For many years we spent one to two days a week at the district offices going over each and every bill warrant (expenses that they pay out) to see just where the money was going. During that time we exposed questionable spending on travel and conferences by the district administration; questionable purchases and then use of vehicles purchased by the district; inequities regarding students from low income families; exclusionary practices for cheerleadeing and other “extra curricular” activities. All of which were changed or corrected.

During that time, while the Board of Education and administration was not happy with our constant “calling them on the carpet”, we were treated in a respectful manner. No attempt were made to shut us down. There were board members who took the administration to task and NEVER were there attempts to change the way meetings were conducted or to essentially shut up and outspoken board member.

People from the community were allowed to make corrections to the minutes, board members were allowed to make corrections to the minutes, and those corrections were duly recorded and appeared in the minutes that were published. NO ATTEMPTS TO KEEP THE MINUTES FROM ACCURATELY REPRESENTING WHAT WAS SAID EVER HAPPENED.

Until Dale Vigil, the superintendent and their staff, sat to the side of the Board of Education. At no time was there an attempt to place the superintendent in the middle of the Board of Education. The line between Board and District was well drawn and there was mutual respect for each of their positions.

The decorum of meetings was not always calm and polite, but disagreement and raised voices, were not ridiculed in public.

I have seen HUSD go through many valleys and peaks, however never have I seen such open ugliness, on a regular basis, directed at colleagues or for that matter at the general public.

Lately the term “Power corrupts” is being shown on a regular basis by the superintendent’s conduct as well as certain board members. How sad, that personal differences and one upping someonee with whom you do not agree has become the norm among our Board of Education and the HUSD administration.

May I ask you to explore your copy of the ed code and advise the following:

If the law requires parents to provide a child with an education…. it implies the existence of a law which invokes penalty for failure for not assuring a child’s presence in the classroom.

The question has been bothersome since I have asked for clarifaction of the fact that in year 2007-2008
the loss of ada money was reputed to refelct a 92.5 % daily attendence ‘acheivement’.

I see something troubling in that. Don’t you? Please check it out…. and since you apparently have a copy available to you , are you able to advise current cost of the publication on a single issue basis? Is your copy up to date and how does one obtain updates without buying a whole new issue?

I suppose it unfair to aske them to forget mileage when on HUSD Business, such as might be interpreted when they are compelled to attend Graduat=ions, and other school events. We could carry that a few steps further and eliminate meals that professional;ly carried in yo facilitate lengthy meetings etc….. Let ‘em bring a bag lunch or dinner?

And while I’m at it, thanks to Mr. Kurhi for mediating the personal attacks that keep so many people from posting their thoughts related to subjects posted … just to avoid Mr. Kyle and his attacks.