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Letter to the Editor: February 11, 2008
Read the minutes
February 11, 2008 - 3:56PM
Hesperia
I am a second grade teacher in Hesperia. I feel that it's important for the voters of Hesperia to consider another fact in their decision-making about the recall. It's not only about the questionable actions made by the Board following their election.
To me, the most important question parents should be asking is, 'What is the Board doing to help my child be successful?' When Mr. Bray and Mr. Richardson were leading the district along with the former members of the Board, the focus was on student achievement. Meeting the needs of individual students was the goal. Student success was our business and the parents were our clients. 'Students Come First' and 'Is it good for Kids?' were our mottoes.
This is no longer the case. When I read the Board Meeting minutes and Letters to the Editor, I see that decisions are being made that have little or no direct impact on improving student learning. It's about fulfilling promises made to a small group of the people who helped get them elected. 'Quid pro quo' has been alive and well in Hesperia ever since the election. The voters need to understand that these Board members had their agenda already established, and the students are not on it.
Parents, read the minutes. (You can access them online.) Talk to people. See if the decisions made have been in your child's best interest. It is the business of every School Board to make decisions which benefit the students. They represent the entire community-not just the teachers. The actions they take should reflect that. If they don't, they deserve to be recalled.
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Reader's comments
| To So Tired of This. This school board majority has done nothing to encourage the growth or continuation of the ExCEL process within our district. I just read that Lee Rogers was invited to visit a school and look at the ExCEL process and she didn't do it. Tell me how that shows support? How does it show support when this board keeps brining up choice schools? None of the choices on their list of example schools listed ExCEL. And what about those grants and scholarships I've read about? Please be specific regarding the ways that you have seen this board majority show direct support for the ExCEL process. |
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| State the facts - Feb 18, 2008 07:00:38 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Colleen, as you must know, all minutes are archived and accessible at the HUSD district office. This includes the Excel Institute Board minutes. |
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| So tired of this - Feb 18, 2008 02:58:12 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Thank you for posting the facts, Colleen. You are an inspiration for many. I feel as you do, we have lost some very good leaders in this district due to the newly elected three. Our test scores these next couple of years are going to show it, without a doubt! Test scores will undoubtedly go down at the elementary and secondary level due to their actions. You are right actions do speak louder than words, and results in terms of test scores and student achievement, speak even louder. |
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| Elementary Teacher - Feb 18, 2008 07:34:29 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Thanks to Still Tired and What? for the factual posts regarding the Institute. Anyone who knows Mr. Bray or Cara Bergen would know that everything they did was totally above reproach. I would love to read the minutes that support the ExCEL program if So Tired of This would like to tell us all which specific board meeting it was. The ExCEL Institute is still being questioned and examined. Actions speak louder than words. |
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| Colleen - Feb 17, 2008 10:19:03 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Please explain the money trail. The Institute cost the district nothing. Schools who were trained paid a fee to the Institute and those schools paid for all expenses incurred by the trainers, including substitutes. All of the profit went back to the district to be used for grants. When Mrs. Bergen left, the Institute had one hundred thousand dollars in its account. Where is that money now? There may have been some errors when forming the Institute, but none were intentional or secretive. And the fact that there may have been errors does not mean the idea of the Institute was inherently evil as some seem to think. I hope no one is insinuating that Mr. Bray profited in any way from the Institute. Follow the money trail and you will find this to be false. Now another triad of districts is benefiting from the best practices of ExCEL and their students are reaping the benefits of the profits. Too bad for Hesperia, especially in light of the budget crisis. |
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| What? - Feb 17, 2008 05:45:56 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The problem with the ExCel program was or is behind the scenes. Follow the money trail. Perhaps the best thing this board has done was to begin to scrutinize the ExCel program AND the money trail. Not all was as it seems. |
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| Behind the scenes - Feb 17, 2008 05:02:24 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I wrote and submitted an ExCEL grant last year. I have yet to hear anything directly from the district or the board regarding my grant. I know that all ExCEL Institute funds were frozen until the new board members had EVERYTHING examined several times over by lawyers. I recently learned that the cost of this examination was thirty thousand dollars. This is the amount which would have funded the grants submitted last year as well as the scholarships to seniors who had already been notified of their awards, but did not receive them. I did meet with Lee Rogers shortly after her swearing in to discuss ExCEL. She said lots of positive things to my face but never backed any of it up with action. Nor did she accept the invitation to visit my school site to see ExCEL in action. And just for the record, the Institute trained about half of our own elementary schools as well as Hesperia Jr. High, free of charge, of course. Plans were already in place at the direction of Hank Richardson to train the rest of them as well as to work on plans for implementing as ExCEL type model at the secondary level. Trainers also met together regularly to discuss successes and necessary improvements as well as to serve as a support for all of our own schools. The stipend that so many have complained about was paid to trainers for all of that extra time they put in helping fellow teachers beyond their regular teaching day. |
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| Still Tired - Feb 17, 2008 11:56:20 AM | Remove Comment |
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| You see? The problem is less with the board members facing recall than it is with the union teachers. I have to say, it is sad that intimidation occures, but if you have a vote to cast then you must do it. Casting a ballot gives you the right to complain. As for the ExCel program, some teachers embracd it and it worked while others resisted and it took longer for them to find value in it. I am unaware of all the working of the program and benefits it promissed but I do know, if you would like to understand the board members position on the subject I am sure they would be happy to explain it to you. It sounds to me like the biggest issue facing our school district is not the notorious board members it is the mis-information and lack of solid communication. Rather than listen to the hate mongers perpetuating thier side of the story that they want you to hear, CALL A BOARD MEMBER AND ASK THEM TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES. My god, you teachers are represented by the most powerfull union in the state yet only half feel represented or even vote. Go fix the union representation before you attempt to recall individuals WE ACTUALLY VOTED FOR. |
