Thursday, September 23, 2010

Four candidates vie for three positions on Pacifica School District board

By Julia Scott
San Mateo County Times
Updated: 09/23/2010 08:11:35 PM PDT

PACIFICA -- All four candidates for the Pacifica School District's Board of Trustees are competing for the title of strongest advocate on behalf of students, parents and the district's bottom line -- and they all list credentials to back up their claims. 

Voters will pick three out of four candidates to chart a new path for the school district in the midst of a cloudy financial picture. Incumbents Joan Weideman and Mike O'Neill are running again. Challengers Kalimah Salahuddin and Richard Faust are well-known education advocates within the Pacifica School District community.

Whomever is elected will steer a school district that has undergone $2.4 million in cuts the past few years and is using a $300,000 federal stimulus grant to fill a budget deficit in the current school year. The district is waiting for state legislators to pass a budget to determine whether further cuts are necessary. The district is planning five furlough days this year and has been forced to use its reserves to cover payroll, according to officials.

On the other hand, student enrollment is steady at the district's seven schools -- five elementary schools and Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School, plus a special education center -- and the district is in better shape than many of its neighbors, with reserves of about $1.5 million.

Weideman has spent much of her time on the board since 2002 trying to stanch the hemorrhaging of funds due to state budget cuts. She doesn't like the fact that the district is beholden to the generosity of donors such as the Rob Schneider Music Foundation for so much of its supplies and programming. "We've spent our time on finding money, not on finding ways for our kids to progress," said Weideman, a stay-at-home mom. "When you are talking about funding coming from outside of the school, it's embarrassing."

Read more...

Posted by Steve Sinai

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Embarrassing" Quit the whining and get your butt to sacramento and fight for your schools. That is part of the job. The squeaky wheel still gets the grease. If our schools are so great, then they should be recognized. That is the new way now. You should be out begging for money, not our students. That is what your job is.

Anonymous said...

Is she complaining about her job? We can fix that.

Anonymous said...

Most of the incumbents for School District they need to go too. The haven't really made enough progress either.

Also there is dirty politics in the School District too.

Anonymous said...

Saw a incumbant at the fogfest supporting "don't call me ma'am", Babs "Bounce Checks" Senator Boxer table.

Recently, Senator Barbara Boxer had some trouble when her Senior Aide was arrested for downloading, viewing, trading child pornography. Another aide was searched and arrested for trying to bring marijuana into the capitol.

What kind of office/staff is she running on the US Taxpayers dime? Well, she is the most far left leaning liberal progressive and most likely supports sex with children and getting hi. How could she not know???

Kathy Meeh said...

School board incumbency is not the same as that of city council incumbents, who with opportunities available have failed to provide this city a balanced city economy, a real financial reserve, and a city future.

Anon @9:20AM, 9:47AM (likely same person) you are "name calling", and you have nothing, zero, "nada" to show for it-- just you being a jerk, and your fake identity.

What these accountable school board incumbents (Joan Weideman and Mike O'Neill) have shown is proven leadership. And, during their tenure, the academic achieve level has risen to to 20%. At that same time this school district is working with money received from the State in the bottom 11%. This school board has been heroes (as has been the Rob Schneider Music Foundation) and all volunteers, optimizing what money has been available to provide a quality public education to children of this community.

A Painter of the Flemish School said...

I agree with Kathy. The school board has done a fantastic job despite the conditions they find themselves operating in.

Kathy Meeh said...

Anon @2:20PM, another disappointing several comments from you without research and justification. There really is nothing to be believed from you it seems.

9/8/10 Marcus Stanley, a senior staffer resignation was accepted by Barbara Boxer. (Stanley had been a congressional staffer since 2007). He was arrested for marijuana possession when entering the US office building. For more see Politico or Huffington Post. Too bad for him, but big deal.

Apparently the "bounced check" allegation you made against Barbara Boxer dates way back 18 years to "Rubbergate" (1992), a Congressional "House Bank" overdraft protection record keeping scandal, affecting 296 sitting representatives, 59 former members personal counts. Boxer was among 24 who were really not paying enough attention (she said so). This House record keeping issue was investigated by the House Ethics Committee. Its over, nothing illegal that I can find. Source Watch.

Anon, other worthless comments from you @2:20pm are not logical. Try to do better.

