Tassajara Prep Already Having a Positive Impact on Dublin
The founders of Tassajara Prep strongly believe in the positive impact a charter public high school will have on the education of all students throughout Dublin. Tassajara Prep will receive money from the same funding sources as Dublin High School. That money belongs to the students and should, therefore, follow the students to the school that best meets their needs. The competition for enrollment will naturally motivate both the charter public school and traditional public school to focus on the students. Cities like Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Danville have thrived with two public high schools, and Dublin will be no different. In fact, the founders are delighted that Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) is already responding constructively to the competitive pressure exerted by Tassajara Prep, long before the school’s grand opening.
As published in an Around Dublin article on February 18, 2009, the DUSD Board of Trustees voted 3-2 against further exploration of the “Advanced Diploma” concept. DUSD already has a “Diploma with Distinction” to recognize Dublin High School students who receive all Cs or better and high scores on the California state exams. While the “Diploma with Distinction” was viewed by most parents as a move in the right direction, many felt it did not go far enough to motivate students to challenge themselves. Board Trustees Ledahl, Henry, and Cunningham argued that DUSD should focus on cost-cutting measures and developing classes to support the new Dublin High School graduation requirements. On October 13, 2009, just weeks after plans for Tassajara Prep were announced, the Trustees unexpectedly reversed their earlier decision and approved the “Advanced Diploma” program by a stunning 5-0 vote. As covered by Eric Louie of Contra Costa Times, “the new Advanced Scholars Diploma will be given to students meeting requirements they will likely need for admission into the University of California or California State University systems.”
Along with a renewed interest in elevating the academic standards at Dublin High School, DUSD has also actively explored ways to mitigate the commute time for Dublin High students who regularly rely on WHEELS’ Route 202. Dublin High students from Dublin Ranch have contended with bus routes that are at least 30 minutes each way for nearly a decade. After plans for Tassajara Prep were announced, DUSD, with the help of Mayor Tim Sbranti and the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), successfully lobbied for a more direct WHEELS bus route from Dublin Ranch to Dublin High School in record time. The more streamlined Route 202 will be roughly 20 minutes each way.
As Tassajara Prep’s charter petition continues along the grueling process towards final approval, the founders have full confidence in DUSD’s ability to adapt effectively to the growing competitive pressure exerted by Tassajara Prep and implement policies that will benefit all students in Dublin proactively. Objectives such as creating smaller learning environments within Dublin High School, offering the same number of AP classes as other Tri-Valley cities, and elevated graduation standards will all become possible. The notion that a successful charter public school and a successful traditional public school are mutually exclusive and cannot thrive together within Dublin will be replaced by an invigorating sense of optimism that friendly competition will continually motivate the two public high schools to meet the needs of the students the best they can. That common goal shared between the two high schools as both “Race to the Top” will be the unifying force that make us all truly One Dublin.
7:21 AM on December 31st, 2009
The statements made here regarding Dublin High’s Advanced Scholars Diploma are inaccurate. No representatives from Dublin Learning Corp. attended the Board meetings this Fall where the Advanced Scholars Diploma was introduced and then passed, nor played any role at Board meetings this Fall regarding the initiative.
I know this because I personally attended and spoke at the Board meeting this Fall where the Advanced Scholars Diploma was first formally introduced by Dublin High’s principal. 7-8 other parents also spoke – all in favor of the Advanced Scholars Diploma. None of the speakers were from Dublin Learning Corp.
At the next Board meeting the Advanced Scholars Diploma passed – and this was neither stunning nor a surprise based on the parental support in the earlier meeting. Engaged and involved parents drove this change – not Dublin Learning Corp.
Dublin Learning Corp. did not participate in, attend or play any role in creating, promoting or passing the Advanced Scholars Diploma this Fall. That isn’t surprising because Dublin Learning Corp. has chosen the only way to improve Dublin education is to bypass the existing school system.
My recommendation – this debate is better served by facts – on both sides of the argument.
Parents can review the fact-based arguments on http://www.OneDublin.org for another view on the impact of a second high school on student choice.
10:55 AM on December 31st, 2009
In support of James message, TP isn’t the reason for the advanced diploma. DUSD has been working on this way before TP was involved. James is correct; initially it was in response to parents working with the School Board to bring about change at the high school. The advanced diploma vote in October 2009 was a follow up to a Board Meeting this past February 2009, long before TP was even publicly discussed. Last, the advanced diploma has been a part of DUSD’s long-term strategic plan found here:
http://www.dublin.k12.ca.us/pages/uploaded_files/Strategic%20Plans%20-%20Complete.pdf
See Page 3, mention of the “IB Diploma” and notice the plan spans the 2008-2012 time frame. This didn’t start in 2009.
