On one side of the Sunday Davis Enterprise, board president Jim Provenza announced his intention to seek Mariko Yamada’s County Supervisor Seat. Not to be outdone, on the other side of the front page of the Davis Enterprise, immediate past president Keltie Jones announced that she would not seek another term on the board. Neither move was unexpected.
Ms. Jones was appointed to the school board in October of 2002 to fill out the term of John Poulos who moved from the district. She would then be elected in her own right one year later in November of 2003.
The two moves leave open both seats for this November’s school board races. It presents parents and supporters of Valley Oak with another opportunity to change board direction on Valley Oak.
Ms. Jones was one of the most ardent proponents of closing down the Valley Oak School. She was also a very strong supporter of former Superintendent David Murphy.
She told the Davis Enterprise:
“I have also learned that I have no taste for the political maneuvering that accompanies an elected position in this town, and I have no desire to participate in another campaign.”
An interesting statement because Jones has played on both sides of the Davis political divide most recently both as a supporter of Measure X and Lamar Heystek. However, in general she looked towards and against personalities rather than policies as a guide of whom to support. Supporting Heystek, purportedly because of personality and opposing Mike Levy and Don Saylor because of personal animus.
At times she had become downright abrasive on the school board berating the Fischers who complained against the district’s handling of their son’s harassment, berating at a public meeting Rev. Tim Malone over complaints about his son’s treatment, and berating fellow board members and Valley Oak parents over the closing of the school.
Jones was part of the cadre that extended Superintendent Murphy’s contract and appointed the Best Uses of School Task Force. The chair of that task force was Kirk Trost of the Hyde, Miller, Owen and Trost Law firm. Trost was a former boss of Jones.
While Jones was in the majority up until the November 2005 board elections, she increasingly found herself in the minority on key votes following the election of Sheila Allen, Gina Daleiden, and Tim Taylor. However, she was not only a member of the 3-2 majority responsible for the closing of Valley Oak, she actively worked to weaken Tim Taylor’s compromise motion that would place the Valley Oak issue on the ballot as a second parcel tax.
There are two pieces of key unfinished business that she wants to accomplish before she leaves office. First, she told the Davis Enterprise that she wants to help guide the district through a new search for a superintendent and second she wishes to see the passage of the parcel tax.
In the end, the retirement of Jones presents an opportunity for parents and supporters of the Davis schools to find new blood. The closure of Valley Oak, of which Jones was a strong advocate, along with her support for Superintendent Murphy and his administration tarnishes an otherwise strong tenure for Jones.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Wow! A strong statement. People will talk.
Wow! A strong statement. People will talk.
Wow! A strong statement. People will talk.
Wow! A strong statement. People will talk.
Jones should have removed herself from voting. At minimum she should have let the public know that she worked for Troust in the past. Even though there is no direct financial gain at this time, that we know of, since she no longer works for Troust, a disclosure of this to the public would have been more transparent.
I hope the Valley Oak community can put forth some candidates for school board that have the best interest of the children and their neighborhood at heart.
Jones should have removed herself from voting. At minimum she should have let the public know that she worked for Troust in the past. Even though there is no direct financial gain at this time, that we know of, since she no longer works for Troust, a disclosure of this to the public would have been more transparent.
I hope the Valley Oak community can put forth some candidates for school board that have the best interest of the children and their neighborhood at heart.
Jones should have removed herself from voting. At minimum she should have let the public know that she worked for Troust in the past. Even though there is no direct financial gain at this time, that we know of, since she no longer works for Troust, a disclosure of this to the public would have been more transparent.
I hope the Valley Oak community can put forth some candidates for school board that have the best interest of the children and their neighborhood at heart.
Jones should have removed herself from voting. At minimum she should have let the public know that she worked for Troust in the past. Even though there is no direct financial gain at this time, that we know of, since she no longer works for Troust, a disclosure of this to the public would have been more transparent.
I hope the Valley Oak community can put forth some candidates for school board that have the best interest of the children and their neighborhood at heart.
..extremely interesting background information about the relationship between Trost and Jones. The vote to close VO needs to be brought back for reconsideration by Taylor or Deleiden and the ethical position for the “lame duck” Keltie Jones is to abstain. While Provenza is also a declared “lame duck”, he still plans to place himself before the scrutiny of the Davis voter in 2008. The plan to close VO in place now will have a significant impact on the VO enrollment numbers and this factor should be removed from the VO parent’s concern ASAP.
..extremely interesting background information about the relationship between Trost and Jones. The vote to close VO needs to be brought back for reconsideration by Taylor or Deleiden and the ethical position for the “lame duck” Keltie Jones is to abstain. While Provenza is also a declared “lame duck”, he still plans to place himself before the scrutiny of the Davis voter in 2008. The plan to close VO in place now will have a significant impact on the VO enrollment numbers and this factor should be removed from the VO parent’s concern ASAP.
