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Castle Park Middle School principal punches back!!
Anniej.... you might want to consider including some contact info that people can use to sign up to receive more information when 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 inform the public 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 through it. HAD ENOUGH CORRUPTION AT SWEETWATER DISTRICT? JOIN US TO RESTORE OUR SCHOOLS TO PARENTS AND TAXPAYERS. HELP STOP THE SELF-SERVING CROOKS WHO ARE NOW IN CHARGE OF OUR SCHOOLS. list an email address or a phone number where folks can 'join' the cause. You can use the other side of the card/flyer to have bullet points to enumerate the issues...I would begin with the missing $$; the indictments; etc. etc. etc.— February 19, 2014 10:29 a.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
Please don't give McCann any ideas about running for any public office that might provide him with an opportunity to help himself to our money. Besides, we need the mosquito abatement board to do their job, otherwise we end up with malaria and west nile stuff. I am certain the nice salary that cv councilmembers receive is what is of interest to McCann. He needs to get a real job somewhere in order to properly support Mrs. MC and the four little McCs.— February 17, 2014 6:10 p.m.
Castle Park Middle School principal punches back!!
Susan - I absolutely agree with your analysis. It is ironic, isn't it, that those who this article exposes for their attempts to manipulate the message about revelations of highly irregular District efforts for self-dealing now holler that they have been attacked when it is THEY who launched serious attacks on public resources and processes. They cannot hide behind their emails. Even Ms. Galleher cannot be holier than everyone else thus exposed, along with Bleisch and Co.— February 16, 2014 10:55 a.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
Totally agree with you BBQ. I appreciate your emphasis on pre-election review, term limits, etc. and setting higher standards and responsibilities for those elected to these most important public posts. Yes, there are many areas of criteria for board membership needing reform. Thanks!— February 11, 2014 3:11 p.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
BBQ - I used Cartmill only as an example of a current trustee selected by the 'at large' method. I certainly agree that NONE of the current board or upper staff give a tinker's dame about any school in the district. Clearly, they are only in this gig for themselves. One's residence, for good or bad, is the basis for all voter registration, and reflects the philosophy that where one lives is where one has roots. It is the basis for legal 'standing' for voting. While you may or may not agree with that premise, it is the foundation of our democratic way of electing representation. (exceptions being U.S. Senate and the election of the US President via the electoral college, which indirectly is based on individual election of the electors.) I believe that the current trend to area representation is a reflection of the perception of disenfranchisement of neighborhoods with less affluent populations that are not able to stage a district -wide campaign. Presumably, candidates from the less-affluent districts will have a better chance at winning a less-costly election. When challenged about district-wide vs. area elections, the courts have held for the latter. I also agree that elected officials have a responsibility to not only represent the area from which they are elected, but also to assume responsibility for the well being of the whole enterprise. That is where the 'horse trading' and negotiation comes into play as well. I do not believe that where someone lives, or doesn't live, is an 'a priori' indication of their fitness for service. However, I do believe that a change to area voting might give us at least an opportunity to vet candidates for their 'ability and ethics' and commitment to the public good at least as much as is currently the case. I also hope that it will make the elections for everyone less costly and the affinity for 'pay to play' and other forms of financial influence less likely. I would like to see a return to the elections of the not-to-distant past where candidates announced for office, had volunteers who walked precincts, held neighborhood coffees to meet the voters and had little, if any, reliance on expensive political consultants and slick mailers. Perhaps that is not entirely possible, but at least area elections would reduce the scope of the expense and make it more of a level playing field. We have experienced the worst that at-large elections have wrought - I say it's time to change it up.— February 11, 2014 2:26 p.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
Visduh - I think the CBOE will do only as much as it is legally required to do. Hence, they are holding the public meetings required when they receive a petition to have the district move to area representation. They did put on a nice show, and treated folks nicer than they have been treated by anyone on the dais for a long time. The proof will be in the pudding when the financials may be required ( not for this process but if the unification movement takes root) and there I suspect there will be foot dragging and deflections and resistance from CBOE staff. I have worked in educational agencies with, and without area seats. While I agree with some of your concerns, I do believe that the closer to the voters the representative is, the more likely the elected official is to be responsive. (Does Cartmill seem to care about conditions at Southwest High School or Montgomery Middle? ) They are held more accountable for the conditions in the area they represent and their stakeholders know who they are and how to communicate with them at the local level. With regard to the quality of those who will choose to stand for election in the future, I'm not so sure the current crop of trustees who have been elected 'at large' are poster children for quality trustees. Perhaps it is time for the change we have all been waiting for.— February 11, 2014 1:17 p.m.
Castle Park Middle School principal punches back!!
jeopublic is right on the money! Bleisch exposes his arrogance and abuse of power style when he asks to have the employee sanctioned by removal. Where is the due process that any public employee should have? Apparently, according to Bleisch and his ilk, teachers have none. Sad for Mr Bleisch, but administrators are 'at will' and can be summarily moved! Wonder how he feels about that?— February 11, 2014 1:02 p.m.
Castle Park Middle School principal punches back!!
You are absolutely correct Susan. Most public agencies, such as the SUHSD, inform their employees and have a policy that says to the effect: there is no expectation of privacy on the (district's) electronic systems. Not only can emails be read through a Public Records Request that ANY INTERESTED PARTY can file, but they are also subject to subpoena. You might as well post your emails on the school marquees for all the privacy rights you have. Susan is absolutely correct that she is doing the public a service by acquiring and publishing public employees' emails....we do have a right to know how OUR BUSINESS is being conducted. You public employees are OUR employees, we pay your salaries and pay the overhead. I suggest you understand the rules and play by them, and do not expect your 'privacy' when we are paying you to do your job.— February 11, 2014 11:45 a.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
Not sure Ed's Cavalry is in full retreat at this point, but if the Charter school is 'on hold' it may go to back-burner status, much as Alliant. This is what happens when he gets push back publicity. It is likely that Susan Luzzaro's article that outted Bleisch's email complicity in the rash of unpleasant email postings has raised some hackles and Ed's need to close ranks and regroup. It also may be that with the appearance of the CBOE he finds it necessary to tone down the extravagant plans. Am guessing he will still pursue the big, fancy and expensive new District facility in Eastlake. Good work Susan and all CAVE people!— February 10, 2014 12:47 p.m.
County board of education occupies Sweetwater
Finally, an acknowledgment from the County Board of Education that SUHSD needs their attention! Although it took a petition to get them to actually focus, it is one small step forward. I am also heartened to read that the members of the CBOE actually treated the members of the SUHSD PUBLIC who came to provide public testimony with respect instead of the derision they have come to expect from Ed and the current SUHSD board members. If the election by district moves forward or doesn't, this acknowledgment goes a long way towards reclaiming the District by those it is supposed to serve. One caveat however....keep an eye on Laura D...she and Ed are reported to go way back and she holds her fingers on the fiscal/audit resources at the COE.— February 9, 2014 4:36 p.m.