Vista Watchdog wrote on Feb 23, 2008 7:52 AM:Face it, VUSD over built their ability to cover the costs of operations of all these schools! They should have enlarged the existing schools and kept their operating costs down. Dr. Bales has inherited a boondoggle of a District with old fashioned ideas about small community schools located in a major metropolitan area. I guess you can say the people who were running VUSD had no ability to see how large the District had become. But, is it any wonder when the former Super started his career in a tiny Cenral Valley community, and many of the Board Memebers grew up in small towns and continue to look to their own pasts and try to either recreat those pasts here, or refuse to let the past go and look to the future? It's time for VUSD (and the City of Vista for that matter) to Grow Up! We have a population well over 100,000 and we still don't have sidewalks, curbs, or gutters! Everytime it rains we have huge mud flows along our streets, and one begins to think we are in Tijuana Mexico, Not Vista California. Come on, Think and Grow UP!

Samuel wrote on Feb 23, 2008 2:54 PM:Neither this article nor yesterday’s really covers all of the information presented to the audience at Thursday’s Board meeting. Both newspapers must do a better job reporting the information. In today’s article Stacy reports that the District is saying that the campus will be 90% complete by fall. There is no way that will happen. Donna Caperton reported that construction would run past August of 2009. Please contact the North County Times and the San Diego Union Tribune and ask that they report the facts and ask the needed questions when it is obvious that the information that they are getting from the VUSD is wrong. We have a very important election coming up in November and must have true information in order to make a valid choice.

Observer wrote on Feb 23, 2008 5:45 PM:Without overtime the campus will NOT be servicable in the fall of 08. To execute such an opening will incur extra expenditures and I wonder how ADA needs would be served by "Give us a tent". Every school district is in a period of financial stress and it is not a proper time to consider anything of extra financial outlay. To do so is being irresponsible and shortchanging the students. Campaign promises are not worth what the cost would be in so many areas.

Mike wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:07 PM:The goal of the anti-public education crowd in VUSD has been to never open the new high schools. They have implacably been against new schools for the last twenty years. The decent caring citizens of VUSD managed finally to pass a school bond after years of barely losing to the Luddites. We got many new schools built but sadly not the crown jewels of the bond –the new high school.

The last school board election (November 2006) came very close to getting a three person anti public education Luddite majority. Rationals prevailed, barely. Now with the turning of Hubbard to the dark side it appears there never will be a new high school in VUSD. The luddites did not need to win that one extra seat. David Hubbard gave them the power.

From the time my oldest was in kindergarten, we and other decent people of our school district tried to get a third high school built. We worked long hours phoning, walking precincts, stuffing envelopes, etc. Three times the Luddite haters prevailed. Finally we won. Yet at each school board election since our stunning victory, the zealot luddites have tried to get to the number elected luddites on the board up to the magic number of three. The goal being a majority so that the results of the bond election could be undone.

All of my children are now graduated from high school these twenty plus years later. Still VUSD has only two very overcrowded high schools the same as for the last twenty years. Not one of my children ever got to attend a VUSD high school that was less than a thousand students OVER capacity.

Next November there is a good chance that the luddites will get a majority on our VUSD school board again. The new high school will be abandoned completely and we will again be in the midst of luddite chaos like VUSD was in 1994 when the luddite majority school board made national headlines for their nuttiness.

David Hubbard by siding with the luddites and pushing back the opening of the new high school past November of 2008 has facilitated the luddite goal of never having a third “government” high school in VUSD.

The NCTimes comment censor will not allow the mention the names of the two anti-high school, anti public education, and anti- science luddites on the VUSD board. Too bad. It would be nice to be able to debate not only the Luddite board member's antipathy toward finishing the new (dual magnet)high school (or any “government” school) but also their quaint 16th century views of the universe.

Vista Teacher wrote on Feb 23, 2008 8:11 PM:Presently, as the Dual Magnet High School plans stand, the number of ADA violations that will exist if the School is to open in Fall 08 are so significant that anybody with any real understanding of ADA should be terrified of the ramifications. Note to my Brothers and Sisters in the Union: We CAN'T afford the law suits that will ensue should this school open with serious ADA violations. The budget cuts we are seeing this year will be even worse next year. Should we also face legal challenges for ADA violations many of us will be looking for jobs elsewhere. We have lost some good people already, and we are going to lose a few more this year. But, we can't afford the continued push to open a school that will only pace everything we have worked for in jeopardy. Join me in demanding patience and requiring our Schools to be built to a standard we can ALL be proud of! We have time, even if we don’t have money!

