A LEARNING EXPERIENCE: CANDIDATES CLASH AT GUHSD FORUM
By Miriam Raftery View full forum videos by Paul Kruze: Video part 1, Video part 2 October 25, 2012 (La Mesa)—Six candidates vying for two seats on the Grossmont Union High School District Board addressed topics ranging from budgets to bond money expenditures (reportedly the topic of a Grand Jury investigation) and from technology to integrity. The forum October 22 was sponsored by East County Magazine and moderated by Donna Barlett-May the League of Women Voters. The fireworks started in opening remarks, when education advocate Bill Weaver assailed incumbent Gary Woods for a problem with “what I see as honesty,” alluding to use of bond monies that has reportedly drawn the scrutiny of San Diego’s Grand Jury. Weaver faulted Woods for stating that Prop H and Prop U allocated $1 billion for improvements–including a new high school in Alpine, but that upgrades would cost $1.5 billion.“This makes no sense. Shouldn’t there be $75 million to build the high school as budgeted?” Weaver asked, noting that the bond language mandated the new high school as a top priority and that lesser priority projects have been completed. Weaver also poked holes in Woods’ argument that the high school shouldn’t be built because the district is losing students. “His own Superintendent said they had met that [enrollment] trigger,” Weaver noted. All candidates except Woods have voiced support for the new high school in Alpine—some in stronger terms than others. Other candidates used their opening statements to discuss their qualifications and goals. Jim Stieringer cited his experience on the Grossmont Healthcare District board and as La Mesa City Treasurer. He said the District has an obligation to live up to the requirements in Propositions H and U, then noted that he used half of his ballot statement to advocate for the Alpine High School. “If elected, I will look to see if enough money is left to do exactly that,” he said. Barbara Stevens, a technical writer, said she’s running as a concerned parent whose daughter is a graduate of Helix, a charter high in the district. “There is always controversy and there doesn’t seem to be much movement forward,” she said, citing bond projects and redistricting as two examples. Woods said he will continue to “fight for what’s best” and cited his teaching experience in public school and a religious institution, adding, “We live in the best country on God’s green earth.” Miller, 19 and a junior at San Diego State University, said he is running to bring “more student representation” onto the board. “I will fight to lower dropout rates, and raise graduation rates.” He wants to expand AP and honors courses, but added, “We can’t ignore at risk students…I will fight every day to make sure that teachers and students have what they need.” Priscilla Schreiber, the other incumbent up for reelection, said she represents both a “mother’s voice and a business voice” having served on the board for 12 years and obtained her Masters in Governance. Often an outspoken critic of colleagues who recruited her to run, she noted, “That came with a price, but I will not serve at the will of the majority.” All questions came from the audience in writing and were screened by the League of Women Voters. Candidates’ priorities were made clear when each was asked to name the most important issue facing the district. “Overcrowding,” said Weaver, who has championed a new high school for Alpine. He noted that almost 1200 students now have to arise at 5:30 a.m. to take a bus from Alpine to other schools, resulting in student fatigue and endangerment of students on the highways. “Resources,” said Stevens. “The middle class gets ignored.” “Training,” Woods replied, noting that “each student learns differently” and “technology makes learning fun.” He sees a need to prepare students for college while also offering pathways for career tech. “Support,” said Miller, adding that students need support from the entire community. “It’s motivation that will shape students to shape the future and change the world.” “Parents who are not concerned,” Stieringer said, noting that some kids come from homes where there are few books or resources, as well as parents who are not supportive. “Sacramento has failed our students,” said Schreiber, adding that the district has $58 million in unfunded mandates. Asked their views on Propositions 30 and 38, which would increase funding for education in California, four candidates said they opposed both measures: Woods, Schreiber, Stieringer and Stevens. Woods called the propositions “smoke and mirrors.” Stevens echoed that sentiment, stating that “Sacramento always finds a way to take the money.” Stieringer noted that if Prop 30 fails, the Governor has said the school year will be cut from 180 to 160 days. “They frankly do not care about education,” he said. Schreiber acknowledged that “It’s tough to sit on a board and have to keep cutting,” and further said that if one of the propositions passes “it could work.” But she voiced doubt that politicians in Sacramento could “keep their hands out of the cookie jar.” Weaver criticized school board members and candidates who would oppose bonds to stem the cuts in education funding. “Our schools are in a funding crisis,” he said. He supports Prop 30 which while imperfect, he believes is crucial to prevent class sizes from rising to an “intolerable” level among other problems. While he prefers Prop 30, he said if it doesn’t pass, he hopes Prop 38 does. Miller supports Prop 30 but not 38. “This money will help students and help education,” he said. “We need to bite the bullet and fork over a little bit to help students…any new money coming in in any way would help to better our schools.” The next question asked candidates if they foresee furlough days. “We already have one of the shortest school years in the western world,” said Woods, noting that class sizes have also risen. “One of the only options is to cut the school y ear; we can’t ask teachers
FACT CHECK ON THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CANDIDATES
