Tim,
I cannot say a lot about this because I am involved. I can however say that contacting the Unified Association of Conejo Teachers members was an unlawful act as defined under the Educational Empolyment Relations Act. The School Board had directed their staff to re-negotiate next years calendar. There is a set negotiations procedure by contract that conforms to the EERA. As part of that process only the Association is allowed to survey its members on negotiable items. Mr. Dunn asked UACT members to vote if they wanted "Christmas vacation" next year to start either Dec. 16th, 20th or 23rd. The Board had not directed staff to ask specifically for any of these dates. Also the only question before the Board was whether or not to move an inservice day next year from Nov. 1 to the day before Thanksgiving. I believe the Board would rather have that day before the Winter recess. So they told staff to go back and look at it with the Association. Also this calendar was actually approved two years ago by the Board for this year and next. It had been voted on by teachers, classified and counselors who have their own unit, District staff had weighed in and then the Board and the public at that time could weigh in. Also school calendars have become harder to do over the last 7 years as 5 days have been added to the school year. Believe me, if you start too early people complain, if you go too late into June people complain, if you have the week before or after Easter off someone complains. This year Christmas fell on a Sunday, next year it is on a Monday, but then it moves back mid-week, making it easier to schedule Winter recess. I can honestly say that since Winter recess ended I have only heard good things about it from teachers and parents. A lot of people said they really liked having the week off after New Years so they could do family trips to Disneyland etc, and not fight the crowds. UACT is currently surveying members about a possible change to the calendar next year in accordance with our bylaws and in accordance with the EERA.

I'm going to keep my powder dry and continue to allow Mr. Dunn the opportunity to come in to the blog and defend his actions.

Tim

Tim,
I'm making no accusations. I'm just saying here are the facts.

And I appreciate your sharing these facts. Frankly, I am shocked there is not a recall movement brewing in Conejo.

The school calendar is a bargaining issue between a district and the teachers' union. No one else has direct input. The calendar is what it is because that's what the teachers wanted.

There is no legal requirement for the school calender to be a contract item requiring negotiation. Why Conejo put it in their contract is probably lost in history. But once its there you have to follow the rules. A lesson in contract negotiation.

Certainly the teachers input is valuable, Mike just didn't know how to get it the right way. Parent involvement is also very important. It really should have more visibility and more polling done to see what is the best choice. There is no simple answer, there are lots of tradeoffs.

My observation is that there are too many random holidays during the school year that are not common business practice days off and thus put a stress on families where both parents work (or single parent). Partial weeks off are always tough on teaching because there is a tendancy for parents to pull kids out early to make a trip.

Cathy Carlson from TO here: Well, if the calendar issue was the exclusive territory of the teachers, and if Trustees were forbidden to contact them about their wishes, this was not common knowledge to the many, many, teachers who responded to Mike. How come Arleigh Kidd is not all over them for responding?

There is a lot of support for Mike in the Conejo on this issue. The reruns of the last board meeting show many people thanking and applauding Mike for the survey. There were several letters to the editor in the Acorn and Star thanking him for taking a poll.

I believe the Union wants the week before Christmas to be a working week so that teachers with a lot of seniority can take their sick leave then and have a defacto 3-week vacation. Mike is gathering the statistics now on how many teachers called in sick that week and how much it cost in substitutes. Many students took off as well, costing the CVUSD a lot of money in missed ADA funds.

Tim, the only recall rumors in the Conejo are about recalling Tim Stephens for the fiasco in the vote in June for the liberal sex education text book. Stephens has never gotten more than 14,000 votes. He is going down this November. Mike got an unprecedented 42% of the votes in 2004. The Star is biased against Mike, and always supports the 4 pro-union board members. But, the Star is out of touch with this community. Their deputy editor Richard Larsen is very offensive to many readers in the Conejo, and they let the Star know it. Time will tell which side has the majority now. I believe the conservatives are still the strongest in Thousand Oaks, despite the media's efforts to portray the community as being outraged by mavericks like Mike Dunn, councilwoman Claudia Bill-de-la-Pena, and County Supervisor Linda Parks. We like our Lone Rangers who speak out for our values. I predict Mike Dunn will again win in a landslide victory next November.

