This has drawn some criticism as well, suggesting that these are just self-selected individuals by the board.
For that reason, I spoke at length to a member of the Measure Q Oversight Board, former school board candidate Bob Schelen. From his description of the process, there is really no reason to believe either that this board is a bunch of “yes” people to the district. Moreover, and as important, the process that Mr. Schelen describes is so open, that members of the public can come to these meetings and participate. If they have questions, they have opportunities to ask them of staff. In other words, any individual who truly is interested in oversight has no legitimate reason to complain about this process–they have every opportunity themselves to be their own watchdog of the district and how it spends money.
The Measure Q oversight board has now had three public meetings. The first meeting was an introductory meeting, followed by a meeting where the board went over material from Bruce Colby, the district Chief Budget Officer and his assistant.
The third meeting went over the calendar and discussed the report that would go to the school board in January.
“We’re still working on looking at all the information provided us. I must say that the information provided has been completely transparent and Bruce Colby has been excellent in providing us the information that we need. All of us who are on the committee are extremely happy with the information that we have been provided and the transparency of the process.”
Mr. Schelen went on to describe some of the process:
“They’re showing us the budget. There are two or three different ways that they are doing it. One is there is a very detailed process of where all of the Measure Q money is going. For instance, in terms of what the Measure had said and where the money was going, there is a document showing which programs that the parcel tax provided for and how much of a percentage was. Because some of the money is percentage-wise of going to for instance the avid program or the counseling program end up at each different school.
So the way that they’ve done it is that they provide us by the percentage that the parcel tax pays for, both in terms of program personnel and schools. They’ve also provided us information in terms of the entire budget and how much a percentage of Measure Q is part of the entire budget. And they’ve developed one document that has all kinds of particular information. We have been looking at that as well as a document with more general process with the information. So where the money goes. The way that they have done it is provide it through the programs, personnel, and schools.
The first thing they have done, there have been a number of questions throughout our three meetings especially when we looked at the one document with all of the particular numbers, and there were a number of questions, and Bruce Colby and his assistant answered the question there but they also offered to allow members of the committee to meet with them individually and go through the book as well. Every question has been answered, there has not been one thing that has been asked that they’ve said we’ll get back to you or that isn’t an appropriate question for this group to ask–even if they’ve asked questions that might go beyond the budgeting of just the parcel tax, but the budgeting of the entire school district.”
One of the major criticisms that has arose at least on this blog is the complaint that this is simply a handpicked group. Bob Schelen agrees that it is a handpicked group, but also believes that the group is fairly diverse and not a group of “yes” people or sycophants to the board.
“The people that have been picked have been people representative of the community. And not the only the school community but the entire community. I don’t believe any of them are sycophants of the particular board members who picked them.”
He points out his differences of opinion with some of the board members.
“I ran for school board against Richard [Harris] and Susan [Lovenburg] and am a part of the process. So I wouldn’t necessarily say that I agree with everything that they think. As you know, I was a Valley Oak supporter, and neither one of them were.”
Also on the board is former board member BJ Kline, who at times was a strong critic of the district’s financing practices.
“Other people on the committee include BJ Kline, former school board member who had been somewhat critical of the way that school financing had been done in the past.”
He believes this to be a strong and knowledgeable group of people.
“So I think that the people who are on the committee are people who will not be yes people to the school district. They’re people who know school financing to the extent possible in California. And are people who are asking pertinent and sharp questions and answers are being provided.”
One of the strengths of a diverse group is that even one dissenting individual can lead to a thorough questioning of particular concerns. I asked Bob Schelen whether this process has been primarily a consensus process that would allow individual input and questioning to come out or whether it has operated by majority rule which might quell the minority voice.
“So far it’s been a consensus process for the very reason that the transparency of the school district has been something that has pleased all of us. When one person has a question, it is answered in such an open fashion that all of us get the answer, understand it, and are comfortable with it. So I would say so far it has been a consensus process, but that’s only because we haven’t had any strong disagreements yet–if we do.”
Moreover just because there are ten board members does not mean that further opinions still cannot enter into the meetings. These are regular public meetings that operate under Brown Act principles of open government.
The public is encouraged to participate.
“We haven’t had a lot of people come. We’ve urged and encouraged people to come to the meetings and not a whole lot of people have yet. In terms of any questions that they might have my understand from what we have said and what I have seen at the meetings, is that the financial part of the district is very open to answering questions from anybody. “
Unlike school board meetings, the public has ample opportunity to weigh in, especially if public attendance remains low.
“There is a public comment section. It’s an agendized public board meeting. There are situations for public comment. Since we haven’t had a large amount of people, at least at the one meeting where there were public people there, they were just sort of incorporated into the process of the committee and it was informal questioning of the materials that were provided by the district.”
What Bob Schelen describes here is in many ways, interested members of the public can really weigh in and question process much like a board member could.
“That’s the way that right now we’re running the meeting. I can’t be sure that’s how we would run it if there say fifty members of the public coming to the meetings. But right now if there are a small amount of people then there’s no question that that’s what can and will happen.”
In other words, after speaking with Bob Schelen, any individual concerned about accountability or whether this constitutes true oversight has a choice. If they are really concerned about how money is spent in the district, they can come to these meetings and get involved.
My concern with some of the complaints I hear is that these complaints come from individuals who seem to be looking for excuses not to vote for Measure W rather than truly concerned about issues and finding out information about the district’s financing.
School finance is extremely complicated, but I have found people like Bruce Colby extremely accommodating to members of the public. This is an opportunity for those who claim they are concerned with accountability to actually get off the pot and do something about it.
The district’s budget problems are very real and the district in my view has gone the extra mile really to make their process more transparent and make themselves more accountable to the public. This is a far cry from what happened four years ago. The days of quasi-closed door meetings that were of questionable legality are gone. The lengths that the previous administration and board had gone to keep things out of the public light was extraordinary. But so too is the extent to which the school district and board have gone in the other direction. Most of the complaints about this current board’s fiscal policies are unfounded and based either on lack of understanding about school financing or frankly lack of interest by individual members of the public to learn about it.
The Measure Q oversight committee is a good way for the public to get more involved in the process and I strongly encourage members to go to these meetings. I intend to publicize the next meeting and attend it myself and report back on it.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
these complaints come from individuals who seem to be looking for excuses not to vote for Measure W rather than truly concerned about issues and finding out information about the district’s financing.
