Monthly Archives: October 2009

An ominous precursor for schools closer to home?

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 28, 2009 | Comments closed
After last night’s meeting I went home and went about the business of trying to clear my head so I could get a few hours of sleep (I wasn’t successful). I had recorded a couple of TV programs — HBO’s REALsports and an excellent ESPN documentary about Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. For those who have never [...]
Posted in budget | Comments closed

The great pumpkin caper

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 28, 2009 | Comments closed
You know, the morning after a spirit-darkening SUSD board meeting, it’s nice sometimes to go somewhere and see kids learning and having fun. This morning, the Adopt-A-School program visited Pam Delgado’s fourth-grade class at Hazelton Elementary in south Stockton. Workers from S-MART came bearing pumpkins. The students learned about some pumpkin trivia and then got [...]
Posted in SUSD, School events | Tagged , , | Comments closed

SUSD Live — 10:15 p.m. — 10:25 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
They are on the final major item — the fiscal accountability plan. CSEA had hoped to pass such a plan months ago, but the board voted against it. Angel Picon, CSEA: “We are definitely in a very bad situation economically. We are hopeful with the steps the superintendent is taking that inclusion will be part of [...]
Posted in Fiscal accountability, SUSD, SUSD Live | Tagged , , | Comments closed

SUSD Live — 10:03 p.m. — 10:13 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
STEVE VACZOVSKY’S REPORT He said the interim tag, brought up earlier about principals, “has no legal authority.” So he plans to remove the tag from those principals. He says Education Code requires dictates how substitutes are chosen. He says the district is exploring legal issues surrounding substitutes who accept work, then don’t show up. He says he will [...]
Posted in SUSD, SUSD Live, budget | Tagged | Comments closed

SUSD Live — 9:55 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
SUSD Police Chief Jim West spoke about the helicopter event, but Steve Vaczovsky acknowledged that the board needs to be careful about having an association with the helicopter where it’s called in by the district. He cited “deep-pockets liability.”
Posted in SUSD, SUSD Live | Comments closed

SUSD Live — 9:47 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
Can we declare a moratorium on speakers at board meetings saying they can’t pronounce Steve Vaczovsky’s last name? He’s been in charge for nearly a month, his name has three syllables, and it simply isn’t that difficult — VAH-SOF-SKI. Just my opinion.
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SUSD Live — 9:43 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
The measure passed 4-3, meaning seniority is a criteria for board president. The YES VOTES: Ross, McCarthy, Ramirez and Allen. The NO VOTES: Castillo, Morales, Boardman. Allen cast the tie-breaking vote. She deliberated for nearly a minute (I timed it). She heard snide remarks, sneers and snickers from a few in the audience while she made her decision [...]
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SUSD Live — 9:34 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
Beverly Fitch McCarthy said she won’t be a candidate for board president a year from now because she isn’t running for second term. She said she’s 76 and if she had a second term, she’d be on the board until she was 81, and doesn’t want to be on the board when she’s 81. Clem Lee [...]
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SUSD Live — 9:20 p.m. — 9:33 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
Gloria Allen is discussing the new board president selection policies. Bill Ross says that seniority should be the criteria in board rotation. Bill Ross says, “A rotation doesn’t do anything if you don’t have seniority in it.” He says if all senior members want it, have a vote. Otherwise, it falls to the senior person on the [...]
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SUSD Live — 9:18 p.m.

By Roger Phillips | Published: October 27, 2009 | Comments closed
MEETINGS THE NEXT THREE TUESDAYS, TOO! Nov. 3 — special meeting, selection process for new superintendent Nov. 10 — regular board meeting Nov. 17 — special budget study meeting and Measure Q study session
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