences and disadvantages, COVID19 and our subsequent mandated closures across the State have impacted communities differently.  While Governor Newsom’s anticipated budget cuts may be similar – their outcomes will not be equitable, or just.  Now is the time to invest in #OurCalifornia with equitable funding, services, and educational programs ALL our communities deserve.

It is unfortunate that, for decades, our government has led marginalized populations and underserved communities to believe that we must compete for a limited and finite amount of services and support available, while large corporations are provided endless resources and minimal accountability.  There has always been enough for us all – it will take bold vision for reorganization with gubernatorial powers, ballot measures, short term financing, an equitable tax plan & and new leadership to achieve it.  

I believe that: 

• schools and childcare facilities should reopen, and do so safely for all students, parents, teachers, staff, and communities involved;
• a public school standard start should be the goal and timetable each school, district and public health office should be relying upon – not some date that’s rushed or decided from the Governor’s Office;
• the State has an obligation to appropriately fund local districts for staffing needs, school and community-based locations, modernization, and all logistics for social distancing and safety measures to be achieved;
• the State has an obligation to appropriately fund and support childcare facilities for staff, staffing needs, and for all social distancing measures to be achieved;

When workers, labor leaders, unions and communities are given seats at the table, when they’re involved from the beginning to end – there’s smarter, safer, healthier & more equitable outcomes for all Californians.  Investing in ourselves in this moment is an investment in #OurCalifornia’s present and futures are calling for it.  This is #OurCalifornia and these are the benchmarks and policies that would be used for our schools reopening.  

