SAEA Clowns determined to manipulate SAEA Elections results? You decide.
Candidate for SAEA union Secretary, Jennifer Isensee, sent out her list of handpicked candidates to school site representatives this past weekend. She is the ONLY candidate that has the contact list for all of the site reps. She’s also a PAID employee of the school district who is supposed to handle grievances for teachers. She’s got so much time on her hands after making sure that hundreds of teachers have received layoff notices that she’d also like to hold a board position too!
The candidate cronies that she has been advertising have a distinct advantage over challengers, in that, the Elections Official (Maureen Doughtery) denies the challengers access to equal resources for contacting union membership.
I guess this election is so special that the crony club needs to win at any cost! Looks like weak sauce opponents have been stacking the deck to ensure a win.
Meanwhile, SAEA board members have clammed up. Not an official peep about the shenanigans. However, lots of union hacks seem to be swarming the OJ boards with all sorts of nonsensical defenses.
The official SAEA board excuse will probably be that they are so busy with multiple positions in the union structure that they simply cannot be bothered with any request for accountability. Hurry and get out the vote suckers! This is the best it can get for your $95.00 dues per month! And suck it up, Rif’ed teachers, this is as good as it gets. Look on the bright side: Once you’re out of your jobs, you won’t have to pay union dues for this kind of nonsense. Lucky you!
SAEA Elections timeline according to the Teachers Union website.
March 24 Nominations open.
Declaration of Candidacy forms are available from SAEA site reps and the SAEA Office.
April 24 Nominations close.
Declaration of Candidacy must be received at the SAEA Office by 4:00 P.M. Postmark date is not valid.
April 28 Nominations from the floor of Rep Council.
April 29 Acknowledge of Declarations from candidates.
April 29-May 1 Preparation of the ballots and voting materials.
May 4 Ballots and voting materials sent per District Mail to the sites.
Those unable to vote at their site may request an absentee ballot from the SAEA Office from May 4-May 21.
May 4- 21 Voting at the sites.
May 21 All ballots must be returned to the SAEA Office by 4:00P.M. on Thursday May 21.
May 21 Counting of ballots at 4:00P.M. at SAEA Office.
May 26 Results are announced to candidates and faxed to the sites.
May 26 Notice of run-off elections, if necessary.
May 26 Preparation for run-off elections, if necessary.
June 1 Deadline for submitting election challenges at 5:00P.M.
Election Challenges must be submitted at the SAEA Office, in writing, to: Maureen Dougherty, SAEA Elections Chair.
June 1 Election material sent to sites for run-off elections, if necessary.
June 1-12 Run-off election voting, if necessary.
Boy, Oh Boy, the entrenched SAEA Union Cabal sure wants to win this year. At any cost! Goooooooo insiders club!
sausd teacher (#49) Thank you. I stand corrected and gratefully so. Normally, I take the time to spell check the entire thing with Word (granted, not 100% perfect, but better than nothing!) but this time I was in a hurry…and I knew it didn’t look right as soon as I clicked ‘submit’ – oh well.
I was never particularly strong in spelling. I remember my teachers and my parents always riding me for my spelling, and when I was able to take typing in Jr High, my mom insisted that it was one of THE most important skills I would ever learn (and yet I still use to 2- or 4- finger ‘hunt and peck’ method – never did manage to learn proper to type without looking at the keyboard. Hey, here’s a question for you…do they STILL even teach typing, using a realy typewriter, in school anymore? – talk about an ancient art! Sort of like trying to explain to children that vinyl albums aren’t just big, black CDs!
Anonplus (#51) Yes…it’s good to have a laugh! Oh well, I never said I was perfect, that’s for sure!
NeedToKnow Julie is running for office. Their insider group of endorsee bookmark arrived today and I saw it in the trash today at our school. Please do not vote for that group of people. That’s all I ask!
7th grade typing turned out to be one of the most useful classes I ever took. It saved me from numerous hours of pecking at the computer. I wish it was still a part of the curriculum, now more than ever.
Reminder: Please keep your posts brief, to the point and try to be civil.
