San Diego Unified. 5:00 Cajon Valley. 5:30 Chula Vista. 6:00 Carlsbad. 6:00 Grossmont. 6:00 San Dieguito. 6:30 Poway. 6:00 Oceanside. 6:00 Santee. 7:00

SUHSD. Maybe 1, maybe 2. - whatever it takes to keep the business secret.

TRANSPARENCY - this bunch does not know the meaning of the word

The sands of time shift. Our students get short shrift. Will they ever catch the drift?

We filled Southwest, we filled Hilltop - THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!!!!!

They do not want us knowing how they are wasting what little money they have left, they do not want to share with the tax paying community all of their back room deals.

SECRECY, it is all about SECRECY - but hey why should we be kept informed, WE ARE ONLY THE ONES PAYING THE BILLS.

And let us not forget Brand needs his rest - I mean he has to drive all the way home to the Norrth County; but not to worry the gas bill is not his to worry about - IT IS ALL ON US!!!!!

These people have no shame. Brand is nothing short of a carpetbagger.

First, they moved closed session from after the regular open meeting to before so that the public would have to arrive early to get a seat and then wait hours (at times until 2 or 3 AM) before parents, teachers and students could speak to the board. Then they cut speaking time from 3 minutes to 1 or 2 so that it was nearly impossible to present a coherent argument. All of the district reports and presentations were scheduled before the public speaking section of the agenda so that people had to wait until 7:30 or later to begin to share their concerns with the board. Once at least, the public speaking session of the meeting was moved to the end and when the meeting went past 10:00 the rest of it, including the public speaking section was just postponed. Agendas are posted at the last minute and meeting locations are changed. Administrators are ordered to attend and fill the seats while the public waits outside. Chairs are removed from the board room so that fewer people can attend. Now, they want to change the meeting time to early afternoon so that students, teachers and working parents are shut out of the process. WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE??????? ALL of south county needs to show up at the meeting at 6PM on Monday and loudly voice our outrage.

Oneoftheteachers: closed session continues to list litigationS, the numbers of litigationS, listed as potential or upcoming varies.

Think about it IF they are indeed meeting in closed session and discussing and/or voting to pay for their defenses HOW WOULD WE KNOW???????????????

Theses cases are costing upwards to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ricasa has set up her own defense fund - family and others are lending her money, but the rest, what of them??????

Are we going to wait until they bankrupt us? Are we going to wait until Brand gets into his big white truck and simply tells Siri " home, Siri, take me home - my pockets are full, my retirement has been increased, and these SUCKERS are paying my benefits until I am Medicare eligible. Glad to have teamed up with you Johnny boy McCann"

What is Brand carrying in his left hand? Check out the photo.

Isn't it required for the board to have a discussion if they plan to change the next meeting time?

The Sweetwater Union High School District values the input from its citizens, taxpayers, and students. One of the most important vehicles for robust public discourse is the monthly regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. While we have always had an open and transparent process with the public, the District also has ongoing responsibility to act like a business and adequately review and discuss matters regarding policy, finance, education/curriculum, and our school construction and maintenance efforts. Like a family that must juggle soccer practice with studying for an exam tomorrow, so we must as a District make hard decisions on what is best for the education of our kids. Too often because of the heavy regular agenda schedule and our attempt to find a balance between public input and doing the business of the District, we short chained both..not giving enough time for the public to speak on general issues and not spending sufficient time discussing policy and business.

In fact because we wish to fully hear your concerns, you will now have a time to speak much earlier in the evening. We heard your concerns and put together this revised Board meeting time. It is your desire for a more inclusive District is why we are recommending this schedule change.

While we know it may cause an inconvenience to some who wish to speak on a specific agenda item now heard in the mid afternoon, the District feels this is a small price to pay for an open government where you will actually have more time to speak and we can assure continued efficient management of the fiduciary responsibilities of the District. As you are probably aware, large governments like City Councils and Boards of Supervisors have for years conducted meetings during normal business hours.