• My #OurCalifornia plan for public pre-K-12 schools reopening is tiered and simple enough.  This plan acknowledges that a local collective is best at determining what is best for their local community.  This type of empowerment and flexibility to achieve safety measures increases buy-in for the policies they themselves created, strengthens support for all school staff, and ensures communities can feel safe in returning their children to schools, and thus returning to work themselves.  #OurCalifornia needs the support and equitable funding to address reopening safely – this is the responsibility of the Governor of California.  The plan has a foundation that must be complied with across the State for any public education system to reopen and is based on:
  • 4 State mandated requirements must be met in order for public pre-K-12 schools and facilities to be eligible for reopening;
    • The State of California is required to provide masks, mandate mask use on the premise, provide sanitation supplies, cover the costs of trainings, marketing materials, and any additional staffing, logistical and resource needs #OurCalifornia’s school districts, classrooms, and community-based locations need as a result of COVID19;
    • Revamping K-12 outdated public educational environment for physical spaces and structures that ensure a maximum of 12:1 student to teacher ratios – not including Educational Support Professionals & School Climate Specialists;  And to abide by physical distancing:
      • All classrooms in the State of California will reduce teacher to student ratios of a max 12:1 for the duration of the academic school year, not including additional student support staff required per classroom, with furniture  positioned to meet CDC recommendations;
        • This reduction in class sizes will also result in a significant expansion and employment opportunities to #OurCalifornia for pre-K-12 teachers, Education Support Professionals & School Climate Specialists;
      • School transport seating will be altered to reflect 6ft width apart.
      • Ensure expansion of community-based locations that can meet the needs of smaller classrooms, educational structure, public safety and community wellness;
      • Call for the immediate federal restoration of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs), which allow schools to finance renovations, repairs and investments in technology at below-market rates and without interest.  This is a means to improve national public health and quality of services provided at the local level with our tax dollars;
      • Mandate school modernization in any packaged effort to address current infrastructure failures, address structural inequities, environmental health hazards & improve energy efficiency and use renewable sources of energy in public schools;
    • All schools must have reopening, quarantine, staff protection and closure policies. Quarantine and closure policies must be minimally in alignment with County Public Health Departments, State of California COVID-19 responses, and CDC guidelines;
      • County and community infection levels must remain at or below Phase 2 reopening standards, for school districts, individual schools & community-based locations to remain open;
      • Approval from the County Public Health Office & school district that the benchmarks from both the county and collective are met.
      • Ensuring COVID19 health & safety protocols in place throughout the school year as infection peaks are expected to continue.
      • Ability to monitor the school progress in minimizing infection and spread.
      • Ability to alter in-person classes or care should another shutdown occur without significant disruption to learning;
    • Collaboration from the local collective (teaching & support staff, administration, community members, labor leaders & unions) in creating plans to reopen essential for and relative to the needs of the local community – as what’s critically needed for Red Bluff Joint Union School District may look very different than the needs of San Diego Joint Unified School District. This collective will identify and agree to modernization needs, ensuring our public schools are brought up to EPA & CDC health standards, and any other essential requirements, safety protocols, and community standards needed.  And as time is of the essence, this will need to begin as soon as possible;
    • Again I believe that our local communities are capable of achieving greatness when our government supports and equitably invests in public education, teachers, Education Support Professionals and School Climate Specialists;
  • My #ChildCareForAll plan acknowledges that a local collective is best at determining what is best for their local community.  This type of empowerment and flexibility to achieve safety measures increases buy-in for the policies they themselves created, strengthens support for all school staff, and ensures communities can feel safe in returning their children to childcare, and thus returning to work themselves.  #OurCalifornia needs the support and the funding to address reopening safely – this is the responsibility of the Governor of California.  The plan has a foundation that must be complied with across the State for any public childcare facilities to reopen and is based on:
    • 4 State mandated requirements must be met in order for public pre-K-12 childcare facilities to be eligible for reopening;
      • The State of California is required to provide masks, mandate mask use on the premise, provide sanitation supplies, cover the costs of trainings, marketing materials, and any additional staffing, logistical and resource needs #OurCalifornia’s school districts and community-based locations need as a result of COVID19;
      • Revamping pre-K-12 the educational/childcare environment for physical spaces and structures that ensure a maximum of 12:1 student to childcare staff ratios and to abide by physical distancing:
        • This reduction in class sizes will also result in a significant expansion and employment opportunities to #OurCalifornia for pre-K-12 child care staff;
        • School transport seating will be altered to reflect 6ft width apart.
        • Ensure expansion of community-based locations that can meet the needs of smaller class sizes, educational structure, public safety and community wellness;
        • Call for the immediate federal restoration of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (QZABs), which allow schools to finance renovations, repairs and investments in technology at below-market rates and without interest.  This is a means to improve national public health and quality of services provided at the local level with our tax dollars for any public school who provides childcare services;
        • Mandate school modernization in any packaged effort to address current infrastructure failures, address structural inequities, environmental health hazards & improve energy efficiency and use renewable sources of energy in public schools;
      • Ensure TFC-Funded and State Jobs Guarantee Nanny employment positions as another alternative to childcare facilities – as a means to reduce the spread, minimize health risks, and ensure quality service to children, families and our communities alike;
      • All childcare facilities must have reopening, quarantine, staff protection and closure policies. Quarantine and closure policies must be minimally in alignment with County Public Health Departments, State of California COVID-19 responses, and CDC guidelines;
        • County and community infection levels must remain at or below Phase 2 reopening standards, for school districts, individual schools & community-based locations to remain open;
        • Approval from the County Public Health Office & school district that the benchmarks from both the county and collective are met.
        • Ensuring COVID19 health & safety protocols in place throughout the school year as infection peaks are expected to continue.
        • Ability to monitor the school progress in minimizing infection and spread.
        • Ability to alter in-person classes or care should another shutdown occur without significant disruption to learning;
      • Collaboration from the local collective (child care & support staff, administration, community members, labor leaders & unions) in creating plans to reopen essential for and relative to the needs of the local community – as what’s critically needed for Scott Valley Unified School District may look very different than the needs of Santa Barbara Unified School District. This collective will identify and agree to modernization needs, ensuring our public schools are brought up to EPA & CDC health standards, and any other essential requirements, safety protocols, and community standards needed.  And as time is of the essence, this will need to begin as soon as possible;
      • Again I believe that our local communities are capable of achieving greatness when our government supports and equitably invests in #ChildcareForAllCalifornians.