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Sweetwater's Bond Oversight Committee Calls Special Meeting
Jm and Annie, I can assure you that will not happen with this committee, no matter how hard the district tries. A principal will not serve, it is prohibited under Prop 39, and I guarantee you it will be fought vigorously if the district tries. You may have noticed the make up of the committee has become much more independent, as has the tone and approach. This has been in response to the Districts decisions and dealings with this committe. Stayed tuned as I really like the make up and approach of the committee!— August 9, 2012 8:08 p.m.
Sweetwater School District Kids Face Bus Cuts
Anniej, very well put. I don't disagree with you one bit. I am very familiar with your passion on this issue. With that being said, most folks won't get involved until they are directly impacted. The rest is just politics, which most people despise. So, open boundaries and an increase by 2% in our mello roos tax are now directly affecting most current students in the eastern part of the district. Now these families are being directly impacted. Now there is a reason to get involved, and during this process all of the other stuff will be seen. Let's just hope it's enough to outrage them as it has some of us.— August 9, 2012 12:07 p.m.
Sweetwater School District Kids Face Bus Cuts
Anniej you are right on point. I know San Ysidro High is still scrambling to find teachers for classes, students in the cafeteria during 4th period with no class or teacher, their bus situation and starting time and traffic a mess. Our kids in Eastlake with some similar issues, extremely crowded lunch lines, not enough food, not enough time to use the restroom during breaks, some lockers with no doors, traffic a mess, mello Roos increased by 2%. I'm curious to hear from parents at other schools.— August 8, 2012 5:54 p.m.
Sweetwater School District Kids Face Bus Cuts
Susan call me if you like. Can update you on a few fronts. We've spoken before.— August 8, 2012 2:50 p.m.
Sweetwater School District Kids Face Bus Cuts
Susan thanks for reminding about the Districts deal with the SD County Board of Ed. If I recall, they were borrowing money from the County and not having to pay it back for many years - eerily similar to the VOSD story. CBOC needs to look into the details of that deal. Transportation is certainly an important issue, but we also need to look at the Districts 'open boundary' decision and how that is impacting transportation, school services, traffic, etc. it appears no planning or studies done before this decision was made - sound familiar? Also, you gotta listen to the tape on Board Docs on the decision to increase the mello Roos tax by 2%. One question asked by Lopez (it appears she didn't understand what mello Roos where), a very vague answer by Brand. No discussion or questions by other trustees. And just like that, 26% of residents within the district get hit for an additional 2% tax. For what? Well according to district senior leadership, at least part of that will go to operating costs cause they can't borrow from PropO!!— August 8, 2012 10:52 a.m.
Sweetwater School District Kids Face Bus Cuts
Susan if you could please look into the open boundaries decision made by Dr. Brand. This has not only impacted the transportation issue as you report, but is causing massive overcrowding at numerous schools. It appears no impact studies were done, no assessments of how traffic, safety, class size, food services, transportation, etc would be affected. Also, many residents are not aware that the Board elected to increase the mello Roos tax by 2% in all CFDs. These are the same mello Roos that dr. Brand has publicly said he will use to pay for district operating expenses, which is contrary to what the law says they can be used for. There are a large block of parents upset about this issue that are banding together and will likely be addressing the district. Let me know if you would like more info on this.— August 7, 2012 7:26 a.m.
Public Input Stifled at Sweetwater's Board Meeting
Is there any new information on the special meeting Board President Quinones promised at last weeks community meeting at the CV Library? She was so confident in telling the crowd she would call it for this week so the transportation problem could be discussed. A few of us figured she would not get it done and it appears it won't happen. Rumor has it that 3 of the Trustees and Dr. Brand would not agree to it. I didn't realize the Board needed to approve a special board meeting - thought the president had that authority. Also did not realize the Supe had any say in that - if it's true.— July 31, 2012 10:12 p.m.
Public Input Stifled at Sweetwater's Board Meeting
The open boundary issue decided upon upon by Dr. Brand is a real problem. A group of us Eastlake parents met this last Saturday as we are very upset over this decision and the overcrowding it has caused at Eastlake High. We had parents from Otay Ranch and Bonita Vista as well and apparently the same problem exists there also. The district has spent over $250 million on construction on 11 schools on the West end of the district, but this open boundary decision sends the message to those communities that the district does not care! this is just another example of decisions made by district leadership without any planning, budgeting, impact studies, etc. Just like the IPads and the district charter school. Unfortunately, Dr. Brand apparently did not think of the unintended consequences - overcrowded classrooms (standing room only in some, my sons classes included), not enough time or food at lunch, overcrowded halls, overcrowded bathrooms (girls have to wait in line and many can't use restroom during breaks or lunch), horrific traffic, overwhelmed teachers and staff, dilapidated facilities (many lockers for pe don't have doors), and on and on. Or, he just does not care. He should spend a day at Eastlake High to see for himself.— July 29, 2012 10:07 p.m.