Cathy Carlson from TO again: I think the crux of the matter in the calendar issue is the undue influence o the Teachers' Union over the CVUSD Board. The Union reminds me of a spoiled brat who always wants his way, and can't understand that requests are not always answered with "yes". Why do they bother with the charade of "negotiations"? Call it the Union's "demands" and you will be more accurate.

Also, it's no surprise that the 4 CVUSD Board members who get big campaign contributions from Arleigh Kidd's friends in the Union are the ones upset with Mike Dunn who takes no funds from UACT. Communities all over America are shouting the same message: Public schools belong to the Public--not the Unions!

Good morning,
I polled the community and teachers to determine how I should vote on the teachers union decision on next years schedule.
I have confidence in the results since the numbers are large and the percentages did not change to alter what is called a "bell curve".
Unfortunately, the teachers union has threatened to file a complaint with the Cal Fair Labor Standards Board if I release the results from the teacher poll. Since the TU has millions to destroy me and I am saving for my childrens college education, you will have to wait until I vote hopefully on February 14.
Mike

Cathy here re #5: Tim, you are wrong in saying that a trustee's authority ends when the Board meetings are over. No, any Board member of any local, county, or State Agency holds that title 24 hours a day. The media has open access to elected members who freely give their opinions. This is vital in a free society. Despite the wishes of the unions, we are not communists yet. (Do a Google search on the communist cell that was having weekly meetings this fall in the cafeteria of the the teachers'union headquarters at NEA-the National Educators Association--in Washington DC)

We need to know what our elected officials are thinking and what their stand is on voting issues. That is why agendas MUST be published in advance for normal meetings. This gives the public time to contact the officials, or to read the Board's proposals on these issues.

School Board members travel and attend conferences in their capacity as Board members. They have one-on-one conversations during the month with their constituents, just as Assembly members and Senators do. They also meet with groups and have question and answer sessions. This is normal. Why do you maintain that Mike was out of line for taking a public poll--something that is routine for elected representataives. Like Gregg Stratton wrote, it is a quirk in the Conejo that trustees can't contact teachers directly on the calendar. The majority of teachers didn't even know that, and so they voluntarily contacted Mike with their input. They WANTED Mike to know how they felt. This is a good thing.

It is only a trustee's voting "authority" that ends when Board meetings end. Their jobs are to govern by representing their constituents in education matters in harmony with what they individually see as best for the education goals of the district. They must manage the district's budget and approve policy decisions that staff brings to them. This is why polls are useful.

Trustees are actually on call 24 hours a day. If there is a natural disaster, they may be called into a special session. Remember, the Public owns the schools; not the Unions!!

Cathy and Mike should read the Educational Employment Relations Act and visit the website of the Public Employee Relations Board. The "Union" they both seem to hate so much follows the law as written, they should also. The teachers in Conejo are the "Union". I think people in Conejo are law abiding and want the law followed, all laws. Also, I don't believe Mr. Dunn was offered a campaign donation by the "Union". It should also be noted that Ms. Carlson will most likely be running again for the School Board in Conejo this November. The voters will decide in November.

Hello:

Greg Stratton was right to say that if it's in the contract, it should be followed. It doesn't matter if its a "quirk" or not. Stratton stated, "But once its there you have to follow the rules. A lesson in contract negotiation."

Below is the oath of office from our California Constitution. To my knowledge, every public official must pledge allegiance to the laws of the land whether they agree with them or not...

We seem to forget the oath our public officials take and that they are bound by it. Lincoln once told his subordinates early in the civil war that they could leave the Capitol, but he was bound by an oath to the office of the Presidency. All public officials should adhere to such an honorable commitment as Lincoln had.

Here is the oath from our state constitution.

"I, ______, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign
and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter.

"And I do further swear (or affirm) that I do not advocate, nor am I a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that now advocates the overthrow of the Government of the
United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means; that within the five years immediately preceding the taking of this oath (or affirmation) I have not
been a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that advocated the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence
or other unlawful means except as follows:
________________________________________________________________
(If no affiliations, write in the words "No Exceptions")and that during such time as I hold the office of ______________________________________________ I will not advocate nor become(name of office)a member of any party or organization, political or otherwise, that advocates the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of California by force or violence or other unlawful means."

