Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing! In this case our 2009 SAUSD thread has so many comments on it that it is now running too slowly. So we are starting this new thread for the second half of 2009.
So far this year we have had plenty to write about. The State budget cuts have had a devastating affect in Santa Ana. Layoffs have ensued.
To top this all off, the SAEA cut a weird deal with the SAUSD that essentially cut benefits for all the younger teachers. And then the SAEA held elections.
Now more budget cuts loom…and all the other issues remain. I expect this thread will fill up too before long…
The following posts were posted at a temporary thread that lasted two days. We’ve copied and pasted them with their original numbers from that thread that is now closed. Thanks for everyone’s cooperation. Rv–
1. Red Vixen Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 11:29 am edit
Jill, Robert and other recent SAUSD thread posters, please feel free to repost your latest posts here if you feel that they may be overlooked on the previously lengthy thread. I notice that there were a number of posts with analysis, links and lengthy messages that others may want to read in a fresh thread here.
Rv–
2. Red Vixen Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 11:38 am edit
Rober Chavez, “933 Red Vixten listed me as site rep. for Greenville correction I am an alternate.”
I only copied/pasted the information from the SAEA website as it was posted. Any inaccuracies can be attributed to your union’s record keeping.
I’m admittedly not perfect, but I only have so much to work with!
Rv–
On a personal note, I am not sure if I understand the car story. Were you on the news last nite? Any links to that Robert?
3. Jill Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm edit
Thank you many times over for creating this thread. It’s much easier to post.
I am officially done on June 19th since this district would rather keep non mandated programs. Why are we having summer school? Shouldn’t we be like L.A. (John) since we play follow the leader? We need to be cutting SUMMER SCHOOL!
Next, teachers are not working in a STABLE environment and are SHIFTED AND SHIPPED around (displaced)…then it is NOT conducive to GOOD TEACHING and it will NOT help the kids one bit!
Your school board (who has been watching the money) has been asking people how much 20:1 costs. Shouldn’t these people KNOW? They are making life or death decisions for people. I don’t have faith in our board (not 1 member). They are clueless and just rely on what is presented *by the district. Yes, John sends out articles to people (big deal) most of them are about L.A. Unified and if he is basing his decisions on what they do, then “there you go”. Vote them all out …new people in!
Cut SUMMER SCHOOL!
Music closed up shop at my school on May 29th while we work til the 19th!
Library closed up shop on May 29th.
Yet, these are priorities?
4. duplojohn Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 5:28 pm edit
What’s left to say that has’nt been said?
5. Jill Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 6:06 pm edit
OC Schools (GOLD) rankings ELEM rankings
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/campuses-performance-database-2319307-provides-academic
Does anyone see the SAUSD on there? Maybe we shouldn’t be CUTTING diddly, but the leaders! We need to be doing something else because whatever it is that the SAUSD is doing…it’s obviously not working. Yes, I think parents are key. If a parent cares MORE about the end of the year party than their child’s writing test then that is ONE reason this district is failing.
Now, we can’t blame it on money because the SAUSD gets the MOST money including STIMULUS + QEIA funding in Orange County yet the district lays off the MOST employees and keeps all 9 at the top.
I will give people a list of reasons why this district scores so poorly before all of the anti-teachers come out.
1. Lack of leadership support
2. Curriculum
ex. My 3rd qr (Math Benchmark pacing guide) told me to cover…time, calendar, measurement, greater numbers, (see below) yet there wasn’t 1 question about time, measurement, greater numbers etc. Instead they had patterns, same / different, shapes etc on the test.
My point: We cover one thing then are required to test on something entirely different. I am not going to teach to a test…it’s just ethically wrong.
http://orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mathpacing3.jpg
3. Many high scoring districts may teach to the test. I’ve seen plenty of teachers doing that in my last 20 years in this profession. The teachers compete and don’t want to be known as the teacher who scored the lowest.
4. This is not an excuse, but kids who are just learning English will have a difficult time competing with districts where the child has grown up and has been immersed into the language and culture. We can do flips in the air and perform tricks (yes, we care and try our best), but if a child isn’t ready then they aren’t ready.
ex. If I gave YOU a book of Russian today and told you “test next week” how would you score? Exactly. If you don’t want to learn Russian and aren’t ready to learn it…you simply WON’T learn it. One must buy into the program 1st including the parents BEFORE they hop on the SAUSD bandwagon.
Right now, they are alienating the teachers and the classified employees and this is trickling down to the kids just like Reagan(omics). Until the district is willing to UNIFY everyone, then it will continue to sink. Right now, everyone is doing their own thing and looking out for themselves because of all of the cuts and decisions that the leaders are making.
5. Lastly, this district does INTERVENTIONS on the wrong target group.
ex. When I taught 1st grade, they asked me for a list of the 5 lowest kids in the room so that they could do SIPPS with them. I knew that this would be useless because after teaching this grade level year after year, you have a pretty good idea how to look into a crystal ball and read what is going to happen. In a nutshell, the 5 lowest were “not ready” and immature and would most likely REPEAT the grade, so doing interventions with that target group was not as productive as if they were to take the MIDDLE performing group who may just need that additional support to lead them on their way.
I have one more comment, but I would be bashed for that one. People who know me, KNOW it…it’s about a coke can.
6. Patricia O’Neil (patriciaoneil7@aol.com) Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 7:32 pm edit
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hunger-strike28-2009may28,0,2354830.story
Teachers start hunger strike to protest layoffs
At least nine teachers and two activists take part in the strike, demanding that the district put forth a new budget that doesn’t include layoffs or class-size increases.
By Ruben Vives
May 28, 2009
A group of teachers and community activists started a hunger strike Wednesday in protest of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s plan to lay off thousands of teachers.
At least nine teachers and two activists are participating in the action, said Sean Leys, a Lincoln High School teacher.
Leys says the group is demanding a new budget that will not include layoffs or class-size increases.
It also wants the district to use federal stimulus money to avoid budget cuts.
ruben.vives@latimes.com
7. SAUSD Empoyee Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 8:55 pm edit
#3 – Summer school is only available for high school students. Anything happening at the middle or elementary scools this summer is funded by Think Together (BTW, where do they get their money?).
8. Classified on the Frontline Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 9:04 pm edit
@1003 Jill Sorry to hear that your situation but I am curious if your site really does have a computer tech. I don’t recall any site computer techs being a female. I also took the liberty of looking into the district staff directory and can confirm the techs I know. I think what your site might have is an instructional assistant computers. There is a difference.
9. tmare Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm edit
Think Together is offering a “summer school” program at many sites. They will be offering a Language Arts program, no math. College students will be trained to teach the program and some teachers will be offered work at a significantly lower hourly wage than normal summer school. Think together receives money from federal grants. It is a huge program. I’d probably rate it in the “better than nothing” range. Sometimes I wonder about that since there is constant disruption and stolen items from the regular classrooms and the teachers have to deal with it almost daily when they return to their rooms.
10. Jill Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 9:29 pm edit
#8
She’s a nice lady. Her name is Carol, but she doesn’t do a thing for my class.
Regarding Think Together: so do they pay for all of the costs to keep the buildings OPEN then in the summer? Do they pay for the air conditioning…this is something we need to find out.
11. tmare Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 9:38 pm edit
I really don’t think they pay for air conditioning or facility use. I think the district is happy to have much of this stuff done essentially for free, it makes it look like something is really going on, when in fact, it is mostly babysitting. For many kids, like I said, better than nothing.
12. Jill Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 10:21 pm edit
I understand that, but the district is picking up the BILL $$$ to keep the buildings open is my point. I know they sent applications out to my students and a few signed up. Also, the teachers said that they are getting paid at their teacher rate. Now, I could be wrong on this, but this is what I am hearing.
Here’s LA’s summer school program link since that’s what John sends everyone anyways…like we can’t go to that on our own.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/30/education/30schools.html?ref=us
Yes, these programs are all wonderful, but they are EXTRAS and our district keeps telling us how broke they are yet they can pay teachers for summer school and keep the building open for free (just to be nice) so Think Together can babysit the kids while they are laying off classified and teachers? Not cool!
Details coming!
13. Classified on the Frontline Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm edit
@10 I checked up on that for you. Shes an Inst Asst Computers.
14. Jill Says:
May 30th, 2009 at 10:46 pm edit
#13 thanks, but whatever she is (comes out of the mindresearch fund) that the district considers a priority.
15. tmare Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 9:02 am edit
This is what I have been told at my site: the teacher who coordinates the Think Together program for the summer will earn $40 per hour and the teachers participating will earn $30. I’m sure they’ll find some new teachers who will take the jobs. There is absolutely no regular hourly wage involved, that much I am sure of.
16. Jill Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 9:08 am edit
tmare,
Thank you and good investigating
17. Patricia O’Neil (patriciaoneil7@aol.com) Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 11:43 am edit
Think Together is a state-approved Supplemental Services Provider. PI schools are required to provide supplemental services. A portion of our Title I money is required to be used for Supplemental Services. Because we are a PI Year 3 school district, we are not allowed to serve as our own Supplemental Services Provider.
I agree that it would be interesting to know how (or if) SAUSD accounts for services in the form of use of our office staff, facilities, etc. provided to Think Together.
In addition to the Title I money, Donald Bren has supported Think Together with a $1 million donation in 2006 and $8.5 million last year. Think Together has also benefited from a 1.4 million grant to SAUSD. Apparently, they receive (or have received) funds from Prop 49 (2002) – After School Education and Safety.
According to the link below (p. 10), instruction may be provided by college students, college graduates, or credentialed teachers. One to five students are in a “group” and may receive from 21 to 39 hours of instruction.
http://www.sausd.us/1443102812233493/lib/1443102812233493/_files/SES_08-09_Eng_Brochure_as_of_8.14.08.pdf
According to, http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080219005234&newsLang=en,
“Students come to the THINK Together sites every school day, receive a healthy snack and then participate in a rotation of supervised activities. They receive an additional hour of instruction – often delivered by teachers from that same school — and then receive help with their homework for about an hour, through a combination of paid staff and volunteer tutors. Students then participate in an hour of exercise through a combination of structured physical fitness activities. THINK Together programs have won numerous awards and have shown outstanding results.”
