Some question role of VUSD grants administrator
By: STACY BRANDT - Staff Writer
School board president says Sinn 'more than pays for himself' | ∞
VISTA ---- As Vista Unified School District officials struggle to trim million of dollars from next year's budget, parents and teachers are saying some high-level district employees should be jettisoned, such as a grants administrator hired last year.
Cutting the number of administrators topped a list of cost-saving recommendations that the district recently compiled after collecting input from parent-teacher groups and other sources. However, only a few administrators were mentioned by name on the list.
One of them was Greg Sinn, who joined Vista Unified in August and had formerly worked with Superintendent Joyce Bales at a school district in Pueblo, Colo. Sinn was a spokesman for that district.
At Vista Unified, Sinn is paid roughly $120,000 per year to seek grants and pursue funding. It's the first time in recent memory that Vista Unified has had such a position.
Angela Chunka, president of the district's Del Norte PTA Council, said it's difficult to determine exactly what Sinn does or how it benefits the district.
The council ---- made up of representatives from smaller parent-teacher groups ---- listed the elimination of the grant administrator position as its No. 2 recommendation for how the district can trim expenses. In the broader list compiled by the district, cutting the position ranked 23rd out of 200 recommendations.
"When we're looking at every penny, there can be no fluff," Chunka said.
Sinn said he knows there has been confusion about his role. He said his primary job is researching and applying for grants, although he does a little public relations work for the district as well.
Sinn said he has worked toward securing more than $5 million in state and federal grant money and has researched several big-dollar funding sources. He said he has received verbal confirmation that at least $1.2 million of those grant applications will be approved.
He said that because he has only been on the job for about six months, none of that grant money has come through yet.
Parents aren't the only ones who have been confused about Sinn's role. In the months since he has joined the district, some administrators and principals have shied away from talking to the media, saying that was Sinn's job.
Sinn said this week that the believes that was a misunderstanding. He said the confusion started because Bales had discussed hiring a communications director. But when it became obvious that the school board wouldn't support such a position, media relations became a responsibility of the grants job.
He said he does a little public relations work for the district, most of it related to drawing in private donors, including work to design a logo for the district and update the its Web site.
"I do need to create an image for VUSD that's going to elicit support," he said.
Sinn said in his nearly 30-year career in public relations, many of his positions required grant writing, including his job in Colorado, where he helped secure a $7 million grant for a magnet school, he said.
School board President Jim Gibson said he's certain that Sinn's position will continue to benefit the district.
"He more than pays for himself," Gibson said. "If we did not have him, we would not be getting some of these grants."
Contact staff writer Stacy Brandt at (760) 901-4009 or sbrandt@nctimes.com.
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foolednomore wrote on Feb 29, 2008 4:48 AM:Interesting that the young earth VUSD school board members are now in favor of government grants. Something about Bales as superintendent seems to have changed their mind about evil "government" money. Yet in 1994 when they controlled the VUSD board, their majority turned down approved grant money for the elementary schools in Vista. What is it about Bales that makes the young earthers like her and her ideas so much?
what grants? wrote on Feb 29, 2008 5:48 AM:What are the names of these grants? How much has actually been secured? And, did he write them or did he take credit for the work someone else did?
Amy wrote on Feb 29, 2008 6:42 AM:
Having an effective grant writer in a public entity is very vital particularly in a school district with a population of 60% or so minority and lets add poor. If Sinn’s can bring in 10M for the school district every year consistently he would be underpaid. Most grant writers get a certain percentage of the money they bring in say if they bring in 10M they can get 5% or 10% or so what ever is negotiated. If it is such an easy job maybe Angela Chunka, president of the district's Del Norte PTA Council or the VTA can do the grant writing instead of Sinn’s. If Chunka and her VTA friends can bring in and guarantee 10M per year without Sinn’s and turn 100% of the 10M into strictly, “classroom” funds hey they will get my attention and full support.
On the other hand if they could have performed the task without hiring Sinn’s why didn’t they do it for decades
Clueless wrote on Feb 29, 2008 6:49 AM:Chunka's comment shows she isn't looking at the income Sinn generates. If Sinn only gets 1.2 million in grants it is 10 times his salary. Looking at Chunka's previous confusion over Lindamood Bell, a federally funded program, when the district needs cuts in the general fund which is state funded she clearly is over her head. Why does the reporter interview the clueless on a topic of such importance?
Ted wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:18 AM:A logo for VUSD? The snake! It says it all.
irritated parent wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:23 AM:And WHAT exactly is it that Mrs. Bales does???? Maybe if she wasn't so busy hand feeding all her "buddies" she would have time to get down to the real business of making VUSD schools better for the STUDENTS ...
did you think about that wrote on Feb 29, 2008 9:46 AM:
Foolednomore- maybe it is not necessarily Bales that made VUSD Board change their minds perhaps it was the only option the state and federal government gave VUSD.