To Mike wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:03 AM:If the 3rd High School was so desperately needed, why was it not the first project started? We still had an option the property near Vista Way and 76, and we very easily could have used eminent domain to gain the access required by the state to make that property usable for a high school. You, of all people, KNOW the real reason why the Dual Magnet High School (or as you call it the 3rd High School) was held until last: cost overruns and the ability to hold hostage the students of VUSD. And don't go telling me about Strawberry hill either: Even your former buddy David Hubbard (an Environmental Attorney) knew the environmental issues and lack of sewer access to Strawberry Hill made it unusable for a school.
Many other projects, including the two k-8 schools, were cancelled. Yet, due to cost overruns we are looking at lacking proper funds to finish the Dual Magnet High Schools as originally planned. I should add here, the 3rd High School planned back in the late 1990s was to be built using permanent construction materials and NOT these modulars. Also, we actually had the funds to build the 3rd Highs School back in the late 1990s, but certain people (the Union) wanted to get rid of MTYR and for that we required new Grade Schools, and thus a bond. But, in reality we qualified for Hardship Funds, and Modernization Funds that could have been used to expand our existing schools, but again your former Buddy, Hubbard, called Hardship Funds Welfare and refused to go after them. After the second bond attempt failed we could have used Hardship Funds and Modernization funds to build every school building (not new school, but expansions) that we needed to end overcrowding once and for all. You will find that the people you keep calling Luddites are actually nothing more than people who want their Government to spend tax dollars in the most efficient and effect manner. They are NOT against Public Education so long as it works. But, when it is nothing more than a money pit that shows nearly 20 years of failure, these people demand improvement! The real Luddites at VUSD are those who continue to stand in the way of progress and refuse to recognize that Vista is no longer your small community. Small, Local, Community Schools are great in Small Communities. But, they are very inefficient and cost more than they are worth when you are in a large District with around 25,000 students. Efficiencies can be gained by expanding existing schools, and I personally told the Key people at this District about that option as far back as 1998. The solution is in use just to the north of us in San Clemente at San Clemente High. But, these District Officials (which as you mention the NCT will not let us name) refused to listen. It is still not too late to consolidate our schools and expand UP. But, we need to act soon or even the available State funds will dry up.

Reply to Mike wrote on Feb 24, 2008 9:49 AM:For those lacking an Education in History of Education, in the 1960's and 70's California’s K-12 system was rated as the #1 Public Education System in the Nation. The United States was rated as having the best Education in the World. Now, however, CA is rated 48th in the Nation, and the United States is rated #16 in the World. What happened? Luddites? Could it be that the Luddites already took over the Public Education system and ran it into the ground years ago? Vista used to be one of the Best Districts in San Diego County. But, after the phony setup that resulted in a recall of the Board about 20 years ago, VUSD began its serious decline. So, who are the Luddites: The ones trying to return the District to its former high standards or those who took it down to its current level?

Mike wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:00 AM:We must take back out schools in November. Hubbard has lost his way, and Lilly is no better, and we all know about Guffanti. Jaka is a mother who has been very involved at VUSD for many years and knows what is needed. In addition to her we need two more people to fully control this District. Lowen and Wray are the answer. With this slate: Jaka, Lowen, and Wary to help Herrera we can gain total control of VUSD and ensure our priorities are met. Please join me in getting these people on to the VUSD Board in November 08. Fresh new individuals who will work with teachers to build schools, decrease class-sizes, and get rid of Bales, LMB, and NCLB.

Another Reply to Mike wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:11 AM:Google-ing the web for various definitions, a Luddite is a person who fears or loathes technology, especially new forms of technology that threaten existing jobs. How you can use that to describe a person's position on Magnet schools is beyond me. I have been following this project VERY carefully, attending board meetings and all, and I have NEVER heard anyone say they didn't want the magnet schools. The only objections I have ever heard are to the insane location on the extreme northeast boundary of the district, with no public or school transportation and all the other objections that have been raised against this location.

Question for Mike wrote on Feb 24, 2008 10:31 AM:Until Hubbard turned, shortly after the last election, YOUR people have controlled the Board. After your "Stunning Victory" why didn't you build your Crown Jewel? Another question: YOUR Union Trio has controlled the Board for nearly 20 years, the same 20 years you claim to have been working so hard to get things done, why didn't they support you over those 20 years? Why during those 20 years did the District decline from #1 in SD County to near rock bottom? And don't tell me it was these Luddites you keep telling me about, as in your own admission they've been trying, and failing, to get their 3rd seat for all these past 20 years. It would appear that your True Luddites have been those in control over the past 20 years who have done little or nothing to maintain the quality of education at VUSD and who squandered funds, or failed to take advantage of the many available funds that could have been used to build the much needed schools. Luddites are those who remain stuck in the past: The Union Trio are the ones who refused to take Hardship Funds that VUSD qualified for after the failure of the second Bond Attempt. They waited until the failure of the 3rd Bond attempt, and then it was too late to take full advantage of these funds as LAUSD stole them from the rest of the state. Luddites are also those who continue to believe in inefficient methods of operation and refuse to look at the current surroundings and realize the size and scope of the District. Sticking with multiple, small, local, community schools requires more money to cover administrative costs, more money for maintenance, and more money for heating, Air conditioning, and water. These operating costs are what is killing the Budget, and are preventing the Magnet High School from opening. Hubbard is no Luddite, rather he has finally come to his senses and realized the District is BROKE as well as Broken! He is still no friend of the Conservative, but at least he has brains enough to realize that when the coffers are empty you can't keep doing business as usual! Luddites, on the other hand, will continue off the cliff just like a bunch of Lemmings!

