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School officials Gandara and Sandoval plead guilty
One has only to look at the face of Prosecutor Schorr to realize he is NOT A HAPPY CAMPER. Too expensive to prosecute? The City can not afford it. Oh, well then, what the hell let the flood gates open - come one, come all our taxpaying pockets are here ready to be picked. The Judges perspective (based on her comments) 'they are only guilty of not filling out the right forms, no one was hurt' - REALITY CHECK - those contractors, you know the ones that wined and dined this corrupt bunch - you don't think they got their money back in their 'change orders' - give me a freakin' break. EACH AND EVERY DOLLAR THAT WAS WASTED, MISSPENT, OVERCHARGED COULD HAVE GONE TOWARDS UPGRADED CLASSROOMS ON MUCH NEEDED CAMPUSES LIKE BONITA HIGH AND MIDDLE AS WELL AS THE EASTLAKE CAMPUSES. THE DEAL folks, it's all about the deal! All of these politicians who failed to help by speaking even one sentence of outrage, the Judge who has failed our students, TIME FOR THEM ALL TO GO!— April 11, 2014 9:01 a.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
Bvasvasva - John Brickley - two people I respect greatly. Two educated, successful people who have different opinions - two people who continue to work to bring about positive change for OUR STUDENTS. TWO PEOPLE WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD TO CALL NEIGHBOR. Regarding the 'testing' issue, I too believe Bbasvasva we can not sugar coat life, however I do not believe that teaching to 'the test' or students being barraged with one State/Federal test after another equates to education. Testing is part of education, I get that and agree it is a necessity. However, when it takes the place of innovative thinking, individual teaching methods, and interesting styles - that is where I draw the line. My Grandson who is an excellent student and avid reader (has read over 1,000 books) finds little value in one test after another. As Mr. Brickley stated not all students are college bound. Lesser the students? NO! Vocational Education is a much needed choice for young adults. We need trades being taught in our schools. We have high schools that offer a variety of options, why not a High School that incorporates Voc Ed? Woodshop, Auto Shop, Electrical, Plumbing, Masonary all offered in one location where like minded future tradesmen and women can celebrate their uniqueness. I am not as educated as I should be on Common Core, perhaps due to the fact I have been entrenched in anti corruption and the fiduciary irresponsibility of the SUHSD. I have spoken to several 'new, young, motivated, excited' teachers I know very well and they are celebrating Common Core. My primary concern is the fact that to expect students to alter their learning processes late in their educational life may very well have devastating effects. That is why I don't believe it should be rolled out in the Middle and High School years. I am hearing from ALL teachers I have spoken to in the SUHSD that they have NOT seen the educating of themselves on Common Core that Sweetwater should have provided. So I will end the conversation with the question: WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT MONEY?????— April 11, 2014 8:35 a.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
question - why do we as a nation continue to vote in and recycle more of the same?— April 10, 2014 9:39 p.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
eastlaker - you have my vote!!!!!!!— April 10, 2014 9:37 p.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
Ms. Luzzaro - I read the link - it appears 'old school' is not such a bad thing.— April 10, 2014 11:21 a.m.
Standardized tests shunned by South Bay parents
Teaching to the test, that is what our students are learning. There is little creativity, little interest being taught because it has become all about learning 'data '. BORING Back in my day, long long ago we were not taught to the test. We were engaged, we were involved, there was discussion, interesting learning. I applaud Ms. Rodriguez for opting out, she is doing what is best for her children. The beaurocrats obviously know nothing of the Rodriguez children's individual needs. I am predicting doom and gloom for the Common Core curriculum for the majority of students in Middle and High School grades, as well as those elementary grade students who do not have the educational foundation of Common Core. Common Core should be 'tested' for a 12 year period, offered as an option beginning in kindergarten. States, school districts jumping on the band wagon of Common Core - why of course - it is all about the millions of greenbacks - money, money money. The question is how many of those greenbacks will the students and teachers realize?— April 10, 2014 9:17 a.m.
School officials Gandara and Sandoval plead guilty
Puff piece - Advertisement - Advertorial - Propoganda It matters to me little what it is called, what matters is this - a reported 20k + of my tax dollars that should have been spent in the classroom was spent on bs.— April 9, 2014 3:09 p.m.
