Maria Cabrera, who works at Valley Oak, spoke on behalf of many of the Spanish-speaking families and accused charter proponents of twisting their words for political reasons.
The Vanguard has looked into the allegations by Maria Cabrera and now has an understanding where these complaints come from. However, there is little evidence that the Valley Oak charter proponents made any attempt whatsoever to intentionally deceive Spanish-speaking families. It is our belief that there was miscommunication along the way that fed into this problem, but also at the core an overreaction.
At the core of the complaint was a letter that was sent to the district a few weeks ago. It was a letter that complained that they felt left out of the Valley Oak closure process from the beginning starting with the “Best Use of Schools Task Force.” This letter was picked up by newly elected school board member Richard Harris, who criticized it, suggesting at the time that no one had respected the community more than new Superintendent James Hammond. But Harris missed the point of the letter.
However, so did apparently Charter Proponents, who it seems felt that the letter was a pro-charter letter. However, it seems it was more basic than that. Asking for the chance to speak directly for themselves, they want choice of placement for their families and they want to be respected.
They became angry when the letter was tied to the charter issue since it was not. Maria Cabrera suggested that they were being used as political pawns by the Charter Proponents and that just because they spoke Spanish, did not mean they were stupid.
To me, I can understand some frustration here on the part of the families, but the level of response seems more than a bit disproportionate to the offense.
Adding to this incident was the leaflet sent out by the charter proponents to invite members of the community to a meeting a week ago Saturday in support of the charter but also to give out information in English and Spanish about the Charter.
Apparently Maria Cabrera and some of the families felt the leaflet was misleading. The translation from English to Spanish was admittedly not perfect. There is no perfect translation of “Charter” that conveys the actual meaning in English into “Spanish.” So if the English version said “support the charter” and the Spanish translation said “Support the community school” there might have been some confusion.
However, reading the full leaflet in Spanish, it mentions “Charter” repeatedly even if it does not in the “headline.” From our perspective anyone who read the Spanish version would see the word “charter” in italics used over and over again. If there was confusion it would seem reasonable to approach the proponents and explain the problem instead of criticizing and blasting them in front of the school board. It is clear from reading the two versions, which readers can see by clicking the link below that there is no clear intent to deceive.
To see the leaflet, click here (my apologies I was only given a blue version)
In my conversations with both charter proponents and district staff alike including board member Sheila Allen and Pam Mari, that is really at the core of my concern–why simple misunderstandings were blown into some sort of large and angry conflict such as the one that arose on Thursday. This remains a point of concern for me.
The suggestion was that there was some kind of history here between the two sides, I do not know what that is exactly.
Finally I am concerned by reports from some of the organizers for the charter school that families were under the impression that a charter school was not a public school and would require tuition. And this was not an isolated belief. Someone had to be spreading that rumor around, I do not know who did though.
The bottom line here is that emotions and tensions were very high on Thursday and I’m not exactly sure even now why that was the case. I see no evidence that the charter proponents were intentionally attempting to mislead Spanish-speaking families, in fact all I have seen is evidence of respect for these families with Spanish-translations and a bilingual presentation on Saturday night. All of this appears to be a misunderstanding blown out of proportions.
In speaking with several of the families on Thursday in Spanish, my wife Cecilia and I, were told that they want to send their children to Valley Oak and to the Charter School. In fact, many of the families who spoke out on Thursday were actually wearing Valley Oak Charter buttons. For their perspective they want to be heard, they want to be respected, and they want to choose where they send their children to school. Who can argue with that.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Richard Harris may be well-suited as a columnist for the Enterprise where his self-absorbed arrogance and provocateur-style is lapped up by his cynical and angry readers. As a DJUSD Board member, he looks like a disaster. Newly elected Board member Lovenburg’s obvious arrogance and paternalism is also very disconcerting to witness. Superintendent Hammond appears saddled with the most dysfunctional DJUSD School Board that any of us has seen in quite some time.
Richard Harris may be well-suited as a columnist for the Enterprise where his self-absorbed arrogance and provocateur-style is lapped up by his cynical and angry readers. As a DJUSD Board member, he looks like a disaster. Newly elected Board member Lovenburg’s obvious arrogance and paternalism is also very disconcerting to witness. Superintendent Hammond appears saddled with the most dysfunctional DJUSD School Board that any of us has seen in quite some time.
Richard Harris may be well-suited as a columnist for the Enterprise where his self-absorbed arrogance and provocateur-style is lapped up by his cynical and angry readers. As a DJUSD Board member, he looks like a disaster. Newly elected Board member Lovenburg’s obvious arrogance and paternalism is also very disconcerting to witness. Superintendent Hammond appears saddled with the most dysfunctional DJUSD School Board that any of us has seen in quite some time.
