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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-19 Correspondence3d(1) Marian Karr From: Mills, Elizabeth F <elizabeth-mills@uiowa.edu> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 8:07 PM To: Marian Karr Cc: Simpson, Jacob D; Neal, Nicole; Brittain, Morgan Subject: Vice City Council Liaison Position Hi Marian, The UISG Vice City Council Liaison position for the 2015-2016 school year is being filled by Jacob Simpson. Jacob is cced on this email for your reference. Please let me know if you need anything else from UISG! Best, Liz Mills Elizabeth Mills President I University of Iowa Student Government Political Science, Social Work I University of Iowa (515) 314-3023 Marian Karr 3f(1) From: mike colleran <colleran9@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 9:13 AM To: Council Subject: Socioeconomic Integration/Equity Plan I think this is information the Iowa City Council needs to be familiar with .... if you have any questions please let me know. I also have quite a bit more information that I would put in the category of "concerning." To the ICCSD School Board and Superintendent Stephen Murley, Socioeconomic integration plans have failed and left communities fragmented and in turmoil over and over for decades. These plans have failed in NC, CA, TX, WI, and the early results in IA are showing no positive effect (although the long term reviews from other locations suggest things will get worse). I have to ask, "what is this school district's superintendent and school board thinking?" Every time the last two months I asked for evidence regarding the implementation of these plans I got nothing beyond studies like the Coleman report that do nothing to address the use of boundaries and busing and economic integration plans. So here is the data I asked for (the school board and district would/could not provide) and the results both short and long term are frightening. Socioeconomic integration/equity plans over and over again have failed to help minority students, low income students, and they fragment communities and lead to all sorts of legal battles and in fighting. Consider Wake County Public Schools, NC 1) where there have been 3 superintendents since 2010 Link 2) where poorer minority schools are getting poorer Link see page 15 3) where after 12 years Wake's achievement gap is widening and the policy is failing vulnerable students Link 4) where reviews of academic success are dismal Link 5) and where a new Director of Equity states that he has a daunting job tackling persistent issues such as the racial achievement gap and disproportionately high suspension rates among African American and Hispanic students Link Consider San Jose Unified School District in Santa Clara, CA 1) they have had a socioeconomic integration/equity plan in place since 2003 2) In a 2011 statewide report titled "District Achievement: How Low Income, African American, and Latino Students fare in CA School Districts" the district received a grade of D+ and fell below the 50th percentile among districts in CA.Link Consider Moorpark Unified School District in Ventura, CA 1) using socioeconomic integration/equity plan 2) In a 2011 statewide report titled "District Achievement: How Low Income, African American, and Latino Students fare in CA School Districts" the district received a grade of D+ and fell below the 50th percentile among districts in CA.Link Consider St. Lucie County School District, FL where there were drops in academic performance at all 4 HS in the district after their socioeconomic integration/equity plan was put in place 1) Fort Pierce Central HS 1998-2008 (1998-2000 C, 2001-2004 D, 2005 C, 2006-7 D) Drop in performance 5 out of 6 years after the start of socioeconomic integration. 2) Fort Pierce Westwood HS 1998-2008 (basically the same as Fort Pierce, drop in performance to a D 6 out of 8 years since 2001. Prior to SIP grade was always Q. 3) Port St Lucie HS 1998-2008 Another example of dropping performance ... 3 years of D performance since SIP. Never a D performance year before SIP. 4) St Lucie West Centennial HS No improvements then dropped to a D in 2007. Socioeconomic integration program was started in 2001. Link Consider McKinney Independent School District, TX where they are failing and hurting minority students "Over the years, the district adheres to the belief that the policy (socioeconomic integration) improves the academic performance of Economically Disadvantaged (ECD) youth. An analysis of the standardized testing data provide by the Texas Education Agenc (�TEA) proves otherwise. It shows the policy may actually be hurting the academic performance of the minority students, rather than helping." Socioeconomic Integration