By Miriam Raftery October 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Numerous claims and accusations have been flying among candidates running for the Grossmont Union High School District, where the Board majority is reportedly the target of an ongoing Grand Jury investigation over allocation of bond funds. Which candidates’ claims are true and which are not substantiated by the facts? Scroll down to read the findings of our hard-working team of fact-checkers. Gary Woods Claim: “A number of us realized we couldn’t go forward, especially when we realized the trigger of 23, 245 students would not be met in the foreseeable future,” he explained. “It’s not that we don’t want to build a school. It’s that, as trustees, we are legally prohibited from it based on the language of Prop U.” – Gary Woods in an interview with ECM, explaining why he now opposes building a high school in Alpine. He repeated the trigger claim in the candidate forum Monday. Facts: While early on there were legitimate questions on whether the enrollment trigger would be met, Woods failed to mention that the GUHSD Superintendent ultimately confirmed that the trigger WAS met. “The official enrollment came in for the 2010/11 school year at two above the trigger number—making it three consecutive years it was satisfied,” Sal Casamassima, Chair of the Alpine High School Citizens Committee told ECM. An Alpine Sun article back on July 22, 2010 was headlined GUHSD reaches enrollment trigger for Alpine High School. But after the Board authorized final steps to acquire the site and proceed with architectural filings and grading, the Board majority including Woods created a “brand new trigger, nowhere to be found in the bond language, and passed a resolution that state funding levels would have to be restored to 2008 levels in order for the school to be built. So what Woods said about the enrollment trigger was bogus,” Casamassima added in an e-mail to ECM. Moreover, a chart prepared by GUHSD demographer Vince O’Hara shows a substantial increase in enrollment projected after next year. Woods’ logic also fails to take into account the large LOSS of enrollment that failing to build the Alpine High School is likely to result in, since Alpine parents, fed up with twice voting for bonds that explicitly listed the Alpine High School as a top priority, are now seeking a “divorce” from the GUHSD and unification of the Alpine Union School District to expand beyond elementary and middle school. If that occurs, and the AUSD builds a new high school, the GUHSD would lose ADA revenues from hundreds or more students likely to leave the district entirely. Claim: Gary Woods has claimed to be an advocate of modernizing high schools and bringing technology into the classrooms. He stated that he views modernization of the District’s campuses and “phenomenal” and further proclaimed that on his watch, the Grossmont district is “embracing technologies and using it in every classroom…Other districts are coming to us to learn about technology.” – Gary Woods, in an interview with ECM Facts: Woods holds a doctoral degree in technology. While he may be enthused about the impacts of technology and modernization at GUHSD schools, he in fact opposed both Prop H and Prop U, which provided funding for the modernization of campuses and technology, as ECM reported based on candidate forums at the time. Bill Weaver Claim: “Shouldn’t there be $75 million to build the high school as budgeted? There was a long-range master plan in 2003; this was the single largest budget item in Prop H.”—Bill Weaver, in comments made at the candidate forum and in an interview with ECM. Facts: It is true that the 2003 Long Range Master Plan prioritized building the new Alpine high school as a “must-do” project and estimated slightly over $71 million as the cost, the largest item budgeted. Claim: Weaver also repeatedly said that the Board majority “ignored recommendations of its own Boundary Committee” by opting to redraw district lines that excluded a new high school in Alpine.” Facts: The Boundary committee’s final report concluded that district enrollment would increase substantially if the Alpine High School was built. “With the addition of HS12, district enrollment…surpasses current enrollment by almost 200 students in 2015/16,” helping the district to recover lost Average Daily Attendance (ADA) money, the report found. Doug Deane, who chaired the GUHSD Boundary Committee, confirmed that its findings were ignored by the Board majority. “The Grand Jury investigation into the use of bond money by the GUHSD does not surprise me,” Deane, who is also past co-chair of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, said in an interview with ECM. He called the GUHSD Board “at the very least irresponsible, and at worst negligent, in their use of Prop. U bond money.” Jim Stieringer Claim: The district has a 77% graduation rate, but it should be a lot better.” – Jim Stieringer, in an interview with ECM Facts: The graduation rate district-wide for the 2010-2011 school year was 77.5%. That’s up slightly from the prior year, at 76.7% according to the California Department of Education’s Cohort Rates data. While it’s good that there was improvement, there’s plenty of room for more. By contrast, San Diego Unified High School District has an 83.7% graduation rate, KPBS recently reported. Claim: “As a member of the Healthcare district, I defended the interests of residents by challenging the sweetheart lease of Grossmont Hospital to Sharp Healthcare. I initiated the lawsuit that resulted in a $5 million settlement with Sharp.”—Jim Stieringer, in an ECM interview Facts: Stieringer was on the Grossmont Healthcare District board when it filed a lawsuit against Sharp Healthcare over a lease dispute involving Grossmont Hospital. After the suit was filed, Stieringer stated, “The reason we filed this lawsuit was because we believed the facts surrounding the initial lease negotiation suggested that the public interest was not served in that there were demonstrable conflicts of interest,”
PROMISED ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL SPARKS DEBATE AT SCHOOL CANDIDATE FORUM
