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Donna Frye asks Sweetwater school board to make information available to the public
Ed Brand does what he wants when he wants, and Jim Cartmill sits on the side lines blessing Brand's every move. For Ed Brand to snub his nose at Ms. Frye is a clear indicator of just how OUT OF CONTROL Brand is. Ms. Frye was most peasant when she offered to counsel Brand and the Board on the importance of The Brown Act - little did Frye realize that Brand does not take kindly to ANYONE commenting on how he runs SUHSD. Can February hurry up and get here so we can say good-bye to the total dysfunction and poor fiscal management of Ed Brand, Jim Cartmill and John McCann. With every story McCann's hopes for higher office fade, he will forever be known as the guy who promised much and delivered nothing. When Brand is finally ushered out of town Jim Cartmill and John McCann will be left to walk amongst us and forced to answer WHY???? Cartmill and McCann, have let soooo many down.— October 19, 2013 8:07 p.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
30 million for a new district office 22 million for more IPADS Folks that is 52 million - yet The educators are now being expected to help pay for these expenses via no raises and increased benefit expenses. How in the world can these board members sit there and face the very persons they depend on to prepare, educationally our children for their future career lives, knowing they are via their votes pillaging each and everyone of them?— October 18, 2013 3:55 p.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
bvagency - keep an eye on those Mello taxes, 20 million more on IPADS? Where are they getting the money? New District office? Where are they getting the money? I see that 3% reserve dwindling down, down, down - 'how low can we go'? - this is not the game Limbo - this is our students educational future we are spending down to nothing.— October 18, 2013 9:34 a.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
TeacherLauren - if you took my comments as an admonishment you are wrong. It was a simple question, hoping to get the attention of all - united we stand divided we fall. Before I get into the meat and potatoes of my comment allow me to state for the record. I KNOW THE WORKING CONDITIONS YOU ALL ENDURE, I KNOW HOW LITTLE RESPECT YOU RECEIVE FROM THE SUPER AND MAJORITY OF THE BOARD. I KNOW HOW VALUABLE YOU ARE TO EACH AND EVERY STUDENT IN OUR DISTRICT I KNOW WHEN YOU RECEIVED YOUR LAST RAISES I KNOW THAT YOU ALL PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR CREDENTIALLING. AND,,,,,, I KNOW WHEN YOU NEEDED OUR SUPPORT WE WERE THERE THEN AND WE WILL BE THERE AGAIN however, In the past 4+ years as I and others have stood for quality education AND teachers, each and every month. I have seen large turnouts by teachers only when it affected salaries and/or benefits. The board meetings are one night a month. TeacherLauren, we too have lives, we too have responsibilities - yet we show up because we believe the students and you teachers deserve it. In the past 4 + years when the community, teachers, and other employees have turned out in mass we were as a UNIFIED group able to accomplish much. i.e. the San Ysidro meeting - 'the gandara' was relieved of his position. The Hilltop meeting - we are not paying for the defenses of the board members. I would ask where were the teachers when the boundaries were opened? I would ask where were the teachers when an Eastlake parents boss was called in an attempt to shut her up? Where were the teachers when bus transportation was cut? Where were the teachers when Ed Brand walked out? Surely these examples and so many more were important issues, and yet only the few same teachers, librarians and bus driver were there. If you know me then you know I am opinionated, I have earned the right to be that way. Am I always right? Far from it. But know that I know IF teachers and other employees would consistently take a stand for board and superintendent leadership you all, no WE ALL just might not be in the situation we are in. Having said all of that, please know I respect your opinion, but stand by mine. We will, as they say, have to agree to disagree.— October 17, 2013 6:46 p.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
Bvagency - that is a whole lot of missing/unaccounted for greenbacks you are referring to. Hopefully you are looking for legal representation, your Mello dollars, contrary to Brand's philosophy these taxes are not HIS to be used to allegedly keep the District afloat - they are there for the best interests of those paying Mello. This issue and others are getting ready to get some major attention - too bad for board president Jim Cartmill and fiscal conservative pretender John McCann. There is no hiding from what is getting ready to come down. So,,,,,,,, can you Mello folks take ownership of the alleged new office building Ed Brand, John McCann and Jim Cartmill are planning to buy with your Mello monies? WARNING......... Last time Ed Brand and Jim Cartmill bought property that costs millions they turned it over to a third party, Plan Nine Partners - and, wooch the money, the land, and property was gone!— October 17, 2013 4:56 p.m.
