A Viewpoint From Don Martin, Former Asst Superintendent for SHUSD

As the deadline for voting on the recall of the current St. Helena School Board approaches, it continues to bother me that the current Board takes responsibility for many of the programs and achievements that were begun, and in many instances, completed by the previous Board and administration.

The development of grade level standards and adherence to California State Standards which have led to higher scores on Ca. performance tests were begun under the leadership of Ms. Santangelo and a previous Board of Trustees.

Many of the outreach programs, seeking to assist underperforming students were initiated by the previous Board of Trustees, including the hiring of an Hispanic Outreach Coordinator.

During the tenure of Gina Santangelo, the establishment of a District and school level ELACs were created (English Language Acquisition Committee).

The AVID program, which is a proven program of assistance to underperforming students was brought to the district prior to the current Board’s tenure.

Certain Board members have taken credit for the joint usage agreement and subsequent building of the Boys & Girls Club on the St. Helena Elementary School campus. This partnership was begun by Supt. Gina Santangelo and her leadership provided the impetus to see the project through to completion.

The improved track at RLS was a project begun under Supt. Santangelo and a different Board.

In regard to monies spent over recent years:

One of the current Board of Trustees’ reasons for appointing the current Superintendent is stated as being for the purpose of continuity in leadership for the International Baccalaureate Program. This program was adopted by the Board, and any competent superintendent can implement the program. I have researched IB for several school districts in the past, and there are several critical questions that should be asked regarding the program: How many students are actually graduating with the IB diploma? (in districts I have previewed, the percentage is usually under 5% of the graduating class.) How many colleges recognize the IB diploma? (unless things have changed recently, the UC system does not recognize the program—they do accept Advanced Placement credit.) How much district money is spent on administrators and teachers attending conferences, and where are these conferences held? (historically, the IB conferences are held in Europe, Canada, the East Coast and Caribbean Islands—is this where the district should be spending money?) The bottom line for the IB program is to question how many students are really being helped through the program, and at what cost.

The current Board has incurred tremendous attorney fees in the battle with the county over property tax revenue from students matriculating from Howell Mtn and Pope Valley Elementary Districts. As of this date, this lawsuit, which has cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars, is being considered a frivolous lawsuit!

Although the retirement package for the outgoing superintendent is probably not illegal in a strict interpretation of state law, is it ethical to take that additional money at a time when the state is continuing to cut educational spending?

If some people question my credibility, I can provide a resume summarizing my 38 years in public education, 4 years of which were spent as the Assistant Superintendent of St. Helena Unified School District, before becoming a superintendent in another district in Northern California.

Respectfully,

Don Martin