To all our constituents, thank you for your understanding. We wish you a Happy and safe New Year. Respectfully submitted for the wonderful kids of the Sweetwater Union High School District!!

WTFEd: I believe you have just provided us with the bs press release Brand and Cartmill will attempt to present as justification for the new board meeting. The only problem with your scenario - Brand believes that highly endowed intellectuals brains shut down after 4 hours of use- so no doubt he will be announcing that all board meetings will end no later than 6:00. Just in time to give the traffic heading north time to lessen giving Brand a smooth ride all of the way home to the North County.

Next week the legal proceedings will resume. Next week the grand jury testimonies released - giving the public lots of reading material. Went out today and loaded up on microwave theatre style (extra butter) popcorn and Coca Cola.

Joepublic: A SHOE !!!!! Remember Kruschev? He too hated public comment!

anniej...There you go again not thinking about the kids. You know Anniej I have my problems too..you know the other day I forgot my passcode to my gated community..it was hell waiting for ten minutes until another called pulled up. Worse yet my vodka on ice got a bit warm but my servant....errrr assistant got a fresh cube until I arrived.

WTFed: that servant, that vodka - was that put on the district credit card? Oh, what the hell, why not, the taxpayers will pay for it; after all, there are still millions in the Mello Roos account - all for the takin'.

If you must know the servant is Tom Hassey.....and he cuts the lawn as well. He will be one of the on line teachers at the new Sweetwater U....God bless him. A good man like me...always thinking of the kids.

Does anyone know anything about the closed session agenda item San Diegans for Open Gov't vs. SUHSD?

Case Number: 37-2012-00091137-CU-MC-CTL Date Filed: 01/24/2012 Case Title: San Diegans For Open Government vs. Sweetwater Union High School District [IMAGED] Case Status: Pending Case Category: Civil - Unlimited Location: Central Case Type: Misc Complaints - Other Judicial Officer: William S. Dato Case Age: 368 days

WTFEd: My my he is busy. The servants job must be part time, as Cartmill blessed the idea of him being named Chief of Staff. But then no surprise since Brand and he did allegedly bail Cartmill out of a bankruptcy, about 50 k worth. Dont you just love how all of these guys/gals are there for each other -

TOO BAD THEY DON'T PUT THE SAME AMOINT OF TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY INTO THE STUDENTS EDUCATION.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

WTFD I'm so glad that the district is doing this for the kids the public and to better serve the process and ensure that the board can complete their duties. We know what the real purpose of this change is all about and it has nothing to do with anything your trying to sell on behave of the district. It's about secrecy and hiding, and it won't work. Been there and done that.

Erupting: WTFEd - no doubt he is mocking Brands greed.

Counting down, those Grand Jury transcripts will be out soon - contractors and insiders telling what they know. Ed Brand spoke, now that will be an interesting read. John McCann spike as well wonder if they were able to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"

what is that saying "ITS NOT OVER TIL THE FAT LADY SINGS". I don't hear any singing!!!!!!!!!

WTFEd- no doubt we would get some sort of explanation like that. It's to OUR benefit, so that we can have our allotted public speaking time. Of course, we must remember that the board can not legally discuss or take action on subjects not on the agenda that are brought up during that period.

If the board feels that they are unable to manage district issues AND listen to public comments, maybe they could suggest meeting twice a month instead of once. Or possibly cutting out frivolous agenda items like taking time to designate the month of February as National African-American History Month. Isn't February already designated as such? Nationally?

Dbdriver your comments trouble me. I entered this Reader dialogue a few days ago to hopefully elevate the conversation about this District and yes add a bit of humor as well. However you raise a very serious issue for which I feel you are simply wrong. This is a 42,000 or so student district and thus we are regional leaders as well. That is why we have taken the bull by the horns and got such things as the Compact for Success.

