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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 06281994 - 1.102 1.99 through 1 .102 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on June 28,1994, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Smith, Bishop, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE Item No. 1.99 LETTERS received June 15, 1994,from M.Newburger,M.D.,2600 Park Avenue, Suite 208, Concord 94520 and A. McNabney,.1161 Leisure Lane No: 7, Walnut Creek 94595, on the County Hospital and District Hospital issues. ***REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR 1.100 LETTER received June 15, 1994, from Gerald & Sherri Annis, 342 Filbert Court, Oakley ` 94561, questioning when a promised shopping center will be built in Oakley. ***REFERRED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR RESPONSE 1.101 LETTER dated June 14, 1994, from C. Dyer, Executive Vice President, Antioch Chamber of Commerce, 301 West 10th Street, Suite 1, Antioch 94509, expressing support for the assignment of one of the at large seats on the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to industry; and LETTER dated June 17, 1994, from the J. Tovar, Manager of Security/Emergency Services, The Dow Chemical Company, and a Riverview Fire Commissioner, P.O. Box 1398, Pittsburg 94565 expressing support for the inclusion of an industry representative on the new Board of Fire Commissioners. ***REFERRED TO INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE 1.102 LETTER dated June 17, 1994, from R. Stewart, Superintendent of Schools, Contra Costa County Office of Education, 77 Santa Barbara Road,Pleasant Hill 94523,recommending the exclusion of county offices of Education from the Task Force work on consolidating special districts; and LETTER dated June 17, 1994 from E. Pasley, President, Board of Directors, Mt. View Sanitary District,P.O. Box 2757,Martinez 94553,expressing opposition to the consolidation of independent special districts such as the Mt. View Sanitary District. ***REFERRED TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR i noreby certify that th:`s 13 a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Sup isors on the date showy �I ATTESTED- BA HELOR,-as clerk of he Board Of Supervi rs and Co Administrator cc: Correspondents By ,Deputy County Administrator Internal Operations Committee Health Services Director Community Development Director MTs VIEW SANITARY BISTRICT SERVING CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SINCE 1923 SANITARY DISTRICT MARTINEZ, RECEIVE FORMED 192323 June 17, 1994 JUN 2 11994 Honorable Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS County Adminsitration Building CONTRA COSTA CO. STANLEY R.CALDWELL 651 Pine Street ARTHUR J.CASTRO Martinez, CA 94553 ERNEST D.PASLEY GREGORY T.PYKA DOROTHY M.SAKAZAKI Re: Task Force for Consolidating Special Districts DAVID CONTRERAS Dear Chairman and Board Members: DISTRICT MANAGER SHERIL.GADD By unanimous vote of the Directors of the Mt. View Sanitary SECRETARY District, I was directed to convey their strong sentiments in DAVID J.LEVY opposition to the proposals to spend time, effort, and money ATTORNEY with the eventual goal to consolidate independent special districts (such as Mt. View Sanitary District) . RANDOLPH W.LEPTIEN ENGINEER We ' feel that the Board should stop for a few moments and reflect on why separate districts were formed in the first place. Cities were not available, and the county could not provide. services the public required. The districts are responsible to the residents in their respective communities. The Board is well aware of the diverse and conflicting interests in the various, sections of this cosmopolitan - complex county. The goals "to consolidate administrative and general functions" are glowing catchwords that apply to all local governments but history and government in the 50 states demonstrates that we can't get away from districts, cities and counties. We can make a better argument for consolidation of cities within the county or better yet, start at the top and consolidate Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Board will recall that originally Alameda County was a part of Contra Costa County. I hope we have made our feelings clear without being disrespectful. "If it is not broken, don't try and fix it" is still a good rule. There is no public outcry for consolidation of the sewer districts. Our residents have P.O. BOX 2757 MARTINEZ, CA. 94553 PHONE (510) 228-5635 OFFICE LOCATION AT END OF ARTHUR ROAD y R. Dl��► NTe VIEW SANITARY BISTRICT SERVING CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SINCE 1923 SANITARY DISTRICT MARTINEZ,CA. FORMED 1923 limited their complaints to those programs and expenses that have been imposed by state and county regulations such as environmental clean up, recycling, and landfill charges. You are respectfully requested to take no action that could lead to the consolidation of Mt. View Sanitary District with any other district. Sincerely, MT. VIEW SANITARY DISTRICT Ernest D. Pasley President, Board of Directors DJL/sg P.O. BOX 2757 MARTINEZ, CA. 94553 OFFICE LOCATION AT END OF ARTHUR