Ahhhhh! You seem to think that because the school district is funded with public money, i.e. taxpayers money, that the district owes the public something. Surely you jest.

What is the enforcement mechanism? And what penalty is prescribed for failure to follow the Ed Code? The district doesn’t really care. They haven’t posted school board meeting minutes since August 24, 2004. And who should be notified of this violation?

My guess is that the State could withhold money from the district but is that what the parents wants? Probably not. So the district gets away with this stuff. Let the finger-pointing begin.

I think there is a lot of finger pointing going on with whether the Bond committee has shown up to meetings regarding the website. Ultimately, the school district and the taxpayers are at risk of being sancitoned for violations, although I am currently unaware of an enforcement mechanism.

I was told back in July that a website would be up and running by August, but this deadline was not met. I will seek an update.

I would hate to see it get to the point where there is a lawsuit over information because the district and ICOC haven't aligned their schedules.

Scott

I am confident there are enforcement mechanisms. The trouble is - Why can't it just get done??? Bond committee members meeting with the district is irrelevant. The district has al of the bids, jobs, job descriptions, change orders, project list and other technical information.

The district has Santa Su High School kids who know enough HTML to build a site in about 48 hours. The content exists and just needs to be in PDF.

What's taking so long?

Tim

Last I heard the Board had approved the money and they were working on it. I heard in the past that committee members kept not showing up for meetings. Also I have not heard anything bad about PMI, despite dire predictions by the oversight committee. If you want to speak about Ed Code violations how about the fact that Arnold and his yes on prop 75 people have been breaking the law by sending campaign propaganda to teachers using school e mail systems? Oh I forgot, people on this blog only like to point out when they think the other guy is wrong.

Arleigh,

Using campus e-mail systems, phones, classrooms, lunchrooms and bulletin boards are a violation of both the ed code and district policies. If you'd like to forward one of their e-mails to me, or post it on the blog, we'll expose it, because it's wrong.

But I also think the district owes you an explanation what is taking so long with the web site, and why they are spending so much on it. You championed C4, we both put signs up, you put your name and reputation on it and you and many teachers worked hard to get it passed. I think the district owes it to C4 Supporters such as yourself to be completely above board and open about the finances of the Bond.

Tim Keaney

Arleigh:

Doesn't the union also send campaign material through teacher boxes and email? I wish there were no politics on campus at all from both sides.

Scott

Scott,
We are allowed under labor law to put our newsletter in teacher mailboxes. Anything that is political like a button, or flyer or sign, must be handed to members during non-instructional time like duty free lunch, and this is what we tell our reps to do, in writing. We are also entitled to a bulletin board in the teacher work area ad we can put our bulletins etc on it, CSEA also has one. We cannot use school e mail to send a political flyer, we can only use it to let a member know when a meeting is or to get them some information related to the job. Tim I will try and get you a copy of one of the mailings they sent out. If you ask Greg Stratton he will tell you I am no fan of SVUSD technology and I think they need to really work on it. I don't think they are trying to violate Ed Code however.

It doesn't matter if they are purposely violating the law or not, if they don't have the web site up, they are in violation.

But this isn't even a technology issue. I know that they are short-staffed technologically, but they have already contracted out the work, so lack of resources is not an excuse.

The web site, and the content for it rests with both business services, and Bond management.

I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing it.

Tim

Tim,
If I actually ran the District, as I have been accused of, it would be up and running. I have also told several people at the District that they need to fix their website and start posting the minutes from regular Board meetings. I think Simi is a wonderful District, but their technology leaves a lot to be desired and I know the Board is pushing to have it working better. From my experience with websites you really need someone dedicated to working on it daily. Is it true that meetings to do the Bond website have been cancelled by Bond members, if yes, why?

I had the honor of being involved in the SEAC meeting last thursday and the district website was on the list of issues they had. They received a donation for a year's worth of web development, so they are looking to go outside the district.

Also, I work with the PACT boosters and they have developed a website as marketing their needs through the district is a challenge.

I do not think it's just the ICOC...

I think it's going to take a community on this one. Why don't we all develop a districtwide technology plan with implementation guidelines and timelines. We can propose it to the district and work with all stakeholders to get it back on track.

Maybe, this is an issue we all can work on.

Scott

If I ran the ICOC (as I have been accused of) I would know if they cancelled meetings, but why meetings are necessary is anyone's guess.

I appreciate your comments on the District Technology Arleigh - you are spot on.

Scott - I sat on the tech committee 5 years ago, and it's probably time it be re-visited, if it's not already. There are MANY parents in the district, where this would be an excellent volunteer opportunity to get involved in.

Tim

Tim, out of curiosity, what were the issues and goals of the tech committee 5 years ago, and what are the issues and goals today? Have these things changed a great deal in 5 years?

It is not just a matter of having a tech plan for the future, its making what they already have work the way it is supposed to work. What did you guys think of Arnold last night? He had a hand picked group of Hispanic Americans in an audience to preach to them about the special election. It was put on by Univision whose head guy has given Arnold a ton of money. The funny thing was that the hand picked people could care less about his Props! They all wanted to talk about immigration, drivers licenses, etc. I also saw that in L.A. last night that leading African American activists have come out against Arnold's Props and they will be sending 5,000 people out to walk precincts. If Arnold is doing this for "Da People" why aren't the people going along with him? Great article by Tim Herdt today in the Star. He points out that on one hand Arnold said we need Prop 75 because the unions are too strong and their pensions are too big, then he said that unions should focus on things like getting better pensions for their members and not focus on politics. I think Arnold has gone through the looking glass.

Jerre,

When I was on that committee 5 years ago (wow...5 YEARS is a LIFETIME in tech, as you know) the issues I recall were:

1. Computerized grading systems and getting teachers to use them

2. More computers in the classroom (and getting teachers to use them), including getting them trained.

3. Standards for computer specs

I remember the district had a comprehensive technology plan under Dr. Mahdesian. I do not currently know the status of it.

T