Well, we are in a New Year and we need to close up our 2008 SAUSD corruption thread before it becomes overwhelmed with comments. Consider this to be our new 2009 SAUSD corruption thread.
Click here to read our 2008 thread. And here are links to all our previous SAUSD corruption threads:
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2008 Comments
- SAUSD-Temporary Thread (Migration 5/16/2008) Comments
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2007 Comments
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2006 Comments
The results of last year’s SAUSD School Board elections were disappointing. The incumbents were re-elected. Shame on the teacher’s union for supporting them! And the one new Trustee, Roman Reyna, is not likely to make a difference.
The SAUSD budget is a mess and our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, appears primed to make it worse. So this is going to be a very tough year. As always, this forum will be here to allow you to vent about what is going on at the SAUSD!
Al Mijares is long gone, but the corruption at the SAUSD continues unabated…
VotethemOUT (#693) Good, now we have something…
Reasons I am not voting for Ms. Mercer:
1. I do not feel I was represented well during the last 2 RIF hearings
• Susan had absolutely ZERO to do with how well you were or weren’t represented at the last 2 RIF hearings. However, interestingly enough, you were obviously rehired, so I guess you benefited for one more year from all of the things that your membership in SAEA/CTA has done for you – the health benefits that you do have, your 125 plan, your 403(b), STRS, malpractice insurance, representation at this years RIF hears, and the dozens of things that are available to you, if you ever need them – glad you stayed a member for another year. So, if you get rescinded, think about the cost of hiring your own attorney next year and paying for your own malpractice insurance, in addition to your charitable donation when you opt out SAEA/CTA.
2. I do not care for the revised contracts (the last 2).
• That’s the beauty of our democratic process. Disagreeing. No one made you vote yes and no one make the majority of teachers vote yes. Did you bother putting in writing to the Bargain Chair, Ron Shephard, your concerns and issues with either contract? Probably not, it’s just so much easier to complain here.
3. I lost my benefits due to Ms. Mercer and Ms. Sobieski’s bargaining techniques with the district.
• Actually, you didn’t loose your benefits. You apparently were never vested in them anyway – you can’t loose anything that you don’t have. And, by the way, to what techniques are you referring?
4. The contract keeps changing for the worse not in favor of those who are RIF(ed) and I feel like we’re just a number when I have gone to the Union for help.
• The contract has nothing to do with RIFs – two separate issues. And you maybe a number to SAUSD, but you are NOT a number to SAEA.
5. I don’t feel that the Union bargained well to keep my job and I feel like they’ve given up on us. Did they do all they could? ex. furlough day?
• The union had little input on bargaining to keep jobs. And yes, like every other district, the investigated furlough days. SAEA has NOT given up on you. CTA has NOT given up on you.
anon (#694) Sorry, no mental illness here. If you don’t like what I say, then tear it apart – but please, don’t just call me names.
Anonplus (#695) Who is KTN?
If you actually mean NTK, then wow – I can only say thanks for the great things you said, but need to correct you…
• I’m not a hired thug
• 99% of the info and facts that I present are actually available to anyone
• I’m no ones campaign advocate
Red Vixen (#696) I’m hurt. Here I’ve posted many times in support of you, but now you take me to task?
So, which is it…crazy auntie? mentally retarded? mental illness? it’s none of these, actually. I just care.
I have never once claimed to be the mouthpiece of the union. I fact, if anyone at SAEA knew I was posting, they’d probably think I out of line.
Controlling poster? I don’t control anything – and I assume that everyone has a right to post.
As for union leaders being silent, I wonder also, but then I see the tone of this entire thing and I can’t figure out why anyone would ever want to put their neck on the line on this Blog or any other Blog, when the attacks never end. No matter what answer someone gives, 99% of the responses are attacks – rarely does anyone ever say that the’ answer makes sense’, or ‘now I understand, even though I don’t agree’. It’s the lack of civility that’s the problem. Normally, people can agree to disagree, but the majority of people that post here have already made up their mind that anything the current SAEA Board says is a lie, so why should any of them bother?
SAEA and the Board at SAEA have zero knowledge and input on what I post or even if I post. So, as far as I know, everything they do regarding this Blog is above board.
And, you characterization of SAEA Board members as ‘Sneaky cowards or clueless incompetents’ is really off-base. And a perfect example of what I was saying before – why would any of them want to participate when people call them names, and call into question their ethics, their motivation, and their honor. You’re clearly ‘baiting’ them and they are wise enough to not take the bait. Red Vixen, have you ever had a private conversation with any of them? Have you ever tried to get to know them? Of course, you’d be torn between posting or maintaining any ‘confidences’ you might get – and I suspect that would be a problem for you.
I’m not sure why you think anyone will have to kowtow to anyone, regardless of who wins the election. And, as far as I can tell, there is no tradition of ‘stonewalling and silence’ – they are just making a choice to not set themselves up for unending amounts of criticism that can never be resolved.
Sure, I post a lot, but as for taking slashes at people – most of the people that I slash at have either slashed at me or slashed at others – with no attempt to explain themselves.
I get it that people are angry about the contract. I get it that people think they were stabbed in the back. I get it that people have a lot of concerns – but what I don’t get is irrationally blaming it on people that are volunteering and trying to do the best the can.
