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Sweetwater trustee reports stolen property to police
Rather, the CMAA (Advancing Professional Construction and Program Mangement Worldwide) membership for $1200 sounds as though it is yet another opportunity for 'networking' ---- read Board Members being wined and dined by vendors. Not so sure about 'staff development opportunities' as the staff seems to be AWOL on construction management.— June 20, 2013 4:03 p.m.
Sweetwater trustee reports stolen property to police
Here's one of the memberships included in the Board's agenda....wonder who from the district is supposed to participate. It is obvious to me that this membership has been worthless so far, given the number of 'issues' the DA has found with the mangement and oversight of SUHSD construction projects. " MEMBERSHIP: CMAA Advancing Professional Construction and Program Management Worldwide $1200 Purpose: This organization provides the district with pertinent information on capital program management. Members benefit from networking opportunities, along with valuable education and certification programs. The membership includes up to twelve memberships for district staff. RENEWAL Justification: To better support the district’s capital program management process as it pertains to school planning, construction, modernization, and joint-use projects and to provide staff development opportunities."— June 20, 2013 2:56 p.m.
Sweetwater trustee reports stolen property to police
Actually, kindergarten students have better manners. I'd characterize it as juvenile delinquent with character flaw narcissistic schoolyard-bully behavior.— June 19, 2013 2:10 p.m.
Sweetwater trustee reports stolen property to police
Bizarre indeed! Wonder if the CV police had a warrant? I wonder on what basis they made Ms. Cheers give up the sign? Seems to me she was in possession of evidence of McCann's wrong-doing, and that she intended to turn it in to the proper authorities....perhaps the CV police did that very thing? It would be a good idea to take photos of all McCann's signs posted on public property and share those photos with the City of CV folks who are responsible for enforcing the sign ordinance, with the expectation that Mr. McCann will be appropriately fined and/or sanctioned. It would probably help to have the code number to cite. If nothing happens, a visit to a CV Council meeting would be appropriate.— June 19, 2013 11:46 a.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
It seems that Ed has a scheme (read shell game) up his sleeve about Adult Ed. Seems he is likely to 'gift' the former Adult Ed. facilities to private vocational educational enterprises... hope he hasn't thrown the Adult Ed baby out with the bathwater. The last I heard, future Adult Ed funding will flow from the State ONLY IF the district maintains the level of spending on Adult Ed in 2012-2013. Ed prefers to play with the big-money folks, like the private schools (Grand Canyon U., Boston Reed). Wonder how they are showing their 'gratitude' for access to the SUHSD market, especially now that Ed has removed the 'low-cost' district funded competition? Another big SIGH!— June 17, 2013 1:39 p.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
It is unlikely that any of the Board members would 'direct' Brand to pay attention to the speaker during Public Comment. It is up to the speaker to 'call him out' on it. It might be effective to ask the Board President to 'stop the clock' on the speaker's time until such time as Dr. Brand can finish whatever he is doing and manage to pay attention. That would interrupt the entire process enough to get their, and perhaps his, attention.— June 17, 2013 11:13 a.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
FYI, at one time the SUHSD Adult Program was one of the largest in the nation, and in the state. I believe that there were more adult students than students in the secondary schools! (Certainly more than 20,000 each year.)There were comprehensive adult programs in Nactional City, Chula Vista,San Ysidro and Montgomery sites that were specific Adult Schools ---those properties seem to be central to Ed's plan of having the high-priced private vocational schools instead. Additionally, adult students were served in other sites throughout the District, including churches and elementary schools (for example, parents of students who wished to learn better English or how to help their children with schoolwork). Courses covered the gamut: GED preparation;ESL;adult basic education, vocational skills, 'life' skills, and personal development skills. Small fees were charged for materials in the personal development classes, such as art. Summer classes offered high school students a chance to make up vital credits they might have been missing for graduation. There were on-site principals, vice principals, counselors, even food service at some locations as a 'laboratory' for students learning cullinary occupations. It was a comprehensive program, offering classes during the day and at night. I suspect it fell out of favor with Ed because the State did not pay as high a rate in compensation for adult learners, and because the clientele wer not traditional high achievers...instead, they were those who were seeking to improve their lives one step at a time. The District did a great job of managing such a huge program and keeping it cost-effective. Adult School teachers were paid a lower rate than their 'regular' school counterparts. They were a dedicated and passionate lot. As a result, the students became more valuable members of our community thanks to the opportunities provided in the Adult Program. Thanks to Ed and this selfish, selfish Board of Trustees, our community's adult learners are now SOL. Sigh,— June 16, 2013 4:18 p.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
We ought not to hold our collective breath for any positive change. Sorry, but we have seen that they have no ethics, no shame, no understanding of what 'doing the right thing' means. Unless and until they actually FIRE Ed (for cause, no payout) and select a bona-fide educational leader who they direct to put the district's ship on a straight course, they are all 'fiddlers' while the District implodes. Holding their feet to the fire means constant and repeated complaints made in the official forum of public comment. Glad to hear there are new folks upset enough to attend the meeting. Hope they go on the record. Individual stories are a good 'hook' for media attention. That puts a face on the damage Ed and the Board are doing to individual lives by their arbitrary and capricious decisions. I would also suggest that anyone addressing the board remind Ed and the board members that any member of the public should be respected, listened to, and looked at during the comment. When Ed tries to 'shuffle papers, look away, pretend he is mentally 'elsewhere'...he needs to be publicly censured by the person who is addressing the Board. "Dr. Brand, with all due respect: I am speaking to YOU and to the Board. I expect the common and professional courtesy of your attention......."— June 16, 2013 2:02 p.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
It is despicable that the comprehensive SUHSD Adult Program, which once won a NATIONAL award for excellence, has been dismantled. Seems Ed and toadies do not want to serve those who are with the least power with essential services that will enable them to compete economically and contribute to our society. BUT INSTEAD, Ed and Co contract with pricey private alternate providers. Adult students will incur massive debt to get the same (we hope) training they used to receive for NO COST! And, options will likely be very, very limited. Ed must not be paying attention to what is going on in Sacramento, as the most recent and likely scenario for funding adult education statewide will be delivery via a countywide consortium. SUHSD will not even be able to participate in that UNLESS they maintain the same level of spending on Adult Ed that they had in Fiscal Year 2012-2013 (the one just ending.) OOPS...So our adult students, those who need to obtain a GED or entry-level job skills will be SOL while Ed and Co wheel and deal with the private schools, some of which are clearly for-profit! I believe that as a society, we are collectively educated and prepared for the future only as well as the LEAST well prepared members. That does not say very much for the future of our community and our society. Why does Mr. Ed feel so free to throw people away in such a cavailer manner?— June 15, 2013 12:47 p.m.
Sweetwater board candidate has his sign damaged
John McCann is the antithesis of everything a public servant should be. He is a braggart, self-centered, know-it-all, smart-aleck, superior to all, liar, messianic brat who believes he is entitled to a place at a well-compensated table....just because he is his own 'wonderful' self. Somewhere along the way he must have started believing his own campaign literature! Unfortunately, until and unless he trips up legally, we have to wait to turn him out of office. Stay vigilant, and do NOT expect him to change. That would be, as I have said in prior posts, 'expecting sober behavior from a drunk'. Keep nailing him for every missstep and save the evidence. We will need it all for campaign flyers. Ditto for Cartmill and Ricasa and Quinones, except they are already in the club of the indicted and the DA has a head start.— June 13, 2013 6:30 p.m.