These are a few of the most significant accomplishments of our school district:
Financial Accomplishments
Each year, Tustin Unified is one of the fastest growing school districts in Orange County, as more families choose our school district as their educational home. We now serve over 22,000 students and their families.
TUSD engaged the widely respected firm School Services of California, Inc. to review the financial condition of the Tustin school district. Here were some of their findings:
Tustin operates a “lean administrative model” at school and district levels “in all measures of administrative staffing efficiency”
“…the District’s budget is on extremely firm ground, due to solid fiscal management and a conservative philosophy that gathered reserves during good times to help in tough times…” even while opening 3 new schools!
The district continues to earn the highest ratings from auditors and examiners despite significant reductions in revenue from the State of California due to their ongoing financial challenges. Teachers, staff, administrators and the school board are working together to provide quality education with significantly fewer tax dollars.
This year, we and our employees, negotiating through their selected representatives, reached agreement to roll back annual salaries by 3.7% in exchange for a reduced number of work days (including five student days - particularly the three days of Thanksgiving week). This applies to all salaries from the Superintendent on down and includes reduced stipends for the school board. We are pleased that we have reached agreement on shared sacrifice in these financially difficult times which has enabled us to retain the services of many fine, well trained teachers and staff members vital to our children's success.
Educational Accomplishments
The efforts of each of our teachers and other staff, including those who work in the library, cafeterias, as school secretaries, nurses, health clerks, principals and other administrators, are all critical to the success of the 22,000 students of our school district. We work hard to support our employees as they support our students, and to maintain a relationship of trust with all parties.
Seventeen of our schools have earned the California Distinguished School award in the past five years.
Nearly half of our elementary schools score in the 900's in the state API (academic performance index) rankings - a very high score earned county-wide by only about half as many schools.
Each of our middle and high schools is ranked a "9" or a "10" - meaning in the top 20% or top 10% - in either their statewide ranking, their ranking compared to schools of similar demographics and circumstances, or in both categories - an outstanding performance.
Passage rates for 10th graders on their first attempt at the California High School Exit Exam have increased by nearly 50% – from the 60% range to the 90% range – after the Board took the initiative to strengthen student preparation programs. This first-time passing rate exceeds state and county averages. Students who do not pass a test on the first try get additional opportunities. Nearly all of our seniors - over 99% - pass the California High School Exit Exam to earn their diplomas each year, whereas many districts are still struggling.
The percentage of students scoring “proficient” or “advanced” on state tests has increased substantially over the past eight years.
TUSD adopted the strongest phonics-based reading program ever, with an excellent teacher development program behind it. This is directly benefiting our students today, and will pay long-term dividends for all of our students! More recently combined with our new RTI methodology, we continually seek to assure that every student learns the fundamental ability to read well.
Facilities Accomplishments
Each year, Tustin Unified is one of the fastest growing school districts in Orange County, as more families choose our school district as their educational home. We now serve over 22,000 students and their families.
We now have three great high schools with Beckman High joining Tustin and Foothill High Schools.
Hicks Canyon Elementary and the Orchard Hills school were also opened, relieving overcrowded conditions.
We will have new science centers at each of our three high schools, and work is underway to make significant improvements to the two older schools, Tustin High School and Foothill High School.
We are working on the completion of the Heritage School on the former marine base. If we are able to proceed without interference, we should be able to open the Heritage School in the fall of 2011.
I worked with others to gaining approval for field lights at Utt Middle School for after-school sports programs such as the Tustin Eastern Little League, and in setting the precedents leading to the approval of the Lacrosse Club Teams for both Foothill and Beckman High Schools. We have now approved Lacrosse as a CIF sport for all TUSD high schools.
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