NO SPAMMING. Obsessive, hostile, repetitive and boorish posts are subject to moderation. –Rv
TeacherHS (#53) I’m not quite sure, but it looks as though you are accusing me of being or assuming the I am Julie Meneghini. If that is your assumption, you are sadly mistaken.
I’m surprised you called the list an ‘insider list’ when, in fact, it’s not – it’s simply a list of candidates that have this in common – the common good, common welfare, and the common defense of the rights of all SAEA teachers. Anyone that is running for office under any other pretense has no place in leadership at SAEA.
It is a KNOWN fact that at least one of the opposition candidates has made it known that his or her ultimate goal is national office and the plan is to use this as a launching point this career – so, think twice before you vote for an opposition candidate, the agenda is far outside that of leading SAEA and protecting the rights of teachers.
One final bit of information – that you found the bookmarks in the trash today comes as no surprise – I’ve seen them all over the District and know that were delivered and distributed on every campus in the District earlier this week.
Umm, 51, need to know, typewriters? It’s called a keyboard, been so for 20, maybe 30 years in all the schools I’ve attended. u clearly have yr finger on the pulse of public ed.
So, 56, Need how is it u say,”I’ve seen them all over the District and know that were delivered and distributed on every campus in the District earlier this week.”
Do you work at a school and never noticed computers? 20 years ago they displaced typewriters… umm.
”I’ve seen them (the SAEA cabal’s bookmarks) all over the District and know that were delivered and distributed on every campus in the District earlier this week.”
Count the votes (#57) It was a simple question – does anyone still teach kids how to use a typewriter? It was meant to be sort of light-hearted. It’s still really hard to put NCR forms in computer monitor or a laser printer, so guess what, it’s still a skill that could be taught.
And guess what, I DO know what a keyboard is and that the skill taught is keyboarding. And yes, I actually to have my fingers on the pulse of public education. Oh, and by the way, I can even use capitalization at the beginning of sentences, know when to enter a full return to create space between sentences and I know how to spell out words – I guess with the advent of texting (commonly referred to SMS or Short Message Service in the rest of the world), you’ve forgotten basic grammar rules?
And you ask HOW I’ve seen the bookmarks? Well, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? But I’ll explain it to you in simple terms – first off, I have 20/20 vision and I’m pretty damn observant and, second, I’ve been to at least one campus in the last week. I know that was a tough concept to follow, but I tried to make it as simple as possible.
Oh, and one more thing – I’m not an SAEA Board member, I’m not a District Office Employee and I’m not a member or lacky of the Board of Education, so don’t even try to start guessing.
Also, every school I ever been at has at least one typewriter for the crazy NCR forms that always seem to get sent out by those pesky vendors, the District or the State.
Ooopppps…spelling corrected version – my apologies to everyone, especially ‘Count the votes’
Count the votes (#57) It was a simple question – does anyone still teach kids how to use a typewriter? It was meant to be sort of light-hearted. It’s still really hard to put NCR forms in computer monitor or a laser printer, so guess what, it’s still a skill that could be taught.
And guess what, I DO know what a keyboard is and that the skill taught is keyboarding. And yes, I actually do have my fingers on the pulse of public education. Oh, and by the way, I can even use capitalization at the beginning of sentences, know when to enter a full return to create space between sentences and I know how to spell out words – I guess with the advent of texting (commonly referred to SMS or Short Message Service in the rest of the world), you’ve forgotten basic grammar rules?
And you ask HOW I’ve seen the bookmarks? Well, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? But I’ll explain it to you in simple terms – first off, I have 20/20 vision and I’m pretty damn observant and, second, I’ve been to at least one campus in the last week. I know that was a tough concept to follow, but I tried to make it as simple as possible.
Oh, and one more thing – I’m not an SAEA Board member, I’m not a District Office Employee and I’m not a member or laky of the Board of Education, so don’t even try to start guessing.
Also, every school I ever been at has at least one typewriter for the crazy NCR forms that always seem to get sent out by those pesky vendors, the District or the State.