Those not at the sites probably don’t often hear of the problems reported in the comments above, i.e., materials disappearing from the classrooms, extra workload for classified staff, etc. The situation raises questions of whether public dollars are benefiting private agencies in unaccounted-for ways. The distinction between outside providers and the district appears to be nebulous in some regards. Since the District cannot be its own provider, it also seems like it’s undermining public education by diverting public (and non-public) funds to an outside agency.
I wonder if this provider (Think Together) is as effective as they claim to be. It would be interesting to hear from some of the parents and teachers of children in Santa Ana who have received services from this program.
18. Jill Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 1:31 pm edit
I’ll go first. This “program” was in my classroom and they continuously ripped down bulletin boards and wandered around the room. The few times I stayed, I left with a huge headache. Kids were allowed to color, draw, wander around and I didn’t see any reading going on. I even asked them why the kids weren’t reading when our school is one of the lowest in Santa Ana. Now that the weather is better, there’s a group that is behind my room (daily) dancing to music that is “inappropriate”. It is really embarrassing when I am talking to parents in my room to have that blasting. I see kids running around the school, going up and down my ramp, knocking on my door and running (ding, dong, ditch) need I go on? Maybe it is better somewhere else. It’s the pits where I’m at.
19. Red Vixen Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 2:00 pm edit
Jill,
I hear about problems in all kinds of programs in the district and the one thing that seems to be a common theme is that there is no responsible oversight. Whoever is ultimately responsible for problems is not making corrections. In fact, the communication and accountability factors seem to be absent. So when there is a problem reported, there is just a lot of ass covering, phone calls refused, bullying and general supression of critical incidents and issues.
Your union also is guilty of extremely poor communication by board members who care only about themselves, their side businesses and holding their positions at all costs.
Maybe some of you site reps can verify that Scott Miller is in charge of the upcoming rally and that he is asking for email addresses. However, we already KNOW that Jennifer Isensee has those rep email addresses, so WHY ARE THEY NOT SHARING that information in order to rally the entire troops for the upcoming event? They sure busted their tails to get the election jammed down. But something like a rally to protest job losses – well, that takes a distant backseat in the list of priorities.
Is it any wonder that “anger management” is one of their side business services? I’d be pissed too, if I saw all my colleagues getting the axe while SAEA is fiddling around, unable to even assemble an email about a rally, that apparently is just for placating its members.
20. SAUSD VP enablers suck Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 2:29 pm edit
Former Instructional Assistant at Saddleback High School who remained a threat to severely disabled students under the explicit protection of Evelyn Carrigg, Vice Principal. Please notify any families that may have been impacted by this individual:
Here is a summary of the court proceedings so far:
Case Number: 08CF3283
Defendant: Gonzalez, Alonso Manuel
11/17/2008 288(c)(2) PC Lewd act with dependant adult by caretaker
Plea: NOT GUILTY Plea Date: 4/21/2009
12/16/2008 08:30 AM Arraignment C57 Heard
01/13/2009 08:30 AM Pre Trial C57 Heard
01/13/2009 08:30 AM Pre Trial C57 Heard
02/04/2009 08:30 AM Pre Preliminary Hearing C57 Cancel
02/20/2009 08:30 AM Pre Trial C57 Heard
03/11/2009 08:30 AM Pre Preliminary Hearing C57 Heard
04/06/2009 08:30 AM Pre Preliminary Hearing C57 Heard
04/07/2009 08:30 AM Pre Preliminary Hearing C57 Heard
04/07/2009 09:30 AM Pre Preliminary Hearing C51 Heard
04/21/2009 08:30 AM Arraignment – C5 Heard
05/15/2009 09:00 AM Pre Trial Trial Setting Conference C38 Heard
05/29/2009 09:00 AM Pre Trial Trial Setting Conference C38 Heard
Upcoming Date:
06/05/2009 09:00 AM Pre Trial Trial Setting Conference C38
Site look up: http://visionweb.occourts.org/Vision_Public/DisplayCaseInfo.do
21. tmare Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 2:42 pm edit
I have to agree that the damage to classrooms is a major issue with Think Together. Once again, how anyone can expect to have the same type of care taken as a regular teacher while paying somewhere around $15 an hour to college students is beyond me. It just doesn’t happen. We’ve complained numerous times and things get better for about a day before reverting back.
I just don’t understand the e-mail thing. I know that Jennifer probably has the e-mail of most, if not all, site reps but again, the district and the union have agreed that district e-mail will not be used. I have so many people at my site that refuse to give out their own personal e-mails, I just don’t know what the union can be expected to do. A flyer was delivered to site reps to be placed in everyone’s mailboxes last week regarding the protest, so I’m sure everyone received that. I’m just not sure if there’s much more they can do to get the word out. It really falls upon the site reps to talk this up and get people involved.
