Supt. Marten challenges TV anchors with Common Core field test question

IN THE NEWS: What kind of questions are coming up on the new California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress tests? Supt. Cindy Marten visited Fox 5 San Diego to find out if the anchors could answer an 11th grade field test question. Watch video»

Budget process for 2014-15 "puts students and schools first"

Planning for the 2014-15 school year "reflects our collective vision" and is being shaped by a multi-disciplinary team, Superintendent Cindy Marten told the Board of Education when she presented her proposed 2014-15 budget on Jan. 21. The team approached the process, Marten explained, by reviewing the district’s vision for equity and excellence in all schools and classrooms rather than asking how much money is available and how much needs to be cut. The proposed budget puts the priorities squarely on students with improvements and enhancements to educational program, including:

• Lowering class sizes for grades K-3;
• Full restoration of the instructional school year to 180 days;
• Improving school allocations that will make sure all schools are fully staffed and ready for students on the first day of school;
• Closing the achievement gap by the end of first grade;
• Investing in essential programs like Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), International Baccalaureate (IB), biliteracy programs, specialty arts programs, early literacy intervention and transitional kindergarten.

The Board of Education unanimously approved the superintendent's proposal.

"Our balanced budget proposal for 2014-15 puts students first with smaller class sizes, opening libraries, and supporting GATE, visual and performing arts, IB programs, graduation coaches and professional learning communities," said Board President Kevin Beiser. "The focus on reducing class size next year is great news for kids."

While budget challenges remain, the fiscal outlook is changing. San Diego Unified has a multi-year approach towards closing the deficit due to the scale of the recession of the past six years. San Diego Unified will work to implement the new budget model, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) with equity as a central tenet. Stakeholders will have more opportunity to give input at five forums the district will hold in February and March. The first forum is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Memorial Preparatory Middle School, 2850 Logan Ave. (92113).

Watch the video of the superintendent's board presentation.

Supt. Marten invokes memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as breakfast keynote speaker

IN THE NEWS: Keynote speaker Cindy Marten, superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, stressed education and a focus on students in her address to the crowd of 1,200, which included civic and business leaders. The event took place at the Town and Country Resort and Conference Center in Mission Valley. Read more from UT San Diego»

Board of Education President, Superintendent look back on 2013

Board of Education President Kevin Beiser and Superintendent Cindy Marten appeared on KUSI-TV's San Diego People. Watch video»

Superintendent Kowba says farewell to San Diego Unified

San Diego Unified Team,

In Navy terms, the voyage is over. Today, I complete my tenure as the Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. Like any Navy deployment, I have mixed emotions about the end of the journey. I will miss the wonderful call to serve children and the singular collaboration with a committed Board, a dedicated professional staff, hard-working students, and supportive parents. But it is time for me to move to another passage of life. I have stood the watch and been relieved.

We have been through so much together since my Board appointment as the interim Superintendent in September 2009. No one could have predicted that the deep and prolonged recession of the past four years would be the worst economic downturn since the 1930s, a time of great uncertainty and turmoil in public education. It is testimony to your collective mettle, resiliency, and fortitude that the team has steered an unwavering course of academic excellence in these darkest moments. We lost millions of dollars in funding and lost several hundred colleagues along the way, but we never lost our sense of purpose and devotion to the core mission of educating the children of San Diego!

I leave both proud and humbled by all that you have accomplished despite navigating in such an austere and demanding environment. You have unequivocally demonstrated that public schools in an urban setting can and do succeed in achieving quality teaching and learning. All of you – Trustees, central office and campus personnel, classified and certificated staff, students, and parents – have been integral in advancing public education. Reflect with great satisfaction on the following, a snapshot of your accomplishments:

• The development of the quality neighborhood school vision
• Five-year highs in attendance
• Continuously improving standardized tests
• Steady closure of the achievement gap
• The second highest graduation rate among California’s large urban school districts
• The lowest drop-out rate among California’s largest urban school districts
• A district API over 800
• A national model for classroom information technology with i21
• An award-winning visual and performing arts program
• Two multi-billion dollar construction bonds
• Broad Prize Finalist!

Hard work and solid teaming have moved us through rough seas. There are still uncharted waters ahead. We need to stabilize our resource base while advancing our quality neighborhood strategy, expanding the A-G framework, implementing the common core standards, and much more. The next voyage will be as exciting as the last one. With all hands on deck under the visionary leadership of Superintendent Marten, you make great headway and further elevate public education in San Diego.

In closing, thanks for all that you have done for me, our district, and most importantly, our children in the last four years. You have all been terrific shipmates. Best wishes, fair winds, and following seas!

With Deepest Appreciation,

Bill Kowba,
Superintendent
San Diego Unified School District

Superintendent Kowba reflects on successes, challenges

IN THE NEWS: Superintendent Kowba reflects on his time at San Diego Unified in his final television interview with NBC 7. He says that despite budget challenges, the district never lost sight of its purpose -- academic excellence -- and says he’ll continue to be a district advocate long after he leaves his leadership post. “I live and die San Diego Unified,” Kowba said.











View the story at NBC 7 San Diego.

District honors 2012-13 retirees, Supt. Bill Kowba with special reception

It was a bittersweet afternoon at the Eugene Brucker Education Center courtyard.

Employees, family members and honorees gathered to celebrate the careers of the nearly 350 employees that are retiring from San Diego Unified this year -- and helped generations of San Diegans grow up. The reception also included a special tribute to Superintendent Bill Kowba, who is retiring after seven years with the district.

Supt. Kowba started the festivities Thursday, June 13, by thanking the retirees for their service.

“All of you proud professionals who are moving on – teachers, support staff, administrators  -- have made immeasurable contributions, and have given the priceless gift of time and talent to help our students achieve their best,” said Superintendent Kowba. “The success of our students is truly a reflection of your hard work and dedication. You have helped make San Diego a great place to work and learn.” 

Retiring Supt. Kowba poses with some of the
other 2013 retirees.

Each retiree had the opportunity to introduce themselves, say how many years they had been with the district and share details of their journey. Some have served the district for just a few years, others more than 30. One retiree had been with the district for 42 years. Collectively, this year’s retirees have more than 8,000 years of experience and service.

Following the procession of retirees, Board President Dr. John Lee Evans began the special tribute to Superintendent Kowba by presenting him with a plaque on behalf of the Board of Education. Union and elected officials were also on-hand to say thank you and offer well-wishes to Supt. Kowba.

Speakers included incoming Superintendent Cindy Marten; San Diego Education Association President Bill Freeman; California School Employees Association local chapter President Sylvia Alvarez; San Diego Unified Police Officers Association President Jesus Montana; Lori Brown and Laura Hempton from the office of California Senator Joel Anderson; and Ralph Dimarucut from the office of California Senator Marty Block.

The final speaker of the night was Supt. Kowba, who thanked his colleagues and fellow retirees for the true team effort in making the district a great place for kids.

“There is something that we should be so proud of. We never lost our sense of purpose, our devotion to the core mission of educating the children of San Diego,” Kowba said. "I’m very proud and humbled that all of you have accomplished this, despite navigating in such an austere and demanding environment.

“Thank you all for what you’ve done to help me and help this district. Best of luck to all the retirees.”

The event was sponsored in part by Cox Communications.

‘Read Across America’ continues tradition of honoring Dr. Seuss

Supt. Bill Kowba with Chief of Staff Bernie Rhinerson
at Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary.

Elementary and K-8 schools across San Diego Unified School District celebrated Read Across America Day last week, honoring the birthday of San Diegan Theodore Geisel – better known as Dr. Seuss – by inviting volunteers, neighbors and local celebrities to read The Cat in the Hat and other Seuss classics to elementary children.

Readers ranged from San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, Board of Education members and district senior staff to members of Engine 18 at the San Diego Fire Department.

At Carver Elementary School in City Heights, Mayor Filner joined the firefighters. Filner, a former San Diego Unified Board of Education member, read his favorite Dr. Seuss book, Thidwick The Big Hearted Moose.

Carver’s student celebrated the week by studying words to describe character’s emotions. In addition they acted out two Seuss classics, The Sneetches and Hooray for Diffendoofer Day, followed by a schoolwide parade where students marched as storybook characters.

