CORE VALUES of BUSD

• Provide an educational program to all students which results in students becoming competent, self-assured learners, with academic excellence as high priority.
• Provide a professional staff which is knowledgeable and supportive of meeting the academic, emotional, social, physical and cultural needs of our students.
• Provide effective communication to staff members, parents, and community
  regarding the challenges and successes of our educational institution.
• Foster a professional work environment in which all staff members are mutually
  respected and supported in their endeavors.
• Provide safe, functional, and technologically current facilities.
• Meaningfully involve parents in the education of their children.
• Provide services to our clients, the children and parents of this community in a
  manner which generates confidence and support for public education.

SUPERINTENDENT'S  WELCOME • 2015 -16

Hi and welcome to the 2015-16 school year, it is energizing to know that BUSD is ready and well positioned to continue sustaining the “Standard of Excellence; Nothing Less.” The promises to unite people, programs, and resources in new ways, from the California Standards, RTI (Response to Intervention), and Positive Behavior Interventions Systems, we are more than ready to assist our students to Excellence!

The priorities outlined below are critical to our continued success. As a parent, community partner, or employee, you are integral to ensuring that our schools are highly effective centers of learning. These priorities align with our current budget, as well as our Local Control Accountability Plan:

• Cooperation of all stakeholders in the implementation of the California Standards
• Excellent instruction (Direct Interactive Instruction) for all students and quality staff development for employees
• Intervention through RTI model at all schools
• Increased support for Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
• Increased attendance and school safety
• Maintaining the highest of graduation rates
• Supporting second language learners and special education students with high quality staff and instructional materials
• Gifted and Talented – Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
• Groundbreaking facility improvements thanks to Measure BB – HVAC at Thomas Jefferson
• Increased application of technology instruction and student access to technology within classrooms

Continuing this year is the shift in education’s funding model. Adopted last June by the State Legislature was a new funding model known as the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Governor Brown’s budget reform was designed to create greater local discretion when it comes to funding student programs and instructional services.

The LCFF has provided the Governing Board and multiple district and community committees the opportunity to provide greater input into the development of the educational spending plan. It also provides our districts with the flexibility in how to best provide resources to students through all academic endeavors. The LCFF model will be implemented over an eight-year span, and funding for school districts will be gauged according to the State’s economy and revenue picture, as determined by the Governor and Legislature.

One of the fiscal accountability requirements for districts outlined within the LCFF mandate is how BUSD governs fiscal resources for specific subgroups of English Language Learners, socioeconomic disadvantaged and foster students. LCFF also speaks to class size reduction: districts must move towards a school site average of 24:1 by 2021. BUSD is proud to have implemented class size reduction fully in the 2014-15 school year!

As superintendent, I am excited about the LCFF model in turning state education funding around, and securing more revenue for the future of our educational programs. I have enjoyed working with District employees and the community in creating a very comprehensive Local Control Accountability Plan that is reflective of the LCFF spending plan. In fact, the plan is located here on our website. Please visit that location and get a deeper insight to our goals and objectives for the year.

In closing, a final piece of critical information is that of student attendance. Student attendance is significant to academic growth. Therefore, the aspects of parents and guardians to maintain an attitude that “Every Day Counts” for students to be in school and to boost school attendance is crucial. Having your student understand this value of attending school daily and on time must be reinforced each and every day. Our schools will assist at helping parents and their families understand the importance of instructional minutes. Research shows that daily attendance is a major predictor of student success. You will hopefully see at our schools information and other related materials to help all of our children succeed in school and life through steady attendance.

2015-16 will be a fantastic year for our students and all stakeholders. With the support of our Governing Board, and special thanks, in advance, to all BUSD employees, we’re ready for the challenge!

Have a terrific year!

Brian Jacobs, Ed.D.

 

About the Superintendent

Dr. Brian Jacobs joined BUSD as Superintendent of Schools on July 1, 2011. Brian received his Doctorate in Education Administration from University of Santa Barbara in 1999. He is also a graduate of La Verne College earning a B.S., in Social Science and an M.A., Education Administration.