The Board at SAEA hasn’t given up anything to anyone – especially me. I’ve never claimed to be the mouthpiece or to be an insider or to be the voice of SAEA. The Board is more than able to stand up tall with a firm spine and speak for themselves – but, like I said, why should then when it will get them nowhere?
So,NeedToKnow you are posting and defending the Union because “you care.” No one in their right mind would believe that. We still think you are either Mercer or one of those people on the little bookmark that was tossed in the trash. You can keep posting and trying to convince those who are not fans of the Union to become supporters, but I think they have their minds made up…so give it up!
I don’t know who NTK is. But I would have to agree with him that the candidates and SAEA officials are not communicating on this blog or Red Vixen for the same reason that everyone else this blog that has been created by Art P don’t bother responding. It’s just a hostile, negative place where unfounded attacks take place. This is not a blog for mature, educated adults.
Does Miguel Pulido or any member of Santa Ana’s City Council ever bother to respond to these people? I’m quite certain they totally ignore this blog. Why waste the time and energy. Life is too short for this nonsense.
These blog people like to try to get people riled up. They must be very frustrated that most candidates and SAEA’s leadership doesn’t respond.
Anon (#705) I’m not sure what everyone else believes or thinks, but you are welcome to believe what you like, but I haven’t lied – I am not Susan Mercer, and I am not running for SAEA office – on or off the bookmark that was placed in everyone’s mailbox.
Thanks for making my point…that why would anyone in a leadership position want to post on this Blog, when as honest, ethical and sincere as they may be, people like you refuse to give them a chance?
Just like you, I will continue to post. I figure that, for the most part, people are broken up into three categories, those that are pro-union, those that are anti-union, and those that are willing to listen to opposing views and think about what is posted.
I have no dream of convincing you, or anyone like you, to change their mind – but at least I don’t let your position be the only one that is heard.
Thanks for the healthy discussion – and important part of democracy in action.
Linda,
And yet here you are blogging on my blog, even though you slam it regularly.
BTW, city insiders tell me that Pulido and Santa Ana City Manager Dave Ream are so paranoid about what we blog here that they have our blog on a city computer 24 hours a day – and a paid staffer monitors our blog during the week.
Pretty funny. But then our stories have hit the AP wire numerous times – usually when we are slamming Pulido and company. And the OC Weekly selected us as the Blog of the Year in 2008.
We enjoy covering politics in the O.C. in our unique fashion, and appreciate all of our readers.
POSITIVE POST ALERT!
Wilson Elementary’s staff is thankful this year.
Last year’s principal and AP were reassigned [sorry to those sites!] and the new administrators actually regard teachers as colleagues.
Mr. Norris Perez [first year principal] and Mrs. Virginia Morales [1/2 AP, 1/2 Literacy Coach] have invigorated the staff with their compassion to equip staff, parents, and students to excel!
Perhaps Ms. Russo and her staff are finally learning how to assign adept administrators.
708
#709 Wilson Elementary teacher,
That IS excellent news! Wasn’t your site the one with the falsified rosters and ADA fraud?
If so, that is quite a nice turn around. How terrible it must have been to be pressured into compromising your integrity under incompetent managers hell-bent on scamming the system.
KTN/Saddened/RealityCheck,
Since you’ve asked: I’d say the weird auntie. You’re very obsessive about posting on this blog. You see hostility everywhere – Except when you are actually generating it. There are other obvious weird-y things -but enough of that. You asked.
To everyone else:
This is my prediction based on many communications I have gotten with various members of the union and the union insiders in SAUSD: Things are going to have to change for the better with the union as well as the district. As you’ve seen from the Wilson Teacher- Russo just might be getting her arms around some of the worst problems of fraud and employee abuse.
Art’s blog continues to be a source of warning about problems past and present. The district office reads this blog and we are happy if they get heads up on problems that fester. Art put this section of his blog up specifically to keep an eye on what is happening in his kids’ school district.
Unfortunately, SAEA has a reputation of being a closed, insiders club. There is a perception that the union’s business could be handled in a much more professional and efficient way. I expect more teachers will find their voices and will begin to post their issues in this new school year.
SAEA leadership reads this blog for the same reason that Pulido’s and Russo’s folks read – some of the stuff posted here is actually happening.
When I requested that the elections official send out a notice to the candidates so that they could post their statememnts – I can’t imagine what was wrong with that. I never received any reply from a number of SAEA “leaders”. Not even a “no thanks”.
I seem to remember a number of posts from people pissed that the “District” does not return communication. It seems to be a system cultural problem and I am not sure if that should be considered a good thing. Poor communications from organizations that are supposed to be responsive to their employees/members usually are the result from either 1)lack of skills/competence, 2)Compromised/illegal practices, 3)Entrenched reactions that do not support “Best Practices”
You workers should expect to be treated with a service-focused approach that the teachers are now receiving at Wilson. When you ratchet up your expectations on how you should be treated, you will begin to reap the rewards. You deserve respect and you deserve to be supported by competent leadership -whether they are the ones giving you your paychecks or the ones taking money from you in the form of dues.
Best wishes to all of you that survive the Rif process this year. Thanks for all you do for our children.
rvixen@gmail.com
RV – That was Washington Elementary School.
