real vista teacher wrote on Sep 27, 2008 7:52 PM:I have always taught children to read and write english. Why do 3 candidates act as if this is new. Maybe they are that out of touch. One current member up for reelection keeps insisting that scores are higher due to the board. I think I must have missed the days they were in teaching my students!

Fooled No More wrote on Sep 27, 2008 9:53 PM:The campaign for VUSD school board is what it always is about. One group supports public school education. Their children attend public schools. They help in the PTA and as room parents. They support strong educational values for our students and want our students to have FACT based curriculum

The other group constantly denigrates schools and teachers. They claim teachers do not work hard and have cushy jobs. They plot to find ways to reduce benefits for employees and to find ways to fire those who are not ideologically in line with their positions.

For this other group, fact based education is the enemy. They believe that children should only be taught what this group doctrinally believes to be true not what actually is. They are frightening in their unswerving certainty, their anger and their deep intolerances. They oppose the building of new schools and would stop construction on our needed third high school

I pray rationals will again triumph in this election in VUSD. The last time the "other group" gained a majority, the district descended into chaos as they pushed creationism into the classroom (VUSD board resolution 6019) and took all contraception information out of the sex ed curriculum replacing a fact based curriculum with Sex Respect. Besides eliminating all information about preventing pregnancies, Sex Respect booklets had racist cartoons and advice to our students like "Pet you dog, not your date."

Pray for our district that the "others" with there tens of thousands of dollars of "outsider" money do not buy a majority on our school board this time.

to fooled no more wrote on Sep 28, 2008 8:03 AM:Perhaps you are siding with those people who call themselves teachers who send our 11 year old daughters home with pockets of condoms and give them information about getting an abortion with out their parents knowing about it. Or perhaps you are one of those teachers who terrorized our 4 grader with the Al Gore film scaring them that the world is comming to an end because of our president. Is this fact based science? Yes you are probably the one sending home the VTA supports Candidates in my child's backpack. The only thing good about VUSD is that my children are learning how to read English at grade level.

Data speaks for Itself wrote on Sep 28, 2008 8:15 AM:The California Department of Education documented that 63% of Vista's students were reading below grade level in 2004. It looks like real vista teacher taught, but the kids didn't learn. In 2008 we are up to nearly half not reading at grade level. The recent board meeting showed that we can expect about 66-80% to be reading at grade level if we continue on this path. So what this is really about is do you support an educated public or do you support the union owning both sides of contract negotiations.

To to fooled no more wrote on Sep 28, 2008 8:29 AM:Like it or not, YOUR children are having sex and we are showing them how to be safe. Something you won't teach at home. Enough said.

Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 8:56 AM:When truth does not support the "others" prejudice, they feel free to make up their own reality.

Let's start with the most outrageous statement, "teachers who send our 11 year old daughters home with pockets of condoms and give them information about getting an abortion with out their parents knowing about it."

What an over the top accusation! Made with no verification either as to time or place, yet still written and posted.

Have this condom incident ever happened in VUSD? In California? Any where? Of course not. Had it happened, our friendly "other" above would have given a specific examples. It is a very inflammatory statement. Apparently the "other" group in the district uses this kind of fantasy fact to motivate themselves.

If the statement above regarding condoms and abortions were true, every parent would be on their side. I would be too. But if it's not true and it's just a hateful fantasy accusation, then what does that say about the thinking of the "other" group. Do we want them in charge of our schools again?

Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 9:31 AM:Let's take the second outrageous accusation in the post of 8:03 above.

"one of those teachers who terrorized our 4 grader with the Al Gore film scaring them that the world is coming (sic) to an end because of our president."

Terrorize? Which child? Where? Does the person who posted know the meaning of the word “terrorize?” Fourth grader? Come on. When did that happen in VUSD or in any school anywhere? Give an example.

World is coming to an end? I have seen the Al Gore documentary. There is nothing about the world coming to an end. Certainly future climate problems are illustrated along with their consequences and solutions to mitigate those problems.

