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Sweetwater U partnership opposed by Freedom from Religion
I must say that I find it quite odd that the time of an upcoming meeting of a public agency is such a secret! Further, I find it stranger yet that it took a call to the Mayor's Office (an entirely separate public agency) to get an answer. Try calling the ceo's office of any other district and ask the date and time (even location) of the next regular meeting for that juristiction and you will get a straight answer. It is one of those 'public's right to know' bits of info that for some reason the folks at Sweetwater think is confidential until the actual agenda is posted. The reason the Brown Act exists is to insure that "the public's business is done in public". Go figure!— January 24, 2013 12:23 p.m.
Sweetwater U partnership opposed by Freedom from Religion
Again, I am wondering if this idiotic proposal of Brand's isn't meant to distract from other sleight-of-hand goings on? Brand is quite good at arousing heated discussion about this 'n that 'n other so-called initiatives (you name 'em). GCU is such an absurd proposal on its face that I can't really believe Brand thinks will get him anything but a smokescreen -- which may be exactly the point. Then we have poor, deranged Timtim, who may on assignment to flame the distraction. Let's make sure we follow the pea in the shell in the multiple shell games going on. Four-fifths of the board, as well as other major players, have been indicted on criminal charges, including extortion. THAT is the core message we need to focus on. The other stuff may be collateral damage.— January 18, 2013 2:29 p.m.
Sweetwater U partnership opposed by Freedom from Religion
It appears from web-based info about GCU, that only some, not all, of the programs of study/majors are actually accredited. EVERYTHING....EVERY COURSE...at publicly funded Southwestern College is Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and will transfer. Enrollment fees for state residents are now $46 per unit. Accreditation (or lack thereof) also affects individual eligibility for financial aid. Do be careful out there! It seems that the Sweetwater District is not doing its students any favors by promoting an affiliation with such a sketchy institution, pesky issues with separation of church and state notwithstanding.— January 18, 2013 11:30 a.m.
Serious supporters of Sweetwater trustee Pearl Quiñones
It appears from web-based info about GCU, that only some, not all, of the programs of study/majors are actually accredited. EVERYTHING....EVERY COURSE...at publicly funded Southwestern College is Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and will transfer. Enrollment fees for state residents are now $46 per unit. Accreditation (or lack thereof) also affects individual eligibility for financial aid. Do be careful out there! It seems that the Sweetwater District is not doing its students any favors by promoting an affiliation with such a sketchy institution, pesky issues with separation of church and state notwithstanding.— January 18, 2013 11:28 a.m.
Serious supporters of Sweetwater trustee Pearl Quiñones
Let's not forget that Ms. Pearl is one of the 'elite' of those indicted, whose charges also include extortion (along with Ricasa, Sandoval, Gandara). Even if those other pesky charges seem meaningless to some, extortion is really quite messy because it involves demanding something while in office, or 'under official color' of office. So you see, that she didn't just allow herself to be bribed like the others, but she and her fellow elitists are charged with making demands for things of value. If you will check back to Pearl's quotes in the earlier indictments, she was asking a vendor to support and help her land a well-compensated state commission job, and wrote an e-mail comment to the effect of , "I help those who help me." So, this is now not surprising that she would have bullies to help her 'enforce' her territory. Seems she believes she 'owns' the public job as well as those who would provide whatever she asks.— January 16, 2013 11:06 a.m.
Documents hint at Sweetwater board’s diners’ club
Perhaps NOW the County Board/Office of Education might pay attention? 15 indictments, including at least 3 for extortion, should certainly bring the South County education establishment messes to the attention of the body that is supposed to oversee operations, especially fiscal matters, of the school districts in their jurisdiction. The next meeting of the COE will feature the seating of the new representative from District 2, Lyn Nealon. It will be Wednesday, January 23 at 6 p.m. Perhaps she will be more responsive to matters in South County than the prior representative. By the way, I see an interesting entry in Brand's old calendar: a meeting with Sandoval and Rudy Castruita, the former CEO of the CBOE. Castruita now pulls down a handsome STRS pension in his retirement, perhaps the highest in the entire county. Seems that Dr. Granger Ward, his successor, should be doing something for his pay.— January 11, 2013 3 p.m.