6 candidates in Grossmont Union High School District also tackle furloughs, Brown tax measure. By Kristina Houck , Santee Patch October 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–Assailing what he called the school board’s lack of transparency, Grossmont Union High School District candidate Bill Weaver told a forum Monday night that he was running because he doesn’t trust the current board members. “We have an expectation of what the bond’s going to be used for and then the smoke and mirrors come out,” said Weaver, a parent of Alpine students and an Alpine Education Foundation board member. “Our money’s not being spent the way you said it’s going to be spent.” All six candidates running for two seats tackled the screened questions of roughly 30 attendees at the Grossmont Healthcare District conference center in La Mesa. The forum, moderated by the League of Women Voters, was sponsored by East County Magazine. Read the full story at http://santee.patch.com/articles/promised-alpine-high-school-sparks-debate-at-school-board-candidate-forum?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001 Printer-friendly version
ECM HOSTS CANDIDATES FORUM FOR GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD TONIGHT
All six candidates have agreed to participate By Miriam Raftery October 22, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to learn more about candidates running for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board? The public is invited to a GUHSD candidates forum on Monday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. in La Mesa. The League of Women Voters will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by East County Magazine. Audience members will have the opportunity to submit questions in writing and hear candidates’ views in this important race. Candidates running are incumbents Priscilla Schreiber and Gary Woods, as well as challengers Zach Miller, Barbara Stevens, Jim Stieringer, and Bill Weaver. Schreiber, Miller, Stevens, Stieringer and Weaver have confirmed; Woods has not yet responded. With a Grand Jury investigation into the board majority’s use of bond monies, among other controversies, this race is shaping up to be among the most contentious in East County. The forum is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Grossmont Healthcare District conference center (next to the William Herrick healthcare library) at 9001 Wakarusa Street, La Mesa, CA 91942. To learn more about the candidates, view ECM’s exclusive interviews with each: Zach Miller Priscilla Schreiber Barbara Stevens Jim Stieringer Bill Weaver Gary Woods To read more about the Grand Jury investigation, click here. Printer-friendly version
BARBARA STEVENS STRIVES TO “DO THE RIGHT THING FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS” IN THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
By Janis Mork October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Challenger Barbara Stevens has been a writer/editor for over 35 years. She grew up in San Diego, attended Point Loma High School and San Diego State University. She wants to focus “on the kids more so than adults, focus on student achievement, education, the students’ and districts’ needs.”Stevens was motivated to run because her daughter went through the district, graduating from Helix Charter in 2008 and recently graduating from California State University San Marcos. She believes she is qualified for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) because of her experience as a software writer for World Research Inc. and as the Director of Public Affairs for the Council for a Competitive Economy during Reagan’s White House years. She has continued to write and edit in a variety of corporate environments. “Most of the people on the board have all been there a long time,” she notes. Stevens cites problems such as the board’s failure to go forward with constructing the Alpine High School and other issues with bond projects. “I think they have to take responsibility for it, and they have to know the wording of the bonds. I want to look to do the right thing for the parents and students.” After attending the school board meetings, she observes, “I don’t like how they interact. I don’t understand their bickerings, from an outsider’s point of view.” She voiced disappointment over the board majority’s controversial choice to expend bond funds on unauthorized projects that voters had approved to build a high school in Alpine. “I’m afraid the money is gone. I think they spent a lot of the money on [new] projects, like swimming pools and performing art centers.” Stevens, whose daughter attended Helix Charter High School, hasn’t personally been impacted by the redrawing of district lines. But she observes, “I know all charter schools are full, and people have to get out of the other schools towards charters. It tells me there’s something about the charters that’s pulling them in. I think that schools that aren’t charter aren’t getting the attention they need,” she says, adding, “I think charters can handle the problems more effectively.” She is opposed to both education funding initiatives, Propositions 30 and 38. “I don’t think [increasing taxes] are effective.” She doesn’t have any endorsements. “I decided I wasn’t going to worry about them. I like being kind of behind the scenes. I have no desire to make public speeches.” She adds that, “I think there’s a need for people not connected to the community. I think we need to have more ‘outside’ people come in and say ‘no, we won’t do it that way, run it by people first.’“ Her budget priorities are getting through some of the construction projects, like Alpine High, which is also a major issue in the district. Regarding class sizes, “I think most class sizes are large.” She notes that enrollment at charter schools is up, and “they have to turn people away…However, a whole line of classes have been dropped.” On that note, she mentions that she was at a recent board meeting, and some home economics students pitched an idea to get a sewing class back in. The board decided to reconsider, but the community hasn’t heard back from the board yet. “We need to respond to the students’ and community’s needs. Communication is another problem in the district. They spend too much time fussing and not getting back to students.” She also wants readers to know that her daughter attended Lemon Avenue Elementary and La Mesa Middle, which are feeder schools for the GUHSD. “I want to help make East County a little better for everybody” by offering the best in educational opportunities to all students in the district, she concludes. Other candidates running are incumbents Priscilla Schreiber and Gary Woods, university student Zach Miller, retired city treasurer Jim Stieringer, and Education Foundation director Bill Weaver. View a map of the district: http://portal.guhsd.net/index.php/maps-a-directions. For more information on Stevens, visit: http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/sd/vote/stevens_b/. Printer-friendly version