22. Wilson Elementary teacher Says:
May 31st, 2009 at 3:03 pm edit
Think Together at our site:
1) Mr. Mendoza, program director, runs it well.
2) His staff (college kids) overall are adequate.
3) The children have to behave for three more hours of “school” and it’s too much for many of them.
4) My room is used and: every student (and myself) have had things stolen. As #21 commented: I complain, things are better for a day and then it’s back to the same ol’ problems.
5) I am very proactive and speak with Mr. Mendoza nearly daily about what I see going on. I believe he tries his best and he usually responds that same day to me.
6) Think Together is a typical “extra program”. It’s designed to minimally fulfill requirements.
7) Yes, it’s better than the kids going home to video games or the streets.
Some things never change-
Example:
A new job was posted Friday (5/29) on edjoin:
District – SAUSD
Director of Construction – Construction Department
Manager, Director Level
Classified position at management level
High School diploma required
Level 46 $8,923 – $10,058
Anon – You’ve got to be kidding! Even if this does not affect any teaching or classified positions, shouldn’t the district office be more sensitive to those of us that are being riffed? It seems an exhorbant misuse of funds. How come someone with a high school diploma and no college will earn far more than the majority of teachers in the district? It’s almost as if the job requiremenmts have been tailored to a specific individual.
At the very least, the district should have waited until the school year concluded and then posted the job. Most of us would never known what was occuring behind our backs.
I wonder if Jane and the board know this position is being flown with such minimal requirements and exhorbitant salary.
Where is the OC Register when we need them?
Not sure which comment is was, but the district can be its own provider of after school programs, however, after the program was called one of the best in orange county by an OCDE employee, while is was run by two hard working teachers, the district decided to give the program to TT mostly in part because of the money. The summer program is funded through grants that are awarded to the district. I’m sure TT kicks in some funds as well, but don’t think that it is 8.5 million. That was a deal that would be shared by SAUSD and multiple school districts in the Inland Empire. So it’s not actually that much that is going to come to SAUSD. ALso, facilities use is part of the District’s in kind contributions that is a required part of the grant (I think it is 33% but with changes in legislature it might be lowered. There are many bills going to the appropriations committe regarding the ASES/21Century after school grants.
Lots of complaints this year about programs. However, I haven’t heard any complaints about schools that do not have TT.
The district can be its own provider, however that could be construed as double-dipping. Some teachers could work the system so they could be after school teachers. Nice increase in pay, don’t ya’ think?
Correction on the Think Together summer pay. It is $50 an hour for the teacher that coordinates the program and $40 an hour for the teachers who teach in the program. Sorry for the error. From what I heard today, there is no shortage of teachers who have applied to teach in the program. This is very telling of the current economy. The district used to let teachers teach out of their subject area in math because too few teachers would apply and the hourly rate was much better than this.
Anonymous – How could it be considered double dipping if they teach in the after school program? That occurs after the instructional day.
Teachers have always increased their pay by working extra programs. This is nothing new, however, most of these programs were severely limited this year and will all but disappear next year.
Golly gee . . . who decides what students need the extra/after school programs? and is it possible that an after school instructor could help determine the need for her services? perhaps that’s where “double dipping” comes into play.
Teaching a class or working with a program is not double dipping, it is adding more toppings to the sundae. If the teacher gets paid more, it’s because he or she is working extra hours. There is no over time, and often teachers get less than their contracted hourly pay for this extra work. It would be double dipping if they did the work inside the school day during a period when they are supposed to be teaching, instead of out of the contracted hours. Many teachers at the secondary level even take on a class during their prep period in order to earn a little extra money, often adding another part of the subject to prepare for and moving the teacher to prepare for all classes before and after school. The need for extra classes is determined by the school administration and special programs administrators.
SAEA Union Elections Jam Down “Par-tay!” Hits a Speed Bump
#10 – If teachers cannot conduct legal and ethcial elections, what makes you think they don’t tinker with the after school instructional programs?
There was an elementary school principal, north of Seventheenth Street, that used Title I funds to conduct after school sessions for the purpose of teaching Spanish to the non-Spanish speaking student. Title I funds are not intended to supplement “elective classes” for the priveleged. All around, SAUSD admins and teachers have been very abusive of Title I funds and they use fancy terms like “toppings on the sundae” to brush it off. It smells rotten to me.
I’m not as concerned about the after school uses of Title I money as I am concerned about the use of the money to fund regular classes during the school day. These regular classes are not intended for the academically struggling, low income student, they are an additional regular class. The majority of our Title I funds have been used to pay teachers to teach an extra period (instead of having a prep period) to hide the district’s shameful methods of calculating class sizes. It will be interesting to see how large the classes actually are next year when the district takes the Title I money and uses it how they please, we’ve already been informed that we will not be able to fund additional classes using this money next year.
Supposedly, they’re keeping all categorical funds downtown. Sites will have no input in how their funds will be spent. I’m sure Olsky will make the right choices!
