Panorama

January 2012

President's View by Marisa Hanson           Now that the proposed state budget is out, it is time for the legislature to roll up their sleeves and get busy.  This budget has a long way to go before being adopted at the end of June.  In May, we always see a revision that we hope is closer to what the legislatures will all agree upon and in June we hold our breath praying for a budget we can live with for the following school year.  At this point, here are some of thekey points in the 2012-2013 proposed budget: Adding taxes to the wealthy (people who make over $500,000 a year), taking away even more from the universities, the wavier for a shortened school year will continue until 2015 (this allows the district to reduce the student year to 175 days), cutting various programs in early childhood education, and adding a half percent sales tax that would need to be voted on in the November election (this would be for four years).   If the Governor’s tax proposal is passed, then funding for 2012-2013 would be flat funding. If not,  are projected to lose 4.8 billion. According to John Fensterwald of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, “Even if Brown’s tax initiative passed, per student funding– ADA or average daily tuition—would not increase but would decrease about 7 percent or $370 per child if it failed.” On a brighter note, at the January board meeting, it was announced that there would be no layoffs this year.  Of course that really means that we can’t possibly increase classes even more or cut any more non-classroom teachers as we are already cut to the bone!  This decision really has nothing to do with the retirement incentive, but if it does pass and several members retire, the district will hire teachers withfewer years of experience and save additional dollars for the next 5 years.  If the incentive doesn’t pass, I still believe there will be quite a few retirements, as several members have told me they plan to retire regardless.  There will not be a retirement incentive again for quite some time, so I recommend that if you are eligible, look over your STRS and make an informed decision.  I know many members have told me that they simply cannot afford to retire even with the incentive.  Some of those same members are helping their children through college and with those rates going up, they may be working until their children have finished college!   To better understand where we have been and where we are headed, see the chart below for ADA Revenue Change over time.     As the Chief Negotiator, I am going to sites to listen to ideas for contract bargaining in March.  Also, ESTA members who cannot attend my visit can make comments on the ESTA bargaining survey or contact their site President.   It is time to work on the contract.  I do expect that the big items such as salary, class size, and benefits will be topics that we bargain after we have a better idea of the direction the legislature will take with the state budget.  It is likely we may have to bargain with contingencies since the election will affect the budget. This month, there was an additional board meeting to discuss the process to select a new Superintendent. ESTA has been very clear that we would like to be part of the process and we have given the district a list of criteria. ESTA has also been clear that hiring a search firm is a waste of money as we expect many local qualified people to apply. Recently, many of our surrounding districts have hired Superintendents and they are pleased with their results.  ESTA feels that the same could happen to us if we have a solid approach to finding the right person for the job.  The person is probably not someone who has worked in our district or someone that has any connections to any of our board members.  The rumors are already flying, and I want to make it clear that ESTA has not yet supported anyone for this very important job! We are actively looking for qualified people to encourage to apply and would love to see it be someone who can work well with unions and is open to communication, along with excellent experience working in another district in California.  At this time, the interview panel consists of only the board members.  ESTA is disappointed that we are not part of the selection committee. The only role we have been offered so far is to attend “Stakeholder” meetings for input. Lastly, Happy 149th birthday CTA!  Although CTA has lost 30,000 members in the past few years, CTA remains strong and is gearing up for many battles ahead concerning initiatives that will be placed on the November ballot.  More details next month as to what actions we will need to take to help defeat those initiatives that are designed to breakup unions.  We cannot let California become another Wisconsin.       Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Dylan parody)                    Karen Hewitt, PHHS There ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, Babe. Why it is, that you don’t pass? No there ain’t no use to sit and wonder why Babe. Your good intentions never last; You never bring any paper or pens; You sit around and talk to all your friends; You just watch the clock until the period ends But don’t think twice, it’s alright. And there ain’tno use to ask for extra credit When your homework is undone, still. No there ain’tno use to ask for extra credit When standards you did not fulfill When the summer school bell rings At the break of dawn Look out your window and we’ll be gone. You just keep on with your carrying on But don’t think twice, it’s alright. An there ain’tno way to get those lost days back now. The ones you threw away. Yes there ain’tno way to get those lost days back now But it don’t matter anyway. I’m not saying you treated us unkind; You could have done better, but we don’t mind; You just sort of wasted our precious time But don’t think twice, it’s alright.         No More Criminally Insane Spending Janet Goldhamer, OG This letter is to those of you out there who are not involved in ESTA.  After reading the last Panorama,  I have been thinking through the history of this district as I know it and am growing concerned -- again.  As one of the many district "babies" -- born to teachers in the district and hired as the second generation (with a third coming along nicely),  I am see numerous parallels between several thens, and now.  I will eventually make it to my point if you can stay with me.  So, to fill in a bit, if you will allow me to create a mini-history lesson, I will begin with Frank: 1960's - 70's:  Prior to Fiscallini was another gentlemen who started James Lick and Sam Aire, and lasted a couple of years.  Fiscallini, however, for all intents and purposes, built this district so perhaps the limited amount of friction that existed prior to Frank's retirement can be attributed to a sort of godfather complex.  He had hired everyone in the district (for all intents and purposes), knew everyone by name (and most of their children), and grown old with them.  I can recall parties at various teachers homes when I was a child -- Frank was always there, with a child on his knee (I have a photo of me at about 2 1/2 as proof).  Frank retired and a new era began. 1980's:  The entrance of Reynolds, hired by a school board who searched far and wide for him, brought with it a load of discord, and the teachers fought like the proverbial fallen angels of Biblical fame.  He moved on to Chattanooga, or some such place, after five years of slowly building an ESUHSD inferno........., the district's first, I believe, (and only ?) district-wide sick-out and picket-line occurred at this time.....  only to be discharged for "white collar" illegalities back East...Lucky dude -- we were lucky to be rid of him. Late 80's - 90's:  The school board, refusing to acknowledge their initial mistake in hiring Reynolds in the first place, hired as interim superintendent, "Sully".  However, rather than honor the sense and calm with which the district functioned under Mr. Sullivan, and hire him as Superintendent, the school board chose, after a state wide search, Joe Coto, a man leaving a district (Oakland) in fiscal disarray.....   Sense of a pattern developing here?  Coto was a nice guy, though, with a talent for hiring talent.  He was around for a long time while Bill Kugler ran the district.  We were fiscally sound under their management at least. I'll skip a few years to 2000ish.  Zendajas.  I am quite sure many of you remember her.  The school board chose her after TWO, repeat TWO, expensive searches.  Rather than hire the obvious person for the job, Bill Kugler, the board offered it to a woman whose previous administrative record, available to any who chose to peruse it, was educationally destructive, and morally abhorrent.   She was also expensive:  recall for instance the house the school board gave her, all the administrators who were fired or quit rather than work with her to be replaced with people (who knew nothing about our district much less how to run it) most of whom have since retired at the higher salaries we gave them,  the school board member with the district VISA card charging 40/50/60 thousand dollars for drinks at a democratic convention,  and the school board extension of her contract and subsequent buy-out only a few months later to the tune of $400+ with medical benefits. (That's a grammatically correct sentence by the way that goes on forever because Zendajas' damage is still with us -- the sentence is as bad as she was). Next, the school board hired Bob and we started to settle down.  Our feathers started to smooth and our rock tense muscles began to relax.  A couple of years more of him and our district might have begun to recover from Zendajas' reign of terror.   But nope!  Too much calm.  Happy teachers and staff make for better quality instruction, but .... Bob was bought out for how much?  $300,000?  I forget.    Oh, yeah.  Let,s not forget lawyer's fees to do it.  First they had to investigate trumped charges against Bob, and then write all those contracts.   I might add we were still paying for Zendajas while all this was going on.   Once again, we have an interim superintendent (no better or worse than any other we've had, but sane, which I have come to believe is a rare plus in any administrator at a DO level job) and the school board is considering the concept of paying big bucks to search nationally for a good choice....  repeat pattern. 2012:  I hate to break it to you folks but the school board is about to do it again if we don't start screaming loudly and clearly!  Our "interim" cum "super" is about to retire along with his powers behind the thrones (his wife, Joan, and Cathy Giammona) and we will be in for the proverbial "it".  We have a school board that has repeatedly made criminally insane decisions.  They are no more trustworthy than they were several years ago (they are, after all, the same people).   Let's do something, and take back our schools.  We need to say loudly and clearly:  NO MORE!  We need a sound superintendent who can make sensible decisions and who knows who we are, who our children are, and what they need to learn and we need to teach.  We need to get involved!  Inundate the school board with what we want and replace them if we don't get it.  Come on, people.  PLEASE!  For the sakes of our students, For our salaries.  For everything we profess to believe about children and education.  I volunteered to ESTA for 15 years.  We all need to get involved and do our part, or we will be stuck with another 10 years of chaos.    Benefits Report Jenny Ludwig ESTA Benefits Chair I have nothing new to report this month since we did not have a benefits meeting in January or December, but since some teachers have been asking me questions, let me review some information regarding benefits and retirees. This information came from the flyer put out by the district and  revised 8/30/11. Monthly Cost for Benefits: (Available only until age 65) Kaiser Retiree Pays Retiree only- $.00   Retiree+ Spouse- $548.25 United Administrative Services PPO Retiree only- $178.54  Retiree+ Spouse $910.70 Anthem Blue Cross HMO Retiree only $197.46 Retiree/Spouse $1,0l7. 84 Cobra Coverage -Available for 18 months only Plan:               Retiree    Retiree + Spouse Delta Dental $75.95 $129.05 Vision Plan $14.47 $20.98 The Price of Admission Mike Brennan, Editor California’s inability to raise taxes to pay for education, prisons, infrastructure, and civil edifices is mind boggling.  I include civil edifices because recently I heard a discussion about Coit Tower.  Priceless paintings are in danger.  Murals painted on the inside of the tower in the 30’s are disintegrating.  Someone also complained that the grounds are full of trash.  The head of the San Francisco Parks Department explained that normally the grounds are maintained by a volunteer group and usually they are well kept.  He went on to say that many of the parks in San Francisco are cleaned by volunteer groups.  Really?  This is what it has come to.  Our parks go unkempt unless volunteers show up to clean them. Let’s take education, California spends about $50 dollars a day educating each of its children.  $40 billion sounds like a lot of money but $50 isn’t.  Parents get 7 hours a day of instruction for their kids and it only costs $50.  Those of us who’ve ever tried to spend our money know that when you are contracting professional services, $50 is not much.  My mechanic charges $120 an hour.  You can’t go to the hair dresser for an hour and a half for $50.   It costs $10 an hour to play pool.  Isn’t that scary?  We educate kids for less than it would cost to send them to the pool hall.  An admission ticket to Disneyland is $90.  Well, it is true, you can stay longer than 7 hours and it is the happiest place on Earth.  The next time you’re in a conversation with someone who doesn’t think we should “throw money” at the system remember $50 a day.  We spend billions of dollars educating millions of kids.  It sounds like a lot of money but it’s really only $50 a day on average per student.  We have never thrown money at the problem.  Children are our most vulnerable group.  Our schools are failing and they complain that we are throwing money at the problem.     I love the educational reformers.  One of our biggest problems in education is the economy is enticing competent teachers away from education into lucrative careers.  If benefits, pay, job stability, and retirement are reduced, it will lead to fewer new teachers and an exodus of veteran teachers.  Then it will be a slow claw back to what we have now.  