An Evening With Your Legislator

AN EVENING WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR

On behalf of the Portland Education Association and the Maine Education Association, you are cordially invited to attend An Evening with Your Portland Legislator.

This event will give you the opportunity to discuss face to face your concerns about the cuts to Education in the State budget. We all know how devastating these cuts will be to our Portland Schools and our students.

The meeting will be at King Middle School on March 2, 2010.

Beginning at 6:00 pm, please join us for a reception with hors d'oeuvres, then a formal discussion with your legislators.

For more information or to RSVP, please email: bpinkham@nea.org or casask@portlandschools.org

February 2010: School Report

District 1 Residents,

My first few months on the School Committee has kept me incredibly busy but I’m grateful to be in good company with our hardworking committee members. While I’ve already started my work on a range of education related issues, I wanted to give you an update on the school budget– the issue that’s on the minds of almost every constituent I’ve talked to.

On January 27^th, Portland Public Schools held a public meeting regarding the 2010 school budget development at Deering High School. With the full School Committee in attendance and about 100 parents, students and community members in the audience, Dr. Morse presented information regarding the 2011 budget. Portland faces a large cut in state and federal education aid–up to $4 million from the state and $2 million in federal funding for Medicaid recipients and drug & alcohol education. This is already on top of the $2.7 million mid-year curtailment that came from the state last December.

This isn’t the first time Portland has faced revenue shortfalls, but a $6 million loss of revenue translates to profound impacts at every level and department. Every $1 million loss in state funding equates to a loss of approximately 20 positions. In real terms, $6 million would mean the elimination of 120 positions–or more than 11 percent of the district staff.

The superintendent and the School Committee will take every effort to find efficiencies to lessen the need for layoffs. We’re already moving forward on a multi-year budgeting plan that allows us to plan ahead for capital, program and operational needs. Last fall, a comments section opened up on the Portland schools website to solicit ideas from residents about ways to save money. We continue to explore the ideas generated from the Future Search process to adopt a community-wide vision for the schools. And most recently at the February 3^rd business meeting, the Portland School Committee adopted a resolution to join six other school districts in Southern Maine to request the legislature to adopt a change to the state education funding formula.

Various proposals have been suggested at the state level to temporarily increase revenues to help cover the shortfall in state funding for school districts and municipalities. Revenue increases would need approval from the state legislature and Governor. I encourage residents to share their stories and concerns for Portland schools with members of the Portland legislative delegation and the Governor. I also encourage residents to follow the budget development locally:

· January and February- Cost center presentations

· March 3- Superintendent presents his budget to the School Committee.

· April 5- School Committee presents its budget to the Portland City Council.

· April 26- City Council holds first reading of the school budget.

· May 3- City Council votes on the school budget.

· May 11- Public referendum is held on the school budget.

Updated information can be found on the Portland Schools website under “School Budget Information”: www.portlandschools.org. I welcome your thoughts and concerns on the upcoming budget issues. You can reach me at vendij@portlandschools.org.

Best,

Jenna Vendil

District 1 School Committee

Upcoming Meetings

District 1–

It's my aim to serve as a resource for parents and an advocate for our children in the upcoming years as the District 1 representative to the Portland School Committee. As I'm sure you've heard through the news and the school, this upcoming budget will present a challenge to those who support our Portland Public School programs, staff, and students. Your input will serve as a valuable insight to myself and school officials, regarding the future of our schools.

Please come to these public forums–the School Committee will be deliberating on these issues this year:

Common High School Schedule Public Meeting:
Wednesday January 20 - 7pm - Portland Expo Building

Development of FY11 Budget Public Meeting:
Wednesday, January 27th - 7pm - Deering High School Auditorium

Please forward this to parents, concerned community members, and others you think would be interested.

December 09 School's Report

District 1 Residents,

I'm excited to send my School Report for the Observer so soon after the November Elections! I'm a proud resident of Munjoy Hill and excited to represent my neighborhood on the School Committee for the next three years. The last six months was a great learning opportunity for me as I sought input from residents about Portland's educational future.

I don't become an official voting member of the Committee until December; by then Superintendent will have already taken the unusual step to announce budget cut recommendations for the current school year. The recession has taken a $200 million toll on our state with every area of government feeling its impact. Anticipating this loss in funding, the Portland School Committee directed the Superintendent to find $2.7 million in the budget to protect us from this curtailment. Next year, our schools are told to anticipate no less than $7 million cut from state educational funding.

Making tough choices may be the most difficult part of being a public servant. In his weekly column for The Portland Forecaster, new superintendent Dr. Jim Morse states, "every cut will result in some loss of student services, materials and a better-prepared workforce." I believe this is true, but in the face of these challenging times, I'm fortunate to live in such a resilient community.

Communities find ways to support each other during hard times. The School Committee, City Council, and Portland legislators have found ways to work together. The motivation that I've seen in our community for education has been an inspiration.

