I like Brad's style. I think he's a very clever candidate who could truly add huge value to the school board. I just wish messages like this could get more visibility.

BTW, I'll be at the candidates forum at Lost Canyons, without my camera and mic unfortunately, but there nonetheless. Hopefully we'll cross paths.

Re: Brian

What was your involvement with gay rights and what are your thoughts about tolerance in Simi Valley schools? Do you think there is dramatically more that teachers, administrators, and the school board could do to increase an atmosphere of respect and safety for all?

There were 2 incidents at my high school that I played a role in for gay rights. The first was getting a student expelled for literally marching at lunch with anti-gay signs and spreading hateful messages. That one involved a group of students getting together to finally get the administration to remove her. The student involved had been causing problems for a while, and it was unfortunate it took so long to finally get her out of the school. The second incident I played more of a singular role when one of the yard supervisors informed me that the new no hand holding policy was enacted specifically due to gay couples. I called up a contact at the Daily News who interviewed the administration, students, and the gay rights student club. Magically the ban was lifted a few days later.

There is room for improvement in every school, but do you see gay rights, tolerance, and respect as a priority if you are elected?

Not only gay rights, but equal rights for every student is something we need to focus on. I mentioned gay rights specifically, because I was most familiar with how the gay students were being treated at my high school. Students are being harnessed for skin color, sexual orientation, how they dress, how they talk, etc. etc. One bully can make students hate school, get bad grades, and not grow socially. So equal rights for all is a top priority for me, and it really starts with education and discipline in elementary school. Having policies in place where teachers and staff are pro actively asking students if they are having issues with any other students along with creating a better publicized anonymous way of alerting staff to problems need to be implemented. If we don't combat this harassment it will continue to create a snowball effect that will effect test scores, grades, and school safety.

Re: Brian

1. What was your involvement with gay rights and what are your thoughts about tolerance in Simi Valley schools? Do you think there is dramatically more that teachers, administrators, and the school board could do to increase an atmosphere of respect and safety for all?

There were 2 incidents at my high school that I played a role in for gay rights. The first was getting a student expelled for literally marching at lunch with anti-gay signs and spreading hateful messages. That one involved a group of students getting together to finally get the administration to remove her. The student involved had been causing problems for a while, and it was unfortunate it took so long to finally get her out of the school. The second incident I played more of a singular role when one of the yard supervisors informed me that the new no hand holding policy was enacted specifically due to gay couples. I called up a contact at the Daily News who interviewed the administration, students, and the gay rights student club. Magically the ban was lifted a few days later.

2. There is room for improvement in every school, but do you see gay rights, tolerance, and respect as a priority if you are elected?

Not only gay rights, but equal rights for every student is something we need to focus on. I mentioned gay rights specifically, because I was most familiar with how the gay students were being treated at my high school. Students are being harnessed for skin color, sexual orientation, how they dress, how they talk, etc. etc. One bully can make students hate school, get bad grades, and not grow socially. So equal rights for all is a top priority for me, and it really starts with education and discipline in elementary school. Having policies in place where teachers and staff are pro actively asking students if they are having issues with any other students along with creating a better publicized anonymous way of alerting staff to problems need to be implemented. If we don't combat this harassment it will continue to create a snowball effect that will effect test scores, grades, and school safety.

Re: Also, does your URL indicate you are a Batman fan?

You're the first person to pick-up on that. Good domain names are hard to find, and I wanted to do Vote for Brad, but when that was taken a friend of mine suggested IBelieveInBrad after Harvey Dent's campaign in Batman. As for the parallels between me and the character they end there :)

P.S. Can you delete my first comment. It got duplicated.

Brad,

After the upcoming candidates forum, a lot of voters as well as the incumbents are going to find that you're driven and determined. When they discover that you're running a true campaign, they'll likely become threatened and begin openly pointing out weaknesses, such as a lack of experience or your age. I trust that you'll have a response to that should it come up at the forum this Wednesday. However, do you feel that's a fair point, or not so much? Also, what are your thoughts on Mayor Miller's comments about the other candidates for Simi Valley Mayor depending on "on the job training" that he made in the Simi Valley Acorn on Friday?

