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Sweetwater school district board seeks to silence opposition
Here are my suggestions from an earlier blog. I believe that specific questions possibly generate more specific answers, or at least demonstrate an expectation for specificity. Remember, the 'devil is in the details.' We need to avoid receiving 'glittering generalities' in response to our requests for information. This is a wonderful opportunity for the District to demonstrate some accountability. We should expect, request, demand that Ed and Co present a written monthly status report (bullet points, not bs narrative) on major issues that affect the District. Perhaps he might host a workshop and ask community to help define those issues if he can't come up with them on his own. I'll start: 1) Status of each and every program improvement school, with problems identified, a list of objectives, tasks, timeline and persons assigned; 2) Status of Adult Education, with a list of each and every program, proposed outcome, etc; 3) Overcrowding in some schools...Develop a list of each and every impacted school, show teacher/pupil ratio, plan to ameliorate (Ed...that means fix), timeline, persons responsible, etc. 4) Real estate projects...Develop a list of each District-owned property not currently in use as a school site. Explain its current and proposed use. date and cost of purchase. Explain plans for future use. 5) Bond status, projects, costs, outcomes, projected completion (including IPAD expenses) 6) Special Projects (such as charters) with cost-benefit analysis 7) Grand Canyon University - timeline, goals for participation, anticipated numbers to be served, etc. That would be Brand's accountability report card each and every month to show progress on each of the items on the list, which should appear as a matrix on the District's website.— March 19, 2013 10:05 a.m.
Sweetwater school district board seeks to silence opposition
In re: Shinoff's allegation that SUHSD staff complain about the environment they encounter at board meetings: It seems to me that the Board and Ed Brand are responsible for creating an environment wherein their malfesance generates ire among the public who wish to exercise their legal rights to comment about that same malfesance. It's not the fault of the taxpaying citizens and parents that they are unhappy. It is the fault of the District for creating the unhappiness.— March 18, 2013 12:42 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board seeks to silence opposition
Good points about the need for a transition plan BBQ. According to the CBOE's website (www.sdcoe.net) the regular meetings appear to be held on on the second WED of the month at 6 p.m. at the HQ at 6401 Linda Vista Road, SD, 92111. The second Wed of April is April 10. The person who represents the South County (area 2) is Dr. Lyn Nealon, who is in her first year of her first term. The website lists her phone as 858-292-3515 and her email as [email protected]. By the way, the SDCOE website states that their motto is "Our job is to help school districts.. (I am NOT making it up.)— March 16, 2013 2:39 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board seeks to silence opposition
I do not believe that there will be any change until there is a different board majority. I do not see any one of those on the dias who will suddenly have an epiphany, or that Brand will go away --- except in our dreams. Watch the upcoming trials closely...their outcomes will be of huge importance for future direction. IF any member is found guilty of a felony, they may no longer serve in any elected capacity and their seat(s) would be vacated. Remember that Ricasa and Quinones are also indicted for what I believe is the more serious crime of extortion, along with perjury by declaration and failure to report gifts, etc.etc. for which Cartmill and Lopez have also been indicted. Ideally, all four would become felons and unable to "serve" (I use the term loosely and quite uncivilly) one minute more. IF the trials do not result in felony convictions, the ballot box is the next opportunity for change. We can launch a recall campaign (not easy to do, as we learned in the previous attempt) or wait until the next cycle when Cartmill, Ricasa and McCann are up. Again, it takes organization, effort, and money. The money part is is why the incumbents are so unwilling to commit to any kind of limits on campaign contributions because they are in the catbird's seat and know it. We have learned that the County Board of Education is without a backbone, and probably beholden to Brand. Don't know what affliction the State Department of Education has, but they seem to be inert as well. Ultimately, it is up to the people (us) to make choices about who governs our public agencies. It is time to choose more wisely by putting plans in motion to make changes if the court does do it for us. PS The UT has not been part of the 'mainstream' media ever since Manchester took over, and perhaps for some time before that. Sad but true.— March 16, 2013 12:12 p.m.
