Comments on: Mt. Diablo school district explains secretary pay mix-up

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:53:37 +0000

Since CFO Richards “signed it”, that is really not a lot of confidence based on his history with West CC USD, and John Swett USD, both districts in finanical trouble. Very interesting though that the email originated from Braun-Martin and she returned the phone call.

By: tharrington

tharrington — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:41:02 +0000

I should have clarified that the e-mail sent to me by Braun-Martin was also signed by CFO Bryan Richards. However, it was sent from Braun-Martin’s e-mail address and she is the one who returned my phone call.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:38:01 +0000

Sue, aka Nellie, one of the issues is the competency and training of the “Human Resources Director” as raised by “Realia” — or in the case of the MDUSD the title is Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services of this “company” of nearly 4,000 employees. Yes, she did have a couple of years of learning experience in the Department after she left her principalship but absolutely no background or training in Human Resources prior to that time. Just as with the Nugentgate fiasco, Secretarygate shows she has little real knowledge of how things work in the real world. The Supt didn’t know the answer so he passed the buck to Braun-Martin and her explanation was short a brick or two. When you have part time hourly employees, you pay them by the hour. When you have monthly salary employees you pay them by the month. The school secretaries have been relegated by the board to be part time hourly employees. Its an issue that should have been taken care of earlier — but when discovered should have been immediately fixed. That’s why they call her the “Assistant Supt of Personnel Services”.

By: tharrington

tharrington — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:32:27 +0000

To my knowledge, there is no district requirement that reporters submit questions 24 hours in advance. Sometimes, when district officials are tied up in meetings, they request questions in writing so they can respond more efficiently. However, Braun-Martin and others do return calls, which I appreciate.

By: Nellie Bly

Nellie Bly — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 21:11:02 +0000

The issue here is not Julie Braun Martin, but the district’s handling of pay for certain employees. How does attacking the individual who’s trying to explain this issue add anything constructive to resolving it? Theresa’s news story and On Assignment blog do not say the delayed pay was Braun Martin’s decision, yet unlike other district administrators who directly oversee payroll processes, she stepped forward to answer the reporter’s questions. And for her willingness to provide some information to the public, she’s attacked.

Braun Martin was a successful principal at a number of schools before being promoted to Director of Certificated Personnel a few years ago. She managed the calm startup of Delta View Elementary even though construction delays prevented students and staff from inhabiting the school building for its first few months. She worked closely with the former Assistant Superintendent of Personnel before being named to the position last Spring.

I’ve heard that the district leadership has become very reluctant to speak to the media. Reporters must now submit questions in writing at least 24 hours in advance of a deadline. While this practice is disturbing, it’s understandable when people posting comments resort to personal attacks rather than reasoned opinions and ideas.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 07:43:53 +0000

Remember, Julie Braun-Martin approved Nugent, who rumor has it had disclosed his DUI to the district, and was known to the Supt before the Board meeting. What is so complicated about cutting them a check NOW for the extra week in August and then stopping their pay on the last day in June ? Every business in America is required to pay hourly workers this way. Every public entity that has hourly employees does it this way. Reporting to PERS complicated by uneven pay ? That doesn’t make sense. its all computerized. Braun-Martin’s excuse doesn’t pass the smell test.

By: Realia

Realia — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 23:52:32 +0000

So, so typical. Braun-Martin, a former principal who has no apparent professional credentials for her current positions (besides knowing which fannies to kiss to get such a job), enjoys her fat raise while putting the screws to support staff who actually depend on their pay to survive financially. This only happens in a culture that devalues its employees while enriching its “administrators.” Obviously, the district wants its site secretaries (as well as other union employees) to quit so they can be replaced with desperate workers who won’t dare challenge the almighty district once hired – at the bottom of the salary scales.