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Grand Jury investigation transcripts for South Bay school districts released
anniej, this bunch probably thought they were untouchable, as in, would not ever be charged with wrongdoing. Guess they were wrong! As wrong as wrong can be!— May 30, 2013 5:41 p.m.
Grand Jury investigation transcripts for South Bay school districts released
If we all take a moment to really examine the photograph at the top of this article, we may learn something of interest. Three faces, looking rather inscrutable. Not looking involved in what is going on, not looking like they are actively participating in community decision-making...looking exactly like people who are forced to attend a charade and try and pretend that it is something other than a charade. Theater of the absurd is what Sweetwater board meetings are all about. Deny, deny, deny...and if you are caught, then pile blame on the one who reported the problems. That's the Sweetwater way. Fast Eddy wouldn't want it any other way. He is sooooooo hoping that no one sees through him, but--we do.— May 30, 2013 5:39 p.m.
Grand Jury investigation transcripts for South Bay school districts released
What this tells me is that the entire bond process needs some major renovation. Bond Oversight Committees need to hold major power, as otherwise there is NO guarantee that any of what the public has voted for and knows what needs to be addressed and taken care of will be done. There will be secret deals, there will be all sorts of back-room agreements that do nothing to benefit the school system. And we need to remember, we are here to build and maintain schools for our children and our children's children. We want people held to real standards. We don't want puppets who vote for asinine projects thought up by someone who seems to need vast amounts of ego gratification, but doesn't ever connect with the actual students. Go Susan! Go Bond Oversight Committee! Go activist students, parents, taxpayers and concerned citizens! This is YOUR school system. It does not belong to the greedy so-and-sos who happen to sit in certain chairs at this time.— May 30, 2013 8:28 a.m.
Sweetwater teachers await funding news
In my recent travels, I happened to come across an article in local paper about a school district who was starting their search for a new superintendent of schools. Their current superintendent will be retiring at the end of the spring term 2014--so they are having PUBLIC OPEN FORUMS to hear what the public would like to see in a superintendent! What a concept! I believe that there may even be some community members on the search team, and that there will be NO SECRET MEETINGS! Can you fathom that? Actual public input, actual members of the community (who have not been paid off) acting in the interests of the community!! This shows us what can be done. The world doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to function in a reasonable fashion, and all of us need to contribute to the best of our abilities. We can remake Sweetwater into a school district that is no longer a laughingstock and a public humiliation, much less a synonym for corruption, disgrace and fraud.— May 29, 2013 4:13 p.m.
Safety of Sweetwater school district’s buses below par
Of course, because that is what people who actually care about doing a good job would do. They would make an effort to improve a situation that sorely needs improving. But what do we get in Sweetwater? Diddly squat for the students, lots of perks for Brand and his pals, including the board members who consistently support every idiotic plan Brand dreams up...while they destroy this school district. Beyond sickening.— May 29, 2013 4:06 p.m.
Safety of Sweetwater school district’s buses below par
Exactly. Shameful, and a willful act of refusing to take responsibility, when taking responsibility is what they have been elected to do. Miserable creatures that they are.— May 29, 2013 4:02 p.m.
Judge to release grand jury transcripts in alleged corruption cases
While I was traveling (East Coast), I happened to see a work truck with Balfour Beatty plastered all over it...seemed to ring a bell or two, right? Looked it up, and while I knew they were involved in some of the Sweetwater messes, I had no idea they are a multi-national corporation based in England, doing all sorts of projects all over the world. They are not cheap. And I think they have taken Sweetwater to the cleaners...isn't there some connection with L Street and some of the other 'in the wings' Sweetwater projects? Must say, I think they are WAY out of our league here, even if they did build Del Norte High School a few years ago, and many other San Diego higher educational and medical projects. Really--— May 29, 2013 3:57 p.m.
Safety of Sweetwater school district’s buses below par
One of the problems that Mr. Gilly mentioned was that the district has repeatedly sent out bus drivers on routes that they were not qualified for--specifically, routes that have been designated as "Mountain Driving" routes, and only those drivers who have documented qualifications are supposed to be allowed to drive those routes. But in Sweetwater, who cares about such things? Let's let just anyone drive, and if there is a problem that results in injuries, damages and worse, let's just get some lawyers and pay out, because THAT'S JUST THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE IN SWEETWATER--right? Why do things the right way? The sensible way? The intelligent way? Because the bunch we have put in charge is unable to perform correctly, sensibly and intelligently. They apparently can only do things that directly benefit their pocketbooks, or the pocketbooks of their friends. Safety of the students be damned. Finances of the district be damned. Do we need any further proof that this district is being run by complete incompetents? Obviously they are not doing their jobs. Obviously they have never really given a rip for the school system or the students or the taxpayers or the teachers. Just themselves, their family and friends who are benefitting from the largesse that is being stolen from the students. It's a wonder that the mob with pitchforks hasn't already come after them.— May 29, 2013 11:37 a.m.
Judge to release grand jury transcripts in alleged corruption cases
I hope we will start getting some answers regarding where the district's funds have been going--all the consultants, all the studies, all the pet projects, all the real estate fees, deals and who-knows-what-all maneuverings of these elected and hired individuals who somewhere along the line decided that laws and regulations don't apply to them. Well, I hope they find out they are not above the law. The students who have been shortchanged by all of the mismanagement and fraud are the ones who have suffered and will suffer, as their opportunities have been greatly reduced by decisions made by these people. Decisions that are not and never were made to benefit the schools and the community. The revolting aspects of selfish behavior are all on display here, and I hope this will serve as a lesson to all other school districts to pay attention to those running for office, pay attention to the cognitive and ethical abilities and understandings of the people in whom you place your trust. We in Sweetwater have been greatly let down, and it is not an easy fix. Robbing young people so that you can give your friends cushy jobs--or any of the other questionable dealings that have taken place here--sort of like taking candy from a baby. Allegedly easy to do, and also the sign of someone who is morally derelict. This bunch are maybe still rationalizing their behavior, but we the watchful public are not going to let them off easily. We are done with the lies, the deceptions, the selfish use of public funds, the gross mismanagement, the dereliction of duty to the schools and students. This era of corruption must come to an end.— May 26, 2013 9:10 a.m.
Sweetwater teachers await funding news
There is compromise for you...and not the productive kind.— May 24, 2013 1:55 p.m.