NeedToKnow,
I’d like to guess!
You’re someone’s unemployed mentally ill spouse?
I don’t know who Need to know is. But I think he or she is awesome!
anon (#61) ohhhhh….so sorry to disappoint you – neither someone’s spouse nor mentally ill.
Charlie Brown’s Teacher (#20) My understanding is that ballots are being counted at 4PM on May 21st by elections committee, chaired by Maureen, and made up of non-candidate volunteers. And, observers are welcome to come and watch. Why don’t you come down and watch?
Red Vixen, #22. This is unbelievable! Incredible!!!
Wow, I think the election needs to be invalidated!
How twisted is it to give only one candidate access to emails! CALL CTA!!!!!!!!
Let’s start all over again and give the other candidates the email access Mercer has had.
Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer, you DO know better. 15 years as part of the system. Come on!
Anybody know???? What’s going on with Jennifer’s email issue?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, READ ON!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject SAEA elections – thanks site reps!!!
Sent: Sat 5/2/2009 8:20 AM
Hi
These are the candidates I am endorsing for our very important upcoming SAEA election. Please vote for the sane, intelligent, dedicated and qualified people I’ve listed below. If you like the direction that David Barton has taken our Association, it is critical these individuals assume leadership positions as SAEA moves into very challenging times.
Spread the word to the teachers at your site as well as your friends at other schools throughout the District.
Would you please make sure the election is conducted this coming week? With testing,the end of the school year fast approaching, teachers will be extremely “crunched” for time. Voting is probably one more thing they DO NOT want to do at this time of year; however, the very future of SAEA depends on this election.
If you need help in holding this election, please call me at 714-317-6636. Voting is by secret ballot and ballots should not be left out on tables or unsupervised.
And by the way, I’m running for Secretary. I am an experienced and active member of SAEA. I will continue to work for all of our members, through grievances, RIF hearings, stress workshops, contract maintenance and enforcement trainings, maternity leave workshops, Read Across America, and any other issue or task that will benefit our members.
I truly enjoy every minute I work for our teachers.
Thanks for your vote!
More importantly, thank you for conducting the election and all of the work you do as Site Rep!
Jennifer
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RED,
Have the other candidates been notified? Is anyone protesting? What goes? Has CTA made a comment?
Hey, another question:
When exactly were the candidates’ flyers distributed?
I recall seeing Mercer’s very early on… Next we received “the selected few” (LOL) bookmark… And just last week, we finaly got O”Neil’s.
Does anyone have any idea as to when we should have received the flyers? Shouldn’t all the flyers have been distributed prior to the members casting their vote???? I mean really, FAIR IS FAIR!
2 NEED TO KNOW #3,
You claim that Jennifer really wants to help her fellow teachers… judging from the comments of those that have had to deal with her “services” during grievances… NOT SO!
Also, I was just informed that Mercer is trying to get SAUSD kinder teachers to accept a new daily schedule. Her proposed schedule will make have teachers work more hours than what is mandated by Ed Code.
SURE, WHY NOT? More kids! More hours! Less pay! Less benefits! Yeah, I forgot…she’s not the one in the classroom!
Does anyone have a copy of the schedule? Let’s see it!
Dear MegaFed-Up: Flyers were delivered to most of the sites of Friday, May 1st. Valley’s and Segerstrom’s were delivered on Monday, May 4th. On Tuesday, flyers were mailed to ROP-East and a few of the smaller sites. If possible, please let me know at which site flyers were not delivered before voting took place. You can e-mail me at: patriciaoneil7@aol.com. Thank you.
MegaFed-Up (#66) Nothings happening about Jennifer’s email because it’s a non-issue. Jennifer used her own computer, her own email list, her own email account, and sent the email on her own time – what’s the issue?
As far as the election is concerned, she only told teachers to make sure the reps actually handed out the ballots. How’s this one for you – I bet at least 25% of the teachers don’t even get ballots because the reps are don’t want to take the time to do the job. It’s now Tue night – teachers have less than 48 hours to get their ballots and turn them into SAEA.
