justateacher

Comments by justateacher

Sweetwater School Board Awards 2-Year Contract to Ed Brand

The fact that our student representative on the board was able to rally her fellow ASB presidents to come and speak out against Brand (although many had to leave well before they were given a chance to speak due to curfew), the fact that many of the long adn well respected members of our district who have now retired (J. Mercado, S. Canaris, j. Rindone, K. Janney) came out to speak against Brand (and again went home to bed before given the chance), the fact that the board was presented with no confidence votes from teachers, parents, the bond oversight committee, and on and on and on, AND YET Brand walked away with not only a contract but a simply obscene contract is simply disgusting. Listening to each board member explain why they were voting for him it was like we lived in two completely different universes. They see a Brand who is competent and a team-player, yet most of the many of his most horrendous decisions were made unilaterally (open boundaries) and others were made with board approval but no real thought out long-term plan. They say they want stability and consistency. Neither of those are worth anything if the person who is supposed to provide those is completely unethical and untrustworthy. I can't think of a single thing that Brand has said that he has followed through on or that has been matched by his actions. Obviously, and unfortunately there is now no going back. One can only count the months until the election and the trial and HOPE that we have the community enlightened enough to give us some fresh blood. Unfortunately after tonight it will cost us gravely and many will at that point in time say that we just can't afford it. Well, guess what, we couldn't afford it at 3 am this morning either. We couldn't afford anything for ANY other employee in the entire district in the spring when we all agreed to take pay cuts due to the fact that "there simply was no money". And now, badda bing badda boom, money has appeared for Brand following his strike. Maybe we should thank you Brand. You have taught us a valuable lesson. Do not sit around and negotiate. Walk out - STRIKE - and then you will get exactly what you want and more. Remember, when you are in a position of power, you are a role model and you have modeled the power of striking for us perfectly. I cannot WAIT until our next bargaining to follow in your footsteps.
— September 25, 2012 6:04 p.m.

Sweetwater Interim Superintendent Ed Brand Resigns

I must admit I'm curious. So many people saying that surely the board will not offer Brand a contract. Do people truly believe this is the case? Sadly I am out of the country at the moment so I won't be able to attend tomorrow night but I have rallied as many colleagues as possible to be there. However, I just can't see any situation in which they would NOT give in to the Brand. This board makes me sick and sad.
— September 23, 2012 7:35 p.m.

Sweetwater Interim Superintendent Ed Brand Resigns

Glad it wasn't just me. Saw nothing below either other than the something about the fiscal impact being included in the current 2012-2013 budget. Also noticed that the only closed session item is listed as vaguely as it was at the last "special meeting". Sadly we all know he will be given a contract. Two board members will likely be convicted and in jail in February and hopefully we'll have at least one new board member after the elections. In a perfect world they will be intelligent human beings who will choose to get rid of Brand. So again we'll pay a massive chunk of money that we do not have to get rid of someone who never should have been hired. So exhausting and depressing.
— September 21, 2012 6:36 p.m.

Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand

Those who were at the meeting MUST email 10 news and tell them the truth. The representation of community members and teachers made me sick. McCann has again taken a soundbite completely out of context and tried to turn it into something for him. If you were there PLEASE email 10 news. Maybe they could contact CW6 for accurate video since that was the only tv news organization who was there with camera's for the entire evening. <joe_little@10news.com>, "JW_August@10news.com
— September 13, 2012 6:34 a.m.

Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand

yes
— September 11, 2012 6:01 p.m.

Sweetwater Schools Board Aborts Meeting Agenda, Not Brand

Brand can no longer make money off the district so holding back his paycheck isn't a threat. He has reached the limit under the new state law of the maximum amount he can earn as a contractor. In order to continue to get paid by the district he needs to unretire but he is likely going to refuse to do that until he is guaranteed a contract. Brand likes to say that he's here only because Sweetwater is in his blood and he feels compelled to save us. Mercado and Canaris demonstrated last night what it means to have Sweetwater "in your blood". You VOLUNTEER to do what is BEST for the STUDENTS without demanding huge payouts. It is always students first under Mercado and that is a stand we have not seen in our district for way too long. I will say that last night is the longest the public has been allowed to speak at a meeting. Clearly without Brand to tell her to cut off the speakers Quinones was simply at a loss - much like the situation with the pledge. We have now "temporarily" promoted the MOST incompetent individual in the entire district into leading us. An individual who is is the exact opposite of trust, transparency, and competence that our district so desperately needs. We keep thinking things will get better and yet instead they somehow manage to go in the opposite direction. If only if only . . . Mercado, Canaris, Janney . . . someone who truly LOVES the students in our district and would do ANYTHING for them . . . but alas we are only left to dream as this board simply does not care to listen no matter what we as the public try to do.
— September 11, 2012 5:07 p.m.

No Confidence Petition for Sweetwater's Ed Brand

Oh and I can also guarantee that those trustees kids are very carefully placed in classes just as when anyone is given a tour or offered open access to the campus they are taken only to specific classes.
— September 8, 2012 6:03 p.m.

No Confidence Petition for Sweetwater's Ed Brand

bvagency things are far far from OK. Even when he visited us at SEA rep council he acknowledged that morale is at an all time low. Right after he told us that ELH's enrollment is actually DOWN by almost 200 this year. Sadly it is the students on the west side who truly are suffering as that is where most administrators who were brought in or promoted by Gandara continue to be employed. There are sites with more than a half dozen classes being taught by a different teacher than the teacher on the students' schedule. Sites where teachers were moved from their school because they were trying to stand up for what was right for students in communities where parents aren't as involved or as educated so they trust us as teachers to do what is best for kids. We try and feel the wrath. It is truly still a culture of fear and cronyism/nepotism widespread through our district, particularly on the west side.
— September 8, 2012 5:10 p.m.

No Confidence Petition for Sweetwater's Ed Brand

As a colleague and I walked out of school on Friday after a two-day week we were discussing how exhausted we were and pondering if it was because we were in our 30's and 40's now instead of our 20's. However, I truly believe that it is not our age but our district that is the problem. It is hard to focus on our students, our curriculum and our almighty test scores when the corruption, game-playing, and blatant disregard for students is so pervasive at the top. It is exhausting to try to keep up with which administrator is currently breaking which part of our contract and getting away with it. It is exhausting to still be having class changes 7 weeks into the school year because of disastrous master schedules caused by Brand and his demand that they be created at a ratio of 34:1 and in some cases 40:1 even though that wasn't even being discussed in negotiations. It is exhausting to be hearing one thing from a DWAST "support" person about common core and another from the head of curriculum. It is exhausting to anticipate what ipads will bring in the higher grades as we hear from our colleagues what a massive disaster they are in 7th grade. It is exhausting for 7th grade teachers to try to teach while kids text away on their ipads. It is exhausting and even more importantly demoralizing to simply not be respected. The relationship of teachers to administration in this district is a dysfunctional and abusive one. And like in a family where abuse takes place, the kids ultimately suffer. Many wish so desperately they could escape but they are trapped by a lack of jobs and their safety with seniority. 10 years ago people used to fight to be teach in this district. Now when I mention that I teach in Sweetwater the response is almost always "I'm sorry" or "that must be miserable". This will only continue if we keep Brand and his hit men on the payroll. Can someone, anyone, please take control and save our students. Teachers are trying so hard but we fight for them all day long to no avail. Someone out there must care and have the power to do something . . . right?
— September 8, 2012 4:06 p.m.

$10 Lunch: Noodles & Company

Buttered noodles, grilled chicken breast and extra seasoning is the way to go!
— May 8, 2012 1:09 p.m.