Menlo Park mayor suggests Sequoia Union absorb Ravenswood school district

This is an interesting idea that I hope the school districts discuss in depth. I do not understand why the MP council is spending its time on this topic. It isn't in their purview. The new council needs to focus.

Finally, Ravenswood School District is ready to make changes in the benefit of our students which should have done long time ago, but the board members always pretended that things were, and here comes Ray Muller and Mary Streshly to try to grab the Ravenswood School District. How come, they never came gave real help or at least guide the board members on what to do. Just like any politician Muller went to Ravenswood School District only to promise and promise that he would do this and that when it was about time for elections, and at the end he never did anything. At least the superintendent is now gone, and she cannot take us int more profound financial crisis as she did before. Therefore Ravenswood will recover from all the damage that it has suffered on the hands of Pulido, Wilson, Lopez, Chavez, and Knight.

Dear “focus,” the Ravenswood district includes two schools in east Menlo Park, so it is a Menlo Park issue.

I’m undecided on this issue but there’s no question that the Ravenswood district could use better management, so having OUR high school district absorb these schools might make sense.

There are “unified” school districts all over the state (districts with both high schools and elementary and middle schools). The closest one is the Palo Alto Unified School District.

Combining Ravenswood and Sequoia could bring some economies of scale, such as the elimination of administrators whose jobs would be redundant in a unified district.

But my point is that this is a Menlo Park issue. The Daily Post has had some good articles about this in the past few days. You might want to read them.

The school district that decimated Ravenswood High now a shot at the rest of the community's schools.

Thank you. Next!

No thanks, You can keep your own problems Menlo Park!

@Hugo "the Ravenswood district includes two schools in east Menlo Park, so it is a Menlo Park issue."
I totally agree that this is a Menlo Park issue, but not a CITY of Menlo Park issue. The City has no control of the school districts. The City has no budget for schools, either. The school districts themselves must step up.
The City of Menlo Park has plenty of tough issues to address and I encourage them to focus rather than spend time on worthy issues that are not in the City's purview.

It only makes sense on all levels, That's where egos will queer the deal,

Hang in there Mr. Mayor.

Why isn't MPCSD absorbing Ranvenswood? Why does the City of Menlo Park have 3 school districts anyway?

Racism? Elitism? I am sure it all comes down to money.

Love Ray and his "don't consult stakeholders" and "never think things through" instincts! We're with you, Mister Mayor!

Mueller is rightfully concerned that all of the children in Menlo Park do not receive the same quality of education.

The solution to this dilemma is not at all simple because of the dramatically different funding mechanisms for the Ravenswood District and the other two Menlo Park school districts.

In my opinion a unified school district which combined the three elementary school districts would be a greatly beneficial move in the direction of educational equity. Unfortunately doing so may well result in a reduction of State funding for the unified district.

How much are we willing to pay for educational equity?

The reporting on whether Mueller checked in with the District is overblown. The Daily Post had a great editorial in support of Mueller on this subject yesterday. Mueller’s comment was in a goal setting meeting regarding a tentative discussion topic to be covered in the scheduling of a study session in June. Mueller was transparent in his thoughts about the District. The thought police may not like it, but I agree with Price, Carpenter and others weighing in, the idea is worthy of discussion and there is plenty of time to bring in stakeholders.

How would the Menlo Park City Council like it if the local school boards started getting into its business?
This is a good idea, but our City has plenty on its plate that needs attention now, housing shortage is right up there. The City has no budget nor approval authority over the school districts so why is the Mayor getting into their knickers.