New Discussion About Race To The Top Fund

The previous discussion has so many inaccuracies that I believe we should start a new discussion.

I have talked with Dr. Werner numerous times (privately and in public meetings) about the Race To The Top (RTTT) federal fund. From my personal experience with him over months with this topic, Dr. Werner has never changed his position on this issue - he needs help from the Fremont Teachers' Union (FUDTA) to get this extra but competitive federal funding.

FUSD is currently preparing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the RTTT fund. A quick summary of the MOU is that FUSD intends to implement the RTTT requirements with support from Board, management and employees. The next step is for the Superintendent of the Fremont School District, the President of the Fremont School Board and the President of the Fremont Teachers' Union (FUDTA) to sign this MOU.

Fremont's School Board is very likely to hold a Special Meeting early in January 2010 to discuss and sign this MOU. If this meeting takes place and if any party refuses to sign, it would be a matter of public record for all to see.

I intend to speak and ask that the proper action to be taken for the sake of our kids during this meeting. Here, I would like to ask everyone who cares about Fremont K-12 education to please join me if this meeting happens.

Dr. Werner has told me that he would sign the MOU during a PRAA Sub-Committee meeting. I believe that I can take his words for it.

There are issues and delays at the state level but the CA RTTT fund process is ongoing. It is not over. We, Fremont residents, can't really change much, if anything, at the state level. But we can certainly ask our School Board and the Fremont Teachers' Union to support RTTT. We can certainly ask them to sign the MOU.

Our kids need this money. Our kids shouldn't take more budget cuts. It is really that simple.

What do you think?

Best,

Hiu Ng