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Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
"Ed felt it was a good trade off." Hmmm, so now, it is ok for Ed to give a gift of public funds (fair market value of rent of a facility WE TAXPAYERS own) in exchange for some 'promise' that has not been reduced to writing (again, bring and show the DOCUMENTS) that will somehow benefit SUHSD students? Sorry Ed, not on my dime.— July 10, 2013 2:42 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Current SUHSD students may attend Southwestern for nothing, with the permission of their parent(s) and high school counsleor. Students who are no longer in high school pay California Community College fees,currently $46 per unit for California residents. There are Board of Governors fee Waivers (BOGW) for students who are financially eligible. There are new associate degrees with guarantees specifically for transfer to California State Universities, such as SDSU, San Marcos, etc. Not sure if the former TAG agreements (Transfer Agreement Guarantees) are still in place with UC. Clearly, the public community college is the better deal from the outset, and students (and families) will not be saddled wtih so much debt. Why Ed is promoting costly (and possibly less rigorous) alterntive pathways for SUHSD students is the $64 million dollar question. It would be interesting to attend these 'information' sessions hear (and possibly record) what is being said and promised, and to get copies of the literature. No need to be confrontational, that probably wouldn't work to help our cause anyway because in the end, students and parents do have a choice. We need to learn why and how Ed is positioning a questionable, and expensive, option so favorably. And, a good question would be, "Why not have such informaion sessions to include representatives of Southwestern College?' At one time, there were annual 'college night' fairs at local high schools. What has happend to them? Do they still exist? If so, why is Ed giving Aliant special status and entree' to our kids and their parents?— July 10, 2013 12:54 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
It's 'duces tecum' used with a subponea to compel the production of documents for the court. My Latin is rusty.— July 8, 2013 3:51 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Part II: Oh, and Alliant -- If you are planning to set up your business in any of OUR (taxpayer-owned) Sweetwater facilities, please be prepared to pay fair market value for the rent and maintenance of the facilities. You may be non-profit, but you are not entitled to a subsidy from us if you use our taxpayer-owned and run buildings.— July 8, 2013 1:30 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
To Alliant University: BBQ spelled it out quite well in his post above. You should understand that NOTHING Ed does or proposes is what it appears on the surface, there is always a 'catch' and something in it for himself and his pals. Please do answer the specific questions that have been posed. As you do, I hope you come to understand that we are the public, taxpayers, that the law says have standing and a legal interest in the matter. (As a private institution, you may not be aware of the law and the sensitivity that we taxpayers have to being treated in such a cavalier manner.) Further, we are ENTITLED to the Documents that the District/Board uses to do business...hence our Public Records Request. I believe the legal phrase is "Ducus Tekem" or something like that...it means 'bring the documents with you to court'. If you do not already know Ed's reputation, it is not good. Watch your backside and look over your shoulder.— July 8, 2013 11:32 a.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Perhaps we should seek out those who are very, very, good and ethical at what they already do by the way of personal income. Be wary of those who are looking for 'subsistence' existence via health benefits and whatever else they can 'barter for' as a board member. Also be wary of the 'political' ladder climbers. they ALWAYS have a need for extra income, it seems. (Of course, the 'ethical' part would also disqualify Ricasa, who supposedly has a 'day job'. )— July 3, 2013 3:07 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Customary practice is to launch a bonafide search. The process usually includes gathering input from stakeholders (including the taxpayers) as to the qualities and experience desired for the person to lead the District. That results in the development of a 'profile' of desired characteristics. Sometimes a firm is hired to conduct a national search, and to assist with advertising and processing applications. Usually, there is a selection committee, composed of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, that a) reviews written applications and resumes; b) recommends an assortment of applicnts to be interviewed; c)invites finalists to public forums where the public is invited to provide written evaluations of the finalists. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the actual selection and appointment. According to the Brown Act, the appointment MAY take place in Closed Session, because it is a personnel matter. However, they should certainly take the recommendations of the stakeholders into consideration. In the case of Sweetwater, you may recall that the Board (errr...was it mcCann?) had Ed waiting in the wings when Gandara was fired. There was no 'search' (although one was promised) for a full-time permanent replacement....Brand was eased in and stayed on.... more than irregular, if you ask me. I think San Diego Unified's case was unusual in that there was no announced search, as far as I know, and it seemed the Board just decided to select/hire Marten. there was a great deal of criticism because the item was not on the board agenda, even for closed session, so I believe they had to do it over. It is up to the Board to oversee the selection, (and determine the process, but the more transparent the better...although we did get Gandara through a national search, so go figure!)— July 1, 2013 3:28 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
According to law, the role of the Governing Board is to set policy; supervise, hire and fire the CEO; to be a bridge to the community.....not to actually run the day-to-day operations of the district. It would be good to have a mix of folks with different skills, including business, finance, as well as education. Now, all we have are board members who are good at stonewalling, lying, taking bribes, and talking out of both sides of their mouths...they have no useful skill banks and are unfit for the job they think they should hold because they are entitled.— July 1, 2013 12:31 p.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
Not ONE of them who has run for higher office in the past (Ricasa, Cartmill, Sandoval) has ever been elected. Guess their so-called 'service' on the SUHSD board didn't work in their favor. That's one reason we still have Ricasa and Cartmill as incumbents. Reason enough to sign the petition for term limits.— July 1, 2013 9:57 a.m.
Week in review: Sweetwater Union High School District
"Brandure" it is...along with BS (Brandscams).— July 1, 2013 8:22 a.m.