Starfish Jenny Ludwig, Foothill High School Recently a lovely color copy of a poem entitled “The Starfish” appeared in the mailboxes at my school with instructions to post it somewhere near our desks. To summarize, the poem describes a man on a beach tossing beached starfish back into the ocean, trying to save them from certain death. A passer-by asks him why he is making this futile attempt because he cannot possibly save all of them. “It makes a difference to this one,” he tells the passer-by.  At first glance, the poem seems like a heart-warming metaphor for teachers urging greater efforts on at-risk students. It seems to be saying, if you save only one, it’s worth it. However, upon further analysis we quickly see there is a problem. The problem with this poem is that it doesn't take into account cost-benefit analysis. Trying to pick up all the starfish you can doesn't take into account how many you lose because you didn't target the ones most likely to succeed. Trying to pick up all the starfish means certain failure. I don't know about you, but I would not be satisfied if I saved only one student; I want to save as many as I can. Perhaps we need to take a more scientific approach. The district has presented research articles, which shows that schools that make the most progress are ones who make an effort to target the students who are almost at the proficient level, but just need a little push to help them succeed. This research did advocate focusing all of ones’ resources on the bottom few. Back in 1996 when I started teaching at Independence High School, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, talking to counselors, administrators, whoever would listen, telling them a woeful tale about the kids on my role sheet whom I had never met. Why wasn't somebody doing something about all these truant kids? A veteran teacher told me, “Jenny, teach the kids who are there. You've got to let the others go, or you'll drive yourself crazy. You're going to burn yourself out before your career even gets started.” She was right. Four years later, I left Independence in a state of frustration, wanting to work in a smaller school where I thought I could save more starfish. Yet have I really achieved my goal? Not a week goes by at my school that I don’t hear a student say that they feel we focus too much on the “bad kids” and don’t pay enough attention to the good students. Maybe if I had spent a little less time calling parents last year on the disruptive students who dropped out anyway, I could have helped that boy sign up for a college class during the school year, instead of having him take it over the summer and miss his graduation by only 10 credits. Maybe the quiet “A” student in the back of the room who suddenly stopped coming to school needed my attention. But if I try and save all of them, I will inevitably drop the ball. Forgive me if none of this makes any sense to you. Maybe you teach at a school where you feel there is balance. Maybe you have AP classes,  an honor roll, or a Key Club (we don’t) and your school doesn’t make a lot of demands on your time for the most disruptive kids, and lets you spend some time on your average student who is trying to learn something. But perhaps this little rant of mine makes some sense to you. Thank you for listening.		Ala Board Wendy Stegeman, ESTA PAC Chair     Special Board Meeting of 1/24/12 At the Board meeting on 1/24 the main course was the Superintendent. Suffice it to say that the board spit in the eyes of the unions and stakeholder groups. Basics: *Dan Mose and Frank Biehl (alt) will be the contact people with the search firm. *Board will make all decisions and do interviews. *There will be two public forums (fora) for stakeholders to give input into wish lists and requirements for the new superintendent. *The board will spend as much money as the search group wants on a national search that board said it didn't want. *They will not present a salary range, but will better whatever is out there to be "competitive." *Education background not necessary. *Money: $36K starting search firm bid $5K advertising budget $?K staff time, $?K printing to be done by district, $?K travel to candidates work sites, etc., $?K lodging/food/etc. $Other? Editorial Review: The hired guns (out of state search company) are determined to ignore most of the board members request for inexpensive, California, ed background limited search. I have a feeling they have a fer-in-er from Houston in mind. Theretotwo token stakeholder open forums that we can come to or not who cares about you when this astoundingly wise board (remember Zendejas when you think boards make good decisions) and the out of state wants your money but could care less about the district they clearly know nothing about has set up a forum for us?. But that's just my impression. was one of the worst, most disappointing meetings I have EVER attended.Before I was concerned at the lateness of the process.seen the leisurely schedule they have set for themselves - made more leisurely by board conflicts on dates - I am terrified. Clearly, this firm already