..extremely interesting background information about the relationship between Trost and Jones. The vote to close VO needs to be brought back for reconsideration by Taylor or Deleiden and the ethical position for the “lame duck” Keltie Jones is to abstain. While Provenza is also a declared “lame duck”, he still plans to place himself before the scrutiny of the Davis voter in 2008. The plan to close VO in place now will have a significant impact on the VO enrollment numbers and this factor should be removed from the VO parent’s concern ASAP.
..extremely interesting background information about the relationship between Trost and Jones. The vote to close VO needs to be brought back for reconsideration by Taylor or Deleiden and the ethical position for the “lame duck” Keltie Jones is to abstain. While Provenza is also a declared “lame duck”, he still plans to place himself before the scrutiny of the Davis voter in 2008. The plan to close VO in place now will have a significant impact on the VO enrollment numbers and this factor should be removed from the VO parent’s concern ASAP.
“The closure of Valley Oak, of which Jones was a strong advocate, along with her support for Superintendent Murphy and his administration tarnishes an otherwise strong tenure for Jones.”
You claim that Keltie has “berated” virtually everyone at on one point or another. You condemn her for every single decision that you mention. And then you say her tenure was “otherwise strong.” Can you explain that strength?
Anonymous writes: “Jones should have removed herself from voting.”
She had no conflict of interest. Trost was merely a volunteer appointed by the board. He had no financial stake in the outcome of the Task Force or in the decision of the Board. So why in the world would you say that Jones should have not voted? Just because you disagree with a representative’s vote does not mean that it was corrupt. And by saying that she “should have removed herself” strongly implies that her vote was somehow tainted. (As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.)
“The closure of Valley Oak, of which Jones was a strong advocate, along with her support for Superintendent Murphy and his administration tarnishes an otherwise strong tenure for Jones.”
You claim that Keltie has “berated” virtually everyone at on one point or another. You condemn her for every single decision that you mention. And then you say her tenure was “otherwise strong.” Can you explain that strength?
Anonymous writes: “Jones should have removed herself from voting.”
She had no conflict of interest. Trost was merely a volunteer appointed by the board. He had no financial stake in the outcome of the Task Force or in the decision of the Board. So why in the world would you say that Jones should have not voted? Just because you disagree with a representative’s vote does not mean that it was corrupt. And by saying that she “should have removed herself” strongly implies that her vote was somehow tainted. (As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.)
“The closure of Valley Oak, of which Jones was a strong advocate, along with her support for Superintendent Murphy and his administration tarnishes an otherwise strong tenure for Jones.”
You claim that Keltie has “berated” virtually everyone at on one point or another. You condemn her for every single decision that you mention. And then you say her tenure was “otherwise strong.” Can you explain that strength?
Anonymous writes: “Jones should have removed herself from voting.”
She had no conflict of interest. Trost was merely a volunteer appointed by the board. He had no financial stake in the outcome of the Task Force or in the decision of the Board. So why in the world would you say that Jones should have not voted? Just because you disagree with a representative’s vote does not mean that it was corrupt. And by saying that she “should have removed herself” strongly implies that her vote was somehow tainted. (As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.)
“The closure of Valley Oak, of which Jones was a strong advocate, along with her support for Superintendent Murphy and his administration tarnishes an otherwise strong tenure for Jones.”
You claim that Keltie has “berated” virtually everyone at on one point or another. You condemn her for every single decision that you mention. And then you say her tenure was “otherwise strong.” Can you explain that strength?
Anonymous writes: “Jones should have removed herself from voting.”
She had no conflict of interest. Trost was merely a volunteer appointed by the board. He had no financial stake in the outcome of the Task Force or in the decision of the Board. So why in the world would you say that Jones should have not voted? Just because you disagree with a representative’s vote does not mean that it was corrupt. And by saying that she “should have removed herself” strongly implies that her vote was somehow tainted. (As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.)
“As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.”
I disagree with this. In fact, I suggest this is the strength of the blog–anonymous was able to make a charge, you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities. We can evaluate each argument on its own merits.
That said, I disagree with your assessment. This is not a direct financial conflict, however, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem. The same reason that a judge would need to recuse himself if he had a preexisting relationship with one of the parties.
“As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.”
I disagree with this. In fact, I suggest this is the strength of the blog–anonymous was able to make a charge, you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities. We can evaluate each argument on its own merits.
That said, I disagree with your assessment. This is not a direct financial conflict, however, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem. The same reason that a judge would need to recuse himself if he had a preexisting relationship with one of the parties.
“As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.”
I disagree with this. In fact, I suggest this is the strength of the blog–anonymous was able to make a charge, you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities. We can evaluate each argument on its own merits.
