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Contra Costa County, CA November 4, 2008 Election
Smart Voter Political Philosophy for Walter K Ruehlig

Candidate for
Board Member; Antioch Unified School District

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

If re-elected, I promise to build on the successes of the last four years.

FINANCIAL

  • School District was taken off Contra Costa County Department of Education fiscal watch list.
  • Reversed deficit spending building District emergency reserve above the State mandated 3% of gross operating budget. Adding ½ % per year, District is currently at 4%.
  • Achieved positive certification and highest possible credit Bond rating.
  • Led campaign as Board President to a 62% victory for the historic passing of a 61 million dollar bond to renovate older facilities.

ACADEMIC
  • Overall increase in API scores.
  • Formed partnership with Princeton Review/College Board in joint effort to increase college enrollment.
  • Kimball and Carmen Dragon Elementary Schools recognized in California Schools of Excellence Awards.
  • Second consecutive year training at a Leadership Institute for principals to become instructional leaders.
  • Restored music programs after cuts made in 2003 by previous School Board.
  • Opened second K-8 Charter School, Continuation Schools, Medical Magnet High School and Performing Arts Academy.
  • More rigorous graduation requirements instituted.
  • Revamped reading literacy program with district +wide consistency and reform coaches.
  • Revamped math literacy program to bring up mediocre scores which fall demonstrably at higher grade levels.
  • Initiated kindergarten "jumpstart" program.

ORGANIZATIONAL
  • Chief Academic Officer hired for systemic program improvement.
  • District-wide principal meetings concentrated on academics and congruent learning.
  • Math literacy overhaul with district-wide rigor and consistency.
  • Chosen one of five School Boards nationwide to receive "Best Practices Training" by Eli Broad Foundation.
  • Successful introduction of two-Principal model at Deer Valley High bringing total campus transformation.

BEHAVIORAL
  • Introduced staff and student photo lanyards.
  • Prescribed high school closed campus.
  • Instituted uniforms in eleven schools.
  • Reduced district-wide suspension and violence rate.
  • Increased the number of truancy sweeps.
  • Reinstated guidance counselors to high schools.
  • Partnered with the District Attorney's Office who meets with chronic truant students and their parents to discuss consequences of continued misbehavior.
  • Encouraged the creation of a youth intervention network for regional, inter-agency partnership.
  • Partnered with Police Department and store owners to quiet Deer Valley Shopping Plaza.
  • Introduced suspension contracts, behavioral expectations and re-admittance panels.
  • Restructured the Child Welfare Office into a pro-active Student Services Department that will address behavioral problems in collaboration with cross-agency intervention measures.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 23, 2008 10:56
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