School Boards Make a Difference, Improving Education: The Role of Local School Boards*

Student achievement suffers when school districts are unproductive or dysfunctional. It can be very costly and take years to address problems if the Monterey County Office of Education and/or California Department of Education have to step in to support or save a school district. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees with this finding and has taken a concerted effort to establish systems in our organization to ensure student achievement is of utmost importance. The Greenfield Union School District has made exceptional effort to establish and approve the following in 2017-18: • A Clear Strategic Plan with a Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Board Priorities Organizational Systems of Professional Learning Communities to increase student achievement . Essential Common Core Standards, Common Assessments, Data Analysis reports and approved Data Action plans to respond to data routinely, frequently, and systematically Reorganize the Organizational Structure districtwide to ensure functional school systems and departments Invest in Technology, Makerspaces, Instruction, Curriculum, Intervention, and Enrichment programs • Adopt the Google Applications for Education suite to enhance student's technological skills • Clear articulation between elementary and middle school and high school course offerings and pathways to • ensure college and career success in the postsecondary world for ALL our students Zandra Jo Galván, Superintendent Sandra L. Cante, Board President Mayra Perez-Diaz, Vice President Sonia Heredia, Clerk Leticia Argueta, Member 🗧 Juergen B. Smith, Member

There are proactive steps that can be taken by the Monterey County Office of Education in collaboration with school boards to prevent many pitfalls of poor governance. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees with this finding and proactively takes advantage f each professional development opportunity available. In fact, we are eager to register for the Masters in Governance trainings hosted by the Monterey County Office of Education this 2018-1 school year. Topics will include: Foundation of Effective Governance/Setting Direction Student Learning & Achievement/Policy & Judicial Review • School Finance • Human Resources/Collective Bargaining Community Relations & Advocacy/Governance Integration

The Monterey County Office of Education and local school boards can do more to promote effective governance that is accountable to the community and produces better district outcomes. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees with this finding. The Greenfield Union School District has provided leadership for effective governance by participating in the biannual Education Leadership Forums hosted by the Monterey County School Boards Association (MCSBA). This board training event is a full day of training for school board members and covers such topics as: Keys to Effective Leadership and Governance: Lessons Learned • Board Relations and Developing Cohesive and Effective Governance Teams Understanding the Legal Requirements of School Boards and Board Members • Behind the Numbers: Where California Stands in School Funding and What School Districts Can Do to • Inform Public Perceptions of Education The Shift of Future Ready: Technology Integration and Innovative School Programs • • The Bully, The Bullied, and the Not-So-Innocent Bystander California's Fiscal and Political Outlook for K-12 Education and Legislative Overview • The Role of Equity: California's New Accountability and Continuous Improvement System • Raising Results for English Learners . Preparing K-12 Students for the Rigor of College: What Districts Need to Do . Human Trafficking Happens Here: Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking • A Focus on Undocumented Students: Ensuring a Safe and Affirming Learning Environment for All Students. •

Promoting effective local governance requires better public information, communication, and a strong commitment to board development. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees that better public information, communication, and a strong commitment to board development are important elements of effective governance for school districts. 5

Although each school district has individual priorities, school boards can each make a commit-ment to adhering to best practices, training, and ongoing professional development when it comes to school board governance. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees with this finding. The Board has been active in recent years in Monterey County School Boards Association trainings, as well as the National/California School Boards Association Annual Conferences, workshops, and trainings. The School Board has also participated in trainings locally regarding professional development and school governance. Some of the local training topics include: Superintendent & Board Relations • District Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Board Priorities . Collective Bargaining Workshop . Finance, Budgets, and Human Resources . Ethics and Law Training • District Organization and Reorganization • Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and LCFF • Superintendent Goal Setting .

While the Monterey County Office of Education cannot dictate how school boards govern, they can provide strong leadership in promoting a culture of effective school board governance. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees that the Monterey County Office of Education can provide strong leadership in promoting a culture of effective school board governance. In recent years, the Greenfield Union School District has participated in effective school board workshops hosted by the Monterey County School Boards Association. Topics of these workshops include: Public Records 2 What 2 ou Need to Know • Annual Educational Leadership Summits 2 November of each year • MCSBA Annual Dinner & Organizational Meetings of each year • Back to School Legal Updates Workshop by Lozano Smith •

Information posted on Monterey County Office of Education and school district websites is insufficient and not user-friendly. It does not provide with adequate information about what school boards do, how to evaluate school board performance, or how to assess school district outcomes. Response: The Greenfield Union School District has a comprehensive website with documents that are accessible to the public. The District's link to the School Board is http://www.greenfield.k12.ca.us/ Active links from the District's website include the following: Our District Vision, Mission, and Core Values 49 100 Our School Board of Trustees . Our Schools • Our Departments ٠ Our Parents and Students ٠ Our Community • Live Calendar Events, Facebook and Twitter feeds All postings are available in Spanish Language ٠ The Greenfield Union School District makes sure the website accessible to the public and maintain it in accordance with Section 204 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District's website also conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.

School boards can do better in fulfilling their responsibility to communicate with school district stakeholders. Response: The Greenfield Union School District agrees that communication can always be improved and this requires efforts of continuous improvement. The District communicates with the public by providing weekly and monthly newsletters, current website information, Parent Square communication application, Parent Cafes at all school sites, Parent Academies, and school Marquees. The district also communicates with the public through Twitter and Facebook, with hundreds of followers every day.