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It would have been prudent...
I was against the action the board took to authorize the 3rd party study in the first place. I just wanted them to halt everything until after the new board was sworn in. I believe I am quoted in another article saying that. However, even with the 3rd party study being authorized it never felt like anything had been stopped and there still was no transparency. Does anyone have any clue what the status is of the new district offices? How can we not know something so simple and basic? I was at the meeting referenced in the picture above. At that meeting the community members who attended were all against turning the current district offices into high density housing. As a government agency funded by taxpayer dollars the school district has a responsibility to do what is in the best interest of the community, not just what makes or saves the most money.— November 26, 2014 12:34 p.m.
Ed's gone, but this Sweetwater shenanigan isn't
Thank you very much. I try to stay informed on all of the issues that affect our community. I really just want to make a difference.— November 26, 2014 12:07 p.m.
Ed's gone, but this Sweetwater shenanigan isn't
Shinoff: I have made it clear I do not believe he or his firm should be representing government agencies and receiving taxpayer money. One example of why is his representation of the Otay Water Board. Shinoff admitted in open session of a Chula Vista Board of Ethics meeting that he had been a party to the board’s violation of the Brown Act, when the board met at a board member’s private residence and agreed to authorize the board members to use Shinoff’s services privately, at the expense of the district. No notice was given and nothing was reported out. This was all audio recorded since it was admitted to in open session of a BOE meeting. Complaints were filed with the District Attorney’s office, but the DA chose to do nothing. The new Board: I am glad that everyone is so optimistic. I am hoping that they will bring in the change that is needed as well. Just remember we were optimistic when the interim board was brought in, when Brand was placed on leave, and when Dr. Glover was brought in, yet we still have nothing to show for it but a lot of disappointment. I understand politics, and the politics behind the newly elected board members, and it gives me a reason to show pause. We will see what happens. Neylon and Espana: I agree that what they have done needs to be remembered and I will be happy to do my part in 2016 when they are both up for reelection. However, it is very hard to unseat a sitting judge in a countywide race, so I do not know where the money or manpower to do it will come from. Also if AFT backs Neylon again, which I do not see changing, it will take another minor miracle to defeat her. The McCann Incident: Well… I am not surprised. What an embarrassment. Saying he "threw" something doesn't begin to describe what the video shows.— November 24, 2014 10:51 a.m.
iPads are great for porn and video games
I think the iPad has worked well for one of my daughters who is in the Flags program and ASB. She has used it to do her work and I haven’t seen it be a distraction, although I think she reads on it a little too much opposed to real books. However, for my other daughter it has been a challenge. The iPad is more of a distraction for her but when we opted her out of it, and had it written in her IEP, it became very difficult for her to complete and submit her assignments. The iPad has been used to surf the internet, take pictures and record videos, watch videos, listen to music, change wallpaper over and over, make collages, and many other things that are only a distraction. She got in trouble a few weeks ago and received lunch detention for having her headphones in and listening to music while in class. She does not have an iPod or any device to listen to music from us, so she was using her school issued iPad to listen to music. It has also been used to sign up for social media accounts when my children are not allowed to have social media accounts. I have found them and deleted them because I monitor everything, but the iPad has provided a greater opportunity for this to happen behind our backs. It is also difficult for me to even keep up with the new social media sites and what they are used for so that I can stay on top of everything. She also has epilepsy so it is not good for her to be staring at the iPad screen all day. I have had to spend money to replace a few broken chargers as well which was not fun. So I think that the iPads can be a productive tool for some students, but we really have to be careful. It is also nice that a student who does not have a computer at home could have the ability to use the iPad instead but then does that home have wi-fi or do students have to go to a place like Starbucks or McDonalds to do their homework? I have heard stories from other parents about porn and different types of extremely inappropriate things like taking pictures of girls with the iPad and then using a program to draw pictures of penises in their mouths. Probably things that they could be doing with other devices, if their parents bought them for them, but again being done with school issued equipment. At the end it is a large expense, financed by questionable methods, without a proper plan in place to utilize the technology appropriately. That is just my opinion as a parent and community member.— November 6, 2014 4:56 p.m.
Pimp hand strong in Chula
I agree with everything you are saying. However, it is also a matter of perspective. For example look at all of the controversy that recently happened with SEA. A small group of people at the top of the organization made a decision themselves in a shady process. They were able to use that to get other endorsements and now they will be spending huge amounts of money to try to get their candidates elected. If their candidates are elected they will owe a great deal to SEA. Some may think being beholden to the union is a lot better than other interests, but again it is a matter of perspective.— August 26, 2014 10:40 a.m.
New blood for Sweetwater district?
Thank you very much for the kind words. I am working as hard as I can to win this time. I do not think that my daughters can afford to wait until next time.— August 23, 2014 10:40 p.m.
New blood for Sweetwater district?
Espana and Neylon are both up for reelection in 2016. It is very difficult to unseat incumbents in those positions. Look at how much money AFT had to spend to barely squeak out a win for Neylon in 2012. But anything is possible with community involvement and engagement.— August 22, 2014 3:30 p.m.
New blood for Sweetwater district?
The lease is an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in mystery; a lot like everything else at the school district. But what has been said verbally is that the option to purchase opens after 18 months. The legality of everything is questionable and that is why new board members with enough backbone to stand up to all the internal and external influences are needed to step in and get to the bottom of everything. I know of one community group who is working on setting up a public forum for all school board candidates. I plan to have at least one public town hall in my area as well.— August 22, 2014 3:27 p.m.
New blood for Sweetwater district?
Groups who have endorsed a candidate favor the candidate they endorsed. They will try to persuade others to vote for their candidate by building up another candidate as unbeatable if everyone doesn't vote for their person. This doesn't make it true. And yes there are also more behind the scenes people pushing for certain candidates to be elected as you have pointed out. With 5 seats up for election there are many interests who are very eager to take control of the school board.— August 22, 2014 3:19 p.m.
New blood for Sweetwater district?
I will only talk about my race and I won't get into specifics about campaign strategy but Greg Martinez did not complete his paperwork so he will not be on the ballot. I would also expect that you will see what you describe as 'hit' pieces about the person that you mentioned. Never underestimate any candidate but some points are being exaggerated as scare tactics to help favored candidates. The dynamics of this race are very different from anything in the past and they are actually favorable in many ways.— August 22, 2014 12:20 p.m.