And since when is it wrong for someone to email someone their recommendations for an election.
As for people not liking how Jennifer does her job as grievance chair, I can only suggest that there are two sides to every story and since Jennifer is bound by confidentiality, none of us will ever here the other side. And, I am sure there are as many, if not more, people that would support Jennifer and her efforts on her behalf.
Finally, as for kinder classes – you are mistaken. I suggest you actually read Ed Code and then compute the number of minutes that the students are in class. Ed Code speaks about the number of minutes that students should be in class. So, are you suggesting that kinder students be in class less than the number of minutes required under Ed Code?
MegaFed-Up (#67) One last thing – each school gets to make it’s own schedules, so maybe you need to start reviewing all of the individual school schedules?
MegaFed-Up (#66) Individual candidates are and were responsible for distributing their own fliers – and my understanding is that all candidates were allowed to distribute fliers as soon as they filed their declaration of candidacy with Maureen.
NTK,
Since there seems to be some doubt for some about procedures, is there any chance that you or Jennifer or Maureen has already contacted CTA to help clarify things?
Dear MegaFed-Up: As clarification, I was referring to delivery of my flyers in the above post. They were delivered to the Site Rep to whom mail is usually delivered. I attached a note asking them to distribute them before voting took place and to contact me if they were unable to do so. No Reps contacted me to let me know that there were any problems.
The results of irregular elections can be challenged when the election is complete. A challenge is first submitted to the local chapter and, depending on the decision, then submitted to the CTA Elections Committee. The CTA Elections Committee makes a final decision which can result in voiding of the elections and a new election.
Red Vixen (#72) First off, thanks for allowing me to post – again.
I’m not sure what CTA needs to get involved for – having witnessed the elections for years, at both the local and state level, the same process always seems to be followed. And I’m sure that people that have an issue have already contacted both Maureen and CTA Elections for clarification
My understanding is that once nominations have opened, and candidates have filed declarations with the appropriate elections committee or elections committee chair, candidates can begin campaigning.
It’s sort of like national or statewide elections – candidates aren’t required to wait until everyone else announces their candidacy or until the nominations are closed to begin campaigning. Once a candidate files their intent to run, they are campaigning. Many statewide and national candidates begin campaigning long before any official paperwork has been filed.
And, no, I’m not Maureen or Jennifer. I just do my homework, read, make phone calls, observe and pay attention.
Art & Red Vixen – I’m surprised that the SAEA election results haven’t been posted here yet, so here are the results as reported by my Site Rep:
President – Susan Mercer
Secretary – Jennifer Isensee
Treasurer – Scott Miller
High School Segment Director – Billy Castanha
Intermediate Segment Director – Hank Montelongo
Elementary Segment Director – Rhonda McKanna
Elementary Segment Director – Julie Meneghini
I think congratulations are in order for all of the candidates and the winners.
Art & Red Vixen – I’m surprised that the SAEA election results haven’t been posted here yet, so here are the results as reported by my Site Rep
Wow, why the surprise? Your site rep was apparently one of a select number who had that information at ten pm on a Friday night. Nothing for your groveling masses of membership until much later.
Thanks for making the point that SAEA is being run like an insiders’ club where certain people hold all the information and then berate others for not having access to it. Classy.
Oh, and thanks AGAIN for spamming our site with duplicate messages of deception. You make an exceptional spokesman for your union if you are trying to portray SAEA as arrogant and overreaching.
Red Vixen (#76) First off, since you’ve again attacked me, I hope you approve this post:, if you don’t I understand.
Yes, I did post at about 10:30PM Friday night – but SAEA sent out a fax to every school first thing Friday morning, so every Rep had the information and everyone in the District should have known long before 10:30PM Friday night.
There was no ‘insider’ information. So, why do you slam me for posting what should have been common knowledge? I don’t get it.
It’s really not fair that you characterize SAEA as “an insiders” club where certain people hold all the information and then berate others for not having access to it.” I don’t berate anyone for not having information – but I usually suggest that instead of first demanding answers or making accusations here, in this forum, that they try speaking with people that might have information and answers to the questions they have.
