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Look what happened since Dr. Banderas left.
8-9-04 During the school board meeting on June 17, I enriched my English vocabulary with 2 new words: “sophomoric pap”. I had to look it up in the dictionary. Wow, these are the words I was looking for to describe some of what I'm hearing from the board, meeting after meeting. Thank you Mr. Barofsky for those words.
According to the board, the CEC (Community Education Community) is irrelevant. The CEC members spend countless hours to put forth common sense ideas and long term solutions. The CEC tried to get a spot on the agendas, but that was denied. I'm not a member of that group but I support most of their ideas that are born using common sense, standard business practices with the support of the community. The ideas are valid and are not “Botax” fixes.
Acton Elementary has been closed,
School boundaries have been changed,
A 7/11 committee has been created with no results and answers of what is
considered “surplus property”
Portable classrooms will be on the move from Acton Elementary to other school
sites,
Unauthorized grading at the Vasquez site
Inefficient summer school,
and the list goes on.
If the softball field was approved months ago, where is the paperwork Mr. Barofsky? Another minor oversight like so many? Why was there no mention of the grading in any board agendas? The district knew that it was controversial having no permits on hand. Do we need a baseball field? Yes! Do we have to get the necessary approvals and permits? Yes!
I just wonder! Where are all the educational improvements?
The district also needs to be consistent when making up their agendas. The cell phone number of Dr. Wagner on the Arta Construction Contract and the name of Trish Knechtli on the Civil Harassment Restraining Order were blotted out with “white out” on some but not on others. That is scary!
What bothered me the most is an outrageous LIE to the Office of Planning and Research Authorities in Sacramento on Resolutions 2004-05-01 and 2004-05-02.
Dr. Wagner states in the description of the project (to move 6 portables): “Addition of three classrooms at the existing Meadowlark Elementary School grounds necessary to accommodate the rapidly growing student population in Acton”. The same statement is used for the High Desert School grounds. First we are told that we have declining enrollment for years and suddenly we have a population explosion. Why in the world can't we tell the truth and state that we closed Acton Elementary and need additional portable space at other schools. I will personally follow up on the statements of these resolutions.
During the August 5 board meeting, Melissa Harnett, one of the board members, tried to discuss summer school and finances. Steve Harbeson called for a break and tried to shut her up. Is this the way to treat a board member? According to many residents, Melissa has a lot of support and I hope she goes on being that other voice and not just another puppet of the board.
The board is after Mr. Pinkston again despite support by students and parents. Figure that one out. What crimes did he commit now?
Every day I get emails on the possibility of a recall. It is 50/50. Some residents want 3 board members to resign, others want to wait till November 2006 and others want a recall now. Nothing is going to happen with a divided town. In the meanwhile the kids are the ones who suffer.
A “cart before the horses” board needs to be thrown out and replaced with intelligent and business minded people. Many district employees feel the same way but are afraid to speak up for good reasons.
Do we need another major school crisis to change the resident's feelings?
The recall papers are drawn up and ready to go at a moment's notice. It is up to you to make up your mind.
One final question: who are the real “Acton terrorists” as expressed by Mr. Sexton on the August 5 board meeting?
Bernard Schwab Your local school watchdog manzanita@dslextreme.com