Re: Mike Chandler

1. I like Brad's style. I think he's a very clever candidate who could truly add huge value to the school board. I just wish messages like this could get more visibility.

Thank you for the support Mike. I left you a message, and replied to your email about a time to get together for that video interview. This latest flyer has gotten a ton of attention and support both with donations as well as campaign volunteer support. I'm up against 3 incumbents that have quite a bit more money than me, but what my campaign lacks in money we make up for in spirit. With the disapproval by many residents of the current school board I think I have a pretty good chance if I can get the message out there.

2. BTW, I'll be at the candidates forum at Lost Canyons, without my camera and mic unfortunately, but there nonetheless. Hopefully we'll cross paths.

Definitely stop me and say hi if I don't run into you first.

Is it possible to get the accounting for the Simi Valley School District? High School accounting majors could do an audit of the books Districts books every year. They could locate cost cutting ideas and find "errors". The students could learn budgeting, forecasting, auditing, ad hoc analysis.

Re: nobodyopolous

1. Is it possible to get the accounting for the Simi Valley School District? High School accounting majors could do an audit of the books Districts books every year. They could locate cost cutting ideas and find "errors". The students could learn budgeting, forecasting, auditing, ad hoc analysis.

Great idea, and actually something my friend tried to do for his Senior Project in 2007 at Santa Susana High School. The administration and district didn't think it was such a great project, and didn't allow him to pursue it. I think that's a great idea though, and I still wonder why they wouldn't let him do what would have almost definitely have been an interesting project. Maybe they were afraid he'd come up with some savings they hadn't thought of?

Mr. Jashinsky I will not vote for you because of your tasteless attack flyers against people who have so thoughtfully served the children of the SVUSD. Collins, Sandland and DiFatta were fighting for better schools when you were still running around in diapers and your tasteless attacks show you have not grown up much.

Dakota West,
How thoughtful can the current school board be when mentally handicapped children are "stored" in trailers unfit for regular students? How thoughtful can the current school board members be when SVUSD schools have acted improperly on State exams?

These are the issues important to parents, students and taxpayers. It may not be important to Dakota West and the current school board members but it's important to the rest of us.

Dakota West is using school boards as a political tool. Dakota West cares more about political opportunists than the education of the areas children.

Prove that children are "stored" or that anyone acted improperly on state tests. You sound to me like one of those far right extremist Christian Coalition members who are supporting Ray Cruz because Cruz is calling for teaching Creationism only. "nobodyopolous" is a good name for you because you are a nobody!

Before this debate goes down a rat hole...

Brad, what specifically has the board done to waste money in the district or with the C4 bond funds?

I am not disagreeing with you, but the bond committee has had such a revolving door with it's membership, I would imagine it's nothing more than a whack-a-mole game.

Some specific examples might help you

Re: Mike

1. However, do you feel that's a fair point, or not so much? Also, what are your thoughts on Mayor Miller's comments about the other candidates for Simi Valley Mayor depending on "on the job training" that he made in the Simi Valley Acorn on Friday?

I think once you get away from the issues, and begin bringing up age or trying to throw around the word inexperience that clearly shows a candidate that is too weak to stand on their own ideas. I've always sort of wondered why any one used age as an argument for not being able to achieve something since it's just another form of baseless discrimination in the same way attacking someone for their race is. Some of the greatest companies in the world were started by people younger than me (Steve Jobs with Apple and Bill Gates at Microsoft), and many of our world leaders began getting involved at a young age as well. I hope and believe that my young age won't be a factor in voter's minds, and instead what I bring to the table will be much more important.

Re: Dakota West

1. Mr. Jashinsky I will not vote for you because of your tasteless attack flyers against people who have so thoughtfully served the children of the SVUSD. Collins, Sandland and DiFatta were fighting for better schools when you were still running around in diapers and your tasteless attacks show you have not grown up much.

I don't really think you would have voted for me anyway since you clearly have the status quo already penciled in. I wouldn't call them tasteless or attacks, but instead a simple and powerful way to convey a campaign point. That's what campaigning is all about, going back and forth on ideas, and reviewing the progress or in this case lack of progress the current candidates have made.

