Something stinks in Westminster
Inside sources tell me that the problems at the Westminster School District stem not from Kermit Marsh, the conservative Westminster council member who allegedly advised one of the school board members to pull her endorsement of Kimoanh Nguyen-Lam, but rather with Janet Brubaker, the president of the Westminster Teachers Association. She is well known for her stand against the school board, in 2004, in favor of a uniform complaint policy that gave protection to students and staff based on gender orientation.
The WTA has already endorsed a slate for the fall including Jim Reed (see photo at right), a cop named Bridgewater, and a third person – all are Caucasian candidates. Bridgewater is the husband of the PTA president who supports the union.
My sources tell me that the WTA, in endorsing Jim Reed, a Republican who caters to the WTA, is showing its true colors. They cannot say that they are neutral with regard to Nguyen-Lam, and that they support the community.
I believe that their real concern lies with their concerns about a new contract. They will do whatever they have to in order to take control of the board and get the contract they are looking for. I have also been told that the WTA had concerns about whether Nguyen-Lam was going to push for hiring more minority teachers and staff. The Times reported that a community activist, Stephanie Erickson, said that “Nguyen-Lam was hired because certain board members appeared to be working with her “to promote a Hispanic and Vietnamese agenda.” She is probably referring to Sergio Contreras and Blossie Marquez, the board members who supported Nguyen-Lam.
I was also told that some of the teachers, who were all wearing black and who were in the board room, treated the parents disrespectfully at the last school board meeting, by carrying on sideabar conversations and snickering while individual parents spoke. Many of these parents were first time board visitors. They felt humiliated and sad, considering that these teachers are entrusted to take care of their kids, according to my sources.
My sources tell me that they are now concerned that the WTA’s actions could lead to anti-union sentiment among the greater APIA and Latino communities. Wouldn’t that be interesting?
Such Caucasion conspiracy!
Some people just refuse to accept the reality that Nguyen-Lam had no previous experience for the position. The top administrative position in any district is not a training position, it is one that demands expertise and experience.
Get a grip! It’s not always about race or conspiracy.
This time it might just be about good leadership and professional experience.
anonymous at 8:50 — since you’re a teacher I think you should be able to spell “Caucasian” correctly.
The top education executive in the state, Secretary of Education Alan Bersin, had no education experience whatsoever when he was appointed the superintendent of San Diego School District. Ditto with Roy Rohmer, LAUSD Superintendent. Ditto with Rod Paige, Bush’s former Secretary of Education, when he became superintendent of Houston schools. Additionally, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell has no site administration experience. In fact, if you did a little research, about 20% of all superintendents have no prior experince in educational administration. Why is this trend increasing? Just look at the state of our schools. Many districts are looking outside the education bureaucracy for answers. The Westminster School elementary students are underperforming in academic English. Dr. Nguyen-Lam is a nationally recognized leader in teaching academic English to minority and immigrant children. There no better match for this district.
Anon 8:50 AM
If Nguyen-Lam was as inexperienced as you say, why did the Board vote 4-1 to hire her initially. Your argument simply doesn’t hold up. Either the two that switched their votes were first idiots and then changed their minds or someone “got to them.”
Being on a School Board is not a kindergarden exercise. Either these people knew what they were doing both times they voted or they have no business on the Board. Given that their votes were so completely different and only one week apart, it cannot be claimed that qualifications were the reason for their second vote and not the first.
Get a grip! If this isn’t about qualifications, the only thing left is race and conspiracy.
To Art,
I agree the WTA is involved somehow in getting their contract regardless of who gets trampled in the process.
I would not rule out the Kermit Marsh theory at this point either.
I only have one question.
Where is Van? Apparently, that
Kermit Marsh is a lap dog for the OCGOP executive committe. Whatever they tell him to do, he does. He has demonstrated that he will put personal favors ahead of what is right – typical Lawyer.
As for Van Tran, he too has lacked the moral courage to lead in the community – also a Lawyer.
Ever wonder why Lawyer and Liar sound so similar?
I might add to that that string, where was Andy Quach? I mean seriously, three prominent Vietnamese American Legislators, Van Tran, Andy Quach and to lesser degree, Janet Nguyen, have all refused to stand by the Community that got them elected! As far as Janet Nguyen is concerned, at least she had the guts to show up at the Rally. But she fell short of supporting her community by being silent on supporting Dr Lam Nguyen. To me it seems that the Orange County Republican Party has a pretty tight reign on their Vietnamese Lap dogs Van Tran and Andy Quach but a less tight reign on Janet Nguyen. Can Janet be coming to her senses and considering joining the Democratic Party? Or was it just political maneuvering to lessen the outrage by the community falling on Tran, and Quach from falling on her? Tell us Janet! Are you here to support your community and Dr Lam Nguyen? Or are you just trying to gain political clout in the morass of this situation?
Right on regarding Marsh. Besides being a professional liar who thinks too highly of himself, the dude also wears a skirt on occasion.
“Gila said…
anonymous at 8:50 — since you’re a teacher I think you should be able to spell “Caucasian” correctly.”
The poster said they were a teacher where?
It’s funny how people read things into post.
“Kermit Marsh is a lap dog for the OCGOP executive committe. Whatever they tell him to do, he does. He has demonstrated that he will put personal favors ahead of what is right – typical Lawyer.
As for Van Tran, he too has lacked the moral courage to lead in the community – also a Lawyer.
Ever wonder why Lawyer and Liar sound so similar?”
Someone get divorced lately? Someone getting divorced as they post?