Once again we have had to set up a new SAUSD corruption thread as the last one started to run slow with all the comments on it.
Our schools are in crisis today – not just here in Santa Ana but all over the state. The only thing we know for sure is that we are going to take more budget hits.
I am amazed that the SAUSD hired back all their laid off administrators. How crazy is that? Class sizes are growing, good teachers are laid off, and the union, as usual, is asleep at the wheel.
We will continue to reason through all this here at the Orange Juice blog! We can but hope for the best…
Does the new budget mean mid-summer RIFs? Has anyone else heard that SAEA/USD are planning to merge?
http://orangejuiceblog.com/2009/07/california-schools-may-miss-out-on-federal-funds-due-to-lack-of-teacher-evaluation/
http://orangejuiceblog.com/2009/07/long-beach-unified-and-the-sausd-both-support-higher-taxes-and-have-corrupt-unions/
No one is posting anything…what’s up with that.
There is a union meeting tomorrow, we’ll see if we get any new info. Those who are interested should show up to the union office at 4:00.
Oh, could one of you fearless SAEA reps inquire about that fuss of anger managment shenanigans of Jennifer Isensee and Scott Miller?
We’d LOVE to know what the answer to that one will be!
Other questions might include:
1)Does the SAEA have a printed set of by-laws approved by CTA in the last 5 years?
2)Can we see them?
3)Is there any possibility the new state budget will result in further RIFs?
4)The district’s Board Policies and Admin Regs are not available on-line or in person. Does the SAEA have a copy available so the members can see what rules they are operating under?
5) What is the process for recall of the SAEA board? Does one exist?
6) Given the recent investigation by CTA of Barton’s improprieties in LBUSD, is there any possibility of opening an investigation of his shenanigans and cronyism at SAEA?
Perhaps the members should submit questions in writing to their reps in order to have some accountability.
School Services of California, a company that advises school districts on finance-related issues, released an interesting video this week. As would be expected, they urge caution in spending and discouraged school districts from taking advantage of the provision in the new budget which allows reserves to be reduced to one-third of the required amount.
Our district, however, has not simply budgeted the required 10 million reserve, but an additional 20 million above that and another nearly 10 million in Fund 17 for a total of a forty million dollar reserve. It actually comes to 56 million in reserves when the categorical ending fund balances are included, much of which can now be used flexibly.
In light of what seems to be hoarding at the expense of CSR and 232 or more jobs, I found the following statements from School Services especially interesting.
Jannelle Kubinec: It’s not simply about taking the money and stockpiling it. We’re at a time where it’s not time to store the nuts; it’s time to eat them. So part of what we have with flexibility is the option to be moving dollars but hopefully with great purpose . . . so that we’re sustaining programs that really matter at this time. . .
Ron Bennett: [W]e’d all like to have California at the top of the rankings in per student spending and we’d all like to think that California was doing a better job for its children in the future, not a worse job as I think we will be doing with higher class sizes and so on this next year . . .
Jannelle Kubinec: Auditors are coming in and they’re looking to see have districts spent money, because one of the priorities of these funds [is] that we’ll stimulate the economy. Part of stimulating the economy isn’t saving the dollar, but it’s getting it out there and spending it on programs, spending it on staff, so another piece that we’re seeing is auditors really looking at . . . have you saved jobs or created jobs, and I think the reality in California is the creation of jobs probably is going to be a saved job . . . California is under heavy scrutiny with everything it’s doing with the federal funds.
Hopefully, at Rep Council today, we’ll learn that the union is strenuously advocating for the full restoration of CSR and the concomitant saving of jobs and increased academic achievement (despite little evidence of such advocacy to date).
The district projected/jumped from $18 M to 30M in consulting/contracting from 2008-09 to 2009-10, correct, Patricia? They jumped $12 for this general fund expense that could be used to pay for classified and CSR? Why did they jump $12M? This $12M PROJECTION (which means that is what they plan to spend / anticipated spendings, but haven’t yet)????? Take this $12M and spend it on people who work directly with KIDS.
http://tiny.cc/hutchens <–go here for story
Hutchens lays off top brass to save investigators
Sheriff Sandra Hutchens told Orange County supervisors today that she’s laying off eight of her highest-ranking advisers to save investigators from getting the axe.