Bingo. Every “concern” that is raised has been answered by others on this blog but the individual continues to raise them as though they had not ever been answered.
Basically, some people are cynical and dissatisfied and aren’t going to vote yes no matter how much accountability is put in the measure.
these complaints come from individuals who seem to be looking for excuses not to vote for Measure W rather than truly concerned about issues and finding out information about the district’s financing.
Bingo. Every “concern” that is raised has been answered by others on this blog but the individual continues to raise them as though they had not ever been answered.
Basically, some people are cynical and dissatisfied and aren’t going to vote yes no matter how much accountability is put in the measure.
these complaints come from individuals who seem to be looking for excuses not to vote for Measure W rather than truly concerned about issues and finding out information about the district’s financing.
Bingo. Every “concern” that is raised has been answered by others on this blog but the individual continues to raise them as though they had not ever been answered.
Basically, some people are cynical and dissatisfied and aren’t going to vote yes no matter how much accountability is put in the measure.
these complaints come from individuals who seem to be looking for excuses not to vote for Measure W rather than truly concerned about issues and finding out information about the district’s financing.
Bingo. Every “concern” that is raised has been answered by others on this blog but the individual continues to raise them as though they had not ever been answered.
Basically, some people are cynical and dissatisfied and aren’t going to vote yes no matter how much accountability is put in the measure.
The litany of complaints that the lady regular posts are also of a “damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t” nature.
For instance, the demand that information be completely out there, readily known and understood, and available.
Contrast that with the demand that the district have minimal administration.
Clearly in a tax-funded enterprise it is very necessary to be transparent and explain how the money is being spent. Private schools and entities do not have that level of burden. Ideally the district should have a public information officer — someone whose job it is to desseminate information to the public and the media.
But if Jeff Hudson is already showing up to school board meetings to report for the Enterprise, and he already has professional relations with many in the district. So having a separate public information officer starts to become a reduncy for the district, especially during these tighter budget times.
But Jeff Hudson also has to deal with the space limits the Enterprise gives him, and also everyone makes personal judgements as to what is or isn’t important. So not everything the district does makes it into the Enterprise.
That is where the Vanguard has been so valuable. David Greenwald has been filling in the holes that have been lacking in communicating that information. In other words, both Jeff Hudson and David Greenwald have been facilitating the transparency that both the district and the public would like.
The additional advantage of the Vanguard blog is that the public can post additional content info in real time.
This very article is an example of facilitating that transparency and accountability. This is just about the best system that can be had under present circumstances.
The litany of complaints that the lady regular posts are also of a “damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t” nature.
For instance, the demand that information be completely out there, readily known and understood, and available.
Contrast that with the demand that the district have minimal administration.
Clearly in a tax-funded enterprise it is very necessary to be transparent and explain how the money is being spent. Private schools and entities do not have that level of burden. Ideally the district should have a public information officer — someone whose job it is to desseminate information to the public and the media.
But if Jeff Hudson is already showing up to school board meetings to report for the Enterprise, and he already has professional relations with many in the district. So having a separate public information officer starts to become a reduncy for the district, especially during these tighter budget times.
But Jeff Hudson also has to deal with the space limits the Enterprise gives him, and also everyone makes personal judgements as to what is or isn’t important. So not everything the district does makes it into the Enterprise.
That is where the Vanguard has been so valuable. David Greenwald has been filling in the holes that have been lacking in communicating that information. In other words, both Jeff Hudson and David Greenwald have been facilitating the transparency that both the district and the public would like.
The additional advantage of the Vanguard blog is that the public can post additional content info in real time.
This very article is an example of facilitating that transparency and accountability. This is just about the best system that can be had under present circumstances.
The litany of complaints that the lady regular posts are also of a “damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t” nature.
For instance, the demand that information be completely out there, readily known and understood, and available.
Contrast that with the demand that the district have minimal administration.
Clearly in a tax-funded enterprise it is very necessary to be transparent and explain how the money is being spent. Private schools and entities do not have that level of burden. Ideally the district should have a public information officer — someone whose job it is to desseminate information to the public and the media.
But if Jeff Hudson is already showing up to school board meetings to report for the Enterprise, and he already has professional relations with many in the district. So having a separate public information officer starts to become a reduncy for the district, especially during these tighter budget times.
But Jeff Hudson also has to deal with the space limits the Enterprise gives him, and also everyone makes personal judgements as to what is or isn’t important. So not everything the district does makes it into the Enterprise.
That is where the Vanguard has been so valuable. David Greenwald has been filling in the holes that have been lacking in communicating that information. In other words, both Jeff Hudson and David Greenwald have been facilitating the transparency that both the district and the public would like.
The additional advantage of the Vanguard blog is that the public can post additional content info in real time.
This very article is an example of facilitating that transparency and accountability. This is just about the best system that can be had under present circumstances.
The litany of complaints that the lady regular posts are also of a “damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don’t” nature.
For instance, the demand that information be completely out there, readily known and understood, and available.
Contrast that with the demand that the district have minimal administration.
Clearly in a tax-funded enterprise it is very necessary to be transparent and explain how the money is being spent. Private schools and entities do not have that level of burden. Ideally the district should have a public information officer — someone whose job it is to desseminate information to the public and the media.
But if Jeff Hudson is already showing up to school board meetings to report for the Enterprise, and he already has professional relations with many in the district. So having a separate public information officer starts to become a reduncy for the district, especially during these tighter budget times.
But Jeff Hudson also has to deal with the space limits the Enterprise gives him, and also everyone makes personal judgements as to what is or isn’t important. So not everything the district does makes it into the Enterprise.
That is where the Vanguard has been so valuable. David Greenwald has been filling in the holes that have been lacking in communicating that information. In other words, both Jeff Hudson and David Greenwald have been facilitating the transparency that both the district and the public would like.
The additional advantage of the Vanguard blog is that the public can post additional content info in real time.
This very article is an example of facilitating that transparency and accountability. This is just about the best system that can be had under present circumstances.
I think that citizens see that we just passed Q and now the board wants to pass W. They know that the schools need money and the state is not providing it but have a feeling that yearly parcel taxes will be an ongoing cycle into the forseeable future. Bringing up accountability and other arguments ad nauseum are just a way to feel better about their opposition to the school tax. The proposed sewer and water taxes, the firefighter’s pay debacle and everything else we are being asked to pay more for every year are the real reasons for the opposition to this and every other tax increase out there.
