State Board of Education May Deny District's 34 Extra Days Solution
The State Board of Education is holding the $7 million dollar fine over the heads of the Chino Valley School District. Although a bill introduced by Assemblyman Curt Hagman was unanimously passed by the state assembly and now waiting the state senate's approval, the State Board of Education staff has recommended a denial of the District's solution of an extended 34 days of school in lieu of the fine. So far the students at Rolling Ridge and Dickson Elementary Schools have completed 13 of the 34 days. This District's solution began without the required approval of the State Board of Education and thus if denied, the students will stop classes immediately.
The State Board of Education's meeting scheduled for July 8 will include issues regarding the letter sent to parents in May informing them about their children's extra 34 days of school attendance in lieu of the $7 million penalty. The problem was caused by a calculation error in required daily school hours. The letter sent to parents did not indicate the classes were a part of the current school year or that students were required to attend. Parents were told in the letter that their children's final grades will not be affected by their performance in the extended school days which implied they were not regular school days. Another issue is the poor attendance of the extended school days.