My point is: this is what a REAL leader does…I commend Sandra Hutchens for doing the right thing…a real leader
I am losing confidence in the union and the district to do the right thing. SAEA is corrupt and incompetent. I wouldn’t trust Mercer, Jennifer, or Scott to be honest about anything. It’s so bad that I trust the district more than SAEA. But I don’t trust the district either. Russo is obviously interested only in her own job. After all, who would be hurt if the district got taken over by the state? The students? No. The teachers? No. Russo and her cabal? YES.
Russo appears to be withholding information from the board so she can hoard money and go 30:1. I can only hope that one or two of the board members not in cahoots with her (so let’s eliminate Richardson and Hernandez) are on to Russo’s scheme and will put the children first. But who can know? It’s all secretive and corrupt. Foolish decisions and incompetent leadership have been destroying morale and harming the children for years. When will it stop?
Somebody asked why nobody is posting lately. What is there to say that hasn’t been said. I would guess that most of the 252 are trying to find some enjoyment in their summers and to take some solace in the unemployment checks.
To answer post #7 I will give a try to answer the questions.
#1. No, SAEA do not have a set of bylaws. They have many different sets.
#2. No, the by-laws are for having not viewing.
#3. Yes, only to certificated. Administrative positions are a separate protected class.
#4. You could try to call as per SAUSD web site. Deputy Superintendent’s Office at (714) 558-5523. Yes they do have a copy but no you can’t see them. If the members can see what rules they are operating under they might expect the administration to follow them. Then the members would expect the union to actually represent them and they couldn’t do that Dave(2001, a Space Odyssey).
#5. To recall the board exists. I believe there is a vote where you send the ballots to the board members to count. The results are in, 82% of the members want to keep the board.
#6. It’s not shenanigans and cronyism at SAEA when it is institutionalized. It is a closed loop system where change is impossible.
Change starts when the union is decertified.
#12-Thanks for the clarification.
Although I must admit your tautologies are exceedingly taut, #5 may need additional information to qualify as valid. Is that 82% of those who voted and what were the actual numbers? how many voted/ how many members?
I understand there were several challenges to the validity of the recent SAEA election and that they were handled by the election committee. The committee consisted of those declared the winners. What happened to the challenges?
This union is sad waste of money, I recommend that every member makes sure they uncheck the political action box that asks for more money. Make sure you tell all your fellow teachers.
I’m responding to post #13
What are we without any representation though? Instead of telling everyone to abandon this union, why not make it better. Without a union we’re just a bunch of individuals to SAUSD with no majority. I believe the union is the way it is because of our involvement.
I believe we need to cling to our union and fight for it. We are all expendable without it and our voices won’t be taken seriously.
Response to #14
Make it better? The current union leaders do not even allow questions at the rep meetings without saying, “out of order” next question. How can union members get answers to difficult questions by this current group of union leaders? They don’t answer emails and many people believe that they have some things that they are hiding. How can we trust this current union when they appear “indifferent” “apathetic” “detached” and are unwilling to answer questions or help current members? I think many of the current members are looking for other solutions now.
Anyone go to the meeting yesterday and have anything to report?
Guess where Tracy Brennan ended up?
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/ex-cathedra/oc-diocese-hires-pedo-protecto/
The SAEA office is extremely political. There is an all-out war going on with Jennifer Isensee being determined to run off the Executive Director, Gladys Hall-Kessler. Jennifer has made it clear that she wants Gladys’ job and she uses every opportunity to speak poorly of Gladys. Anyone who knows Jennifer Isensee knows that she’s a terrible gossip and has just awful things to say even about the grievant teachers she is supposed to be helping. She is also very negative about board members, the school district, and Jane Russo. She’ll talk out of both sides of her mouth and anyone who knows her well knows that she cannot be trusted.
Jennifer is trying to position herself to move into Gladys’ spot and is “teaching” Susan Mercer how to do grievances. This is particularly annoying because Jennifer has not been effective in her job as SAEA’s paid grievance chair. Her inability to adhere to deadlines as well as her belligerent attitude toward everyone involved in the grievance process yields astonishingly poor results for grievant teachers. She’s short tempered and passive-aggressive in her communication style in the way she does not return phone calls and will write antagonistic emails to SAEA members as well as district personnel.