ROAD Ronald L. Stewart Ed.D., Superintendent CONTRA COSTA ' 77 Santa Barbara Road • Pleasant Hill, California 94523 OFFICEof EDUCATION (510) 942-3388 June 16, 1994 RECEI\JED Board of Supervisors 2 Contra Costa County JU� County Administration Building 651 Pine Street CLEFlCot4 RAOF S A Cp SOR Martinez, CA 94553-1229 Dear Members of the Board of Supervisors: I have reviewed the Report and Recommendations for Special District Consoli— dations in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties dated April 15, 1994. This letter provides many comments regarding report recommendation, page 21, "to consolidate both county offices of education." Work of the Task Force and the interest of the two County Boards of Supervisors is commendable. Consolidation of government agencies can, in many cases, provide the opportunity for improved public services at lower cost. The goal of consolidation has been an active issue for local education for many years. Since the 1960s, the number of local school districts serving grades Kindergarden to 12 has been reduced from 1,535 in 1963 to 1,009 today. These consolidations occur through the merger of similar school districts, that is, Elementary (K-8); High School (9-12) or Unified(K-12). Also, consolidation occurs through the unification of elementary districts with the respective high school district. All of these actions are accomplished under procedures established by the California Education Code through the respective County Committee on School District Organization. Similar to procedures for considering school district consolidation, any action to consolidate or otherwise change the organization of county offices of education will be governed by the California Constitution and statutes codified in the Education Code. The idea of consolidating county offices of education is not new. The State Legislature has examined this subject in the past. Previous studies have suggested that it may be appropriate for smaller county offices of education to be consolidated as a means to achieve administrative savings. Further, consolidation may improve capability for each county office of education to provide a core of basic programs and services to support and improve local education. Alameda County Office of Education and Contra Costa County Office of Education have always been judged as viable.in terms of size, geography and capability to perform educational support functions. A merger of the Alameda and Contra Costa County Offices of Education would not be beneficial to'education. W/bdsup.doc 1.IOZ Members of the Board of Supervisors Page 2 June 16, 1994 At this time, the Alameda and Contra Costa County Offices of Education work together to save money and provide stronger educational and administrative services. Examples are: • Joint Professional Development Programs for teachers and administrators. • Joint educational programs and advisory committee's participation with institutions of higher education, including California State University — Hayward and St. Mary's College. • Sharing of curriculum subject matter and educational initiative staff and ideas. • Vocational education services open to students enrolled in both counties regardless of class location. • Sharing of purchasing, data processing systems and other materials to improve effectiveness of each county office of education. The County Superintendent of Schools in each county provides direct classroom instruction, media, business and instructional support services to school districts within each county. The County Superintendent of Schools is subject to bonding and personal liability for the actions of his/her office in the performance of these duties. A formal merging of county offices of education would require a change to the California Constitution and release of responsibilities inherent in each elected County Superintendent of Schools' position. The Alameda and Contra Costa County Offices of Education are each responsible for many mandatory functions. Following is a partial list: • Fiscal Oversight • Payroll Reporting • School District Organization • Election Administration • Teacher Credentialing • Hearing of Student Expulsion and Inter—District Attendance Appeals • Education of Juvenile Hall and other instructional youth placements. W/bdsup.doc 1 .162. Members of the Board of Supervisors Page 3 June 16, 1994 I Any significant change to the existing structure of county offices of education would, in my opinion, be counter productive for the most responsive and efficient delivery of the above listed mandatory functions. It is my recommendation that the reference to county offices of education be deleted from the Task Force work.. The State.Legislature, education community and general public will review the idea of merger of county offices of education as a part of the statewide public education agenda. The Office of the Contra Costa.County Superintendent of Schools will actively participate, in these,discussions for optimum organization to support local public education. Very truly yours, GGc� Ronald L. Stewart, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Contra Costa County RLS/JEH/yp W/bdsup.doc