Comments on: A Holbrook teacher speaks out against school closure

By: 4Students

4Students — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:45:18 +0000

I clearly recall Supt Lawrence was going to present a high school plan in April, that was two months ago. In the meantime Cheryl and Sherry organized the strategic plan and perhaps Lawrence is waiting for that to be finalized. Perhaps the high school plan will be incorporated in the strategic plan discussion tonight, that can be viewed only by those in the room, or perhaps Lawrence will explain in one of his biweekly newsletters. Did high school graduation rates improve this year?

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:05:46 +0000

@Another MDUSD Mom #50: If my recollection is correct, I believe that after Lawrence was hired, but before his arrivial, the Board said he had “secondary experience” and could take over Alan’s job — well that never really happened, as Lawrence proposed soon after he arrived that C&I be elimintated and that Rose Lock become the Assistant Supt over SASS, with a Secondary director, Denise Rugani and an elementary director Susan Peterson [which previously had been an Assistant Supt [Rose Lock]. What is really interesting is that Denise Rugani got a walnut paneled massive office reserved for Asst Supt’s and Sue Peterson got a Wing C small junky office — no walnut paneling — but she is hardly ever there anyways.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:01:59 +0000

Another MDUSD Mom: I also remember a discussion about Lawrence taking on the duties of the Assistant Superintendent for Secondary instruction, based on his previous experience. This was part of the rationale for eliminating the position, as I recall.
However, after SASS was formed, a director of secondary instruction position was created. So, it seems that Lawrence has not been tasked with carrying out those duties.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:46:46 +0000

Sorry, I had her mixed up with Mary Bacon. So many consultants, its hard to keep them straight.

By: Another MDUSD Mom

Another MDUSD Mom — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:46:16 +0000

Doctor J,
Trust me I am perfectly clear on the fact that tax money comes right out of my pocket. I am also well aware of the District’s blatant disregard for that fact. In the words of Paul Strange, “the solar project has no debt service so therefore it is a good deal.”

So are you saying I am wrong about Lawrence agreeing to take on the responsibilities of the Asst Superintendent of Secondary Education?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:40:49 +0000

Why do you say she is from Las Vegas?
I believe she led the Response to Intervention (RtI) training I previously mentioned at the district leadership conference a few years ago (the district paid her to come to the district instead of paying administrators to go somewhere else to hear her).
I quoted her in a story I did about suspensions and expulsions. Here’s an excerpt of that story:
“…Students who feel connected to schools take pride in both their campuses and their work, education experts say.
A principal in the El Monte school district in Southern California turned around disrespectful behavior and academic slovenliness in some failing students by making them school leaders, said consultant Jane Moore, who is training Mt. Diablo educators in student intervention.
With the students’ permission, the El Monte principal referred to the former campus troublemakers as the ‘F Troop’ and asked them to help out on campus. F Troop kids introduced speakers at school assemblies and started to feel a sense of belonging, Moore said.
‘Pretty soon, their self-confidence improved, because someone at the school cared for them,’ she said. ‘Behavior and instruction go hand in hand.’”

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:07:30 +0000

Theresa #44 Isn’t this the lady from Las Vegas that lists a Corona CA address ? What is wrong with this picture ?

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:03:40 +0000

Every cut proposed by Lawrence is about someone else other than district personnel: No cuts to the Gang of Five, no cuts to the Board’s freebies of medical & dental; no cuts to the inflated salaries of the Supt and Assist Supts, and the Directors.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 22:31:34 +0000

@Another MDUSD Mom #38: You are so wrong. Lawrence never agreed to that — that was an idea from Strange-Eberhart before Lawrence arrived which Lawrence rejected and formed the SASS instead. Lawrence says he will save $50K on SASS vs. C&I and cites figures that are incorrect for the persons hired. There was no significant savings because they all got their longevity salaries which are intentionally not included in his salary estimates. They hired two consultants, not one. Region IV and a Lynne ? for over $70,000. In additional they have now hired more and will hire more. All with tax money they say is not “general fund” — its still tax money. And who pays tax money ? Tax payers. And what do we have to show for it ? Nothing.

By: Billy Bob

Billy Bob — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:29:44 +0000

The piece you are all missing is the fact that if we don’t let these YV admins go, we will be taking away a very nice ALL expenses paid trip/vacation from them.

This is one of the ways that particular board members “reward” members of their feeder patterns.