Comments on: In recent school board meetings, an empty seat

By: Students First

Students First — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:10:45 +0000

Did anyone read the part where it says “Flint noted that another part of Smith’s job is to collaborate with other school district leaders and to raise money to support the district’s initiatives.”

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:42:26 +0000

The “ponytail gang?” Is there more than one person on staff with a ponytail?

By: Adios pony tail gang

Adios pony tail gang — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 23:53:31 +0000

Best news all day! Here’s hoping that Tony and the pony tail gang is on the way out. I have to think that the heat that Tony is feeling from the Crocker community where he lives, his kids go to school, and where he has made his latest mess has a bit to do with this decision.

By: Tim Terry

Tim Terry — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:46:26 +0000

The rumor on the street is that Tony Smith and his pony tail gang are looking for another job. What Smith failed to do in Oakland he certainly has accomplished for Emeryville where he served as Superintendent before coming to Oakland. Emeryville and Smith are still tied as he closed Oakland’s last public elementary school in the 94608 zip code and leased the building to Emeryville contributing to Oakland’s education desert in North Oakland. The reality is that Oakland’s enrollment under Smith’s tenuous time in Oakland has taken a dive including a 4.6% drop this year as a result of his push for Charter Schools and parents giving up on the District after the School Closure Fiasco. Smith is taking from Oakland over $300,000 in salary and benefits and his contract was extended by this board through June 2015. We wish him well.

By: Ethan Brady

Ethan Brady — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 19:54:58 +0000

Dr. Smith, Thank you for travelling! Thank you for every vacation day that you choose to work and get paid at your per diem (should be more than $1,000, right?), even if it is travelling or from home!
We, the people, understand, and we will wait for your answers when you have time to give them. We patiently await for the planets to align.
Can I sub for you (only during summer time, regardless of the mess, less audience)?

By: effectsofreform

effectsofreform — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 04:27:24 +0000

Yes. I was wondering. Thank you, Katy. Let’s hope that he was not taking advice from anyone in NOLA (charter experiment central).

It would be wonderful if he was using his considerable celebrity to point out that California is entering the dark ages in terms of funding education for our residents. He needs to insist that we are on the wrong path and that an educated populace is a fundamental, necessary investment. We aren’t going to “partner” our way out of this problem.

Please, let November bring meaningful change.

By: Nontcair

Nontcair — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 04:25:11 +0000

part of Smith’s job is to collaborate with other school district leaders and to raise money to support the district’s initiatives.

IOW, to make cliche-riddled *political* speeches for higher taxes.