Unknown said...

Barbara Boxer needs to step down and let someone else work for the people.

Anonymous said...

Oh, didn't know she was running for School Board.

Steve Sinai said...

Boxer's useless, but after seeing how Fiorina ran HP into the ground, there's no way in hell I'd vote for Carly. I'll be holding my nose and voting for Boxer.

If it was Boxer vs. Campbell, I'd have voted for Campbell.

Pissed off at the Democrats said...

And you are losing a grip on reality.

Carly on CNN John King spanks him after he tries to defend Babs "don't call me ma'am" Boxer.

All major US Companies had to lay off workers after the democrats took over the House in 2007. Labor has become expensive in America. Government regulators were not doing their jobs and the democrats prefer comediennes over dealing with reality. The democrats have become clowns. Starting with former SNL Comedienne Al Franken, who , whenever he gets a chance mocks our constitution and laws. Lady Gaga with her clown act defends gays in the military and ends up scaring everyone. Democratic Congress allowing Steve Colbert to waste taxpayers time and money making a mockery out of illegal immigrants working our farms. A report is out today how these same defenseless immigrants cause; young boys and girls kidnapped from mexico, brought over the border to prostitute for the coyotes who bring this service to the illegal migrant worker. Democrats are so proud of their labor laws , yet they allow these farms to abuse labor laws (ask pelosi vineyard owner who hires illegals) pay low wages and no healthcare, but insist these people get to vote.
Give me a break. Do Not Vote for ANY Democrats until they clean up their act.

We need a new way of doing education in Ca. said...

Public charter schools in California are skirting the worst impact of the state's budget crisis while traditional public schools shorten the school year, increase class sizes and lay off teachers and staff by the thousands.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/27/MN4D1FJ6EV.DTL#ixzz10ka8hepP

18 yrs ago I bounced $47,000.00 of tax payers$$ said...

The PSD incumbants who support and endorse Senator Babs "don't call me ma'am" Boxer, do not want our education system in California to change. "Keep the kids stupid and uninformed" should of been posted as a sign at the PSD Incumbant/Boxer table at Fog Festival.

Lying Boxer gets re-elected said...

Isn't it great to live in a society where the penalty for lying to a congressman can be up to 30 years in jail, but the penalty for a congressman lying to you is another two years in office.

Steve Sinai said...

"All major US Companies had to lay off workers after the democrats took over the House in 2007."

If the suggestion is that Carly was forced to lay people off because Democrats took over Congress in 2007, that's incorrect. (As usual with Anon.) Carly had been fired from her CEO-position at HP in 2005 for poor performance.

Unknown said...

Just the way Boxer should be fired for poor performance!

Kathy Meeh said...

Lois, what is the basis that you claim that Barbara Boxer has "poor performance"?

"Variations on Anonymous", you fail to prove any of the castigating remarks you make about Senator Barbara Boxer and other Democrats. This is again very disappointing.

Remember there were also a few financial oversight regulation problems prior to a Democrat president taking office 1/2009 (1.8 years ago), and Democrats taking control of the House in 2007 (3.8 years ago). Guess what, the severe recession didn't happen just because 1) Obama became President (1/09), and for 8 years prior Bush had been President; and 2) Democrats took control of the Senate (1/07) "after 12 years of nearly unbroken Republican rule", Washington Post 1/5/2007.

However, 5/12/2009 the Senate passed a 60% vote threshold for passage of legislation --you can blame Democrats for that. What were they thinking?

Not Laughing said...

Democrats are working hard to turn America into a laughing stock. I don't think it is funny.

"Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.)San Jose Rep. Zoe Lofgren invited comedian Stephen Colbert to "testify" at a hearing on the topic.Colbert said he was invited by Lofgren. Lofgren, is an immigration expert and advocate for migrant farmworkers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, told reporters afterward that "of course I think it's appropriate" that Colbert testified. "He's an American, right? He comes before the committee, has a point of view, he can bring attention to an important issue like immigration."He'll be back in Washington on Oct. 30 for his "March to Keep Fear Alive," which is scheduled to rival fellow Comedy Central host Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity." By Mike Zapler

mzapler@mercurynews.com
Posted: 09/24/2010 11:26:25 AM PDT
Updated: 09/25/2010 06:26:48 AM PDT

Dont get misguided said...