That said, I disagree with your assessment. This is not a direct financial conflict, however, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem. The same reason that a judge would need to recuse himself if he had a preexisting relationship with one of the parties.
“As an aside, I think such mud slinging is exactly what is wrong with anonymous postings on blogs like this one.”
I disagree with this. In fact, I suggest this is the strength of the blog–anonymous was able to make a charge, you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities. We can evaluate each argument on its own merits.
That said, I disagree with your assessment. This is not a direct financial conflict, however, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem. The same reason that a judge would need to recuse himself if he had a preexisting relationship with one of the parties.
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
“This is not a direct financial conflict. However, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report.”
Vincente, if having “an existing relationship” is prohibitive, then virtually every elected official would be recused from almost every vote.
For example, Sue Greenwald has “an existing relationship” with Eileen Samitz, whom she appointed to the General Plan Housing update committee. Do you suggest, therefore, that Mayor Greenwald ought to not vote on any suggestions of Samitz’s committee, because of that “existing relationship?”
Like the mayor was for the city, Miss Jones was elected to give her best, unbiased judgment on school district matters. As long as she did not have a financial stake in the outcome of that vote, it was her obligation to render that judgment, right or wrong.
“anonymous was able to make a charge; you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities.”
In fact, it is very much about personalities. Anonymous assaulted her character, by suggesting that her vote was conflicted. Anonymous would not have the guts to defame her face to face. (He won’t even tell us his name.) He hides behind a cloak of pusillanimity and casts aspersions. As I’ve long maintained, that is what is so wrong with this kind of forum.
“This is not a direct financial conflict. However, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report.”
Vincente, if having “an existing relationship” is prohibitive, then virtually every elected official would be recused from almost every vote.
For example, Sue Greenwald has “an existing relationship” with Eileen Samitz, whom she appointed to the General Plan Housing update committee. Do you suggest, therefore, that Mayor Greenwald ought to not vote on any suggestions of Samitz’s committee, because of that “existing relationship?”
Like the mayor was for the city, Miss Jones was elected to give her best, unbiased judgment on school district matters. As long as she did not have a financial stake in the outcome of that vote, it was her obligation to render that judgment, right or wrong.
“anonymous was able to make a charge; you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities.”
In fact, it is very much about personalities. Anonymous assaulted her character, by suggesting that her vote was conflicted. Anonymous would not have the guts to defame her face to face. (He won’t even tell us his name.) He hides behind a cloak of pusillanimity and casts aspersions. As I’ve long maintained, that is what is so wrong with this kind of forum.
“This is not a direct financial conflict. However, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report.”
Vincente, if having “an existing relationship” is prohibitive, then virtually every elected official would be recused from almost every vote.
For example, Sue Greenwald has “an existing relationship” with Eileen Samitz, whom she appointed to the General Plan Housing update committee. Do you suggest, therefore, that Mayor Greenwald ought to not vote on any suggestions of Samitz’s committee, because of that “existing relationship?”
Like the mayor was for the city, Miss Jones was elected to give her best, unbiased judgment on school district matters. As long as she did not have a financial stake in the outcome of that vote, it was her obligation to render that judgment, right or wrong.
“anonymous was able to make a charge; you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities.”
In fact, it is very much about personalities. Anonymous assaulted her character, by suggesting that her vote was conflicted. Anonymous would not have the guts to defame her face to face. (He won’t even tell us his name.) He hides behind a cloak of pusillanimity and casts aspersions. As I’ve long maintained, that is what is so wrong with this kind of forum.
“This is not a direct financial conflict. However, Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report.”
Vincente, if having “an existing relationship” is prohibitive, then virtually every elected official would be recused from almost every vote.
For example, Sue Greenwald has “an existing relationship” with Eileen Samitz, whom she appointed to the General Plan Housing update committee. Do you suggest, therefore, that Mayor Greenwald ought to not vote on any suggestions of Samitz’s committee, because of that “existing relationship?”
Like the mayor was for the city, Miss Jones was elected to give her best, unbiased judgment on school district matters. As long as she did not have a financial stake in the outcome of that vote, it was her obligation to render that judgment, right or wrong.
“anonymous was able to make a charge; you were able to argue against that charge. This is about ideas, not personalities.”
In fact, it is very much about personalities. Anonymous assaulted her character, by suggesting that her vote was conflicted. Anonymous would not have the guts to defame her face to face. (He won’t even tell us his name.) He hides behind a cloak of pusillanimity and casts aspersions. As I’ve long maintained, that is what is so wrong with this kind of forum.
Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem.
And Sheila Allen has an “existing relationship” with most VO supporters as a Valley Oak parent. Don’t you think that affected her vote? In a town this small, it’s unrealistic to imagine that people are not going to have relationships that could influence their votes. If everyone recuses himself/ herself, there won’t be anyone left to vote.
Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem.
