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10News and Sweetwater's John McCann, True Patriots?
"Payne, who is one of those accused of disrespecting the flag, rarely speaks of his military career. He served 21 years in the Marines, was in three combat zones, and retired as a sergeant major." I have heard somewhere that John McCann alledgedly tried to be excused from his military call-up to go to Iraq. I think he was alledged to even have written the Secretary of the Navy in an effort not to go. I really wonder if this is the real alledged John McCann. I can't say for real, but I have heard this.— September 13, 2012 11:30 p.m.
The Hiring of a Sweetwater Superintendent
Nice post Bob. Part of the issue is that contractors, partisan political parties, and even the trustees themselves have a vested interest in who gets elected to these "community, non partisan positions." Large school districts deal in large sums of money. For the amounts of money in play, it makes no sense for any of these players to back someone who is only going to be in that position for just a few short years. The contractors want stability in the board because that will mean more business for them. The political parties, like you said, need a vetting arena to put their candidates in front of the public for more than a few short months. And, let's face it, being a board member of one of the State's largest school districts has got to be not only an ego trip, but has the potential for even higher office. Term limits, campaign limits, campaign literature limits, and a whole lot of other 'Limits" need to be instituted, but don't hold your breath waiting for this current board to do it. As to the need of new blood, from the five corners of the district, it's hard to break into the old established status quo. The political machine is well oiled in certain parts of the community.— September 13, 2012 12:02 a.m.
What The Heck is Going On at the Sweetwater Union High School District?
John McCann cherry-picked the audio. While the Pledge was being recited no one did anything except to say the pledge. The issue was that the community had to remind the board that the pledge was overlooked during the opening of the meeting. If anything, it was Pearl Quinonez who "disrespected" the flag. Pearl had already gaveled the meeting closed when John made his request. The public laughed at the awkwardness of the situation. If he was going to be upset, he ought to have directed his "attitude" towards her. Instead, John, played his patriotism card, turned it against the community, cherry-picks the audio, and goes running to the nearest television camera so he can get his face in front of the public. Too bad John McCann doesn't take his responsibilities to the community more seriously. He ought to be disgusted and appalled about that. As to the issue of John and Pearl and the pledge... Here's one for you. Bertha Lopez is the only board member who has consistantly and faithfully fought for the publics right to know what the board is doing. She is a champion for the students and staff of the district. I have been attending these board meeting for almost 2.5 years, and not once has the president of the board asked her to lead the pledge. NOT ONCE! John McCann was president for an entire year and he ignored her for the entire year. Pearl has now been board president for nine months and has never once asked for Bertha to lead. Arlie Ricasa was president for a full year before John and she too never asked Bertha to lead the pledge. NEVER!!!!!!!! The three of them use the leading of the Pledge as a tool to promote each other in the public's eye. If anyone is violating the very meaning of the Pledge it's John McCann, Pearl Quinonez and Arlie Ricasa. John's behavior last monday night was just another reminder of that.— September 12, 2012 11:33 p.m.
Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand
Was totally amazed you didn't include Obama in your tirade.— September 12, 2012 8:38 a.m.
Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand
^^ Quoted for truth.— September 11, 2012 10:38 p.m.
Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand
The special board meeting SUHSD held last night was one of the most poorly thought out actions taken by the board in this year. This ranks up there with the iPad program and the Southwest HS dirt fiasco. What was Pearl Quinonez thinking when she caved-in to Brand and McCann? To call a special board meeting is to be used when something is extraordinarily important and time sensitive, To use her authority that way because the interim superintendent is throwing a hissyfit and won't come in to work IN VIOLATION OF HIS CURRENT CONTACT is just plain wrong. Her leadership as well as her decision making process are to be questioned. It is clear that the community has had their fill of the "contractor who makes demands beyond his current contract," yet she still listens to him and does whatever he tells her to do. She is clearly in over her head and has no clue how to be a board member, let alone the president of the board.— September 11, 2012 8 a.m.
No Confidence Petition for Sweetwater's Ed Brand
Pearl's a tool of Brand. She was heading into an election in which she would be facing Burt Grossman as well as Cameron. Since I have seen Brands appt calendar and have seen for myself just how many, numerous meetings Brand has had with Grossman, (an unethical behavior by Brand in my opinion) she was faced with an unsavory decision: either lose favor with Brand, whom she believes has some vaulted level of influence in the upcoming election, or giving in to Brand's demand for a permanent position. She caved! So, Brand gets his "special board meeting" and Brand had Burt Grossman switch the seat he was running for so now he is running agaiinst Bertha Lopez, a known thorn in Brand's side. Pearl thinks this is the prudent thing to do. She still believes she is somehow going to get out of the indictments. She won't. Pearl IS GOING TO BE CONVICTED of the charges against her. She will not only will lose her seat on the board even if she is re-elected, but is also going to do some time in either jail or prison. But, she is so dependent on Brand because he has convinced her he can help her. She is clueless that Brand has no influence in the DA's office, and his promises will evaporate as fast as the morning dew on a hot summer day. Too bad Pearl is so clueless as to not see that she is but a pawn in Brand's "bigger picture." She gives him what he wants when he has no plan to provide her with anything. Brand is not wanted by the community, the bond oversight comm., or ANYBODY, but John McCann. It was McCann who hit her up for the special meeting. John McCann is the publics worst enemy. His wife says John is ready to throw Brand under the bus, then John presures Pearl for the meeting to make Brand permanent. Pearl, if you are reading this, Brand is going to throw you under the bus. You are expendible, as will be Arlie in a few short months. To him you are just a future felon who he needs to exploit NOW. Come the spring you will be convicted and Brand will talk about how we need to move past the chapter in SUHSD's history. He will be here, unwanted, unloved, and unappreciated by the community. You on the other hand will be vilified for having foisted this demon of huburistic hot air on us for the next two years. Thanks Pearl... NOT! You're a joke and so is your behavior in this. The sooner you are gone, the better it will be for SUHSD.— September 8, 2012 9:31 p.m.
Sweetwater Interim Superintendent Ed Brand to Get Contract?
Susan-- Ed Brand was also bought out of his contract when he was superintendent at Sweetwater before he landed in San Marcos. Between the two districts, I would think he has pocketed between $800-900 thousand dollars. Just think of it! Almost a million dollars to be fired. By the time Brand has worn out his welcome here in the south bay for the second time, his plan is to get all he can on the way out. "Fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." George W. Bush— September 3, 2012 6:58 a.m.
Sweetwater Interim Superintendent Ed Brand to Get Contract?
There is an online "public vote of no-confidence" located at: http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/noconfidenc… If you would care to add your voice to the growing number of people who are fed up with the actions of this "consultant," then please join us by adding your name to this effort. Thank you, John Brickley— September 3, 2012 6:42 a.m.
Sweetwater's Bond Oversight Committee Calls Special Meeting
Can you share what seat this person will hold? Open seat? Senior citizens group? Which...?— August 12, 2012 11:48 a.m.