Study Finds Prop. S Labor Agreement Good for Taxpayers, Local Jobs

An independent study commissioned by the San Diego Unified School District has shown that the $2.1 billion construction bond's Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) has produced the benefits promised without impact on cost or quality of the construction.

The study, completed by consultant Rea & Parker Research, found:

-- Local hire goals are on track;

-- There was no change in project cost between PSA and non-PSA projects;

-- The number of bidders is lower (an average of six per project), but with no impact on cost or quality;

-- PSA projects are on average completing faster than non-PSA projects.

"The results prove that the school board made the right decision in approving this agreement," said Richard Barrera, Board President. "It's good for our students and teachers and good for our local economy by providing jobs for local workers."

The report finds that overall construction costs have not been affected by the agreement. School Board Member Scott Barnett, who represents Subdistrict C, said he is convinced that the agreement has had a positive impact.

"I admit I was highly skeptical of the PSA," said Barnett, a former head of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association who joined the school board after approval of the agreement. "That's why I pushed for an independent review of the Prop. S projects by a trusted source."

At Barnett's suggestion SDUSD retained Rea & Parker Research, who completed many studies for the San Diego Taxpayers Association.

"The facts are clear, the PSA is good for taxpayers," said Barnett.

On November 4, 2008, nearly 69 percent of San Diego voters passed the $2.1 billion general-obligation bond measure, Proposition S to repair, renovate and revitalize our neighborhood schools.

The Project Stabilization Agreement is designed to ensure a sufficient supply of skilled craft workers and to eliminate work disruptions on Prop. S projects. It also includes sections that promote the hiring of skilled craftspeople living within the San Diego Unified boundaries and encourages individuals living within district boundaries, including students, to become apprentices.

The following are highlights from the Rea & Parker Research Report.

-- There has been no increase in the cost of the winning bids for school construction projects under the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) than were the winning bids for non-PSA projects under Proposition S that was approved in November, 2008.

-- The number of general contractor bidders and participating subcontractors per project has declined for PSA projects; however, this decline is not reflected in any increase in cost to SDUSD.

-- Profit margins for contractors have declined under the PSA, but these contractors appear to be absorbing these increased costs rather than increasing their bids—thereby imposing no additional cost upon SDUSD taxpayers.

-- Project completion time is faster under the PSA than for Proposition S projects that pre-dated the PSA. Faster completion allows for the District to experience less overhead per project and for the more efficient replacement school improvements to be in operation more quickly.

-- Quality of construction, as indicated by contractor and construction manager interviews and by survey responses, is unchanged between projects constructed under the PSA and those that were contracted prior to the PSA.

-- Workers from targeted zip codes (economically disadvantaged portions of the District) have increased during the past six months and are presently close to achieving the very ambitious target of 35 percent that was set in the PSA.

-- The achievement of the high level of workers from targeted zip codes is due predominantly to union referrals that are focused upon obtaining workers from these zip codes. This increase in targeted area workers is not re-flected among non-union core workers or existing workers for union signatory contractors.

-- There has been an increase in reporting violations and deficiencies pertaining to labor compliance since the PSA was adopted; however, there is no discernible or perceived impact on construction quality or duration of construction caused by these deficiencies. Furthermore, it can be interpreted that this increase is due to increased attention to worker payroll and benefits under the PSA than before, which is beneficial to the payment of prevailing wages to the working population.

-- The Los Angeles Unified School District PSA required approximately 5 years to achieve operational efficiency. SDUSD’s PSA has been in effect for only 2 years and, by the measures included in this report, is significantly ahead of the LAUSD schedule.

• Download a copy of the report (PDF).

District Bus Fleet to Reduce Carbon Footprint With Biodiesel

San Diego Unified School District Trustees voted to use biodiesel or an alternative fuel to be used in the tanks of school buses and the diesel fleet by the end of the 2014-15 school year at their Dec. 6 meeting. The resolution was introduced by Trustee Kevin Beiser.

Mandating that the fleet of more than 500 buses "come clean" will help reduce pollution in the San Diego region, helping the kids that ride the bus possibly avoid diseases such as asthma and cancer. According to the Board resolution on the topic, biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that complies with the federal Clean Air Act.

"It's our duty as trustees of the next generation to do everything we can to make their environment safe," said Kevin Beiser, Board of Education member. "This step will not only make the environment better, we will be doing our part toward energy independence by using a renewable resource."

San Diego Unified has already taken an interim step. In 2009, the district finished modifications to its fleet to create "clean diesel" buses, installing equipment that reduced particulates. Federal stimulus funds and help from the US Environmental Protection Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and the local Air Pollution Control District made that
conversion possible. Students from district automotive technology programs also helped with the conversion.