program was started in 1995. Link Consider La Crosse School District, Wisconsin School District is among the weakest in the state, 15th percentile Socioeconomic integration program was started in the 90's. Link Consider Davenport and Des Moines School Districts I looked at several years of academic performance before and after implementation of their socioceonomic integration/equity plan and here are the results: 1) Davenport district academic performance down 1% 2) Des Moines district academic performance flat, no effect I reviewed academic performance at three grade levels (4th, 7th, and 11 th) for three years prior to policy and four years after Consider Christina School District, Wilmington, DE "These regression models indicate that the effects of school diversity on average black and low-income DSTP scores are statistically significant, but when they are compared to current black/white and LI/not-LI performance gaps, the diversity effects turn out to be relatively small." httv://www.udel.edu/iohnmack/research/CSD/diversit-y.htnd And this school board and superintendent want to set in motion a plan that has this record of success? This school board and superintendent want to turn the ICCSD into a legal battlefield? for what? other than policies that have been shown to fail communities including minorities (low income, african american, and hispanic). This doesn't even begin to touch the "stress issues" that families face because of this plan. And to those who say, "what do you think we should do, we can't do nothing?" First, don't do something that is as damaging as these plans have proven to be. The cost financially, academically and emotionally far outweighs any potential upside, which there is very little even in the best case scenario's. Second, look at the research... there is an enormous amount of data coming together that shows it's not being poor it's the stress of being poor and those stress issues can be managed and outcomes can be outstanding... AND it doesn't take fragmenting a community and introducing instability and stress among thousands of families. Consider that has happened at a middle school in western Iowa between 2012-2015 where 1000 students (85% FRL), 120 teachers, and Principal have brought test scores up 15% and reduced disciplinary issues by 75%. If We Want Better Educational Outcomes Let's Pay Attention to an Iowa School We need to put stability back in the Iowa City Community School District; moving people back and forth like human guinea pigs is a not the answer. End the consideration of this experiment ... it has decades of strife and failure in its future. Sincerely, Mike Colleran Marian Karr From: Dennis Befeler <dennisbefeler@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 10:27 AM To: Council Subject: Concern about council member Dobyns comments at school listening post Iowa City City Council, 057 799 3f(2) Council member Rick Dobyns made a statement at last night's Iowa City Community School District listening post on secondary school boundaries in which he claimed that he was speaking for the entire city council. Rick stated that school redistricting proposal Scenario 5F was the best for the city, and that the entire council is behind this plan. Many people I spoke with do not believe that Dobyns was speaking for the entire council and feel that it is not appropriate for a member of the City Council to make such comments at a community listening post. A large number of our community members are not supportive of Scenario 5F, and have concerns about additional busing, traffic, congestion, student safety, and other issues. I would appreciate it if you could please let me know your thoughts on this matter expediently as the ICCSD School Board is expected to vote on a redistricting proposal on Tuesday May 12th. I would specifically like to hear whether Scenario 5F has unanimous support from the city council. I thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter. Dennis Befeler Iowa City resident and parent of district students Marian Karr 3f(3) From: Ann Stromquist <annstromquist@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, May 08, 2015 1:36 PM To: Council Subject: Talk on militarization of police & mass incarceration - Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 Dear members of the Iowa City City Council, You are all invited to attend the talk described below about issues that affect all of our communities. It is free and open to the public. Sincerely, Ann Stromquist 316 Myrtle Ave. Iowa City 337-5463 Race and In -Justice: Mass Incarceration and the Militarization of Police With news of police shootings on the front pages of our newspapers in recent months, it is time for Eastern Iowa residents to become aware of how the