Funny, funny wrote on Feb 29, 2008 9:52 AM:Clueless - maybe the reporter interviews Chunka because it is amusing, it keeps us laughing and I feel really smart after I post my blog. So Stacy keep the interviews coming PLEASE!!!
Grant Writer??? wrote on Feb 29, 2008 10:13 AM:Sinn is not a grant writer, he is a grant administrator that tracks the grants written by others. If he was not there the grants would be written and tracked by their originators. No loss. Face it, his title is ficticious, Bales wanted a public relations person and she got it when she called it a "Grant Administrator". By the way, how many people does this $120,000 a year position supervise and why is it a cabinet level position? I'm sure it could be done by others for less but then they don't have Pueblo history...
Difference... wrote on Feb 29, 2008 10:16 AM:There is a huge difference between a grant writer and a grant administrator. He is an administrator that tracks other peoples work. The position was originally for a public relations officer and was repackaged as a grant administrator. It does not warrent the $120,000 pay no matter what the results.
Chunka is Right.... wrote on Feb 29, 2008 10:18 AM:Chunka and the Del Norte PTA know what is going on. Remember, they represent both parents and teachers. I would hold their recommendations highly...
Elvin wrote on Feb 29, 2008 10:45 AM:The North County Times never takes that one step it needs to fully report on an issue. Why wasn't the names of the grantees (the organizations giving the money) reported? Stacy Brandt just takes the word of the administrator but doesn't dig deeper. Once again, inept reporting from the North County Times.
No Clue Board wrote on Feb 29, 2008 11:14 AM:Based on this report it is evident that Mr. Gibson has no clue in what Sinn does. He usually claims to be a business person but I am sure he does not have this position in his business. Why the double standard? Gibson seems to believe everything Balses says without question.. Check the facts Jim.
Vista Parent wrote on Feb 29, 2008 1:53 PM:I helped VUSD get their Hardship Funds many years ago, and have helped other Schools to obtain close to $7M in Grants. I'd be more than willing to do the Job Sinn is doing for as little as $50k per year plus 5% of any/all grants I deliver up to a maximum of $200K of commissions. As for Gibson not having someone in this job in his business, he does, this person is a Business Development manager and he too should be working on a small basic salary plus commission from all new business he brings in. Gibson does have such a person on staff, but I don't know the salary/compensation schedule they have arranged.
Bill wrote on Feb 29, 2008 3:01 PM:this is just one of many fiscal irresponsible bales and this 'full of themselves" dumb school board has made. What a BIG mistake it was to hire Ms. Colorado.
Sam wrote on Feb 29, 2008 4:08 PM:While a grant writer/administrator/whatever could potentially bring in funding, it is interesting that this administration and board and their "data, productivity and accountability" policies hired a grant guy on a set salary basis. Why is he not held accountable through commission-based pay? Six months is plenty of time to provide specifics about what grants have "verbal confirmation." Aren't the other district staff reporting on a quarterly basis? If he can provide such details, all the power to him... He's worth much more. If he can't, why not?
Samuel wrote on Feb 29, 2008 5:57 PM:It would be interesting to know how many students follow the blogs on the VUSD. Many years ago I was very impressed with my brother-in-law Bill’s use of sir and ma’am in ALL of his conversations including his business. It softened disappointing news if someone did not receive what he or she was expecting. Several years later I asked him how he began this practice and it came from his father. Bill said his father felt that it was just as easy to be courteous and respectful than to be rude and callous. Over the years I have tried following his example but often forget. In the blogs to this article as well as many others Dr. Bales is often referred to without her title and as today’s 3:01 PM submission without capitalizing her last name. Our students are often referred to as sponges soaking up life around them. Please set a good example for them. You might disagree with some of her policies and decisions but that does not justify not using her title. And, this holds true for everyone. Use Mrs. for Board Member Herrera and Mr. or Doctor for Mr. Hubbard and Dr. Lilly and Dr. Guffanti. Our students will learn that we can disagree without being rude. Try respecting others by using sir and ma’am even those that are several generations younger than you are. It wouldn’t hurt
Moureen wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:12 PM:Grant writer or grant administrator makes no difference as long as he brings in the money. Who cares who the originators are everyone that applies for grants copies and paste’s the same info. Believe me writing grants is like doing your taxes no mystery but not everyone can do it.
Do you think we are all dumb? wrote on Feb 29, 2008 7:51 PM:
So Vista Parent do you think you are offering VUSD a bargain by claiming you would do Sinn’s job for 50K,.. oh but here is the CATCHER, “PLUS 5% of any/all grants I deliver up to a maximum of $200K of commissions.” Wow what a sweetheart deal!!! I say we keep Sinn’s for $ 120,000 and make sure Sinn brings in an average of 8-10M per year.