"As this equipment ages, we have to look at alternatives," said Beiser. "This resolution gives the Superintendent clear direction that this Board is dedicated to reducing pollution."

Biodiesel mixes standard diesel fuel with fuel distilled from renewable resources such as soybeans or waste vegetable oil. The alternative fuel conversion can produce lower emissions including reductions in carbon monoxide, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The use of biodiesel will not void any warranties that the district has on current vehicles, and create local jobs supporting the local bio-diesel industry in San Diego.

"Aside from the environmental and health benefits, the use of biodiesel fuel will be cost neutral, which is equally important during these difficult economic times," said Beiser.

IN THE NEWS: Madison High unveils new TV studio

Ribbon cutting at studio.

When Madison High School launched its broadcast journalism program last year, it didn’t have much of the required equipment to produce programing. Now, the school has a 3,250-square-foot facility that would make many television stations envious. Read more from the San Diego Union-Tribune»

CHAMPs Teacher Cited As Having 'Life-Changing Academic Influence'

Jonathan Winn, calculus teacher at Crawford High's School of Community Health and Medical Practices (CHAMPs), was recently honored by the Carlston Family Foundation as an Outstanding Teacher of America.

Honorees are nominated by former students for having a profound, life-changing academic influence on their lives. 

"Mr. Winn was my most exceptional teacher," said one student. "He never discriminated against any student, yet, there were so many of us who were ill prepared and did not have even basic math skills. However, everyone was welcome to take his class.

"He would take extra time to re-teach physics or geometry if we did not have the foundation. He helped us do things we never thought were possible. He was determined we would learn Calculus. He pushed us because he believed in us. Because of his inspiration took and passed the AP Calculus exam and also took and passed the AP History and Psychology Exams. He made me believe in myself." 

Winn was one of five California teachers to receive this honor given to educators who, by their own example, demonstrate the value of knowledge through their commitment to their students' academic successes.

Winn was named San Diego Unified's 2011 High School Teacher of the Year in May.

Read more on the Carlston Family Foundation website.

'Nation's Report Card' Test Scores Again Show Growth

San Diego Unified School District students in grades 4 and 8 continued to show learning growth in improved national test scores in English and mathematics, placing the district ahead of California schools as a whole and in the top ranks of comparable large urban districts.

District administrators will use the results to focus efforts in key areas, such as the achievement gap between ethnic and economic groups. Although narrowed with some ethnic groups, the achievement gap persists.

The test also shows what has been working with students. Proficiency growth is 35 percent or higher in many areas since 2003. Fourth-grade students ranked better in mathematics than 16 of the other 20 districts.

The National Assessment of Education Progress, known as "The Nation's Report Card," began the Trial Urban District Assessment in 2002 with six districts; San Diego Unified joined in 2003. There are now 21 districts involved in the testing, which is designed to gauge student achievement on a national scale. The tests have been taken every-other-year since 2003.

"We're gratified by the serious learning by our students and hard work by our teachers over the last eight years," said Superintendent Bill Kowba. "These years have been extremely challenging for our district and students, with budget cutbacks and leadership turnover. It shows we have a dedicated workforce that stays focused on what's really important: student achievement."

The achievement gap continues to be a focus of teachers and administrators. African-American students lost ground in several areas.

"There were gains in the number of students identified as proficient on these tough tests almost across the board for all ethnic and economic groups," said Dr. Nellie Meyer, Deputy Superintendent for Academics. "However, these tests show us that our concentration on African-American students with the achievement task force is the right place to focus our limited resources."

A full report will be made to the board of Education at an upcoming meeting. More information is online at http://www.nationsreportcard.gov; the San Diego Unified report is online at http://www.sandi.net/page/1596.

IN THE NEWS: Jazz group from SCPA performs on Morning News

Students in the Jazz Avenue group from SCPA, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts appeared on Sunday's "Good Morning San Diego" on KUSI-TV. They performed two songs and teacher Tamara Page was interviewed.

• Watch video from KUSI-TV»

Three local schools win Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Challenge

Three schools in San Diego have won the countywide Walk, Ride, and Roll to School Campaign Challenge for having the most students walking and biking to school throughout October. The grand prize winner, Chollas-Mead Elementary, will receive $1,000 in classroom supplies. The second place winner, Knox Middle School, will receive $750 in supplies. The third place winner, Horton Elementary, wins $500 in supplies.

Throughout the region, 22 schools representing nearly 15,000 students participated in the Challenge, sponsored by SANDAG as part of its SchoolPool program. Read more from SANDAG»