In VUSD no film or documentary is shown that does not relate to the curriculum. Fourth grade curriculum has nothing to do with climate change. It would be at least a middle school and probably a high school science topic. No VUSD fourth grade teacher would have the time in the school year to show it. The curriculum is very particular as to when and which subjects are taught in the fourth grade. The only time to show bonus material would be during lunch or before or after school. Who would show something that would be “over the heads” of the audience?

I have taught fourth grade. Nine and ten year olds would not understand the concepts in the Al Gore documentary. Children who do not understand get noisy and disruptive. Teachers do not use materials that might cause classroom chaos. Noise and disorder and bored children are no fun for anyone, let alone a trained teacher who is trying her best to educate our children.

Finally “because of our president,” where in the documentary is George W. Bush blamed for climate change? I think any knowledgeable observer would conclude that President Bush has not helped the situation during his seven plus years in office, sure that is true. But did Al Gore blame the president in his documentary. No.

If a person makes charges and claims that he wants others to take seriously then he must be accurate.

To Fooled no more wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:08 AM:Condoms: Rancho Minerva Middle School Spring Assembly 2008.

As for the comment about our children having sex, not all children have sex. In fact, there are quite a few who wait until they are married. This is an issue that does not belong in schools as it is the parent's responsibility to teach these things. But, now I have a much more difficult time teaching my children about abstinence and personal responsibility because their school administrators, teachers, and others try to teach them that sex can be "safe."
Now for some facts back to you: Doctors typically double and triple glove. Why, because gloves fail, and even as thick as they are they don't fully protect you from the possibility of infection from STDs. Condoms are less than 1/8 the thickness of a typical surgical glove and fail at a rate of 20 times that of surgical gloves.
Do you teach this in your "Safe Sex" forums?

to Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:12 AM:I would agree with your assessment if any charge in the 8:03 post were verifiable.

It is important for you growth as an adult voter to understand whether outrageous charges are true or not.

As a general rule, the more outrageous the charge, the less likely it is to be true and the more necessary having documentation for the charge becomes.

Please read all posts above before making up your mind.

to Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:18 AM:Sending home pocketfuls of condoms with 11 year olds and info on getting abortions does not pass the "smell" test. When fish smells, throw it out. Do the same with unsupported inflammatory accusations.

To Fooled no More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:19 AM:The Al Gore film is a Great Film to show as an example of "Bad Science." If you are to show this film and then the "Great Global Warming Hoax" and have your students do a compare and contrast then you might have something. But, when this film is used as the propaganda it is, then it only achieves fear. Which, according to those who use propaganda would agree, is one of the best methods of controlling a population. But, in America one of our founding principles is FREEDOM and the right to choose. A well educated and well informed people will keep Government in check and keep Democracy alive. We know this is not what the current Elites would like, and we have seen how they have manipulated our Public Education system for their benefit. But, we are fighting back and we will again bring our schools back to what they once were: The envy of the World!
Our children are our future and we will do whatever we need to ensure they get the best education our tax dollars can provide. Otherwise, we will use our FREEDOM to replace the failed system and those who cause the failures!

To real vista teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:24 AM:My neighbor teaches at VUSD and she is a bi-lingual educator. She tells me that many of the teachers in the k-5 grades still teach both in English and in Spanish: Taking twice the time to cover the same material. So, either you are not one of the bi-lingual teachers, you teach in the High Schools, or you are not telling us the whole truth (You teach children to read and write English. But also teach in Spanish as well).

Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:31 AM:Don't worry about me, I can see right through all the "scare tatics" and lies that are batted around by the other crowd. The thing that scares me the most is the idea these people would actually be in charge of our schools! And by the way the post at 10:08 is absolutely insane!

Please voters, Chunka. Lilly, and Jaka, let's bring the sanity back!

To Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 10:59 AM:You know only too well that Creationism never came to a vote. In fact, those of us who were there know it was a vocal group of parents who petitioned (yes, perfectly legal under our form of government) the board to discuss the addition of Creationism as an alternative to Darwinism. It was pulled from the agenda before the CNN fiasco, and the vocal group disappeared right after that (can we say set up?). Of course, this issue was used to foment the community against these board members and the rest is history.
As for the other issue: The state and federal government were still in a turmoil as to what should be contained in sex education and the Board was not the one who pulled the materials and replaced them with what you claim. Rather, that is what the federal government was pushing at that time.
Finally, ever since the Union took control of VUSD we have seen nothing but declines in test scores, increases in teen pregnancies (currently one of the highest in the County), dropout rates reaching record highs, and our unfunded debt is now the 2nd highest in the County. The former board ran the district in the green with a surplus and built schools without the need for a bond.
So, stop with your propaganda and let’s get back to teaching our children what they need to know to survive in this world! No more playing with the social engineering: Just teach them the basics!

to fooled no more wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:02 AM:Note to editor: If you will post their comments about sex education then you have no reason to withhold mine. 2nd attempt to post.)

Condoms: Rancho Minerva Middle School Spring Assembly 2008.

As for the comment about our children having sex, not all children have sex. In fact, there are quite a few who wait until they are married. This is an issue that does not belong in schools as it is the parent's responsibility to teach these things. But, now I have a much more difficult time teaching my children about abstinence and personal responsibility because their school administrators, teachers, and others try to teach them that sex can be "safe."
Now for some facts back to you: Doctors typically double and triple glove. Why, because gloves fail, and even as thick as they are they don't fully protect you from the possibility of infection from STDs. Condoms are less than 1/8 the thickness of a typical surgical glove and fail at a rate of 20 times that of surgical gloves.
Do you teach this in your "Safe Sex" forums?

To Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:18 AM:If you call teaching kids that condoms make sex safe insane, then I can see why you'd support those you do. California has the most relaxed approach to sex education and the highest teen pregnancy rate in the nation (funny that the Left would attack Palin on her daughter's pregnancy yet continue to want to teach about safe sex in our schools but refuse to teach abstinence. Palin's daughter would not be pregnant if abstinence had been the social norm).
So Lisa, go ahead a fear those who would put Education first and continue to back those who would teach your children all about sex education, tell them it is ok to use any bathroom you desire so long as that is the gender you currently feel most comfortable with, and ignore the need for students to really learn. Yes, your candidates have been the reason we are in the mess we are currently in: low test scores, high debt, high dropout rates, high teen pregnancies, gang activity in our schools, and a dysfunctional middle management at the district.

Dr. Cholo wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:29 AM:To real vista teacher:

"I have always taught children to read and write english." (Please note English is a proper name and therefore requires a capital "E." Do you always teach English like this?)
OK, I'll grant that you have always taught children... But, which ones? The White children? The Hispanic children? The Asian children? And is English the ONLY language you teach them or do you attempt to teach all children in all languages?

By the way, we've had a rather large influx of immigrants from the former Eastern Bloc countries. Are you also teaching them in their native languages? Do you teach your Filipinos in Tagalong? Or are you simply catering to one group because they are the majority of your students?

And if that is the case, why do you spend so much time teaching in their local language if you believe them equal and desire to provide them an equal opportunity to achieve. Do you realize that what you are producing is a whole generation that is illiterate in both Spanish and English?

To Lisa JO wrote on Sep 28, 2008 11:33 AM:The only "scare tactics" I've seen are those routinely used by my Union Bosses. That is why I'm not supporting you or your candidates. Yes, I think for myself and that is what I teach my children to do: Read, research, check, recheck, analyze, and decide. The true insanity is continuing the status quo, and that is why I'm voting against you.

Vista Teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2008 12:05 PM:From what I've read, seen, and heard, I'm ready to support two candidates, and oppose two as well. The third will have to wait until I know more.

Support: Anderson, and Lilly. The only two are professional educators.

Oppose: The two Union supported candidates who desire Dr. Bales to be their puppet.

