Posted on Thursday, 1/22/2009 - 12:17 p.m. PST — by HSFBFAN
I believe that most of us will agree that lessons taught in athletics carry with our kids through their entire life. The MDUSD has the funds to maintain athletics but will choose to cut it from the budget. I ask this, are athletics worthwhile despite sometimes costing as little as one-fifth of one percent of overall school budgets? I many cases our kids have and show more respect for their coaches than they do their academic teachers. Why is this? Because they are held accountable. They are taught life lessons, commitment, goal setting, time management skills, conflict management, leadership and mentoring to name a few. Do these sound familiar? Are they taught this is any classrooms? A review of 75 Fortune 500 companies showed 95 percent of executives played high school sports.
This district has ridden the coat tails of the surrounding district for decades. Just look at the facilities. Other than the gyms, most have NO facilities and, if not for the community supporters, booster clubs they would have far less. It is interesting that when the leagues were realigned all MDUSD schools form the DVAL. What other district wanted to share our facilities. No longer can MDUSD us the facilities at Campo, MM, LL or Alhambra. We are down to two swimming pools now and those are in very sad shape. We are the ONLY school district in the 680 corridor that can't hold night football games, the largest source of revenue for athletics programs. They have spent very little money these past 25 years to better facilities. That’s the vision of our leaders. As a CP parent I know what we do to better our athletics. I know the commitment that the Northgate community has provided to their facilities. How much more can we do. Make some noise people. It is very sad to attend these meetings only to find few in attendance. Our kids need you, our communities need you and the experience woven into the fabric of the high school experience MUST continue.
Below you will find the email addresses of the MDUSD Board...make some noise, let your voices be heard!
mchenryg@mdusd.k12.ca.us - Sup
nicollr@mdusd.k12.ca.us - Asst Sup
paul@mdusd.net - Paul Strange MDUSD Board
gary@mdusd.net - Gary Eberhert " "
@aol.comMayolk - Linda Mayo " "
sherry@mdusd.net - Sheert Whitmarsh " "
dickallen_dallen@yahoo.com - Dick Allen " "
Office of the Governor of the state of California - http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email
Congessman George Miller District 7 - George.Miller@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher District 10: http://www.tauscher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=966&Itemid=103
Email them with your thoughts and let you voices be heard!
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 225
I agree that the sports programs need to be kept and that the funds shouldn't be cut. A lot of the players are kept out of trouble by having the programs.
But as for the fields, Concord and Mt. both have lights and, I think YV does or will have soon. Most of the fields have been redone the last couple of years at all the schools. I know that CP had a lot of work done on their field last year and has always used DVC's football field for night games has that changed?
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Tooldforthis, let me update you on some facts regarding fields. Currently, there are three lighted fields in the MDUSD, CV, Concord (new last year) and Mt. Diablo. YV does not and will not anytime soon. Northgate does not, and will not anytime soon though they are working on it (NCPF not MDUSD), CP not and wont anytime soon.
Fact, CP has not played at DVC for 2 years because the district did not want to pay the $4000.00 per night for use. However, they made no attempt to have the cost reduced. Parents did and were able to get the cost reduced to $2,500.00 per night, less than the district had been paying privious years and raised the funds to play there for five games three years ago. District would not pay (even the reduce rate) and CP was to play all home games at Mt D.
Lets look at the field conditions:
CV - New to the DVAL. the most modern (if you could say that) in the district. All purpose field, bleachers on both sides ($480,000.00) upgrade underway, Scoreboard, Press box, All weather track, concessions, No Bathrooms. Field and Lights funded partly by the community.
YV - New to the DVAL. Newer allpurpose field, Bleachers on both sides, all weather track & scoreboard. No Lights, No concessions/bathrooms, No Press Box. Games played on Saturday which means low attendance.
Northgate- DFAL/DVAL. New this year All purpose field and track. Paid for by the Northgate Community Pride Foundation. Not the MDUSD. Scoreboard, Paid by NCPF. No Lights, No Bleachers at all (Temp Bleachers used and paid for by NCPF), no concessions/bathrooms. Var & JV Football games played on Sat. This equals greatly reduced attendance.
Concord - DFAL/DVAL. New to years ago Lights & Bleachers on both sides and scoreboard. paid with Measure C/Prop A and community funds. No Track (it's a dump), No press box, no concessions/bathrooms.
Mt. D. - I would say the best potiental of all of them but it is in bad shape. Lights (25 years old), Pot hole filled old grass field, Old wooden deteriorating bleachers on both sides, old dirt track (a dump), A nice team room with bathrooms, concessions/bathrooms. Place needs a overhaul but maybe sometime till that ever happens. What a shame.
CP - DFAL/DVAL. New last year All purpose field (cost $800,000.00- $500,000.00 from measure C & $300,000.00 for boosters). All weather track (Paid in full by a local family), Bleachers on one side, Scoreboard (new this year funded by the boosters), no concession/bathrooms/ or drinkable water, No Lights. Football games played - JV on thursdays @ 3:30 Var Fridays 3:30 50% drop in attendance. Last two games of the year start at 3:00 (75% drop)
This district has ridden the coat tail of other districts and schools until the realignment....LL, Campo, ACA, Alhambra & Dublin (old DFAL) which have nice facilities. Let's not even talk about pools. They are down to two, one at Mt. D and one at CP. Each of these are dumps. If they had the vision and planning surely over 25 years upgrades should have been in the plans on a revolving basis which would have lessened the cost. Good facilities equals greater attendence which equals greater revenue not only for the district but also for the booster organizations that organize and man concessions, spiritwear, crab feed ect ect. This money would be pumped back into the programs making them stronger and better funded. Interesting that ALL High Schools from Livermore to Martinez have lighted facilities except three.....guess what district the three are in? If this district does not start planning now for the future all these allpurpose fields are going to be a wreck inside of 5-7 years...fact.