I think that citizens see that we just passed Q and now the board wants to pass W. They know that the schools need money and the state is not providing it but have a feeling that yearly parcel taxes will be an ongoing cycle into the forseeable future. Bringing up accountability and other arguments ad nauseum are just a way to feel better about their opposition to the school tax. The proposed sewer and water taxes, the firefighter’s pay debacle and everything else we are being asked to pay more for every year are the real reasons for the opposition to this and every other tax increase out there.
I think that citizens see that we just passed Q and now the board wants to pass W. They know that the schools need money and the state is not providing it but have a feeling that yearly parcel taxes will be an ongoing cycle into the forseeable future. Bringing up accountability and other arguments ad nauseum are just a way to feel better about their opposition to the school tax. The proposed sewer and water taxes, the firefighter’s pay debacle and everything else we are being asked to pay more for every year are the real reasons for the opposition to this and every other tax increase out there.
I think that citizens see that we just passed Q and now the board wants to pass W. They know that the schools need money and the state is not providing it but have a feeling that yearly parcel taxes will be an ongoing cycle into the forseeable future. Bringing up accountability and other arguments ad nauseum are just a way to feel better about their opposition to the school tax. The proposed sewer and water taxes, the firefighter’s pay debacle and everything else we are being asked to pay more for every year are the real reasons for the opposition to this and every other tax increase out there.
WDF:
Thank you for your post. The only thing I would like to add to it that people if they are interested can be part of the transparency as well.
Anonymous:
Just one point in response, I cannot promise nor can the district promise anything on Emerson. What I can guarantee is that if W passes there will not be another parcel tax until Q and W sunset in three years.
WDF:
Thank you for your post. The only thing I would like to add to it that people if they are interested can be part of the transparency as well.
Anonymous:
Just one point in response, I cannot promise nor can the district promise anything on Emerson. What I can guarantee is that if W passes there will not be another parcel tax until Q and W sunset in three years.
WDF:
Thank you for your post. The only thing I would like to add to it that people if they are interested can be part of the transparency as well.
Anonymous:
Just one point in response, I cannot promise nor can the district promise anything on Emerson. What I can guarantee is that if W passes there will not be another parcel tax until Q and W sunset in three years.
WDF:
Thank you for your post. The only thing I would like to add to it that people if they are interested can be part of the transparency as well.
Anonymous:
Just one point in response, I cannot promise nor can the district promise anything on Emerson. What I can guarantee is that if W passes there will not be another parcel tax until Q and W sunset in three years.
On the Davis Joint Unified School Districts website there is no webpage found to be linked or posted regarding material about the Measure Q Oversight Committee and it appears that the Davis School District Administration isn’t making an effort to inform the public with readily accessable information regarding this committees activities.
Unfortunately, this situation seems to be indicative of the impropriety regarding Measure Q and the proposed Measure W.
This is a reason to vote “No on Measure W” and for more reasons not to then please view the following website by logging on to the following website address:
http://www.yvm.net/vme/no-on-w
On the Davis Joint Unified School Districts website there is no webpage found to be linked or posted regarding material about the Measure Q Oversight Committee and it appears that the Davis School District Administration isn’t making an effort to inform the public with readily accessable information regarding this committees activities.
Unfortunately, this situation seems to be indicative of the impropriety regarding Measure Q and the proposed Measure W.
This is a reason to vote “No on Measure W” and for more reasons not to then please view the following website by logging on to the following website address:
http://www.yvm.net/vme/no-on-w
On the Davis Joint Unified School Districts website there is no webpage found to be linked or posted regarding material about the Measure Q Oversight Committee and it appears that the Davis School District Administration isn’t making an effort to inform the public with readily accessable information regarding this committees activities.
Unfortunately, this situation seems to be indicative of the impropriety regarding Measure Q and the proposed Measure W.
This is a reason to vote “No on Measure W” and for more reasons not to then please view the following website by logging on to the following website address:
http://www.yvm.net/vme/no-on-w
On the Davis Joint Unified School Districts website there is no webpage found to be linked or posted regarding material about the Measure Q Oversight Committee and it appears that the Davis School District Administration isn’t making an effort to inform the public with readily accessable information regarding this committees activities.
Unfortunately, this situation seems to be indicative of the impropriety regarding Measure Q and the proposed Measure W.
This is a reason to vote “No on Measure W” and for more reasons not to then please view the following website by logging on to the following website address:
http://www.yvm.net/vme/no-on-w
DPD is right, searching for reasons to justify opposition to Measure W.
DPD is right, searching for reasons to justify opposition to Measure W.
DPD is right, searching for reasons to justify opposition to Measure W.
DPD is right, searching for reasons to justify opposition to Measure W.
I felt that Mr. Randall’s comment was a legitimate concern, so I emailed the district.
I got the following response:
“It is in process for getting on the district website. The public update that went to the Board at the last meeting is on the electronically posted agenda. There was no information to post prior to the first meeting that was held in October.
LINK
The next meeting is Friday Nov 7th. 11:00 at the district office. This is a public meeting and is posted pursuant to Brown Act regulations.
Additionally, all public budget information for the budget is always posted electronically on the online agenda. We are in the process of posting this information on the district website as well.”
I will attempt to go to that meeting and report on what happens. I would encourage Mr. Randall and some of the others who are concerned about these issues to go as well.
I felt that Mr. Randall’s comment was a legitimate concern, so I emailed the district.
I got the following response:
“It is in process for getting on the district website. The public update that went to the Board at the last meeting is on the electronically posted agenda. There was no information to post prior to the first meeting that was held in October.
LINK
The next meeting is Friday Nov 7th. 11:00 at the district office. This is a public meeting and is posted pursuant to Brown Act regulations.
Additionally, all public budget information for the budget is always posted electronically on the online agenda. We are in the process of posting this information on the district website as well.”
I will attempt to go to that meeting and report on what happens. I would encourage Mr. Randall and some of the others who are concerned about these issues to go as well.
I felt that Mr. Randall’s comment was a legitimate concern, so I emailed the district.
I got the following response:
“It is in process for getting on the district website. The public update that went to the Board at the last meeting is on the electronically posted agenda. There was no information to post prior to the first meeting that was held in October.
LINK
The next meeting is Friday Nov 7th. 11:00 at the district office. This is a public meeting and is posted pursuant to Brown Act regulations.