Olsky
poster child for D.O. FATministrators
anyone notice
that
nearly every sausd BIG WIG
is
HUGE?
Hey, maybe they should get back in the classroom every few years, teach Physical Education and nutrition programs!
According to School Services of California (http://www.sscal.com/catwizard/lookup_form.cfm?action=council), the programs listed below require School Site Council approval. (I’m not sure how Tier III program funds are affected since those funds can now be spent flexibly, i.e., Pupil Retention Block Grant, School and Library Improvement Grant, GATE, School Violence and Safety Act.)
AB 825 Pupil Retention Block Grant
AB 825 School and Library Improvement Block Grant
Discretionary Block Grant
Economic Impact Aid
GATE–Gifted and Talented Education Program
High Priority Schools Grant Program
NCLB: Title I, Part A, Basic Grants Low-Income and Neglected
NCLB: Title III, Immigrant Education Program/Limited English Proficient (LEP) Program
NCLB: Title V, Part A, Innovative Education Strategies Formula Entitlements/FF
Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA)
School Based Coordination Program (SBCP)
School Safety and Violence Prevention Act (Carl Washington Act)
Empowered School Site Councils can make sure that funds are used to meet student needs. If the District plans to use these funds for a particular purpose, they will have to have the approval of the School Site Council. The School Site Council may decide that the funds would best be used in a different way.
Admittedly, the School Site Council members would, in many cases, be pressured by the Principal who is under pressure from the District to get the School Site Council’s approval. As a recent School Board meeting, Roman Reyna asked if it were not true that School Site Council approval would be required for many of the District’s proposals. Dr. Olsky responded that they would have to be “brought on board.”
The district has developed a “one size fits all approach” to use of the categorical monies. District will staff all schools identically regardless of what School Site Councils want. All elementary schools staffed identical, intermediate schools staffed identical, high schools staffed identical. If all schools are staffed the same with the monies, either the fundamental schools are getting too big a piece of the pie or the non-fundamental schools are receiving too small a piece of the pie.
This is how the district will be able to keep music in the elem. schools. They will pay for music teachers out of categorical. There are all kinds of scenarios being discussed as to what the district will do with the money. The individual school sites are not part of the e1quation. Sit back and wait to see what they dish out. I don’t trust the district to use the money for its intended purposes at the sites.
Empowered school site councils is the PC way of saying the council is stacked in the principal’s favor and/or teachers.
I don’t have to sit back and wait to see how the district will dish it out . . . they will want to hire a high-salaried person to coordinate this feat and make bad decisions will reign.
RIFs rescinded fr some Single Sub credentialed teachers; we were notified by our principal after school today. I certainly hope this mollifies sheeple enough to stop complaining about the incompetent management, duplicitous and illegal attendance counts, wasteful district office whales, and inhuman working conditions that we all know and love. More gruel, please?
Once again Classified will take the hit AGAIN. Schools will be lucky to be left with any decent staff. WHATEVER
I don’t get SAEA’s agenda. Today, they sent out an obviously wrong flyer claiming that more rifs could be coming in August. It was obviously wrong because the district’s present rif scenario is based on no resource positions and 30:1. Within a couple of hours, Jane Russo’s response was in our mailboxes, letting us know that the district was not considering further rifs. Is the union so out of touch or unconcerned with the rif process that they are not even aware of the obvious?
Don’t get me wrong. I am no fan of Russo’s. I think it was downright evil on her part to destroy our morale on the day of the teacher by sending out a letter denying receipt of the stimulus money and dashing whatever hopes the riffed teachers might have been clinging to. She didn’t need to do that. She still wasn’t operating on full information. What she did was insensitive, heartless, foolish, and wrong. But with that said, I still trust the district a lot more than the union when it comes to giving out accurate information about the rifs and keeping the teachers informed.
As for SAEA’s ridiculous pretense of sponsoring a rally the week before school ends, it is too little, too late, and I am sure it was designed that way. The rif teachers do not figure on SAEA’s agenda. It is almost an insult to throw us such a small bone so late in the process, as if the board members minds will not have been made up before they vote at their meeting later the day of the rally with respct to class sizes and such. If any rifs are rescinded, SAEA better not claim victory. It has done nothing for us, and has actually intentionally harmed those of us who are not Bakersfield teachers.
I have it from a source that Olsky is the one who told the union heads that the district would send out 100 more RIFS by August 15th. Barton became infuriated and met with Russo who told him that this was not true. The union prepared the latest flyer in response to Olsky’s statements. Once again, a few of the higher ups that Russo is was responsible for hiring are running around saying things that are not true. The initial report of 100 more RIFS came from the district and Russo had to clean up the mess. I’m wondering when she’s going to get the message that her right hand doesn’t know what her left hand is doing. It was the same story with the 8 period day and the new grading system at the intermediate level.
Tmare, thanks for the biggest laugh I have had in weeks. David Barton infuriated about rifs? Come on. You obviously haven’t been riffed.
