I can't speak specifically to this school, but I can attest to the fact that at least one Charter K-8 school in CVESD is doing a stellar job. This school offers an amazing amount of programs for the students, has among the highest attendance rates, scores among the highest against schools with similar demographics, has been recognized locally and nationally for programs and results, and is generally well run.

A well run Charter requires numerous things - a Director/Principal that is in it for the right reason -the kids - and not for empire building, money, fame, etc; an executive team that has the same goals; teachers that are dedicated with a kid first mentality, but are also flexible and willing to try new, better and more efficient and innovative ways to teach, and probably most important an independent board of directors who are willing to oversee, question and hold the Director accountable to run the Charter according to its Bylaws and Charter. It is possible to have this, but it takes a lot of work and coordination.

Let's not paint all Charters with a broad brush. If we did the same to all schools and how they are run, many holes would be found.

Let's hold each Charter accountable. Let's make sure we have an involved Board that is willing to put in the time to oversee the Director and school. Let's make sure CVESD is doing its due diligence, teachers are engaged and parents are involved.

At the end of the day, the goal is to provide children the best education possible and prepare them for the future. Some Charters do this better than public schools.

Visduh, that's a pretty bold prediction. I know you saw in the UT the articles on Steve Van Zant, the former superintendent of Mountain Empire who started up charters throughout the county: here's the link:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jan/14/local-charter-school-king-hit-with-felony/

Just a little back story. He was a Chula Vista Elementary principal. He took the position as superintendent in Mountain Empire shortly after Pat Judd retired from Mountain Empire. Pat Judd served on the Chula Vista Elementary school board for many years. Funny, how many threads tie together the business of education. I believe his day in court is coming up soon.

eastlaker, you raise some important points. Someone referred me to a study done by FCMAT, a fiscal crisis and management report for Sweetwater in 2015. There is a worrisome warning about the district possibly not being able to maintain a 2% reserve. As we know, there are many historical reasons for this situation. How it ties into the dialogue here is this excerpt:

"FCMAT’s projections indicate that enrollment will continue to decline in the next two years, partly due to the increase in charter school enrollment."

Given the new administration that anniej refers to, this situation may not come to pass.

PamelaSusan - my comments were NOT aimed at Bayfront. It was a blanket statement referencing any educational entity, Board, parent demographic and/or teachers and administration that fails its students.

For the students sake, I so hope all you say proves true, and that it is like you say the real deal! I have no angst or real knowledge of Bayfront, but in an effort to be transparent the many Charters that are failing Nationwide and leaving in their destructive paths the innocents (students) is more than concerning.

If I may - while SUHSD leadership has, in the past several years, proven to be a cess pool of alleged corruption - current leadership (Dr. Karen Janney and her stellar new educational staff) are proving to be a most deserved change for the better. SUHSD of new is not the SUHSD of old - 'as it relates to education'.

I must agree with those parents of students in Chula Vista Elementary School District who are questioning these charters.

Why should their dollars be depleted so that a middle school and a high school can be operated under the aegis of CVESD? It is part of that war for the educational dollar that started when Ed Brand made his not-so-stellar return to Sweetwater UHSD.

And there is an opportunistic element, as charter schools pay well for the administration and sometimes hire those with no experience, or little experience. The new hires may be enthusiastic, and they may also be the sort who sign on with Teach For America for their two year stint so that their resume is buffed up for the next step.

Nothing wrong with that--except the schools can end up with very inexperienced teachers as they move on. With the lack of oversight in the charter schools, there can be a lack of continuity of education. Who would ever know?

Can the young students tell when a part of their education is missing? How could they? They didn't know what they were entitled to in the first place.

Yes, time to rein in charter schools. Is there now a reason that this middle and high school couldn't be transferred from CVESD to Sweetwater UHSD? Wouldn't that make sense?

Let's not lose sight of the fact that if public schools are failing our students - and many are for numerous reasons - we as parents have choices today! And Charter schools are part of that choice. I agree that some charters need better oversight and leadership, but the same could be said of our public schools. Parents that are engaged and involved will demand and get better results. For those schools that don't have a lot of parental involvement, PTA and SSC at those campuses should demand that PIQUE be part of the the curriculum for parents. This program teaches parents how to be involved and effective in their children's education.

Three for the price of one examples of our legal system's continued undoing to serve the rich and powerful: a judge issuing an order without legal citation, that same judge ordering a whistleblower to pay for fees, and the revelation that the Registrar of Voters does not count provisional ballots.

This case has ramifications far beyond this one race, and should terrify anyone looking toward this years' elections. Ms. Clark is absolutely correct that provisional ballots are disproportionately cast by people of color and those with lower incomes, many of whom on election days are either unsure of or unable to be at the precinct where their names are on the roster. The fact that poll workers are religiously instructed to lie to anyone out of place, to pacify them with a provisional ballot and the false promise that their vote will still count so long as they haven't voted twice, should be making headlines.

What she has exposed is an outrage, and I for one want to know when the GoFundMe is up to pay for this trial and her appeal. Any funds left over can go to pay for the ads against Judge Sturgeon when he runs for re-election.

Just wondering if Mr. McCann would have really had to pay for those legal services? Would the Republican Party have reached into its treasure trove of donations and helped him out if he had lost?

In answer to the headline of this story - YES, CITIZENS did loose! This is a far larger issue than Mr. McCann.

Why does the San Diego Registrar have discretion??????

And the Judge, ruling Ms. Clark should pay - curious, very curious!

There is change in the air folks, the great American Citizens are fed up - perhaps the true message in the National Arena is - ITS TIME FOR ORDINARY FOLKS TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NATIONAL DYSFUNCTION OF THE WORLD WE CALL POLITICS!!!!!

I believe we should approach this from the top down. It's obvious our children are enjoying great success at this school in many ways! We should start there and find a way to adapt, compromise and find whatever else we need to do to accommodate the children and allow them to continue to grow and flourish. Let's work together!

PamelaSusan, there are a lot of comments and at this moment I can't find one you made regarding Dr. Riley and the future but he seemed very confident that things will go forward, please see the last line of the story. The letter from the district and Riley explain that the lease will go before the CVESD school board so I am sure all will be properly vetted.

How is it we get such lame legal minds sitting as judges? First, Ana Espana was so easily conned by so many of the Sweetwater indicted perps and gave little or no penalty when they pleaded their sentences down. Now we have 'judge' Sturegon who seems to have no clue about what public officials are and are not supposed to do.

So, as anniej recommends, remember these names when they next appear on your ballot and be sure to mark a very big no. Let's 'retire' these feeble legal minds who have no regard for the public trust and instead believe public officials should be held to such low, low standards.

We deserve so much better.

I truly believe that the Court of Appeals will over turn this judge who has been overturned more than once. This is ludicrous! Ms Clark was within her rights to attempt to get clarification on this issue. My heart goes out to her for doing a service for this community. I'm truly shocked.

Courts of Appeal exist for a purpose.

You never hear about a teacher 'retiring' to take a lucrative teaching job. Only overpaid administrators take their fat retirements and then go to work against the very system that they used to fatten their wallets.