I honestly don't think any of us are not fighting for the students. I've already poured days of my life into this campaign, and will donate the next four years of my life to the students, teachers, and staff of SVUSD as I'm sure the other candidates will do. The question isn't what we hope to do for them, but instead whether we can accomplish that. Clearly, this current school board has already established not being able to accomplish what they promise.

Good answer.

At the risk of sounding juvenile, I'm going to go ahead and award points to Brad and wish Dakota West better luck next time. Thanks for playing!

On a serious note, I think your position will only reinforce voters' desires to have you more thoroughly explain how YOU plan to do better. When a campaign message has more of "they're doing it wrong" than it has "I'm a change for the better" it tends to excite people, but I think you have a pretty good balance. I'm still impressed!

I know for FACT that children with disabilities are not being "stored in trailers."

On a previous thread Mr. Jashinsky advised the blogger to contact a citizen's oversight committee, I serve on such a committee and we took the complaint seriously.

I have been the President, Vice-President and or Treasurer for the SVUSD Special Education Advisory Committee for over ten years. I have visited special ed. classroom's throughout the school district. The classroom that was previously discussed was located in a portable that was at the Adult school and that situation was ameliorated last January. I personally know the teacher that is in that classroom intimately and was made aware of the situation when it was first discovered, I followed through to make sure everyone was satisfied and was assured the conditions were quite safe and favorable. I was also informed that this classroom was better than the previous one she occupied. I am also aware that the student's of this classroom participate in the Workability program in the community and participate in community based instruction throughout the city.

My seventeen year old daughter has multiple severe disabillities and she is treated quite well in a beautiful classroom at SSHS with a big screen TV, piano, full kitchen, bathroom (including a shower), laundry room, computer lab, adpative physical education equipment and physical therapy equipment, etc... She learns daily living skills in order to gain independence. She takes ballett, cooking and piano lessons and works in the school office sharpening pencils and shreading papers among other activities. She goes out on a community based instruction at least once a week and has gone out to eat at places like Del Taco, Subway, Baja Fresh and also to Dennies for breakfast.

She takes the public bus with her aide and does street sign bingo to learn safety. She goes to the Town hall Center and goes on shoppng safari's. These are just a few examples.

I am not saying that there are not problems or room to improve, there always are. There have been reports of mold and termites in portables before, I won't deny that either, but we are not segregating and "storing" special education students.

I asked Mr. Jashinsky before if he was in favor of arbitration or mediation with possibly a parent panel in order to solve disputes with a child's individual education plan or eligibility status. This would help to repair damaged relationship's with families and the school district and circumvent costly lawsuits. In the past as a representative of SEAC as a pro bono community service I have attended IEP's or mediated IEP's to try to avoid costly hearing's and find resolution. SEAC has fostered a positive relationship with the SVUSD and we hold them to an extremely high standard. If we are informed of an infraction or that a student is not receving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) which are mandated in the Education Code we will advocate on a student's behalf.

Truth be known I have observed that the regular education classrooms seem to be suffering more than sp. ed classes. Sp. Ed. has a additional funding streams such as low incidence funding, medicare and federal protections for students.

Last year when I volunteered in the SSHS ROP Video Entrepenuer classroom they did not have a single pair of working computer speakers and their editing equipment kept breaking down. They operate on a string and a prayer and outside contributions. We tried to get the VCOE to help the classroom with no success. The ROP Computer Repair Class was eliminated when the teacher retired. What have the lobbyists accomplished that the VCOE hired to bring vocational programs to the County? Nothing, the VCOE lost $300,000 for vocational programs when it was realigned and given to LAUSD in addition the VCBOE paid lobbyists approx. $300,000, to lobby for vocational programs, that adds up to a loss of $600,000 last year alone with no results.

I would encourage Mr. Jashinsky to lobby for more vocational programs with the Ventura County Board of Education.

I would encourage Mr. Jashinsky to make appointments to tour classrooms that he is concerned about and also ask his supporters to not spread misinformation that has not been substantiated.

Whether he wins this election or not he can still serve the SVUSD and volunteer to help our schools. You don't need to be elected to help and make a difference.

Re: Texastract

1. Brad, what specifically has the board done to waste money in the district or with the C4 bond funds?

Thank you bringing us back to the issues. My main problem with the C4 bond, and a problem that going out in the community the past few weeks I've found others agree with is that the school board promised facility upgrades and time lines to get the measure passed that have since been broken.