Jane hasn’t a clue what is going on in her own district. Olsky has an agenda. She’s running the district. Until the board and/or Jane put a stop to it, we will continue to have mixed messages coming from the District Office.
BTW, the Think Together summer program also falls under Olsky. She just rolls along taking control of anything and everything. Reminds me a little bit of Machado.
Anon-completely agree. It seems that she has some sort of God complex and she does remind me of Machado.
For categorical money that needs School Site Council Approval, I was always told that ASES/21CCLC money needed approval, but that the “district” took care of it. Yes, when TT was given the program, Dr. Olsky told all the coordinators that there was going to be a joint committee of admins, teachers, etc. that would monitor the program. Has anyone heard of this committee? Has she even followed through with that?
Just got official word. I’m among the 137 whose RIF was rescinded. I have a feeling that there will be plenty more rescinded. Keep your heads up everyone.
SAEA Elections, Uhhh…. Popularity Contest, Winners!
Jill, I’m confused. Do you think that kids don’t need a library or someone to run it? I agree that music is extra, but certainly a library is essential, no?
I really enjoy reading these post and I appreciate all the information this web site offers. Most people who post her are very credible and present their case well. However, I was very surprised with the most recent post by Jill. Since when do you need to be a “super teacher of America” to teach 30 kids? Come on … really? I know plenty of excellent teachers who work in SA school with classes at 30+. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not a district supporter by ANY means! I am a 7 years teacher who got my 5th riff since working for SAUSD. i just think you might be taken a little more seriously if the sarcasm dial was turned down a bit.
#33 really,
Are you satisfied with your union’s efforts to address the Rif process? 5 rifs in 7 years seems like a lot of job insecurity.
There are plenty of Jill fans around here. She posts just fine, imo.
#32
Welcome concerned Parent. What levels or school/s do your kids attend?
Are you worried at all about the drastic cuts that are coming to SAUSD soon?
Saddleback High pervert pleads guilty to child abuse of special ed student!
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/notes-from-the-banana-republic/saddleback-high-special-ed-ass/index.php
I think the district and a lot of people are being very short sighted in their thinking when it comes to music and other electives. They talk as if music is an extra or extravagance. What they don’t understand is that music is math! Just study theory and you can see the applied math. There have been concertos composed using math equations. Don’t like music? Try Cooking and Woodshop! Talk about a way to really get fractions down! Not only are they all seeped in math but they also offer real life experiences and applications. Maybe our schools are doing so poorly, this last generation, because they have stepped away from the alternate avenues to teach these basics. As a parent it frightens me to see our kids not have any exposure to these classes. Too often their only exposure would have been through school. Once again we are selling our kids short and short sighting our next generation.
Great article Gustavo! Thanks for the link and all your efforts!
REPOST
In some email exchanges for information from a variety of sources:
SAEA
That’s “nice” that Barton issued a strong statement about the class size fraud (which had been going on for a long time before the teachers went public and which he had probably known about). Maybe some of the Washington Elementary teachers who were involved would know about the union’s response.
Jennifer was the grievance person when the whole class size fraud came to light and went public. Jane Russo issued a very scathing attack letter directed at the union and Jennifer in particular. Jennifer was devastated. She freaked out and was completely upset. Union reps were running around accusing teachers of going to the Los Angeles Times and trying to out whoever was responsible. After all the dust settled, somehow SAUSD and Jane Russo offered Jennifer a paid position as “Grievance Chair”.
Jennifer has not helped, in any way, to resolve problems. When colleagues have called, they get an email back from her asking me to write out what the issue is and she will possibly get back to me. This is unacceptable!
We need to be able to explain things and clarify the situation over the phone! I can’t name one person who Jennifer has helped.
Regarding SAEA’s position relative to CTA, I know that David printed the following statement in the most recent newsletter:
“Recently I attended an awards dinner at which a CTA staff
member, not associated with Santa Ana, attempted to take
credit for the dedication and efficiency of a revitalized SAEA.
It’s not unusual for CTA types to self-aggrandize, but to distort
and/or dismiss the long hours put in by dozens of SAEA
members is so wrong that it is breathtaking.”
A couple of days ago, it was explained to me that this referred to comments made by Norma Potter, a CTA Staff person, who acknowledged the hard work of many staff members and referred to Santa Ana. Apparently, the reference was to the staff (not necessarily Gladys Hall-Kessler) who helped during the recent RIF proceedings. According to the story, Susan Mercer confronted Norma afterwards and expressed her extreme displeasure that the staff would be recognized when, in fact, according to Susan, she (possibly with the help of others) had done nearly everything.
My grievance worked its way to a Level III, which means that due process was not able to be achieved at lower levels. The SAEA Board of Directors “voted” to cancel the grievance! What an outrage! I have gone directly to Gladys Hall-Kessler. I will never trust Jennifer Isensee again. I will never let her or those other board members deal with me in any way. I am not the only one that has had a grievance voted “against” by the organization that is supposed to be giving us advocacy and representation. SAEA is corrupt and inept. I’ve complained to CTA and I suggest that others do that as well.