Additionally, all public budget information for the budget is always posted electronically on the online agenda. We are in the process of posting this information on the district website as well.”
I will attempt to go to that meeting and report on what happens. I would encourage Mr. Randall and some of the others who are concerned about these issues to go as well.
I felt that Mr. Randall’s comment was a legitimate concern, so I emailed the district.
I got the following response:
“It is in process for getting on the district website. The public update that went to the Board at the last meeting is on the electronically posted agenda. There was no information to post prior to the first meeting that was held in October.
LINK
The next meeting is Friday Nov 7th. 11:00 at the district office. This is a public meeting and is posted pursuant to Brown Act regulations.
Additionally, all public budget information for the budget is always posted electronically on the online agenda. We are in the process of posting this information on the district website as well.”
I will attempt to go to that meeting and report on what happens. I would encourage Mr. Randall and some of the others who are concerned about these issues to go as well.
If you hit that link, you want to look at item V a …
If you hit that link, you want to look at item V a …
If you hit that link, you want to look at item V a …
If you hit that link, you want to look at item V a …
If you want to learn more about Measure W, read many more reasons to support it, or volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
http://www.yesw.org
or contact campaign coordinator, Kingsley Melton at (530)554-2548
If you want to learn more about Measure W, read many more reasons to support it, or volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
http://www.yesw.org
or contact campaign coordinator, Kingsley Melton at (530)554-2548
If you want to learn more about Measure W, read many more reasons to support it, or volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
http://www.yesw.org
or contact campaign coordinator, Kingsley Melton at (530)554-2548
If you want to learn more about Measure W, read many more reasons to support it, or volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
http://www.yesw.org
or contact campaign coordinator, Kingsley Melton at (530)554-2548
If you want to learn less about Measure W, read no more reasons to support it, or not volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
Thomas Randall Rocks
If you want to learn less about Measure W, read no more reasons to support it, or not volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
Thomas Randall Rocks
If you want to learn less about Measure W, read no more reasons to support it, or not volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
Thomas Randall Rocks
If you want to learn less about Measure W, read no more reasons to support it, or not volunteer to support the Yes campaign, you can go to
Thomas Randall Rocks
DPD, you’ve been covering a lot of things the Enterprise hasn’t been covering. They had another round of layoffs. You should do a story on that. Not many reporters left. Pretty soon it will just be a place where you can get hard copies of AP stuff you normally would read online…
DPD, you’ve been covering a lot of things the Enterprise hasn’t been covering. They had another round of layoffs. You should do a story on that. Not many reporters left. Pretty soon it will just be a place where you can get hard copies of AP stuff you normally would read online…
DPD, you’ve been covering a lot of things the Enterprise hasn’t been covering. They had another round of layoffs. You should do a story on that. Not many reporters left. Pretty soon it will just be a place where you can get hard copies of AP stuff you normally would read online…
DPD, you’ve been covering a lot of things the Enterprise hasn’t been covering. They had another round of layoffs. You should do a story on that. Not many reporters left. Pretty soon it will just be a place where you can get hard copies of AP stuff you normally would read online…
Bob Schelen is part of the establishment, so would be for Measure W. No surprise there.
As you admit DPD, the budget is overly complicated. If you want voters to pony up, give them info they can understand.
My salad question is indicative of wasted money. $70,000 was put towards a Crunch Lunch program, some of which was used to pay a Davis author to give cooking lessons to the cafeteria staff. In this day and age of tight budgets, we do not have the money to hire consultants to teach cafeteria workers what they already should know (not to mention the conflict of interest involved). More than likely this Davis author is now on the regular payroll to teach cooking lessons. And by the way, in an earlier post, you said you were going to research this issue, DPD.
I had not decided on Measure W, up until now. I was waiting to see if the School Bd/District would make enough changes to reassure me that it would not be business as usual. I don’t see anything but business as usual – and it isn’t good enough for me.
You can rail all you want about how I “don’t care about the children”, I keep going on a “salad rant”, my questions have “already been answered”, “I don’t go to Bd meetings” (when in fact the times I did I was treated with utter disdain), etc. ad nauseum. Calling names is not getting the job done. Logical arguments with true accountability is what is needed – such as a parcel tax to cover the $600,000 needed to keep Emerson open.
For many of us, it is the trust factor – a lack of trust. We needed reassurance the School District was going to do everything in its power to save Emerson. Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate. It is the School District/Bd that are conflating the use of different pots of money argument, not me.
The more the Yes on Measure W folks resort to attacking detractors, the less convinced I am that their arguments are valid. Think about it.
Bob Schelen is part of the establishment, so would be for Measure W. No surprise there.
As you admit DPD, the budget is overly complicated. If you want voters to pony up, give them info they can understand.
My salad question is indicative of wasted money. $70,000 was put towards a Crunch Lunch program, some of which was used to pay a Davis author to give cooking lessons to the cafeteria staff. In this day and age of tight budgets, we do not have the money to hire consultants to teach cafeteria workers what they already should know (not to mention the conflict of interest involved). More than likely this Davis author is now on the regular payroll to teach cooking lessons. And by the way, in an earlier post, you said you were going to research this issue, DPD.
I had not decided on Measure W, up until now. I was waiting to see if the School Bd/District would make enough changes to reassure me that it would not be business as usual. I don’t see anything but business as usual – and it isn’t good enough for me.
You can rail all you want about how I “don’t care about the children”, I keep going on a “salad rant”, my questions have “already been answered”, “I don’t go to Bd meetings” (when in fact the times I did I was treated with utter disdain), etc. ad nauseum. Calling names is not getting the job done. Logical arguments with true accountability is what is needed – such as a parcel tax to cover the $600,000 needed to keep Emerson open.
For many of us, it is the trust factor – a lack of trust. We needed reassurance the School District was going to do everything in its power to save Emerson. Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate. It is the School District/Bd that are conflating the use of different pots of money argument, not me.
The more the Yes on Measure W folks resort to attacking detractors, the less convinced I am that their arguments are valid. Think about it.
Bob Schelen is part of the establishment, so would be for Measure W. No surprise there.
As you admit DPD, the budget is overly complicated. If you want voters to pony up, give them info they can understand.