Richard Harris may be well-suited as a columnist for the Enterprise where his self-absorbed arrogance and provocateur-style is lapped up by his cynical and angry readers. As a DJUSD Board member, he looks like a disaster. Newly elected Board member Lovenburg’s obvious arrogance and paternalism is also very disconcerting to witness. Superintendent Hammond appears saddled with the most dysfunctional DJUSD School Board that any of us has seen in quite some time.
It’s better than the board with West, Sallee, and Keltie Jones.
It’s better than the board with West, Sallee, and Keltie Jones.
It’s better than the board with West, Sallee, and Keltie Jones.
It’s better than the board with West, Sallee, and Keltie Jones.
DPD… you are being a bit TOO “diplomatic” here. The School Board have done everything in their legal power, and MORE, to sabotage the Charter effort; their minions were obviously out in full force to fan the flames of this minor translation issue.
DPD… you are being a bit TOO “diplomatic” here. The School Board have done everything in their legal power, and MORE, to sabotage the Charter effort; their minions were obviously out in full force to fan the flames of this minor translation issue.
DPD… you are being a bit TOO “diplomatic” here. The School Board have done everything in their legal power, and MORE, to sabotage the Charter effort; their minions were obviously out in full force to fan the flames of this minor translation issue.
DPD… you are being a bit TOO “diplomatic” here. The School Board have done everything in their legal power, and MORE, to sabotage the Charter effort; their minions were obviously out in full force to fan the flames of this minor translation issue.
Well I guess there’s a first time for everything. However from my perspective after talking to Sheila Allen this morning, who has been a very strong advocate for Valley Oak, I think this is an accurate reflection of what happened.
Well I guess there’s a first time for everything. However from my perspective after talking to Sheila Allen this morning, who has been a very strong advocate for Valley Oak, I think this is an accurate reflection of what happened.
Well I guess there’s a first time for everything. However from my perspective after talking to Sheila Allen this morning, who has been a very strong advocate for Valley Oak, I think this is an accurate reflection of what happened.
Well I guess there’s a first time for everything. However from my perspective after talking to Sheila Allen this morning, who has been a very strong advocate for Valley Oak, I think this is an accurate reflection of what happened.
These kinds of misunderstandings are bound to happen, but the reason it got ‘blown up’ and accusations started flying is because the Board is opposed to Valley Oak becoming a Charter School. They are not open to ways to make it work and are the established opponents of pro charter parents. The hostility is constant and therefore there is no trust. Each side regards the other with suspicion and expects them to behave badly. They are bitter enemies.
That is why something that would be accepted as a misunderstanding between parties who bear good will toward one another becomes a deliberate and malicious plot when there is a lack of trust on both sides.
I’ve lived in Davis for 30 years and seen this kind of behavior over and over again. But I suspect it is just plain old human nature and not unique to Davis at all.
These kinds of misunderstandings are bound to happen, but the reason it got ‘blown up’ and accusations started flying is because the Board is opposed to Valley Oak becoming a Charter School. They are not open to ways to make it work and are the established opponents of pro charter parents. The hostility is constant and therefore there is no trust. Each side regards the other with suspicion and expects them to behave badly. They are bitter enemies.
That is why something that would be accepted as a misunderstanding between parties who bear good will toward one another becomes a deliberate and malicious plot when there is a lack of trust on both sides.
I’ve lived in Davis for 30 years and seen this kind of behavior over and over again. But I suspect it is just plain old human nature and not unique to Davis at all.
These kinds of misunderstandings are bound to happen, but the reason it got ‘blown up’ and accusations started flying is because the Board is opposed to Valley Oak becoming a Charter School. They are not open to ways to make it work and are the established opponents of pro charter parents. The hostility is constant and therefore there is no trust. Each side regards the other with suspicion and expects them to behave badly. They are bitter enemies.
That is why something that would be accepted as a misunderstanding between parties who bear good will toward one another becomes a deliberate and malicious plot when there is a lack of trust on both sides.
I’ve lived in Davis for 30 years and seen this kind of behavior over and over again. But I suspect it is just plain old human nature and not unique to Davis at all.
These kinds of misunderstandings are bound to happen, but the reason it got ‘blown up’ and accusations started flying is because the Board is opposed to Valley Oak becoming a Charter School. They are not open to ways to make it work and are the established opponents of pro charter parents. The hostility is constant and therefore there is no trust. Each side regards the other with suspicion and expects them to behave badly. They are bitter enemies.
That is why something that would be accepted as a misunderstanding between parties who bear good will toward one another becomes a deliberate and malicious plot when there is a lack of trust on both sides.
I’ve lived in Davis for 30 years and seen this kind of behavior over and over again. But I suspect it is just plain old human nature and not unique to Davis at all.
I’m confused by a couple of things. Is the charter school proposal being presented because a “charter school” has some special value on its own or is it being proposed because it would prevent a school closure?
Looking at the larger picture, the district is facing a
$4 million budget deficit and that means the closure of at least two more schools. How will people react to that? It seems like there is a heroic effort to contain one small fire but if people turn around they will see a much larger fire on the horizon. Why is there no discussion about that?