Joyce, you can be sure that many of your teachers just want to TEACH. It is only a very few who are stirring the pot against you and the changes you have made. With a supportive Board we can get back to what we know best: TEACHING!

VT

Real Vista Teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2008 12:15 PM:If any teachers are still teaching curriculum in Spanish then they are not in compliance. You don't mention which schools so I must refer to "fooled no more" and ask for facts.There are none. More nonsense.

A couple of things wrote on Sep 28, 2008 12:18 PM:About Al Gore and his film on global warming. Didn't he receive the Nobel prize for his film? And seriously, those out there who believe that there is not a concern about global warming, you are deceiving yourselves. Maybe you believe that the world will be coming to an end within 50 years so it's a moot point to do anything to slow it down? Please take a look at topographical pictures over time, especially in the Artic.

I really wish people would leave the topic of creationism out of public education. It DOES NOT belong in public schools because it violates separation of church and state. Send your kids to private school if you want them to learn about creationism as opposed to Darwinism. And then see what colleges they can get into. Colleges like to see Biology on a transcript, not Darwinism. A college professor teaching the sciences should know that.

And for those out there opposed to sex ed in school, who believe that there are kids who abstain from sex until marriage. I'm sure there are kids who abstain. But did you know that there has been a spike in another kind of sex - and I'm not talking oral - by kids who vow to save themselves for marriage? Because they think "this kind of sex" doesn't count as premarital sex?

Vista Watchdog wrote on Sep 28, 2008 12:46 PM:If the best the Union can come up with is to dredge up a 15 year old dark time in VUSD's history then they obviously don't have much substance to support their candidates.

Just for those not around back then, no students currently attending VUSD were in school when this took place. None of the current candidates were sitting on the Board back then. None of them were involved with District activates back then. In fact, some of them weren't even living in VUSD back then!

So, obviously the Union backed group is attempting to make seriously false claims about things that they cannot prove. Furthermore, it would appear that they are the ones that have a problem with what happened back then. Could it be that some of them have a guilty conscience?

fooled no more wrote on Sep 28, 2008 1:15 PM:To the 10:08 post.
There was no Spring Assembly at Rancho Minerva Middle School. The only kind of assembly that Rancho Minerva had last spring was an awards assembly for student academic achievement. No condoms were given out at that assembly or any other at any time at Rancho Minerva.

I just got off the phone with a teacher at Rancho Minerva Middle School. Not only did she tell me all of the above but she said she had never heard such outrageous lies in her life.

If condoms were passed out to 11 year olds at an assembly, it would have made headlines hear and across the nation. Why are your made up accusations so over the top?

In the New Testament, when sins are listed gossip mongers are considered to be among the very worst of sinners.

Your 10:08 post confirms, yet again, that the folks on your side are fact challenged. Why would anyone want to vote for folks who cannot tell the difference between truth and malevolent fantasy? Why would we want those kind of folks in charge of our children's education?

Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 1:54 PM:Creationism did come up for a vote by the Creationist board of 1992-94.

The teaching of creationism in the VUSD public school classroom was mandated by their introduced and passed Board Policy 6019. Their policy is labeled "Teaching Science". It can be found at the following government website:
.

This policy is still in place, if not enforced.

The 1992-94 creationist board members--Tyndale, Lee and Holliday--wasted months of valuable school board time talking about creationism. They tried to introduce a creationist text book into our classrooms. They wanted "equal time" for their particular young earth sectarian view of Genesis in our science classrooms. They wanted scientific theories questioned in our science classrooms.

They ended up with a provision in Board Policy 6019 to encourage teachers to be attacked in the science classroom if any student charged a teacher with teaching the age of the universe, radiometric dating, geologic history, or evolution “dogmatically.” That “dogmatically” part was added specifically to allow for the intimidation of teachers who were teaching fact based science in VUSD classrooms rather than the young earth creationist views of the school board majority.