issues of mass incarceration and the militarization of police affect our communities. The public is invited to participate in a conversation about these issues with Diane Randall, Executive Secretary of Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker lobby group based in Washington, DC. www.fcnl.ora Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 7:00 p.m. at the Coralville Public Library, E. Jean Schwab Auditorium. Sponsored by: PEACE Iowa, Iowa Veterans for Peace, Iowa City Friends Meeting, West Branch Friends Meeting, and West Branch Friends Church Contact: Carole Winkleblack (319) 648-5647 or Ann Stromquist (319) 337-5463 Marian Karr 3f(4) From: Marian Karr Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 8:15 AM To: 'Maureen Arensdorr; Council Cc: Schlachter Barbara; Becky; Rupp Donna; Mary Beth Versgrove; Kirkpatrick Mary; Ross Nancy; (Stephan Janet <janetstephan8@msn.com>); Hall Becky; Quinn Linda Subject: RE: Proposed Resolution Thank you for your email to the City Council. Your correspondence will be placed on the City Council consent calendar for acceptance at their May 19 meeting. Marian K. Karr, MMC City Clerk From: Maureen Arensdorf [mailto:maureenarensdorf@me.com] Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2015 1:00 PM To: Council Cc: Schlachter Barbara; Becky; Rupp Donna; Mary Beth Versgrove; Kirkpatrick Mary; Ross Nancy; (Stephan Janet <janetstephan8@msn.com>); Hall Becky; Quinn Linda Subject: Proposed Resolution This correspondence will become a public record. Dear Iowa City Council: The 100Grannies for a Livable Future would like to be put on the agenda for the May 19, 2015 Council Meeting. We would like to present the following proposed resolution to the Council for their consideration and signatures: "Because single use plastic bags threaten our environment by clogging our waterways, endangering our wildlife, overburdening our landfills, and increasing our dependence on fossil fuels; we the Iowa City Council resolve to eliminate single use plastic bags by Earth Day, April 22, 2016." Thank you for your consideration. Maureen Arensdorf Representing the 100Grannies for a Livable Future maureenarensdorf(a)me. com Marian Karr 3f(5) From: Ron Knoche Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 11:36 AM To: Council Subject: RE: buy outs Mr. Pirnat: I have been asked to respond to your email to Council dated May 111H As you mention, the relocation of residences and businesses from the floodplain is the only 100% effective method to prevent future damage from flooding. The flood gate and pump station in CRANDIC Park will help protect a vital transportation link to Iowa City. Prior to and during the design of the project, multiple models were developed to determine what the overall impact the flood protection would have on the flood elevations of the Iowa River. These models show the Iowa River elevations are not increased. In fact, with the completion of the Gateway Project (Dubuque Street Elevation and Park Road Bridge Reconstruction), the model shows the flood elevations will decrease in the area of your property. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Ron Ronald R. Knoche, PE Public Works Director Email: ron-knoche@iowa-city.orR Phone: (319) 356-5138 Cell: (319) 430-3625 Fax: (319) 356-5007 �s t� C17Y of IOWA CITY u"OW CITY OFuTEPATLft Website: www.iceov.org From: cliff pirnat [mailto:cpirnat@mchsi.com] Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 8:29 AM To: Council Subject: buy outs Tom Markus seems to agree with the statement from (Dick Fosse) about removing people from flood plains. Then the City of Iowa City, installs a flood gate on Rocky Shore Dr. which will ensure that Coralville,(a flood plain) will be saved and Iowa City will take the increase level of the Iowa River. And Iowa City may have two properties to save with the gate. Was probably pressure from the University.Hey Absolutely brilliant, save a town so every one else below it will flood for sure. cliff pirnat 705 manor dr. iowa city,ia 319 621 0060 �3 r p CITY OF IOWA CITY 3f(6) ME W���MEMORANDUM Date: May 12, 2015 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Jason Havel, City Engineer '":1"Z4 Z Re: Competitive Quotation Results 2015 Sewer Repair Competitive quotations for the 2015 Sewer Repair Project were opened on May 8, 2015 and the following quotes were received: Calacci Construction Iowa City, IA $ 135,960.00 Lynch's Excavating West Branch, IA $136,340.50 Carter and Associates Coralville, IA $165,100.00 Dave Schmitt Construction Cedar Rapids, IA $ 191,028.00 Engineer's Estimate $ 115,565,00 Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the contract to Calacci Construction of Iowa City, Iowa. The project will be funded with Wastewater revenues.