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Good Old Boys’ Club Exposed at Sweetwater Union High School District Meeting?
Good Old Boys Club aptly describes what has been going on in Sweetwater since Brand came back. I think it would be very interesting to see how much Brand, with the approval of the Board, has paid consultants who are personal friends of his. So many retired SUHSD employees are back on the payroll now that long time district employees are joking about traveling back in time. Is that any way to build capacity at the district? Are there really no current employees who could do these jobs? Or is that the way Brand is ensuring loyalty to himself (not the district), no questions asked? I haven't heard of the Board even starting a search for a new Superintendent. This Board didn't do such a great job last time they picked a superintendent, so I think it is time for the community to step up and ask to have input into the process (a transparent process) for picking Sweetwater's new superintendent.— December 1, 2011 9:19 p.m.
Kurt Donsbach Sentenced to a Year in Jail
Isn't Jim Cartmill related to this Kurt Donsbach and that's how the company was "sold" to him?— April 16, 2011 7:36 p.m.
Does California Interscholastic Federation Bilk Sweetwater Schools?
This is another example of non-responsiveness on the part of Sweetwater Board of Trustees regarding community concerns. Mr. Payne does his homework...and asks the board to create a task force, that would include a variety of stakeholders, to investigate the issues he raised. All the board did was listen to the district-stacked coaches speak of their support of CIF. Interestingly, the only people who spoke in favor of CIF were the Sweetwater coaches who have had winning CIF teams. Why is it that athletic directors or coaches who have not had CIF winning teams were not asked to speak? Why was it so difficult to take action and create that task force? I agree with susan's question above. It's time this board starts listening to the constituents they represent.— November 21, 2010 8:44 p.m.
Bond Money Figures Big in South Bay Schools’ Elections
I agree with all the previous comments. Vote out the incumbents. If Cartmill and Ricasa can raise this kind of money from contractors for their campaigns, why haven't they asked the contractors/vendors to donate to save some of the district programs that have been cut due to budget constraints? Where are their priorities? Obviously, not with the students! Oh by the way, it's interesting to note that one of the latest contributions on Cartmill's list is a $5,000 donation from Citizens for Good Government in South Bay. That FPPC committee is actually organized by GCR (Garcia, Calderon, and Ruiz), a law firm owned by Bonifacio Garcia. He is the Sweetwater District's legal counsel. The Citizens for Good Government has also contributed to Yolanda Salcido's campaign efforts in past years. The Citizens for Good Government has received contributions from contractors, like Barnhart, in the past. We don't know if they have received any recent donations from contractors/vendors because they have NOT filed all the required disclosure statements for this campaign season.— October 31, 2010 11:06 a.m.
Prop R, for Rewards at Southwestern College
I hope that while you are looking into all these questionable behaviors at Southwestern College you will also look into the campaign contributions and Prop O and BB contracts in the Sweetwater District. There are many of the same people and companies involved and donating to the campaigns of incumbents Cartmill and Ricasa. Time for change on the Sweetwater Board too - Vote for Janney and Valencia for Sweetwater Board of Trustees on Nov. 2— September 19, 2010 4:42 p.m.
Sweetwater Union HS District Candidate Jim Cartmill Worth Millions? Involved with Kurt Donsbach?
Some other interesting pieces of information - - Donsbach is Cartmill's father-in-law. Not a very good role model for the students of Sweetwater. - The other Sweetwater Board incumbent running for re-election, Ricasa, had many of the same construction related companies donate to her campaign as donated to Cartmill and to incumbents on the SWC Board (see article in Reader "Prop R for Rewards". - And even though Cartmill and Ricasa received campaign donations from the construction, architectural and other related companies they do not recuse themselves from voting on contracts related to those companies. Maybe it isn't illegal, but it is unethical.— September 19, 2010 4:28 p.m.