My salad question is indicative of wasted money. $70,000 was put towards a Crunch Lunch program, some of which was used to pay a Davis author to give cooking lessons to the cafeteria staff. In this day and age of tight budgets, we do not have the money to hire consultants to teach cafeteria workers what they already should know (not to mention the conflict of interest involved). More than likely this Davis author is now on the regular payroll to teach cooking lessons. And by the way, in an earlier post, you said you were going to research this issue, DPD.
I had not decided on Measure W, up until now. I was waiting to see if the School Bd/District would make enough changes to reassure me that it would not be business as usual. I don’t see anything but business as usual – and it isn’t good enough for me.
You can rail all you want about how I “don’t care about the children”, I keep going on a “salad rant”, my questions have “already been answered”, “I don’t go to Bd meetings” (when in fact the times I did I was treated with utter disdain), etc. ad nauseum. Calling names is not getting the job done. Logical arguments with true accountability is what is needed – such as a parcel tax to cover the $600,000 needed to keep Emerson open.
For many of us, it is the trust factor – a lack of trust. We needed reassurance the School District was going to do everything in its power to save Emerson. Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate. It is the School District/Bd that are conflating the use of different pots of money argument, not me.
The more the Yes on Measure W folks resort to attacking detractors, the less convinced I am that their arguments are valid. Think about it.
Bob Schelen is part of the establishment, so would be for Measure W. No surprise there.
As you admit DPD, the budget is overly complicated. If you want voters to pony up, give them info they can understand.
My salad question is indicative of wasted money. $70,000 was put towards a Crunch Lunch program, some of which was used to pay a Davis author to give cooking lessons to the cafeteria staff. In this day and age of tight budgets, we do not have the money to hire consultants to teach cafeteria workers what they already should know (not to mention the conflict of interest involved). More than likely this Davis author is now on the regular payroll to teach cooking lessons. And by the way, in an earlier post, you said you were going to research this issue, DPD.
I had not decided on Measure W, up until now. I was waiting to see if the School Bd/District would make enough changes to reassure me that it would not be business as usual. I don’t see anything but business as usual – and it isn’t good enough for me.
You can rail all you want about how I “don’t care about the children”, I keep going on a “salad rant”, my questions have “already been answered”, “I don’t go to Bd meetings” (when in fact the times I did I was treated with utter disdain), etc. ad nauseum. Calling names is not getting the job done. Logical arguments with true accountability is what is needed – such as a parcel tax to cover the $600,000 needed to keep Emerson open.
For many of us, it is the trust factor – a lack of trust. We needed reassurance the School District was going to do everything in its power to save Emerson. Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate. It is the School District/Bd that are conflating the use of different pots of money argument, not me.
The more the Yes on Measure W folks resort to attacking detractors, the less convinced I am that their arguments are valid. Think about it.
Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.
Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it. You could have called up Bruce Colby to answer that question just as easily as I could have. You didn’t. To me that suggests it was not a real issue for you.
“Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate.”
As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to.
But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.
To me Measure W comes down to a simple factor: you either fund the district or you accept the fact that teachers and programs will have to be canceled and accept the ramifications for those.
I don’t really see from you or other detractors an acknowledgement of the impact of that. I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day. I don’t see it. Maybe the Davis Schools Foundation can raise money but it’s a much tougher economic landscape and much more bleaker prognosis than it was even last year. If they come back with another parcel tax in the spring, you are probably looking at Emerson closing.
If your goal is to keep Emerson open, you are going about it in a very strange way.
I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.
Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.
Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it. You could have called up Bruce Colby to answer that question just as easily as I could have. You didn’t. To me that suggests it was not a real issue for you.
“Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate.”
As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to.
But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.
To me Measure W comes down to a simple factor: you either fund the district or you accept the fact that teachers and programs will have to be canceled and accept the ramifications for those.
I don’t really see from you or other detractors an acknowledgement of the impact of that. I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day. I don’t see it. Maybe the Davis Schools Foundation can raise money but it’s a much tougher economic landscape and much more bleaker prognosis than it was even last year. If they come back with another parcel tax in the spring, you are probably looking at Emerson closing.
If your goal is to keep Emerson open, you are going about it in a very strange way.
I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.
Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.
Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it. You could have called up Bruce Colby to answer that question just as easily as I could have. You didn’t. To me that suggests it was not a real issue for you.
“Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate.”
As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to.
But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.
To me Measure W comes down to a simple factor: you either fund the district or you accept the fact that teachers and programs will have to be canceled and accept the ramifications for those.
I don’t really see from you or other detractors an acknowledgement of the impact of that. I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day. I don’t see it. Maybe the Davis Schools Foundation can raise money but it’s a much tougher economic landscape and much more bleaker prognosis than it was even last year. If they come back with another parcel tax in the spring, you are probably looking at Emerson closing.
If your goal is to keep Emerson open, you are going about it in a very strange way.
I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.
Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.
Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it. You could have called up Bruce Colby to answer that question just as easily as I could have. You didn’t. To me that suggests it was not a real issue for you.
“Instead I get the feeling that if there is a budgetary shortfall, Emerson closing will be the quick fix, w excuses it will take $16 million to renovate.”
As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to.
But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.
To me Measure W comes down to a simple factor: you either fund the district or you accept the fact that teachers and programs will have to be canceled and accept the ramifications for those.
I don’t really see from you or other detractors an acknowledgement of the impact of that. I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day. I don’t see it. Maybe the Davis Schools Foundation can raise money but it’s a much tougher economic landscape and much more bleaker prognosis than it was even last year. If they come back with another parcel tax in the spring, you are probably looking at Emerson closing.
If your goal is to keep Emerson open, you are going about it in a very strange way.
I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.
“Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it.”
It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.
“Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.”
What Bob Schelen’s position was on VO is hardly relevant. Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it! Bob Schelen is part of the school establishment, hardly a maverick when it comes to reforming budgetary problems.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct. If it is not, they can force the paper to print a retraction. Your arguments are very weak here.
“As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to. But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.”
Weasel wording – just like Hammond. The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. Those fears could have been allayed if a parcel tax was specifically allocated to cover the $600,000 cost to keep Emerson operating. Instead the School District chose to use the closure of Emerson as a “big stick” to extort more money from taxpayers. I would much prefer being asked to pony up the $600,000 to pay for Emerson to stay open – to me it is a more compelling argument than the one you are giving – “well maybe they will, but maybe they won’t”.
“I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day.”
Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument. It is the trust factor, as I mentioned before, or the lack thereof.
“I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.”
