Comments on: Your unofficial OUSD winners

By: Allegra Scheidel

Allegra Scheidel — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:44:47 +0000

Thanks for sharing with us this really useful dose of information. Your opinions on this specific subject matter are amazing and I’m sure that these suggestions will certainly relate to many other individuals around. Once again many thanks for posting.

By: J.R.

J.R. — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:24:24 +0000

Oakland Sucks & On the fence,
The record of history has shown that you will be proven right, sad to say. Viable candidates for these positions(politicians & bureaucrats too) are lacking in each or a combination of expertise,training,temperament and or integrity. They know how to latch on to a paycheck and or job security, but little else.

By: On The Fence

On The Fence — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 05:05:44 +0000

@Oakland Sucks, I have to say that I agree with you about Measure J. I have every belief that this money will be woefully misspent. I know it was fought for and won by a lot of folks with the right ideas and great intentions. What will happen? We’ll probably get a state of the art medical area added to an expensive renovation at a school that will be closed in the first year after the renovation work. Perhaps that school will go charter. Could be that new expensive features/fixtures will be quickly destroyed, disappear, or be stolen. Probably we will find a litany of problems with drainage, air circulation, heating and other problems that will cause delays, consultants, change orders, law suits. Probably the schools that were failing before will still fail, and those that thrive will continue to thrive in spite of the district, or infrastructure. I invest in public education and believe in it, despite how cynical and critical I may sound. What I don’t believe in is the integrity or capability of ousd.

By: 1day at a time

1day at a time — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:07:50 +0000

Here’s context for teacher unions, that is key to having informed discussion.

How powerful are California’s teacher unions compared to other states? What will new board members have to work with?

http://www.edexcellence.net/publications/how-strong-are-us-teacher-unions.html

This post is for information. Hopefully, people will study it and learn what the California unions are and are not.

By: Yazstremski

Yazstremski — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:05:30 +0000

Livegreen…LOL…it is quite curious…and I’ll take Nextset over Nontclair ANY day!

By: livegreen

livegreen — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 03:55:01 +0000

Nontclair is gone, his alter ego Nextet mysteriously returns simultaneously, and we’re already off topic. Indeed, what will change with a new board?

Brave Old World.

By: Nextset

Nextset — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:37:53 +0000

While Nontclair’s postings were odd and interesting I can’t take them too seriously without some background on who and what he or she is. Refusal to give more background speaks volumes.

And I’d be surprised if Nontclair gives up on the postings. There is a lot going on, change is coming faster as time moves on. I don’t think it’s for the better.

There will be a lot to comment on.

I didn’t think the tax increase would pass and it did. I also thought Romney would win and he didn’t. So I’m seeing than things are further along than I believed they were.

Inflation anyone? Can we say “death spiral”?

Increased flow of money is not going to change any of the reading and performance scores at OUSD. And it remains to be seen if the money is actually maintained. I see money being diverted to CA legislative salaries, staff and travel budgets. Plus the CA Welfare State. Ultimately there is no money to maintain standards and the standards fall, ala Greece and Spain. CA cannot print money just as the EU states can’t print Euros, they have to “borrow” them, with interest.

Meanwhile the wars are coming. Lots of them.

Brave New World!

By: Jim Mordecai

Jim Mordecai — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:30:00 +0000

Teacher:

Time will tell. But, you’ve said well what I believe. It is a thankless job taking time away from family and job for what? For one’s civic duty?

With ease I, and the public, can criticise; but we are sadly lacking in showing regard and appreciation for this important work that these people elected and appointed do to make democracy and self-government work as well as it does.

The Board’s first organizing meeting with newly elected Board members is also a working meeting. It is also celebration of winning. However, there is never scheduled a meeting for thanking elected and appointed people for the civic duty they perform. I could understand why some would feel such a meeting would be self-promotion and oppose the idea. But, I think it should be considered.

For years I have appointed myself the task of tracking what the Oakland School Board does and it is time consuming work. But, it is far more time consuming and work for those that have been serving their civil duty on the Board and as Board appointees.

Why most of us our united in our belief in democracy and self-government why do we ignore it in action and pay so little attention to those that shoulder the responsibility for making it work?

Jim Mordecai

By: teacher

teacher — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:50:35 +0000

I am unsure why posters believe that the “new board” will have different outcomes. Board Directors have a pretty miserable job, and most people end up melding into a 2nd ave mentality regardless of their original intent and personality. The two directors who most often spoke with their own voice are both leaving: Director Gallo and Director Spearman.

You will be missed!

By: makeitgoaway

makeitgoaway — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:17:21 +0000

Although I often did not agree with Nontcair, I think it is important to hear his views. Things are dismal in OUSD and critics should not be silenced. People who post here (and sometimes make the most acerbic comments) care about kids- otherwise, why take the time?