had a work plan and they were not to be deterred by the wishes of the clients. These search people indicated that a big raise will be in store as, obviously, everyone gets at least a 3% annual raise.Really? Sign me up!!!Probably the board could have picked a worse company - just hard to imagine.was ahour meeting that would take four hours to explain all of the between the lines stuff going on... $35K base bid, $5K advertising, $?K staff time, $?K printing to be done by district, $?K travel to candidates work sites, etc., $?K lodging/food/etc. The amount of this waste [This all could have been done on the computer for almost free as pointed out by Marisa Hanson and J.Manuel Herrera] could be funding a program for students or a librarian or a counselor. But the boardto haveconcept of fiduciary responsibility from my seat in the audience. January 19th Board Meeting:  I hurried from a meeting in Campbell, slogged through the rain, to be on time for our 6p.m. Board meeting at  the District Office – which actually began at 6:35ish. Section 2.0  Closed Session Menu:  Litigation: Three (3) potential cases.  Seven (7) student expulsions – 3 modified. (Only these results were reported out to the attendees.) Supt performance evaluation. 3.0- 5.0 Housekeeping including Pledge of Allegiance. 6.0 Special Recognition.  The grand prizewinners of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Contest were recognized: Art:  Indy Dang – PH Writing: Christine Nguyen – HIS MultiMedia: Victoria Nunez – WCO  (only student who was present. Her film was impressive and reminded us the MLK was not just about Black and White, but equal human rights for people. 7.0 Student Liaisons: EV’s Victor Sanchez showed a video and explained that EV is still creating their culture and traditions. WCO’s Sergio Cervantes and friend presented pictures and testimonials of how the teachers have made a difference in students’ lives. Nice. 8.0 Nothing 9.0 Public Hearing @7:04 regarding disciplinary action or not for D.L. Falk Construction, Inc. for alleged violations of Public Contract Code Sections 4104 and 4106 regarding the use of sub-contractors. Possible negative actions laid out in PCCS 4110. Falk lawyer said it was just a typo. Labor people said it was a pattern and cited other instances. Falk attorney threatened lawsuit. Falk submitted materials on Tuesday, right before the meeting. Pat Martinez-Roach wanted to go ahead and settle it according to staff recommendation (Battle ran the hearing) as she stayed up late and read everything. Others said they had not and wanted to put it off to next month. To this jaundiced eye it looked like a deal was being cooked out of the public view. The Falk rep and Attorney Blum looked very pleased. The latter was busily writing the names of the members who voted to wait. 10.0 NO member of the public wished to address the board!!! 11.0 Educare came to ask for partnership (usually another word for money and ADA for students). They want to start a teen parenting project in the Santee neighborhood (WCO and YB) for teens becoming parents based on the Harlem Kids Zone. The work of Geoffrey Canada is very interesting and should help the neighborhood. They have some heavy hitters collecting money for their foundation (Guardino, etc.) Interesting on the face (see: Baby College), but worth looking closely into the corners. They said it would not compete with programs at FH.  The basic concept is that education begins at birth – or before!!! Presentation of money for Aspire HS Success grant by Debra Watkins and Rand Okamura pointed out that kids do better with more attention. External auditor said that school banks are better but not right yet, bonds had a clean audit and overall, it looks like the numbers and procedures match the paperwork. Oh, to be a shredder at the D.O. Windows have been falling out of EV due to the original folks using the wrong glass. Specs were right but implementation was wrong. Patricia Martinez-Roach asked how it passed all of the inspections – no acceptable or satisfactory answer was provided. (This reporter seems to recall that the district spent lots of money to hire their own inspector who seems to have told them everything they wanted to hear – except about windows, water heaters in the ceilings without access and paths where kids could pushed off and injured.)  Patricia brought the cost overruns to light so the public could see what an incompetent, expensive mess the building of EV was – into the millions of dollars. I believe Garofalo came to facilities during that mess. Contractors still make big money off change orders from ESUHSD.  But repairs to make EV safe again were approved. Board schedule for the year set. The board spent way too long discussing whether or not to support a resolution supporting Cancer, Heart, and Asthma Associations (et al.) in asking for a use tax on cigarette’s to help with research and cessation programs as so many kids are smoking  or exposed now. Vote 4-0-1 with Manuel Herrera abstaining. 