And Sheila Allen has an “existing relationship” with most VO supporters as a Valley Oak parent. Don’t you think that affected her vote? In a town this small, it’s unrealistic to imagine that people are not going to have relationships that could influence their votes. If everyone recuses himself/ herself, there won’t be anyone left to vote.
Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem.
And Sheila Allen has an “existing relationship” with most VO supporters as a Valley Oak parent. Don’t you think that affected her vote? In a town this small, it’s unrealistic to imagine that people are not going to have relationships that could influence their votes. If everyone recuses himself/ herself, there won’t be anyone left to vote.
Keltie does have an existing relationship that would color her ability to judge the merits of the Task Force’s report. I think that is a problem.
And Sheila Allen has an “existing relationship” with most VO supporters as a Valley Oak parent. Don’t you think that affected her vote? In a town this small, it’s unrealistic to imagine that people are not going to have relationships that could influence their votes. If everyone recuses himself/ herself, there won’t be anyone left to vote.
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
This previous “lesson learned” comment posted by anonymous is a bunch of crap.
A) the general plan housing element steering committee meetings are totally open to the public, (which many community members have been attending regularly)
B) they are being recorded from start to finish and then being posted in an audio format to the city’s website. (in addition to written minutes posted there as well)
C) do you really expect that the nearly volunteer city council has the time to publicly debate these housing issues, in addition to their already extremely full agendas?
d)even if the city council “openly debated” all of the housing update options, you would come up with some other reason for dismissing it as corrupt.
e) i invite you to attend the housing update steering committee meetings….we would love to have some company
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
This previous “lesson learned” comment posted by anonymous is a bunch of crap.
A) the general plan housing element steering committee meetings are totally open to the public, (which many community members have been attending regularly)
B) they are being recorded from start to finish and then being posted in an audio format to the city’s website. (in addition to written minutes posted there as well)
C) do you really expect that the nearly volunteer city council has the time to publicly debate these housing issues, in addition to their already extremely full agendas?
d)even if the city council “openly debated” all of the housing update options, you would come up with some other reason for dismissing it as corrupt.
e) i invite you to attend the housing update steering committee meetings….we would love to have some company
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
This previous “lesson learned” comment posted by anonymous is a bunch of crap.
A) the general plan housing element steering committee meetings are totally open to the public, (which many community members have been attending regularly)
B) they are being recorded from start to finish and then being posted in an audio format to the city’s website. (in addition to written minutes posted there as well)
C) do you really expect that the nearly volunteer city council has the time to publicly debate these housing issues, in addition to their already extremely full agendas?
d)even if the city council “openly debated” all of the housing update options, you would come up with some other reason for dismissing it as corrupt.
e) i invite you to attend the housing update steering committee meetings….we would love to have some company
A lesson to be learned.. Special “Task Force” and “Housing Element Steering Committee”,created to insulate our elected representatives from public debate of controversial issues and the resulting political
fall-out, do not work when they go further than unbiased data collection and suggesting ALL possible options. . Those whom we elect need to openly debate the issues on the dais rather than appoint non-elected Davis citizens who will make arguments in their stead.
This previous “lesson learned” comment posted by anonymous is a bunch of crap.
A) the general plan housing element steering committee meetings are totally open to the public, (which many community members have been attending regularly)
B) they are being recorded from start to finish and then being posted in an audio format to the city’s website. (in addition to written minutes posted there as well)
C) do you really expect that the nearly volunteer city council has the time to publicly debate these housing issues, in addition to their already extremely full agendas?
d)even if the city council “openly debated” all of the housing update options, you would come up with some other reason for dismissing it as corrupt.
e) i invite you to attend the housing update steering committee meetings….we would love to have some company
Housing committee member:
It sounds like you guys have set up a good format(although TV coverage would have been nice) for a basically problematic process. As you well know, 2 of the 5 council members thought that they had ample time to FULLY debate the issues from the dais where there would be full transparancy and TV recordings. City staff also indicated that, from their perspective, the Steering Committee concept would consume more of their time than only working with the councilmembers. If the steering committee presents full unbiased data collection and ALL options to the council for their consideration, it will serve some purpose. If not, it will be a repeat of the Task Force debacle.
Housing committee member:
It sounds like you guys have set up a good format(although TV coverage would have been nice) for a basically problematic process. As you well know, 2 of the 5 council members thought that they had ample time to FULLY debate the issues from the dais where there would be full transparancy and TV recordings. City staff also indicated that, from their perspective, the Steering Committee concept would consume more of their time than only working with the councilmembers. If the steering committee presents full unbiased data collection and ALL options to the council for their consideration, it will serve some purpose. If not, it will be a repeat of the Task Force debacle.