Red Vixen (#711) You don’t know me and yet you feel comfortable making such characterizations? – amazing. I’ve refrained from characterizing you, and I will continue to refrain from doing so, because I don’t know you or your motivations – and of course, because you are in near complete control of the things that are posted here
What you call obsessive, I call conscientious. Why should I let something go unchallenged when I think it’s wrong? You obviously feel the same way, or you wouldn’t have resorted to attacking my posts.
If I’ve generated hostility, it’s only because it’s been thrown towards me or unjustly towards others. So, people get what they give. Maybe it’s not the most chivalrous thing to do, but it’s what I did.
It’s really hard to warn of past problems, by the way. You can warn about the future, but you can only inform about the past.
SAEA is far from a closed or insiders club. Anyone that wants to come down and volunteer is more than welcome to do so. All members are invited get involved. Unfortunately, few take up the opportunity. Not many people are excited about stuffing envelopes, answering phones, listening to other teachers problems, filling out forms, sitting on committees, phone banking for causes, sitting a booths, setting up chairs, filing papers, cleaning out storage rooms, or organizing stuff. There’s not much glamour in the day-to-day operations of any office. And some of the things that are more interesting require not being in class, working on the weekends or after hours, and most teachers want to be in the classroom teaching or spending time with their families and friends.
It’s a simply thing to say things could be done more efficiently and more professionally – but you, and many others, don’t bother being specific. Maybe, instead of posting it here first, maybe a letter to the President of SAEA would help – and if he or she doesn’t respond to you within a reasonable amount of time, then post the letter and more on the blog – but sometimes you need to figure out a different way to try and create change.
I don’t know who reads this Blog – if SAEA leadership does, then more power to them. If the District does, then ditto.
That you can’t imagine what was wrong with your request, is amazing to me. First, just because you ask, doesn’t obligate anyone to respond to you. Ok, maybe the person should have simply forwarded the request to the candidates and avoided your wrath and condemnation. But, assuming the email had even gone out, those that didn’t respond, or didn’t respond promptly, would have been the brunt of accusations about failing to respond and hiding something and not being honest or forthcoming and more – all in an attempt to bully them into responding. Those that did respond would be praised, IF they said the stuff you and others approved of; and derided as out of touch or a hack or any number of other names if they failed to see things in the same light as you and others. And bullied into trying to defined their positions or change their minds. So, what, other than frustration and anxiety, do the gain from participating here?
You provided three possible causes of “poor communications from organizations that are supposed to be responsive to their employees/members” – and yet, I suspect your real reasons fro focusing on these reasons wasn’t that communication between SAEA and it’s members is any better or worse than any other organization, but because you feel slighted that SAEA doesn’t want to communicate with you.
How if you think about these reasons why SAEA doesn’t want to communicate with you:
1. Fear: Fear makes people feel the need to protect their own interests. When we feel the need to protect, we certainly are not going to be open, therefore communication is going to be stifled. Worse yet, our communication is likely to be an argument about why we are right and others are wrong. We feel the need to state our position and feel unable to solve even simple problems. Sound familiar?
2. Mis-Aligned Expectations: When people have different expectations on how things are supposed to work, you have mis-aligned expectations. Most often it is over roles, responsibilities and authority. With mis-aligned expectations, no matter how hard eeryone tries, they just can’t seem to get together. People may be “communicating” but understanding is not happening. And listening and understanding is two important parts to communicating.
Could communication between SAEA and it’s members be improved. Absolutely. But, do you even bother taking into consideration the improvements that HAVE been made, and does anyone bother making some suggestions about what could be done better?
Since David Barton’s has become President, SAEA has developed a website, published email addresses that members can use to contact SAEA Board members, published a newsletter, issued monthly letters from the President, sends out a constant flow of notices about events, and holds monthly Rep Council meetings which all teachers are welcome to attend.
Could things be better, sure. And I’m sure that each candidate has ideas about what they want to implement to achieve better communication. Communication is a two-way street, and I am sure that SAEA needs and wants to hear from its members.
Competence and skills are relative. Everyone brings a different set of skills and a different level of competence into the mix. And you shouldn’t cast aspersions on people accusing them of doing something illegal. It’s funny how you always have to add the element of something ‘illegal’ to your accusations. And, as for best practices, I’m sure exactly where you were going with this one, but suffice it to say, that yes, things can and probably should be done better.
And, I agree – everyone deserves to be treated better!
David Barton never once emailed me back or returned my calls and there were many. I emailed Ron Sheperd once and he wrote back to never email him again that he was NOT the grievance person. He was NOT nice at all. I will say that Jennifer did email back, but I have never really had issues with principals….mine were about the hearings. I don’t care for David or Ron now as a result. I go by how I am treated.
691 Needtoknown says:
“When I was young, someone once said practice makes perfect. But someone else corrected him and said that perfect practice makes perfect. I’m not saying the Susan is perfect or that she will be perfection to the position or to SAEA – far from it.”
