Bernie Scolaro-SCCSD School Board

02/15/2024

I haven’t posted since my term ended but the community must stay alert to this bill-

On Jan. 4, a 17-year-old Perry High School student killed one sixth-grader and injured five others before killing himself. In response to school shootings, Siouxland Christian School in Sioux City has decided to train and arm school staff members. However, to the contrary, there is no evidence showi...

11/28/2023

Service on the Board may be over, but Iowa, I'm not done yet.

Final statement as Board Director:

"Moving forward. It’s been our mantra along with “believe, achieve, succeed.” So today is just that- moving forward – with new Board members, new perspectives, new ideas to be brought to the table.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to thank the Board members for working side by side with me- answering my questions in emails, talks over coffee, the phone calls. While each of us remain steadfastly individualized in our thoughts and values, we only accomplished anything because we came together as a team. I need to thank the administration whom I have grown to respect for your dedication to this District. I need to thank the teachers and the Sioux City Education Association who fight everyday for our teachers and students.

I will forever be grateful for the Board appointment and the community support that I have had. I am glad to have been on the Board during a time when the government began to push back on public education, berate public educators and try to ostracize some of our most marginalized student populations. I will forever feel blessed that we unananimously passed the two resolutions I brought forth- one opposing more state funding to private schools and another resolution fully supporting students from my community, our LGBTQ+ students.

As the new state legislative year begins shortly, I ask that you stay vigilant with what is being discussed before laws are passed. Because the government isn’t trying to move us forward but backwards. I ask the new Board to continue fighting to recruit and retain quality teachers in spite of the constant berating of our public school system at the state level of government. I ask that you continue to stand up against state control and the push to ban books, to whitewash history, and to punish teachers and counselors merely for protecting the integrity of our educational system and for just wanting to protect the civil rights of our students. I ask that you stay alert to any new laws on allowing guns on school grounds. Please keep in mind that everything you do, every decision you make, impacts the students- the reason we are here. We must keep our students safe from mass school shootings but we must also let them know they are safe to be who they are and to pursue their own paths and dreams. So as you move forward, please continue to fight and protect all our staff and all our students. Every.single.one.

Finally, to quote Angie Thomas in her book “the Hate U Give”- 'Sometimes you can do everything right and things still go wrong. The key is never stop doing right.' "- Bernie Scolaro, SCCSD School Board

11/27/2023

Sioux City Schools saw some stability and some change in school performance according to a new state report. Nodland and Sunnyside Elementary were rated as "high performing schools," the same as last year. VIBE Academy was again ranked in the bottom 4%.

11/26/2023

I love this story and this young lady. I’m so happy she pursued teaching AND is back in our district as a teacher! She will influence and inspire the next generation!

first-year teacher Gabrielle Ponce is proof that one conversation can impact a lifetime. A lesson in her high school FACS class inspired Gabrielle to pursue a career she loved - and that led her right back to her former elementary school.

Read Gabrielle's inspiring story: https://www.siouxcityschools.org/article/1334487

11/25/2023

The Sioux City Community School District online Board meeting agendas and Board packets for Monday, November 27, 2023, is now available through the following link:



https://siouxschools.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1



There will be a Board Member reception ( for district employees) for incoming and outgoing School Board members from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the ESC PD Room #105.



The Annual Meeting of the School Board is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. with the Organizational Meeting scheduled to begin following adjournment of the Annual Meeting. Please be aware that when clicking on the above link for the Board agendas and packet, the Organizational Meeting states a time of “7:00 p.m.”. Please know that the Organizational meeting will begin upon adjournment of the Annual Meeting, whatever time that may be.

11/22/2023

Attended my last Board Policy Committee meeting today alongside my colleagues Director Scarlett and Director Michaelson. This was the last of my 3 committee assignments- the other two were the Educational Equity Committee and School Improvement Advisory Committee . These along with attending the City Conference Board meetings have been an integral part of my time on the School Board because of the discussions , interaction and decisions made.

A huge thank you to those I worked with side by side throughout my time served.

11/18/2023

11/17/2023

Bernie, we did it.

We sent more than 125,000 messages and calls to Congress, telling them to oppose horrific, devastating cuts to Title I and other programs that help our most vulnerable public school students.

I am happy to announce that the GOP leadership in the House pulled consideration of the bill. This means there will not be a vote—and the proposed cuts are off the table, for now.

This is a direct result of everyone who spoke up and shared how the proposed cuts—including an 80% cut to Title I—would affect our public schools and students.

I can’t thank you enough for lifting your voice and taking action.

You are proof that when we come together, we win!

In solidarity,

Marc Egan
Government Relations Director

(As a proud lifetime NEA/ISEA member, I was happy to do my part by emailing legislators against these potential cuts-)

National Education Association

11/17/2023

This is concerning to me- we must respect and embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools and in our communities-

The Iowa Board of Regents is instructing the state's three public universities to eliminate all staff positions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion that are not necessary for the schools' accreditation or to comply with state or federal law.

The nine-member board voted to adopt the recommendation Thursday at its meeting in Cedar Falls. A law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds this year required the regents to review diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at the state's public universities.

Republican lawmakers, who control the Iowa Legislature, chastised administrators for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa this spring over the cost of their DEI programs.

11/15/2023

I would imagine there are a lot of factors causing this- the article mentions this 2023 group dealt with Covid the first year - and there is plenty of concern over learning loss. I also believe this test has become less important and universities are relying less and less on these tests for entrance requirements.

Thoughts?

ACT test scores drop to lowest level in 30 years.
Read More >> https://tinyurl.com/2phnbmd6

11/15/2023

The Iowa Board of Education is scheduled to discuss long-awaited rules for a sweeping education law Wednesday.