Comments on: MDUSD responds to more questions about laptop theft

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:25:51 +0000

I listened to the entire “laptop theft” report by Greg Rolen & Joe Estrada. Superficial at best: D- I have heard better reports from sophomores in high school. Never one word about why the CFO would leave a laptop with sensitive information unsecured on a Friday night. Never a word that the police are still investigating. Never a word on when the laptop was discovered missing. No times of discover, no times of contact of the major players, nada, nada. The district has paid nearly $100,000 so far — from some unknown budget account in Greg Rolen’s back pocket in “Risk Management” , probably the one he spent the money out for the bus small claims lawsuit he attacked and attacked until he lost. So how big is that budget item ? Has he unilatterally increased it ?

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:50:48 +0000

I’m sure Hansen will make the committee liaisons public, since she was the one pushing for that last time.

I wonder if there are board liaisons on the Graduation Requirements Committee and Bay Point Master Plan committee. I think Eberhart was on the technology committee. These liaisons could report to the rest of the board in the same way the CAC members and Pleasant Hill Education Commission members who sit on various committees report back to each other. Then, the public would no longer be left in the dark.

Imagine if Paul Strange and Gary Eberhart had reported to the rest of the board about their solar plans on the facilities subcommittee. Then, the public would have been clued in to what was going on.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:33:24 +0000

The first step in transparency is to have the Board’s appointments to committees made public — Sherry Whitmarsh refused to follow Board policy in that regard.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:17:54 +0000

In the interest of transparency, it would be wonderful if the liaisons to the various committees would report on these meetings to the rest of the board.

On another topic, TV news is reporting a bus accident on Hwy. 4 westbound near Port Chicago Hwy with one student on board. Not sure if it’s an MDUSD bus.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:46:11 +0000

Berkeley USD hires consultants to evaluate school access by potential armed intruders. What is MDUSD doing ? http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_22340147/berkeley-review-gunman-campus-training-wake-newtown-conn?source=rss

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:42:32 +0000

I was told that Linda Mayo and Sherry Whitmarsh were on the Equity Advisory Team last year. I don’t know what the current status is.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:33:33 +0000

Yes, Mayo and Dennler have ignored my emails and phone messages on their home answering machines. There have been times when Mayo has responded by phone, but it is usually past my deadline. Even Whitmarsh and Eberhart gave me the courtesy of a response when I asked them about the Brown Act violation allegations. But I heard nothing from Dennler or Mayo, not even a “no comment.”

Dennler should be given access to the disproportionality meetings. I assume there is a board liaison on the Equity Advisory Team. As I have previously stated, that group’s meeting agendas and minutes should be posted online. It turns out they have received numerous detailed reports, which I’m sure the public would like to see.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:04:47 +0000

@TH#43 Do Linda Mayo and Lynne Dennler ignore your emails ? They both list email addresses on the district website. I actually believe that the presentation by FFF on the Brown Act allegations has opened Lynne’s eyes, and she is starting to see how Linda has led her down a path of blind obedience — and over the cliff. I am told that Lynne has asked to attend some of the staff meetings on disproportionality and is being given the cold shoulder by Steven Lawrence and Rose Lock. Its good to see improving communication between Cheryl and Lynne. Its always difficult when 3 Board members show up at a meeting — Brown Act issues if they want to chat. I fully expect that when committee assignments are made and approved, Linda and Lynne’s assisgnments will not align.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:38:45 +0000

Wendy: I am also encouraged. Hansen, Brian Lawrence and Barbara Oaks are all responsive when I ask them questions.

Unfortunately, Dennler and Mayo rarely respond to questions from the press. Yet, accountability also includes accessibility. Hansen, Brian Lawrence and Barbara Oaks have all given me their cell phone numbers, so I can reach them if a pressing issue breaks. Mayo and Dennler don’t have cell phones, or if they do, they have chosen not to give me their numbers. Although many people criticized Sherry Whitmarsh, I must say that she was responsive to my questions, gave me her cell phone number and answered the phone when I called. Gary Eberhart was hot and cold. He answered the phone when he wanted to and ignored the press when he didn’t want to talk.

I was also encouraged by the interaction I witnessed between Hansen and Dennler at the CAC meeting. During the break, they were discussing committee assignments and I did not sense any friction between them. They were smiling and speaking in a friendly and respectful manner to each other. Mayo left shortly after Hansen arrived and I didn’t see them greet each other (although it’s possible they did and I missed it). If the board holds a retreat, the dynamics between the trustees will become more apparent.

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:01:03 +0000

Looking for the “like” button on Wendy’s post #41.