The comments below were posted to our original Mijares SAUSD corruption thread, which has had over 2,000 comments. When our software could no longer handle the number of comments, one of our readers broke up the comments into several posts, each representing comments made in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
These comments are presented here for archival purposes. You can continue to post about the corruption at SAUSD at our NEW thread by clicking here.
1841. Anonymous said…
Fermin “Feelgood” Leal must not only draw a check from the OC Register, he must have a desk at the SAUSD PIO’s office.
Today’s latest offering is SAUSD’s latest policy about giving students three weeks off for the Winter Holiday instead of two.
For a change “Feelgood” did actually flesh out his report and explain that the district had to do this because too many students visiting family in Mexico needed more time than just the two weeks most other districts have traditionally provided. He even admitted the district did this because it was losing ADA money with the children failing to return to school on time.
In justification “Feelgood” refers to another district that gives students a week off because they are reknown (along with staff) to take the time off to go ski in the snow season.
Well “Feelgood” two wrongs do not make a right. The fact is this little ploy actually began a number of years ago during year round schedules. When it was realized that Carr Intermediate and several other school’s students were not returning on time, the Christmas holiday season was adjusted just for them. Instead of enforcing the mandatory attendance codes the district bent over for the all mighty dollar. Now it has spread district wide.
In years past district employees, both teachers and some classified, had to take this time off using vacation, compensation, or even sick time. Are they now forced to take an additional week of time off with or without pay? Did you even bother to ask? I guess not.
You also failed to mention that the other district providing that ‘ski week’ off was not the lowest scoring district in the entire county. SAUSD sadly is. When last I checked you don’t reward incompetence with time off.
“Feelgood” does say that the district adds days both at the beginning and end of the school year. Has anyone ever been around the schools the last week of school? The seniors get half days and the last couple of days off altogether. Lower classes just ditch entirely.
Just once “Feelgood”, you should quit writing ‘puff’ pieces and actually look into what the hell is going on within SAUSD or transfer to another beat. Maybe the sanitation district would be good for you. You serve enough BS.
1/04/2008 11:18 AM
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1842. Anonymous said…
#1841
The three weeks for “dia de los reyes” to allow more time for families to visit and celebrate with relatives (whether here or in Mexico) is a great idea.
I’m not supporting Mr. Leal’s reporting, I’m supporting whatever programs afford students the best educational experience possible.
SAUSD’s year-round schedule was a major reason why I decided to come here to be a teacher. The year-round schedule should be adopted everywhere. The long summer break does just that…break the ongoing learning experience for students. It is TOO LONG a time for students to stop learning. The year-round schedule allows for a few weeks off after every dozen or so of school and is far better for ongoing learning. SAUSD (and all of USA) would be well-advised to use the year-round schedule system.
SAUSD teacher
1/05/2008 1:43 PM
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1843. Anonymous said…
# 1842
Since I’m not a teacher and you are, I appreciate your comment on the long holiday and year round preference.
I would be interested in your thoughts now that the district has returned to the traditional year format. Do you plan to stay or find another district using the year round program?
I would also be interested on your thought as to why SAUSD went back to the traditional schedule if the year round was productive. Since SAUSD has the lowest scores in the county this seems to be a paradox.
I’m not arguing with you, but I am curious. I went to traditional school and felt I had a pretty good education. When I returned after summer it took me about a week or so to get back into it. Perhaps back then the teachers started the year with a review of the previous year. I don’t recall. So I just thought I’d ask.
1/05/2008 5:48 PM
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1844. Anonymous said…
How’s Willard doing these days? Haven’t heard or read much lately, so am I to take it that it’s doing better over there?
1/06/2008 12:18 AM
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1845. Anonymous said…
#1843
I believe Year Round Education is superior to traditional, but I
1883. Anonymous said…
This blog represents the longest running chronicle of things that have happened in this district since Art first blogged about the corruption. Lately, the corruption figures seem to be taking a break from their usual attempts to get away with stuff.
Posting stories and articles that relate to this district are all relevant and may prove to be a handy reference if anything new or controversial develops in the future. Providing links and the actual stories is a good idea, imo.
1/22/2008 5:56 PM
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1884. Anonymous said…
http://www.sateach.org/January%2014,%202008%20President's%20letter.html
The Bad and the Ugly. As most of you know, the Governor has declared a fiscal state of emergency, and his proposed budget includes mid-year cuts. Education funding will be impacted this year (07-08), with an even larger reduction for next year (08-09). However the legislature reacts, the impact on education funding is likely to be disruptive and long-lasting.
The Governor proposes the following for 2007-8:
Reduce current-year Prop 98 funding by $360 million
Most of these mid-year cuts will come from unspent categorical funds
Which programs and which funds are to be determined by the legislature
The Governor proposes the following for 2008-9:
NO Funding for Statutory COLA
In addition to eliminating the 4.94% statutory COLA, he proposes an additional roll-back of more than 2%, resulting in a combined deficit factor of 6.99%
$1.1 Billion in cuts to: class-size reduction programs, charter schools grants, instructional materials, supplemental instruction, transportation, supplemental school counselors and career-tech programs
$357.9 million in special education cuts
$59.6 million in cuts to Before and After-School Programs
In addition to eliminating COLA for next year, the Governor proposes changing the way COLA is calculated in all future years in a manner that is likely to result in lower totals.
Some important points to remember
The Governor