Thank you for your comment, Also when I was young I grew up with Sesame Street song “Practice, practice do it again, until you get it” then, I became a teacher, and realized that there are many other ways of achieving goals. So, the other view will be “If you have been practicing the same old strategies, such in the case of the status quo, Now, it is important to reflect in such practices, and review, analyze, and change it. I am looking forward for positive changes, and I believe you also could be a source of great positive and different ways of protecting all the members not just a few. We must have the courage to stand up, for others, so if one day is our turn,we will have people standing up for all of us. As you are aware, I already voted for Chavez.
I appreciate your comments. 714- You said “And, I agree with you,-everyone deserves to be treated better”
I fully agree with you, and for a better future and respect for all groups
I know I voted for the right person.
RifEveryYear (#714) I won’t make excuses for David or Ron, but you did get a response from he correct person – Jennifer Isensee. So, your issue appears to be with the David and Ron. So, go after them. Attack them. Confront them. And guess what, since you’ve substantiated your concerns with personal experience, I have no reason to question or doubt you.
Regarding the hearings, by the moniker you are using I assume that you have been the unfortunate victim of multiple RIFs by an incompetent District. After multiple times of being through the RIF process, I would think that the process would have been beaurocratically similar this year as it was last – was it? Did something happen this year that was new,unusual or unexpected? Since CTA runs the RIF process and NOT SAEA, did you consider speaking with the SAEA Executive Director – an actual CTA employee?
And I agree with you – everyone deserves to be treated better. At the same time, everyone deserves to be judged independently – so, hold David and Ron accountable for their actions, but why blame anyone else for their shortcomings?
sojourner truth (#715) Oh, goody goody, you can recite Sesame Street. Great. And you can spin what I said so it sounds silly. Aren’t you the clever teacher. But clearly you missed the IMPORTANT part of the discussion.
It’s not about repetition – IT IS ABOUT CHANGE. But it’s not about change just for the sake of change, because you are angry, because you feel justified, because you need to punish, or because you have something personal to prove.
It’s about thoughtful, positive, non-reactive, carefully analyzed, inclusive, fully-vetted change that will bring SAEA to the next level. Status Quo? Sure, somethings SHOULD be status quo – namely the good things. But change will come, regardless of the President. Unfortunately, some candidates will throw out the good with the bad, just because someone else authored the good.
Like I said, Susan isn’t perfect, but I know she’s not the self-serving hypocrite that I believe your candidate is. But, in a democracy, we are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs and entitled to cast our vote for the person we believe will serve the best interests of everyone.
And, I like I said before, everyone deserves to be treated with respect, common courtesy, and professionalism. For a better future and for all teachers (note: ‘groups’ aren’t a part of the equation – all teachers are equal), I encourage everyone to vote for a candidate that doesn’t pick and choose whom to support based on ‘group’ affiliation, as sojourner truth seems to think is so important. Equity, equality, fairness, and representation are NOT group dependent.
#716 I apologize for hurting your feelings. Anyway, as well educated teachers, I believe we all learned that democracy, and freedom do not come free. At the present time, our local is a dependent group, and we must make sure that all teachers, receive equality of treatment, Fair due process of law. We must elect and vote for the person we believe will represent us better. I encourage everyone to exercise their right to choose, and also to read the way that their allies express about others. Because I honestly believe as CTA says : A Hurt to One is a Hurt to Everyone” Change does not come easy, as we all can see, there is a lot a struggle, even here, in this blog. Change is scary for some people, other are the source for change. I am glad that you and I are part of this active process. I voted for Chavez, because I am entitled to my knowledge of facts, and we need someone that is fully inclusive and respectful of everyone. Thank you for your comments.
KTN – please report to Dave Barton’s office in the morning. He knows that you are Jeffrey Goldberg and he does not like you posting to the OJ blog.
You’re fired!
I really hope that everyone here has become more committed to the idea of becoming involved. I can honestly say that the opinion of some here would change drastically if they were actually a part of the discussion at SAEA, if you think I’m am wrong, then just attend some meetings. I know that many of you have already voted, you may regret that if you were actually there. Voting for a nutcase is really easy when you have no idea who he is. I can’t emphasize enough, COME TO A MEETING.
The following information regarding District Reserves, State budget legislation, and new federal money is an example of the kind of information that I believe we need to be using in negotiations and using to influence the District to rescind RIF notices.
The District is required to have a 2% reserve for economic uncertainties. Year after year, they have maintained unrestricted reserves far beyond this amount, as shown below. (Fund 17 is added to the reserve calculations here, as it is used in determining the reserve percentage on the “School District Criteria and Standards Review” pages.)
08/09 (budgeted)
Required: $9.7 mil.
Budgeted: $14.0 mil.
Reserve including Special Reserve Fund: $23.6 mil. (4.8% budgeted reserve)
Amount over required: $13.8 mil.
07/08 (end-of-year)
Required: $10.1 mil.
Actual: $27.7 mil.
Reserve including Special Reserve Fund: $36.9 mil. (7.3% actual reserve)
Amount over required: $26.8 mil.
06/07 (end-of-year)
Required: $10.4 mil.
Actual: $ 26.3 mil.
Reserve including Special Reserve Fund: $35.1 mil. (6.8% actual reserve)
Amount over required: $24.8 mil.