12.0  The amazing odyssey of the Chinese language program has a new chapter: the contract with Stanford group is coming. The class is to be for heritage speakers, will be simplified form with some cultural curriculum. Teaching job should be posted soon, starts in 2012-13, probably start at PH and EV with PH being a default school. It sounded more like money being spent for the whole district with beginner classes in its earlier incarnations.  Williams report accepted with zero complaints. Remember, we can teach kids and staff how to write complaints about bathrooms, etc. 13.0 Human Resources:  No report but in other conversations Battle, Biehl and Moser will confirm that they expect no layoffs this year. 14.0 Battle presented his take on Governor Brown’s State of the State speech. He is predicting disaster if the Gov’s initiatives are not passed. However, when he presented the last interim budget, he estimated a cut of $300 per student from the triggers that already happened. It turned out to only be $12ish.  So his budget with maybe $327 loss per students for the next interim report shouldn’t be as catastrophic as what he was saying to the board.  Remember, the district is entering bargaining with CSEA, ESTA and ACSA.  Clearly (to this reporter), Mr. Battle is going after our benefits and pay.  Confirmation from Battle, Moser and Biehl that there are no layoffs anticipated for the Ides of March. 15.0 Nothing to report. No change orders? Or were those buried in the Consent Calendar? 16.0 Everything was ultimately approved on the Consent Calendar, but Julio Pardo, CSEA 1st VP who actually reads the board packet (unlike some board members from the things they were saying…) asked about 16.06 and 16.07. He has a concern that the district is using private companies to do the work of laid off union people. He noted that, as exemplified by the D.L. Falk question in 9.01, the district seems more concerned about employment rights and agreements with outside contractors than with how they treat their own employees. 16.07. He has a concern that the district is using private companies to do the work of laid off union people. He noted that, as exemplified by the D.L. Falk question in 9.01, the district seems more concerned about employment rights and agreements with outside contractors than with how they treat their own employees.  17.0 Nothing! 18.0 Discussion of future agenda items. Van Le referred to Mr. Battle to get report that already exists and doesn’t need to be created. 19.0 Board Statements or Brevity is a Good Thing: Frank Biehl reminded us that the 1/24 Tuesday mtg is to review the Supt Search far, (Ed note: Is the board going to find another Zendejas???) Manuel Herrera went to 1st Metro Ed Mtg.  Patricia Martinez-Roach loves how unprejudiced little kids are (MLK Day).  Lan Nguyen Commented on Lunar New Year celebration at Fairground.  Van Le spoke of many places she went.  Dan Moser thanked teachers for helping kids achieve great things – like MLK awards. December 8, 2011 Board Mtg. December is always an interesting meeting as the board counts on people being in holiday mode and not as critical or observant as usual. This is meeting when they try to not let us see the choreography and agreements that have gone on behind the scene as they vote each other into new offices for the year (administrative positions). The Closed Session happens before the main event at 6pm although it is not reported out until the very end when most people are gone or comatose.  This time the board: ·         Expelled three students (A-C) ·         Still has three anticipated litigation cases ·         Created several new positions (or elevated old ones for more money) ·         Talked about property negotiations ·         Did performance evaluations for Supt and Associate Supt of HR/Inst. At least two or three of those should have your antennae flapping wildly!!! I suspect they also discussed the supt search, and agreed to let Manuel Herrera make his protest with the understanding that he would join the others in the ridiculous expenditure of about $36K (first round – partial service) of OUR money – created by higher class size, reduction of CSEA members, and furlough days.  Perhaps there is a money tree in the boardroom that we don’t know about?  P.S. ESTA and Manuel Herrera tried to convince the board that this could be done in-house with the computer!  