GARY WOODS SEEKS REELECTION TO GUHSD, AIMS TO INCREASE TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS
Trustee defends stances on Alpine High and bond monies amid reported Grand Jury probe By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Elected to the Grossmont Union High School District Board in 2008, Gary Woods, Ed.D., is a professor of psychology at Southern California Seminary who says he has been an advocate of modernizing high school campuses and bringing technology into classrooms, although he opposed bond measures that provided that funding and is staunchly against new taxes. Other priorities include “risk students and graduation success, best practices in secondary education, business internships, character development and charter school reform.” Dr. Woods has drawn controversy for backing away from building a new high school in Alpine which was twice approved by voters in bond measures, while supporting funds for other projects. A Grand Jury investigation into the board’s handling of Alpine bond monies is reportedly underway, according to GUHSD board member Priscilla Schreiber. In an exclusive interview with ECM, Woods adamantly defends his positions–and shares his goals for the future. “I’m a teacher. I want to make a difference in the lives of students.,” he said when asked why he hopes to continue serving on the board. “Young people are our responsibility and legacy. As a teacher, I’m concerned about what’s happening to our education and students.” Woods holds a doctoral of education degree in technology and learning from Alliant University. “Technology allows teachers to make learning fun and engaging,” he believes. He is currently an American government and U.S. history professor; he also instructs high school principals and college professors on best practices in teaching. A former chair of the El Cajon Planning Commission, he also serves as executive director of EBI Leadership Development at Shadow Mountain Church equipping student leaders for higher education in training centers across the U.S. “I also teach high school principals, educators, and college professors who are earning their Doctor of Education degrees using Blackboard,” Woods said. According to his biography, he’s passionate about at risk students and graduation success, best practices in secondary education, business internships, character development, and charter school reform among many other things. “I’m a family man,” says Woods, who has been married for 26 years. He has a daughter, 23, who is a registered nurse, a son, 21, in college and recently welcomed his first granddaughter into the family. He proclaims pride that on his watch, the Grossmont district is “embracing technologies and using it in every classroom…Other districts are coming to us to learn about technology.” He adds, “Our career tech education is making learning fun and engaging,” adding that students are taught based on the type of learning they’re best at (multiple intelligences and brain based learning). In addition, he notes, “test scores are up, students participating in career education is up, and graduation rates are up.” He notes that district schools have immigrants from around the world, including Chaldeans, Asians and Africans. He looks forward to helping build the district’s future for the next 50 years or more. Critics have faulted the board majority for spending bond funds on some items viewed as luxuries, such as swimming pools that are costly to maintain, at the same time the board majority including Woods opted against funding the new high school for Alpine. He defends that choice, however, and views modernization on the campuses as “phenomenal” citing as examples a new swimming pool at Granite Hills, updated libraries, and new science labs. “My opponents may not know that the operating costs for swimming pools and sports fields come from the operating budgets of each campus—and do not come out of the Prop U bond,” Woods told ECM. He said those projects don’t affect building a new high school, which would require an increase of about 2,000 students to meet the trigger, according to Woods. “Over the last four years, the Grossmont District enrolled has declined by nearly 2,000 students—this is the equivalent of losing one of our largest campus—and the decline is continuing,” he said, adding that Alpine School District also lost some 150 students in the past year. Meanwhile state funds have been cut by more than $400 per student. “Sacramento already owes the Grossmont District over $58 million that our schools will never receive.” Asked about the Grand Jury probe, Woods stated in an e-mail to ECM’s editor, “The first I have heard of a Grand Jury concerning Alpine was in Schreiber’s article,” referring to her interview published in ECM. He said that Schreiber “has not informed the board about this,” and added, “This is not professional. That is all I know.” (Note: Schreiber disputes Woods’ statement. “When I found out by accident, I asked the Superintendent about it immediately upon his return from vacation. It’s his job to inform the board, not mine,’ she said. “I did tell [Board member] Dick Hoy following a bond subcommittee meeting. Later, I asked the Board if they all had been told about it and they said NO, so I told them what I knew. And by the way, that was prior to my ECM article.” Hoy confirms that “That’s true, she [Schreiber] informed me that she had heard by accident.”) Woods contends that there have been “misunderstanding” of his views on Prop U funds and building Alpine’s high school. Dr. Woods notes that he initially voted for the 12th high school in Alpine, which was initially approved on a 5-0 vote by the board. Voters had approved Prop H in 2004 and Prop U in 2008, totaling $1 billion in funds. But Woods notes, “The problem is there’s $1.5 billion needed for upgrades.” After the district acquired property for the school, Woods shifted his position and voted to oppose moving forward to built it. He explains, “ Prop U says we can’t build a school unless we have 23,245 students. And we can’t right now. We’re losing students. The worst thing is we would have to lay off hundreds of teachers in the district to build