In fact Board Policy 6141.6 on Multicultural Education states: “The district's comprehensive multicultural education program shall recognize the contributions of different groups of people to the history, life and culture of the local community, California, the United States and other nations. It may include but not be limited to instruction about the languages, cultural characteristics, significant events and individuals, and social, political and economic conditions of various ethnic groups.” In short the National African History Month is very appropriate, especially in light of this Policiy.

Just as I am sure for those who have students or are just concerned citizens who read these comments, they all must wish for themselves a well rounded and robust life. Therefore we have such things as Awards and Proclamations in public. Honoring our African American Community is oh so importnat.

Some things in this land of liberty are worth formalizing in a public setting. Can you imagine having the Board of Trustees saying the Pledge of Allegiance in private before the meeting to “save time”.

I ask you to reflect and think…we must move forward and embrace change for the good. Think back in your life on things you resisted and once you understood it all then it made sense. We must move forward for the betterment of our kids and give them the respect they deserve no matter what their race. Also dbriver and others we must move forward and not divert our energy to things like agenda times. With Social Media your word gets to the Board members whether you are there in person or not...believer it or not staff does listen..I know this first hand.

WTFEd..... YOUR comments are more than troubling, and I suspect others will be troubled also. We are not going to follow your yellow brick road, smokescreen, or try to figure out what the hell you mean with your meaningless drivel.

The Brown Act guarantees the public the right to participate in the public governance process and is law that assures the public's business is done in public. The pesky issue of 'agenda times' is one such indication of an attempt to subvert the process and is righfully in our sights as an important matter .... and certainly trumps any "Regional leadership issues"....you or your cronies may come up with to try an divert our focus.

Again I remind folks to watch the pea under the shell in the shell games going on.

WE THE PEOPLE are entitled to participate. Watch us now!

The HUGE annyoance of WTHFEd's drivel is that he makes a specious argument (he can look it up) that Social Media should take the place of official public comment at public meetings, or at least hopes that we will buy that instread of having access to meetings that are scheduled when the public can comment. Social Media comments are in the realm of letters to the editor, or street corner gossip...they do not substitute for official comment.

Any Facebook postings or tweets or whatever do not replace the public record that is made when citizens make official PUBLIC comments at official meetings.

Again, watch the pea in the shells in the shell game. It's all about the public's right to know and to participate, and therein lies the rub for those who would have it be otherwise.

I think oskidoll and wtf contribute to an important dialogue and I am personally gratetful. I suspect both consider public comment supremely important.

And further, WTFEd.....so where's the line forming for reps from those other districts who want to learn how to emulate the leadership shown at Sweetwater? Don't they wish they had 4 out of five trustees indicted, and join in the 'extortion' club?

Such regional leadership matters are yet to be plundered, I suppose.

oskidoll: regarding your comment - "do not replace the public record that is made when citizens make official PUBLIC comments at official meetings"

Are you aware of the fact that the audio of board meetings is allegedly somewhat "cleansed" - case in point - the meeting at Sweetwater High back in March when Brand went off on a tangent "when you stopped us from borrowing from prop o we were then forced to borrow from Mello Roos" (paraphrase, but pretty darn close) - well, apparently that segment was not included in the audio of the board meeting BECAUSE, Brand did not think some his comments were necessary. Hmmmmm

The audio of the board meetings, yet another source of concern.

NEVERTHELESS, the public record is the public record and made ONLY at the public meetings. Those of us who are there and heard it know and can testify. We should be making our own tapes of the meetings if there is a concern about a Rose Mary Woods in the mix. Anything on social media is just that, and never, ever, can be used as official record. That suggestion is just another smoke screen set up to divert us from the task at hand...have public meetings when and where the public is able to attend.

WTFEd- I believe you may have misinterpreted my meaning, but that may have been due to an item that I chose at random that may itself be improperly worded. At least, in my mind. The agenda item I referred to states the district is "designating" the month of February in that way, rather than "recognizing" the month of February as National African-American History Month. It is already nationally known as such. I do thank you for the reminder about Awards and Proclamations.