Most Christians disagree with their particular doctrine of the "young earth" which demands that not only the earth but the entire universe be just 6000 years old. Such a demand seems ridiculous and even dangerous to thinking Christians. Young earthism destroys the basis of the faith of regular Christians who do not think that the Biblical God would create a world to “appear” to be old. Trickery is not a characteristic of the God worshipped by regular Christians. That doctrinal disagreement was one reason the young earth creationist board failed in their attempt to impose their ideas in our science classrooms.

The young earth creationist trio finally decided because of Supreme Court decisions, potential lawsuits, and too much coverage by major television networks to stop their efforts in science. Instead they mandated creation teaching in social science classes. I quote from section C of the policy listed above, "Discussions of divine creation, ultimate purposes, or ultimate causes (the “why”) are included at appropriate times in the history-social sciences and/or English-language arts curricula."

Notice the word “ARE”. When a school board uses that language, they ARE indeed mandating something. In this case the use of the word “ARE” mandates teaching creationism in our VUSD public school classrooms.

Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 2:09 PM:The 10:19 post calls Al Gore's film “propaganda” and "bad science". Of course neither is true. The documentary was based on the very latest peer reviewed science of the time. Sadly in those days, just a few years ago, the very best peer reviewed science was still underestimating the amount of FOSSIL CO2 that was being added to our CURRENT atmosphere. This meant that the worst possibilities, that Al Gore and his data foretold, are inaccurate. The situation is now far worse. In the last year every single peer reviewed article in scientific journals has sadly confirmed the danger of inaction is far graver and more immediate than Al Gore knew when the documentary was made.

However, Al Gore is not the topic. The topic is the outrageous and fabricated anecdotal stories that are told as true by the political side in the VUSD board elections that is represented in the post at 8:03am. Nothing said by the 8:03 post about Al Gore was true. That is the topic.

Lisa wrote on Sep 28, 2008 3:09 PM:I called making accusations about teachers passing out condoms insane! Palin? Her daughter is pregnant because of her own choices, not social norms.I don't want you or your candidated to support me, I wouldn't want to be associated with liars and name callers.

Voters wrote on Sep 28, 2008 3:30 PM:Vote for Lilly, Chunka, and Jaka for the school board. They are willing to improve communication in VUSD. They have had their own children in VUSD. They are familiar with the issues in the district. Chunka and Jaka want the district to improve their communication with parents. Finally, they are willing to listen to teachers who work daily with your children. I want a school board that supports our students.

To Fooled No More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 3:42 PM:Al Gore's Film was NOT Peer Reviewed Science. It has been shown by many scientists around the world to be false science. Al Gore is not a Scientist; he is a politician. He has politicized a scientific event for his political and personal gains. Even his Carbon Credits scam is beginning to gather interest by Federal Investigators.
Please note there is NO definitive evidence of manmade global warming. It is only a theory. In fact, the Southern Ice sheet shows a slight rise in average size over the last 30 years. So, if this is GLOBAL Warming, then why is the Southern Ice sheet growing? As for the Northern Ice sheet getting smaller you will find some very interesting articles about some very large volcanic eruptions under the northern ice sheet and that this activity has been on the increase over the last 30 years. With most of the northern ocean contained (surrounded by land) the warm water has no place to go and builds up. It is also very interesting to look at the correlations between the eruptions, and earthquakes in the northern ocean and the ice melts. Typically we see these melts taking lace about one month after the eruption. So, could these have something to do with the melting? Could these ice measurements actually be false data used to support Global Warming? I study this area of science in my daily research and can tell you many of us laugh at Al Gore. But we also despise that fact that he has turned science into a game of politics and caused us so much difficulty in finding funding to do real science.
Now please go back to your home and raise your children as you see fit. But DON”T play with my children’s future in science!

To Fooled no More wrote on Sep 28, 2008 3:47 PM:If the Fossil CO2 is all manmade, then there would have to be a one for one drop in O2 for every increase in CO2. Unfortunately Dr. Keeling of UCSD Scripps institution of Oceanography does not find this to be happening. Granted, he agrees that his father's work showing the CO2 rise is good work, but it does NOT support that all the CO2 is from Fossil Fuels. There just isn't enough decline in the O2 readings over the past 20 years to support that hypothesis. Time to go back to school yourself and stop telling our children that Global Warming as a fact, and that it is all due to man's use of fossil fuels.

