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Transparent as mud in Chula Vista
If the County Board of Education had any intelligence, skills, power or desire to accomplish anything, we would not have the problems of the rampant charter schools that we do. Shouldn't they address the Julian School District, as they sponsor charter schools all over the county, for a fee, as long as they aren't within the Julian School District (thereby decreasing Julian School Districts funding)? All this undermining of public schools, and the County Board of Education does nothing? Gee, you'd think they didn't care!!!— March 6, 2015 2:34 p.m.
Only a fence between them
I haven't been able to determine who, of those remaining from the Brand/Gandara/Brand administrations, is still working for the Departed. Or, I should say, I don't know all of them. I have my suspicions on some, and it seems clear that a couple of them consider themselves "above the law" in the **best** Sweetwater traditions. I think there are some who are trying to play both sides at this point, because they aren't certain which side will emerge victorious. I would say watch Huezo like a hawk.— March 6, 2015 2:30 p.m.
Road repair dilemma in Chula Vista
I believe it is time for the city of Chula Vista to revise its algorithm. Include an entry/variable for potholes! And, I also believe that the spokesperson must be mistaken about Mello-Roos funding. I have read quite a bit about Mello-Roos regulations--such as they are--and do not recall a specification denying funding for repair of roads. One would think, especially if the roadway had been poorly constructed under Mello-Roos funding, it would and should be repaired under Mello-Roos funding. I believe the city of Chula Vista just does not want to give up those Mello-Roos funds. What are they planning on using them for?— March 6, 2015 11:17 a.m.
Don't play ball then?
This seems very wrong.— March 5, 2015 4:55 p.m.
Road repair dilemma in Chula Vista
An idea whose time has indeed arrived! And this time to tricks--not a meaningless "review" that defines terms once again, but an actual status of the accounts, with realistic, accurate projections.— March 5, 2015 9:57 a.m.
Million-dollar Annie
From the reports at the time of the near-demise of SF Opera, Ms. Spira Campbell was not making a great effort in the past several years when it came to fundraising. I am sure, however, she is good at throwing parties for wealthy people. Maybe all the bigwigs who walked out on the opera need another social outlet. If so, and if her parties are good enough, UCSD may do ok. But as was mentioned, the investigation of the opera's operations has not concluded. Let's hope we actually find out what was going on with all the travel, the perks, the bonuses and all the rest of it. Tax ramifications, anyone?— March 4, 2015 4:49 p.m.
Transparent as mud in Chula Vista
Yes, politicians have been able to get a lot of mileage out of bashing public schools--but I am hoping politicians are starting to learn some lessons. Some of them sold out to "big education", some of them sold out to various charter school factions/plans/corporations, some of them just wanted to jump on a convenient bandwagon that looked like it was heading in a good direction. But--while good charter schools do exist, as you say, Visduh, there are quite a few operators out there who are not in it to benefit future generations (unless you perhaps count their own descendants). I guess some of the people who came up with the charter school idea were too idealistic to see what could go wrong? But--about the Sweetwater Bond Oversight Committee--I am not an expert, but I have paid relatively good attention at several school board meetings, and there are some very strong and honest people on that committee. While there have been attempts to stifle, disarm, stonewall and use disinformation to keep the BOC off the scent, they have kept at it. The situation is still not absolutely ideal, as for some reason it is still a struggle to get all the information the BOC is legally entitled to....(no names need be mentioned, but more than likely a good 75% of readers can fill in the blank). Thank goodness Sweetwater's BOC is diligent. They do not, however, have jurisdiction (if that term can be borrowed) over the Mello-Roos funding. Believe it or not, that plan was developed without a thought to any kind of oversight or management, which is a real problem, and why Sweetwater is now, finally, supposedly, attempting to reconcile 27 years of Mello-Roos funds. Can you say bad management? Can you say hopelessly inept admnistrations? Can you say criminally negligent operations? I'd sort of like to say that.— March 4, 2015 2:28 p.m.
Transparent as mud in Chula Vista
Let's hear it!!!— March 4, 2015 2:09 p.m.
Transparent as mud in Chula Vista
Very high salaries for principals? Some sort of "deal" from the parent company/organization/organizers of the charter school? It is as if there is a school somewhere for these admin types to learn the ropes of pulling one over on the neighborhoods of these schools. A sweet story is told, but is it factual? And then public funds are used in such a way that funding is no longer available for the teachers in the public schools--but the charter schools get everything? Loans that supposedly will be repaid, but--what if the school goes bust first? I'm guessing there can be no claw-back from that.— March 4, 2015 2:08 p.m.
Transparent as mud in Chula Vista
Correction: thanks for saying what needs to be said, and in a way that makes it all very clear. I do keep hoping that as these "cases" are built, item after item, situation after situation, travesty upon travesty, the cumulative weight will at some point cause the miserable status quo to tumble. And then we can rebuild, without the ones who are in it only for themselves.— March 3, 2015 9:49 p.m.