Sweetwater school district board seeks to silence opposition
The Brown Act entitles members of the public to express their opinions on any matter related to the District. How DARE the District's counsel attempt to intimidate any member of the public from so expressing their rightful right to speech. This is yet more evidence of the District's disfunction. and attempt to squelch the public right to comment on the actions of a public body, clearly in violation of the First Amendment and the Brown Act. It would be so refreshing for the District to welcome public input of those who pay the bills.— March 15, 2013 8:16 p.m.
Sweetwater school district cuts program and teachers
I just reviewed Shinoff's presentation on Civility (it is posted on the District's website). It seems to be a potpourri of 'let's all get along' homilies/lectures and a couple of veiled threats -- especially his point about public participation which focused on the penalties for those who 'interrupt' a public meeting (get out of line); rather than the board's responsibility to encourage and support the public's right to comment, whatever the content of that comment might be. If the Board supported the public's right to speak, perhaps the public would be less strident. Our voices become amplified when we are not heard! It is also concerning that Shinoff mentions staff being 'uncomfortable' going to board meetings. While I don't think it is necessarily 'fun' for staff to listen to the complaints and concerns of the public, I think that is also THEIR JOB to hear what the public has to say, however unflattering that might be. Don't ask us to remain silent about the job you are doing if you aren't doing a good job, because you are on our payroll. It seems to me that the staff would do Ed and the Board and the public a huge service if they would come up with ways to help Ed and the Board present timely information that we should have without having to ASK for it about the ways the District is managing OUR business and our tax money.— March 15, 2013 4:35 p.m.
Sweetwater school district cuts program and teachers
BBQ has excellent suggestions. We should expect, request, demand that Ed and Co present a written monthly status report (bullet points, not bs narrative) on major issues that affect the District. Perhaps he might host a workshop and ask community to help define those issues if he can't come up with them on his own. I'll start: 1) Status of each and every program improvement school, with problems identified, a list of objectives, tasks, timeline and persons assigned; 2) Status of Adult Education, with a list of each and every program, proposed outcome, etc; 3) Overcrowding in some schools...Develop a list of each and every impacted school, show teacher/pupil ratio, plan to ameliorate (Ed...that means fix), timeline, persons responsible, etc. 4) Real estate projects...Develop a list of each District-owned property not currently in use as a school site. Explain its current and proposed use. date and cost of purchase. Explain plans for future use. 5) Bond status, projects, costs, outcomes 6) Special Projects (such as charters)...andnd so forth. That would be Brand's report card each and every month to show progress on each of the items on the list, which should appear as a matrix on the District's website. The Board should evaluate the progress and help Ed focus on making progress if none has been made. Thanks BBQ...— March 15, 2013 12:48 p.m.
Sweetwater school district cuts program and teachers
Look at the photo that accompanies this story. Those are not 'agitators'.... They represent the face of the community, serious, hard-working and taxpaying folk who care about the education their children receive, and opportunities for adult education to make our community strong. Those are committed parents and community members. Sweetwater Board, please LOOK and SEE and HEAR them, because you have sworn to serve them.— March 13, 2013 10:05 p.m.
Sweetwater school district cuts program and teachers
AMEN!— March 13, 2013 5:09 p.m.
Sweetwater Union High School District & Realty Co.
WHAT money from the County? The San Diego County Office of Education that denies the responsibility for any fiscal oversight of the SUHDS? THAT County? Sounds like the organ grinder is tuning up for another flim-flam parade, and perhaps more sleight-of-hand shell games, perhaps even 'laundring' our own Mello Roos or Bond Money to underwrite the CTE programs? Bring on the Motrin, and make it a heavy dose. It's getting even more like a rabbit-hole we are tumbling down into. Guess who continues to grin like the Cheshire Cat?— March 13, 2013 3:07 p.m.