Luddite wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:01 AM:Considering that to open the Melrose school will require the use of generators, since utilities won’t be available by Fall 08 (information provided at the last board meeting), and considering that many of the facilities won't even be completed, including the cafeteria, please explain who the Luddites are again? Seems to me that those wanting to have a completed school with all the technologies currently available to society hooked up and in place at this school would hardly be classified as Luddites! So, Mike, if you are going to accuse someone of being something you should first fully research the term you choose, and the application of that term to the particular situation to which you are applying it. Big words may sound intellectual, but can often show you as uneducated or even illiterate when used incorrectly. Might be time for you to return to school yourself and take a few English lessons. Argumentation and Debate might help too. And finally, you should try a few classes on Financial Management. Maybe then you will be ready to run the campaigns for your chosen candidates and help them with running the District. Considering that to open the Melrose school will require the use of generators, since utilities won’t be available by Fall 08 (information provided at the last board meeting), and considering that many of the facilities won't even be completed, including the cafeteria, please explain who the Luddites are again? Seems to me that those wanting to have a completed school with all the technologies currently available to society hooked up and in place at this school would hardly be classified as Luddites! So, Mike, if you are going to accuse someone of being something you should first fully research the term you choose, and the application of that term to the particular situation to which you are applying it. Big words may sound intellectual, but can often show you as uneducated or even illiterate when used incorrectly. Might be time for you to return to school yourself and take a few English lessons. Argumentation and Debate might help too. And finally, you should try a few classes on Financial Management. Maybe then you will be ready to run the campaigns for your chosen candidates and help them with running the District. By the way, what sort of qualifications do your chosen three have when it comes to Education and Financial Management? Or are they simply being supported by someone who has a vendetta against the current Minority members. And exactly why does this particular person want access to our children and our schools anyway? What sort of business is he in, and where did he get his money?

Vista Watchdog wrote on Feb 24, 2008 11:38 AM:Luddites were a social movement of British textile artisans in the early nineteenth century who protested — often by destroying mechanized looms - against the changes produced by the Industrial Revolution, which they felt threatened their livelihood. “Luddites were a social movement of British textile artisans in the early nineteenth century who protested — often by destroying mechanized looms - against the changes produced by the Industrial Revolution, which they felt threatened their livelihood. The movement can also be seen as part of a rising tide of English working-class discontent which eventually led to organizing and Labor Unions.”
Considering the VTA’s aversion to anything that might “threaten their livelihood”, Dr. Bales, LMB, English Immersion, Teacher evaluations and pay based on performance, Charter Schools, Vouchers, and other changes produced by Fiscal Conservatism, it looks like the Union and the Union Backed Board Members are the ones who better fit the Luddite definition.

R King wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:53 PM:Can't we all just get along?

O'side Res wrote on Feb 29, 2008 12:02 PM:My daughter goes to Vista High now and I am no expert on all the district business. I know she has great teachers for the most part but the school itself is worn out. Her class rooms are in a desperate state and in need of a make over. She plays sports and we attend games at other schools and its hard to swallow the difference in other schools. No school should be left behind either!

To O'side Res wrote on Feb 29, 2008 2:32 PM:Then you should get involved with your District and help them to realize the need to renovate, remodel, and Expand Vista High as opposed to building a new school that nobody will attend, in a location that is unsafe, and where full approval to open and operate a school has not yet been obtained! Please note here that VUSD is not even assured they will have Electricity, Gas, Telephone, or sewers installed/hooked up by the time they desire to open in Fall 08. SDG&E, San Luis Rey Sewer District, AT&T, CalTrans, all have a lot of work to do before their approvals will be granted. And, thus far the State Architect and Department of Education has not yet approved the school for occupancy. For these approvals they have to first finish the construction, get all the utilities hooked up, and have all access roads, and improvements completed. At the rate they are currently preceding none of these things will have happened by Fall 08. If you are really that concerned about the quality of the school your child is attending, then you need to get down to VUSD and rally the rest of the parents to get VUSD to think outside the box and stop wasting your tax dollars on a white elephant that will only end up as another trailer park school with so many safety violations and ADA violations they would be lucky to ever get approval to us it for a school!