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John McCann for Chula Vista City Council? No, thanks
One step at a time! Defeat him wherever and whenever his name appears on a ballot.— May 16, 2014 9:15 p.m.
“John McCann and Ed Brand should resign”
John forgot to mention that the Chargers made the playoffs under his supervision as a trustee of SUHSD.— May 7, 2014 8:40 p.m.
Guilty Trustees (is not, unfortunately, a band name)
I for one am satisfied. After being involved with this fiasco from the very beginning, I am relieved to see that it Is finally over. Do I agree with all the plea deals? No! Do I think justice was served? Probably, or not! Like many of you, I believe too many serious crimes were committed to warrant the leniency of the court. However, that horse has left the barn. What I am left with is a sense that changes were made, people rallied to a cause when they were needed most, and the way the business of SUHSD is conducted has been changed forever. Sweetwater is now being forced to make meaningful changes, in both the way it does it's business, as well as how it does that business in full view of the public. Is it perfect? No. Can it improve/ Oh, hell yes. This is but a start. It is up to each and every one of us to hold those people elected to our various school boards to be responsive to us, the public, for the day to day running of our schools. I for one plan to continue to be active in local school issues, not because of any one pet gripe I may have, but rather because of an overall sense that without my voice, the leadership of any governing agency may, and probably will do as it damn well pleases. Enough of that. It's time to get involved.— April 24, 2014 9:08 p.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
I beg to differ with you on many portions of your essay. It starts with the concept that every student needs to be prepared to go to college and ends with the notion that kids need to pass tests to succeed. First, let's just get over the notion that this country was ever in the top of any list of civilized countries with the highest test scores. Never, ever happened. NEVER! The USA has always been in the middle of the pack when compared to other countries. In fact, they have never risen above "average" on any measure of test taking. Most of these tests do not test what the USA does excel at, THINKING. Second, most of those "imported" workers you mention did not get "great" jobs here in the USA. They did however, get jobs that pay better than jobs available "back home," where ever that was. They still make far less than their degree should warrant. Third, most of our industrial jobs moved out of the USA because labor is cheaper overseas, not because of some mythical rise of the intelligence of some foreign country. Even smart people work cheaply in China and India. Fourth, students are not taught "basic skills" in public schools anymore. Gone are the days of shop classes, where we used to teach entry level skills in so many areas of employment. Today, everything is about getting into college. Have you stopped to think that not everyone can be at the top. Fifth, when did the idea that school had to mirror that old saw that all medicine needs to taste bad or it isn't any good. Stress isn't good in the workplace, and it isn't good in school. School is a place of learning and a place to develop a love of learning. Stress is a job killer, and schools have no place for learning killers Sixth, Common Core is not some new, highly effective teaching strategy. It is a systematic attack on the very thing that made this country's educational philosophy the envy of the world. It's sole purpose is to destroy public education, first by showing that our children are not learning, then by using that result to fire teachers, and promote "private" education with a shift of education dollars from public to private sectors. Common Core is a curriculum and testing project written by, and sold by for profit, private corporations. No educators were used in the development of any of the curriculum, nor the test questions. It's methodology is untested, unproven, and unverified. The implementation comes with so many financial strings attached that that alone should be raising alarms. I could go on, but this isn't a book writing effort. But, I will use your closing paragraph to close this. You have no answers, are not an expert in education, but think testing is the answer, and that it should be left for the experts. Educators are the experts, not corporations who are only in it to make even more obscene money from our dollars.— April 11, 2014 midnight
Rankled by Sweetwater district meeting cancellation
Dr. Edward M. Brand could not do the things he does to disgrace this once reputable school district without the complicity and tacit approval of the Board. To end this reign of disrespect for the rule of law, disrespect for the students, community, and staff, and above all, the disrespect of ethics, morality and even simply, common sense, it will not be enough to remove Dr. Brand from his position as superintendent. It will also require the removal of those board members who have aided and abetted this travesty of leadership by actively demanding their resignation. To wait for the court to force resignations is not enough. We, the public, need to demand that Jim Cartmill and John McCann resign from the Board immediately. They have failed us, and have clearly demonstrated that they are incapable of competent leadership, and that we hold them personally responsible for all and every ill that has befallen SUHSD. This demand for resignation should be at the forefront of every member of the public who shares the info on the current state of affairs of SUHSD, whether it is in conversations with friends, colleagues, news media, public officials, etc., and especially when directly addressing these two men in public and also when addressing them at board meetings. To wait for them to do the right thing is folly. As the old saw goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Well, just how many times have we been fooled so far? The number of times is beyond count. It is time for them to go.— March 18, 2014 11:20 p.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
John has his finger to the wind, even as we write. One can only hope it is blowing "our way."— March 18, 2014 9:44 a.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
"And haven't they stated that someone could attend via Skype?" According to the Open Meeting law, aka Brown Act, teleconferencing is legal. However, the location of the skyper MUST be within the district's boundaries and OPEN to the public to attend the meeting at that location.— March 17, 2014 8:07 a.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
“It is the intent of the legislature to have the community involved before decisions are made about the use of surplus property….” The code goes on to say this is to assure the new use is “compatible with the community’s needs and wishes.” "Malcolm, who does not live in the district, was a former port commissioner who was forced to step down because of conflict-of-interest issues in 2002." Yes, why would John McCann pick someone from outside the community (district)? In the absence of a logical answer, one must then assume the illogical. What's in it for John McCann?— March 16, 2014 7:24 p.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
I needed a laugh today. That was a hoot!— March 16, 2014 5:22 p.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
anniej writes "Let us focus on the word 'FINALLY' - and so I ask "where has she and all of her fellow politicians been for the past many years (at least 5 by my count) while the community has been begging for help, have been fighting the battle as a grass roots effort? How many millions have been wasted or possibly misspent at the hands of the elected officials and superintendent of Sweetwater? annie, annie, annie! That was then, and this is now... campaign season. During campaign season all of the community's problems are brought into the mix by the various candidates as "campaign promises." Each candidate will act SHOCKED at all the shenanigans in SUHSD and make vague promises and pay lip-service to cleaning up the mess... kinda like John McCann did in my backyard to a group of concerned citizens regarding Jesus Gandara. However, just like has happened with John McCan't, after they are elected, all those pesky issues become something for someone else to deal with. These newly elected "officials" will have more important things to do... like post old campaign signs on City property, make howdy-doodie speeches at every graduation, and walk out of board meetings to chase down a two-bit sign. Come on annie, you know I speak truth!— March 16, 2014 5:20 p.m.