For further comments, read the public minutes from the DUSD School Board Meeting from February 10, 2009 07:00 PM
It is found here online:
http://dublin.csbaagendaonline.net/
Or read the first hand comments from:
John B. Ledahl’s Post from:
2:11 AM on February 21st, 2009
http://www.arounddublinblog.com/2009/02/should-dublin-have-advanced-diploma-for/#comment-1668
John B. Ledahl, DUSD Post from:
1:49 AM on February 27th, 2009
http://www.arounddublinblog.com/2009/02/should-dublin-have-advanced-diploma-for/#comment-1683
Concerning the bus route, DUSD had been working on that as well pre-TP. How do I know this? I was the summer school principal who was working with Wheels to establish an east/west route this past summer for the summer school students. We looked into a route for both elementary school students and high school students since Fallon was the only elementary school facility in the district that was available to host the summer program due to construction at all the other sites. At that time, it wasn’t financially possible to offer the route due to the low ridership and the fact that Wheels was struggling with the State Budget debacle. Thanks to Mayor Sbranti’s leadership, the route become a reality this past fall. (Granted it coincided with TP’s introduction to the public.)
Happy New Year!
9:58 AM on January 1st, 2010
An a parent who is open-minded to Tassajara Prep and a supporter of the Advanced Diploma, I agree with James’ initial comment that Tassajara Prep and DLC had nothing to do with the approval of the Advanced Diploma. This was in the works before the Tassajara Prep initiative.
As Tassajara Prep strives to provide choices to Dublin parents, a number of involved parents strove to provide choices to the Dublin High students with their clear choices and guidance on the available diplomas at DHS. That’s why parents spoke at the board meeting and many more, including myself, wrote in to Board President Haubert to have their letters and emails read at the Board meeting to support the Advanced Diploma.
8:34 AM on December 31st, 2009
Stop, stop, stop. The whole idea that anyone with a brain could actually be against a charter prep HS in Dublin is ludicrous. Dublin is poised to grow exponentially in the next 10 years, and one high school is simply not enough. Even if it were just enough, it’s better to have two so that the classrooms aren’t crowded. A new HS ensures higher standards, better competition, and wealthier residents who want their precious kids going to the area’s best school. And that commute from East to West Dublin is way too long, much longer than the 10 minutes I’ve seen quoted elsewhere. And mind you, even if it were 10 minutes (and it’s not), that’s 10 minutes NOW. As Dublin grows, that commute time will grow even further as traffic increases. We need to plan NOW for the future, and that’s what John Z. is doing. There is no downside to Tassajara Prep, except of course, for those with a vested interest in keeping all the funding for themselves at Dublin HS.
Keep fighting the good fight, John. It’s good to know someone cares, and someone has a vision for the future, and not the present.
9:18 AM on December 31st, 2009
Crowded classrooms aren’t caused by too many kids at one school. Crowded classrooms are caused by lack of funds and the inability to employ enough teachers, and throwing a bunch of kids in one classroom is the easiest way to avoid paying those teachers.
9:59 AM on December 31st, 2009
A lack of funds because?? Because this city needs more high-income earners and jobs to fuel higher tax revenue, which a charter school would bring.
2:32 PM on December 31st, 2009
Have you been living under a rock this past year? Have you not heard anything about the economic quagmire this state is in? Budget cuts. Schools have been struggling because of this.
9:58 AM on December 31st, 2009
“There is no downside to Tassajara Prep”????
That is a scary comment and if supporters of Tassajara Prep believe that then they have no business pushing for a new school.
There are huge risks involved, namely we could end up with two underfunded and under performing high schools. This would, of course, affect the entire city by not serving our children while decreasing home values.
I think it is correct that up until this point the threat of a new school has pressured DUSD to increase the quality of Dublin High education. However, I’m not convinced building another school will continue what is already an increasing trend concerning Dublin High’s API scores.
The argument that Dublin High is too far from Dublin Ranch isn’t enough, especially since Tassajara Prep’s location hasn’t been set. Tassajara Prep supporters should start addressing legitimate concerns to win supporters instead of ridiculing people that do not agree.
3:00 PM on February 16th, 2010
You should have thought about the “commute” from East Dublin when you moved there. Now that you trashed this city – you want to pull resources from REAL Dublin. It was also made quite clear there was not going to be a East Dublin High School built – but enough of you elitist people got into City Council and, well, we had a nice town once.