Samuel wrote on Sep 28, 2008 4:02 PM:To the editor: This is my fourth submission. It is relevant, on topic, shorter than others and I have included my email address for you to contact me. Why do you continue to accept blogs on Al Gore’s book when it has nothing to do with the article? Everything here is true and verifiable.

There are two main issues in this race. First are the test scores and for the first time in 15 years the District’s scores are showing improvement. We had a wonderful awards ceremony this past Thursday and it was great to see the smiles on most every bodys faces as they accepted their awards. It is working so why change?

The second issue is financial responsibility. Everyone was aware that there was only a certain amount of funds left from the Prop O bond fund when the three-person VTA backed majority voted to enter into an agreement where Edge Development would do the work for a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). Later this same three-person VTA backed majority voted to sign the contract on the Mission Vista High School even though the plans were incomplete and lacking State approval. Since the plans were incomplete the GMP agreement was useless.

Steve Lilly voted for this mess and Elizabeth Jaka was one of the leaders of both the Local Facilities Finance Committee and the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC). Remember that this third high school was supposed to cost $40 million and not the projected $100 million. The BOC and the Board did not manage the taxpayers’ money as they should have.

Dr. Guffanti kept asking the needed questions and along with Mr. Gibson kept asking for a cost comparison with the Lincoln site. Please note that Dr. Guffanti was not necessarily pushing to use Lincoln but to do a cost comparison in order to get the facts so that a viable decision could be made. Sure sounds like a good way to make decisions to me; what about you?

Two quick points to preempt the VTA spiel. First, any delays caused by the various legal actions were minimal if any. And, if the District had done things right to start with most of the legal proceedings would not have occurred. (That is another reason to break the VTA monopoly.) Second, the State never made a decision on using the Lincoln site for the high school. Summer of 2003 emails between the District and State confirming this are in District files.

Betts wrote on Sep 28, 2008 4:11 PM:Several years ago we spontaneously took our daughter out of the VUSD elementary school she was attending because her math teacher allowed the children to cheat, the 4th graders including my daughter were not learning to read and there was no support from the principal when a certain group of kids were bullying other kids including my daughter. We just took her out just like that right in the middle of the school year. Surprised???

Well, we were very fortunate to have her accepted into a private school within one week. She stayed at the private school till the end of 8th grade, she learned to read and her grade point average went up considerably. The burden and difficulty of paying for a private school was affecting our finances and budget but was worth all the sacrifices. It was not easy. Now she is back in a public highschool in Vista and is doing great. We and she are very happy with this public highschool and are happy we made the decision to remove her from the inept elementary school.

Just to satisfy the bloggers who will reprimand us for our actions, every summer from grade 4 - 7 we had prepared our own reading program for our daughter, we rewarded her when she would meet our requirements for reading during the summer and now as a senior she loves to read and is always wanting to find a new book.

My point...we made a dangerous but successful decision regarding our daughters education because the VUSD was not meeting our expectations for reading or math.

All this bickering among parents, teachers and VUSD employees is really bad for our kids.
Too many predjudice people, too many politics in the teaching process, we need one language in the school district. Let's simplify. It will benefit the kids. Let's get our eyes off ourselves and back on the classroom, the kids and the teachers..that's it.

Look at the Progress.... wrote on Sep 28, 2008 4:58 PM:2nd Attempt...NC Times
There are candidates that are running on the platform that the Teacher's Union (VTA) is trustworthy and they need to protect their teachers. From what? Accountability? Think about this when you are going to the polls. Back in 2003 the children reading at grade level in VUSD was only 38% and now under the leadership and support of Dr. Bales, there are 49% of students reading at grade level! That is an amazing statistic. At the last Board Meeting, anyone who was there would have seen the dramatic increase in the number of children who are reading at grade level. Now, the VTA backed candidates want that accountability gone and are willing to say whatever needs to be said to gain back what VUSD had in 2003 if they win their seats. Is this what you want for ALL the children of VUSD? Or do you want to see VUSD become a greater school district than Poway? If you want consistent accountability vote Anderson, Fernandez, and Guffanti.