According to the District’s calculations, it would cost $11.59 million to implement CSR at 20:1 in grades 1 – 3 next year. (This represents $7.67 million beyond the $6.72 million the District would get for CSR even if they loaded grades 1-3 at 30:1.) This is well under the $13.8 million budgeted beyond the required 2% reserve.
In addition, a letter from Supt. O’Connell (April 17, 2009) explains the impact of SBX3-4. This legislation, which was signed by the Governor on February 20, 2009, accomplishes the following: 1) eliminates the Deferred Maintenance match by the District for five years (including this year), 2) allows the District to use 100% of the Cafeteria Fund and General Fund restricted balances as of June 30, 2008 with certain exceptions (i.e., EIA, QEIA, Instructional Materials); and 3) allows the District to use money from 39 categorical programs for any educational purpose from 2008-2009 through 2012-2013. Part of the money this will generate for the District is suggested by the following figures:
$2.5 million was budgeted to be transferred from the General Fund to the Deferred Maintenance Account.
$9.0 million was in the Cafeteria Fund as of June 30, 2008 ($2.3 mil. was transferred to this account from the General Fund last year).
$32.8 mil. (restricted) was in the General Fund as of June 30, 2008.
Furthermore, the State has released to the District $14.3 million in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF). This money is intended to replace the revenue limit (general fund) cuts made in February. In about a month, funds will be released for the 08/09 cuts to the categorical programs.
SFSF money is apart from the $11.3 million in new federal (AARA) money for Special Education available to September 30, 2011, money that can be used to reduce encroachment on the General Fund by Special Education. An additional $11.4 million in additional Title I money (beyond the regular amount) will be allocated for 09-10.
This data was extracted from publicly available information and can be confirmed using the following sources:
Audited Actuals for 06-07 and 07-08 (Public Records Request)
Budget for 08-09 (Public Records Request)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/ac/co/documents/sbx34budgetflex.doc
(Flexibility provisions)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/ca/documents/sfsf08preentgp.xls
(SFSF Entitlements)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/ca/documents/title1pa09arrapre.xls
(Title I Entitlements)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r18/documents/arralocass09result.xls
(Special Education Entitlements)
http://www.sausd.us/1443102812408810/lib/1443102812408810/Final_April_9_2009_Special_Study_Session_%28Board%29.pdf
(Class Size Reduction cost estimates – PowerPoint p. 35)
Patricia,
Thanks for the links and data. Can you summarize your conclusions as to what this all means?
Thank you for your continued participation and your focus on getting information out there.
rvixen@gmail.com
sojourner truth (#716) Oh, please, you didn’t hurt me. The entire thing is an exercise in democracy – and each is entitled to their opinion. It’s fun chatting with you.
In response to Red Vixen’s request, the conclusion I draw from the financial information presented earlier is as follows:
The District has significantly more money available beyond what it was projecting in January or early February, including the overfunded Reserve for Economic Uncertainties ($13.8 mil.), elimination of the Deferred Maintenance District match ($2.5 mil.), access to the Cafeteria Fund balance ($9 mil.) and General Fund restricted balance ($11.4 to $32.8 mil. less what has been used this year), State Fiscal Stabilization Funds ($14.3 million), and new Special Education Funding ($11.3 mil.), not to mention the new flexibility of 39 categorical funds. (Arguments might be made as to why the Cafeteria or other funds may not be used, and a discussion can ensue.)
This is money that, in my opinion, should be used to rescind the RIFs (and may have prevented them in the first place) and should be taken into account in the next round of negotiations. There is no indication that this money was seriously considered in the most recent negotiations, at least based on the PowerPoint (available on the SAEA website) presented to Rep Council on March 31. I do not mean to suggest that the Bargaining Team did not work hard in negotiations, only that I believe we need to be extremely familiar with the District’s current budget as well as trends in the District’s budgets over the last few years. In addition, we need to examine program budgets and question expenditures on an ongoing basis.
While the blog attacks the current Board of Directors, please remember that both Robert Chavez and Patty O’Neil have a less than illustrious history as SAEA board of director members.
Anon # 724
As often as I have read all the hyperbole here, both pro and con, on the union elections I don’t recall any specific position being attacked. What I have read are comments like yours that attack certain people running for office. These comment/attacks were 99% anonymous or made by people with a pseudonym name. Those comments, almost without exception, were based on a bias for another candidate and rarely if ever contained specifics as to why a certain candidate was not qualified for office. These comments normally were character assassination instead. One of the most prolific writers here that used not just one but several different pseudonym names even had to admit much of the attacks on one candidate were based on second hand reports. If anything was attacked here it was the union as an organization, which brings me to # 723
# 723 Patricia O’Neil,
While I don’t know how accurate your statistics are at least they provide a forthright argument that makes some kind of sense. Maybe you will only imply it and won’t say it, I will. Assuming your numbers are correct the bargaining team had to be incompetent. The real question actually is did the district fail to bring these numbers to the table or did the union fail to do its homework and find these numbers? If you found them, why couldn’t the bargaining team? Even worse; did the union strike a deal with the district to leave these numbers off the table for some unknown reason? Who knows?
Sadly this reaffirms why I have voiced my opposition to any union. Any organization that takes your money with the understanding that they will represent your best interests needs to be continually scrutinized, criticized, and if necessary removed when as many as 50% of its membership suffers as a result of that representation.