SAEA must be cleaned up at the local level by replacing the unethical and hostile leadership that is currently in place with new leaders. Decertifying won’t help if there is no one willing to fight the obvious fights that are happening right now at SAEA.
And don’t look for help from CTA President David Sanchez. He shares hotel accommodations with Scott Miller (SAEA Treasurer) at rep conferences. That’s a cozy relationship that should be approached with caution.
Mercer’s mentor is Hall-Kessler. They’re all a bunch of low-life no-gooders at SAEA and SAUSD district offices.
Here’s a link that details Barton’s financial duplicity that led to the takeover of the Long Beach union by CTA.
http://www.nlpc.org/stories/2009/03/12/long-beach-calif-local-probed-political-spending-patterns
Barbara Kerr was appointed trustee of the union!
As Art has noted, the date the investigation was revealed was 3/12/09… the same day Barton cut and ran from SAEA.
Barton always bragged that his position as both a board member (Long Beach) and Union Chief (Santa Ana)permitted him to see both sides. Apparently he was extorting money from both sides.
When will the CTA cavalry arrive to rescue our teachers?
When the election committee consists of those elected, even the mere appearance of impartiality is an annoyance to the union. Where should the challenge to the validity of the election be taken? Certainly not to those who have a vested interest in the outcome.
My tongue in cheek #5 response of 82% is that they will tell you the results and figure out how they got it later. It is not how many voted, it is how many ballots made the journey to be counted and then it still wouldn’t make a difference. If you want an honest union, it starts by insisting that the ballots be sent to a 3rd disinterested party like an accounting firm where that ballots are sent directly to them, untouched by any union person.
Teachers would be better off without the union and the dues put in a fund for an attorney answerable just to the teachers. The union is too far gone to be saved. Decertify.
The election committee does not consist of those elected. It is a seperate committee. No one on the Board is on that committee.
Who then makes up the committee?
You aren’t going to get answers from this group. They are the committee and they ARE HIDING something. The only way that people will get what you are looking for is to have them investigated. Right now, they are just spinning you. But, people can only spin for so long before the spin runs its course.
Apparently, Ms. Mercer appointed 2 new folks to her group last night. She is allowed to do this until an election can be arranged. She doesn’t need to wait a year to arrange an election now does she?
I don’t understand how QEIA money works. How can class sizes be increasing (ex. 20 to 23 in 1st grade) and yet it is under the guise of class size reduction? Please explain this. Also, is our district receiving money for putting 30 kids in a class? What will they be doing with that money? Please clarify.
I just received this from the QEIA office
(OC Dept of Educ QEIA office) Peggy Tunstall
They are advising districts to keep QEIA as it is (not change it) until they tell you to change it. In other words…keep QEIA at 20:1 for K-3 and 25:1 at 4,5.
Prudently Approaching the Quality Education Investment Act < --go there to read it ok, now I am seeing things clearly. The district has 141 with half of them being elem mult subj DISPLACED teachers (about 70). If they go 30:1, they do NOT have enough positions for these folks. Even if they go 25:1, they still do NOT have enough positions for these folks, so they rescinded positions to make room for these folks + have made some of the displaced TOSA. Save yourselves the headache...go back to 20:1, save the money that the district would have to pay the laid off teachers the sub money + benefits, follow QEIA guidelines, use the $12 m CONTRACTOR/CONSULTING PROJECTED MONEY (general fund) TO PAY FOR classified and CSR which doesn't cost more than $5 M anyways + it provides people who work DIRECTLY with students It is my understanding that auditors will be going around to various districts to make certain that the STIMULUS MONEY is being used / spent + used to save JOBS. They will be checking that districts ARE NOT USING this money to hoard it or pad up their reserves. Audit Resources & Support Bureau of State Audits For education-related audit reports and Charter School accountability
Education Audits Appeal Panel This site contains information on appeals status California Codes panel contacts agendas minutes and meeting calendar
California State Controller’s Office
Office of Administrative Hearings Department of General Services
I see that they are doing their OC Media Blitz with Fermin Leal who is in the district’s right hand pocket. If the SAUSD told Fermy that they had a dollar…he would report it…just my opinion…not very credible.
