Comments on: MDUSD Superintendent informs parents about arrests, budget and possible loss of Mt. Diablo HS funding

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:35:12 +0000

The student who spoke at the last board meeting about the all-academy model at MDHS was also very articulate. She said she felt McClatchy was trying to make changes that would benefit low-achieving students, while basically short-changing high-achieving students. Perhaps some of these students may want to transfer the the CVHS charter. It wouldn’t be that much farther out of the way for students who are commuting from Bay Point and Pittsburg, since they could come over Kirker Pass or Bailey Road.

I plan to do a separate blog item about the MDHS discussion at the board. But, yes, Superintendent Steven Lawrence promised that district administrators would present plans related to five major areas of concern to the MDHS staff on Monday. Board President Sherry Whitmarsh clarified that these should be “draft” plans, with ample room for revisions based on teacher input.

Trustee Gary Eberhart was even more outspoken. He said he didn’t think such a wholesale change could be made effectively without buy-in from relevant stakeholders. He told me on Friday that if parents haven’t been involved in the planning, it needs to start over.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:35:22 +0000

@TH#25 Any expectation that MDHS site administrators will follow through with the Jan 30 written response ? You have to love the quality of today’s students who are learning critical thinking and realize that Lawrence’s failure to disclose all the “facts” of the $4.8 million loss over three years is, as the student put it “inexcusable”.

By: g

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:52:17 +0000

To be more accurate, Ms Mayo is quoted in the Clayton Pioneer in 2008 as saying: “… that
democracy was in peril because of “yellow blogging,” as well as other dubious practices”.

Clearly she still hasn’t learned anything about democracy.

By: g

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:45:14 +0000

This letter and the reason for it is worthy of an article in the paper for those who don’t follow blogs, or as Ms Mayo once referred to them, “the ‘yellow’ blogs”.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:08:50 +0000

I have just received the following comments in a letter that was mailed to me by a student in response to this blog post: “”I think that what Superintendent Steve Lawrence talked about was what we needed to know. However, the fact that he left out the part about losing $4.8 million over three years is inexcusable. He also didn’t mention how the QEIA requirements are not being met by the district. I think that the fact that he is in charge of running a whole school district that is out of money is crazy. If he wants to make a change like he says then he should let the people of the MDUSD know about the real problems. Thank you for bringing his lack of information to (readers’) attention.”

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:04:48 +0000

FYI, I have also posted an update to this blog regarding the QEIA waiver and MDHS vote of No Confidence.
Lawrence still hasn’t received confirmation that the SBE will consider the waiver in March.
He said MDHS site administrators are drafting a response to teachers’ concerns, which will be shared Jan. 30.

By: g

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:00:35 +0000

Then again, Rolen has been so busy with his problems, maybe he has left Cooksey to mind the communications store.

I’m not surprised that Walnut Creek has turned a blind eye to the fact that he worked there too—maybe he was only there a very short time because they “noticed” something.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:51:21 +0000

g: No, Rolen previously confirmed that Astor worked at Cambridge, Holbrook and Walnut Acres elementary schools. In his message above, Superintendent Lawrence wrote: “Mr. Astor worked intermittently at sites throughout the district.” And no, the Walnut Creek school district never responded.

By: g

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:46:50 +0000

Theresa, did Rolen ever reply to your inquiry about exactly which schools this perv worked at? Did Walnut Creek schools ever reply?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:29:00 +0000

I have just posted an update about new allegations that Astor molested three more boys: http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_19778214.

This time, however, the DA’s office isn’t saying whether or not Astor met the alleged victims at schools.