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Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
Brown Act alert: If there are going to be more than two SUHSD elected trustees present and speaking at any upcoming forum, and they will be discussing district business, the meeting must be agendized by the SUHSD district and duly noticed so the public will know it is 'meeting'. Such a forum is not a 'ceremonial' or purely social event, which is the only exception to needing an official public notice. Let's keep their feet to the fire to follow the rules...a meeting is a meeting is a meeting.... EVEN if no formal action is taken and even if the 'sponsor' agency is not SUHSD. Such a meeting should be recorded as possible evidence of Brown Act violation in progress.— May 19, 2013 6:23 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
Also, the Brown Act specifically forbids 'serial' conversations among board members outside of public session. In other words, in addition to the prohibition that no more than TWO board members may meet and discuss the board's business outside of a formal meeting, they may not individually have SERIAL conversations about any topic of the agency's business. An example of serial conversations would be: Cartmill talks to Ricasa; Ricasa talks to McCann; McCann talks to Quinones, etc. (No one probably talks to Bertha!) That also means that Ed may not have the same conversation with more than two board members....period. He may answer individual questions from all five, but may not discuss individual board members' concerns or positions on a given topic. Seems to me that there have been 'side conversations' going on that are outside of the public meeting, perhaps in violation of the Brown Act.— May 18, 2013 3:52 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
CVRES - It is my assumption that the DA would be responsbile for enforcement of the Brown Act because the Brown Act is a State law. The SUHSD is a public agency within San Diego County. The DA is the chief law enforcement officer for San Diego County. As I wrote earlier, there are no 'Brown Act' police except for the public. Inquiry with the DA's office might be helpful to learn just how a member of the public can bring a complaint about Brown Act violations. It wouldn't hurt for a member of the public with 'standing' (someone who lives in the juridiction of the SUHSD, is a taxpayer and /or parent) to file such a "letter of complaint" about the violation with the SUHSD and cc the DA's Office. At a minimum, that would put BRAND and Co on formal legal notice.— May 18, 2013 11:50 a.m.
Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
It's up to the District Attorney to take action in cases of violations of the Brown Act. (Anyone can read the Act online.) Unfortunately, there are no Brown Act 'police'...it is up to the public to complain to the public agency (in this case, this very board of trustees) when violations occur. Who is going to pursue action against the District on behalf of the public? Where is the DA? The intent of the Brown Act is 'that the public's business be done in public". In this case, it appears that is marginally so, if at all. The agenda must be posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting. It appears that the technicalities of the act have been followed, but the characterization, or description, of the item may have been deliberately misleading or incorrect. Therein may be recourse for the public, or the DA, to pursue. Was it a 'done deal' by the time it was on the agenda? Did the Board act upon a contract after the fact?— May 17, 2013 8:49 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board approves Alliant partnership
If this were a desirable alliance (pun intended), there would be no need to be so sneaky about the proposal and what the board agenda really committed the District to do and to spend. Why did you have to be so sneaky about it? "SNEAKY: Part of Speech: adjective Definition: underhanded, dishonest Synonyms: base, contemptible, cowardly, deceitful, devious, disingenuous, double-dealing, duplicitous, furtive, guileful, indirect, low, malicious, mean, nasty, recreant, secretive, shifty, slippery, sly, sneaking, snide, stealthy, surreptitious, tricky, underhand, unreliable, unscrupulous, untrustworthy." That about covers it, Ed. We are not impressed, amused, or fooled.— May 17, 2013 12:55 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
Well, so in addition to his monthly 'expense' money, he also has access to a credit card to pay for meals (even if there are upper limits?). What is his 'expense money' for? Seems like double dipping to me. When I worked for a public agency and planned to attend a conference, I received prior approval to spend an estimated amount of money. Then, I paid for lodging and meals myself, and upon return, submitted an expense report, with a requisition. Then, I was reimbursed for expenses which I was required to document with receipts. (Expenses may not include tips or alcoholic beverages.) My agency usually turned my expense report around in time for me to meet current charges for the travel and meals, which I placed on MY OWN personal credit card. received reimbursement only when my expenses were reviewed and approved. That is the bureaucratic way, which is in place inpart to avoid abuse. It may seem 'too complicated' to Fast Eddy, but what the hey, it's OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.— May 14, 2013 5:08 p.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
The Governor's "May Revise" proposed budget is out. Looks like Fast Eddy may have shot himself and the District's adult students in the foot (again) with regard to Adult Education. Here's the latest plan: NOTE THE FOURTH BULLET that requires maintenance of 12-13 'effort' to qualify for ANY future funding! "Adult Ed – • Initial proposal withdrawn • $30M, to be spent over 2 years, is proposed for planning of regional adult ed programs (consortium that could include CCDs, K12, CBOs, jails, etc.) • Plan is for $500M to be appropriated in 2015-16 • Entities participating in consortia must maintain 12-13 effort to be eligible for any new funds • All programs funded at CDCP rate • Instructor qualifications subject to consortium plans"— May 14, 2013 1:06 p.m.
Sweetwater cheer coaches seek pay from district
Visduh makes a terrific point! I can see the 'hit piece' mailers now.— May 14, 2013 10:24 a.m.
Sweetwater school district to team with Alliant University?
This information appears on the Southwestern College website: "High School Special Admit High school students who are enrolled in grades 9–12 with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 may be admitted for concurrent enrollment at SWC. A High School Special Form, signed by the high school principal is required. All necessary forms and instructions are available on the Admissions and Records website printable forms area, and in the Admissions and Records office. Enrollment is limited to no more than two classes or six units per semester or summer session. See the SWC College Catalog for more information." I do hope Ed and site counselors are doing everything in their power to inform students and partnets about this excellent opportunity to get a head start on college credits while still in high school, without any need for financial aid or scholarship assistance .... a much better deal than anything offered in the high-priced 'offers' from either Grand Canyon University or Alliant.— May 13, 2013 1:56 p.m.
(from YouTube video)
This is from the Southwestern College website "High School Special Admit High school students who are enrolled in grades 9–12 with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 may be admitted for concurrent enrollment at SWC. A High School Special Form, signed by the high school principal is required. All necessary forms and instructions are available on the Admissions and Records website printable forms area, and in the Admissions and Records office. Enrollment is limited to no more than two classes or six units per semester or summer session. See the SWC College Catalog for more information." I do hope Ed and Company's counselors are doing everything in their power to publicize this great opportunity for SUHSD students to get ahead and earn college credits at Southwestern College while they are still in high school AT MINIMAL EXPENSE in a public community college in their neighborhood. No need to seek financial aid or scholarship assistance, either!— May 13, 2013 1:48 p.m.