County funds new access point to Otay Valley Regional Park
Dennis, part of the park is in San Diego, perhaps that is why Gloria was there. These trails wind thru Chula, San Diego, Imperial Beach and Coronado. I would like to THANK Mr. Cox for his efforts on this project. He and many others have worked long and hard to bring a beautiful FREE park to any and all who wish to enjoy. Trails one can walk, jog or ride a bike on - young children experiencing a rabbit scampering across the trails, or watching as the three long time red hawk tenants soar above. I encourage all interested to give it a try. Does it matter that Mrs. is married to Mr. Cox - that would be a resounding NO. Taxpayers are interested in results, and Mr. Cox has delivered - that about sums it up. Except for one final point, my husband has often walked and ridden bikes on those trails with our grandchildren, creating life long cherished memories, what a gift!!!!— October 17, 2013 3:20 p.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
keepingitreal - I personally witnessed the union pres of the past three years stand up for what is right. Yet, when he turned to walk back to his seat how many teachers were there supporting him - few, very few. The issue of saving bad teachers jobs, I AGREE, that is change number one that needs to happen in order to gain full support of all.— October 17, 2013 1:21 p.m.
Teachers for Sweetwater district face insurance cost hike
Ed Brand needs money in a bad way.. It has long been said by John McCann, alleged union hater (until he needs their political contributions) that teachers salaries and benefits are the most costly district expense. Mr. McCann fails to realize the simple fact that SUHSD is an educational entity and that THE TEACHERS ARE DOING THE EDUCATING!!!!!!!!!!! Folks remember his words next time he runs for office, ANY office! Easy for McCann and Brand to talk of tightening the straps on expenses, yet when McCann 'wanted' an attorney to file a restraining order against a well respected activist the SUHSD cash register drawer was opened to fund the request. When Ed Brand, without cause and with malicious intent hired a PI to investigate Cheers he too went the SUHSD cash register drawer and cha ching, cha ching spent our tax dollars. Cheers, yet another Brand wants to silence. Property, they have money to look for property for a new district office yet no money to compensate those charged with educating the future leaders of the world. Fortunately Arlie Ricasa stood her ground and voted NO on spending tax dollars for more property. She remembers the mess Brand got us into on L Street. What major expenditure is waiting in the wings to use the savings garnered off the backs of the teachers, one can only imagine. GASB funds, the approximately 8 million that 'the gandara' BORROWED and stated in written form that he would pay back. GASB, the fund for retired teachers benefits. Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the district under Brand did not honor that promise and the monies have never been paid back. Now good old Ed Brand will tell you 'legally' we don't have to - and he is right. HOWEVER!!!!!!!! Since this 'borrowing' is now affecting the cost one might be able to make the case - if you hadn't borrowed it it would still be there to be used. HMMMMM And what of the rumor that other monies affecting this issue have been mishandled? For the record, I too agree SEA needs to garner up the support of ALL unions - I thought that was why unions referred to themselves as 'brothers'. What the hell are you paying union dues for? What is California Union leadership waiting for?????????????? Sorry to end this on a sour note, however,,,,,,, I have no doubt that the teachers will be out in mass this Monday - but let me ask you WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THE PAST MONDAYS????????? (Not directed to the few teachers, librarians, bus drivers and others who have chosen to attend)— October 17, 2013 1:16 p.m.
Alliant University's San Diego campus could be sold
Don Bauder - yes, Ms. Luzzaro has done an outstanding job covering this story and many others that are important to the communities of the South Bay. True journalist, she is a master!!! My question, not meant for you to answer; but was posed to the taxpayers. Thanks for the story by the way, you taking the time to comment is quite unique - really opens up the communication.— October 17, 2013 9:18 a.m.
Alliant University's San Diego campus could be sold
Don Bauder - Alliant for sale, and who was there to help promote the future sale with the added entity of a satellite campus at the Natl City Adult School and the large demographic of unsuspecting, trusting student/parents of the South Bay? None other than 'lets make a deal' Ed Brand. I have no doubt there was/is financial gain for Brand. Alas, his con game was headed off at the pass by an astute National City Planning Commission and those troublesome antagonists, More and more are asking the question where is Jim Cartmill? Where is John McCann? Why are they protecting Brand?????— October 16, 2013 8:44 p.m.