Why is Barbara Kerr afraid of a secret ballot at CTA?

Barbara Kerr (above) was re-elected recently as President of the California Teachers Association, but there was no secret ballot for that "election." Why? It would appear that Barbara Kerr doesn't want members of the CTA Board of Directors to be able to write-in names of other candidates. (No one EVER challenges the President of CTA officially in a union election.) Barbara Kerr sits at the conference table and stares with her steely eyes as Directors vote out loud. The result? Kerr was re-elected unanimously.

Barbara seems to rule CTA with an iron fist, using intimidation to silence those who disagree with her. For many years, since before George Bush II became president, CTA has subscribed to the George Bush doctrine regarding those who do not share its opinions: They aren't the loyal opposition, because there's no such thing as a loyal opposition. If you disagree with Barbara Kerr (or George Bush), you're an enemy of the country (or union).

No wonder Mayor Villaraigosa feels he needs to takeover Los Angeles Schools. He's concerned that only 39% of Latino males graduate from LAUSD, and that NO CHANGE is likely as long as CTA is in control. Why? Because NOTHING is likely to change as long as CTA is in control.

What is Libia Gil's agenda?

To learn about the Board of Directors of New Leaders for New Schools, click on the Susan Ohanian List of Outrages on the right sidebar.

Golden Watchdog or Golden Fleece?

I came upon an interesting item on the Internet.

CVESD was a finalist in 2003 for the San Diego County Taxpayers Association' Golden Watchdog Award!

Today I was told by the SDCTA that NO BUDGET WAS ATTACHED TO THE INFORMATION provided to the group of people who chose Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) as a finalist.

Hello, SDCTA? You didn't even look at the budget?

It's true that there is no mention in the SDCTA press release about building schools for a good price. The write-up simply states that the board got along well with its builders, and the original budget was adhered to. But still, why would SDCTA choose a public entity as a finalist for an award for handling taxpayer dollars, when it didn't even look at their budget?

I am concerned that the good relationship between the CVESD board and certain developers is circumventing the democratic process. Developers donate to political campaigns of board members who then choose developers to receive millions of tax dollars. And then the budget is kept secret.

Unlike CVESD, San Diego Unified School District has information available on the Internet regarding exactly which lawyers were paid taxpayer dollars, and exactly how much they were paid.

Perhaps SDUSD deserves a Golden Watchdog Award.

Anyone can nominate a public entity for a Golden Watchdog or Golden Fleece Award. I think I'll nominate CVESD for a Golden Fleece Award. Any bets on whether my nominee will be chosen as a Golden Fleece finalist?

Public Records Request to Susan Fahle

April 6, 2006
To: Susan Fahle
From: Maura Larkins

I would like to come to the Chula Vista Elementary School District office to examine the district’s budget documents which are public records.

You have refused to provide me with the dollar amount which CVESD spends on lawyers and legal insurance each year, but have indicated that you will allow me access to hundreds of pages of budget documents which might contain this information.

I accept the offer.

I will be in the San Diego area at the beginning of May. Would an appointment time on May 3, 4 or 5th be convenient for you? I’d be happy to come at whatever time of day or night that would please you.

Did Jerry Sanders describe Beverly Tucker?

Diane Crosier and Daniel Shinoff, who work on behalf of the San Diego County Office of Education, and Beverly Tucker and Michael D. Hersh of the California Teachers Association, who work closely with them, practice the same "delay, deny and deceive" tactics that the corrupt San Diego City government practiced under the influence of Dick Murphy and Ann Smith. The pension practices supported by Murphy and Smith are now being investigated by the FBI and SEC as well as local prosecutors.

Update 07-18-07
I'm filing this under irony, because Jerry Sanders turned out to be one of the most secretive mayors San Diego has ever had.

Dale Akiki and CVESD

Here is a quick summary of the Dale Akiki case, from Religious Tolerance.org:

"The first Deputy District Attorney assigned to the [Akiki] case decided that there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute the case. There are allegations that the grandfather of some of the alleged victims is a prominent citizen of San Diego who had financially supported the District Attorney, Ed. Miller. After an alleged personal meeting with Miller, the case was reassigned to Deputy District Attorney Mary Avery who brought charges against Akiki...

"Akiki spent 30 months behind bars waiting for a trial.

"After a 7 month trial, the jury deliberated for 7 hours and acquitted him...

"The jury lashed out at the prosecutors for bringing the case to trial in spite of the complete lack of physical evidence. It was the longest and most expensive trial in San Diego history.

"Six months later, District Attorney Ed Miller was turned out of office after receiving only 11% of the popular vote... With 23 years of service, he was the longest serving District Attorney in the history of California."

Ed Miller's long career proves that bad public servants can last a very long time in office.

Chula Vista Elementary School District board members Cheryl Cox, Patrick Judd, Pamela Smith, Larry Cunningham and Bertha Lopez orchestrated their own version of the Dale Akiki fiasco (see mauralarkins.com). Fortunately, the amount of public dollars spent on CVESD's travesty of justice was far less than that spent on the County of San Diego's misadventure.

Isn't it about time to turn the members of the board of Chula Vista Elementary School District out of office?