Observer wrote on Feb 29, 2008 8:32 PM:says to Irritated Parent; Dr. Bales has made the schools better for the students by taking several VUSD schools off the watch list and using a system which teaches those unable to read to be able to read and understand the material. This was proven by the test schores last year end. Does Pueblo have something wrong with it? The system worked there and it's working here. What's to complain about?
Vista Parent wrote on Feb 29, 2008 9:40 PM:And just HOW do you intend to "make sure Sinn brings in an average of 8-10M per year"? Thus far he has been at VUSD for 6 months and only has a verbal on $1.2M of the $5M he has thus far attempted to secure. At this rate he will only bring in $2.4M of the $10M he annually attempts. At 50K plus 5% up to $200K bonus I would be consistantly working to bring in at least $4M annually which would be nearly twice that of Sinn's current trend. Of course, if there were no cap on the bonuses I could do as I have done before and hit the $7M annually mark. Eitherway, I'd be more than paying for my own salary at this point and doing a better job than Sinn. Yes, I would consider this to be a bargin, especially since I see no measure of performance for Sinn, and his record to date seems rather dismal.
confused parent wrote on Mar 1, 2008 7:44 AM:Why is it when Parents have specific problems with RBV Coach Leo Fletes (teacher and VTA member) it is parents complaining about playing time.
When Perents have issues with the VUSD administration they are being interviewed and are now the experts!
to confused parent wrote on Mar 1, 2008 1:12 PM:how and why does the VTA get brought into anything that has to do with a VUSD concern? this article is about an administrator - not VTA or Leo Fletes. why do YOU have SUCH tunnel vision about teachers/VTA members? nothing else going on in your life?
Vista Teacher wrote on Mar 1, 2008 2:26 PM:Nothing happens at VUSD without VTA involvement in one way or another. History proves that. I should know, I've been here long enough that some of my students are now parents. So, why the surprise (complaint) the VTA inevitably comes into the Blogs? Are you beholden to them for something, or is it that you are one of their mind-numbed robots? Time to try thinking for yourself; after doing the proper research that is.
Say NO to the VTA wrote on Mar 1, 2008 4:37 PM:The VTA gets brought in because the 1st line of the article- a teacher is a VTA member.
If decisions are going to be made because of " some parents and teachers" it is a sorry state of affairs.
All of this is positioning for the upcoming VUSD elections- it is time to change the balance away from the 3 VTA supported administrators.
The work is cut out because of the NC times biased VTA slanted articles
really? wrote on Mar 2, 2008 11:24 AM:3 VTA supported administrators? I think that would be news to at least 2 of them.
Reply to really? wrote on Mar 2, 2008 5:22 PM:Ok, so Hubbard is upset because he has been seeing first hand through his own children the results, or lack thereof, of VTA control over the past 20+ years. Seems he is now homeschooling due to the failures he's been seeing that have been directly impacting his children’s education. So, maybe the VTA no longer supports him. Then there is Dr. Lilly: He too, as the former Dean of the School of Education at SCUSM, has begun to see the failed policies of the VTA and the negative impact on quality education that has resulted from such. So, he too might be turning toward the idea of actually improving education for the Students as opposed to always looking at what is best for the retirement of teachers and other VTA represented individuals. Yes, Children and Education do need to come first! Otherwise you are certain to lose all your support from local community members. And that results in no chance of future Bonds, no support for extra-curricular activities (sports, music, etc.), and no support for the various candidates you might put up. Not to mention students leaving in droves for surrounding Districts, private schools, and home schooling. The continued decline in enrollment at VUSD, even as VUSD's population grew, made it clear that there were other problems at VUSD that needed to be fixed and FAST. But, the VTA/CTA has continued on its dead-end course toward the total destruction of the Public School system in Vista and CA. They say it is the current minority that is anti public school. But the facts are clear that since the CTA has taken control of the Public School system in CA, we have gone from #1 to #48 in the Nation, while the Nation has gone from #1 in the World to #16. So, who is it that is anti-public school? No, the Union and its puppets have had their chance and so far the data show nothing but declining test score, dilapidated buildings, and continued political turmoil within the district. Its time to return the Public School system to the Public! If teachers are good at what they do then they don't need a Union to protect them: they will be well rewarded by the public they serve!
Prop 13 wrote on Mar 3, 2008 2:53 PM:Maybe you're old enough to remember Proposition 13 from 1978? In which school districts and local govenment were hit hard financially with the new property tax laws. Effects from that proposition came home to roost 14 years later when we experienced the recession of the early 1990s. It's just gotten worse in the past decade with this horribly wasteful "war on terror." 15 days of funding that war could take care of the $4 billion that Arnold is taking from school districts in CA. This country has never had a tax reduction at the same time it was funding a war. I don't think the "union" has as much to do with shortfalls as you seem to be convinced that it does.-
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