Move to Blackhawk if you want to be elitist.
Also – Dublin is not going to grow at an “exponential rate” the only people that think that are greedy developers and real estate agents.
Dublin is turning into LA – this is not a good thing.
8:41 AM on December 31st, 2009
Is this not the same John that called Asian kids robots?
9:24 AM on December 31st, 2009
Hi Anonymous – DUSD Board Member John Ledahl is the “John” that made the “robot” comment.
Thx, John Z.
11:50 AM on December 31st, 2009
I am a strong supporter for a charter high school in Dublin because I am a strong believer of choice and competition. Are there any risks involved to make the charter high school a very good school? Of course there are. But in my opinion, there are some fundamental advantages for a charter high school:
(1) The teachers are not unionized so the charter high school can set up a merit-based pay system to encourage teaching excellence instead of mediocracy.
(2) The legacy cost (including retirement/medical benefits for retired teachers) for a new charter high school is much lower. So most of the funding money can go to students rather than paying those hefty legacy cost.
(3) The new charter school is just to be started and parents can get involved at the very early stage and have more say in their children’s education rather than fighting really hard (with DUSD board members) to get something implemented.
I also think once we have a good high school, more parents with children will move to Dublin and by that time, Dublin would definitely need two high schools, just like San Ramon or Pleasanton today.
11:11 AM on January 1st, 2010
Based on your points regarding teachers, I could see problems with attracting teachers to such a school. Not saying that you couldn’t, but as a teacher, if I had a choice between what I could have at Dublin and hypothetically working under a merit-based system with decreased retirement benefits at this charter school, I would choose Dublin in a heartbeat.
Now I’m assuming that your points are just hypothetical, unless those points are something that the charter school people have mentioned before. I don’t know. At least there is a surplus of teachers looking for jobs nowadays.
5:57 PM on January 4th, 2010
Hi George,
Good points, however I just wanted to clarify that districts do not have “legacy” costs for retired teachers. All active, non-retired teachers have 8% of their paycheck going towards their STRS retirement. The district pays the other 8% for active employees. This would be the same for a charter school. Once an employee retires, there are no ongoing costs to the district. All teachers are responsible for their own medical payments until they reach the Medicare age. They have to pay out of pocket for any care they receive. Most people think that educators have the same type of insurance that auto unions have, the fact is that they don’t have access to this type of insurance that produces ongoing costs.
11:53 PM on January 4th, 2010
Hi, Rick,
Thanks for your clarification. I am not necessarily just talking about medical costs. Pension could be another legacy cost.
Just my personal opinion, I think teachers should have a similar pay system to people working for private companies. Higher base (than what they have now), merit-based pay, 401k matches, no pension, etc. Once teachers retire from their jobs, they won’t get anything from their previous employers, just like everybody else in private industries. Same thing should apply to other union jobs (such as BART union, auto union, etc).
Sorry if I sound kind of political.
10:13 AM on December 31st, 2009
Hi Anonymous,
The article our publisher John Z. wrote about that controversial comment is titled Dublin Deals With Racial Tension as City Continues to Grow. This link will take you to the original comment written by DUSD Board of Trustees member John B. Ledahl. Mr. Ledahl is also a very successful realtor who serves the Tri-Valley. Thank you.
10:08 AM on December 31st, 2009
I have to say that the push behind this proposed charter school has such an ugly ring to it. Because there is genuine concern about the negative impact it would have on Dublin High School, this website, Around Dublin, which I can only imagine is a front for Tassajara Prep, has taken to spreading “facts” which have been clearly addressed and debunked by opponents. When these inaccuracies are pointed out, anonymous posters react in a way equivalent to school yard children having a disagreement. The only entity that has been dispensing clear and honest dialogue has been OneDublin.org. I have nothing to do with that organization, but I was offended by the dig/play on words against OneDublin at the end of this article. I have not seen representatives of Tassajara Prep present any sort of argument, well-thought out or otherwise, on behalf of their school that comes close to that presented by OneDublin. Why are they allowing Around Dublin to fight their battles for them?
When I first heard about the proposed charter school, possibly to be in East Dublin, I was all for it. This was my reaction without thinking it through. Why not have a second school? Well, representatives from Tassajara Prep have not been able to present any details (presumably because they don’t have many) to convince me that this would be a good thing, whereas OneDublin has produced a lot of thoughtful facts that point to the disruption of education at the existing high school. I have a current freshman attending Dublin High School, and I am very pleased with everything about it. And, it’s only getting better, both with quality of classes and the actual campus facilities. There is no reason that I can see that would make me think this charter school is a good thing.