As I did mention, if there is not enough time during the meetings to cover the agenda items and receive public comments, why not suggest changing the by laws to have meetings twice a month, or more.that way, there would be more than enough time to complete business, while hearing from the public, whom the board is supposed to be representing.

The board would have more time having comprehensive discussions about topics, such as campaign contribution limitations in its ethics policy. (Did that ever get properly voted on? I didn't hear on the audio files where it was, unless it was inadvertently "edited out",)

Yes, we should grab the bull by the horns, and get such things as All of our schools off Program Improvement, before we venture out to try to teach pre-schoolers.

And we shouldn't divert our energy to such things as the agenda...except where someone is proposing to change the schedule to a time where it is more difficult for a schedule juggling family to attend. Then we focus our attention.

And while I have no problems in emailing any concerns to any on the board or staff, I don't recall hearing comments spoken at the meetings like, "and Mrs. Such and such has this to say about this topic via twitter..." Social media only goes so far in broadcasting to and from a meeting. And even in this time of technology advances, there is still a Digital Divide where many do not have access to email, Internet, or any social media.

You may not think so but this dialogue is good...it shows our students that adults can actually act civil whether it be in such a Reader Dialogue or hopefully at our Board meetings. We should all remind ourselves that we as citizen's have the responsibility to set good examples for our kids. They are our future. Seeing grown adults hissing and speaking in broad allegations and innuendos at Board meetings serves as bad example for our impressionable youth.

I think as we proceed through this year that all "chill out" and give it time for the new agenda time to work. I am sure under the collective bargaining agreement that teachers could be given release time to appear at a meeting. I have seen first hand how the District really does care about its teachers and workers. We can achieve more if we all work together positively rather than looking for conspiracies or some kind of bureacratic skullduggery.

Frankly I think we would all be better along if we just trusted the Administration and give them time. Our negative energy needs to now focus on the many postive District Iniatives.

"Trust the Administration"....oh yeah.

Then, when the collective bargaining agreement 'allows' the teachers time to come to board meetings. So what about the 'rank and file' of other public members...those who work in other daytime jobs? They cannot get dispensation to come voice their public opinion.

No sir...no more 'trust' for the administration because they (he) have already trashed that trust. This administration has run aground.

The public has a right to be heard, and just not on the administration's time calendar. The Brown Act trumps the administration's convenience. Think about it! And as far as the 'many positive Districting Initiatives'...like the Ipads, the Sweetwater University, the toxic dirt and other failed projects that lead to nowhere except lots of OUR money down the proverbial drain....that's exactly WHY we need the public input at public meetings.

WTFEd: You Mr. Mayor are hilarious!!!!!, but please remember this ain't Chicago and we don't take kindly to the attempt of wind being blown up our Levi's.

The chance of teachers being given time off to attend - about as much chance as me waking up and being 21 again.

OK I will bite educate me, exactly what are a few of those positive initiatives? To narrow the list, lets say in the past year and a half, since Brand returned.

WTFEd: Please define the "Administration" that you say we should trust. Ed Brand ?

Remember the old adage about 'expecting sober behavior from a drunk'...or somethng about a tiger and stripes....etc.

I hope every one of you on this thread that disagree with the time change contacted the Trustees to voice your displeasure with this attempt. Please dont assume they wont listen (although they probably will not!). Still, they need to hear directly from us via emails, phone calls, attendance at the meeting tonight, on community blogs and social media - from all sides. Maybe, like the speck of dust in Horton Hears a Who, our collective voices will ultimately be heard by the Trustees and they will make the right decision!!

Any thoughts about the change in venue for the upcoming trials? From the city of San Diego to Chula Vista?