Housing committee member:
It sounds like you guys have set up a good format(although TV coverage would have been nice) for a basically problematic process. As you well know, 2 of the 5 council members thought that they had ample time to FULLY debate the issues from the dais where there would be full transparancy and TV recordings. City staff also indicated that, from their perspective, the Steering Committee concept would consume more of their time than only working with the councilmembers. If the steering committee presents full unbiased data collection and ALL options to the council for their consideration, it will serve some purpose. If not, it will be a repeat of the Task Force debacle.
Housing committee member:
It sounds like you guys have set up a good format(although TV coverage would have been nice) for a basically problematic process. As you well know, 2 of the 5 council members thought that they had ample time to FULLY debate the issues from the dais where there would be full transparancy and TV recordings. City staff also indicated that, from their perspective, the Steering Committee concept would consume more of their time than only working with the councilmembers. If the steering committee presents full unbiased data collection and ALL options to the council for their consideration, it will serve some purpose. If not, it will be a repeat of the Task Force debacle.
anonymous-
many of us pushed for tv coverage as well, but were told that due to our group’s large size (15+) it would present a problem having the meetings at the council chambers and fitting folks at the dais.
as I also well know, the council would have had a difficult time FULLY discussing all of the housing related topics that we have been discussing.
as it is our meetings have been 2x per month @ nearly 3 hours each, and we are proposing having more meetings becasue we are unable to fit in our committee workload.
also, with regards to your statement about presenting “all options” to the council….
i hope you mean reasonable options, right?
i mean, what if a local devloper comes forth with a plan to construct davis’ future housing on the surface of the moon? should that option be presented to the council?
try not to lump us in quite yet with the “Task Force debacle”.
anonymous-
many of us pushed for tv coverage as well, but were told that due to our group’s large size (15+) it would present a problem having the meetings at the council chambers and fitting folks at the dais.
as I also well know, the council would have had a difficult time FULLY discussing all of the housing related topics that we have been discussing.
as it is our meetings have been 2x per month @ nearly 3 hours each, and we are proposing having more meetings becasue we are unable to fit in our committee workload.
also, with regards to your statement about presenting “all options” to the council….
i hope you mean reasonable options, right?
i mean, what if a local devloper comes forth with a plan to construct davis’ future housing on the surface of the moon? should that option be presented to the council?
try not to lump us in quite yet with the “Task Force debacle”.
anonymous-
many of us pushed for tv coverage as well, but were told that due to our group’s large size (15+) it would present a problem having the meetings at the council chambers and fitting folks at the dais.
as I also well know, the council would have had a difficult time FULLY discussing all of the housing related topics that we have been discussing.
as it is our meetings have been 2x per month @ nearly 3 hours each, and we are proposing having more meetings becasue we are unable to fit in our committee workload.
also, with regards to your statement about presenting “all options” to the council….
i hope you mean reasonable options, right?
i mean, what if a local devloper comes forth with a plan to construct davis’ future housing on the surface of the moon? should that option be presented to the council?
try not to lump us in quite yet with the “Task Force debacle”.
anonymous-
many of us pushed for tv coverage as well, but were told that due to our group’s large size (15+) it would present a problem having the meetings at the council chambers and fitting folks at the dais.
as I also well know, the council would have had a difficult time FULLY discussing all of the housing related topics that we have been discussing.
as it is our meetings have been 2x per month @ nearly 3 hours each, and we are proposing having more meetings becasue we are unable to fit in our committee workload.
also, with regards to your statement about presenting “all options” to the council….
i hope you mean reasonable options, right?
i mean, what if a local devloper comes forth with a plan to construct davis’ future housing on the surface of the moon? should that option be presented to the council?
try not to lump us in quite yet with the “Task Force debacle”.
The comments that the housing committee member made about meetings are also true of the BUSTF, except that their meetings were not recorded. But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds. Every elementary school was potentially on the chopping block. And parents at at least 3 schools (Pioneer, Willet and North Davis) were convivnced that their school was going to be closed. The task force developed specific options for closing each of at least 6 of the 9 elementary schools.
The only reason the district hired Davis Demographics (whos enrollment data shows much less of a decline that the previous demographers did)was because the task froce inststed that they needed better data. So I wish you folks would stop trashing the task force about the demographic data. If they hadn’t insisted on a new demographer, the district would be assuming a much grimer future enrollment picture.
The comments that the housing committee member made about meetings are also true of the BUSTF, except that their meetings were not recorded. But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds. Every elementary school was potentially on the chopping block. And parents at at least 3 schools (Pioneer, Willet and North Davis) were convivnced that their school was going to be closed. The task force developed specific options for closing each of at least 6 of the 9 elementary schools.
The only reason the district hired Davis Demographics (whos enrollment data shows much less of a decline that the previous demographers did)was because the task froce inststed that they needed better data. So I wish you folks would stop trashing the task force about the demographic data. If they hadn’t insisted on a new demographer, the district would be assuming a much grimer future enrollment picture.