I will continue to seek your input regarding finances and future direction of schools. The Portland schools is accepting budget suggestions here: http://www.portlandschools.org/budgetsurvey.php On the website, you can also find more information on the dates of future School Committee meetings.

-District 1 School Committee Member-Elect, Jenna Vendil

Post-Election Day

Thanks so much for everyone who turned out to vote! I am excited for my work to start on the Portland School Committee as your District 1 representative.

I began my campaign on the values of educational equity, vision, and accountability for our Portland schools. I reached out to parents, school staff, and community members to hear about their ideas on how we can improve our schools. I am grateful for all the support I've received early on in my campaign.

I will be inaugurated along with newly elected District 2 representative Ed Bryan and At-Large incumbent Sarah Thompson on Monday December 7th, 2009 at Portland's City Hall. The ceremony begins promptly at 4pm with a short reception afterwards.

My campaign is also hosting a post-inaugural party at Slainte - 24 Preble Street, just a couple of blocks from City Hall. The party will begin after the reception ends, after 6:30pm.

Please join me at either gathering. I could've have done this without your support!

Election Day

Election Day is my favorite holiday of the year. There's always so much energy and excitement–it's also the day you see the culmination a campaign's hard work and energy.

2009 is going to be an important year for Maine people. There's too much at stake today, so go out and vote!

We have the opportunity to Protect Maine Equality at the ballot to ensure same-sex couples have the rights and benefits of marriage.

We have the opportunity to defend our communities against drastic cuts to basic social services and programs with TABOR and the Excise Tax Repeal on the ballot.

If you live in Portland, there are some critical local election races as well. The League has it's annual voter guide so check it out before you head to the polls!

If you live on Munjoy Hill, I'll be at East End Community School shaking hands with voters later today.

Highlighting Our Successes in Portland Schools

Almost every time I've told a community member, educator, or principal that I'm running for School Committee, I get the response "Why would you ever want to do that?" or "Good luck".

Making tough and unpopular choices may be the most difficult part of being a civil servant. But what inspires me is the incredible amount of energy, motivation, and excitement that educators and parents have towards our public schools. My favorite part of running for School Committee is how much I've learned over the last six months from those who know our schools the best--our parents, educators, and students. We need to do more to build on our successes. Below is some observations and profiles of public schools in Portland I've been able to tour and meet parents from.

The first school I toured was East End Community School with Principal Carol Dayn this past June. EECS is the newest facility in Portland, built to replace aging facilities in the neighborhood such as Jack School and the Adams School. Those who live on Munjoy Hill may have had their first encounter with EECS by voting there on Election Day. The PTO's Greening Committee plays an active part to improve the physical learning environment at East End Community School with community gardens and sculptures. They've done a great job inviting groups like Local Sprouts and Cultivating Community to participate in their programs. The Enrichment Committee works with parents, teachers, and outside organizations to develop creative ways to inspire kids to learn. Their current project is to collaborate with Portland Stage Company to provide accessible Shakespeare readings and field trips for various ages and grade levels. The Wellness Committee has brought speakers and put together educational events around health issues and healthy living.

The president of the Peaks Island PTO gave me a tour of the Peaks Island School in September. As Portland's second smallest school, this island school had gone through a major transition the last several months with a principal leaving over the summer. The school year began with Assistant Superintendent Jill Blackwood serving as Interim Principal. Peaks Island parents and community members have been extremely active in the supporting the educational development of students at the school. There's a 1:1 student and tutor ratio. Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to various learning and interactive afterschool activities like field trips, additional workshops, homework help, etc. Parents are known to come in and lead some activities and help out in the classrooms. Yesterday I met with Peaks Island's new Principal, Tim Devaney who was hired in September to take over both Peaks and Cliff Island School.

Portland Adult-Ed is not your typical Portland public school as I learned from Anja Hansen, an Academic Advisor for PAE. It has the largest enrollment in the district serving over 2,000 students in various fields such as job training, community enrichment, or academic courses. It's also a decentralized program split between the West School for Academic, GED, ESL learners and Riverton Elementary School for Certificates, Job Skills and Prep, Computers, and Community Life Centers. Classes are also offered in various community spaces, public schools, and learning centers around Portland. I visited the site at the West School where the small building houses both the Adult Ed and West School programs.

Earlier this month, I met with Principal Derek Piece from Casco Bay High School. CBHS consists of one floor of the PATHS building where Central Administration Offices and School Committee meetings are held. Casco Bay is Portland's youngest high school with some amazing accomplishments to boost--an expeditionary program that has been very successful for its current students. It's first graduating class has a 100% college acceptance rate. While it manages to find room for nearly 200 students in its facilities, it's received lots of attention towards its successes and models for active work inside the classroom and in the community.