School officials Gandara and Sandoval plead guilty
It appears John McCann, Jim Cartmill and Ed Brand are running this District WITHOUT any public oversight. A magazine on the east side called Hometown is running a SUHSD ad. This is very troubling as that expenditure was an agenda item for both of the previously 'adjourned' and 'cancelled' Board meeting. So, WHY HAS THIS BEEN DONE? My opinion, this was FREE PR for John McCann and his bid for city council. A conspiracy between John McCann and Brand - with the blessing of Jim Cartmill - all will need to decide for themselves. Perhaps some of us too should out a one page add in that HOMETOWN paper - ours of course would give a different view - we would list the monies he has spent on frivolous legal actions against our neighbors, we would list his votes, we could get info from GOOGLE in reference to the allegation that he steered his car in the direction if a C.V. Council person he was at odds with, documentation that he is NOT endorsed by Chamber of Commerce or Lincoln Club. I am in, anyone else? We need to vet the candidate of our choice who is running for City Council and promote that person if we truly want to bring about change in this City. We need to notify all of the politicians who have recently voiced concerns regarding SUHSD, and ask them to publicly weigh in. Finally let us ponder this question, what other money items have been funded without Board approval? What other pet projects have been funded without our knowledge? I would ask that ALL reading this send an email to each member of the County Boards Board members and bring the HOMETOWN expenditure to their attention, offer this up as proof as to the truth about Ed Brand, Jim Cartmill and John McCann. In closing ask yourselves this question - what is the different between 'the gandara' and Ed Brand - what is the difference between John McCann and Arlie Ricasa? In my opinion NOT A DARN THING!!!!!!!!— April 9, 2014 8:49 a.m.
School officials Gandara and Sandoval plead guilty
I just received a picture that was sent to me. There stands McCann, in several snap shots. But then. I read his campaign mantra - hold onto your hats folks. - this guy is promising to restore ethics to City Hall. I thought that was accomplished when he left the first time? Let us not forget this is the same 'promise' he campaigned on when he sought his Sweetwater Board seat - and what did we get? Fiscal irresponsibility and his voting partnership with felony charged Arlie Ricasa and Jim Cartmill. McCann has not developed a reputation for leadership a a Sweetwater Board member, he is viewed by me and many others as a follower - a silly little man who spends his time practicing the same old two speeches - when I served in the war and his I escaped death while involved in a traffic accident. But ask him what he has done to honor his promise of 2010 regarding restoring ethics to the SUHSD board? He was NOT the one who went to the DA, no, it was Lopez. WHY DIDN'T HE? John McCann, the same school board member who gave 'the gandara' that great termination benefit package. You all remember 'the gandara', yep, the same guy who just stood before a South Bay Judge pleading guilty. In my opinion, John McCann is the worst possible candidate for C.V. Councilman. it appears that the Chamber of Commerce and The Lincoln Club have concerns about his leadership qualities as well - rumor has it, neither endorsed him. The Lincoln Club, WOW, that speaks volumes. He, his signs plastered all over C.V. and his little t-shirt have become the butt of many jokes these days.— April 8, 2014 10:10 p.m.
School officials Gandara and Sandoval plead guilty
CVParent, Eastlaker, oskidoll - as anniej q public I am not required to fill out 700 forms so not sure of just now detailed the reporting must be. Perhaps Ms. Luzzaro might know the answer. I am thinking, based on the value of some of those alleged dinners, they should have been reported. In a District where Board members actually do the work of a Board member they should receive tools to accomplish the task. HOWEVER, when is the last time or perhaps I should ask has there EVER been a time when John McCann or Arlie Ricasa EVER answered a taxpayers email? In five LONG years I do not recall ever receiving an answer to the emails sent in the early years of my SUHSD journey. The IRS, wondering if any of the freebies were forgotten when tax time rolled around. Wondering if any 'imaginary' purchases were alleged on those forms as part of a business expense, hmmmmmmm. Wondering if any 'drop a dime' calls have been made to IRS?— April 8, 2014 7:29 a.m.