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Quinones, Ricasa, Cartmill, Cabello weigh pleas vs. fighting
Sandoval WAS with the Sweetwater end of the mess...He was on the SUHSD board from about 1990....instrumental in the firing of John Rindone and all that happened after that. He was, as was Ricasa, also employed at Southwestern. He was a VP there, and served for a short while as interim Pres. and then as VP again until the 'unfortunate' harassment incident. Don't think he ran Hernandez campaign for the SWC board in 2010, but always a mutual support. Sandoval, like Ricasa and Gandara, has 29 felony counts in the indictment... the most of them. He may be one of the 'big fish' in the indictments. He is now a VP at a community college in the inland empire.— March 24, 2014 7:40 p.m.
Quinones, Ricasa, Cartmill, Cabello weigh pleas vs. fighting
I'd check out the owner/publisher of the publication and see just how he/she might be connected to Brand et al. You are certainly correct in that $23K is a lot of money to reach such a small audience.— March 24, 2014 3:53 p.m.
Rankled by Sweetwater district meeting cancellation
LIghtSaber....according to the State School Board Association, when there are less than a majority of board members (the number necessary for a simple quorum) the County Board of Education is required to appoint members of that Board to serve and conduct the District's business until an election can be held to fill the vacancies. Until that time (when the remaining shoes drop...Cartmill and Lopez) the existing board has a simple quorum...just not one entirely to Brand's liking.— March 21, 2014 9:02 a.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
Thanks bbq -- the Southwestern Sun, student paper, article reports on a 'poll' taken regarding Ricasa's suitability to retain her position at SWC. it does not elaborate on the poll itself, although it may be reporting the unscientific 'poll' the Chula Vista Star News sometimes posts on current issues. That said, what folks think is appropriate treatment for Ms. Ricasa's employment and what the College has legal standing to do are two different things. Given that our judge Espana allowed her to plead down to a misdemeanor, there isn't much there upon which to base dismissal from her College position. However, the exhibits in the Grand Jury investigation leading to the indictments do show that Ricasa used College equipment (fax and email) to conduct political business, which is strictly prohibited for all College employees per District policy. That may be the only 'hook' the District has with which to consider dismissal. Unfortunately, being a poor role model for students is not actionable as far as I know --- even for academic administrators such as Ms. Ricasa.— March 13, 2014 11:12 a.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
Vigilantin CV.... Shirley Horton lists her occupation with the registrar of voters as 'development director'. I believe she makes well in excess of $100,000 with the SBCS. If she is elected to the Board of Equalization, she will be paid $131,250 (per website)...will she be allowed both jobs at the same time? Certainly the Board of Equalization is an easier job than mayor, and likely easier to obtain. Erupting....it seems McCann continues to be a basket case. I think Rindone's strategy is to let others take Brand out and not get in the mix...he was silent about the entire SUHSD mess, even when community members begged the County Office of Ed to do something, during his tenure on that board. Pearl has no reason to dig in....the writing is on the wall for her,(what happened to Ricasa). It appears she will continue to take the easiest road to the finish line. Poor Pearl!— March 12, 2014 11:45 a.m.
Chula Vista candidates declare intent to run June 3
anniej hits the nail on the head. Rindone was AWOL in his term on the County Board of Ed...was it 8 years? Talk about fiddling while Rome (Sweetwater) burned. That position is supposed to represent the South County on the County Board!— March 10, 2014 9:03 p.m.
Sweetwater district meeting marked by chaos
Completely agree with BBQ about Cox. I do not believe Cheryl Cox has any background in secondary education. Further, she has had ample time to use her current bully pulpit as Mayor to help bring sunshine on the perfidy at Sweetwater, but has not uttered a peep until now....one must wonder why! All the reasons she just now cited for her sudden concern about the state of the District were valid when the DA's investigation began, when the indictments came down, etc.etc. if not before when there was plenty of discussion about the corruption. How long have so many district schools been on 'improvement' needed status? For several years as I recall, and NOW she wakes up and NOW she has concerns about the ramifications of the SUHSD disintegration on our city's quality of life? Too little, too late me thinks!— February 28, 2014 10:40 a.m.
Sweetwater district meeting marked by chaos
It comes from Ed's version of reality which is somewhere in outer space! The Southwestern College stadium is a public facility, and available for use for modest charges. It is used regularly by Bonita Vista High School for graduations. I think it seats more than 10,000, and parking is ample.— February 20, 2014 11:20 a.m.
Sweetwater district meeting marked by chaos
Thanks anniej...but you DO have the opportunity, by passing out information about the mess, to enlist others in the effort to right the ship! My point is that if you are going to go to the effort to raise awareness, give the folks some tools to use to help make it better. You'll not be telling them what to do, you will be helping them find the pathways to do so. They ultimately will make their own decisions, but better informed individuals are better citizens. I think you can suggest that they attend the board meetings (put the dates and times on the card, or include the board docs e-address); you can suggest that they become more informed about upcoming board vacancies (how would they do that?)....just making someone 'aware' of some failure will likely not take root unless they have some ideas about how to proceed when the opportunities come.— February 19, 2014 3:55 p.m.
Sweetwater district meeting marked by chaos
Anniej - I realize you are mad as hell, we all are. If you are aiming to raise an 'angry army' you need to be prepared to tell them what you want them to do once they get angry too. People are busy and have limited adrenalin for causes, as worthy as they may be. You might want to consider including some contact info that people can use to sign up to receive more info, or refer them to the Reader stories and blogs, until we know exactly how many seats will be open in November and which, if any, will be newly-created designated area seats. It is important to include a 'call to action' in any effort to get the public rallied about the perfidy at SUHSD...otherwise, the effort is largely wasted. You might want to start with the word CORRUPTION within a red circle and a slash mark though it. HAD ENOUGH CORPUTION AT SWEETWATER DISTRICT? JOIN THE EFFORT TO RESTORE OUR SCHOOLS TO HONEST LEADERSHIP. YOU CAN HELP STOP THE CROOKS WHO ARE NOW IN CHARGE OF OUR SCHOOLS. List an email or phone number where folks can 'join' the cause. You can use the other side of the card/flyer to have bullet points with some of the most egregious issues...begin with the missing $$$; the indictments; etc.etc.— February 19, 2014 3:29 p.m.