Tim,
I saw it on TV. I thought Partridge, Davis and Lundstrom were clearly the best candidates. When Cruz was asked if he has a teaching credential he said said no, even though he wrote teacher as his job on the ballot. He flip flopped around and basically said we are all teachers. Kind of like someone saying because they put out a campfire they can call themselves a fireman, etc.

Jimmy--

What did you think of Lundstrom's comments saying he would support parents having to take time off from work to be with their kids in schools?

Scott,
I think many companies already do this and I think it is a great idea. If we talk the talk let's walk the walk! How about Cruz calling for the forced teaching of creationism in Simi Schools? How much in lawsuits will that cost the classroom and taxpayers?

Scott,
I think many companies already do this and I think it is a great idea. If we talk the talk let's walk the walk! How about Cruz calling for the forced teaching of creationism in Simi Schools? How much in lawsuits will that cost the classroom and taxpayers?

Actually, I listened to Cruz's answer very closely on creationsim. It appears while he personally believes that both should be taught side by side, that he would follow the law.

This is the same as former Attorney General Janet Reno or Tim Kane, Governor of Virginia, saying they oppose the death penalty personally, but would fully implement the law.

Do you know why Lundstrom would get the endorsement of the teacher's union when we all know that any decision he makes regarding teachers could construed as a conflict of interest, especially salary decisions?

Scott,
I don't know, you would have to ask the teachers why they support Lundstrom. Wasn't Diane Collins married to a Simi teacher? I think Cruz is another Norm Walker and we all know how destructive to kids he was.

Jimmy,

Norm Walker was anti-kid? Really? As I remember...

He opposed Sandland's plan for condoms on campus.

He was the driving force behind and protector of Santa Susanna High School

Was re-elected twice with large votes

Can you name somethign specific Norm did that was anti-kid?

he might have lost last time, but would have stood shoulders above the bozos the other night.

Scott,

In a contrarian move, that might have been the very reason Eric got the endorsement. He will need to recuse himself from any vote that discusses teacher pay, benefits, working conditions and the like. Thus, he is independant of union influence.

But he's also independant of being able to vote for anything.

It's interesting - the City Council is very good at recusing themselvwes at any conflict of interest. Becerra even recuses himself from approving the power bill, because he works for Edison, as if the City had other sources of power (where IS my wind farm anyway?)...

Lundstrom will legally be forced to recuse himself from every teacher related vote.

Pastor Al,
Hmmmm, lets see. I believe Mr. Walker hired a Superintendent who had no experience, was a complete disaster, received a large severance check, which took money directly out of the classroom and hurt kids. And comparing Norm to Bozo would be more accurate.

Cathy C here: Tim, you are mistaken about trustees having to recuse themselves if they are married to employees. I recently had to look this up, as we have 2 candidates who are married to CVUSD employees in the Thousand Oaks school board race.

I believe I found it by searching in the Ed Code, and also in the PERB decisions, under "conflict of interest, school boards, spouses". The Ed Code explains that if a salary decision vote would benefit ALL of the group of employees, not just the spouse, then it is not necessary to recuse oneself. However, if it is is a matter of an individual pay raise for an administrator, for example, who is a spouse, then the trustee must abstain from voting. I'll find the exact article of the Ed Code later and send it to you.

And a note to Jimmy about the definition of "teacher". I am sick of hearing disparaging remarks about non-credentialed people who are teachers. Does it make you feel superior to dismiss them as worthless just because they aren't credentialed in the public school system? I've got news for you. Millions of people on this Earth have managed to get educated throughout the last few centuries without the help of the California Teachers Association, or the NEA! You may think this group is important, but it is such a tiny, tiny part of the World's educators. At this very moment the vast, vast majority of teachers around the globe are NOT members of the CTA and they couldn't care less about being credentialled in California. It is SO arrogant to think that the only good teachers are the ones who have been pumped out by the liberal California University System.By the way, the law has now changed (SB724) and California State Universities can award doctoral degrees in education in California as of last year.

I'm here to tell you that there are plenty of teachers around the world who are much, much, more expert in their field of study than their counterparts in California. And here in the good old USA there are many college professors who do NOT have a California teaching certificate, yet they are honored for their academic prowess. I'm sure many of these professors don't have any interest at all in bothering with the credential program here, since they would be wasting their talents in the California public school system. Do you know that California only requires 2/3 of a bachelor's degree and a successful CBEST score to teach in this state with an emergency credential? The State Dept of Ed knows the value of these "non-professionals", even if you don't Jimmy! There are plenty of private school teachers who have no interest in jumping through the hoops of the Credentially Program, yet they are sought after as well-paid educators.

Please send the rule Cathy as it would be really helpful. I initially thought it would be as the FPPC has been in a tightening mode this summer on conflict of interest and spouses.

If it isn't against the law, there are also ethical considerations to think about. I think it would be inappropriate as a trustee to participate in decision-making that would materially benefit my spouse and would urge Eric Lundstrom to promise the public to recuse himself in such decisions.

Another interesting concept to think about. If Eric Lundstrom were to sit in closed session and hear a case that involved an employee complaint from his wife's school, he could technically hear unoffical information from his wife and be protected under marital priviledge.

The reason I'm bringing it up, is Lundstrom stated the reason he was running was because of his wife. I'm just not sure what exactly this means.

You are missing the point. Cruz says he is a teacher and people are asking what does he mean by that. I heard part of his answer that he teachers people about finances. He also teaches a once a week Bible class.

I could be wrong as I didn't hear the full answer.

When I hear teacher I am thinking a full time teacher ( with a credential or without). I am not thinking of teaching a night school class and a place that isn't accredited.

Don't get me wrong. Raymond Cruz is an educator. He also is clearly a teacher. I just think that the title infers something like a full time teacher in a classroom.

You also might not realize that many teachers recieve their credential from private schools like Phoenix that are for profit. The odd part? They are just as liberal. Maybe education makes people more progressive.

Thank you for the links Tim!

Cruz is no educator. No credential? No educator. We're all teachers AND learners in life, Cathy. That doesn't give us the right to lie on a form and state we are educators. That implies AND affirms we have been to an ACCREDITED college to earn the right to the title. Whatever your "private" is about, it's out there. USC is private, but it is still accredited. What about yours?

Was Greg Moses for real or not? His editorial said Mr. Partridge supported drug paraphenalia. Any help out there?
I had Mr. Partridge at Simi High. He looks different without his big mustache and long hair- but I thought he was cool.
Did he just change his look? He was like the guy in Crosby, Stills and Nash with the big mustache. Has Mr. Partridge responded to Mr. Moses?