Does the oath of office require all laws are followed in the state by our public officials or do they get to pick and choose? This isn't a partisan issue to me, this is about the application and adherence to our laws.

Trustee Dunn, I believe this is an easy correction on your part and we should all stop trying to politicize it more. Unfortunately, your need to hear the community included teachers, which creates a contractual problem. But, as we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Good luck on saving for your child's college fund. I hear it just keeps going up and up and up.

Scott

Cathy C here: Scott and Arleigh, of course following the law is a given, and we know that ignorance of the law is no excuse. However, a violation of a maverick "policy" that the union has negotiated and kept quiet, even from their own teachers, is not in the same league as committing violent crimes or crimes of fraud.

It is ludicrous to imply that Mike and I like to break the law. Far from it. Neither of you attend the CVUSD Board meetings where the District is frequently chastized for skirting the law. Mike and I both follow up on legal complaints we get from employees and parents. I get contacted because I'm the education chair of a group in the Conejo. We have reputations for having respect for the law, in contrast to the actions of the District in general over the years. We also have records of getting the job done. Ask Bob Fraisse if we are effective. Obviously we are, or Arleigh wouldn't be getting his shorts in a bunch over us.

We constantly pressure the CVUSD to follow the law, not just the convenient "policies" that they cite, but are frequently unwritten. The CVUSD has made many improvements in following state and federal regulations after my bringing infractions and violations to their attention. Many, many people have thanked Mike and me personally for outing abuses at the District. Arleigh, just because you write that Mike and I have broken laws doesn't make it true. Just what are you smoking these days?

Mike has not shared the results of the teachers' input on the calendar because he respects the policy (albeit secretive)that UACT negotiated in the dark because it is WRITTEN IN A CONTRACT. Next time, don't keep these contracts hidden in a drawer. Again, why aren't you reprimanding every single teacher that broke your own rules about contacting a trustee on this matter? You can tell Mike not to make the teacher portion of his poll public, but you cannot take what he learned from it out of his head. He will be voting as the public and those teachers have asked him to on Feb 14.

And for the record,former CVUSD President Tim Stephens chose not to read off the number of written public comment cards prior to several major votes last year,which is a violation of the spirit of the Brown Act. Stephens made excuses, saying the CVUSD has it as their local "policy". Simi Valley disagrees. Their Board reads off the number of pros and cons BEFORE the votes. The Simi Superintendent' office told me they "have to" according to the law. That is the way it should be county-wide and state-wide. No local policy should contradict state law, and the Brown Act certainly is the most famous of the public meeting laws. The 4 veteran CVUSD Board members have constantly violated the spirit of the Brown Act by signing group letters outside the hours of meetings. I understand they have their strategy "pow wows' and line up their votes BEFORE the meetings, which is against the law. (Discussions with more than 2 members is what constitutes the violation. Mike has NEVER done that, obviously, since the other 4 are against him.)

Also, let me explain why I don't have a warm and fuzzy placae in my heart for unions. I hate the violence that strikes and demonstrations stir up. I dislike the undue influence that this special group has nationally over school boards because of their generous campaign contributions to candidates. I dislike the idea that the CTA took out a second mortgage for $50M on their headquarters in Burlingame to finance politics during the recent vote on the propositions. I sympathize with the teachers who have to bankroll this debt with forced payroll deductions that their Union Masters are imposing. I dislike the arrogance that union reps have in their threats to administrators. I dislike any group that governs with threats. I dislike the idea that a communist cell is meeting in Washington DC at the NEA cafeteria for months! I dislike the fact that in the past members of the education unions in Northern California poured battery acid on a friend's car and slashed tires. More striking teachers were guilty of breaking the law by coming on campuses and taking books out of the classrooms. How did this help the children learn? More strikers spent their intellect devising ways to harass administrators in their homes. They got home addresses of the strikers via car license plates, courtesy of the pro-union police. We are due for a juicy teachers' strike in Southern California. We'll see if the public will support striking teachers after the disasterous grocery store strikes 2 years ago.