GENIUS TEEN RUNS FOR SCHOOL BOARD: ZACH MILLER HOPES TO BRING A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE TO THE GUHSD
By Janis Mork October 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Zach Miller has first-hand knowledge of what a student needs to learn. Now 19 and a junior at SDSU, he is running for the Grossmont Union High School District Board to apply some critical thinking skills and assure that students’ needs are met. At age 5, he was admitted to American MENSA, an organization for those with genius-level IQs. He headed up Academic League teams and was captain of the Rubik’s Cube Competitive Team at Cajon Valley High School, where he graduated with honors. While still in high school, he took community college classes; finishing 10th grade he enrolled at San Diego State University’s mechanical engineering program. His priority is to ensure that teachers and students have resources to teach and learn. He hopes to include more Advanced Placement and honors classes and increases in student enrollment, resources for AVID courses. He hopes to better the district, to look at what the schools need and use the money to help students learn instead of luxuries, such as building new swimming pools and performing arts centers. He was motivated to run because “I graduated from El Cajon Valley High in 2011. Students don’t have a say in decisions the board makes. It would be encouraging for a student to be on board. The students’ interests are underrepresented. We know what we need to learn.” He adds, “We’ve been losing great teachers because of salary cuts.” While in his junior and senior years of high school, he took a few courses at Grossmont College, which saved money. Along with getting credit from AP courses, he was able to start at SDSU as a second semester sophomore. “Not enough students know that this is an option,” says Miller, who wants more outreach to students and their families. “Cajon Valley had the lowest number of AP classes and the lowest number of students in them.” He believes too many cuts have hurt high-achieving programs–but also believes not enough is being done for struggling students. Cuts in summer school hurt all students, he adds. Cajon Valley High has among the lowest test scores in our region. He wants to improve those. At Cajon Valley, in particular, he notes, “There are a lot of Middle Eastern immigrants. If the standardized test is in English, and they can’t read it, that’s not fair…There should be a focus on ESL classes, so these immigrants can learn other things.” He also wants to see more mentoring and more peer counselors to encourage kids to go to college. Budget cuts and teacher layoffs have taken a toll on all students. On average, the class sizes are between 30 and 40, he says. “It’s too big. It’s better to have individual support. In a large class, it’s hard to notice if a student is struggling.” He voiced disappointment with how budget cuts have been allocated by the board. “They seem to cut the number of AP (Advanced Placement) classes,” he notes. In addition to helping gifted students, he also wants to help those who are struggling. “I want to reduce the dropout rate by focusing on students who are at risk. We can’t ignore them,” he states. He adds, “There should be a focus on all students; everyone needs some help and encouragement to finish high school and go on to college to further your education.” He wants the board to shift its priorities, noting, “There’s too much money spent at the administrative level.” He supports Propositions 30 and 38, the education measures on the ballot. “30 helps teachers,” he said, adding that he supports more funds in the classrooms. “When I was at Cajon Valley, the books were old. Books should be replaced. There were rundown buildings,” he said, adding that some have since been replaced thanks to Proposition U. He supports some construction projects but also believes the District should “save somethng for a rainy day.” He wants to see “fiscal responsibility. They built a multi-million dollar pool but there is no budget for maintenance. It’s a luxury–limited funds should go the the real needs of schools.” The District has also made big cuts in sports and recreation. “There’s a big problem at El Cajon Valley, where they were talking about discontinuing the drama program. The theatre needs to be fixed; it’s old.” There’s a lack of adequate janitorial services and other basic needs, while at other campuses some Board members have sought to spend bond funds on expensive new projects not required by the bond measures. As for the controversy over a 12th high school, he wants to see it built and have the District live up to its promises to Alpine voters. “I feel the District has a lot of time, effort, and money in planning the high school,” he told ECM. “ It’d be a mistake to back out now. It would bring in more students and revenue, and mean less overcrowding of other schools.” He also voiced concern over students forced to travel long distances to attend school. Miller has numerous endorsements from educators including GUHSD past teacher of the year Jonathan LeMaster, Cajon Valley Union School District President Ken Jensen, Mary Kay Rosinski, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Board member, and Dr. Shirley Weber, former San Diego Unified School District board member. He is also endorsed by elected officials including Congressman Bob Filner and Congressional candidate David Secor, both former teachers, Lemon Grove Councilman and former Lemon Grove School Board member George Gastil, the San Diego Democratic Party, and the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council. Son of past Congressional candidate Karen Marie Otter, Miller got an early start in politics as his Mom’s campaign photographer. “I went to meetings with her. I volunteered with Sid Voorakkara, Pat Washington, Bob Filner,” he recalls. He is an elected member of the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee. Miller has also been a community volunteer, such as contributing time for the Empty Bowls program to benefit the homeless. There are