4:20 PM on December 31st, 2009
You know, the tax dollars that come with each student do not belong to DHS. If a parent feels that DHS does not meet their child’s needs–whatever those needs may be–then they should have the choice to send their child elsewhere. Currently that choice does not exist, and with a charter school, it will. Why are the anti-choice crowd so threatened by a second school? If DHS is so fabulous, then no one will enroll in the charter school and that will be the end of it. I don’t understand the sense of entitlement, the attitude that the charter supporters are stealing something from DHS, from DHS supporters.
1:29 AM on January 1st, 2010
Parents that want another choice obviously haven’t been to DHS, haven’t talked to the students, and certainly don’t see the amazing ROP programs that DHS offers that even other schools don’t have. The reason Pleasanton and other cities around have two school is because they have so many kids in the city. Dublin High right now doesn’t even have as many people as one neighboring high school! Tassajara Prep has no proof that it can sustain anything and DUSD has continuously been improving the quality of education for years. Tassajara Prep will be taking away more money from an already small amount it gets for each child which means more cancelled classes, bigger class sizes, and more lay-offs.
The attitude of the Tassajara Prep supporters are about creating a community and bettering their children’s lives when it is really about having to drive farther for school and complaining about things they don’t even know. How do you know how good the education at DHS is when you kid is only in kindergarden? Do you honestly think that kids will try harder just because you set up two schools? An want to make the argument about competition? Did you know Dublin already has 3 high schools?! DHS, Valley High, and Valley Christian, so you want competition, their you go!
3:19 PM on January 1st, 2010
This is so right on target. To you parents on the east side, don’t support the charter school or I guarantee you will regret it big time. Listen to what One Dublin is telling you. They are not biased like the charter school pushers. They are independent and concerned Dublin parents who live in Dublin Ranch and are not associated or supported by the Dublin School District. They have their own great kids in Dublin schools. They only want you to know the facts and that Dublin High is good enough for your kids and Tassajara Prep should not be allowed in Dublin. Stop being greedy and stop always demanding the best for your kids. That’s just being selfish. The charter school organizers keep criticizing Dublin High and saying what a terrible school it is and how far away it is. Don’t listen to their lies. Think for yourselfs. Go to the Dublin High web site and read how good it is. Our Dublin School District and the principal and teachers are doing a great job of making Dublin High better and they know much more about running schools than the charter people do, who don’t even have kids in Dublin schools. If they don’t have kids in Dublin schools or if they are from other cities, then they should not be starting or running a high school in Dublin because they don’t have any skin in the game. Stop hoping for a better high school just for east Dublin. Tassajara Prep will take away millions of dollars that the district requires to keep making Dublin High better, especially with all the budget cuts. Why do you think you deserve a better high school? What gives you the right to expect your own high school? Why can’t you understand that Dublin High is good enough for your kids? If it’s good enough for my kids, it’s good enough for your’s. It’s a great high school. Your kids are the luckiest to be going to a high school like Dublin High who’s test scores keep going up and up because of the professional people running the school. Tassajara Prep will not succeed because it is not needed and parents in Dublin do not want it. That’s a fact. It will never happen as long as smart people like James and Mary Morehead are fighting it. You can quote me on that. James and Mary are so much smarter than the charter school makers and their One Dublin web site is the honest proof that Dublin High is good enough for everyone and a charter high school will ruin Dublin High and the city of Dublin.
12:45 AM on January 2nd, 2010
“Tassajara Prep will not succeed because it is not needed and parents in Dublin do not want it. That’s a fact.”
What fact? Can you distinguish between a fact and a wishful thinking? With stupid people like you against it, I would bet against you, or in other words, Tassajara Prep will succeed.
4:22 PM on February 8th, 2010
Please refrain from calling names. It is hurtful to your side of this issue because it takes the focus off of the issue, this discussion can be civil.
11:29 PM on January 2nd, 2010
“expect your own high school? Why can’t you understand that Dublin High is good enough for your kids? If it’s good enough for my kids, it’s good enough for your’s.”
Expect? Your’s? If you attended DHS, then we should probably raze it and rebuild from scratch.
8:59 PM on January 3rd, 2010
What’s wrong with “expect your own high school”?
If you’re going to be the grammar police, make sure you know what you’re talking about too.