I got to meet a few members of the PTO and Principal Mike McCarthy of King Middle School, the hosts of a School Committee Candidates Forum. (You can find the forum televised on TV3 and available by request). While I didn't get a full tour of the facilities, I did get to sit in on a PTO meeting where there was planning for a fall desert potluck for KMS families with discussion about donations from local businesses and promotion.

The goal of these tours is to gain a strong sense of what student education is like for students at our public schools–what are the challenges and opportunities. I look forward to meeting parents, students, and officials from the schools I haven't been able to visit yet. My aim is to solicit the opinions and perspectives from the people who know the schools the best--our educators, parents, and students. We have great innovation already happening in our schools and with proactive PTOs working to gain community support for education, this work needs to continue further. As I think about my future work on the School Committee in the next three years, I welcome opportunities and invitations to strengthen our schools where there are gaps and find ways to share best practices with others to build more models of success.

Immigrant Youth Speak Out For Equal Education

Over a year and half ago, young activists and former students in the Portland public schools approached me about the challenges facing immigrant and refugee students and students of color in our public schools. I met with former students who had gone through the English Language Learners (ELL) track in high school who felt under-supported in their aspirations for college and families who weren’t receiving the proper notification that their kids weren’t receiving credit for the classes they were taking. I met with advocates who spent the last ten years trying to access data of dropout and completion rates based on race or ethnicity, gender, class year, and free or reduced lunch eligibility from the school department and State Department of Education, but told no such data exists.

As The League became more involved on the issue of educational equity, it became increasingly clear that young voices, especially immigrant experiences, had been left out of the debate around education in our schools. Many of the students I’ve worked with have the aspirations but lack the opportunities, resources, and support to be truly successful in school and in the community. These are the stories that need to be heard firsthand by our elected school officials and education leaders—a purpose shared by other advocates like the NAACP and Maine Civil Liberties Union who worked to organize the diversity panel last Wednesday at the Portland School Committee’s workshop.

The panel consisted of current and former students of Portland Public Schools - Jean Paul Kamanzi, Joseph Perez, Kelsey Phillips, and Alfred Jacobs – who spoke about their experiences in our Portland schools to illustrate the challenge and opportunities for educational equity. All students agreed that high school was an exciting time for them. Portland High School grad and Sudanese immigrant, Alfred described his experiences as a former ELL student who enrolled in college after high school, only to drop out of college because he felt ill-equipped and prepared despite having a high school diploma. For Jean Paul who also attends PHS, his frustration is that he’s not able to take more challenging classes in math and science because he is an ELL student. Joseph who was a successful member of the wrestling team when he attended Portland High but eventually dropped out, talked about how the only time he got to see the principal was when he got into trouble.

Our public schools are our most vital areas of investment—it has potential to be the greatest equalizer for our most vulnerable families. It's possible for Portland to become a model district in which all students are prepared to learn actively, think critically, and pursue even greater successes after graduation. We have the opportunity to provide the training, support, and tools needed for all our youth to be successful, productive members of our community. It’s not okay that our public schools fail to meet the needs of our young people.

With a new superintendent and a fresh School Committee, there’s hope for education advocates to participate in meaningful dialogue to reduce race and class inequalities in our educational system. Teachers and former community advocates have made equity and diversity a critical part of their work in education, but this work needs the increased support of the superintendent, school committee, and the principals. We look forward to taking the next steps needed to ensure all our students are learning for their future.

Candidate's Forum

Last Tuesday, The League of Young Voters and Community Television Network held their annual fall candidate's forum in Portland. This year's forum featured candidates who are running for municipal office. While The League featured about twenty five candidates at three different candidate debates last year, this year's local races were featured on a smaller scale with 9 candidates attending (10 will be on the ballot), and three contested races for District 1 City Council, District 2 School Committee, and Citywide Water District.

The forum attracted a diverse group of Portland voters who sought to learn more about the candidates on the 2009 ballot: why the heck were they running, what values and issues they stand for, and what their vision is for our city and our community. The questions were broad, challenging, and also politically relevant for the pending issues that the candidates will face if elected.

I've attended and helped organize forums in the past, nothing quite prepares you for the experience being on the "other side," as a candidate. You are quite literally in the blinding spotlight with two cameras facing your right and left side. It's definitely an experience that any first-time candidate would get nervous about. In my short experience so far, running for office is not about you--but about the connections and bridges you make in your community.

I don't know whether to consider myself fortunate or unfortunate to have no opponent in my race for Portland's School Committee in District 1. I'm still running the only way I really know how--by doing the work. I've knocked my doors in my neighborhood, attended neighborhood meetings and school events. I've taken tours of Peaks Island School, visited Cliff Island voters, and toured East End Community School, Portland Adult-Ed, and the West School. I've spoken with parents, educators, policy makers, and advocates about the best ways we can improve our educational system in our community. The candidates forum was the first time I got to present myself as a candidate in a public venue. I enjoyed the opportunity to share some of my ideas, and the community concerns I've heard regarding our schools.

Stay tuned to The League or Community Television Network for segments of the forum!