Oct 27, 2014-Rotary Forum

Posted by Dick Dannells 
 
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Michael Boyer began the meeting at 12:43 PM by called on Paul Holden to give his personal biography. Paul was born in Toledo Ohio to a mother in the field of education and a corporate attorney father who came up with the name of the Hummer SUV’s and trucks. Paul received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio University, married a girlfriend from college, later remarried Anne and has two children. He received computer training in Ukiah California where he went from a keypunch system to the Internet. Two and half years ago he retired, came to the Central Coast and joined our club. He joined Rotary for the first time in December 1999 with the Central Ukiah Rotary Club upon the recommendation of his father and was as president in 2008. His hobbies include golf, travel and bridge.
FINES:
Pres. Michael levied a total spin-the- wheel fines of $72 on John and Martha Murphy for their three-week trip that included a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. Tommy Thompson celebrated his birthday today without a fine, but Joel Conn was fined $20 for starting the happy birthday song without being prompted to do so.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pres. Michael announced that today is the last day to make our Community Giving preference known. He also said he called Paul Toms, who at the age of 91 wants to remain a member of our Rotary club, and stated for us to join him visit Paul after next week’s meeting. Steve Curry reported on getting approval for an improvement to St. Patrick’s school as our major funded local project for the year.
Dr. Jim Brescia “Superintendent of San Luis Obispo County School Districts”
Eddie Aurand introduced Jim, who as superintendent, reports directly to the governor’s office. He reported on the current state of public education in the county. There are only about 30,000 public school children out of a population less than 300,000 due to the aging population. 42% of the state general fund goes in the K – 12 education and, if you include community colleges and state universities, it is up to about 50%. It takes about $20 million to support education in this county and is its largest employer. Lucia Mar has the largest student population of 10,000 followed by San Luis Obispo with about 7500 students. From 2001 to 2011 there’s been a decline in these numbers with a slight increase in the 2011 – 2013. Hispanics make the largest minority of the students. The latest overall academic achievement of the county’s students based on standardized test is 822 out of 1000 compared with 600 for the state average. He enumerated the following that are needed in order to close the gap in performance: (1) high expectation for all students; (2) quality teachers for all students; (3) universal preschool; (4) on going professional development for the staff; (5) school principals as institutional leaders; and (6) early intervention in kindergarten.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton
 
 
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Michael Boyer began the meeting at 12:43 PM by called on Paul Holden to give his personal biography. Paul was born in Toledo Ohio to a mother in the field of education and a corporate attorney father who came up with the name of the Hummer SUV’s and trucks. Paul received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ohio University, married a girlfriend from college, later remarried Anne and has two children. He received computer training in Ukiah California where he went from a keypunch system to the Internet. Two and half years ago he retired, came to the Central Coast and joined our club. He joined Rotary for the first time in December 1999 with the Central Ukiah Rotary Club upon the recommendation of his father and was as president in 2008. His hobbies include golf, travel and bridge.
FINES:
Pres. Michael levied a total spin-the- wheel fines of $72 on John and Martha Murphy for their three-week trip that included a cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. Tommy Thompson celebrated his birthday today without a fine, but Joel Conn was fined $20 for starting the happy birthday song without being prompted to do so.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pres. Michael announced that today is the last day to make our Community Giving preference known. He also said he called Paul Toms, who at the age of 91 wants to remain a member of our Rotary club, and stated for us to join him visit Paul after next week’s meeting. Steve Curry reported on getting approval for an improvement to St. Patrick’s school as our major funded local project for the year.
Dr. Jim Brescia “Superintendent of San Luis Obispo County School Districts”
Eddie Aurand introduced Jim, who as superintendent, reports directly to the governor’s office. He reported on the current state of public education in the county. There are only about 30,000 public school children out of a population less than 300,000 due to the aging population. 42% of the state general fund goes in the K – 12 education and, if you include community colleges and state universities, it is up to about 50%. It takes about $20 million to support education in this county and is its largest employer. Lucia Mar has the largest student population of 10,000 followed by San Luis Obispo with about 7500 students. From 2001 to 2011 there’s been a decline in these numbers with a slight increase in the 2011 – 2013. Hispanics make the largest minority of the students. The latest overall academic achievement of the county’s students based on standardized test is 822 out of 1000 compared with 600 for the state average. He enumerated the following that are needed in order to close the gap in performance: (1) high expectation for all students; (2) quality teachers for all students; (3) universal preschool; (4) on going professional development for the staff; (5) school principals as institutional leaders; and (6) early intervention in kindergarten.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton