Shades of Sweetwater at Calexico Unified School District

Calexico's community is vigilant when it comes to tossing out incumbents who breach the community's trust. Unfortunately, elected office sometimes taints those who win. Valenzuela was elected as a reformer, but governed as someone who would go months without speaking in open session. Of the few times Valenzuela spoke, it was to defend Yuri Calderon - mentioning that he [Valenzuela] personally reviewed legal bills that Trustee Kim would dispute. Former trustee Romo rarely spoke in open session - as her English skills are extremely basic. Closed sessions would last hours and hours - leaving the public to feel that closed session was where the decisions were being made. Calexico also received ample coverage in the Imperial Valley Press - leading to a large base of general knowledge regarding District's problems. Trustee Kim chose to run for council on his own, stating he could do more good in that position. He may have more allies on the council, which will put the spotlight on him to push for an agenda rather than be on constant defense.
— November 24, 2012 9:29 a.m.

Shades of Sweetwater at Calexico Unified School District

Calexico FIRED two incumbents who had in unfettered adoration for Calderon - Tony Valenzuela and Gloria Romo in the recent election. Trustworthy trustee Joong Kim won an election to the equally whacky City Council; hopefully the appointed trustee will change the composition of the board to put students ahead of lawyers.
— November 21, 2012 8:38 p.m.

Calexico Superintendent Resigns When Raise Denied

Lawfirm Garcia, Calderon, and Ruiz - formerly of Sweetwater, have had their bills gone unpaid by Calexico Unified for 6 months. When the public asks about these accumulating bills, no answer is given. During these 6 months there was the layoff of 86 teachers and numerous hours of negotiations with the teachers' union. The public doesn't know if Calexico Unified is "hiding" these bills, or if the firm is late in billing. Transparency was Trustee Tony Valenzuela's buzz word when he ran for election - where is the transparency in this matter? Why are they seemingly hiding these legal bills? Will these lawyers pull a "Sweetwater" and bankroll their favored candidates in the upcoming November election?
— September 15, 2012 2:28 p.m.

Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand

The Calexico Unified School District (which still employs GCR as its legal counsel) is entertaining a proposal from its active (yet STRS designated retiree) superintendent Dick Fragale for a $30,000 raise. This is the same District that claimed it was on the verge of state takeover due to insolvency and laid off over 20% of its teaching force! http://www.calexico.k12.ca.us/supportdocs/Dept/Su… http://www.calexico.k12.ca.us/nsite/wp-content/up…
— September 11, 2012 10:40 p.m.

Fraud Possible in Calexico Unified School District Bond Expenditures

http://204.147.18.75/education/sctemp/ff49bf8adbe… 2010 ANNUAL REPORT BOND MEASURE M6 OXNARD SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY MEASURE M6 BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ... Mr. Gutierrez responded that there was a dispute regarding a change order with the contractor; it was recommended that a third party be brought in to review the charges, and the District saved almost $8,000 as a result. Mr. Castillo asked: who approached Cambridge? Mr. Castillo stated that Cambridge was introduced to Mr. Gutierrez by Janis Duran, who was introduced to Cambridge by Yuri Calderon, General Counsel, who eventually brought Cambridge in. Mr. Castillo commented that Mr. Eloy with DMJM, another consultant, was proposed to be awarded a contract of $1.6M, but the Board shut it down. Mr. Gutierrez stated that Rincon Consultants are preparing a document for the Southwest School, and asked for clarification on whether the BOC’s proposed motion will halt or cease ongoing contracts. Mr. Thompson responded that the Southwest Project is not using M6 funds, but is paid out of Developer Fees (page 15). ... Action/Recommendations to the Board of Trustees The Committee took a vote on the 3 recommendations: 1) recommend an investigation to determine if a conflict of interest exists between General Counsel and Bond attorney for M6 Bond fund, 2) request a forensic performance audit of the M6 Bond fund; 3) recommend immediate removal of the 15 hiring ability of General Counsel/Bond attorney of all M6 Bond funds without Board approval. Motion by Mr. Castillo to accept the three recommendations, second by Mr. Gonzalez. All were in favor; the motion carried unanimously 6-0. (pgs 15-16)
— July 24, 2012 11:29 p.m.

Fraud Possible in Calexico Unified School District Bond Expenditures

Be sure to read the entire forensic audit, where questions arise on who supervised construction... it turns out that the architect was given the responsibility of being construction overseer, when the same architect may have billed without detail (detailed bills have yet to be found). Read the entire forensic audit here (only 13 pages): http://www.calexico.k12.ca.us/supportdocs/Dept/Su… Here is David Groesbeck's glowing review Garcia and Associates from their website: http://garciaaia.com/?page_id=64 The Architectural firm of Garcia & Associates has assisted with a number of school facilities projects. Simple remodels, comprehensive modernizations, portable building projects and new construction projects for the Calexico Unified School District. The projects have been schedule and project driven, delivered on-time and within budget without sacrifice to the project’s requirements or group’s needs. The level of professionalism, quality and detail provided by Mr. Jorge Garcia and his staff can best be characterized by “competent”. The design capabilities of Garcia & Associates are outstanding and always represent an ability to listen to our needs and translate these needs into a reality. Mr. Garcia’s knowledge and experience with K-12 educational projects are broad based and proven. Garcia & Associates’ knowledge of the State School Building Program, applicable State Statues and Legislation, as well as knowledge of the OPSC funding process, assisted the District in facilitating the funding application process for our projects. Mr. Garcia and his staff have provided leadership that an architectural company with vision, constructive, creative thinking and problem solving should have. Garcia & Associates’ commitment has been noteworthy and appreciated by the Board of Trustees, administration and by our community. Mr. David Groesbeck Superintendent Calexico Unified School District (Note, he is no longer affiliated with the Calexico Unified School District)... Of course, the forensic auditor was the same one Oxnard School District used - where Yuri Calderon is the former general counsel. (Just another connection - small world)...
— July 24, 2012 11:14 p.m.

Fraud Possible in Calexico Unified School District Bond Expenditures

cvres - from page 5 of the indictment: "...payment of $395,000 in CaMSP grant money to G & A Associates, a partnership controlled by defendant OLGA AMARAL and her husband, in return for preparing an allegedly independent, external evaulation of the grant project." The husband, David Groesbeck, is former Calexico Superintendent, Asst. Supt of Business, Asst. Supt. of H.R., and principal. You may read the entire indictment here: http://media.trb.com/media/acrobat/2010-12/301381…
— July 24, 2012 11:08 p.m.

Fraud Possible in Calexico Unified School District Bond Expenditures

The current school board in Calexico heavily relies on an attorney (Calderon) who does not provide timely bills to the board/public for review. Billing is often months behind. It seems like the board is setting themselves up for more "questionable" actions, as did previous boards. When will the school board begin to perform its fiduciary responsibility rather than looking for scapegoats and outside consultants?
— July 24, 2012 3:52 p.m.

Did Calexico Unified School District Need a Lawyer and a Lobbyist?

Susan, you are right. Mr. Kim's independent voice has been marginalized (at best) by the District establishment. Sometimes it seems as if the rest of the board is conducting business away from the board room (either open or closed session). When they are called on matters, such as those listed above, they direct staff to "attack" to their critics. Sadly, this is business as usual in Calexico Unified School District. There is some hope with two school board seats up for election in November, 2012.
— February 21, 2012 9:47 p.m.

Did Calexico Unified School District Need a Lawyer and a Lobbyist?

There is no record of this committee ever being formed in the board's minutes. Board President Ruth Duarte is VERY arrogant (along with her majority).
— February 21, 2012 6:46 a.m.