Looking forward... wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:00 PM:2nd request...
At least Dr. Lilly realizes that if children begin reading at grade level that they are going to need a higher rigor to encourage them to continue reaching higher goals. But if we do not elect people like Patty Anderson, Eileen Fernandez, and Dr. Stephen Guffanti to continue to support the hard work of VUSD teachers, children, and Dr. Bales it won't happen. Period. The VTA supported Jaka and Chunka want to give accountability the boot along with Dr. Bales and they are in back pedal mode, right now. Vote for all of the children of VUSD to continue to learn to read, not for the teachers union who want more power.

Taxpayer wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:05 PM:Hey Editor!!! Let’s get back on the subject of the article and start allowing blogs from the other side. Enough is enough.

VUSD Parent wrote on Sep 28, 2008 5:42 PM:I remember the nightmare VUSD trio of 1992. My kids were in elementary school and I worried about how much money was going to be wasted trying to defend the indefensible. I also remember watching "ABC World News Tonight" and listening to Peter Jennings talk about the VUSD Board and possible recall because of this issue! I was taking a Political Science course and we discussed it in class, as well.

Vista Watchdog is right - none of these people are currently on the Board, thank goodness, because they were recalled by this community (2 of them were and the other was not re-elected). I think voters who still remember that time, however, want to make sure that we NEVER repeat it. What a colossal waste of time and tax dollars, and the horrible aftermath of a divided community. This is probably why the VTA got more involved - to ensure this kind of calamity never revisits VUSD.

The sad thing is people running for office can appeal to unsuspecting voters who just look for superficial buzz words and/or philosophies. Please do your research! Don't allow others to speak for you. Go to the forums!! Be a conscientious and active member of your community!

If you do all of the above I think you will find that Lilly, Jaka, and Chunka are the best candidates to lead this community. They will reestablish communication at all levels. They are in this election for the students - not to advance a particular agenda that will lead to further division in VUSD. And in the end it’s the division that hurts the students.

To Samuel wrote on Sep 28, 2008 6:08 PM:Why do you always refer to yourself in 3rd person when you are the author of the post?

Amanda wrote on Sep 30, 2008 7:25 AM:Dr. Cholo you ask if we realize what VUSD is producing a whole generation that is illiterate in both Spanish and English? Yes of course everyone realizes this but that is the plan!!! It comes from above, the state of California spends very little money educating students in comparison to what they spend incarcerating them.

Why? Lets ask Arnold the Terminator why he is spending the bulk of our tax money in building prisons rather than schools? The plan is not to educate but incarcerate; education may be cheaper but the rich people that control the state want ONLY their children educated [then there is the small % of illegal immigrants that gets free college at our cost.] The majority of the middle class does not make it into higher education. So our political leaders don’t want people who may challenge their ill decision and diversion of public funds into their pockets.

Yes our government has planned it very well, according to CDE’S curriculum taken from Plato and Socrates. Political leaders and our government officials want to select who will lead the world through a selective process of elimination. The leaders select flat liners and people who are easy to manipulate and according to Plato’s philosophy they will become loyal government workers.

While the rest of our children and us are given many barriers to get to an education [like the middle class paying for the loopholes of the rich and the welfare and education of illegal immigrates.] There is very little or no money left for OUR OWN, so there is no incentive to educate OUR CHILDREN in their view.

Everything is moving foreword according to plan and who is going to challenge the system of elimination?

So what if we are not producing scientists and mathematicians they don’t care…..

Concerned Taxpayer wrote on Oct 2, 2008 6:51 AM:I have been in the district for 16 years. Everyone really needs to look at the records of the people running. ... Everyone needs to take a look at what the these different people are really about. I have sat on many committees and attended many board meetings with Guffanti and Gibson in attendance and have seen the changes, sadly enough. I don't even support Dr. Lilly. Please give me a better third choice.