Southwestern College professor Philip Lopez dies
johng: please do be aware that the voters did vote for a new day for Southwestern in 2010 when they elected Norma Hernandez and Tim Nader to the Southwestern College Board. That Board is now on a much better trajectory, especially without the shady likes of former member Yolanda Salcido. The evil Raj Chopra and corrupt Alioto were dismissed (Alioto is still under indictment; Raj Chopra is nowhere to be found.) The 'new' board was significantly strengthened with the recent 2012 election of two new members as well. Things are much, much better at Southwestern thanks to a community that did take notice, realized everyone had had more than enough, and threw the bums out. Now, that needs to happen at Sweetwater, and that will take getting the attention of those bodies that can sanction that Board (much as the accreditation issued brought sorely needed spotlight to Southwestern)....The County Office of Education is AWOL here, as that board's own website claims they are responsible for fiscal audits of school districcts in their jurisdiction. Quinones, Ricasa and Cartmill and even Johnny need to go to jail! Short of that, they should be voted out of office too! Only then will "Fast Eddy" Brand be dismissed, and we can recruit a decent superintendent to set the ship on a better course. Well-meaning folks like Alex Anguiano and Phil Lopez cannot do it themselves. In fact, they are preaching to an internal choir and because of their union commitments, are not always considered credible sources. It takes a whole village to keep watch, and act when necessary. There are a few vigilant and loud folks involved, but everyone who pays taxes should be aware of who the crooks are. Apparently, with the re-election of Quinones, it is evident that the word has not spread far and wide enough.— December 18, 2012 11:26 a.m.
Sweetwater school board avoids campaign donations talk
Don't forget to include the County Office of Education (keep the pressure on them, even if they don't care - because they are obligated to care); the State Superintendent of Education (ditto); and the DA's office, when sending copies of each and every complaint. Numbers do count!— December 17, 2012 10:47 a.m.
Sweetwater University to “Open” Soon?
FYI, most community college districts have established 'co-enrollment' opportunities for students in local high schools, usually with 'waived' or reduced fees. This is a long-standing practice, and is part of the college responsibility to cooperate with local public schools. Some high school students take courses that will count toward their high school graduation, some take courses for college credit. Usually, there is a maximum number of units each high school student may take each semester (probably six, but it may vary) and it must be with the permission of the high school counselor. My own son took two courses for college credit at Southwestern when he was a senior in high school. It is a great way for high schools students to take college-level work and get a head start on accumulating units that will transfer to which ever college they will ultimately attend. It is also a smart thing for students to do to get a slight registration advantange at the community college in subsequent semesters. Sadly,now that most community college have had to cut classes and there is intense demand for some of the 'core' curriculum classes, it may be more difficult for high school students to take advantage of the opportunity. I do not know what the current co-enrollment practice is at Southwestern College.— December 2, 2012 11:48 a.m.
Sweetwater University to “Open” Soon?
This may be Brand's way of creating yet another 'distraction' for his critics, in order to divert attention from other irregularities that may have more severe consequences for him if brought to light. It seems to me that he has a pattern of introducing such wild 'schemes' that enrage and infuriate the critics, who then spend a lot ot time and energy trying to figure it out on its face. This plan is so blatently outrageous and absurd that he can't possibly be serious about its implementation. As far as we know, there is no law against 'stupid' ...if there were, Brand and Co would be behind bars for the rest of their lives. BUT, there are laws that have consequences for self-dealing. Watch the bean under the shell and make sure he hasn't taken your money again while you were trying to follow the sleight of hand!— November 29, 2012 5 p.m.