The People own the Public Schools--not the Unions!

Cathy here: Scott, thank you for posting the oath for public officials. I have taken an oath of allegiance many times, and i take it seriously. You are apparently unaware of how many times Mike has mentioned the oath he took, and that he is committed to keeping his pledge. I have heard him say this several times over the past year, and so have all the people who have watched him on TV. Folks ARE aware of the oath. Also, Chris Valenzano, County School Board Trustee, came to the June 26th CVUSD Board meeting on the sex education/gay partners issue and gave the last speech after 3 hours of public comments and wowed the crowd with an emotional recital of the oath. Yes, those of us who are patriotic and civic minded take this oath seriously. The reality of our convictions has been clouded by the mudslinging of the opposition. Be careful which side you take in this, Scott and Tim. All I can say is, the truth is on the tapes. Arleigh and his buddies love to spin the facts and they are good at it. And who says I never give compliments?

Cathy,

Are you threatening Tim on his own blog? What does "be careful which side you take on this one, Scott & Tim" mean? Can you explain specifically what you mean by that?

I think Tim is being kind even allowing your post to stand. Tim must believe in free speech.

But what is up with you? Have a little time on your hands? I see Tim posts on a lot of interesting and creative topics, but what brings you out from under your rock is the post on Mike Dunn! Figures!

This is a debate on education, not a forum for your rantings about Conejo and the union. I've seen Tim debate Arleigh Kidd many times in this forum, but he's never taken the bizarre taks that you have. They clearly don't agree, but at least they can be seen as agreeable to each other.

If you're actually running for something, please spare us -

Lisa

p.s. and take your threats somewhere else

Hi Lisa:

I was wondering the same thing regarding Cathy telling me to be careful. I assumed that she meant I should be careful who I believe and listen too, but I'll wait for her to clarify.

If it's a real threat, it's not the first and it won't be the last.

Talk to you later...

Scott

Arleigh Kidd here, and there, and over there. Just kidding. For the record I have never met Cathy Carlson, I only know her from her constant attacks on myself and on teachers. In terms of the contract, every teacher is given one. In terms of the school calendar every teacher was asked to vote on it and these calendars, for this year and next, have been in teachers hands for two years and available to the community for two years. Also the only comments we have heard from parents and teachers since the end of the Winter Recess have been positive. Many of them said they liked having the week off after New Years Day because it was family friendly, they could go to places like Disneyland and not fight the crowds. Next year Simi, Moorpark and Las Virgenes will all be taking the week after New Years off. In terms of being Patriotic, I spent six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. I took the same oath and I also pledged to never lie, steal or cheat as a Marine and I have never broken that oath, once a Marine always a Marine! In terms of Tim and even Chris C., I disagree with them and we have some fun tweeking each other, but I do not personally dislike them and whenever I see them we shake hands and we are civil. The great thing about America is that it is okay to agree to disagree sometimes. With Mr. Dunn I think the calendar issue may be more about creating an issue, where one did not exist, and does not exist for most voters.

This is the most interesting, most disturbing and potentially the most pathetic string of conciousness I have yet to see on the blog.

The worst part is the "Be careful whose side you're on"...

Anyone that has been reading this blog over the last year knows that I am on only one side: Quality education for kids". Plain and simple.

Anyone notice that the above rantings miss what the point really is about educating our kids? The kids!

Tim

Tim,
On this we agree, we may not always agree on how to get there, but we agree that our kids need a quality education. Also in my last blog I meant Chris H. not Chris C. The point of a school calendar is to maximize the educational experience for children and is done with that in mind. Testing, end of sememsters and tri-mesters, finals, AP testing, etc, must all be taken into consideration when building a school calendar. Sorry to see that you and Scott were threatened, this is America and you can choose any side you want.

The bottom line, the people want more time off before Christmas and three people from the teachers union are being inflexible. It is extremely simple to trade three days in January for 3 more days in December. No excuses..... Only one other district in VC has our politically correct schedule.
Mike

Mike,

While I appreciate your comments, they don't change anything. Who are "the people" and where are they making their opinions heard?