But then they didn’t need to convince you, they needed to convince those of us who are skeptical. So far, so bad. They need to do better – that is what I am holding out for. Perhaps they are incapable of doing better. What a shame if that is true.
“Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it.”
It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.
“Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.”
What Bob Schelen’s position was on VO is hardly relevant. Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it! Bob Schelen is part of the school establishment, hardly a maverick when it comes to reforming budgetary problems.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct. If it is not, they can force the paper to print a retraction. Your arguments are very weak here.
“As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to. But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.”
Weasel wording – just like Hammond. The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. Those fears could have been allayed if a parcel tax was specifically allocated to cover the $600,000 cost to keep Emerson operating. Instead the School District chose to use the closure of Emerson as a “big stick” to extort more money from taxpayers. I would much prefer being asked to pony up the $600,000 to pay for Emerson to stay open – to me it is a more compelling argument than the one you are giving – “well maybe they will, but maybe they won’t”.
“I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day.”
Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument. It is the trust factor, as I mentioned before, or the lack thereof.
“I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.”
But then they didn’t need to convince you, they needed to convince those of us who are skeptical. So far, so bad. They need to do better – that is what I am holding out for. Perhaps they are incapable of doing better. What a shame if that is true.
“Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it.”
It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.
“Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.”
What Bob Schelen’s position was on VO is hardly relevant. Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it! Bob Schelen is part of the school establishment, hardly a maverick when it comes to reforming budgetary problems.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct. If it is not, they can force the paper to print a retraction. Your arguments are very weak here.
“As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to. But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.”
Weasel wording – just like Hammond. The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. Those fears could have been allayed if a parcel tax was specifically allocated to cover the $600,000 cost to keep Emerson operating. Instead the School District chose to use the closure of Emerson as a “big stick” to extort more money from taxpayers. I would much prefer being asked to pony up the $600,000 to pay for Emerson to stay open – to me it is a more compelling argument than the one you are giving – “well maybe they will, but maybe they won’t”.
“I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day.”
Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument. It is the trust factor, as I mentioned before, or the lack thereof.
“I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.”
But then they didn’t need to convince you, they needed to convince those of us who are skeptical. So far, so bad. They need to do better – that is what I am holding out for. Perhaps they are incapable of doing better. What a shame if that is true.
“Second point, and I keep coming back to this–crunch lunch is a strawman argument. It is moot point. They allocated the money in Measure Q, it is a popular program, and frankly until Measure Q sunsets, there is not one thing you can do about it.”
It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.
“Bob Schelen ran for the board on a very similar agenda to one that I would have supported. He was pro-Valley Oak. Supported it becoming a charter. I don’t see a good case that can be made that Schelen is that similar to others on the board.”
What Bob Schelen’s position was on VO is hardly relevant. Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it! Bob Schelen is part of the school establishment, hardly a maverick when it comes to reforming budgetary problems.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct. If it is not, they can force the paper to print a retraction. Your arguments are very weak here.
“As I mentioned earlier this week I think that is going to be problematic given the logistics of the where the schools lie. I don’t see a burning desire for them to do so unless they have to. But more to the point, there is no way to guarantee that Emerson doesn’t close as I mentioned earlier this week.”
Weasel wording – just like Hammond. The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. Those fears could have been allayed if a parcel tax was specifically allocated to cover the $600,000 cost to keep Emerson operating. Instead the School District chose to use the closure of Emerson as a “big stick” to extort more money from taxpayers. I would much prefer being asked to pony up the $600,000 to pay for Emerson to stay open – to me it is a more compelling argument than the one you are giving – “well maybe they will, but maybe they won’t”.
“I think you believe that that there is some secret money there that will bail them out at the end of the day.”
Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument. It is the trust factor, as I mentioned before, or the lack thereof.
“I haven’t called anyone names or suggested that anyone is anti-school or child. But at the end of the day, I think the school district has gone a long way towards making their books transparent and I don’t see detractors meeting them half way.”
But then they didn’t need to convince you, they needed to convince those of us who are skeptical. So far, so bad. They need to do better – that is what I am holding out for. Perhaps they are incapable of doing better. What a shame if that is true.
“It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.”
No, it’s a moot point. People wanted the program, asked the school district to fund it, they put on the ballot last year and it passed. There is no wasted money. In fact, the district expects it will end up being revenue neutral due to increased sales.
“Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it!”
Sheila Allen was the only one to vote against closing VO and vote for the charter. Provenza joined her in voting against closing VO but was off the board when the vote came down on the charter. I don’t what you are talking about.
“The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. “
That’s certainly by no means clear, there were just as many people concerned about closing down the music program, or closing down Da Vinci, or the pre-school.
“Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument.”
I haven’t seen them move the target. They managed to shave off that $1.1 million mainly by using one-time money and most of that is now back on the table next year, which is why the deficit is $2.4 million. They did allow attrition for staff, they cut an assistant superintendent, and a few other things. But for the most part, they bridged the gap last year and won’t have that option for this year. I haven’t seen any moving target.
“It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.”
No, it’s a moot point. People wanted the program, asked the school district to fund it, they put on the ballot last year and it passed. There is no wasted money. In fact, the district expects it will end up being revenue neutral due to increased sales.
“Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it!”
Sheila Allen was the only one to vote against closing VO and vote for the charter. Provenza joined her in voting against closing VO but was off the board when the vote came down on the charter. I don’t what you are talking about.
“The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. “
That’s certainly by no means clear, there were just as many people concerned about closing down the music program, or closing down Da Vinci, or the pre-school.
“Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument.”
I haven’t seen them move the target. They managed to shave off that $1.1 million mainly by using one-time money and most of that is now back on the table next year, which is why the deficit is $2.4 million. They did allow attrition for staff, they cut an assistant superintendent, and a few other things. But for the most part, they bridged the gap last year and won’t have that option for this year. I haven’t seen any moving target.
“It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.”
No, it’s a moot point. People wanted the program, asked the school district to fund it, they put on the ballot last year and it passed. There is no wasted money. In fact, the district expects it will end up being revenue neutral due to increased sales.
“Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it!”
Sheila Allen was the only one to vote against closing VO and vote for the charter. Provenza joined her in voting against closing VO but was off the board when the vote came down on the charter. I don’t what you are talking about.
“The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. “
That’s certainly by no means clear, there were just as many people concerned about closing down the music program, or closing down Da Vinci, or the pre-school.
“Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument.”
