Multiple Articles and Letters "Roiling" Around Sweetwater Saturday MAY 2, 2009
Here are the Headlines & Related Articles:
IN SHORT TAKES (page 2)
1. Petition Seeks Removal of Sweetwater District Cheif
2. No-Confidence Vote for Southwestern President (It is reported that Gandara wrote a letter to Raj Chopra asking for dismissal of a counselor in regards to Sandoval's controveries -see 2nd letter and the April 16 article archived here in blog.)
IN LOCAL LETTERS Headline:
GENDER EQUALITY IN SWEETWATER DISTRICT? HARDLY
These three letters range from the Gandara to Title IX:
Short Takes articles:
Petition seeks removal of Sweetwater district chief
CHULA VISTA: Four South County school employee unions are circulating a petition calling for the removal of Sweetwater Union High School District Superintendent Jesus Gandara.
The administration and the district's 2,200-member teachers union are at an impasse over a new contract. The district has proposed a 2 percent pay cut for the teachers.
The petition asks the Sweetwater school board “to immediately begin the process of seeking a new superintendent.” The petition accuses Gandara of using intimidation to gain consent.
“It is unfortunate in these tough economic times this so-called 'no-confidence' petition is being circulated by the unions to try to slam the superintendent,” board President Jim Cartmill said in a news release. “The petition is nothing more than a political tactic being used during difficult contract negotiations.”
Nine years ago, Sweetwater teachers dissatisfied with stalled contract negotiations handed then-Superintendent Ed Brand a vote of no confidence.
The board issued tentative layoff notices to 109 educators last month but has since rescinded 72 of them. –C.M.
No-confidence vote for Southwestern president
CHULA VISTA: Southwestern College's Academic Senate has passed a resolution of no confidence in the leadership of college President Raj Chopra.
The 26-to-1 vote on Tuesday cites what the Senate considers Chopra's disregard for shared governance, meaning faculty participation in decision-making at the college.
The resolution does not specifically criticize any of the president's policies but states that the Senate “takes great exception to the process by which the superintendent/president makes decisions.”
In a written statement, Chopra called the vote “unfortunate” and said he has sought input and considered all suggestions in running the college.
“Difficult decisions needed to be made considering the entire college's needs during fiscally challenging times. It is noteworthy that no programs have been cut and no faculty members have been laid off,” Chopra said in the statement.
Some non-teaching employees' jobs are being eliminated under a recent reorganization.
The Academic Senate is not a union. It is the legal representative of the college's faculty on academic and professional matters in the governance of the school. –C.M.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/02/lz1sz2short00464-short-takes-south-county-news-bri/?southcounty&zIndex=91966
LETTERS:
Local letters: South Edition
2:00 a.m. May 2, 2009
Gender equality in Sweetwater district? Hardly
On April 11, Jesus Gandara, superintendent of the Sweetwater Union High School District, wrote about the efforts of the district to ensure equity for girls in sports, which I applaud. Unfortunately, his concern for equity doesn't seem to extend to all aspects of the district.
Board actions on March 9, based on the superintendent's recommendation, resulted in the movement of many district office staff. An examination of those moves shows that 11 women district office administrators or resource teachers were demoted, terminated or given reduction-in-force notices. These women were highly respected by their peers, had positive evaluations and had given many years of loyal service to the district. All were over 50.
Concurrently, five men were given lateral transfers or promotions. Where is the equity there?
In fact, gender, age and cultural bias permeates the Sweetwater district. In the superintendent's commentary the only names mentioned were males – the male principal and male athletic director. And in the picture it appears the girl softball players have a male coach.
Actions speak louder than words. We demand that the superintendent and trustees follow the district's non-discrimination policy in all decisions, and rescind their previous decisions to terminate or demote loyal female employees.
KAY BODGE
National City
In response to “Five at Southwestern may lose jobs” on April 16: *
Not only does Sweetwater Union High School District Superintendent Jesus Gandara's insistence to have administrator Fernando Poveda removed from Southwestern College violate the protection mandated through the Whistle Blowers Program, but it publicly provides support to a person who sexually harasses his subordinates; adding to that, Gandara further imposes his megalomania on an institution over which he has no power.
Gandara should be ashamed of himself. Greg Sandoval should not be allowed to serve on a board that proposes to have our children's best interest at heart. Sandoval has set the worst kind of example to young men in our district, and for Gandara to publicly support this sexual predator is unconscionable.
I propose that we insist on Gandara's resignation, and that we recall Sandoval. To allow them to continue to serve in a public capacity in support of our district is equal to sanctioning the continued practice of sexual harassment in our institutions of higher learning, and – our children are watching.
We must never become so complacent that doing nothing is easier than taking a stand. We must take a stand.
SHERRIE KOLB-CASSEL
National City
*This article is archived in this blog
It is encouraging to see that the Sweetwater district is addressing the lack of gender equity in its athletic programs. It is encouraging to see that Castle Park, Bonita Vista and Hilltop high school softball programs are receiving monies to upgrade their facilities.
I am the mother of a senior at Mar Vista High School and I have watched her excel in the classroom beyond my wildest dreams. Then she gives her all on the the softball field, which has not been upgraded. The girls have to walk the field a few times a week to remove rocks and pieces of glass found in the dirt. There are no covers for the dugouts; the bleachers are noncompliant; there is no restroom within 300 yards of the field.
I invite Superintendent Gandara to tour the Mar Vista High School softball field, considered one of the worst fields in San Diego County. Title IX was supposed to allow equal access to sports and facilities for all female athletes. This is not happening at Mar Vista.
My daughter has been on teams that have won two league championship banners, yet upgrading of our softball facility is ignored year to year. Since this my daughter's fourth and final year, it will not happen during her high school career.
CHRISTINA GREINER
Imperial Beach
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/02/lz1sz2letters00462-local-letters/?uniontrib
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1 comment:
Spread the word! The May 11 rally must be larger than all others. Some sites have very little representation. I hate to think that educators don't know reality, but people have to get renewed on what permanent cuts mean. Complacency is not acceptable. We cannot back down on this one!
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