1. How many letters did the district get suggesting this?

2. Where are the letters to the editor in favor of your position?

3. Where are the comments on this blog about this situation from "the people"? (o.k. Cathy posted, but rapidly got off topic).

This is about leadership. If you don't have the votes, then you have to rally "the people" to either get behind you, or, I guess, to do what they are doing now, which is sit this debate out.

The troubling part to me is this - With all of the issues facing our schools today, is a debate about which days to take "OFF" really going to improve test scores, teacher quality, facilities or anything else?

uh... NOPE.

Tim Keaney

Next year Las Virgenes will have the Friday off before Winter recess and then two weeks off, Moorpark will only have the Friday off and then the two weeks, Simi will have an inservice on the Thursday and then the Friday off before Winter Recess. The only current difference with Conejo for next year is the Friday off before Winter recess (But Conejo has a four day Presidents weekend, the other districts only have a 3 day). Next years calendar was voted on by all of the teachers two years ago and then approved by the Board, we have the ballots still. Classified and Counselors also voted. Being a democratic organization "three" people cannot change the calendar, only the members who originally voted can then vote to make a change, this follows bylaws. Currently, they are being polled on a possible change. What is "politically correct" about the calendar? It was done with students education in mind, the end! Bottom line is that since the break ended teachers and parents in Conejo have said they felt it was very family friendly having the week off after New Years.
Tim, do you think this is an issue that should be taking up the time of the District?

Cathy here: Golly, that was NOT a threat when I cautioned folks to be careful. Don't you tell you family to be careful when they drive? That's not a threat. Ask people who know me--I don't threaten. (That was my point about disliking the Unions. They threaten.) Sorry, sorry, that you took it the wrong way. I meant--go softly on deciding too quickly about who is right on this calendar issue and "breaking the law" until you know the facts.

Also, Lisa, what do you mean that I am attacking Tim? Never happened. Scott, you were correct with your take on what I meant. Sorry that it apparently came across as brusque.

I do appreciate what Tim posts. I thought folks would be interested in hearing from the Conejo side of town, since the main bloggers here do not have the facts. I presented the facts, but Arleigh still ignored them. His choice. I would like to know how much he gets paid as the Executive Director of the combiined Simi/TO union? I'm told that this is collateral duty and part of his job to write letters to the editor and in blogs. Is that so?

Also, Lisa, I would like to know your take on the calendar issue and the union's unique "special interest" stakeholder status. Who is more important in your view--the families or the union? You may say I've gotten off topic. No, I wrote about the calendar issue and why it became a problem because of the threats of the union. Did you enjoy your weak attempt at insulting me with your "under a rock" comment? That certainly was on topic. Next time be brave enough to put your full name.

Tim, if you don't want me to contribute to your blog with the inside info on the Conejo, just say so. Let your blogs just be about Simi. I thought you were interested in knowing more, but it seems I was mistaken. If you don't want your readers to be confused with the truth, just say so.

I think Cathy's comments speak for themself. Again, I have never met her or spoken to her, I guess attacking people she does not know are part of the "family values" she claims to push. Sad.

Cathy you are welcome to post here all day long, but let’s make it constructive and interesting, and less conspiratorial. We all want to hear how Conejo is dealing with education and solutions, but we haven’t heard that from you yet.

If all you’re going to do is attack Arleigh and the union – we have me for that!

So again, I am an equal opportunity question raiser. I’ve asked Mike quite a few questions, and all he is answering is “The people made me do it”. I expect more from our elected education officials.

Tim

What a bizarre thing to say Cathy. My name is Lisa Schned. Sorry if you don't feel that's full enough (though what you are full of, is beyond any of us to know).

I don't want to comment any further, as I just don't like your tone.