JIM STIERINGER BELIEVES HE CAN CREATE HARMONY AMONG GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
By Janis Mork October 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Retired La Mesa city treasurer Jim Stieringer is running for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board with confidence that he can, first and most importantly, create greater collegiality among the board members by presenting a policy that all board members must abide by, if elected. In this policy, Stieringer expects that “all board members will agree to the standards of conduct amongst themselves, and their relationships with each other and the public.” Secondly, he would like to develop an “anti-spiking policy” because of widespread reports of pension spiking in the state. He also would oppose any purchases of computers, using general obligation bonds. Furthermore, he would like to revisit the district’s policy concerning school attendance boundaries. But he lists his biggest concern as finally getting construction under way for the new high school in Alpine. Lastly, he says he will strive to make a positive impact the way he did from 1992 to 2010 when he was on the board of Directors in the Grossmont Healthcare District. “I believe there’s some discord among the five members of the board. I firmly believe I can create harmony among the members. I’ve done it in the past with Grossmont Healthcare. We can be a collegiate, but we can disagree.” He believes he is qualified because of his experience as former city treasurer and director emeritus of the Grossmont Healthcare District in Grossmont Hospital. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and is a member of many organizations in the community including the La Mesa Historical Society, Board of Governors (Home of Guiding Hands), Association of Public Treasurers, and the Government Finance Association. He obtained his degree in business from California Western University and has a Master’s in Management from Florida State University. According to his website, he is running because he has great respect for the district and former teachers. He personally knows what the district has been like in the past, having graduated from Grossmont High. His son is a graduate of Helix High. He sees a direct correlation between parents’ expectations and success of the students. The goal should be to raise the aspiration level of the entire community including the teachers, parents, students and elected officials. Regarding the high school in Alpine, he told ECM, “We should build a school. The funds are available. The school is badly needed. All that’s required now is the will to do it. The people at Alpine have been paying quite a price to get to Granite Hills, Steele Canyon.’ He differs with some candidates who have sharply criticized certain board members for recent controversies over how district boundaries were redrawn. “That was badly handled by the state more than the board,” Stieringer said. ”A lot of the board members are my friends. I think we could do a better job.” Despite the impacts of deep budget cuts on the District, he opposes both ballot initiatives aimed at funding public education, Props 30 and 38. “I think Prop 30 is simply a ruse to get more money for the state,” he said. “I think 38 is well intentioned, but constitutes a significant tax increase, which I oppose.” For his budget priorities, he explained, “My goal is to fit the academic programs within the constraints of the budget.” Class sizes have been enlarged and many teachers have been laid off in the past. The main issues in the district right now are “as always, budget/allocation of school resources, status of construction of new high school, and completion of all projects in the two general obligation bond measures,” he stated. Stieringer drew controversy after he retired from the Grossmont Healthcare District Board, then tried unsuccessfully to get the position back after a staff job he sought fell through due to conflict of interest questions. “I’m not eligible for any additional pension,” he stated. “I won’t receive any fringe benefits, if elected.” Regarding critics’ suggestions that he may be looking for additional pension in this election, “any statements like that are disingenuous and untrue.” Regarding his relationship to the board, he said, “I have never met the President of the board. I know and get along with Jim Kelly, Dick Hoy. [Priscilla] Schreiber is a friend of mine, and I’ve met and I like Gary Woods. I disagree with anyone who thinks the Alpine high school shouldn’t be built. Their [the board’s] problem is amongst themselves.” He has also added that, “I’m proud of certain things. As a member of the Healthcare district, I defended the interests of residents by challenging the sweetheart lease of Grossmont Hospital to Sharp Healthcare. I initiated the lawsuit that resulted in a $5 million settlement with Sharp. I led the fight to build Grossmont Healthcare District Center in La Mesa, consisting of district offices, the Herrick Medical Library, and the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, which has been named after me.” Stieringer is endorsed by the California Republican Party, the California Republican Assembly and the American Patriots Coalition. He is married to Betty, who is a R.N., and they reside in La Mesa. The other candidates in the district are incumbents Gary Woods and Priscilla Schreiber, writer Barbara Stevens, Education Foundation director Bill Weaver, and university student Zach Miller. For more information on Stieringer, visit: http://jimforschoolboard.com. View a map of the district: http://portal.guhsd.net/index.php/maps-a-directions. Printer-friendly version
