Sweetwater school district invites more suspicion

Gloria, you are right Republican Mayor Cox wants to be Sweetwater's next superintendent so she is not about to alienate the two Republicans on the board: Cartmill and McCann. Cox is also a political friend of Bertha Lopez. They have endorsed and supported each other when running for office. So there you have it, three votes. In case you missed it, Cox began campaigning for the job by holding a series of town hall meetings promoting literacy, a very controversial topic. During her tenure she never once spoke up about the corruption and abuse of taxpayers’ money in spite of the fact that the lion's share of that money comes from the city she governs.
— December 21, 2013 5:35 p.m.

Former South Bay schools officials have day in court

Oldchulares,don't hold your breath. Johnny boy is as corrupt as they come. He was in bed with Gandara, Ricasa and the contractors when he was campaigning for the board.Just look at his financial statements in the registrar's office.You give him too much credit. He saw that the Gandara ship was sinking fast and the rat jumped out claiming that he sank it.
— December 9, 2013 9:12 a.m.

Sweetwater underwriters reel in the big one — a grand jury indictment

DoingTheRightThing you are right about the current CPM principal. He like Brand is an arrogant bully whose primary interest is self promotion regardless of whose money he spends or who he tramples on the way. An audit of the ASB funds will vindicate the former ASB Advisor and show that the real culprit is the principal.But since he is Brand's boy,you can bet that he will suffer no consequences. Many of NCM's best teachers are fed up with him and are staying only because of their commitment to the students and the hope that a new board will replace him
— September 1, 2013 9:02 p.m.

Before the DA's investigation of Sweetwater school district...

timtim(John McCann) your stupidity is overwhelming.It's clear that you have no defense against the charges.Remember,it's better to be thought as stupid than to be confirmed as one. When you open your mouth you confirm your stupidity AND corruption
— March 22, 2013 9:01 p.m.

Sweetwater school district’s weird, failed real estate deals

WTFED. Since you have begun to open your mind about Brand, here is some information about his questionable management of monies of his non-profit. Ed Brand's questionable charitable organization Organization in question: Partnership for Success Public Benefit Charity FEIN: 030601031 Corporate or Organization Number: 28886192007 – Partnership for Success founded with mission to “Partner with high school students to achieve graduation from college in four years or less”; Ed Brand as President, Barry Dragon as Treasurer and Maureen Roadman as Secretary http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/03-0601... 2007 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $210,614 in direct public support $195,974 in total expenses including $1,500 grant to Sweetwater Foundation $80,000 to Ed Brand’s salary as President $2,373 in meals/entertainment $96,491 to “Consulting” $4,527 in travel $753 in automobile expense $14,704 in net assets http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/030/... 2007 – Stensrud Foundation lists $200,000 contribution to Partnership for Success on its Form 990 http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/330/... 2008 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $303,000 in contributions and grants $272,085 in expenses, including $258,615 in “consulting” $5000 to California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators $1478 in meals/entertainment $45,621 in net assets http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/030/... 2008 – Stensrud Foundation lists $300,000 contribution to Partnership for Success on its Form 990 http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/330/... 2009 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $0 in revenue $45,621 in expenses, including $43,060 in “consulting” $702 in meals/entertainment $1,038 in automobile expense $0 in net assets New Board of Directors Loren R. White – President Diana Alexander – Treasurer Milton Roa – Secretary http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2009/030/... Questions: 1. What do the “consulting” expenses listed on Partnership for Success’ Form 990’s entail? Who are the consultants 2. Nothing is listed under program service accomplishments on any of Partnership for Success’ Form 990’s. What did Partnership for Success actually do? 3. Should Ed Brand have voted to pay himself a salary in 2007 that amounted to 38% of the contributions Partnership for Success received that year
— February 9, 2013 7:53 p.m.

Sweetwater's gathering storm

WTFED, take off your rose-colored glasses and look at Brand's shameful past perfomance in Sweetwater and San Marcos.He is self-promoting and self-serving at the expense of the students,the employees and taxpayers.How many chances do you want to give him. He is building a house of cards that will collapse after he leaves.His charter schools(K-14) are causing the elementary districts to retaliate by taking back their 7th & 8th graders. Southwestern college is not happy either about Brand raiding their student pool.Notice that his contract runs out in 2015, the doomsday year predicted by Mr. Knott
— February 5, 2013 6:05 p.m.

New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past

anniej, you are right about Brand. Mrs Chapman, a former board member, used to say"Honey, if Dr Brand's lips are moving he's lying"
— February 4, 2013 8:51 a.m.

New Sweetwater Union financial officer has controversial past

WTFED. Aside from tolerance, our schools also teach our students critical thinking skills which they use to distinguish between blind obedience and tolerance. Brand, like the current board, needs to surround himself with people who are less than honest and who are more interested in self promotion. The “malcontent” teachers and citizens you refer to are the ones who have done their research and have the courage to expose the truth about Brand and the board. Without them,Gandara would still be here and he and the board would still be selling out the taxpayers, the students and the employees. He also used to refer to them as malcontents and disgruntled people. Thanks to them these people are now facing criminal charges. I strongly recommend that you do your own research into Brand’s past performance. Brand as long been known among employee for establishing a culture of fear in the districts. Administrators have been demoted for speaking out and others have been threatened because their relatives have dared to speak to the board. THINK, The union has no authority over an employee, BRAND DOES. WHO SHOULD THEY FEAR
— February 4, 2013 8:44 a.m.

Southwestern College Foundation Under Investigation

Ed Brand's questionable charitable organization Organization in question: Partnership for Success Public Benefit Charity FEIN: 030601031 Corporate or Organization Number: 28886192007 – Partnership for Success founded with mission to “Partner with high school students to achieve graduation from college in four years or less”; Ed Brand as President, Barry Dragon as Treasurer and Maureen Roadman as Secretary http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/03-060103… 2007 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $210,614 in direct public support $195,974 in total expenses including $1,500 grant to Sweetwater Foundation $80,000 to Ed Brand’s salary as President $2,373 in meals/entertainment $96,491 to “Consulting” $4,527 in travel $753 in automobile expense $14,704 in net assets http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/030/60… 2007 – Stensrud Foundation lists $200,000 contribution to Partnership for Success on its Form 990 http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2007/330/75… 2008 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $303,000 in contributions and grants $272,085 in expenses, including $258,615 in “consulting” $5000 to California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators $1478 in meals/entertainment $45,621 in net assets http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/030/60… 2008 – Stensrud Foundation lists $300,000 contribution to Partnership for Success on its Form 990 http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2008/330/75… 2009 – Partnership for Success lists the following on its Form 990 $0 in revenue $45,621 in expenses, including $43,060 in “consulting” $702 in meals/entertainment $1,038 in automobile expense $0 in net assets New Board of Directors Loren R. White – President Diana Alexander – Treasurer Milton Roa – Secretary http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2009/030/60… Questions: 1. What do the “consulting” expenses listed on Partnership for Success’ Form 990’s entail? Who are the consultants 2. Nothing is listed under program service accomplishments on any of Partnership for Success’ Form 990’s. What did Partnership for Success actually do? 3. Should Ed Brand have voted to pay himself a salary in 2007 that amounted to 38% of the contributions Partnership for Success received that year?
— January 15, 2012 7:14 a.m.

Sweetwater's Funds for Education

Congratulations on great investigative reporting Ms. Luzzaro. It’s Brand and the usual suspects all over again. Thank God for honest people like Mr. Perno and Mr. Payne who will not be bought. Thank you for reminding the community of who Brand and his associates really are, not the heroes they pretend to be.
— January 11, 2012 11:56 a.m.