I understand that the company they selected is in Iowa or Ohio and knows nothing about our unique needs or population – except what they get on the … (wait for it…)… COMPUTER!!! OK – back to business. The meeting started not too long after 6pm New officers: President of the Board: Frank Biehl Vice-Pres: Pat Martinez-Roach Clerk: J. Manuel Herrera Members: Lan Nguyen, Van Le Metro Ed Rep: Herrera Alternate to Metro Ed: Le Audit Comm Chair: Nguyen Audit Comm Vice-Chair: Martinez-Roach Rep to SCC Comm on Dist Org: Le School Board Ass’n: Le Nominations to CSBA: Darcie Green of Alum Rock (Martinez-Roach and Biehl nominated by Alum Rock Board) Supt is always appointed Board Secretary (Quote of the night: “ I’ll stick to my script here…”) Van Le and Patricia Martinez-Roach would like a rotation of officers to be sure everyone gets a turn. 9.0 Public Speaking Neil Struthers (Labor) asked for strong penalties for D.L. Falk, a company that had a hearing the previous Friday and whose contract has been rescinded by the district.  He wants to set an example so people won’t try to fool districts during future construction paid for with public funds.  (Rick Solis, Carpenter’s Union, mirrored Struthers’ comments.) Evergreen parent Joseph Kosmeyar (sp?)  was shocked at California per pupil spending. He is a lawyer and offered to help in any way he can. 10.0 Public Hearing on D.L. Falk Construction Re: Violations of Public Contract Code Sections 4104 and 4106.  Tabled to January meeting. Kirsten King PEP project Report.  Report Received. 13.01 brought forward in agenda – Dale Scott and Company want to suggest sale of $90M in bonds be raised to $100M to better allow completion of projects and lists in Measure E. Assessed valuation and growth assumptions justify it. Will be brought back in January. Discussion of Supt Search Firm. Well choreographed discussion of why they will all vote to send $36K+ to an out of state firm to look for a replacement for Dan Moser. Manuel Herrera explained why the money didn’t need to be spent, but Pat Martinez-Roach felt it was a small amount to pay as services provided are limited from previous searches. Vote: 5-0 to spend OUR money needlessly. Final calendar for next year’s board meetings will be developed and voted on next month. So far: Jan. 19th regular board mtg, Feb. 4th board retreat Feb. 16th regular board mtg. Discussion of contracts for Dan Moser and Cathy Giamonna as they requested the ability to cash out some of their vacation time this year instead of all of it in June. They have been asked to forego vacations.  This reporter is guessing that it is tax related and doesn’t cost the district any extra as the money is already budgeted/allocated per M. Battle. Internal Auditor work plan approved. He has been looking at legal fees racked up by the district.  The seems to feel ok about spending OUR money, taxpayer money, freely - as long as some districts are spending more.  Auditor is to spend 50% of his time on Bond Stuff and the rest on Other Stuff. They tried to percent him to death, but settled on a more general guidance. The Board Happily Approved sending Frank Biehl and Van Le and whoever [on the board] wants to go to CSBA’s 2012 President’s Workshop (Brown Act).  I hope it is more valuable than sending teachers to training. 11.0 Big expensive contract being signed – brought back then signed – for Chinese classes. In my time with this district, I don’t recall such an expensive, time intensive start-up of any additional language class. This reporter believes we could have had a program running last August without all of the wheels having to be reinvented. Approved Resolution #2011/2012-15 regarding Mayor’s Gang Task Force. CAHSEE waivers approved. 12.0 Public hearing re: AFT contract held.  Then approved. Classified, Class Mgmt, Admin Holiday Schedule adopted. NEW JOB – and salary - APPROVED. Classified Mgmt Position: Project Manager.  Sounds like someone else’s job, but Mr. Battle said it is new. 13.0 Meat and Potatoes: First Interim Budget with charts and graphs. Bottom line: Most cuts are grossly overestimated ($300 per pupil instead of $12 or a possible $125) and Mr. Battle appears to be after your salary and benefits. He fails, through lack of institutional knowledge, to understand whose sweat went into creating his surplus revenues.  He appears to believe that ESUHSD workers can be lured into as bad a deal as Walnut Creek and some other districts.  Patricia Martinez-Roach works for a district that fooled the workers and now they can hardly afford their medical payments. We don’t want to be that district. Seville Group contract approved. 14.0 Measure E is. And it will continue to spend. 15.0 Consent Calendar passed. 15.14Patricia Martinez-Roach wants her comments about charter schools in the record. She does not support them.  15.02 something about hire dates of coaches process not being speedy and complete. 16.0 Change orders received and approved.( Not nearly the questions there should have been –ed note.) Investment portfolio report accepted. 18.0 Board members made comments. Bottom line. Most board members said thanks and happy holidays. 19.0 Already covered Closed Session! Done!