ALL OF THOSE WHO VOTED FOR PEARL QUINONES -

SHE CHOSE TO NOT COME TO THE BOARD MEETING. SOOOOOOOO, basically she, thru her absence, is voting to STOP TAXPAYER INPUT by changing board meeting times to the afternoon.

COWARD!!!!!!!!!!

It is interesting, Stuart Payne asked board president if texting/cell phone internet usage was allowed by board members. It appeared that John McCann was doing just that. Then low and behold McCann was gone from his seat - now we see why, it appears he was in the back posting the above. McCann has outed himself.

Thanks to the public voicing their concers the board meetings will begin 1/2 hr earlier.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK TIME TO ATTEND. We can make a positive difference for our students when/if we are willing to show up, stand up and speak up.

Ms. Lopez spoke up early AGAINST the proposed change, the student representative did as well. Thank You to the both of them.

Brand is an employee of the elected board of trustees.

Brand is a staff member hired by the elected board members.

The elected board members (Ricasa, Lopez, Quinones, etc) are the bosses of Ed Brand.

Brand can be overruled by the elected board members (his bosses).

All board policies are board policies set by the elected board members (not staff members like Brand).

Tim Tim,thanks so much for outing the mtg. Setting yourself up as the hero was a brilliant stroke last night. Too bad it was after Bertha stated her position and informed the board and public about Brand calling her boss to try and force her to toe the line. Tim Tim did your second favorite person out you so to speak about texting during the meeting ( Mr. Payne) so you left to finish your blog. Oh, you silly boy not very clever. After reading the TRO and court transcript last night it's no wonder you hate Alex for showing you for what you are. I'm glad Jimmy has a friend in you and Pearl.

Sjtorres: in the real world your words are true. At SUHSD, BRAND RULES . If my words are not true, explain the power to hire Administratores without Board approval - as admitted to last evening by the board president. Explain the ridiculous amount Brand is able to spend without board approval? Explain how Brand was able to sign the contract with GCU WITHOUT BOARD APROVAL, even though Ms. Ricasa and Ms. Lopez had asked that the item me brought BACK to the board for clarification and discussion.

Explain Brand calling The Superintendent of National City schools in an effort to reprimand board member Lopez who is an elementary school teacher in that district. All because Lopez spoke out against the board meeting time change. Brand is NOT RESPECTED by other schools districts or their superintendents - his reputation is well known and his wheelin' and dealin' ridiculed and seen as self serving.

Kudos to the Trustees for making the right decision last night on the time change. It was hilarious to see Brand outed in calling Lopez' boss - he turned red as a beet when Bertha brought that up.

It is a shame how Bertha is disrespected by her peers. She in essence made the same motion as McCann. I know she is not as polished as McCann, Cartmill and Ricasa, but her heart and mind is in the right place. Of course, the court proceedings will impact her fate.

I think Cartmill hears the community and its concerns, he does have a 9th grader in the district. I really believe the meetings should run better with him as Board President; they cant be any worse than they were under the prior Pres.

Bvagency: I can not speak to the charges filed against Lopez or Cartmill. I am waiting to read the legal documents and transcripts.

What I can speak about is the representation Bertha Lopez has given us in the past three years - HER VOTING RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. She has consistently stood as the lone vote when it came to the students and the taxpayers.

The opening statement by Mr. Cartmill, to me, served as a reflection of where we SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALL ALONG. Hopefully, the stormy Santa Ana winds of the board meetings will subside and they will be returned to balmy beach breezes. Cartmill WAS IN CONTROL of last nights meeting. He sat, listened, and LOOKED at each and every speaker. In over four years that has NEVER happened. My hopes are that Mr. Cartmill will realize that the board has lost control of the District, they have, in fact, been taken over by Brand. While Brand, no doubt, is whispering sweet nothing's in their ears BOARD MEMBERS HEAR ME CLEARLY:

BRAND WOULD SELL YOU OUT IN A MINUTE - no matter HOW CLOSE YOU THINK YOU ARE.