The troubles at HP were among the factors that prompted Fortune to demote Fiorina to No. 2 on its list of most powerful women in business, behind eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Fiorina had been No 1 since the list was created in 1998.

"While I regret the board and I have differences about how to execute HP's strategy, I respect their decision," Fiorina said in a statement released by the company.

On a conference call with reporters, executives said Fiorina was not terminated for cause and that she would receive severance pay -- and a company spokesman said she'll get a payout of approximately $21 million, including stock options (see correction).

The legendary Palo Alto, Calif.-based company has struggled to generate profits in the cutthroat hardware business, particularly in personal computers. In fact, slowing sales and stiff competition in the PC business led IBM to announce last year that it would sell its PC unit to China's Lenovo Group -- a deal that some lawmakers are eyeing for what they call national security concerns.

CEO who engineered Compaq merger leaving after fight with board; will walk away with $21 million.
February 10, 2005: 9:15 AM EST
By Paul R. La Monica, CNN/Money senior writer


Anon says, ' Carly Fiorina is much more impressive than Sen "don't call me ma'am" Boxer. Boxer is an extreme radical and needs to go. She has never created jobs, just destroys jobs; Barbara Boxer Promises Cap-and-Trade Bill.
Senator Barbara Boxer of California said Tuesday that a cap-and-trade bill was a top priority. (Photo: The Associated Press) 2009

Senator Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat, promised today to draft cap-and-trade legislation for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in as a little as a few weeks — and definitely “before the end of the year.
”Setting enforceable short- and long-term emissions targets.

Anonymous said...

Boxer, first elected in 1992, would not rate on anyone's list of most influential senators. Her most famous moments on Capitol Hill have not been ones of legislative accomplishment, but of delivering partisan shots. Although she is chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, it is telling that leadership on the most pressing issue before it - climate change - was shifted to Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., because the bill had become so polarized under her wing.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2010%2F09%2F26%2FEDCL1F4PRK.DTL#ixzz10ldiwvvS

Laurie Frater said...

What do any of these rantings have to do with the topic of this thread? (Answer: Nothing!)
You're not helping your case!

Dr. Giggles said...

Anon suffers from some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder in regards to Democrats. It reminds me of Krazy Kathleen.

Kathy Meeh said...

"Not laughing" 1:38pm, you've got to be kidding--

Sharon Angel, Jan Brewer, Christine O'Donnell, Ran Paul, Michele Bachmann. Fox News, Glen Beck, Rush Lembaugh, Sara Palin, Newt Gingrich, Ann Coulter, House Minority Leader John Boehner, Sen Jim DeMint, the rich twisted minds of those who finance the Tea Party, etc. to name a few.

Why worry about Stephen Colbert? One of the Muffits testified before congress (information from a political TV program, not Fox).

Steve Sinai said...

Kathy, for God's sake, please stop responding to Kathleen. You're just prolonging these absurd threads.

Kathy Meeh said...

Steve, oh, "not laughing" Kathleen? I thought that was someone else.

But, oops I just responded to Kathleen again. Her comments are kind of like looking into the political "Twilight Zone" (found it on the Wikipedia).

Steve Sinai said...

Whoever it is, by responding you're lending those nutty comments credibility.

Kathy Meeh said...

Steve, not exactly. Some comments need clarification or correction, otherwise they become propaganda which is remembered as fact rather than the fiction that they are.

Unknown said...

"Steve, not exactly. Some comments need clarification or correction, otherwise they become propaganda which is remembered as fact rather than the fiction that they are."

This Blog is becoming the most amusing thing I read every day. Thanks Kathy!

Unknown said...

For Kathy:
http://www.failedsenator.com/?cdtrack_creative=22647c8f-0200-4a8a-9e85-ed2c728c1326&cdtrack_source=3db6b64a-7523-476f-83ab-f6d50ea69417
Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, "Thank God, I'm still alive." But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again.
- Barbara Boxer, Senator
Author: BARBARA BOXER

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/17/boxer-gets-snotty-with-general-address-me-as-senator-not-maam/

It's called arrogance. She does not work for the people.

Steve Sinai said...

I feel like the loonies have taken over.

Steve Sinai said...