I think there are real issues that need to be resolved, and I hope that SAEA’s new leadership makes every effort to address the issues and concerns and move the Union forward.
And I apologize for posting the same information on multiple threads – it wasn’t meant to be any attempt at ‘spamming’ the blog – I just thought that there were multiple threads that might have different readers. I would have thought that either you or Art would have simply not approved the extra posts if you guys thought it was inappropriate or spam. Again, my apologies.
NTK,
I am surprised how “sensitive” you are.
You have often been very highly critical of other posts and posters. Your behavior has been so over the top and aggressive that, initially, I began to edit out some of the hostile references against others as being “stupid” and a host of other put downs. I got tired of santizing your nasty posts and just delete the worst of them. I’ve left plenty of your posts up, imo.
From what I hear, so far, site reps didn’t receive that fax you are referencing. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t sent, but the reps who have emailed me say that they didn’t see the election results. And let’s be honest: WHO even uses faxes as an efficient means of communication any more?
Jennifer Isensee has the site reps’s email, yet no one received election results from her via email, either. She was emailing out notices about race for the cure to union members, but she didn’t bother to inform membership about the election results. Say what you will, but your organization has a huge problem with even basic communication.
The ballot counting was done on Thursday night and results were known then. YOU posted the results late Friday evening. SAEA website didn’t have the results posted until Sunday. Jennifer Isensee had emailed 1)a survey and 2)a race for the cure notice to membership during those days, yet didn’t see the election results as important enough to mention to her emailing groups.
WHY do you insist that your members request special meetings and speak directly to “people” that “might” have the information? Are YOU one of those special people in the know? If not, then WHO are those “people”
Why can’t your organization have a system of communications delivery that is accessible by all your members and not just those who have somehow figured out “who” has that information?
I offered to repost any announcements from SAEA as a courtesy. My offer was to your VP and Webmaster, Jeffrey Goldberg. We had some friendly email exchanges and then there seemed to be some kind of information distribution problem that made him cease contact. Whatever.
There is some new information at the SAEA website, but we’re not going to go over there and mine it for you all. I think it’s pretty obvious that witholding communications benefits a few at the top.
Ok, the election is over.
The new SAEA president is Mercer.
As far as i am concerned, it is time to unite.
We have nothing to gain by bitching about each other at this point. Mercer is our president now. I did not vote her in, but i am smart enough to know that we have to set aside our differences and support her.
So… Mercer, count on me to help our union move forward.
Everyone needs to be civil at this point. We have to unite or we will be so weak that nothing, not even a balanced budget, will be able to save us. Let’s reconsider, and unite.
WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO SUPPORT AND DEMAND 20:1/ DEFEND OUR STUDENTS/RESCIND TEACHERS!!!
SEE YOU ALL AT THE RALLY!!!!!!!!!
LET’S SUPPORT OUR PARENTS! Parents have the power to make a difference! Parents can voice their concerns whenever, wherever, without limitations!
We, teachers, principals, district employees, support staff, community leaders, business owners, etc. need to support parents to become empowered. SAEA is planning a rally for the end of the year… Union people, please, post the details.
Remember, when the year is over, we have freedom to march 24/7 in support of 20:1 for three months, if need be!!!
We have 17 days of school left. In 17 days, we can support the parents to organize and to bring about change. Let’s switch the, defenseless worker, “help me” mode to the proactive,
“LET ME HELP!”
The LET ME HELP mode empowers. Come to think… why not use the words of our superintendent?
“FAILURE IS UNACCEPTABLE!
SUCCESS IS THE STANDARD…
IT’S UP TO US ALL!”
Inform all parents that WE: riffed teachers, rescinded teachers, retired employees, “Bakersfield” teachers, senior teachers, principals, support staff, district employees, community leaders, local government, business leaders, etc. now, join the Santa Ana parents to bring about POSITIVE RESULTS!
“IT IS UP TO US ALL!”
SAVING 20:1/ HELPING STUDENTS / SAVING JOBS!