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Sweetwater school board to address campaign spending limits
Kudos to Ms. Adato! It is indeed a sad commentary that it took a threat of legal action to get the District to perform what it is legally bound to do (agendize relevant items brought to it by the public) per the Brown Act. Let's not forget that in addition to ACCEPTING the campaign donations of huge amounts from vendors/contractors, four have also been charged with EXTORTING additional money from them: Quinones, Ricasa, Sandoval and Gandara. These are serious felony crimes against the public, and extortion takes it to even a higher level.— February 19, 2013 12:11 p.m.
Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals
And, as the song goes, "Tomorrow....tomorrow....is only a day away". That would be February 15, when I those charged in the most recent indictments, or additional counts added to prior charges, are to appear in the South County Court for the first of what will likely be many, many, days in court. That would include those who are accused of accepting bribes, perjury by declaration and other dicey allegations: Ricasa, Quinones, Gandara and Sandoval, whose charges also include EXTORTION; as well as Cartmill, Bertha, Chopra, Salcido, Wilson, Dominguez, Alioto ; as well as others such as Cabello and others who represent the alleged 'bribers'.... Should make for interesting viewing and reporting.— February 14, 2013 2:30 p.m.
Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals
OH, but the County Board of Ed DOES have oversight, especially fiscal, of those school districts in their jurisdiction. Just saying otherwise does not make it so. Check out the purpose and role of the County Boards of Education. Does anyone know if our new representative on that Board, Lyn Nealon, has been approached? She was recently sworn into office.— February 14, 2013 2:10 p.m.
New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past
Any organization worth its salt would A) recognize signs of weakness; B) review options for correction C) analyze cost-benefit and potential pay off of options and D) proceed in a methodical way to implement strategies and E) evaluate periodically to assess progress and re-direct as necessary. However, SUHSD is bounding from 'pillar to post' in seemingly random fits and starts, without a semblance of a plan or an implementation strategy. Fast Eddy and the bouncing ball have everyone dizzy trying to follow the action....all without a plan. The only constant is all the money flying out the window. And the board fiddles while the District self-destructs.— February 12, 2013 3:07 p.m.
Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals
Perhaps it is time for the public to consider the option of dismantling the Sweetwater Union High School District (which is the largest high school district in the state). The District's electorate has the right to call for and vote upon something called 'unification'...wherein the secondary schools in the SUHSD are joined with the existing elementary school districts in the communities they serve. For example, the secondary schools in the Chula Vista Elementary School District jurisdiction would become united with that district, giving the Chula Vista community a K-12 system; similarlily, those secondary schools in National City would become united with the National School Distrct; same for South Bay School District and San Ysidro District. Perhaps it is time to give the neighborhood schools back to the communities they are supposed to serve. Such a project would dismantle the costly, hugely ineffective and corruption-prone SUHSD...its assets would be distributed to the local communities and smaller, more manageable districts. Further, the gargantuan administration of Brand would no longer have a purpose or legal standing. In fact, such an effort was made about 25 years ago, but it failed. However, the circumstances and motivations were different then and the SUHSD fought off the challenge. Times have changed indeed.— February 10, 2013 1:51 p.m.
Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals
I agree with Visduh. This is not about educational philosophy or ideology, nor is it about union vs. management (although Brand and Co would like to have us believe that it's all the fault of union discontent and influence.) Rather, it is plain and simple corruption, at the top, that has gone on for years -- at least since Superintendent Trujillo and his alleged theft of grant-funded computers to resell in Mexico. It is time to stop the corruption. I hope the results of the upcoming trials will put the District on a better path, with an honest new Board who will appoint an honest new Superintendent. That is what it will take. No less.— February 9, 2013 3:47 p.m.
Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals
"Fast Eddy" and his team of bozos continue to play fast 'n loose with all they touch. It's hard to keep track of the constant shell games, augmented by floating craps games that pop up here and there and then disappear when the spotlight gets too close. A true circus staffed by con artists and flim-flamers, all in the name of 'education'. Do ya think that David Malcolm might appear in the 'fun' house? It's getting that swarmy. Welcome Al!— February 8, 2013 1:05 p.m.
New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past
'Tis sad but true, but anyone coming in to the District without thorough public vetting and only on Brand's say so will be tainted. Could be Mother Teresa herself, but we would not trust her to be anything but Brand's toady. That is just the way it is, and is a direct result of the reputation that Brand has established. He has no one to blame but himself. The Board has themselves to blame for allowing it. Either Alt did not do his homework, or doesn't care about his reputation. I'm just surprised Brand didn't try to bring in Alioto, the golf-loving deposed, and now indicted, former CFO from Southwestern. Sigh.— February 5, 2013 2:04 p.m.
New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past
WHERE do they find these people? My word...isn't there any one else who can come to the table without issues? Seems like Sweetwater draws those who are problems to begin with.— February 3, 2013 7:56 p.m.
Sweetwater board votes to open second charter school
It does seem that the brouhaha Brand created with the proposed meeting time change was a (rather effective, I must say) smokescreen to distract us away from a major pea in his Charter School shell game. With regard to his Sweetwater U scheme with GCU, will someone inquire as to the terms of any agreement with the quasi-religious institution for the use of any Sweetwater-owned facility. The District may not give away or provide its resources, or let a sectarian or any other private entity use any facilities unless the transaction is done at fair market rate AND if the District does not need the facility for its own uses (such as educating our children in grades 9-12.)— January 31, 2013 11:40 a.m.