Tim:

I submitted an application two months ago. I think this bond committee has a tough task ahead of it and want to help. I'm curious, How many resignations are there?

Scott

Scott,

I think if how the SVUSD has managed the information flow in the ALMOST TWO YEARS since passage is any indication, the committee has an impossible task ahead of it.

It's my understanding the Mayor will not be re-upping with the committee. Considering his endorsement of the measure, that should be of paramount concern to both parents & taxpayers.

Tim

My suggestion is to stay as far away from this as possible. Would you jump on a ship if it was sinking?

What I'd like to see is a criminal investigation from the District Attorney.

Alan

Thanks for your post Alan. It would indeed be interesting if Mr. Totten got involved. I am confident he could find plenty of interesting information at 875 E Cochran Street.

They would probably blame their lack of a shredder on budget "cuts".

You do have to wonder though - 61% of Simi Valley voters approved this measure, and have no idea what's happening with the money.

Tim

Tim,
My guess is that you and some others would not like to see Mr.Totten involved. Think about it. He would clear the District like the independent auditor did and there goes your one and only thing to run on next election. You still play any basketball Alan?

Arleigh,

You're probably right - When a district can't even SPELL oversight right, they're probably not very committed to performing it. Who would want to manage that kind of organization?

Tim

Tim,
I don't find it very responsible on your part to imply that anyone at the District office would knowingly violate any law. I don't always agree with the people at the D.O. but I can tell you they are all honest and hardworking people. To throw charges around that can damage peoples reputations is a serious thing. If it were me I would be looking at all legal means to defend myself from accusations that have no basis in any proven fact up to this point. If you guys have some hard proof where is it? Lay it out.

Hi Arleigh,

Yes, I play basketball now and then. But I've primarily been officiating the park district leagues for the past couple of years. In fact, one of my former teammates from Valley View (91-92) was recently kicked out of the league because of something he did during a game. Good times.

What about you? Still hit the courts these days?

Alan

(Sorry, Tim. I realize this is off subject.)

Back on subject... A criminal investigation would likely yield little evidence against the district and any of its employees. Therefore, the challenge for the new ICOC members will be getting real information and action from the district. Unfortunately, building material costs have skyrocketed in the past 20 months and there was no way to predict it. There are just going to be projects that won't get completed (or started).

Is it time for another bond to make up for the shortfall of the last one?

Ironically, I think it's irresponsible of the district to be in violation of the Education Code (Still):

As stated in Education Code section 15280 (b):

"The Citizens Oversight Committee shall issue regular reports on the results of it's activities. A report shall be issued at least once a year. Minutes of the proceedings of the Citizen?s Oversight Committee and all documents shall be a matter of public record and be made available on an internet website maintained by the governing board."

---end---

So where is this web site where I can review this information? We've been down this debate road many times, and yet it always comes back to the lack of participation of the district.

Do I think the D.A. will weigh in? No. Do I think that is o.k.? No, I don't.

I know that there are many hard working district employees that are frustrated by the situation, and I have yet to figure out why the status quo is ok with some, but we may never know that.

Doesn't the public have a right to know?

Tim Keaney

Hello all,

Tim and Alan, I agree that the public has a right to know. However, going to the DA will not fix the problem because the first thing the DA will say is have you filed your initial complaint under Education Code 35186. This process outlines the Uniform complaint process and gives deadlines for response, remedy, and actions taken for compliance with the ed code.

If you send a complaint in correspondence and outline that you are asserting your rights as a citizen under the uniform complaint process and they fail to remedy the situation to get into compliance, then I believe further legal action can be taken.

I think the first step would be to submit the initial complaint. I am hoping to see the website soon with all the documents necessary to judge the effectiveness of our bond funds on fixing infrastructure necessary to achieve better learning environments.

Alan,

I hear you on saying steer clear of the ICOC because it's like jumping on a sinking ship. I just want to say that I still believe in citizen power. I still believe average people can get involved and make changes and improve our lives. There will always be problems, disagreements, and shortcomings, but I believe we can plug the holes so to speak. Call it blind faith, but I believe in the power of the average person to make government work for them for the benefit of all of us.

No matter how powerful the interests or how challenging the problem, there is still a belief that we all can win. This is why I applied for the ICOC. I may very well get turned down, but I don't intend on going away anytime soon.

This is OUR government. Let's right the ship.

Scott

Alan,
I don't play much basketball anymore (bad shoulder) but I will be coaching my son's team this Winter in Park and Rec. He is 13 and almost 6 feet tall. That was a great team you were on at Valley View, a team I will never forget for how you guys finished the season and beat Sequoia.
Back to business. With the Oversight Committee what is the problem besides the website? As I have said before I heard they had at least three meetings set up to do a website and each time the oversight committee member cancelled the meeting and did not show up. I have yet to see any proof of anything else, just a lot of smoke being blown. In terms of Paul Miller I have heard him say nothing, I suspect he would if something was wrong. Also, while I do not always agree with Greg Stratton, I do believe he would speak up if something were wrong and that he would not have voted on all these things if they were not legal. Any predictions out there on who will be running for School Board next Fall?

Tim,
I checked the District's website and the word oversight is spelled correctly. I think you have the wrong spelling, not them.

Arleigh,

The word "oversight" was spelled with an "e" on the end, but they have since corrected it. It was in the text for the link to the application for the ICOC.

I'm glad you remember that team. I remember beating mighty Sequoia (RIP); it was quite an accomplishment at the time!

Your son is 13 and 6 feet tall? Wow!

Alan

Alan,
We beat Sequoia on Valentines day and you guys gave me the shirt that said "Valentines Day Massacre. V.V. 71 Sequoia 47." I think you guys could have beaten any team in the nation that day. Anthony Tauriello was pouring in those long shots. Don't worry, I will never forget that game or that day or that team. What are you doing these days?

Evryone knows that the Hillside Hawks were the team to beat in the early 90's.

1991 - Won the 7th and 8th league.
1992 - Won the 7th and 8th league.
1993 - Shared the 9th grade title with Ventura High.

Scott

Arleigh,
I forgot about the t-shirt, but now I remember! That game was something special. We just came out so motivated to beat those guys. It meant more for us to beat them than it did for them to beat us. The closest thing that I've come to that was a rec league team I was on a couple years ago that played with 4 guys for the last 4 games and went on to win the league.

These days I'm a project manager in marketing research. I earned my bachelors in marketing from the University of Arizona in 2000. Closer to home (still Simi Valley), I volunteer around the community, including the Simi Valley Police Foundation and as President of my Homeowners Association. I've also been on the executive board of the Neighborhood Council (#1) and helped to organize the Council's three Arroyo Clean Up days.

Needless to say, I stay plenty busy. And every once in a while I like to chime in on local issues. :)

Alan

PS: The name you mentioned above was the person who was removed from the rec league for his poor sportsmanship. A good player, but with a not so good attitude. I still stay in touch with Chris Anderson, but the rest I see very rarely, if at all.

What type of sports programs do the middle schools run now?

Alan,
I'm glad to hear you are doing so well. What kind of future plans do you have? I have not seen anyone from that team in several years.