Bayview Terrace, Carson, Encanto Academy, Garfield, Hardy, Kimbrough, and Lindbergh Schweitzer were among the other schools with Read Across America celebrations.

At Lindbergh Schweitzer, Supt. Bill Kowba and Chief of Staff Bernie Rhinerson were guest readers. The students presented Kowba with a retirement cake (Kowba retires June 30).

Encanto Elementary School welcomed its community partner, the US Navy Meteorological Command, and other friends of the school for a day of reading.

In its 16th year, Read Across America Day is the nation’s largest reading celebration. More than 45 million people around the country participate annually to highlight the importance of developing a love for reading at an early age. The event is sponsored by the National Education Association with support from more than 50 national nonprofit and association partners. Locally, everyone-from schools to libraries to community centers to churches to hospitals to bookstores-is invited to host local events to celebrate and promote children's reading. 

Central Elementary Principal Cindy Marten Named New Superintendent

Central Elementary School Principal Cindy Marten has been named the next Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District, replacing the retiring Bill Kowba on July 1.

The Board of Education made the announcement of its unanimous choice at a news conference Wednesday.

"We want a leader who will be tirelessly focused on the needs of children and will expect all adults to do the same," said Dr. John Lee Evans, Board of Education President. "We have found such a person in our own district."

Marten has been a teacher and administrator for more than 25 years; principal at Central Elementary for the last six years. She began her career as a teacher in the Poway district, moving to Central Elementary School in San Diego Unified in 2003. During her tenure at Central, the school's Academic Performance Index score rose from 631 to 788.

"What an incredible honor," said Marten. "I believe in the hope and promise of public education in America, and I believe in doing the work to show America what it's all about."

Marten, 46, is a product of the San Diego Unified School District, having attended Hardy Elementary School and Horace Mann Middle School before moving to La Jolla Country Day School for high school. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She holds a Master's Degree from UC San Diego in curriculum and instruction.

"She is well known across the district," said Evans. "She and her work are well known by civic leaders, business leaders in the community."

The other board members also lauded Marten's reputation and vision for education.

"I am absolutely confident that Ms. Marten is the right person at the right time in the right position," said Scott Barnett. "Since I've been here, I've said to myself, 'Do we clone Cindy Marten?'"

"We go about this with great thought and great deliberation. Central is exactly what Cindy talks about: it embodies the promise of public education in this country," said Richard Barrera, District D board member. "Cindy Marten is not only going to lead this district, Cindy Marten is going to lead the conversation in this country as what education can be."

"She was a principal already doing the work of a superintendent," said Marne Foster, District E trustee. "I have no doubt. i am clear that Cindy Marten is going to take that vision and transform San Diego Unified, the state and the nation with her work."

"She is somebody that is passionate about kids and education, somebody that embraces research based reform," said District B Trustee Kevin Beiser. "She gets it. She understands what it takes at all levels."

Dr. Evans said the Board will formally ratify the selection at a future meeting. Contract terms have not been announced.

Office Depot Foundation Donates 4,000 Kid-Friendly Sackpacks

With the first day of school just around the corner, the Office Depot Foundation donated 4,000 colorful new sackpacks to deserving children served by schools, non-profit organizations, and agencies.


The Foundation – the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot – presented the sackpacks, which contained essential school supplies, during a special “Back-to-School Celebration” at the Mission Valley Office Depot on Aug. 22.

Supt. Bill Kowba and Board Member Shelia Jackson were on-hand at the special ceremony. Both expressed their deep appreciation to the Office Depot Foundation for making this donation to our children.

“Just like adults need the right ‘tools of the trade’ to be successful at their jobs, students need the right tools to be successful in school,” said Kowba. “We thank the Office Depot Foundation for this generous donation, giving deserving students the necessary tools and school supplies to achieve greater success in the classroom.”

This is the eighth year that the Office Depot Foundation has provided free backpacks and sackpacks to San Diego’s children and the 12th year of its national backpack program.

“In keeping with our mission – Listen Learn Care − we created these fun and exciting sackpacks in response to what kids have told us they like,” says Foundation President Mary Wong. “Every year, we have seen our donations bring hope to children whose families might not be able to afford to buy school supplies.”

The first day of classes for all San Diego Unified School District schools is Tuesday, Sept. 4.