Vista Watchdog wrote on Oct 2, 2008 8:58 AM:To Vista Parent:

Specific Agenda? To be honest I rather like “specific agendas” when they apply directly to the organization for which the candidates are running. For instance, I see Anderson and Lilly are both professional educators and both seem to be putting students first. I also note that Guffanti has placed literacy (specifically English literacy) as a priority. Further, I see Fernandez, Anderson, and Guffanti all place fiscal responsibility very high on their agendas.
As a taxpayer, a former business owner, a parent and grandparent of children in VUSD, and an American, I can't see anything wrong with wanting out children to get a good and proper education. Of course, I also understand that without funding our children's education will suffer. But, having watched VUSD and other government agencies throughout the years, I know only too well the money is there, but is typically mismanaged. Too often by people who think the tax coffers are bottomless pits, and if you continue to throw money at a problem it will fix itself.
Although Dr. Lilly has not shown good fiscal responsibility over the last 4 years, he has most assuredly placed English Literacy very high on his specific agenda, along with supporting the new administration. Anderson seems very passionate about English literacy, Science, Math, and Technology. She also seems to have her finger on the pulse of outside grant funds that we can tap into that will aid us in these areas of our children's education. She seems to want to properly manage the funds we have and do what we can to get more funding for those areas where it will do the most good for the children. Guffanti has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility and for literacy and the new administration.
So, my money is on these three: Lilly, Anderson, and Guffanti, with a close second for Fernandez. The other two look too much like the puppets we have seen used by the VTA to run this district into the ground over the past several years.

To Real Vista Teacher wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:13 AM:According to SCDOE "San Diego County has a shortage of more than 1,000 bilingual and English language development teachers (CTEL/BCLAD) which makes recruitment and staff development a top priority."

So, if the SDCOE is making the claim that there is a shortage of bilingual teachers, and if VUSD is showing one of the highest percentages of English Language Learners in San Diego County, then I would have to assume that curriculum is still being taught in languages other than English within VUSD Schools. Prove me wrong, if you even are a REAL teacher in VUSD schools! My child's teacher regularly provides instruction in Spanish, and as a classroom aid I hear it every time I'm there! So, don't go telling me that teachers aren't still teaching curriculum in Spanish! You obviously can't be a classroom teacher in VUSD if you think this!

teacher wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:38 PM:Oh brother, here we go again with the seemingly never-ending bickering!!!!

I am a VUSD teacher. Yes, I'll admit it, even say it proudly actually... even though there is a subset of our community (and school board/district administration!) that would paint me as ineffective, uncaring and unable to do the job I have been hired to do.

Please, STOP beating teachers down! For the most part, MOST teachers do the best job they can with what they are given (or not given, as the case may be!)

Ignore the rhetoric, volunteer in the classroom, and attend board meetings. Then you just might be able to understand what's really going on.

I will share that the only candidates I have ever seen at my school site are CHUNKA and JAKA. They care about students and teachers, which is why they get my vote.

Vistokian wrote on Oct 9, 2008 12:47 PM:Who Represents the Taxpayer????

60% of my property taxes (there are slight differences within VUSD depending on which City or precinct of County you live in) goes to VUSD. Well run school districts add value to property because they are more in demand. Conversely, look at Vista. Yes, I have been to school board meetings just to see the propagandists claiming what great things are happening. When people are clamoring to live in VUSD because they offer better schools than surrounding communities, I'll believe it. But don't hold your breath.

Its nice to waive flags like "I'm for the kids" or "I'm for the teachers", But where are the taxpayer advocates?

Oh, you're not allowed to have a voice because that's "selfish". And all the people who want more services they don't have to pay (all or in part) for are being "civic-minded? This is just kleptocracy.

Lets stop listening to the unions and religious agendas, and finally talk about pay for performance. Time for math 101.