The school board did the right thing? I assume with a little guidance from the parents, teachers and students.

p.s. does the fab 5 of the message board include tim tim?

I noted that today's Manchester Mill, aka UT SanDiego, reports that the corruption cases are going to be heard in Chula Vista, not downtown SD. The way it was reported was, in addition to the usual superficiality, that one or more defense attorneys sees that as negative for his clients. I'd figured the exact opposite, in that the juries would be impaneled from local voters, the same brain-dead types who voted them into office in the first place. We shall see. If the defense can claim that they need a change of venue, that would further delay resolution. And the DA seemed surprised, too. One must wonder what's going on.

I am surprised at the change of venue only for Salcido (of Southwestern indicted group) because at one time she was actually employed at/by the South County Court. However, her reputation there is not particularly wonderful.

With regard to timtim's latest tantrum(s), he surely is cavalier -- if not downright snotty--- about the people he is supposed to serve. If he is indeed McCann, he should remember he is in service as a public SERVANT to all the people, not just those whose attire he approves, or the two or three family members who might agree with him.

The conversation about meeting times does make me wonder about the seeming ample daytime availability of some board members, however. We know that Bertha is employed as a teacher in the National School District. Ricasa is supposed to be working full time at Southwestern College as an administrator. Pearl may have her days free as a so-called retiree from San Ysidro District.

McCann and Cartmill...what in the world do they do for their so-called day jobs? My guess is that McCann has lots of time on his hands and might be pretty desperate just for the health/welfare benefits that come with board member status as he has a family of six; and Cartmill? Oh, I forgot, he is a 'national' speaker. What do their statements of economic interest say about sources of income? That would be California Form 700 and should be posted on the District's website. Are they?

Visduh: Well folks, like it or not, we, the community voted them in - they were voted in to serve the community, to provide the best education possible. It now looks as though, we will in fact, get the opportunity to serve as well - for we will be the jury of their peers.

Was anything said about Grand Canyon University at last night's meeting? Did the board speak to the legality of a public school district recruiting students for a religious institution?

Johndewey. Yes much was said, by both the public and Ms. Lopez. She raised the fact that at the last board meeting when it was raised that she and Ms. Ricasa asked that it be brought back with more info.

Additionally, it appears that Maria C was instructed to contact counselors and instruct them to provide a certain amount of students/parents to enroll in GCU. Instructed, by whom? Whose idea is/was GCU? Exactly, Brands. I rest my case.

Brand, obviously had already brokered the deal, prior to The board being told. This concerns me, as it should the board. Roles appear to have been reversed by Brand - putting the board in harms way - hopefully the board will recognize what we see and reverse course.

It is important to read the contract - allegedly, we are providing GCU with a facility and other "support'? Additionally the contract states that GCU will be offering their courses at their 'standard" rate. Hmm that is contrary to the info spoken to the public. Is it only the first course offering that is being discounted? It is important that parents and their college bound students be told the truth.

Thanks for the updates, etc. on the latest shenanigans at SWUHSD, while I agree they are all a bunch of schmucks, all of the E-mail, blog and twits sniping is a bit much. As for setting them straight where is the platform for reform of the district? Who is working on goals and objectives for the overall redirection of the district? Until there is referendum and a plan for change the district administration and current board can keep us fighting the little BS and doing whatever in closed session. Until there is a viable alternative choice clearly spelled out that new blood can sign up for we are stuck in the muck with the muckrakers on both sides of the argument.

