Jim will take the plans to the Governing Board for final approval. Sacramento has indicated that we have completed all the necessary steps. Each school s ELAC will need to approve the spending plan for these grants. Jim shared details of the governor s proposed budget. Among specific proposals for funding are longer year for middle school, reading and math professional development, principal training and increased special ed allotment.
All details are still up for debate.
Similarly, members reviewed specific education legislation introduced so far in 2001. Returning to the longer school year issue, members discussed the various menu options that are being proposed as alternatives. We agreed that flexibility in funding would be best. This could allow districts to use the money to target specific students with more intervention than currently possible rather than lengthening the year for all students. This grant, in conjunction with our PAR dollars, will provide increased professional development opportunities for new first and second year credentialed teachers.