The Board of Education held a special meeting on September 17, 2013, to finalize the budget for the use of one-time state funds earmarked for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. This was the third Board meeting during which this budget was discussed. In previous meetings Board members asked numerous questions about the purpose of the proposed expenditures, debated how best to help schools transition to the Common Core and suggested various revisions. Dr. Judith Perez, AALA President, made the following comments at the meeting.