By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
“I am glad negotiating has come to an end,” Amanda Markovich, the president of the Rim Teachers Association, told the Rim of the World Unified School District board of trustees at their May 15 meeting.
“This has been one of the roughest years we’ve had,” she added. “There were some damages to relationship.”
Markovich went on to ask that “next year someone else take some of the pressure off RTA. RTA seems to always be the one begging for money and receiving the hits. Then everyone gets the same benefits, which they should. RTA seems to fight the fight for everyone.”
Other districts, Markovich noted, operate with much less animosity. Their school boards say how much money there is and tell each unit what their share of the pie is. Then they work out the logistics.
“I’m glad we can move on to happier times now,” she told the trustees.
The certificated salary schedule was increased by 1.5 percent, effective July 1, 2024. Certificated employees were provided a one-time, off-schedule payment of $1,500 and their necessity days were increased from two of 12 to four of 12. The fiscal impact is $543,084.37.
The Career Technical Education salary schedule was also increased by 1.5 percent and they will receive a one-time, off-schedule payment of $1,500. The fiscal impact is $15,114.49.
The classified salary schedule was also increased by 1.5 percent with those employees receiving a one-time, off-schedule payment of $1,000 and all furlough days have been eliminated. The fiscal impact is $404,714.27.
And certificated management, classified management and classified confidential salary schedules were increased by 1.5 percent, effective July 1, 2024, and they will receive a one-time, off-schedule payment of $1,500. The fiscal impact is $91,945.42.
The four items were approved unanimously by the board with just one question from Trustee Dana Ridland, who wondered about the difference in one-time payments. Assistant Superintendent Shannon Hansen explained the classified employees were getting their furlough days back so the offer comes out to about the same.
The trustees expressed their concerns over funding. The governor’s “May revise” budget has been issued; it reflects, noted Trustees Bill Mellinger and Cindy Gardner, an unconstitutional manipulation of Prop 98 funds.
The AVID seniors at Rim of the World High School – 100 percent will graduate and 93 percent have been accepted to four-year colleges.
“Districts like ours are chronically underfunded,” Mellinger said. “I hope we can work to mitigate that challenge. We will be fighting for every dollar we can for students and staff.”
Trustee Scott Craft agreed: “People are sending us emails that are unwarranted. Our state does not fund our schools the way they should be. You could not run a business this way. Our state is failing our kids.”
President Dana Ridland said she had done some research, comparing what the Rim district receives compared to San Bernardino City. “Our costs are higher – transportation, maintenance due to weather. We receive 80 cents on the dollar compared to the average in the state. San Bernardino City gets $1.20 – 20 percent higher than average. We get 20 percent lower and are expected to provide excellence, which we do. It’s very frustrating.”
In his presentation on Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School, Principal Terry Gomes said they are building more leadership capacity by engaging the staff in collaborative decision-making through a leadership group called the Guiding Coalition. “There have been more compliments than complaints,” he said.
“The staff is on board with us. I can’t thank them enough for what they do for our students. We call parents before any intervention is in place,” Gomes said. “What we do in school is carried on at home. Our restorative approach has strengthened our commitment to equitable and consistent discipline practices, ensuring all students feel heard, valued and supported.”
Gomes noted it has been a tough year for attendance, with power outages and snow days. And he added that he had spent time in the principal’s office as a young student. “It feels good to be there for them in ways I know will impact their lives positively. It’s an honor.”
Gomes and Principal Brian Willemse presented reports on AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at MPH and Rim of the World High School.
The MPH AVID students went on two college field trips, to the University of Redlands and San Bernardino Valley College. Gomes said he has talked with some students who now plan to go to college based on those experiences. He shared some testimonials from the students about the value of AVID.
There are four sections of AVID at Rim High, one in each grade. The highlight of the high school program is the college field trip during the students’ junior year. “It’s a lifechanging program,” Willemse said. “I am a firm believer this is one of the most impactful programs we have on our campus.”
Willemse played a video of student Odaliz Victorio’s speech at the county AVID senior recognition program. She will be the first in her family to graduate from high school and to attend college; she will be majoring in neuroscience research at UC Berkeley.
“We’re really proud of our kids and proud to be part of that exceptional program,” Willemse said.
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