Riff’ed teachers who wanted to apply for the summer Think Together program found that positions were already filled, with no interviews being held. The positions were filled with non-credentialed people. Union is completely absent from advocacy here.
“That should be the end of it”? That’s pretty arrogant. Not to mention the part about “a few of us met.” (In regards to the Elections Memo)
SAEA antics are juvenile and pretentious. They should be ashamed, if they even knew any better. Riff ed teachers have those bastards to thank for losing their jobs.
Here is an email I received from Scott Miller. I guess that he and Jennifer have finally shared the site rep email addresses to send out communications whenever they feel like it. Why he didn’t send the talking points in the email message, I have no idea. Maybe he still does not know what those talking points will be? :
Scott Miller saeaorganizing@hotmail.com
To All Site Reps:
Please remember to remind your staff that the rally planned for Tuesday, June 9th, will begin at 3:30PM. A march will follow at 4PM. Signs will be provided. You are encouraged to attend and speak at the School Board meeting beginning at 5PM. We are expecting a celebrity speaker at the board meeting. Please call the SAEA office for talking points. Sincerely,
SAEA Organizing Team
(NO talking points can be found at the SAEA website http://www.sateach.org/ fyi, Rv–)
***
I am concerned about failure to represent the membership well in negotiations and grievances, dissemination of misinformation especially during contract ratifications and manipulation of the members, disregard of fair procedures as in the elections, and the sense of disdain with which those not “in the club” are treated.
***
It’s pretty obvious when some of those pesky union hacks show up and pretend to be parents to attack good bloggers like Jill. Real parents would be concerned that their kids’ class is going to be gigantic and probably unsafe next year. SAEA is full of liars and pretenders. They show up for one post and when someone asks them a pertinent question they magically disappear from the discussions.
***
I have heard from a number of teachers who are very upset that they are being displaced (who have been at the school site for years) while others were sharing contracts and not even working FULL time got to stay at the site. They don’t consider this a fair practice and the union is not assisting them at this point. Rv- –
What’s more important to Santa Ana students, music or English? Hmmm, that’s a tough one.
Send Jennifer back to the classroom. What a waste of money! Let Gladys and Susan do their jobs without the cover of stupid “grievance committees” made up of god knows who that “vote” on grievances. Is anyone planning on suing SAEA for lack of representation? I think there are plenty of us who have been denied due process and proper representation since Jennifer has come on board.
#37
Gustavo,
Nice reporting! I know that whole story well!
SAEA Rep. Meg Robinson at Saddleback told the supervising teacher to move to another school when she first reported Alonso to the principal. Meg was actively helping Jones write up that teacher, too. It came out during a trial.
#42
Why does it have to be an either/or situation? You throw 3 periods of LA at the kids and 2 of math and then make every other teacher, including PE teach LA in their classes and this works? Ask Willard. The district made them stop in Feb. when it was evident it wasn’t.
I have a student at an elementary school.
I cant speak for other levels but i know that kids and teachers at my school site are unable to properly circulate books or textbooks. They closed the library and NO ONE was allowed access to books. I can only assume this was to prevent theft, a problem at many libraries in this district. Jill, you are lucky that your principal allowed books to be taken in such a manner.
I was also under the impression that california ed code requires a person maintaining the library.There are many schools with no one in their library at all and while the school may run fine and while teachers and students may have access to books there is no one to be accountable for the books. what happens when thousands of dollars of books go “missing” as happened at edison elementary (60k worth actually!)? the books themselves are an asset that the district cant afford to lose or replace!
plus i dont think the teachers and administrators enjoy circulating/ordering textbooks or even know how (for upper grades). good luck teaching science or math without textbooks.
my point is that someone needs to do this job-it really is essential. it’s so easy to say “oh, we can get our books ourselves” but that is naive as there are many other things these classified staff members do (and with only 4 hours most of them-its really amazing).
maybe the computer tech and the library tech job can be combined. again, i dont know the specifics of their jobs-just the importance.
My daughter was very excited when she started to learn to read and luckily i was able to take her to the public library when her school had no tech last year. the sad fact is that most students don’t have parents who can take them to the public library and book mobiles dont come around anymore (anyone know why?).
I am very concerned about upcoming cuts because, as always, they are on the backs of children. Santa Ana Unified gets some of the most money of all districts in this state and it’s a shame that the retards at the top cant do anything right. Perhaps the reason they can’t balance a budget is because they too are products of a “balanced budget” education.
There are many things going on that disgust me but “no library” is just heartbreaking. The library should be more than just a room with books.
#47 Concerned Parent,
Thanks for posting your concerns and observations for everyone to read and consider.
The cuts need to be top-down. But that is not happening at Santa Ana.
I have heard from several people that there will be NO classified staff at SAHS – only one secretary. There will be DSO’s and Food Service, but no other clerical to run the high school. I don’t know if this is just a well-worn rumor or if it really is the plan. If it IS the plan, then it should be lead by example NOW. Send all the secretaries and clerks from the district office packing and let the administrators do their own phone calling and clerical work. In fact get rid of 3/4 of the administrative cabinet.
