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Pimp hand strong in Chula
I have suggested to Dr. Glover that there be a candidate forum held at a school site in each area. It would be organized and run by the students within that area. The Civics and journalism students, for example, could prepare the questions, organize and promote the event. Only those candidates from the respective area would participate. I see this as an excellent learning opportunity that will garner a much larger audience since the students will insist that their parents attend. I do not see any "church v. state" issues for the district if it is run by the students. The old ways die hard, so as of yet no buy in from the District, but hope springs eternal.— August 30, 2014 7:19 a.m.
Who’s minding the jewels?
On 27 June 2013, I sent the Superintendent and Board a certified letter asking them to put both the asset reutilization program and the Profit Participation Agreement (PPA) on the agenda pursuant with Board Policy 9322 (a). I sent them a friendly reminder by email on 23 September 2013 that I was still waiting. To date, the District has chosen to ignore my requests. The PPA does more than give away 1/3 of the net profit to a private party. It also gives him final "approval" of when, to whom, and for how much these properties will be sold. The agreement also has a tolling agreement which extends the term of the agreement until the properties are sold no mater how long it takes. As if that is not enough, the net profit uses as a basis the original purchase price of the surplus lands which in some cases goes back to the 1950's. A reasonable agreement would value the property at it's current use and and the net profit would be the difference after costs between that value and the value based on the new use. (residential) I have no doubt that the agreement is not enforceable, but I am equally sure that the District will have to buy itself out of the deal or at best spend money on attorneys to litigate itself out of the deal.— July 11, 2014 7:58 a.m.
Classroom shenanigans in Sweetwater school district?
Take a look at the Ed code starting with 35511(3) for a definition of the process. Section 35721(c) allows for a resolution of a City Council within the District to get the ball rolling with the County Board of Ed. It gets complicated as the process moves on with EIRs and LAFCO approval as well as the apportionment of assets and debt. The latter being a sticking point in my view. There is also the real issue of the two smaller districts having the financial ability to carry the Jr. and Sr. High duties. In the end, it will have to make financial and structural sense. As frustrated as we may be with Sweetwater, change for the sake of change, is not a wise course of action.— January 29, 2014 12:26 p.m.
Classroom shenanigans in Sweetwater school district?
The question of unification or more correctly reunification is an interesting one and deserves consideration. On one hand, the District is very large and dividing it into three pieces consistent with the three communities it serves would make it more responsive to the needs and desires of those communities. On the other hand, the economic state of the District is probably the biggest impediment to wooing the respective elementary districts. Why would CVESD, which is capably managed and has prudently established reserves in excess of 20%, want to take on Sweetwater's debt? It would be similar to the reunification of Germany without the cultural and emotional component. We know that the District is under water on the "L" St. property by at least $17M. There is a question of how much of the Mello Roos funds have been "borrowed" for general fund use. Most of the CFD's are in Chula Vista. Put simply, would it be prudent to marry someone who had huge credit card debt., student loans, and owed the IRS back taxes? I do favor pursuing the issue through the County Board of Ed level. As part of their process, they will have to make a comprehensive audit of the Districts finances in order to assess the feasibility of unification. **For that reason alone we should support further exploration of the concept.**— January 29, 2014 10:45 a.m.
Sweetwater school district invites more suspicion
Mr. Delgado resigned his position on the 7-11 committee. He had not been able to attend either of the two meetings. Dan Munoz will replace him.— December 24, 2013 2:57 p.m.
Sweetwater trustee Arlie Ricasa to resign
The Education Code Section 5090-5095 also apply to the filling of vacancies. 5091 (c) (1) states that "If a provisional appointment is made within the 60 day period, the registered voters of the District may, within 30 days from the date of the appointment, petition for the conduct of a special election to fill the vacancy. A petition shall be deemed to bear sufficient number of signatures if signed by at least 1 1/2 percent of the number of registered voters of the District at the time of the last regular election for governing board members, or 25 registered voters, whichever is greater. (2) The petition shall be submitted to the county superintendent of schools having jurisdiction who shall have 30 days to verify the signatures. If the petition is determined to be legally sufficient by the county superintendent of schools, THE PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT IS TERMINATED, and the county superintendent of schools shall order a special election to be conducted no later than the 130th day after the determination..." *emphasis in text is mine* *by my calculation, 1 1/2 percent is about 3,000 signatures*— December 18, 2013 8:41 p.m.
Sweetwater trustee Arlie Ricasa to resign
Bylaws of the Board BB 9223(a) describes the method of appointment to a vacancy. It states, "In order to draw from the largest possible number of candidates, the Board shall advertise in the local media to solicit candidate applications or nominations. A committee consisting of less than a quorum of the Board shall ensure that applicants are eligible for Board membership and announce the names of the eligible candidates. The Board shall interview the candidates at a public meeting, accept oral or written input, and select the provisional appointee by a majority vote."— December 18, 2013 8:25 p.m.
Cops kick out public from Sweetwater board meeting
This Board and Superintendent are to good governance and education as the Captain of the Exxon Valdez was to seamanship and the environment...— October 22, 2013 2:39 p.m.
Sweetwater school district backs off on Alliant International University plan
Thank you for the above information. I have taken to quoting that ruling in my PRAs for the last couple of months. Since I regularly do not get documents in District files, it should come as no surprise that I have yet to get them to even acknowledge a duty to disclose private emails. I want to believe that the members of the Board will rectify the situation and will do what is best for the District. To those who might choose to grant Dr. Brand an extension of his contract I leave with the following quotation from Hugh White (President pro tem of the Senate 1832) "When you make a mistake, don't look back at it long. Take the reason of the thing into your mind and then look forward. Mistakes are lessons of wisdom. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power." Mr. McCann and the others can do the right thing and we should applaud them when they do. I for one will not play the "I told you so" game if they make a change. By and large, the education side of the District is functioning. It is the business side that needs help. This District has the talent in house to make our way until we find a replacement. All of us are fungible and to think otherwise is a delusion.— September 8, 2013 1:41 p.m.
Sweetwater school district backs off on Alliant International University plan
For those of you that don't know her, Ms. Castilleja is foremost in the photo at the top of this article. She has acted as Dr. Brands willing lieutenant in this sorry affair. Her emails are available to read by clicking on the link at the bottom of this article just above the posts. The distribution on both emails show the upper echelon of Sweetwater leadership who seemed to be comfortable with pimping a private, tuition based school and poaching the students with grant money. The legality of this is questionable but the impropriety and amorality of their scheming is not. Southwestern and San Diego State must feel like a spouse who has caught their mate in flagrante delicto. Is it any wonder why other agencies don't want to work with this District? Dr. Brand's evaluation is likely to be on this months Board agenda. It has been delayed in order for Mr. McCann to return after his accident. He is likely to be the swing vote on an extension of the Superintendent's contract. I urge all to let the Board know your feelings on continuing the leadership of Dr. Brand.— September 8, 2013 11:09 a.m.