In the interest of fairness I would like to see comments by the other candidates on the numbers Mz. O’Neil has presented.
#724 Perhaps, because both candidates have opposed the current Board of Directors? Hopefully, bringing out personal issues, will not be part of our clean way to democracy. Both candidates are placing themselves in the line of fire, for you and for me. At the very end, of all of this communication trend, we all need to remember that both candidates are members, and they deserve to be heard. To both, of them, thank you for participating in this race.
At the end,whoever wins will need our active participation.
Patricia O’Neil (#720) So, Patty, can you explain to everyone where all this amazing new found knowledge and wisdom regarding budgets comes from? After all of your years in SAUSD, all of a sudden you’ve become an expert? I’m curious why you never volunteered to be on the bargaining committee? Where were you at Rep Council presenting all of this information over the past years? You have an advanced degree in accounting? Forensic Accounting? And with all of your research, you’ve spoken to the District and asked them to explain themselves? Maybe you should run this info over to the LA Times or the OC Register and have them do a story – you might even get a Pulitzer for it.
Also, while you’re at it, maybe you’d like to explain to everyone that it was during your illustrious term of treasurer that the books at SAEA became so screwed up that CTA had to come in and repair all of the damage caused by you incompetence and correct all of your errors. The damage was so bad, that SAEA came just short of being taken into receivership an run by CTA, just like Long Beach.
Amazingly enough, I don’t question you numbers or you conclusions – I only question where this sudden burst of interest, wisdom and knowledge springs from. You didn’t seem to have i when you were Treasurer. It’s so easy to sit on the sidelines, pick apart, and second guess what the bargaining teams did or didn’t do, knew or didn’t know. But then, of course, even if the bargaining committee explained themselves, their reasoning, their conclusions, I’m sure that people would continue to call them turncoats and liars and never give them the benefit of the doubt.
I know it would probably come as a surprise to you, but did you ever consider that maybe the bargaining committee knows something you DON’T know and based on that knowledge, decisions were made?
sojourner truth (#726) There are three candidates for President – not two.
#729 Are you the third one?
Needy, you say, -“I know it would probably come as a surprise to you, but did you ever consider that maybe the bargaining committee knows something you DON’T know and based on that knowledge, decisions were made? ”
What secret information?
Further, in a previous screed you wrote, “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!” -from may 7, saea corrupt elections thread
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.
Or else you work in the district office and havent seen a classroom in 20 years.
Have you been inside a classroom in this century?
What kind of person would blather so much about something they clearly know nothing about?
Needy- you are a TROLL and a sad and lonely individual. Get outside and take a walk.
Patricia — Thank you for providing these numbers. Although I already voted for Robert, I would be happy to see you win as well. Both of you are at least paying lip service to the riffed teachers, who have been ignored for years by the current leadership of SAEA. I hope all of the riffed teachers understand that a vote for Susan is a vote for the status quo with respect to rifs, and will vote for either you or Robert.
Patricia, could you maybe shed some light on why SAEA’s current leadership is so apathetic and nonchalant about the rifs? Susan seems to think that stuffing envelopes for us is above and beyond anything that we should expect. In reality, we need SAEA to present the numbers you have given to the Board, to organize parents and community members against the rifs, and to generally make it known to the Board that rifs are unacceptable and that SAEA will organize the teachers and the community to prevent them. This is what L.A. and Pomona did, and the rifs in those districts were rescinded except for probationary teachers in L.A. What exactly is SAEA’s reason for not supporting the riffed teachers and for letting the district run roughshod over us year after year? We pay dues. If we go away, so do our dues. Is SAEA just incompetent? Their total apathy with regard to rifs just doesn’t make sense. Looking from a riffed teachers perspective, at best all we see is facilitation of the rif process by SAEA and a steady green light to the district to proceed however it wants. I don’t understand. That’s the best. It actually seems more like collusion. Would this change under your leadership? Could you please shed some light on these questions? Thank you.
Count the votes (#730) You just can’t follow the thought process very well can you? First off, just because the bargaining committee knows something you don’t doesn’t make it secret – you just don’t know. And I sure don’t know what it is, but maybe, if you would take a deep breath and sit down one-on-one with someone on the bargaining committee, and ask some intelligent, unemotional questions, maybe you’d learn what they found out? You and people like you jump from one conclusion to another – and it ends up being one big conspiracy. Well, sorry to tell you, it’s not a conspiracy. But, maybe, just maybe, it’s so much information, that was learned in a logical order, over many meetings that a simple, easy answer is hard to just spit on on. Maybe you need to try and educate yourself a little more.
And yes, I’ve seen the inside of a classroom quite often since the turn of the century, thank you very much. I know about ELMO’s and and Open Court. I know about a lot of things…but you MISSED THE ENTIRE POINT I WAS MAKING…
I was trying to make ‘light’ of the situation. Of course I know that it’s called keyboarding. Actually it was called keyboarding when I was in high school. It was a rhetorical question. [That’s a phrase that you might have picked up in college, if you were paying attention]. It’s called ‘small talk’.