This whole argument about this charter school has quickly degenerated into ridiculousness. I can’t believe I still read this blog.
1:37 PM on January 3rd, 2010
I’m glad that I’m not your child. I appreciate my parents trying to provide for me and offer me a better life than they had. Why do I have to settle for “good enough”?
7:59 PM on January 1st, 2010
Valley High is a high school option for concerned parents/students the way that Santa Rita Jail is an option for temporary low-income housing–
6:03 AM on January 2nd, 2010
Valley High serves a valid need in the community but should not be used for comparison purposes. Replace Valley High with Quarry Lane (east-side location off Tassajara Rd. and has an IB – International Baccalaureate program as well according to their website: http://www.quarrylaneschool.org/).
8:29 AM on January 2nd, 2010
Hi Anonymous – one thing to also point out is that Quarry Lane and Valley Christian are both private schools that cost more to attend than most parents can afford. Whereas, Tassajara Prep will be a public school open and accessible to all Dublin residents.
Thx, John Z.
11:00 AM on January 2nd, 2010
So glad I decided to move out of Dublin to San Ramon. 6 years ago I thought Dublin was the place to be. IMO, the Tassajara Prep and Downtown arguments highlight the East/West Divide. Maybe Dublin should split into two towns. Then maybe there will be a sense of community, which we lack. Sorry to say; Dublin sucks.
11:33 AM on January 2nd, 2010
We moved to San Ramon in 2005, thinking it was the place to be. A year later we wised up and moved to Dublin, and have never looked back.
San Ramon isn’t bad, it’s just different, and some people will love it and some won’t. And there would be a clear divide in SR too if there was actually a John Zukoski in San Ramon who cared enough to make a blog about it. But our sense from living there is that no one cares. Empty parks in Windemere, cluttered with For-Sale signs, nothing to do, nowhere to shop, a crowded Whole Foods shopping center, and patches of land that never seem to develop.
East Dublin has parks that are always full of people actually using them, a vibrancy that San Ramon never had, and a bright future. I’m not crazy about West Dublin, that’s true, and I’d be happy if they split the two towns. The only reason I go there is for Target, and East Dublin is getting one of those anyway. The problem isn’t with Tassajara prep, it’s with the people who are against it.
4:33 PM on February 8th, 2010
The only reason you don’t like “west” Dublin is because you haven’t made any friends over here. Believe it or not, west Dublin is just more established than the east side. I can understand the temptation to think that the East side is so superior to the West side, but don’t buy into it. I live in west Dublin (west of San Ramon Road actually) and we have an amazing community, with large lots and mature landscaping. The new community center is beautiful and the neighbors are wonderful. My daughter has many friends who live in Dublin Ranch and it isn’t a problem to treck over to either side of town. Choose to like the west or not, either way we all are residents of Dublin.
3:13 PM on February 16th, 2010
People that bash West Dublin are shallow and basing their opinions on physical appearance. True that their are no McMansions in West Dublin but the community has been here for much longer and is full of less elitest and dual-income families. The people tend to be friendlier and the houses actually have decent yards.
East Dublin is suburban sprawl and is exactly what is wrong with suburban development – in 20 years the traffic and pollution will be terrible just like it is in San Fernando Valley.
Of course – you will have long since moved on to destroy another community – like the BORG.
4:57 PM on February 16th, 2010
This is totally biased. If you just ask anyone who wants to buy a house in Dublin these days, more than 90% of them will pick East side without any hesitation. Do not be jealous that Dublin Ranch properties have much higher values. I do not see anything wrong to promote the Dublin Ranch properties.
No matter you like it or not, East Dublin is still a much better place than West Dublin. I am strongly against the East/West division, but your comments just do not make sense and won’t help on healing the division.
6:40 PM on January 7th, 2010
Sounds like a good school, but the best school in the Valley is Valley Christian High School ! Has everything the new school has and more… Young adults need to be challenged in there Spiritual quest, in Academics and Athletically. This new school will only challenge the student academically ! I will continue to send my children to the blessing on the Hill VCHS !
James
6:02 PM on January 9th, 2010
Sounds like they need to be challenged in “there” (their) grammar as well.
8:30 AM on January 8th, 2010
To VCHS, I agree, but not everyone has the luxury of sending their kids to private.
9:00 AM on January 8th, 2010
If only we can have vouchers in this country…
3:16 PM on February 16th, 2010
If you don’t buy a McMansion you can afford private school – these are called priorities.
You also don’t need a new SUV every 3 years or the new hot tub.