The comments that the housing committee member made about meetings are also true of the BUSTF, except that their meetings were not recorded. But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds. Every elementary school was potentially on the chopping block. And parents at at least 3 schools (Pioneer, Willet and North Davis) were convivnced that their school was going to be closed. The task force developed specific options for closing each of at least 6 of the 9 elementary schools.
The only reason the district hired Davis Demographics (whos enrollment data shows much less of a decline that the previous demographers did)was because the task froce inststed that they needed better data. So I wish you folks would stop trashing the task force about the demographic data. If they hadn’t insisted on a new demographer, the district would be assuming a much grimer future enrollment picture.
The comments that the housing committee member made about meetings are also true of the BUSTF, except that their meetings were not recorded. But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds. Every elementary school was potentially on the chopping block. And parents at at least 3 schools (Pioneer, Willet and North Davis) were convivnced that their school was going to be closed. The task force developed specific options for closing each of at least 6 of the 9 elementary schools.
The only reason the district hired Davis Demographics (whos enrollment data shows much less of a decline that the previous demographers did)was because the task froce inststed that they needed better data. So I wish you folks would stop trashing the task force about the demographic data. If they hadn’t insisted on a new demographer, the district would be assuming a much grimer future enrollment picture.
“But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds.”
I know several people who did attend and attest to the opposite–that VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point. Several SB members complained about this–including some who eventually went along with the recommendations.
“But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds.”
I know several people who did attend and attest to the opposite–that VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point. Several SB members complained about this–including some who eventually went along with the recommendations.
“But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds.”
I know several people who did attend and attest to the opposite–that VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point. Several SB members complained about this–including some who eventually went along with the recommendations.
“But if you attended their meetings, particularly in winter and spring of 2006, you would have seen that they did go into this with open minds.”
I know several people who did attend and attest to the opposite–that VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point. Several SB members complained about this–including some who eventually went along with the recommendations.
VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point.
I was one of the few parents who attended many of those meetings and I can attest to the opposite. It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu). The task force then discussed each of these, with a handout provided for each possibility.
I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to who attended these early meetings, but you can see the lists of who attended each meeeting at the end of most of those minutes. It is clear from those lists that there were very few engaged parents through most of last winter and spring – generally between one and three regular attendees for any given school, with some schools having virtually no parents who attended the meetings.
-Katherine
VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point.
I was one of the few parents who attended many of those meetings and I can attest to the opposite. It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu). The task force then discussed each of these, with a handout provided for each possibility.
I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to who attended these early meetings, but you can see the lists of who attended each meeeting at the end of most of those minutes. It is clear from those lists that there were very few engaged parents through most of last winter and spring – generally between one and three regular attendees for any given school, with some schools having virtually no parents who attended the meetings.
-Katherine
VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point.
I was one of the few parents who attended many of those meetings and I can attest to the opposite. It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu). The task force then discussed each of these, with a handout provided for each possibility.
I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to who attended these early meetings, but you can see the lists of who attended each meeeting at the end of most of those minutes. It is clear from those lists that there were very few engaged parents through most of last winter and spring – generally between one and three regular attendees for any given school, with some schools having virtually no parents who attended the meetings.
-Katherine
VO was floated early on and the task force took on a path dependency toward that end from a very early point.
I was one of the few parents who attended many of those meetings and I can attest to the opposite. It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu). The task force then discussed each of these, with a handout provided for each possibility.
I’m not sure who you’ve been talking to who attended these early meetings, but you can see the lists of who attended each meeeting at the end of most of those minutes. It is clear from those lists that there were very few engaged parents through most of last winter and spring – generally between one and three regular attendees for any given school, with some schools having virtually no parents who attended the meetings.
-Katherine
There is nothing more penetrating than the hour after hour unblinking eye of the TV camera in evaluating authenticity and motivations of the participants. Audio is a very weak second and publication of the minutes is sterile and practically useless.
There is nothing more penetrating than the hour after hour unblinking eye of the TV camera in evaluating authenticity and motivations of the participants. Audio is a very weak second and publication of the minutes is sterile and practically useless.
There is nothing more penetrating than the hour after hour unblinking eye of the TV camera in evaluating authenticity and motivations of the participants. Audio is a very weak second and publication of the minutes is sterile and practically useless.
There is nothing more penetrating than the hour after hour unblinking eye of the TV camera in evaluating authenticity and motivations of the participants. Audio is a very weak second and publication of the minutes is sterile and practically useless.
“It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu).”
Katherine,
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered? I should note that I did not attend any of the Task Force meetings, though I did follow Jeff Hudson’s stories about their work.
“It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu).”
Katherine,
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered? I should note that I did not attend any of the Task Force meetings, though I did follow Jeff Hudson’s stories about their work.