Could we please work together to list the issues and potential solutions to the dysfunctions of the District not just Dr Brand and the Board. Then we need to inform the public outside of the current players. Look at the uninformed masses reelecting indicted persons that have no ethics and the posturing future politicians with big eyes towards the future. A coalition outside the current politics needs to be managed to set the guidelines and goals for the future Superintendent selection, a Rules of conduct for future board members that they need to endorse prior to election finally a series of improvement goals for the district that future candidates can comment on to even the playing field between the old guard and any newcomers trying to get on the board. Let’s get the candidates elected based on their responses to the same goals and minimize the need for a high budget to be elected to an Honorary position.

bbq. You are right on all points. Having said that I must ask the tough question - how long must we wait for change? The next election is not until next year. Our district is in financial turmoil NOW, our taxes are being spent on 'consultants' NOW, our Mello funds are being borrowed NOW, Brand is making all decisions without prior board approval NOW, more and more of our schools are being added to the program improvement list NOW, contracts that break the law (GCU) are being implemented NOW, we are lending money to charter schools NOW..............

How do we accomplish what you suggest? I am interested.

Well I sat quietly here and last night watching the scene...I do agree the meeting seemed to be more civil and upbeat. These will have to be baby steps to get us back on track under very difficult times...that is why the Board chose Dr. Brand to lead our kids forward into the 21st Century. Believe it or not he does listen. As you could see last night he has many balls in the air to assist the Board in conducting the meeting, acting as Clerk of Sorts..he is a man who is willing to do the menial work necessary to represent this District and yet lead us in a major initiatives like Compact for Success and Charter Schools. This nation need less vitrole and more working together in a robust manner towards a common goal. We could start right here at Sweetwater and turn over a new leaf this year..new President and an empowered Superintendent who really wants to do things right. I know so first hand. Please let us bury the hatchet and give him a chance. Energy must go to positive steps. That is what our kids deserve. For those of you who believe in a higher power..God Bless you.

WTFEd, Hmm just figured out your 'handle'. Too funny.

We need all the help we can get

Brand, change? Some people simply are who they are.

AnnieJ, I do not advocate that the present objectives of the vocal few Like you, Mr. Payne and others back down from the frontal attack, it keeps the Board et.al. on their toes however the forum at the board meetings and other District outreach are so contrived and hostle that I admit I have been escalated to discust, bordering on anger. I have had direct meetings with Dr. Brand who asked me to help him with STEM Tutoring, when I approached an organization to help, he was nowhere to be found, I guess I am not connected or rich enough to warrant his favor. All of this said over the last few years I have watched this process, we've seen Gandara released on a sweetheart deal, Mello Roos misused, promises ignored, but still no move forward plan. Surely there are people who better understand the inner workings of a well run School District than I do, I doubt that they are local but something needs to be done. I will continue to follow the blog/comment threads and may try to set up a location to start some dialog for the future goals of OUR district. I am certainly concerned to find a way for the new blood candidates to recieve some media attention without having to borrow tens of thousands of dollars to fund a campaign.

bbq - it is indeed a shame that we find the need to even discuss corruption - let alone corruption in a school district.

New CFO, yes we have a new CFO , were we told by Brand at Mondays meeting? NO. Do the board members know? That is the 64 million dollar question.

WHEN IS OUR BOARD GOING TO TAKE THEIR POWER BACK? WHY HAS THE SUPERINTENDENTS ROLE BECOME HITLER LIKE?

The new CFO - a cursory search seems to indicate turmoil in his past. Votes of NO CONFIDENCE, alleged insurance fraud. This was found within 15 minutes of a google search, so if we found it why didn't Brand. Will our board stand for this? We will see.

AnnaJ, I did not even know about a new CFO, I do not know if it is possible but when we get a new Superentendent can the board change his ability to hire and fire top level personnel in the adminstration? It is so messed up the whole place. Again I repeat that I fully respect what you activist folks are doing, but it has been dismissed by the current power structure as a few malcontents. No offense but others need to step-up and start the course to the future. Maybe it's my turn, I am hopeing that a small group of people see some of this ad will step-up with me, outside to "occupy Sweetwater" group and the already active. My experience with two graduates of the district is we are not preparing our kids for the world. I have one more of my own but many that i touch on a yearly basis with after-school programs. It is discusting what has been going on....