Comments on: Live blog of MDUSD 12-10-12 meeting

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:24:05 +0000

Please note that I have added a new blog post with Alicia Minyen’s cure and correct letter to the board alleging additional Brown Act violations in the way trustees approved contract extensions for the superintendent, general counsel and three other top administrators: http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/2012/12/27/second-mdusd-resident-alleges-brown-act-violation-in-contract-extensions-for-superintendent-general-counsel-and-three-other-top-administrators/

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:36:13 +0000

Please note that I have added a Dec. 27 update to this blog post, which includes a link to my video recording of the report out of closed session.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:42:04 +0000

Here is a story about the MDHS event that Trustee Barbara Oaks mentioned in her board report: http://www.contracostatimes.com/twitter/ci_22186390/mt-diablo-high-students-embrace-healthy-eating

By the way, I have finished uploading all of my YouTube videos from the meeting and have started labeling the meeting clips on Qik.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:06:26 +0000

I sure hope new Board President Cheryl Hansen starts demanding that Supt Steven Lawrence get out in front of issues for Board consideration way before they are “due” and avoid this “last minute Lulu” like Peder Pedersen is pulling. One issue that will require some board debate is the policy to be adopted for AB 1575 on student “fees” that was supported by Linda Mayo as a State PTA Board member. Perhaps Linda can tell us: how will MDUSD find the money to pay for these “Student fees” like PE uniforms and class participation fees ? The law begins on January 1, 2013. District policy must be in place on March 1, 2013. Time is a ticking away. Here is just a hint of what must be paid for the district: “(1) A fee charged to a pupil as a condition for registering for school or classes, or as a condition for participation in a class or an extracurricular activity, regardless of whether the class or activity is elective or compulsory, or is for credit.
(2) A security deposit, or other payment, that a pupil is required to make to obtain a lock, locker, book, class apparatus, musical instrument, uniform, or other materials or equipment.
(3) A purchase that a pupil is required to make to obtain materials, supplies, equipment, or uniforms associated with an educational activity.”

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:20:53 +0000

@Teacher#26 Did you read the blog subject ? Perhaps there was something at last nights board meeting that addressed student learning ? What was it and how does it affect student learning ? How is SASS meeting your needs as a teacher ? What about the consultants they hire to train you ? Is it worth the money and time ? What do you think about the speaker approved for your end of January training ? What do you think of his work ? Did you like the two days of training before school ? Anyone say anything that you put into practice in the classroom ? Who said it, what was it, and how has it increased learning ? Do you like the Benchmark Assessments and testing ? How did your classes STAR scores change between 2011 and 2012 ? We are ready for the discussion. Please lead the way.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:06:16 +0000

Teacher, I don’t see much going on. This thread is not about student learning. It was about the business in the district. There was last night a foothill math teacher that seems to be doing an awesome job.
We did get the tax measure done so you don’t have to have furlough days and our kids can go to school.
What would you like to talk about? Perhaps you could e-mail Theresa with a story and I am sure she would write it so we can start that discussion. But for now this one is about the new board, the business of the district and how they are cheating our children out of the education they deserve.

By: teacher

teacher — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:48:28 +0000

It’s interesting that in post after post there is no mention of student learning. I think we have lost focus on our purpose.

By: g

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:06:34 +0000

“His offer to provide the board with a summary of bids and the reason he chooses one contractor over another is a good step toward transparency.”

Hopefully she will take him up on that offer, but not for his convoluted “summary of bids” but rather a list of actual bids that can be confirmed.

He cancelled the one known bid process before the bid opening date. Why? Did he find one bidder who, at an interview, was cajoled (by an extra $46K) to take the job on as a lease/leaseback arrangement–which is not what the bid asked for, but was what Pedersen’s bid process was really fishing for?

And my question still stands–why does the contract say there is no known hazardous material “known” to exist, when there is an already paid for hazardous materials report stating otherwise. And who is going to remediate that hazard—yet another contractor and another oops– change order?

But my favorite comment from Pedersen tonight–It seems if you keep a person grappling long enough to get out of the hole they dug for themselves they will say something telling like: “We’ve made commitments.” Un-huh, there it is in a nutshell!

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:16:10 +0000

Here is a new blog post with Lack’s letter: http://www.ibabuzz.com/onassignment/2012/12/11/mdusd-board-accused-of-violating-brown-act/

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:00:29 +0000

No one else wanted the CSBA assignment.