By the way…I ALREADY EXPLAINED MYSELF TO YOU ONCE BEFORE – but obviously, you failed to read any farther…
As for the comment about CD’s vs Vinyl Albums…it’s was an example of how quickly times have changed. We’ve gone from 16mm film and filmstrips, to overheads and transparencies, to ELMO’s and projectors, to SmartBoards. I’ve seen them all. Children today have never lived without computers, keyboard, microwaves, satellite TV or radio – our society moves as lightspeed and it’s absolutely amazing how teachers are able to creatively bridge these huge knowledge gaps.
Count the votes (#730) And thanks for inquiring about my health. I actually went for a 3 mile run today. And I am surrounded by more loving and supportive friends that you can hardly imagine.
Here is the website for Classified Personnel, for Chapter 41. OJ has requested electronic copies of the latest negotiations update and The Wire publication for republishing at OJ. Fyi.
http://www.csea.com/content/OptionC/c_1.asp?ChapterID=41
Your next Chapter meeting has been changed from the Laborers Hall to the District Office Cafeteria on April 16th at 4:30pm-6:00pm
Needy- glad to hear you are “surrounded by more loving and supportive friends that you can hardly imagine.” Now take the meds and stop sneaking em to the orderlies! We all love you.
Earlier today there was a comment from a parent that illustrated exactly how this blog alienates the very same people we should be working with: parents. I’m at a loss as to why it disappeared but this blog has become extremely uninviting to parents who would like to join in the discussions that involve issues that are related to their kids. Again, not sure what can be done about it, but both the classified staff and the parents have been completely overlooked throughout all of this union/non union bickering we’ve been doing here.
RED,
That CSEA announcement was put up last month for last months meeting. (*at the last minute too)..or was that your point?
And………on top of that, the district is attempting to railroad all intermediates into an 8 period day and an absurd grading system while we all argue about other things. Our staff has searched and searched for all of the wonderful things we have been told about these two things and can only find teachers who have serious disdain for both (at the schools where they have been implemented). The district is once again trying “one size fits all” gimmicks to try to improve test scores and a few administrators are grandstanding to try to prove how invaluable they are. It’s pretty obvious that this will turn into another costly and fruitless effort. I’m not sure when they will ever learn that change doesn’t come from the top without any collaboration with teachers, parents and students. The new report card idea is ridiculous as it is something that even the teachers that are doing it don’t understand, it only confuses and frustrates parents. The 8 period day amounts to teachers having an additional 40 students or an additional class to prepare for and students end up losing their favorite elective classes.
#736 Tmare,
That was no parent.
Please point to the posts that discourage parents from posting. You can’t.
Parents are not involved in the SAUSD system for a variety of reasons, but none of them involved OJ.
They, too, will come.
Anonplus,
We received quite a bit of CSEA information but it was all hard copy. We requested electronic files for repost tonite. Will see what happens.
Please don’t tell me that CSEA is just as circular as SAEA. 😉
Of course there are no posts telling parents not to post here and the lack of parental involvement in SAUSD is not the OJ Blog’s fault, come on, I didn’t say that. I’m just saying that I have seen a few random parents try to join the discussion here only to become lost in the politics that they have no reason to even try to understand. If that wasn’t a parent, I’m really curious who it was and what their goal could possibly be. CSEA is about to get destroyed again. Anyone notice that our textbooks are due to be returned almost one month prior to the end of school and everything has to be checked in and stored in the library, not the teacher’s classrooms (including any class sets you may have). Get ready for no library techs and missing books over the summer. I guess I’m just saying that there are a lot more issues than just our benefits and contract going on.
Yep…twice as bad because they are guessing and counting on SAEA to do it all first so they don’t have to.
“If that wasn’t a parent, I’m really curious who it was and what their goal could possibly be.”
There are people who don’t like OJ.
A negative “parent” shows up to scold teachers who are embroiled in elections talk, but doesn’t have any kind of question or issue? That was the first clue. We’ve seen that before, and when we checked the IP address: It’s a familiar troll.
I’ve requested that people try and post with some integrity, limit the number of monikers and not post the same old vague negativity -but that seems too much for a troll here or there. We could ban the IP address, could delete the repetitive stuff or even publish the IP address so other posters could witness shenanigans. I think we are taking the least measures by respecting privacy and just deleting negative nonsense on occasion.
It’s pretty pathetic that we have to monitor “teachers” who insist on posting incivilly and who insist on posting nonsense, but we still do. Maybe folks will settle down and want to discuss some of the issues that you are attempting to put on the table.
Good on you.
Just saying NO, may not work when it comes to the ridiculous report cards. You get one person who is for it at a site and before you know it you have FBB BB B P Adv. Try putting that on a transcript when applying to college. It is said that these grades correlate to the State CST/STAR testing. Bogus. Just more of reinventing the wheel. The money to send staff to study these alternative grading systems was spent 3 years ago– back then a couple of schools went to view schools that had these alternative programs, then a Pilot program started with 3 schools, now the intermediates are being pressured into it. The 8 period day should be site based, as needed, not shoved down anyone’s throat. Good luck to the Intermediates who are still on traditional grading.