I’m confused by a couple of things. Is the charter school proposal being presented because a “charter school” has some special value on its own or is it being proposed because it would prevent a school closure?
Looking at the larger picture, the district is facing a
$4 million budget deficit and that means the closure of at least two more schools. How will people react to that? It seems like there is a heroic effort to contain one small fire but if people turn around they will see a much larger fire on the horizon. Why is there no discussion about that?
I’m confused by a couple of things. Is the charter school proposal being presented because a “charter school” has some special value on its own or is it being proposed because it would prevent a school closure?
Looking at the larger picture, the district is facing a
$4 million budget deficit and that means the closure of at least two more schools. How will people react to that? It seems like there is a heroic effort to contain one small fire but if people turn around they will see a much larger fire on the horizon. Why is there no discussion about that?
I’m confused by a couple of things. Is the charter school proposal being presented because a “charter school” has some special value on its own or is it being proposed because it would prevent a school closure?
Looking at the larger picture, the district is facing a
$4 million budget deficit and that means the closure of at least two more schools. How will people react to that? It seems like there is a heroic effort to contain one small fire but if people turn around they will see a much larger fire on the horizon. Why is there no discussion about that?
“Apparently Maria Cabrera and some of the families felt the leaflet was misleading. The translation from English to Spanish was admittedly not perfect. There is no perfect translation of “Charter” that conveys the actual meaning in English into “Spanish.” So if the English version said “support the charter” and the Spanish translation said “Support the community school” there might have been some confusion.”
Aunque no soy perfectamente bilingüe, pienso que la mejor traducción de “charter school” era “independiente escuela pública” o “escuela pública independiente.”
“Apparently Maria Cabrera and some of the families felt the leaflet was misleading. The translation from English to Spanish was admittedly not perfect. There is no perfect translation of “Charter” that conveys the actual meaning in English into “Spanish.” So if the English version said “support the charter” and the Spanish translation said “Support the community school” there might have been some confusion.”
Aunque no soy perfectamente bilingüe, pienso que la mejor traducción de “charter school” era “independiente escuela pública” o “escuela pública independiente.”
“Apparently Maria Cabrera and some of the families felt the leaflet was misleading. The translation from English to Spanish was admittedly not perfect. There is no perfect translation of “Charter” that conveys the actual meaning in English into “Spanish.” So if the English version said “support the charter” and the Spanish translation said “Support the community school” there might have been some confusion.”
Aunque no soy perfectamente bilingüe, pienso que la mejor traducción de “charter school” era “independiente escuela pública” o “escuela pública independiente.”
“Apparently Maria Cabrera and some of the families felt the leaflet was misleading. The translation from English to Spanish was admittedly not perfect. There is no perfect translation of “Charter” that conveys the actual meaning in English into “Spanish.” So if the English version said “support the charter” and the Spanish translation said “Support the community school” there might have been some confusion.”
Aunque no soy perfectamente bilingüe, pienso que la mejor traducción de “charter school” era “independiente escuela pública” o “escuela pública independiente.”
I find it suspect that the Spanish speaking parents have not figured out that there is a push to create a charter school or that they wouldn’t understand that the flyer was about the charter school. If there is confusion about what a charter is after all of the effort that has taken place, then Maria Cabrera seems to be doing a piss poor job of helping these parents. I don’t know what she thought the School Board could do with her concerns now at this late date and they have rejected the Charter school idea. The school has already been voted on to close and students have been notified which school they will go to next year.
If the parents want to stay at Valley Oak, Maria should be helping them understand that option, rather than grandstanding at the School Board meeting.
I’m sure that there is a bilingual parent or community member that could better help these parents understand possible options for their children.
I find it suspect that the Spanish speaking parents have not figured out that there is a push to create a charter school or that they wouldn’t understand that the flyer was about the charter school. If there is confusion about what a charter is after all of the effort that has taken place, then Maria Cabrera seems to be doing a piss poor job of helping these parents. I don’t know what she thought the School Board could do with her concerns now at this late date and they have rejected the Charter school idea. The school has already been voted on to close and students have been notified which school they will go to next year.
If the parents want to stay at Valley Oak, Maria should be helping them understand that option, rather than grandstanding at the School Board meeting.
I’m sure that there is a bilingual parent or community member that could better help these parents understand possible options for their children.
I find it suspect that the Spanish speaking parents have not figured out that there is a push to create a charter school or that they wouldn’t understand that the flyer was about the charter school. If there is confusion about what a charter is after all of the effort that has taken place, then Maria Cabrera seems to be doing a piss poor job of helping these parents. I don’t know what she thought the School Board could do with her concerns now at this late date and they have rejected the Charter school idea. The school has already been voted on to close and students have been notified which school they will go to next year.
If the parents want to stay at Valley Oak, Maria should be helping them understand that option, rather than grandstanding at the School Board meeting.
I’m sure that there is a bilingual parent or community member that could better help these parents understand possible options for their children.