A Message from the Superintendent

Given recent news articles around our District’s budget and the dire State budget projections, we have decided to send out two newsletters about our budget situation. The first article will focus on the status of our current budget. The second article will focus on how the Governor’s budget proposal will affect our District.

Read more HERE.

Letter from the Superintendent

June 23, 2010



Dear Parents and Community of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District:

In a time of unprecedented budget deficits throughout the state, the Mt. Diablo Unified School District ("District") like many others is forced into the untenable position of making drastic reductions in staff and services. Ongoing state budget cuts have severely impacted the amount of money we receive from the State of California to educate the children of our community. As a result of decreasing revenues and declining student enrollment, the District's annual operating deficit is projected to average nearly $13 million per year for the next three years, on top of the approximately $24.8 million deficit for what remains of the 2009/10 fiscal year.

Although we have already responded to the budget deficit by implementing staff reductions and non-personnel cuts totaling $15.88 million, we regretfully find ourselves in the position of having to ask for additional concessions from all of our bargaining units in order to present a balanced budget to the County Office of Education by June 30.

In the event we are not able to present a balanced budget in 2010/11 and beyond, there is a very real possibility that the state could take over our District. If there is a takeover and a State Administrator is appointed, your elected representatives (the Board of Education) and by extension you, will have no say in running the District. That is an outcome I know that none of us want to see come to pass.

I am certain that you have questions about the District's finances and what is happening at the bargaining table. Therefore, I am enclosing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the budget and the status of bargaining.

I am confident that with continued cooperation we will see our way through this current fiscal storm. Thank you for your patience. Have a good summer.

Sincerely,



Steven Lawrence
Superintendent



Frequently asked questions

Preguntas frequentes

Meet the new Superintendent

The new MDUSD superintendent, Dr. Steven Lawrence (on the right), with the Board of Education.

Steven Lawrence, the new superintendent of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, invites you to attend a COMMUNITY MEETING to:

• Meet the new Superintendent
  
• Learn about the current challenges of the District during these difficult fiscal times
  
• Learn about what is being done to address these needs
  
• Share your thoughts about additional ways we can work together to benefit our students
  

All meetings start at 7pm. Join him at one of the following locations:

Thursday, February 4 – College Park High
Wednesday, February 10 – Northgate High
Thursday, February 11 – Concord High
Tuesday, February 16 – Clayton Valley High
Wednesday, February 17 – Mt. Diablo High
Wednesday, February 24 – Riverview Middle
Thursday, February 25 – Ygnacio Valley High School

For more information contact Loreen Joseph at 925-682-8000 ext 4000 or josephl@mdusd.k12.ca.us

Spanish HERE.

BOE Appoints new Superintendent

At a special board meeting last night, the MDUSD Board of Education appointed Steven Lawrence as the district's new superintendent. He will take over from interim superintendent Richard Nicoll on February first. Dr. Nicoll has served as interim superintendent since September, following the resignation of Gary McHenry and will retire on January 31st. Dr. Lawrence is currently the superintendent at Washington Unified School District West Sacramento. The MDUSD board members made an on site visit there this morning. Read the Contra Costa Times article HERE.

Special Board Meeting on Tuesday

WHAT: Special Closed Board Meeting to review the Superintendent applications

WHEN: Tuesday, November 3

TIME: 5pm

WHERE: District Office, Room 6.

AGENDA: HERE

There will be an opportunity for public input at the beginning of the meeting

Meet our Superintendent

This week, Michell Redfood spoke to our MDUSD Superintendent, Dr. Dick Nicoll, as part of our continuing Get to Know your District series.

1. Describe your job and responsibilities as superintendent.
The Superintendent is responsible for everything that happens in the school district: instruction, business, personnel, special programs, etc. In Mt. Diablo , we are fortunate to have capable staff in these areas of responsibility, so the Superintendent handles major problems that are not resolved by others. The Superintendent is responsible for the agenda and conduct of school board meetings. The Superintendent also supports the Board of Education on a daily basis.

2. What inspired you to follow this career path?
I was a psychology major as an undergraduate. My interest in a practical application lead me to pursuing a career as a school psychologist. I have subsequently worked in the Special Education program in Mt. Diablo for seven years including serving as the Principal of a Special Education school in the district.

3. What is your professional goal?
My current goal is to lead the Mt. Diablo Unified School District in its efforts to achieve educational excellence, pass a parcel tax, balance the budget, and in general provide excellent instruction for all of its students. My personal goal is retirement when a new Superintendent is hired.

4. What do you like best about your job?
I really enjoy school visits when I can meet with staff individually and see in person the hard work that they do and student learning.

5. If you could change anything about your job/services you provide, what would it be?
I wish I had more time. There is so much I would like to do with school visits, writing newsletters for parents, replying to parent inquiries, meeting with community members, and building support for public education. One of the most important decisions I make every day is how to allocate my time.

Help select the new Superintendent!

The Board of Education is searching for a new superintendent. The next meeting is scheduled for 

Tuesday, June 16 at 3:00PM.  

This meeting is going to take a few hours and then the regularly scheduled board meeting is at 7:30PM. These meetings are open to the public. Go and represent our community; take an active role in selecting the leadership for the district!

School Board interviewing superintendent search firms

Mt Diablo's Board of Education will be publicly interview superintendent search firms on Wednesday. Read the Contra Costa Times article here.