As to the post #701 Future retirees did lose future benefits, the contract was retroactive to those who signed after 1999. A strange new way of taking away benefits. You said that they were not taken away because the teachers weren’t yet vested. The vesting criteria was changed mid stream, mid-stroke. Yes benefits were taken away, future retirees did lose something. Let’s see what the union and district come up with next to retroactively vote away in a tentative agreement. You can claim something wasn’t taken away but just ask those with 9 years and counting if they think they lost something. Check out what Medicare actually pays for and what prescriptions will be phased out to save money. The future retirees got their future medical benefits( secondary policy) pulled right out from under them. No matter how many times the union says No they didn’t then I say read the soon to be new contract. Something was voted away, NTK, just figure out what to call it.
With all the attacks, all the rumors, all the …talk! I will say, does anyone care anymore about Willard? Obviously the answer is no. There have been cries outward to anyone and everyone to please HELP!!!!!!
To be honest the school started to slide with principal Storm, and it slides further with Bishop. Next year faces an 80% teacher rollover. Two years ago he cut both science and social studies to a semester: it didn’t matter that they were comprehensive state testing in both subjects in the 8th grade. This year Willard already lost 43% of its staff with the rift notices. With Bishop moving to self contained 7th grade classrooms; like he did 6th grade last year (he basically made the classes like they were in elemetary and wants to do the same for 7th and 8th grade, he completes the desimation of Willard. Santa Ana High already asks us wtf!!! I can only imagine saying….it’s Bishop?! But i’m tired of that answer and I want a better explanation for the district: do they understand what is really happening here? Do they care? How do they continue to write off the abuse every year! How do they justify this?!!!! If anyone is actually looking at Willard they would see the abuse and wonder how this is happening.
Years in the future I challenge all of you to ask yourselves what you were doing at this point that you didn’t see this and you let this go amiss. Willard has been sinking for 6 years and the mast is going down for the last time! Where is everyone!
RV, don’t hesitate to take a little firmer control of this blog when you believe there’s a need.
#744 I have been wondering the very same thing as I drive past Willard on my way home everyday. I realize that the issues go a little deeper than just two incompetent principals. I can see what the opening of Mendez did to Willard. Willard used to have one of the most comprehensive GATE programs in the district and they have gone from that to what they are today in a matter of less than 8 years. I am so sorry for that but I’m not sure that I know the answer to the problem. I have heard rumors of some pretty horrendous student behavior that is tolerated at Willard. One teacher from my site attempted to teach summer school there but with the lack of support from the administration, the parents and the unruly students, he only made it one week (and there were a few others that ran screaming from there last summer). Never underestimate the brain drain of a fundamental school, Saddleback is in the full throes of it now. I personally know parents who cannot get their children into a fundamental school and so they have done one of two things: move out of the city or go to private school, all of this to avoid Willard. Maybe the district might do itself a service to it’s test scores if they started to work on ways to keep these students.
My only suggestion is to get the parents involved and get them to district meetings. I think that is who the downtown administration might listen to, it is only a suggestion.
Maybe other teachers with more time in the district might have more effective suggestions.
Good luck. I did hear about the summer school fiasco last year it made the rounds.—
To the parent(and associations members asking me about my thoughts) who was looking for a parent link and come upon our discussions. We need your involvement and all parents of Santa Ana to stand united with us. We need each other to work together to achieve equal educational opportunity for all our students of Santa Ana Unified School District. We need all parents to stand shoulder to shoulder with us to demand the district recind all the laid off notices of our association members. Attend the school broad meeting tomorrow night and let your voices be heard.
We will have New Federal monies from our government ($14,320,038.00 ) and our district reserves that can be spend to insure your children and our students receive equal educational opportunities in our schools. I have been asking why our district does not spend the reserves except for the 2% required by the Orange County Department of Education. My requests for answers never were answered. I have heard it’s for a rainy day. Well it’s snowing outside and the time has come to spend the money.
Our school district share will be $14,320,038.00 from 2.3 million of the State Fiscal Stabilization Funds for Public Education though American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Plus the reserves and we know that these monies exist. Under my leadership we will protect these monies and demand these expenitures be bargained for our students educational needs and association members jobs. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan stated firmly if these monies are not used as his department mandates. He will come down like a ton of bricks on States and I believes that includes school districts.
Those of you that know me realize we must reclaim our Association and I thank those of you who have voted for me. I refuse to defame Patricia or Susan the other candidates for President of SAEA.
Finally, I asked CSEA our classified association to stand shoulder to shoulder with us too. We need each other, I realize that your children attend our schools and you work for our district.We shall stand united and protect our association members rights. We must be organized all the time not only during times of crisis.
Robert C. Chavez, I apppreciate your vote for President SAEA.
The Fundamental school drain sets up an unequal tier of public education. Since tax dollars are used for public education then EVERY child should have EQUAL ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION.
Not all SAUSD students are getting equal access and that’s SAUSD’s biggest crime.
I hope that ‘the negotiating team’ saw the national headlines today concerning Medicare’s insolvency–again glad to know that the district and our union had our back. Now what… plan B, C.
Start putting that money away for your insurance dental and vision for your retirement 1999ers.
We know that all but one on the negotiating team were pre-1999. Thanks for including all of the union members during the bargaining.
Members watch out for any future retroactive cuts.
You never know what the district and the bargaining team may try and have us vote on next.