By Sam Moskow
The Review
The South Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education discussed data recently that is reflecting students’ rising language proficiency in both Spanish and Mandarin within the dual language immersion programs.
Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services Christiane Gervais led the presentation at SPUSD’s Oct. 10 Board meeting, showing an evaluation of elementary school students’ performance in Spanish and Mandarin using the California Spanish Assessment and the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (APPL), respectively.
The California Spanish Assessment highlighted students’ strong command of Spanish, in alignment with Common Core State standards. Findings from both the 2022 pilot and 2023 operational years showcased significant progress among third- through fifth-grade students, emphasizing their adeptness in crucial language skills, including inference and effective communication.
In line with the Spanish program’s performance, the APPL revealed consistent advancement from novice to intermediate levels across grade levels in Mandarin. With a focus on developing practical language skills, the results underscored the students’ prowess in interpersonal listening and speaking, demonstrating their ability to understand and respond in Mandarin.
“They’re making gains every single year,” Gervais said. “Gains that are, according to the teachers, the types of gains they like to see … when learning a new language.”
These gains in both Spanish and Mandarin surpassed state and national expectations, with SPUSD students outperforming neighboring districts on the California Spanish Assessment and Mandarin students scoring above the national average on the APPL.
“The fact that we’re already exceeding, it looks like, national averages or are at par with these other schools that probably are more established than ours is something to consider as we look at this data,” Board member Zahir Robb said, noting that the assessment represents the districts’ first cohort of dual immersion students. “And that’s something to be proud of, I think.”
“And that the districts they represent are all very much larger than we are, really makes it miraculous that we do a good job with this,” Board President Patricia Martinez-Miller added.
Expanding on these achievements, Gervais said they plan to align the assessment results with the district’s educational objectives through targeted training for teachers and the expansion of assessment tools to further elevate the language learning experience for students.
MEASURE S PARCEL TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The Measure S Parcel Tax Citizens’ Oversight Committee also reaffirmed the expenditure alignment during its annual report at the SPUSD Board of Education meeting last Tuesday.
Since 2009, SPUSD voters have approved Measure S, a parcel tax initiative that aims to supplement state funding and uphold education quality. The measure exclusively funds programs and initiatives that maintain high-quality education and prevents staff layoffs, with the most recent extension passing in May 2023.
This year, the parcel tax generated $2.7 million, which Committee Vice Chair Lindsey Angelats said benefited the SPUSD at all levels: elementary school arts teachers, middle school choir, high school speech and debate and counselors for World Mental Health Day.
“It’s important to note that the district and importantly, the residents of South Pasadena, have deeply invested in that area,” Angelats said, echoing Student Board Member Ellie Nakamura’s emphasis on mental health in her vision statement just before the presentation.
The oversight committee of five exists to “ensure that the expenditures are consistent with the stated intent that the voters passed,” Angelats said.
Speaking after the presentation, an audience member acknowledged the committee’s role in enhancing voter trust in return.
“The oversight I think you provide helps give confidence and strengthens the voters’ awareness of the work that’s going to be done. And I think it’s a good reason why you see the passage rate as we do.”
The Measure S Parcel Tax will remain in place through the 2031-32 school year.
SPUSD STRATEGIC PLAN REVISION
The SPUSD Board of Education also revised its strategy from targeting the operational deficit to adopting a comprehensive approach in its pursuit of long-term financial stability.
The new approach prioritizes strategic investments in student programs, employee compensation, health benefits, facility maintenance, improvements and reserves in line with the SPUSD Strategic Plan.
The revision is a result of the Board of Education’s Strategic Planning workshop, which they held Sept. 6. The two other goals within ‘Achieve Financial Strength and Sustainability’ of the Strategic Plan did not change and cover exploring new revenue sources and researching cost-saving measures to sustain and expand student programs.
Acknowledging past financial challenges, Superintendent Geoff Yantz credited the district’s shift to its prudent budget management.
“We managed to make wise decisions and maintain a balanced budget as well as make all those strategic investments,” Yantz said.
An unforeseen 14.5% surge in health benefit costs, which emerged shortly after the Board’s initial workshop, underscores the need for revision as that cost now threatens the balanced budget. This increase, equivalent to a million dollars in extra expenses, will result in deficit spending for the SPUSD in the upcoming year, Yantz noted.
“I think this captures what we discussed and makes a lot of sense to replace what was in there before,” Board member Karen Tamis said.
Despite the challenges, Yantz emphasized the Board’s unwavering determination to adjust and maintain equilibrium through maximizing resources and navigating state-level assistance. Meanwhile, Board President Patricia Martinez-Miller praised “good planning all along” and the SPUSD’s “comfortable” reserve fund.
NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
The SPUSD Board of Education welcomed Judy Correnti as the incoming assistant superintendent of human resources during its Oct. 10 meeting.
Correnti joins SPUSD from the Garvey School District, where she served as chief business officer, with a distinguished career centered on human resources. She previously served as a human resource analyst at El Monte City School District and human resource assistant at San Gabriel Unified School District before an eight-year tenure at San Marino Unified, culminating in her appointment as Director of Human Resources.
“When I found out about this opportunity, it just spoke to me that I really missed what I had been doing for all those years, and I’m anxious to get back to that work,” Correnti said Tuesday.
Yantz echoed a similar sentiment, joking that he was “putting a little pressure on you to approve” Correnti’s appointment while formally introducing her to the Board.
“When I met Judy and had a lot of conversations with her, what struck me most is that she has a huge heart and an intense motivation to help people. And that’s really what is so important in human resources,” Yantz said.
Several board members also voiced their excitement for the San Gabriel-native to fill the position.
“It’s encouraging to hear that you’re very human, because human resources can be pretty technical, and it’s great to have humanity take the lead,” Martinez-Miller said.
Correnti will officially assume the role Jan. 1.
The Board also approved an extension of Interim Assistant Superintendent Kim Sinclair’s term until the end of January, allowing a crossover period for Correnti to familiarize herself with the schools, meet the staff and facilitate a smooth transition, stated Yantz.
“I know of the excellent reputation of this district, and so I’m proud to be on the team,” Correnti said. “I know everybody works really hard to support the students here and their wellbeing and their academic success, and I’m looking forward to being part of that.”
First published in the October 20 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