I haven’t seen them move the target. They managed to shave off that $1.1 million mainly by using one-time money and most of that is now back on the table next year, which is why the deficit is $2.4 million. They did allow attrition for staff, they cut an assistant superintendent, and a few other things. But for the most part, they bridged the gap last year and won’t have that option for this year. I haven’t seen any moving target.
“It is not a straw man argument. It is indicative of how parcel money is spent or wasted, however you want to look at it.”
No, it’s a moot point. People wanted the program, asked the school district to fund it, they put on the ballot last year and it passed. There is no wasted money. In fact, the district expects it will end up being revenue neutral due to increased sales.
“Supposedly Shiela Allen was against closing VO, until she voted against it!”
Sheila Allen was the only one to vote against closing VO and vote for the charter. Provenza joined her in voting against closing VO but was off the board when the vote came down on the charter. I don’t what you are talking about.
“The fact of the matter is that the public’s main concern was the closure of Emerson when all the budgetary mess happened. “
That’s certainly by no means clear, there were just as many people concerned about closing down the music program, or closing down Da Vinci, or the pre-school.
“Well, they managed to shave $1.1 million from the budget, now didn’t they? Do I think they have any more money to shave? I’m not sure, bc they keep moving the target to another argument.”
I haven’t seen them move the target. They managed to shave off that $1.1 million mainly by using one-time money and most of that is now back on the table next year, which is why the deficit is $2.4 million. They did allow attrition for staff, they cut an assistant superintendent, and a few other things. But for the most part, they bridged the gap last year and won’t have that option for this year. I haven’t seen any moving target.
“I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct.”
You raised some good points early on, but this one is just plain petty. You are interested in the answer. Ma’am, you are a grown up. If this matters to you so much, call the school district on Monday morning [757-5300].
Frankly, I don’t give a damn if the cafeteria workers are getting a few cooking tips or not. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea if the are.
I, too, had plenty of questions early on. I didn’t whine about them on this blog. I called and e-mailed Bruce Colby, school board members, other administrators with my questions, and they answered them.
“I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct.”
You raised some good points early on, but this one is just plain petty. You are interested in the answer. Ma’am, you are a grown up. If this matters to you so much, call the school district on Monday morning [757-5300].
Frankly, I don’t give a damn if the cafeteria workers are getting a few cooking tips or not. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea if the are.
I, too, had plenty of questions early on. I didn’t whine about them on this blog. I called and e-mailed Bruce Colby, school board members, other administrators with my questions, and they answered them.
“I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct.”
You raised some good points early on, but this one is just plain petty. You are interested in the answer. Ma’am, you are a grown up. If this matters to you so much, call the school district on Monday morning [757-5300].
Frankly, I don’t give a damn if the cafeteria workers are getting a few cooking tips or not. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea if the are.
I, too, had plenty of questions early on. I didn’t whine about them on this blog. I called and e-mailed Bruce Colby, school board members, other administrators with my questions, and they answered them.
“I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find? Or do you know the answer already? Furthermore, to me it is the responsibility of the School District to make sure what is reported in the local paper is correct.”
You raised some good points early on, but this one is just plain petty. You are interested in the answer. Ma’am, you are a grown up. If this matters to you so much, call the school district on Monday morning [757-5300].
Frankly, I don’t give a damn if the cafeteria workers are getting a few cooking tips or not. It doesn’t seem like a bad idea if the are.
I, too, had plenty of questions early on. I didn’t whine about them on this blog. I called and e-mailed Bruce Colby, school board members, other administrators with my questions, and they answered them.
Out of curiosity I looked up the Davis Enterprise article:
“Helping with the upgrades to the school lunch program is Georgeanne Brennan, a food writer and cookbook author who lives in Yolo County. (Evans and Brennan write a monthly food column in The Enterprise.)
Brennan is giving the district’s student nutrition staff monthly cooking lessons using fresh local produce in hot and cold offerings. This has allowed the district to cut down on the use of manufactured and refined foods. “
So there are cooking lessons which was never really a point in doubt.
It makes no mention as to whether or not the person is paid to give these lessons. We do know that the “Farm-to-School Connection” is a non-profit that gets no district money. We also know that from Bruce Colby that the district hired no additional staff for this program.
So I see one of three possibilities here.
1. This individual giving cooking lessons is not getting paid
2. This individual giving cooking lessons is getting paid by the school district as part of the start up costs of the program
3. This individual is affiliated with the Farm-to-School Connection and they pay for the lessons.
I’m not exactly sure what the outrage is with this still, I’ve never claimed that the Enterprise was wrong about anything, but the Enterprise doesn’t exactly say that this individual is getting funded and if so how.
So what exactly do you want to know and why in god’s name did you not call up Bruce Colby and ask him if this question so important to you.
Again, no one is asking you to prove that the Enterprise is not telling the truth, there is no reason to believe that they aren’t, I’m sure they are. But that doesn’t appear to answer your actual question which is not mentioned or addressed in the article.
Out of curiosity I looked up the Davis Enterprise article:
“Helping with the upgrades to the school lunch program is Georgeanne Brennan, a food writer and cookbook author who lives in Yolo County. (Evans and Brennan write a monthly food column in The Enterprise.)
Brennan is giving the district’s student nutrition staff monthly cooking lessons using fresh local produce in hot and cold offerings. This has allowed the district to cut down on the use of manufactured and refined foods. “
So there are cooking lessons which was never really a point in doubt.
It makes no mention as to whether or not the person is paid to give these lessons. We do know that the “Farm-to-School Connection” is a non-profit that gets no district money. We also know that from Bruce Colby that the district hired no additional staff for this program.
So I see one of three possibilities here.
1. This individual giving cooking lessons is not getting paid
2. This individual giving cooking lessons is getting paid by the school district as part of the start up costs of the program
3. This individual is affiliated with the Farm-to-School Connection and they pay for the lessons.
I’m not exactly sure what the outrage is with this still, I’ve never claimed that the Enterprise was wrong about anything, but the Enterprise doesn’t exactly say that this individual is getting funded and if so how.
So what exactly do you want to know and why in god’s name did you not call up Bruce Colby and ask him if this question so important to you.
Again, no one is asking you to prove that the Enterprise is not telling the truth, there is no reason to believe that they aren’t, I’m sure they are. But that doesn’t appear to answer your actual question which is not mentioned or addressed in the article.