When I stood up in front of the school board in 2006 asking where my high school's performing art's theater was they assured me construction would be starting by the end of the year to be completed before I graduated. Now 2 years later it's supposed to be completed 4 years later in 2010, and will only start construction later this year. There are many similar projects that have experienced the same fate. The school board will blame readjustments, inability to get permits, changes of construction companies, changes of project management companies, etc. At the end of the day it was their responsibility, and they failed to keep their promises to tax payers who trusted their money to them to help this generation of students.

Government projects are too often mismanaged, but this bond project has started to look like it's going for the record. From the beginning they have been wasting millions of your tax dollars whether it be by hiring and then firing a construction firm, then saying that they only needed PMI, and then a year or so later hiring another construction firm. The saddest part is they pretended all of these changes would save 5 million dollars to try and cover-up their mismanagement. Then you have the underestimates of what projects cost that are not just a few percent, but in some cases over 65%. Not to mention the obvious underestimates of how long these projects would take that are not in the months range, but instead in the years range. Once again instead of blaming themselves they site inflation, which is not only a bogus excuse, but another cover-up of their mishandling of the bond project.

And you know the worst part of all of this isn't just the millions being lost, but the school children who were supposed to benefit from this bond never will have a chance to. Every year that goes by that projects are mishandled and delayed goes another graduating group of students who never experienced the benefits.

I don't recall anything in the bond measure that demands the bond monies be spent right away, or soon, or in some indeterminate near period of time. Am I wrong?

How to proceed with spending is one of the biggest problems municipalities face when they come into money. Underestimating design & construction costs is one of the most common of mistakes and it usually happens when otherwise well-meaning officials try to spend money quickly. With all the other fiscal problems facing ours and other districts perhaps moving slowly isn't such a bad thing.

Re: gs

1. I don't recall anything in the bond measure that demands the bond monies be spent right away, or soon, or in some indeterminate near period of time. Am I wrong?

While there isn't anything that required the immediate start of projects the measure promised facility upgrades and expansions right away. The whole point of the bond was that the current facilities were falling apart, and that new facilities were needed. Voters voted for this bill under the impression that this money was needed now, and would be used now so the current students could experience it. I completely agree that the spending mistakes weren't on purpose, but nonetheless millions of dollars and years of time have been wasted.

Donna,
Are you stating you never heard of Simi Valley Unified School District putting post secondary classes (severely/profound handicapped adults) in classrooms deemed not fit for regular students or is it your contention the eye witnesses are lying?

Brad,
Did you know the Simi Valley Unified School Board gave high school seniors waivers on algebra so they could graduate? That's wasting the taxpayers money. We paid for teaching kids algebra not giving them waivers for not learning it. What a rip-off.
http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices-regional-local/10316949-1.html

Nobody...

I explained myself earlier. I do appreciate your concern for our student's of special education and I hope you will continue to hold the SVUSD accountable.

This is Mr. Jashinsky's thread to talk about the issues if you are aware of current problems you can contact me at tprenta@aol.com and I assure you I will address the issue.

Re: nobodyopolous

1. Brad,
Did you know the Simi Valley Unified School Board gave high school seniors waivers on algebra so they could graduate? That's wasting the taxpayers money. We paid for teaching kids algebra not giving them waivers for not learning it. What a rip-off.
http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices-regional-local/10316949-1.html

I was very aware of this, and outraged just like you. Debbie Sandland and Janice DiFatta were both a part of that board who decided to allow those waivers for the 85 high school seniors in general classes. Those waivers should only be considered for the special education students who were not exempted by the state standards. When you continue to lower the bar that creates high school graduates who are not prepared for college or the workplace.

CA law demands that every child in the state is offered and equal opportunity for education. It does not guarantee that every child graduate, pass algebra or go on to college.

Offering waivers to students is one way a cash-strapped school district is forced to deal with a shrinking budget and a plethora of onerous state & federal mandates. Do you know the reasons these students were offered waivers? Was it due to parental pressure or problems that could not be dealt with by holding those students back? And if they were held back, where would you house them? Are you asking that the District borrow money to build at least three new classrooms and hire three new algebra teachers? There ARE consequences.