BILL WEAVER HOPES TO BE A VOICE FOR PARENTS’ AND STUDENTS’ NEEDS ON GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD
By Janis Mork October 6, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Bill Weaver hopes to replace incumbent board member Dr. Gary Woods on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) board. He is a parent of a son and a daughter in Alpine schools, soon to enter the district. His two kids are the main reason of why he is devoted to GUHSD. He has championed a high school for Alpine but believes in reaching out to all schools. He also pledges to listen to concerns of every parent, make kids the focus when reaching a decision, use tax money wisely, and be open-minded and considerate of students’ needs. He is not satisfied with the board because he believes there hasn’t been proper district oversight. “It’s a board that’s run by self-interest,” he says, adding that many decisions are made with little consideration or evaluation, or with motives that aren’t in the best interest of students. Weaver takes aims directly at incumbent Gary Woods. “Being against Prop U, means not wanting to improve our school district, Dr. Woods officially took an anti-prop U, GUHSD modernization stance in 2008,” Weaver states on his website. “Gary Woods is bad for the GUHSD. More positions Gary Woods has taken are detrimental to the GUHSD providing the “best possible” public education. Now Dr. Woods is letting the GUHSD Administration unwisely spend its limited bond money on projects never intended under either of the bond (both H and/or U) programs,” he added. “I’m extremely familiar with operation of the budget,” he said, adding that he has attended many GUHSD board meetings through the years. “As a safety and risk management industry, I had school district clients in Alaska. I was on the Bond Committee of GUHSD. I toured all the schools in the district. I’m familiar with the schools and their needs.” He has served in many elementary school classrooms, on several school site councils, and has been treasurer on multiple PTAs and PTSAs. He has co-chaired the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Business Education Committee on the repairs and renovation sub-committee, where he has toured and reported on modernization needs of every campus in GUHSD. He is a California native who grew up in Imperial Valley. He has lived in East County for over 20 years. Weaver received his bachelor of science degree in engineering from Cal Poly Ponoma, and an associate science degree in physics from Imperial Valley College. He is now semi-retired and devotes much of his time to public service, working as a director, fundraiser, and organizer for the local Alpine education foundation. He expressed concerns over the District’s budget. “The budget is very tight…The board probably has only control of 7-8% of the budget,” he said, noting that most of the money is expended on teachers and other employees. Because of the tightening of the school’s budget, the state ADA [Average District Attendance] funding has decreased to $600 per ADA per student, he said. Despite this, test scores have remained “fairly stable. Charter schools have pulled ADA money out of the district, he says. “The perception is that some schools compete academically with charters. At charters, they have better education. Test scores are probably a little better at charters.” With class sizes, Mount Miguel and Monte Vista have been heavily affected with significant decreases in enrollment.” It could be because “it’s a big foreclosure area.” However, charter schools, like Helix, Steele Canyon, High Tech High in Point Loma, and Riverview in Lakeside have increased. Some prospective students are even “on a waiting list; they’re turning away students.” His philosophy on budget priority is that if something doesn’t have to do with education, “school boards shouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.” He voiced frustration over the Board’s repeated blocking of a high school for Alpine, despite the fact that Alpine voters twice approved bond measures to fund a high school in their community. Prop H in 2000 set aside $73 million for the new high school. “There was a long range masterplan in 2003; this was the single largest budget item in Prop H,” he recalled. But then in 2007 when Terry Ryan was Supervisor,“They said they didn’’t have enough money, and could only purchase the land. They would do other things with [the money]. Then, Bob Collins became the new superintendent, and there was a need for more money, a new bond, and Alpine supported it. Prop U passed, and all projects from Prop H would be a priority.” The district purchased land for the new school, but has since claimed it doesn’t have funds to operate the Alpine high school and has refused to build it. Weaver criticized the board for voting to spend millions on new swimming pools and performing arts centers not specified in the bond initiative, tearing down new buildings and putting in new ones, while denying Alpine voters a high school. “I support it,” he says of the new construction, “but not at the expense of the 12th high school.” There’s also the issue of safety; many student deaths have occurred as students drive from Alpine to high schools thirty minutes away. “If you’re involved in after school activities, it’s very hard on parents and students especially as a freshman and sophomore, and you’re not driving. Weaver believes that building the 12th high school would bring back ADA money to the district by attracting back some students in charters and other districts. “It’s about making the district better,” he said, adding,”There’s been a rumor of a grand jury investigation in specific terms of the 12th high school.” (Editor’s note: Board member Priscilla Schreiber, who also supports a high school for Alpine, confirmed in an interview with ECM that a grand jury investigation of the Board’s handling of bond monies is underway.) With regards to the controversy over redrawing district lines, Weaver said, “There needs to be balancing done throughout the district.” He noted that the Board ignored recommendations of its own