Ok…What do we need to do to clean up the SAEA office? This is getting to the point of UTTERLY RIDICULOUS! It is very obvious that Susan Mercer has no spine and is falling to the whim and desires of the district while those of us on the RIFed list STILL do not know our fate as it decides the outcome of our LIVES!!!! This is the first year in many years, at least the 7 that I’ve been with the district that there are still this many teachers RIFed this close to the start of the school year. Susan and her “crew” should be at the district office DAILY fighting for us and ensuring that what the district is saying and doing is following EdCode and is in OUR best interest…*JILL* What do we need to do to get them OUT OF THERE?
#28 I don’t feel that our current union is representing us either. I know that some folks are planning to meet in a week or 2 to plan a few things. If you want to join the RIF support group please email me at jillpuich@yahoo.com
So is this meeting going to be before or after the board meeting. i am on your list and I appreciate all that you have been doing. It helps ease the frustration and fear knowing we are not forgotten. Thank you Jill!!
Any non-rif teacher receive a notice about sub pay for probationary teachers who are laidoff?
I am not the one organizing the meeting, but I can find out when this meeting is and post it here. Something needs to be done because we are not being represented at all. If we are, please tell us what you are doing.
You are exactly right, Jill. The only thing I would add is that the union is WORSE THAN USELESS. This is because the riffed teachers naively assume and rely on the notion that they don’t need to do anything because the union will protect them. Thus, the union gives a false sense of security which allows the district to trample on the riffed teachers all that much more.
I agree with the teachers on this blog who say that SAEA needs to be decertified. It is too broke to fix. I suppose the only exception would be if Patricia could get elected President and clean house — specifically get rid of Susan, Scott, and Jennifer, who show nothing but hostility and indifference toward riffed teachers, are corrupt, and use their union positions to bully, intimidate, and in furtherance of their own little fiefdom. If Patricia isn’t elected, maybe we could form a new union and join with AFT instead of CTA, but things would certainly be better.
But I think we are stuck now because we were passive at the rif hearing. SAEA and Carlos already made whatever side deal they made with the district and let us riffed teachers be sold down the river this year, just as they did last year. Assuming any or all of us get our jobs back, which is a big IF, what is certain is that unless we organize ourselves apart from SAEA and prior to any rif hearings next year, we have only more of the same to look forward to from SAEA and Carlos, especially those of us hurt by the Bakersfield decision.
It would be great if Patricia were elected. But under present circumstances even if she got 100% of the votes she would still lose. There must be a fair election. And the only way there could be a fair election is if the ballot collection and counting procedures were changed.
It seems the only teachers that know the union for what they are, are the ones that counted on the union and saw first hand their indifference.
There seems to be a similarity between the district and our association…they don’t like or support teachers. The animosity of our association towards ANYONE who speaks up or has a different opinion is completely unacceptable! Now it seems they are appointing people to positions that should be elected and continuing to create a closed group of insiders.
I reviewed the SAEA presentation regarding the budget. What a joke! It was difficult to understand and didn’t present any pertinent information to challenge the district on their finances. Our association supports the district which means they don’t support teachers. That’s just what the district likes.
By the way if anyone from SAEA is reading this, slide 10 had the word payroll spelled “pay role”! Edit your work before you present it to educators!
#31 – I received that notice. I trashed it.
Payroll doesn’t want to pay its teachers. They shorted me and others half their monthly salary and no sick days; then they said we’re not working an extended year. If a teacher takes a sick day, payroll subtracts this from the check. Jerks. No one was informed of this. Yet only one person on the staff received the full salary for doing the EXACT assignment.
Payroll is uncooperative, playing dumb, and out right deceitful with their explanations.
To be continued…
#36 Thank you for coming forward with this info. Can you please email me…I have someone who can help you with this.
jillpuich@yahoo.com
#36
Could you explain more specifically what you are talking about? I’m not real clear about it, but it obviously needs to be fixed. I don’t understand the extended year reference nor do I understand why payroll would subtract money from your pay if you have sick days. The half their monthly salary also baffles me. Please give us some details regarding the situation.
Was there any probationary teachers who never received a rif notice get the letter #36 received about sub paid?