Lisa Schned

Hi, Tim. This is my last entry on this thread. I HAVE stayed on topic by giving replies to several of your 7 items on the Calendar "antics" as you called them. I gave indepth explanations on many of the 7. You were wrong and insulting to refer to my words as pathetic "stream of consciousness" remarks. And you wonder why more people are not writing in. Well, if they do they run the risk of being insulted by Arleigh, as he has done to me in the past, or now by Lisa Schned, a local teacher, who hasn't followed me through the years, but characterizes my expert knowledge as just now "crawling out from a rock". I bet I passed my CBEST before she was even born. Lisa, you had good comments back in April on this blog about the governor--what happened in between? Last spring you were able to understand the truth about the state's financial situation vis-a-vis the education budget. Maybe you've regretted coming out against the union position. Did you get pressured to "recant"? Inguiring minds want to know.

This thread had a specific and narrow starting point--Conejo and the Calendar and the alleged law breaking. It was not presented as the forum for solving all education issues in Southern California. That may be your wider agenda, but Tim,that was not this thread. You changed your "rules" mid-stream. That's OK--it's your party, and your house rules.

Now I will intentionally go off this thread's topic, since you invited me to talk on solutions. On the wider issue of public education in general, I have frequently submitted solid solutions in letters to the editor and in speeches for years. I have drafted education legislation and work with our local state politicians. I have strong arguments against universal pre-school and about the expensive "Distinguished Schools" program. Neither programs will improve education, but will suck valuable monies away from academics. Now I have digressed, but you invited me to share my ideas on improving education. I am also on the board of a coalition to enforce accountability statewide in education. I also have strong connections at the federal education level. We have strong support locally, and have sister organizations in the conservative communities throughout the state. Next year will be a turning point when the pendulum of public opinion swings the other way. The taxpayers are awakening to their role as owners in public education. I predict a huge revolt against the "educrat" system and a giant increase in charter schools and private schools in California. If you want to make some money, invest in Sylvan Learning Center Stock or Kumon Math Centers. They found a need and filled it. You are in denial if you believe the PR that our Simi and Conejo schools are "excellent". and among the "best" in the state. They are NOT in the top 5% empirically of the API, which would be 960 or higher, as my alma mater has been for the last 7 years. When all the schools here reach that, then you can tell me they are "excellent". Remember, 2 years ago 1/3 of Conejo's schools failed to make the API minimum of 75%, or only 800 points. Last year 7 failed and this year 4 failed. I believe if less money was spent on administrators, and less on applying for awards and PR brochures, then that money could go toward academics and improved education. There. End of sermon. End of entry. Good night.

Mike,

What do you mean by "politically correct?"

Are you inferring that the school calendar is under attack by liberals in their war against Christmas?

Choose your side carefully or no presents for you next year!

Cathy is right! The people of California see things her way, that is why they passed everything Arnold wanted in the Special Election. NOT! She forgot to mention she also hates the PTA. She see's liberals everywhere! If you don't agree with her you are the enemy! Your right Tim about her being into conspirarcy theories. By asking me how much money I make she also showed herself to be a rude and intrusive person. I write on this blog and letters to editor because I believe in quality public education and I believe in my right as a citizen of this great country to have freedom of speech. One thing I respect about you Tim is that you have never crossed the line of attacking me personally, and I don't believe I have crossed that line either. I think it is obvious why the voters of Conejo have not put her on the Board of Education. Mike should be careful, as you are known by the company you keep. And no, that is not a threat, I will leave the threat making to Cathy.

BRAVO MIKE DUNN

Recent news articles highlight the notion that leadership of the local teacher’s union would like nothing better than to muzzle CVUSD trustee Mike Dunn. I would like to thank Mr. Dunn for his integrity in representing the wishes of parents and voters of this community. The CVUSD school board could certainly use more trustees like him.

The continuous attack by special interest groups against officials who dare to have independent views has the regrettable effect of preventing many from participating in local government.

Although it was President Tim Stephens that called for the calendar to go back for further negotiation, it has been Mike Dunn the union has chosen to punish, and all for practicing free speech, democracy, and upholding his oath of office.

Tim Stephens could have been commended for responding to public outcry when he called for further negotiation of winter break, but instead he voted in favor of the union’s calendar change which FAILED to address the concerns of the 81% majority of CVUSD constituents.

Mike Dunn has been true to his word, and has consistently represented the will of the people of this community. CVUSD trustees Stephens, Phelps, Beaubian, and Didio have once again ignored the public and instead voted in support of the special interest groups that finance their campaigns.