Lead by example. Do it now, so they can find out if it is going to work at the high schools in the fall.
Firing librarians, music teachers, counselors, safety personnel etc….. might become unnecessary if Russo and her cabinet learned to make meaningful cuts AWAY from the STUDENTS FIRST.
red vixen, I’m with you!
Concerned Parent,
There has been much discussion about parent involvement in SAUSD. Do you find that there are any networks in place for parents to share concerns, unify, organize etc….?
There seems to be a lack of parent input with this district.
any insight would be appreciated!
RV~
I am completely unsatisfied with the way the union has handled the past five riffs I have received. I have lost my gung ho attitude ( like many others) and have settled into the crossing my fingers approach to being hired back.
As far as your statement about Jill having plenty of fans on this blog~ If that what she’s into , then more power to her. She has done her homework and the information she’s posts is very useful. However, her constant side opinions and sarcasm tend to dilute the facts. ☮
There is NO WAY a high school can run with out clerks, secretaries, office assitants, etc..! What the heck!! Do any of the board know what it takes to run a HIGH SCHOOL? SERIOUSLY..DO THEY? Why is there no further cuts to ADMIN..? Why do we need 4 Administrators at a HS? Then they complain that our staff is not getting the phones in a timely manner? I’ve heard that..Ihave told our VP and principal..what do you expect? I’ve seen them grab a gal out of counseling and put her in the front office for half the day..I’ve seen the athletic secretary in the nurses office taking temperatures, I’ve seen the night custodian helping the work in the fields for a softball game, I’ve seen the computer tech in the counseling office helping with registration, I’ve seen the office clerk get yelled at by a idiot teacher because the AP pulled him to help in the front office and god forbit this kid wasn’t in his office “to help her”. Give me a break! You know I feel for all these people who do get shafted and yelled at each year. I’ve been in this district for 22 years and this is the worst I have seen it. I want all of the higher up’s to spend one day at a school to see what it REALLY takes to make it work. You take away all these people and then what? boy..we will suffer again. I tell you we were lucky to get people who “bumped” into these jobs who could really work.. now guess what..We are going to lose some good people once again. The people who will “bump” into these jobs don’t care about the job.. beacause it’s “just a job” who cares if they once did the job before..They obviously wanted something different yet they are supposed to be be lucky to still have a job, As one gal put in in our front office.”If I wanted to go back and do that job,don’t you think I’d still be there!” Bravo my dear..I’m sure Russo and the band of cronies don’t get it.. well I can’t wait to see what next school year will hold.
#51 really,
Thank you for the candid reply. I am very sorry for all of the teachers who have been battered so badly for the last several years. In SAUSD you’ve had FIVE YEARS of being riffed. That seems completely bizarre – most school districts have been riffing for just a couple of years, right? WHY so many years of rif’s? Is it just the easy solution and a way to churn out the older, more expensive teachers? I just don’t get it.
In discussions elsewhere, teachers were saying how hard it is to concentrate and give their all when they have a pinkslip and they are freaking out over how they are going to make the bills, keep their homes and what is becoming of their careeers. I just don’t know how it is possible to really give the students the best education when all that is hanging over their heads. 5 years of riff’s that have been rescinded seems like a procedure that is counter-productive. I think it really hammers the students’ education experience as soon as the Rif’s are sent out.
That’s my take on it.
Welcome Teacher 22.
These are dark days for education. There does not seem to be any relief in sight. The only people who don’t seem affected are at the top.
Why doesn’t the board pink slip all of the cabinet and Russo and see if the schools can’t get by this year with just the working staff without all the fluffsters at the top making their fatal cuts and their gawdawful decisions?
Jane and the cabinet still have their FULL salaries? Jane still riding around in her company car? How many secretaries do they all have? They ever consider a greatly-reduced, shared secretary pool? What notable cuts have been made at the top?
Jill,
Well, I am a fan. I nearly deleted your comment bashing your efforts and your declaration not to post anymore 😉 Clearly your posts have been meaningful and have generated discussion. Take the day off, you deserve it.
I want to point out that Jill was one of only a handful of teachers who was willing to use her own name and to post passionately about the upcoming loss of her job and the devastation of her career. To me, she’s got courage. She’s a fighter, just like many of the teachers who are fighting their own battles quietly.
Don’t get discouraged – Jill or any of you other teachers. Get angry. Get determined. Take it easy on each other, for everyone is fighting their own battles each day.
Jill – dismissed for the day! Enjoy yourself!
Other threads related to SAUSD and SAEA concerning teachers, students, administrators and the Santa Ana community:
SAEA Union Elections Jam Down “Par-tay!” Hits a Speed Bump
Why did SAUSD Superintendent cover up the abuse of a special ed student?
School Board Priorities: What do you want for your kids?
SAEA Elections, Uhhh…. Popularity Contest, Winners!