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Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
Perhaps an urgent appeal might be made directly to the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation Board regarding the proposed 'gifting' of the use of the National City Adult School facilities to Alliant, instead of continuing to use the site for its original, intended, and agreed-upon (perhaps also conditionally specified by MTS) purpose. The MTS board might choose to take the land back! National City's Council representative on the MTBoard is Mona Rios. Chula Vista representative is Mary Salas, who might also have some input because SUHSD adult school programs also operate within the City of Chula Vista.— August 8, 2013 11 a.m.
Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
susan et al., Please don't get your hopes up. My understanding is that the Adult Ed funding model is still in Sacramento mode. Although whatever funding that DOES come may be restricted and Ed can't get his grubby hands on it to supplant other District programs, I don't think it will ever approach the prior levels of funding that made the Sweetwater program so robust. I have heard that tentative plans include a county-wide consortium arrangement that would include former adult ed programs, community colleges and our 'friends' at the County Office of Education. The one stipulation I have heard is that in order to be eligible for funding in 2014-215 and to participate in any County programs, Suhsd must maintain the level of adult ed funding expended in12-13 in the 13-14 school year. Ed had already decimated adult ed funding in 12-13. The Adult ed teachers and staff I have known are a committed and dedicated lot, teaching when students are available, often during night sessions! They teach the necessary basic ed skills along with technical and entry-level job training to so many who have no other way to improve their skills and earning power. These are the most vulnerable of our community, and they are the targets of Ed's budget reductions precisely because he views them as expendable and without any power to protest. What a shame! The National City Adult Ed Center, and also the one at San Ysidro were nice, not extravagant, new buildings that signaled belief in these students and their worth. I would suggest that if Alliant is to have use of ANY district property (a bad idea on its face) that they RENT the lesser facilities at the old Chula Vista Adult School and in Montgomery, and not be given the best buildings!— August 7, 2013 3:38 p.m.
Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
Just a thought: If Ed is so adept at getting 'sponsors' for students to go to Alliant, surely he can round up 'sponsors' to underwrite Adult Ed. For example: How about getting folks like Cisco to 'sponsor' the type of Academy jhughed wrote of in a post above? Surely Ed is creative enough to put the arm on such generous folks who by sponsoring just one Adult School Class would benefit 30 times the number of students more than one Alliant student sponsorship would yield. How about it Ed? Or, are your 'sponsors' figments of your imagination? Or will your sponsors only come to the table to receive whatever district resources they have been promised in return. Please do tell!— August 7, 2013 12:28 p.m.
Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
joe public...good catch about the apparent FERPA violation. Student record data is supposed to be private! FERPA is the Federal law. Student record data is not to be divulged without permission. Someone's bad...for sure. And anniej is onto something with regard to South Bay Community Services, which gets lots of OUR TAXPAYER dollar in subsidies, including from the City of Chula Vista! Their executives also get the very big dollar compensation. Why are they trolling SUHSD seniors and juniors about Alliant with protected FERPA information? How much are they being paid to recruit for Alliant? The plot thickens even more. Hmmmmmmmmm— August 6, 2013 9:01 p.m.
Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
I recall that the financing for the National City Adult School may have been accomplished via Certificates of Participation (COP) which are somewhat like bonds. I believe the then new Adult School on the site of the property that was leased from the Transit Authority was constructed in the early 1990s. Anyone remember the financing details? If the finacing was via COPs, we taxpayers are still footing that bill. Perhaps Alliant could pay it off in exchange for their carte blance occupancy?— August 6, 2013 6:59 p.m.
Sweetwater superintendent Ed Brand’s Alliant project hits snag
The plot truly thickens! Ed must be desperate to make this work. I truly wonder what's in it for him and pals, not to mention these good-hearted and generous 'sponsors'. So, now there are 'sponsors' to pay the so-called discounted tuition. Wonder what they are receiving in return? When will the identity of the 'sponsors' be revealed? It is still a shell game, if you ask me, albeit considerably more elaborate than those we have seen from Fast Eddy in the past. One wonders why Alliant just can't set up shop in some vacant property in Eastlake or even on Third Avenue where rents are lower? Although they are non-profit, they are certainly not without the need to break even and pay their execs top dollar? Don't forget that the 'business' of student loans is one that involves banks! Wonder if Ed's banking pals are involved? Again, we need to be reminded that Southwestern College is nearly free for California residents.. Students who qualify for fee waivers pay nothing! They also are eligible for financiaL aid without any strings, and scholarships through the Foundation. Wonder why the Alliant sponsors aren't doing that? Perhaps there is some 'quid pro quo' with Ed and the District that doesn't exist at SWC? Perhaps the 'sponsors' are you and me...the taxpayers who pay the frieght for financial aid? "Film at 11" as they say in the news biz.— August 6, 2013 5:52 p.m.
After car crash, Sweetwater trustee McCann out of ICU
JmBrickely is on target! Even though he can run a meeting (isn't that what elected officials are supposed to be good at?) let us not forget that Mr. Cartmill is also one of the indicted. He shares as much blame for the current mess as anyone, particularly because he could have, but chose not to take the high road. Campaign contributions limits (and the lack thereof) are at the core of the corruption. Mr. Carmill's opposition to any meaningful reform is on the record.— August 4, 2013 5:05 p.m.
After car crash, Sweetwater trustee McCann out of ICU
anniej --- Unfortunatey, I share Montana's and oneoftheteacher's concern. We have seen that this group of tyrants and power brokers is capable of anything. They seem to believe that they are above the law, not to mention adherence to any code of profesisonal or personal conduct. While this is all just speculation, it is truly sad that the possibility is even suggested! Keep the headlights shining on their every move.— August 2, 2013 11:35 a.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Again, I will ask, is the physical plant, (and related expenses) Brand's 'to give' away? Don't they belong to the taxpaying public? Someone else inquired about the agreement (was it with CalTrans or MTDB) for the District to use the land the National City Adult School was built on? The devil is really in the details, and in this case, I think the devil has been far too busy 'gifting' public funds to a private entity.— July 21, 2013 11:35 a.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Agenda alert for Monday, July 15: Nuggets include - Closed session eval of superintendent - Approval of $3,000 contract for Capitol PUblic Finance Group LLC from the General Fund; - Appointment of Robert Carriedo and Bob Strahl to the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee; - Increasing Hassey's teaching appointment from .6 to 1.0 at Chula Vista High; - Approval of 'other' employment for Marco Quinones at SOH for wrestling— July 14, 2013 2:23 p.m.