Classifieds   ART STUDIO HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE Dec. 3- 12 Fridays- 2pm- 8pm, Sat. & Sun.- 10 am- 7pm For Pete's Sake Art Studios 4188 Jarvis Ave. San Jose, CA. Ceramics, Jewelry, Handmade paper Goods, Soaps, Fabrics and more!  Special Teacher "Happy Hour"- Friday Dec. 3 - 4pm- 8pm. 10% Discount to all ESUHSD employees!  For additional info call 269-1210 or visit www.forpetessakestudios.com For Rent: Hawaii condo-1 week, 1 block from Waikiki Beach, sleeps 5, kitchen, Air conditioning, TV, pool free parking.  Good rate to ESTA members and friends.  Nick (408-377-3956) Cookie Lee Jewelry: Kacey Thomas Aragon(510) 701-4885 kaceythomasaragon@cookielee.biz http://www.cookielee.biz/kaceythomasaragon 1 bedroom / 1 bathroom condo, in the Berryessa area. Near 680, lower unit, alarm, dishwasher, refrigerator , laundry room, pantry, large bedroom, freshly painted, new carpet, picnic and barbeque area, pool, carport, good location, new window coverings,  lots of storage, clean and in great condition. $1,250 monthly rent, $1,000 cleaning / security deposit, no pets, available December 1st, includes garbage, water and condo dues of $310 each month. Please call 408-274-7026 or email bethemmett08@comcast.net. Gateway Preschool Academy: a bilingual Christian discipleship training school whose purpose is to equip young children with God's word, cultivate pure lifestyles of worship and intercession, and build lasting friendships.  Serving children 18 months - 6 years.  Part Time / Full Time from 7:30 am-6:00 pm. 2360 McLaughlin Ave, SJ (corner of Tully & McLaughlin). 408.520.4311. www.gateway-academy.org NEED TO GETAWAY. Try winter break at Lake Tahoe. 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom condo available at the The Ridge Tahoe Resort.  Beautiful  5 star resort situated right next to the Stage Coach Heavenly Lift. Available 2/17/11-2/24/11 usually the best snow of the season. Cost $1200. For more information and to book it contact Les de Leon (408) 226-3237 Free Acupuncture Treatment for all new patients to all ESUHSD staff only with Robin Hays at the Natural Health Center in Milpitas. Call ASP at (408) 946-9332; 485 Los Coches St. Photography services available. Contact Jason Dries: driesj@esuhsd.org or go to www.legacyphotographs.org Contractor/Handyman with licence. . Call Joe Sousa tel (408) 234-7428 for any kind of hanndyman work :  installation of kitchen appliances, countertops, bathroom tiles, wood floors, windows, electricity, plumbing, etc.		All Clear Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning, Paul Foley, owner and operator, honest and reliable.  Call 408-506-0138.  Mary Metz-Foley AH x74143. Notary Service Discount to ESTA members and family. Contact Chris Tsuji, 408-226-0674,notarychris@cheerful.com. Fancy a nice cuppa tea? Invite family and friends to enjoy an English tea in the comfort of your home! Contact Jan Treadgold (IH, ret.) at 916-691-9725 or email: jteatime@frontiernet.net for details. For Rent: Hamilton Place Townhouse 95125  This 2-bedroom, 1 & 1/2 bath, clean, quiet property is located in Hamilton Place near eBay offices.  Rent is $1750.  This townhouse is 1000 square feet, has a newly remodeled kitchen, an in-unit washer and dryer, and an enclosed garage. Residents have the use of swimming pools, tennis courts, and a community center, as well as easy access to I-880 and I-280 freeways. Available February 1, 2011.  Please no pets. Deposit and First month's rent ($3500 total) due upon occupancy.  (408) 251-5329  Marianne TRAVEL:   Traveling to New York City.  Call the expert.  Flat fee for 2 hour consult on all things NYC (cheap eats, sights, shows, etc).  Call Silvia Amico for appt at 510-552-2276 or e-mail at gregandsilvia@sbcglobal.net.  For rent: Beautiful cabin, North Lake Tahoe.  See website www.idigtahoe.com. Great place to relax, dogs OK, sleeps 9, walk to lake. Painting, cement and electrical. Armando Mendoza at (408) 937-7381 or (408) 422-2867. Special discount for ESUHSD employees. Granite Home Design Corporation, Granite, Marble, and Tile.  License # 748938  Greg Boyd PHHS boydg@esuhsd.org 408-406-1470   Evandro Brandao granitehomedesign@gmail.com 408-858-4605  If you want to be a homeowner or are planning to sell your home. We assure exceptional service. We provide prompt service, personal guidance and professional competence from contract to settlement over 30 years experience, over 250 closed escrows and 94 million in sales. Ron Locicero (IHS) 408-710-0570. Marsha Locicero 408-710-0569. Direct line 408-2010117, Fax 408-201-0200. references on request. MindsInSight Online Classroom Tools - MindsInSite is a hosted Moodle solution for teachers and trainers of any kind. Allowing us to host your remote learning solution allows you to spend your time developing content rather than managing software and hardware. Cut your time spent on paperwork in half. 10% discount for all ESUHSD teachers. Take a look at our services at: http://www.mindsinsight.com and/or contact Bruce Selzler @ 347-4936 Wedding Officiant: Special offer for ESTA members. Local weddings performed for $200. Contact griffinje@esuhsd.org for info and details.