Out of curiosity I looked up the Davis Enterprise article:
“Helping with the upgrades to the school lunch program is Georgeanne Brennan, a food writer and cookbook author who lives in Yolo County. (Evans and Brennan write a monthly food column in The Enterprise.)
Brennan is giving the district’s student nutrition staff monthly cooking lessons using fresh local produce in hot and cold offerings. This has allowed the district to cut down on the use of manufactured and refined foods. “
So there are cooking lessons which was never really a point in doubt.
It makes no mention as to whether or not the person is paid to give these lessons. We do know that the “Farm-to-School Connection” is a non-profit that gets no district money. We also know that from Bruce Colby that the district hired no additional staff for this program.
So I see one of three possibilities here.
1. This individual giving cooking lessons is not getting paid
2. This individual giving cooking lessons is getting paid by the school district as part of the start up costs of the program
3. This individual is affiliated with the Farm-to-School Connection and they pay for the lessons.
I’m not exactly sure what the outrage is with this still, I’ve never claimed that the Enterprise was wrong about anything, but the Enterprise doesn’t exactly say that this individual is getting funded and if so how.
So what exactly do you want to know and why in god’s name did you not call up Bruce Colby and ask him if this question so important to you.
Again, no one is asking you to prove that the Enterprise is not telling the truth, there is no reason to believe that they aren’t, I’m sure they are. But that doesn’t appear to answer your actual question which is not mentioned or addressed in the article.
Out of curiosity I looked up the Davis Enterprise article:
“Helping with the upgrades to the school lunch program is Georgeanne Brennan, a food writer and cookbook author who lives in Yolo County. (Evans and Brennan write a monthly food column in The Enterprise.)
Brennan is giving the district’s student nutrition staff monthly cooking lessons using fresh local produce in hot and cold offerings. This has allowed the district to cut down on the use of manufactured and refined foods. “
So there are cooking lessons which was never really a point in doubt.
It makes no mention as to whether or not the person is paid to give these lessons. We do know that the “Farm-to-School Connection” is a non-profit that gets no district money. We also know that from Bruce Colby that the district hired no additional staff for this program.
So I see one of three possibilities here.
1. This individual giving cooking lessons is not getting paid
2. This individual giving cooking lessons is getting paid by the school district as part of the start up costs of the program
3. This individual is affiliated with the Farm-to-School Connection and they pay for the lessons.
I’m not exactly sure what the outrage is with this still, I’ve never claimed that the Enterprise was wrong about anything, but the Enterprise doesn’t exactly say that this individual is getting funded and if so how.
So what exactly do you want to know and why in god’s name did you not call up Bruce Colby and ask him if this question so important to you.
Again, no one is asking you to prove that the Enterprise is not telling the truth, there is no reason to believe that they aren’t, I’m sure they are. But that doesn’t appear to answer your actual question which is not mentioned or addressed in the article.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find?
I think Greenwald has given you a good opportunity to get to the bottom of this. Nov. 7, 11 am, District Office. The Measure Q oversight committee will meet. I’m sure there will be opportunity for public comment, and I’m sure they would take your questions about “crunch lunch”.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find?
I think Greenwald has given you a good opportunity to get to the bottom of this. Nov. 7, 11 am, District Office. The Measure Q oversight committee will meet. I’m sure there will be opportunity for public comment, and I’m sure they would take your questions about “crunch lunch”.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find?
I think Greenwald has given you a good opportunity to get to the bottom of this. Nov. 7, 11 am, District Office. The Measure Q oversight committee will meet. I’m sure there will be opportunity for public comment, and I’m sure they would take your questions about “crunch lunch”.
I don’t see any School Bd member denying my point about the cooking lessons. It was reported in the Davis Enterprise. I am faulted for a failure to prove the Davis Enterprise is not telling the truth, yet you get on your high horse and are unwilling to prove me wrong. Afraid of what you will find?
I think Greenwald has given you a good opportunity to get to the bottom of this. Nov. 7, 11 am, District Office. The Measure Q oversight committee will meet. I’m sure there will be opportunity for public comment, and I’m sure they would take your questions about “crunch lunch”.
So that you folks understand how important this is to the school district, the district Chief Budget Officer reads this board late on a Friday night (on Halloween no less).
Anyway, he told me the answer to the question is #3, the cooking lessons are paid for by the Farm to School Program. The only cost to the district is the employees who take the lessons. He calls it a low cost employee professional development program. And of course the main goal is to provide more healthy food choices for the students that they will eat.
He suggested that he would sit down with anyone who is interested and go over the budget.
Finally, he suggested that after the election there could be a Vanguard sponsored Q and A with him and the Superintendent. I think it’s a great idea, I just have to think about how to structure it.
So that you folks understand how important this is to the school district, the district Chief Budget Officer reads this board late on a Friday night (on Halloween no less).
Anyway, he told me the answer to the question is #3, the cooking lessons are paid for by the Farm to School Program. The only cost to the district is the employees who take the lessons. He calls it a low cost employee professional development program. And of course the main goal is to provide more healthy food choices for the students that they will eat.
He suggested that he would sit down with anyone who is interested and go over the budget.
Finally, he suggested that after the election there could be a Vanguard sponsored Q and A with him and the Superintendent. I think it’s a great idea, I just have to think about how to structure it.
So that you folks understand how important this is to the school district, the district Chief Budget Officer reads this board late on a Friday night (on Halloween no less).
Anyway, he told me the answer to the question is #3, the cooking lessons are paid for by the Farm to School Program. The only cost to the district is the employees who take the lessons. He calls it a low cost employee professional development program. And of course the main goal is to provide more healthy food choices for the students that they will eat.
He suggested that he would sit down with anyone who is interested and go over the budget.
Finally, he suggested that after the election there could be a Vanguard sponsored Q and A with him and the Superintendent. I think it’s a great idea, I just have to think about how to structure it.
So that you folks understand how important this is to the school district, the district Chief Budget Officer reads this board late on a Friday night (on Halloween no less).
Anyway, he told me the answer to the question is #3, the cooking lessons are paid for by the Farm to School Program. The only cost to the district is the employees who take the lessons. He calls it a low cost employee professional development program. And of course the main goal is to provide more healthy food choices for the students that they will eat.
He suggested that he would sit down with anyone who is interested and go over the budget.
Finally, he suggested that after the election there could be a Vanguard sponsored Q and A with him and the Superintendent. I think it’s a great idea, I just have to think about how to structure it.