PRISCILLA SCHREIBER WANTS TO CONTINUE TO MEET GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NEEDS
By Janis Mork October 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Priscilla Schreiber seeks reelection to the Grossmont Union High School GUHSD) District Board this November. She is motivated to run again because “there are many things that still need to be done, and I’d like to be a part of it.” She was a concerned parent when she ran in 2000, and she’s been on the board ever since. Also a businesswoman, her priorities are maintaining financial integrity, rigorous academic standards, career technical education, and strong work ethic with character education. Schreiber says the main issues in the district are declining enrollment and revenues, as well as state budget issues. “The state still owes us a $58 million unfunded mandate,” she notes. Second, she wants to provide every opportunity for every student to graduate, and third, “make sure our bond program is exactly as we said we would do.” She adds, “The charter schools [Helix and Steele Canyon] showed increased enrollment… Some non-charter schools decreased. I need to qualify, why?” Projections show a decline in enrollment of 1223 students for the district overall. She has championed building a 12th high school in Alpine, speaking out at board meetings repeatedly on the issue for the past 12 years. Currently, Alpine students must commute 20 miles or more to school, leading to highway deaths of several students and making after school activities impossible for some. Some students ride a bus for an hour and a half each way and must wait even longer before school starts, Schreiber says, adding, “We need to meet the needs for those students up in Alpine.” Alpine voters have twice voted for bond measures to fund the new high school, yet the board has refused to expend funds to build it even after acquiring the land. Schreiber has consistently voted for building the Alpine high school. “They’ve been trying to get a high school for 20 years,” Schreiber says, noting that the board and every superintendent since then has promised Alpine a high school. “Those on the board chose to put obstacles in their way,” Schreiber added. “It’s just immoral that the board majority will do what they did to Alpine. The Boundary Committee Chairman said it would be prudent to build the Alpine High School and recapture 250 to 380 students from charter schools, and regain the ADA (average daily attendance) money,” says Schreiber, who has praised the quality of education at charters as well as other schools. She discloses, “We’re in a grand jury investigation about Alpine. I will always work with Dianne Jacob and the community in Alpine.” Overall, however, she describes her relationship with the current board as cooperative. “Publicly, we’ve had a good relationship because it’s important we conduct business in a civil manner. We’re different on some major issues, such as Alpine and redrawing district lines. I’m in the minority, but 99% of the time, we vote together. This is a public meeting. Our focus is to be a governance team and how we show that we work well together.” Regarding the controversy over the redrawn district lines, she voices concerns.”It was recommended over five years ago by the Bond Advisory Commission to form a Boundary Commissions Committee,” says Schreiber, noting that the board failed to act on that recommendation until five years later, after dollars had beene expended on campuses. “Then they adjusted boundaries for nine high schools (not the charters)…They kicked Alpine to the curb again because it’s not in the boundary,” she said of the Board majority’s decision to draw new boundary lines under the assumption that there will be not a 12th high school in Alpine. “A major issue is to hold the Superintendent accountable for going to the board for redrawing,” Schreiber maintains.” They violated board policy [on boundary adjustments] by not notifying parents ahead of time. Instead, they shoved the boundary models down people’s throats after voting on it first, and then they took it to the parents. They never notified those in the feeder districts as they were supposed to. They didn’t have a public hearing first before they voted on which of three models to approve..It became a nightmare; parents were protesting. We sent resources to have town hall meetings, so parents could vent.” Schreiber adds, “This prompted a special board meeting; I read the board policy and asked the board to rescind and do it right, but they wouldn’t.” A key challenge has been budget cuts ever since she was first elected. “We’re no different than any other district. We’ll always be cutting,” she says of the foreseeable future. Class size student/teacher ratio is 37-1, she adds. “I was at a classroom recently and they had a 40-1 ratio. Libraries are important, so students can spread out more and get more education from English teachers. Teachers have been laid off “every March 15. We have declining enrollment too. It’s a balancing act to make it work.” She has two major accomplishments that stand out for her. “I was very honored to be involved in what we do in schools; I was a conduit for parents,” she says, adding that she has often referred parents to where they can get help. Second, she notes, “Implementing every board item must have a goal, so we stay focused. I always try to revisit the goal annually, but the board doesn’t.” Schreiber faults the board because “There’s no business plan; they just gloss over, and there’s no evaluation plan for the Superintendent. We’ve set no goals and measures to hold him accountable. The Superintendent works for a majority of three.” She further notes, “They do things in the dark…For example, in July 2011, the board president brought a resolution to kill the 12th high school. We amended it with a 3-2 vote to continue the building plans for Alpine to the Department of State Architecture (DSA). The Superintendent and the Board President pulled those from DSA without board authority. I found out