I have to say, if that's your solution then I wouldn't be so fast to throw stones at a school board that's been fighting in the trenches for years to maintain the best level of service, for the biggest number of kids, under the worst of conditions.

Re: gs

1. Offering waivers to students is one way a cash-strapped school district is forced to deal with a shrinking budget and a plethora of onerous state & federal mandates. Do you know the reasons these students were offered waivers? Was it due to parental pressure or problems that could not be dealt with by holding those students back? And if they were held back, where would you house them? Are you asking that the District borrow money to build at least three new classrooms and hire three new algebra teachers?

Maybe we should just give high school diplomas to everyone regardless of their grades? Should just give them diplomas once they graduate from middle school to save money?

Those students went through the algebra class, and didn't pass. Since they didn't pass they shouldn't get their diploma. It's as simple as that. If you get rid of the requirements you get rid of the purpose of education, which is to prepare students for the next step. If you fail a class there are many options to make it up whether it be summer school, community college, or the adult school. These are available to these students, and don't require new school buildings or extra teachers to be hired. Caving into parents' and students' demands to lower the standards is a dangerous road that could make a high school diploma not worth anything in the Simi Valley School District.

Just FYI to Everyone:

The Chamber of Commerce moved the candidates' forum to Paul's Italian Villa on Cochran St.

11:30am Today, October 15th

Why didn't those students pass? THAT's the real issue, not the red herring of granting them a waver. And I'll guarantee you the reason they didn't pass is that CA is 47th in the nation in pupil spending, resulting in classes so overcrowded that algebra teachers simply teach every student effectively.

I'm taking a wild guess that those kids were in classrooms of 35 or more students. That's about 1.3 minutes of personal attention time for each student, minus the time to get classes started times the interruption due to disciplinary problems.

That has nothing to do with the school board's performance but everything to do with a shrinking education budget. As it shrinks to dangerous low levels something has to give and waivers is only the first of the fabric to give out.

It's terribly wrong for any student to not be given every opportunity to master basic algebra but narrowly focusing on the waiver issue and ignoring the real reasons our kids aren't getting the best deal is not productive.

Should be

"...teachers simply CAN'T teach every student...."

If teachers can only teach 75% of their students they should only recieve 75% of their paycheck.

Are we gonna dumb down the subject now?

So Brad, with Sandland & Difatta in place for a dozen years, do you think there will be a performing arts center by the time they serve another dozen years?

I don't think so.

One of the problems with incremental remediation of the schools, is that when all of this bond money is gone, you can bet there will be a request for another one (and it will pass).

The bond was promoted as a modernization - into what decade? The 80's.

Ask yourself why most of the prominent names on the oversight committee have resigned, including the mayor? They know it's a rathole.

But you can also bet the incumbents get re-elected (Sorry Brad, I am a believer) in a landslide.

Dumbing down and nobodyopolous go hand in hand. The idiot doesn't even live in Simi Valley and he's running his mouth.

1. So Brad, with Sandland & Difatta in place for a dozen years, do you think there will be a performing arts center by the time they serve another dozen years?

If I have to build it myself it's going to get done if I'm elected. We need to tell the school board we are tired of them wasting our money, and the best way to do that is to replace them. If I have to personally take out ads to advertise the other members of the school board's reluctance to get the bond project done I will when elected. I can't do this alone, and I appreciate the community support I've gotten from everyone. Let's get the incumbents out, and continue that community support to get these projects completed.

2. But you can also bet the incumbents get re-elected (Sorry Brad, I am a believer) in a landslide.

I know up against enormous ads, and more importantly enormous war chests that the incumbents have. Saying that I've picked up a lot of donations, and support since starting my campaign. After the great reception I got today at the Chamber of Commerce Candidate's forum I believe even stronger in my campaign. Thanks for believing in me; I promise I'm campaigning to win and will do everything I can to make that happen.

Donna Prenta puts the "I" in education...

Prediction. Collins 26%, DiFatta 25%, Sandland 25%, Cruz 14%, Jashinsky 5% the other kid 5%. Mike Chandler you do not sound juvenile, you just sound stupid.