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| LBO - Feb 17, 2008 09:58:58 AM | Remove Comment |
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| to HUSD declining, please support your statements with facts. HUSD schools have received numerous awards for student achievement in the last year or so. Teachers and staff are working hard and students are benefitting from their efforts. The Excel Institute and its trainers did little to train teachers in Hesperia, the majority of the time they were training teachers in other districts. If you look at board minutes as you people keep advocating you'll see that there were numerous schools that were trained but no evidence that HUSD got the same training. |
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| get real - Feb 16, 2008 03:58:00 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Oh they really support ExCEL, do they? How many trainings has Hesperia done since the new board took over? How much money have the teachers got in grants? ZERO. The whole idea for the ExCEL institute was to make money from a program that works to help other teachers and bring money back to classrooms. Now the money goes to Kirk's pet lawyer. They benefited from ExCEL, not the teachers. Those schools who don't want to do ExCEL don't have to, and with no institute to support the training, it will become unfocused and die. |
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| HUSD declining - Feb 16, 2008 03:00:28 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Thanks Coleen for setting the record straight about your involvment with the Excel Institute but shame on you for perpetrating the hoax that the board majority is against the Excel model. As you so often state, read the board minutes and you will find that the board majority has stated repeatedly that they support the Excel
model in the elementary schools. Do you have any facts to support your claim that they do not support the Excel model? Have any plans been implemented that weaken or remove it? I didn't think so. |
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| So tired of this - Feb 16, 2008 07:45:54 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Thank you to HUSD Used to be Great for your kind words. But I do have to set the record straight. I did go on a number of trainings with the ExCEL team when the program first began. I did not do it for the money, nor did I abandon my students. I was proud to do it since our school began the ExCEL process the first year it was proposed. Since then our school has been the first and only school to reach 800 API. In addition, our second grade team boasts 95 percent of students at grade level or above in reading every single year since starting the ExCEL model. I challenge anyone to tell me what the problem is with a process that has these results FOR STUDENTS. I still don't understand. I invite anyone who would like to be better informed about ExCEL,since the Board majority is obviously so against it, to feel free to visit my classroom. I would be proud to show off my wonderful students. |
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| Colleen - Feb 15, 2008 08:55:46 PM | Remove Comment |
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| The winner of the E-Board Director at large position was Yolette Rios. |
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| Teacher - Feb 15, 2008 08:08:31 PM | Remove Comment |
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| It's true. Last year a group of teachers got together and put up some other candidates. It was the first time we actually had a choice in years. Our union reps sit at the table while we vote, and point out the qualities of the candidates they support as they hand you a ballot. They also refuse to hold monthly meetings for our staff even though it's part of their job as our reps. They don't want to answer questions put forth by those of us who wish we could actually have a say in this union to which we must belong. Those who care vote, even if they are watched. New teachers, especially at the secondary level, are intimidated by seasoned union supporters. We just want leadership that communicates. Does anyone know who was elected to take Scott Johnson's position? We voted a couple weeks ago and haven't heard a word. |
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| Another Teacher - Feb 15, 2008 06:42:46 PM | Remove Comment |
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| I was told last year not to bother voting because the elections are fixed? Teachers don't vote this is true, not because they do not care, but rather because we have been told it is pointless to do so.
There are no ballot boxes and the vote gatherers intimidate at the polling "envelope."
We have over one hundred dollars taken from our checks montly in union dues and say nothing because of fear of reprisal.
Ask any probationary 1 or 2 teacher, they have been warned from both sides of the HTA fence. |
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| Probationary Teacher - Feb 15, 2008 05:56:32 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Like most elections, only half of the teachers vote on most union issues. I can only assume the same poor turnout occures when union reps are elected. |
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| LBO - Feb 15, 2008 04:07:02 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Unionl Leaders are voted on. If teachers are unhappy with their leadership then vote them out. |
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| voter - Feb 15, 2008 12:33:42 PM | Remove Comment |
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| Probationary teacher has shed the most light on this situation. He or she is right, the union appears to represent only half the teachers interest and the board is definately devided. From what i have heard at the schools, the teachers that feel disenfranchised by the union are the same ones that 'attack' the board. I don't agree that the board is supposed to be the unifying force that unites the teachers in harmony, that is the job of the teachers union. I would however agree that the board should not be devisive. At this point i am not sure if it is the board itself that is devisive or if it is another outside force such as the pro-recall crowd or disenfranchised teachers. |
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| LBO - Feb 15, 2008 11:13:23 AM | Remove Comment |
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| Mrs. Hoover, teacher of the year numerous times, didn't get subs and go to other districts to help them with the award winning ExCEL model. So get your facts straight. She is an excellent teacher and human being who stands up for what is right. We had a system that was great for students. Now we have debt and fear. God Bless Mrs. Hoover and those who stand up. |
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| HUSD used to be great - Feb 14, 2008 10:11:46 PM | Remove Comment |
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| LBO, as a probationary teacher at HHS I see your point. Approximately half of the teachers at this site, SHS, and Cedar Middle feel the union is "crooked". The teachers feel they are not being represented. The union people do not communicate well with the teachers if at all. New teachers are afraid of all sides. The district is divided. Last year's election results are posted and it was an even divide, even the votes for this article at this point are 7/7. This district is divided, it is the board's duty and obligation to bring the district together. To be honest, your minutes reflect division among the board. Please lead by example, new teachers are afraid and trust no one. |
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| Probationary Teacher - Feb 14, 2008 05:13:37 PM | Remove Comment |
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