“It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu).”
Katherine,
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered? I should note that I did not attend any of the Task Force meetings, though I did follow Jeff Hudson’s stories about their work.
“It was May of 2006 (not “very early” in the process, which started in September of ’05) before any schools were named as 8-school option schools to be closed, according to the minutes up on the school district’s website, and at that point 4 were named (VO, Willett, NDE, or Korematsu).”
Katherine,
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered? I should note that I did not attend any of the Task Force meetings, though I did follow Jeff Hudson’s stories about their work.
hcm,
Come back in one hour. Your comments will be removed by the Gulag.
hcm,
Come back in one hour. Your comments will be removed by the Gulag.
hcm,
Come back in one hour. Your comments will be removed by the Gulag.
hcm,
Come back in one hour. Your comments will be removed by the Gulag.
hmmm…. “davisite”, disagrees with my comments…why dont you all haul your rear ends out to the meetings, or better yet, actually volunteer to be a part of the housing committee, and work towards a positive solution for the housing issues that davis faces.
thats what i love about opinions, they’re just that…opinions.
your “opinion” about the “penetrating unblinking eye” of the tv camera being the best means of public scrutiny has some merit.
using audio to record the meetings works just fine, and having the public show up and participate is even better.
i hope to see you at an upcoming meeting, although you’ll probably just stay at home and write your snarky comments about “what really happened” at the meetings, and how the citizens of davis are all being led astray by the oppresive council majority and the developers who control their puppet strings.
I mean “exiled” to the Gulag. That’s where comments disliked by Comrade Greenwald go.
hmmm…. “davisite”, disagrees with my comments…why dont you all haul your rear ends out to the meetings, or better yet, actually volunteer to be a part of the housing committee, and work towards a positive solution for the housing issues that davis faces.
thats what i love about opinions, they’re just that…opinions.
your “opinion” about the “penetrating unblinking eye” of the tv camera being the best means of public scrutiny has some merit.
using audio to record the meetings works just fine, and having the public show up and participate is even better.
i hope to see you at an upcoming meeting, although you’ll probably just stay at home and write your snarky comments about “what really happened” at the meetings, and how the citizens of davis are all being led astray by the oppresive council majority and the developers who control their puppet strings.
I mean “exiled” to the Gulag. That’s where comments disliked by Comrade Greenwald go.
hmmm…. “davisite”, disagrees with my comments…why dont you all haul your rear ends out to the meetings, or better yet, actually volunteer to be a part of the housing committee, and work towards a positive solution for the housing issues that davis faces.
thats what i love about opinions, they’re just that…opinions.
your “opinion” about the “penetrating unblinking eye” of the tv camera being the best means of public scrutiny has some merit.
using audio to record the meetings works just fine, and having the public show up and participate is even better.
i hope to see you at an upcoming meeting, although you’ll probably just stay at home and write your snarky comments about “what really happened” at the meetings, and how the citizens of davis are all being led astray by the oppresive council majority and the developers who control their puppet strings.
I mean “exiled” to the Gulag. That’s where comments disliked by Comrade Greenwald go.
hmmm…. “davisite”, disagrees with my comments…why dont you all haul your rear ends out to the meetings, or better yet, actually volunteer to be a part of the housing committee, and work towards a positive solution for the housing issues that davis faces.
thats what i love about opinions, they’re just that…opinions.
your “opinion” about the “penetrating unblinking eye” of the tv camera being the best means of public scrutiny has some merit.
using audio to record the meetings works just fine, and having the public show up and participate is even better.
i hope to see you at an upcoming meeting, although you’ll probably just stay at home and write your snarky comments about “what really happened” at the meetings, and how the citizens of davis are all being led astray by the oppresive council majority and the developers who control their puppet strings.
I mean “exiled” to the Gulag. That’s where comments disliked by Comrade Greenwald go.
housing committee member:
please refrain from using names of individuals who have chosen to post under monikers or anonymous.
housing committee member:
please refrain from using names of individuals who have chosen to post under monikers or anonymous.
housing committee member:
please refrain from using names of individuals who have chosen to post under monikers or anonymous.
housing committee member:
please refrain from using names of individuals who have chosen to post under monikers or anonymous.
Fred Korematsu appears in the BUSSTK minutes as a full K-6 as early as March 2006. Not a proposal, but a done deal. Contra to official policy in place at the time. No discussion of this issue is recorded. Where did they think the enrollemnt was going to come from?
Fred Korematsu appears in the BUSSTK minutes as a full K-6 as early as March 2006. Not a proposal, but a done deal. Contra to official policy in place at the time. No discussion of this issue is recorded. Where did they think the enrollemnt was going to come from?
