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Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
Pancho: Thanks for the link. Mr. Castaneda's comment, "Are we going to fund bureaucracy or are we going to fund programs for our community? And at least three of us decided that we're going to fund programs for the community", should be read back to him, and he should be held accountable for doing just that. Hopefully the protest will hold the council's feet to the fire and assure that the $250,000+ top manager's salary will be spent on hiring people who will give direct service to the community and ideally, those would be workers who were laid off. One fear I have is that they're going try and privatize the whole recreation department; and who knows what would be next? By the way, you're correct. I wasn't aware of your prior involvement in protesting the layoffs of so many employees. Thanks for the background information.— June 28, 2012 12:32 p.m.
Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
Pancho: You write that many are upset about realigning the library and recreation departments. Where was everybody when they laid off the staff that actually provided the recreation department services? By cutting top management positions and saving around a quarter of a million dollars, hopefully the city will now hire them back.— June 26, 2012 12:21 p.m.
Solar Power Company Sues San Ysidro School District
It seems the company should have checked out those roofs before signing the contract. No?— June 20, 2012 8:58 a.m.
Sweetwater Union HS District Board Meeting Skips Public Comment
This school board needs to consult their attorney (who is present at all board meetings) before they take potentially litigious action like they did last Monday evening when they stopped the meeting right before public communications. It seems the Brown Act was violated, and maybe first amendment rights. Isn't this why we, the taxpayers, pay a lawyer to be there?— June 14, 2012 10:02 a.m.
Sweetwater Union High School District Borrowing on Bond Funds?
I want to thank the dedicated members of the community who attend every board meeting and represent the interests of the public.— June 12, 2012 8:03 a.m.
Sweetwater Union High School District Borrowing on Bond Funds?
Mr. Brand: You say, "The reporter did not bother to seek clarification or comment from anyone in the district administration." You've got to be kidding. Mr. Vasquez, who chairs the district's bond oversight committee has been trying for months to get clarification from the district administration to no avail. You also wrote, "We demand that you retract the story and offer an apology..." Question: Who is the WE you refer to? Your consultant firm? Remember, you are INTERIM. In fact, you even call yourself a consultant (I understand that's so you can rake in your retirement as well as ripping the public off for **$20,000 a month.**The Reader has been a consistent source of truth about this corrupt district, and for that the public is grateful. It is you, not this reporter who owes the community an apology and a retraction of your ridiculous comment.— June 12, 2012 8:03 a.m.
Sweetwater teachers criticize too many tests
Managhan's comment that education is generally under-funded is right on, but in my opinion, tying teachers' employment to classroom performance as measured by tests, is wrong. This could be grossly unfair to the teacher. One wouldn't tie a doctor's employment to, let's say, a patient's failed blood pressure test. The patient, for whatever reason, might've ignored their physician's advice to not smoke, eat right, exercise, or take medication as prescibed. Is the doctor blamed? No. In education, the positive connection between parental support and student success is a generally accepted concept highly advised by educators, as is students understanding that academic success and a successful life are connected. Unfortunately, and for whatever reason, many times this advice is ignored. Should teachers be blamed? No. Like all professionals, they should be held to a high standard, but using these tests to measure their performance seems way off base, as well as an incredible waste of money that could be better spent, again as managhan suggests, on smaller class size and richer curriculum for students. Good article! It's nice to hear the opinions of the classrom practitioners.— September 22, 2011 3:34 p.m.
Southwestern College Seeks New Superintendent
Visduh, you’re absolutely right. I would like to add some thoughts. Should Ms Whittaker be allowed in the pool of candidates? I believe she said at the time she was appointed that she wouldn’t seek the permanent post. That was a good idea. It removed any doubts of using the interim job as a stepping stone. Not that she’s done a bad job, but what this college doesn’t need is even the appearance of impropriety in selecting a new president. Also, why is it that every other employee is hired on a temporary basis, subject to dismissal without cause (no buyouts), but the president of the college is automatically protected? This immediate permanent status has proven to be costly to the taxpayers time and time again. Like everyone else, the president should be made to earn their tenure or permanent status and the protection of due process that comes with it.— September 14, 2011 9:20 a.m.