The L.A. Times finally published an article about the SAUSD’s tax increase proposal, Measure G. Here are a few excerpts from the article:
The district offered the bond as a last-minute way to overhaul its schools in a year when a severe statewide budget crunch threatens school funding. The district is anticipating a $31-million budget cut for the coming school year and has sent layoff notices to hundreds of teachers.
After years of growth, Orange County’s largest school district saw its enrollment decline by more than 7,000 over the last five years, causing a steady loss of state funds that are based on average daily attendance. And although the 55,000-student district built three high schools and two elementary schools in the last nine years, more than two dozen of its schools remain overcrowded.
The bond money would not be used to build new schools or pay for teaching or operating expenses.
Although the situation is less than ideal, board president Jose Alfredo Hernandez said, “it would be foolish for us to turn away any money that can come into the district just because it’s is not addressing our No. 1 need, which is teachers.”
Can you believe it? The district lays off hundreds of teachers, but SAUSD Trustee Jose Hernandez (pictured above) says the number one problem is that they need teachers. Huh? And the bond money cannot be spent to pay for teachers.
Here are a few more excerpts:
Critics point out that the amount of state money is not guaranteed, even if the bond passes, because some of the money is awarded competitively. They also question the district’s management of a $145-million bond voters approved in 1999, when officials promised to build 13 new schools. After spending $450 million, including matching funds, the district built only five schools.
“No one is arguing whether we need the money or not. The real question is, is there a plan to spend it efficiently and effectively?” asked board member John Palacio, who voted against placing Measure G on the ballot. “If somebody misspent your money, would you go back to them and ask them to spend it again?”
After the last bond passed, construction costs soared and the district found it needed fewer new schools than planned because enrollment went down, said Assistant Supt. Joe Dixon, who is in charge of district facilities.
Although there is no organized opposition to the bond, its supporters have raised more than $200,000 in campaign donations, mostly from contractors doing business with the district.
Board member Rosie Avila said she opposed the bond because it would burden property owners with higher taxes during a housing market crisis and could lead to rent hikes in Santa Ana.
“These are hard times and this is just adding more debt,” she said, suggesting that the district readjust each school’s attendance boundaries and distribute students among schools more evenly to alleviate overcrowding.
Even Rosie has figured out that Measure G is a bad idea! But Measure G campaign co-chair Mark McLoughlin says that “We’re just trying to get our fair share of statewide taxes into the community.” McLoughlin lives in wealthy Floral Park. He won’t sweat a new tax, but the working poor and elderly sure will.
Vote No on Measure G!
Hernandez is arrogant and stupid.
Anon,
That’s a little harsh. I think he just spends too much time working on his beard and mustache instead of reading the board briefs.
Not arrogant and stupid … arrogant, timid, and foolish. I suspect the arrogance is to hide a lack of confidence in opposing the senior board members. Most of our top rif’d teachers have good offers from other districts; one’s I’ve talked to don’t want to leave and are agonizing over the decision. We all know there’s no one else in the district to fill their positions — students still have to be taught, budget cut or no — but they have families and mortgages and can’t risk some non-sensical action by SAUSD which could put these in jeopardy. We may be looking next year at a raft of more poorly qualified substitute teachers, whose hiring will save SAUSD a bundle, but cost Santa Ana’s students a lot.
SAHS TEACHER,
To quote someone I don’t care for, “I feel your pain”. But the truth is the Titanic was unsinkable and you have to look out for #1. I loved a lot of kids too but I loved my family more. When you are dealing with the likes of what is at SAUSD you have to make a choice. No one said it was easy. No one said life was easy. God presents challenges and you have to make your way to make you stronger.
#2,
He DOES have the Klingon look nailed! Maybe after he loses in November he can get a job on the next Star Trek movie.
His “service” to the school district must be some kind of political stepping stone. When is his term up for election?
Anyone see the OC Register story on OC High School rankings?
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/education/article_2048639.php
now if we’re done slamming the Board Member, a good Budget Director,Truancy,and lack of Parental are my top three.
A good Budget Director, Truancy,and a lack Parental Involvment are my top 3
Rick, the new guy who came out of Los Al and Covina-Valley may be just that. He has some respect in the schools community. Truancy and Lack of Parental Involvement sound a little like the delinquent excuse out of West Side Story.
I know, lets develop a magnet school for kids whose parents dont get involved or who have behavior problems in the classroom. Make its structure like a military school. Perhaps some of these kids just need a firm hand and some discipline that is neither given or modeled at home.
This could be an alternative to The Great Park – a great big Military School! We could call it “The real OC.”
Rick –
Hernandez is president of the SAUSD school board and an appointee of Audrey Noji. It’s been told she was impressed with Hernandez’s negotiation skills – they live in the same neighorhood – over a neighborhood dispute and she recruited him. Not much different than her recruting of Russo back to SAUSD.
I agree with #1, #2 & #5’s assestment of the immigrant millionaire – arrogant, timid, foolish, and stupid with a Klingon wannabe look.
Hernandez is in the political limelight; criticism, good, bad & the ugly, is part of the territory.
Meanwhile, the ranking of OC’s high schools posting Saddleback, Valley and Century as the three lowest in the county should sound an alarm.
Russo, her cabinet and the board trifecta should be concentrating on the lack of academic achievement in the schools. The political back slapping and courting of special interests groups should take a back seat.
VOTE NO ON MEASURE G Tues., June 3
Hernandez suffers from the Napoleon complex he shares with Mayor McMidget Pulido.
Arrogant? This is only a behavior to disguise his insecurity of being a midget and shame of having been born in Mexico. Again, another latino political official from south of the border. If he had a proper diet as a child perhaps he would be a few inches taller.
The gossip at the District is he’s a misogynist and proud of it.
Hernandez, like Richardson, has a very short fuse. Attend a school board meeting and witness first hand Hernandez’s display of contempt for the public speakers that are not in lock step with his way of thinking.
If your claims about height and diet are medically accurate, kindly explain George W. Bush’s deficiencies.
#3
SAUSD has been using the permanently sub teacher tactic for many years and many students have suffered. I cannot believe you are not aware of this. Saddleback and Valley, more than likely, hold the record for permanent sub teachers.
Misogynistic midget?
George W’s problem is he was dropped on his head too many times as an infant. Or maybe it was all the COKE he snorted!
Mongo like teachers. Mongo hope teachers teach Mongo to write and read. Mongo also hope el presidente bring back teachers. Teachers help Mongo.
This guy looks like an elf. His comment of needing teachers is crazy. Earth to Elf: Your district is laying off teachers. Que pendejo!
Mongo says you all look stupid pretending to care about SAUSD when in reality you detest public education because you never learned to read, write nor think for yourselves and all you can talk about is somebody’s stupid beard. Is it any wonder we are in the shape we’re in?
UGH!