Fred Korematsu appears in the BUSSTK minutes as a full K-6 as early as March 2006. Not a proposal, but a done deal. Contra to official policy in place at the time. No discussion of this issue is recorded. Where did they think the enrollemnt was going to come from?
Fred Korematsu appears in the BUSSTK minutes as a full K-6 as early as March 2006. Not a proposal, but a done deal. Contra to official policy in place at the time. No discussion of this issue is recorded. Where did they think the enrollemnt was going to come from?
Perhaps Housing Committee member is not aware that there is a hard and fast rule that posters are to be referred to only in the manner that they have chosen on this blog. Posts that do not adhere to this rule are deleted.
Perhaps Housing Committee member is not aware that there is a hard and fast rule that posters are to be referred to only in the manner that they have chosen on this blog. Posts that do not adhere to this rule are deleted.
Perhaps Housing Committee member is not aware that there is a hard and fast rule that posters are to be referred to only in the manner that they have chosen on this blog. Posts that do not adhere to this rule are deleted.
Perhaps Housing Committee member is not aware that there is a hard and fast rule that posters are to be referred to only in the manner that they have chosen on this blog. Posts that do not adhere to this rule are deleted.
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered?
The task force did go through every single school, so Chavez was considered equally with every other one. But when it came down to naming 4, they basically picked the 4 that had the smallest neighborhood programs. I think the real reason is numbers. There are over 500 choosing Chavez, and only 220 in VO’s neighborhood program. You could add GATE to that, but the feeling was if people will drive their kids to VO to go to GATE, they could just as easily drive them somewhere else for GATE.
It was mentioned at the meetings that when Chavez was opened, the reason was that it was beneficial for the program to be all together in one place – for the same set of reasons that it is felt that any neighborhood program is better ifit is a reasonable size.
I wasn’t in Davis when Chavez opened so I can’t say for sure what the original reasons were, but that’s what I recall was said at the Task Force meeting.
If I recall correctly, there was also discussion of closing Birch Lane and moving Chavez to Birch Lane as part of a 7-school option, but that didn’t last too long on the table.
-Katherine
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered?
The task force did go through every single school, so Chavez was considered equally with every other one. But when it came down to naming 4, they basically picked the 4 that had the smallest neighborhood programs. I think the real reason is numbers. There are over 500 choosing Chavez, and only 220 in VO’s neighborhood program. You could add GATE to that, but the feeling was if people will drive their kids to VO to go to GATE, they could just as easily drive them somewhere else for GATE.
It was mentioned at the meetings that when Chavez was opened, the reason was that it was beneficial for the program to be all together in one place – for the same set of reasons that it is felt that any neighborhood program is better ifit is a reasonable size.
I wasn’t in Davis when Chavez opened so I can’t say for sure what the original reasons were, but that’s what I recall was said at the Task Force meeting.
If I recall correctly, there was also discussion of closing Birch Lane and moving Chavez to Birch Lane as part of a 7-school option, but that didn’t last too long on the table.
-Katherine
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered?
The task force did go through every single school, so Chavez was considered equally with every other one. But when it came down to naming 4, they basically picked the 4 that had the smallest neighborhood programs. I think the real reason is numbers. There are over 500 choosing Chavez, and only 220 in VO’s neighborhood program. You could add GATE to that, but the feeling was if people will drive their kids to VO to go to GATE, they could just as easily drive them somewhere else for GATE.
It was mentioned at the meetings that when Chavez was opened, the reason was that it was beneficial for the program to be all together in one place – for the same set of reasons that it is felt that any neighborhood program is better ifit is a reasonable size.
I wasn’t in Davis when Chavez opened so I can’t say for sure what the original reasons were, but that’s what I recall was said at the Task Force meeting.
If I recall correctly, there was also discussion of closing Birch Lane and moving Chavez to Birch Lane as part of a 7-school option, but that didn’t last too long on the table.
-Katherine
Do you know why Cesar Chavez — the only public elementary which draws all of its students from the other 8 neighborhood schools — was not considered?
The task force did go through every single school, so Chavez was considered equally with every other one. But when it came down to naming 4, they basically picked the 4 that had the smallest neighborhood programs. I think the real reason is numbers. There are over 500 choosing Chavez, and only 220 in VO’s neighborhood program. You could add GATE to that, but the feeling was if people will drive their kids to VO to go to GATE, they could just as easily drive them somewhere else for GATE.
It was mentioned at the meetings that when Chavez was opened, the reason was that it was beneficial for the program to be all together in one place – for the same set of reasons that it is felt that any neighborhood program is better ifit is a reasonable size.
I wasn’t in Davis when Chavez opened so I can’t say for sure what the original reasons were, but that’s what I recall was said at the Task Force meeting.
If I recall correctly, there was also discussion of closing Birch Lane and moving Chavez to Birch Lane as part of a 7-school option, but that didn’t last too long on the table.
-Katherine