DW - I beg to differ. There is a strong anti-incumbent feeling here in West County that goes from the Presidency on down. If East County is having the same feelings, it might be tighter than you predict.

The personal attacks you make are another matter......

Not Donna...If you meant "I" want to serve my community and help to make a difference in a child's life, than you are correct.

I

Congratulations to Brad Jashinsky and Eric Smith for a great candidates forum today. It was great meeting both of you, I heard very positive feedback from numerous people who attended. People spoke of how articulate you both were and they expressed hope for the future generation of leaders. Thank you!

Collins 30% Difatta 17% Sandland 17% Cruz 17% Jashinsky 12% Smith 7%

Collins 30% Difatta 17% Sandland 17% Cruz 17% Jashinsky 12% Smith 7%

There you go again...

Prediction... You must be new to these parts. Sandland always beats Difatta... believe it or not.

Hey Dakota - At least Mike used his real name.

Donna,

Is it a waste of time for a candidate to run if they don't have a website, a ballot statement, or any real sign of campaigning? Seems like they only distract from those that treat it seriously.

Brad,
Second graders having their mouths taped shut with electrical tape by their teachers? http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/09/local/me-35589
What are you thoughts?

Donna,
If you see Laura Winchester let her know there are plenty of problems at SVUSD to keep her busy. We don't need any of her help here in the Conejo.

Thank You

Brad,
Have you seen article about a Simi Valley school teacher who taped a second graders mouth shut with electrical tape for being too chatty.
http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/09/local/me-35589 Every American should make it their business. Damn the g.s.'s!

Donna,
If you see Dakota Winchester tell her there are plenty of problems within SVUSD to keep her busy. I believe the Conejo Valley would be better off without her.

Thank You

Re: Donna Prenta

1.Congratulations to Brad Jashinsky and Eric Smith for a great candidates forum today. It was great meeting both of you, I heard very positive feedback from numerous people who attended. People spoke of how articulate you both were and they expressed hope for the future generation of leaders. Thank you!

Thank you for the kind words. It was great to finally meet you in-person, and to brainstorm a bit on improvement for our schools. All the way from the small, but critical needs of students to the bigger ideas it was great to learn from some of your first-hand observations. I had a great time, met a lot of great people, and came away learning a lot from everyone there.

"Hey Dakota, at least Mike used his real name". John McCain also uses his real name, given he is down by 14 points maybe he should start using a fake name. Nobodytrist also uses his real name because he is a nobody and a complete loser.

Laura is not Dakota. I guess that means you have more ideological opponents. Enjoy.

Dakota West asked me to prove that mentally handicapped children were being treated unfairly by SVUSD. Donna Prenta's eye witness testimony proved it occured. How Dakota West or anyone else disagrees with me ideologically is of no concern to me.

This kid will be lucky if he gets 5% (and I mean real lucky). Let's get real for a moment, shall we?

Re: nobodytrist

1.Have you seen article about a Simi Valley school teacher who taped a second graders mouth shut with electrical tape for being too chatty.

I actually hadn't heard about that particular case, but I have heard of that happening across the nation in different school districts. While this was in 1999 I still think it illustrates an important point of needing zero tolerance for both students, teachers, and staff when it comes to any type of physical violence. A full and thorough investigation of each incident is critical, and after that those found responsible for the violence need to be removed from our schools immediately.

Ray Cruz along with Eric Smith and myself pointed out the failure for zero tolerance by the current school board in the Candidates' Forum on Wednesday. Too many students get a slap on the wrist, and then let back into our schools after committing violent and dangerous acts. This is a practice that has to stop.

He He We found you!!!!

mwahahahahaha!!!!!
mr. dennert, these eyes... they see EVERYTHING!
you cannot escape

I see you!!!!!

http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/ask-a-candidate/

Brad,

FYI...No one in my family will be voting for you because of your mother!

I know, I know, it's not fair (because you didn't choose her), but ....

Is sounds like malicious adware. Make sure your pop-up blocker is on. Do a Windows Update, update you virus software, run a full virus scan and restart your computer.

If that doesn't solve your problem try a computer blog. This is a political blog and we are trying to find out why the government is slow and why weird things keep popping up.