#39
If you are asking if you should be worried about this, my answer would be yes. Get on the phone immediately. I don’t know of any probationary teachers who didn’t receive a RIF notice unless they are science, math or special ed teachers. Please double-check that everything is ok.
___________________________________________
Email your Board:
hernandez.ja@sbcglobal.net;
rob.richardson@ocgov.com;
Ayamagata-noji@mtsac.edu;
jpalacio@pacbell.net;
roman_a_reyna@hotmail.com;
_____________________________________________
Email Karen Bass
speaker.bass@assembly.ca.gov
_____________________________________________
Contact Jill, Patricia, Red Vixen
http://tiny.cc/contactJillPattyRV
Individually
jillpuich@yahoo.com
patriciaoneil7@aol.com
rvixen@gmail.com
_____________________________________________
Contact Joe Biden
http://www.whitehouse.gov/StrongMiddleClass/
_____________________________________________
The QEIA legislation states 20:1 grades K-3 and 25:1 grades 4,5.
The key word that the SAUSD is using right now is SUPPLANTING. The state wants to take the QEIA funds (a partial amount) and are asking districts to backfill it with stimulus money. In other words….”we’re not giving you this money because you got that big stimulus check.” They say that they cannot use the stimulus money to backfill QEIA due to supplanting. Supplanting means that they cannot use the stimulus money (so they say) for a service that they would normally be providiing anyway. I say…the stimulus money was given to stimulate the economy and to KEEP/RETAIN JOBS. So, yes they can use it for this purpose….they are KEEPING JOBS (which they have to provide PROOF and EVIDENCE) that they used the stimulus money for that purpose not to pad reserves (which now are at $60 M by they way). They have MORE than what is needed in RESERVES.
I say….QEIA law states: 20:1 grades K-3 and 25:1 grades 4,5. Do not break the law like you did that year with the Phantom Class mess that cost $3.7 million that could’ve been used to keep peoples’ jobs RIGHT NOW. YOUR mistakes cost many people their careers. Districts have been told by School Services and OC Dept of Educ QEIA office to not make changes until they tell you to do so. I can translate that easily….KEEP IT AS IT IS. What is NOT clear about that? Follow the law (what a concept) until the law is changed. QEIA doesn’t allow classes to GO UP and has not been given flexibility. Until the law is changed, the district must keep QEIA 20:1 (k-3) and 25:1 (4,5) because that is what the legislation (law) states. Going UP is clearly not what SCHOOLS SERVICES or QEIA (Dept. of Ed) are advising and I have an email from the QEIA lady that states that.
This is a charity event to support the Bonsall Education Foundation to fund district-wide music programs that were cut by the California state budget crisis. Why not gamble, watch the show and help raise money for kids! What a concept! Don’t you wonder why our district doesn’t do anything like this?
View Promo Ad Here
Who: Michael Damian *Young & the Restless soap star & rock star
Place: Pala Casino (click for directions)
Date: Aug. 7
Time: 8:00 p.m.
The Young & the Restless Star Wants to Raise Money for Music Educ (watch video here)
You may also get more info here: http://www.bonsallschools.org.
I’m working a complete day (7:45-4:00) for 9 weeks this summer. This is not a traditional summer school Rather, it’s an extended work year. Therefore, we get paid our monthly salary. The district only paid us for 2 weeks (we’ve already worked 6). They refuse to cooperate and are incredibly indifferent and disrespectful to the teachers.
I really don’t want to go into specifics as I want to keep the integrity of the school and principal in tact. It is the district payroll that should be exposed for their misdeeds.
#40,
I am part of that group you mention (math, science, special ed). I didn’t receive a rif notice. I received the letter about sub paid and thought it was a mistake and that they some how sent it to all probationary teachers. Anyone else in the same situation?
#45 Maybe they did send it to all probationary teachers so they would know that if it happens again, not to expect full pay for subbing. However, this is SAUSD, I would double check with a phone call.
#44
I know I will get blasted for this, but you really need to call the union to inform them of this situation and see what they might do to help. That’s what they are supposed to be there for.
#46,
Who should be called?
#46
Just call Human Resources and inquire as to why a teacher who is probationary but not RIF’d would receive this letter. Get the person’s name and write down what he/she says.
We have until the 11th to convince the board and the district to keep our jobs.