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Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
I would assume that a student still in high school wouldn't be enrolled for a full semester of classes (12-16 units). I think they would only sign up for 1-2 classes. Hmmmm...lets see, according to their website, undergraduate classes are $620. PER UNIT. Yeah, I think those classes at SWC are looking so much better. Tell me again, why would students take the Alliant route? We are raising smarter students, aren't we?— May 16, 2013 7:27 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
Good Afternoon, timtim. Welcome back, though I thought you vowed never to return. I believe you are mistaken. Lopez, while she does have those 19 counts, does not have extortion. (That's just Quinones and Ricasa.)— May 15, 2013 3:07 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
So, the "agreement" that the Board was to be approving was a combination "Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a Letter of Intent"? Is that what Cartmill said? If that is the case, then why wasn't this assigned to the Closed Meeting? I don't know. All that talk regarding indemnification and the need for facilities, whether new or refurbished, and such seems much to detailed, being several pages long, to be a letter of intent/ non-disclosure agreement. Seems too convenient that they can't disclose the details, yet they can discuss details right out there in public view. And that "we're at the beginning of the dance" speech; yeah. When you are talking about this much detail in your "letter of intent", and have already discussed district teachers as part of the staff, and a location already picked out, and scholarships (discounts) to be offered, you are NOT at the beginning of the dance. And the talk of "soft costs" vs "hard costs"...I don't care. I want to know ALL of the cost up front.— May 14, 2013 4:23 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
Same for my son. He and a friend took a 4-unit course over at Grossmont College, and they paid $15 for the course. (At the time, it would have cost me about $104)— May 13, 2013 1:19 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
I honestly don't mind another avenue of education for our students. But for this to have already been pushed through before the board has voted on it is the wrong way to do this. (Gee, this appears to the district specialty.) However, looking at the agenda item, it shows that the financial impact to the district is "No direct impact." Yet, it talks about labor involved by district staff and legal fees during the initial set-up. Also stated are longer term impact in terms of utilities, custodial services, etc. and to "offset" this, Alliant will send over student scholarships? I'm sorry, that's comparing apples and oranges. As a taxpayer I want more details than that. What is the value of this space we are granting them the use of? How many and how much in scholarships are they giving in return? And if our students are smarter than the average bear, and they decide not to partake from this picnic basket, what is the district compensation from Alliant? Of course, we still have our agreements with Southwestern, and I know some students have gotten courses at City College as well. Why are we not stepping up and allowing them to use our facilities as a satellite location? But knowing our board, they'll vote on this with no information.— May 13, 2013 12:28 p.m.
Another Sweetwater board meeting mired in disagreement
I do note from the audio of the meeting that there were only members of the public that asked to speak up about this agenda item. I notice that whenever board members do not ask about an item, most of them typically vote in favor of the item. Particularly when the item has the superintendents recommendation. If not for public intervention, would they have passed this item without really looking at it, throwing the BOC into disarray? Would that have been legal? Or would someone have stated that, while it is recommended that the BOC have an odd number of members, it could operate for a period of time with no issue, respectively submitted.— April 20, 2013 8:46 p.m.
Another Sweetwater board meeting mired in disagreement
I am very rarely able to attend the board meetings, as I am active with my kids in their school activities, so I am glad to be able to hear the audio recordings. I am also glad that a video of this portion of the meeting was posted. Ricasa talks of respect, and in watching the video, I can see Brand "fiddling" with the cards for a portion of the time. When he is not handling the cards, he is sitting back, looking off away from whomever is speaking. I do see him occasionally glancing over in their direction, but for the most part, his body language is showing disdain for the discussion. I do see, at least on the video for the portion of the public speaking, Cartmill and Ricasa sitting up and facing the speakers. However, regarding the Respect on the dais, when Lopez is speaking, Ricasa is looking at what appears to be her computer. So it seems that she asks, nay, DEMANDS, respect, yet does not give it. I understand why they could not discuss appointing Mr. Clapper to the BOC, as that bypass the "process" that is set in place. As the board agenda item does not include his applying for the BOC, they can not legally take action. However, "regarding the selection process, “We decided among ourselves to leave it up to district leadership,” and gestured toward Brand." (Ricasa) vs. "fill the vacancies through an identifiable, pre-determined, non-interference by the superintendent or this board" What is this process? I assume Human Resources receives and screens applicants. Apparently the BOC gets to review candidates as well, and rates them. Brand gets to interview them as well? What else is on his action list regarding the process? Does he get to veto them before submitting names to the board? So, am I correct in assuming the "District Leadership" places the agenda item? If so, leaving it to the district leadership wasted 20 minutes of everybody's time by only submitting one name to the board for approval. And the board chastises the one and only member who questions this?— April 19, 2013 1:45 p.m.
Sweetwater school district cuts program and teachers
Reminds me of an old Lawyer joke: The lawyer explained to the client his scale of prices: "I charge five dollars for advising you as to just what the law permits you to do. For giving you advice as to the way you can safely do what the law forbids, my minimum fee is one hundred dollars."— March 14, 2013 11:26 a.m.
New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past
"My god if Ed Brand solved world hunger these malcontents would still complain about something..." Well, yeah. We're not paying him to solve world hunger. He is supposed to be in charge of the education of the students in our district. The 7th-12th graders, not pre-school, not college...our middle/high schools. Yes, we want to think about college-bound students and getting them ready, but once they graduate, we need to remain focused on the remaining 7th-12th students.— February 6, 2013 11:14 a.m.
New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past
Wow, that is an interesting history. WTF, yes, Brand is the "chosen" representative of our Board. But, so was Gandara. That doesn't mean he is the best for the job. Due to the efforts of several, including the "vocal few" you mention, we "dealt with it." I believe this is also part of the democratic process. This situation reminds me of an accountant joke, where during the interview process the applicant is asked how much 2+2 is. After making sure that nobody was around, he leans over and asks, "How much do you want it to be?" With the hiring of somebody with this particular history, it leaves much to the imagination of potential interactions with this administration.— February 6, 2013 8:14 a.m.