Repeated links to partisan websites aren't going to convince anyone of anything.

Kathy Meeh said...

Steve, you've got something against the "Muffits"? That was my summarized comment. No repeated links, and whereas the seeming purpose of "Anon" was to convince and taint, my general purpose was to verify and tweak.

"Politico" and "Huffington Post" are separate links which do a credible job reporting reliable political information. Partisan? Other national reports exist and may be googled, anyone further interested may compare accounts for themselves. The reporting was better described on these two sites from my view, and because the accounts were slightly different I elected to link both. As for people who repeatedly make no attempt to present accurate information, well do they deserve to be tweaked?

"Source Watch" seemed to be the only quick report on what was implied by Anon as a current Barbara Boxer "Babs, bounced checks" scandal. 1992, House overdraft record keeping issue involving 350 congressional members.

"Washington Post" verified 12 years of a mostly Republican congress prior to 1/2007, and the "Congressional Research Service" verified the 60% Senate rule to pass legislation (5/12/09)

The "don't call me ma'am" comment wasn't worth addressing, nor was the way too familiar use of "Babs" for a US Senator. Then there was the 9/26, 2:20pm (above) reference to "..far left leaning liberal progressive and most likely supports sex with children and getting hi. How could she not know???" This commentary crosses way over a line of conventional acceptability-- all under the name of "Anonymous". At what point is a comment or commentator like this removed?

Kathy Meeh said...

Lois, thanks for your follow-up. Senators are sent to many countries, and the website you sent is design specifically to target Barbara Boxer-- paid by "Carly for California, Inc.", including asking for campaign contributions, of course.

There may be a back story with the General who referred to Senator Boxer as Ma'm, rather than Senator. Generals should understand rank, the clip is not in context, hard to know or read, not important in itself. Remember, its Carly Fiorina's team that is doing the "name calling" on this website in an attempt to gain an advantage and replace Barbara Boxer. As for gaffes and off-camera comments, they happen, Carly Fiorina is newer on the political sceen has made a few.

For comparison here's the Barbara Boxer 2010 website, and I've linked you right into "Awards and Distinctions". Enjoy!

Dont want to be China said...

That's right, conservatives are wrong and Senator Babs "don't call me ma'am" Boxer are right. 18 years ago, the "Senator", overdrew her congressional account, by spending on..she can't remember, $43,000.00. That's right, and, you keep re-electing her. Despite that, her senior aide was arrested for downloading, viewing and trading child pornography,on taxpayer bought computer. Recently, Senator Boxer's other aide was searched and arrested for trying to bring marijuana into the US Capitol. And, she keeps getting re-elected. Her Green Bill Initiatives was taken away from her and handed over to Sen Kerry. Why? Because she does not know WTF she is doing. And, she keeps getting re-elected.

Another note; If you lose your home to foreclosure, the bank takes the property. Since the banks are now owned by the government, remember the TARP? The President won't let the banks pay back the TARP funds they were forced by our government to take, and, since China owns most of our; US debt, GM, California, does that mean, that, now China owns our foreclosed homes and banks?? China won. You lost. Vote out all incumbents. Especially, the incumbents in California.

Another note; Bank of America will be laying off bankers. Stock is way down. Bank is in trouble. Wonder if it was due to all those bad loans they created for the; can't prove income, can't prove citizenship, also has very bad credit people. Duh!

When will you say enough?!

I never vote said...

The voting game is rigged. It befuddles me why someone like Senator Boxer continues to get reelected.

Anonymous said...

Why does Boxer continue to get re-elected? Because of the candidates the Republican Party puts up to run against her.

"Senator Boxer's predecessor, Democrat Alan Cranston, retired in 1992. She won the open seat contest in the US Senate elections that year. She defeated Bruce Herschensohn, a conservative television political commentator, by 4.9 percentage points after a last-minute revelation that Herschensohn had attended a strip club. In 1998, she was re-elected for a second term, beating Matt Fong, a former state treasurer, by 10 percentage points. She had decided to retire in 2004 but says she decided to run to "fight for the right to dissent" against conservatives like Tom DeLay. After facing no primary opposition in the 2004 election, Boxer defeated GOP candidate Bill Jones, a former California Secretary of State, by a margin of 20 percentage points.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Boxer