Just my thoughts.....and Facts.
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 72
In terms of stadiums Mt. Diablo actually has the nicest one. I dont remember seeing any wooden bleachers there... all metal and in very good shape. (a large section of bleachers at CV have been condemned for safety) The problem is the field/track. It gets torn up because so many use it (hs/pop warner/soccer) the grass just cant handle it.
It amazes me how all of the other schools in the district got new fields but not Mt. Diablo, especially when about 5 years ago NG, Concord, and Mt. Diablo all used the field for football
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 225
HSFBFAN,
Didn't mean to fire you up, sorry, I was just saying that a lot of the schools had newer fields. I knew the funds had come from Measure C/ Prop. A and other sources. Trust me, I know alot about the funding for MDUSD having been involvoled in PTA, PTSA, Boosters clubs and many other groups both as parent and rented facilties for sports and other functions from the district for over 15 years. As you may or may not know, If you rent or lease facitlies from the district, the money doesn't go to that school, it goes into the General fund to use as they please.
I'm am not defending MDUSD or any other school district. ALL after school and sports programs MUST to be kept, period.
All our Federal, State, Local Gov't and School Districts enjoyed money when everyone had it. Now we don't and they want to cut back. Don't do it on the backs of our students. They're not the ones that mismanaged the funds!!
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 63
Why wait until these cuts must be made? We need to offer up our help and ideas now. It seems the parcel tax must pass or it will spell doom on athletics in our district. There is 5 months to get the parcel tax on the ballot and promoted, for this to pass, it will take a huge team effort of spreading the word. Don't be the one to sit back and complain once there are no sports for our children, do something now to prevent the cutting of athletic funding.
http://mdusd.blogspot.com/
Please open this and read today's blog from the MDUSD Website regarding budget cuts. Meeting tonight at 7PM. Please forward this to everyone whom you think would be interested.
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 72
well the meeting was supposed ot be tonight...
what got cut? all sports? just frosh sports? coaches stipends? what?
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 63
Sports was not on the agenda and hopefully won't be on the agenda until the state passes along their new budget. That is why it is crucial for all parents to step up and help the district move forward with the bond and get it passed!
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Nice to see parents voicing concerns for athletics in our local schools. Seems we've had good attendence at these district meetings. CP parents sure have let their voice be heard. Maybe we can get our hands on some of funds that will be allocated for infastructure upgrades to get some water. sewer and power brought out to the CP Athletic Field. It sure would help in getting concession/restrooms and lights up. Wouldn't that fall under moderization? The way I see it, if we can increase attendence at ticketed events like Friday Night Football everyone wins on the revenue side including athletics, students, boosters and the district.
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 72
the problem with NG, YV, and CP is their fields are right next to peoples houses. These schools will probably never get lights because the neighbors wont allow it
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Though it is true that no neighbors are infavor of lighting these fields the fact of the matter does not boil down to neighbors. These fields sit on state owned property. They really can do as they please, yet district like to be good neighbors. So, neighbors alone can not stop the process. However, that being said, the greatest hurdle to overcome is funds and the road taken. To install lighting the first thing that must to be done is a environmental impact study, cost, $60,000.00 and 7 months. This is not to see if any frogs are going to be displaced but is focused on traffic feeds and departure routes, parking, noise based on the amount of nights they will be used as well as some others this is part of the EIS. Most have shut off's no later than 10:00 and some have shut off 9:30-9:45. Yes spill is also a factor but none have been turned down. Muscos Light Green product is the best ( http://www.musco.com/musco.php .) Second is Public feed back meetings. Neighbors can complain, organize and create headaches by threatening lawsuits but they also have to be willing to take it all the way. Next is cost, infastructure, power to the location. This is very expensive. Musco lighting (pole, cross members and fixtures (48) currently delivered to the school is approx $160,000.00. Installation runs $175-200,000.00 permitting power and sufficient panels are very close (150 ft) from location (drawings, plans, IOR, ect ect) . Sooo... give the funds...all could have lighting. By the way...NG, YV and CP are the ONLY schools from Livermore to Martinez not to have them, those number increase as you move out to other areas.
Just a few more facts....
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 72
i believe in the case of northgate, since the houses were there first, before the school. They can actually block it from happening. Ng has the financial resources to get something like that changed.
Also i was told by people who work at Cp that said that a lady who lives behind the field actually paid for most of if not all of the all weather track with the agreement that they would never put lights up
Joined: Aug 2008
Current Posts: 63
John, HSFBFAN was one of the major instramental people in getting the field completed at CP. He is also the leader in the push to get lights and infrastructure in place. He has done hours & hours of research and info gathering. He has attended numerous Booster, school, district, etc meetings on this subject. I am not saying your contacts & info are uninformed, but I can promise you that HSFBFAN has more information on this than anyone in the entire district.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
John & CP1989, I appreciate the thought, however, the CP field is there because of the dedication of the CP Varsity Football Coach, Athletic Boosters, community members and local community sports organizations. I did spearhead the scoreboard with alot of help. That's the only way any other capital improvements will continue.
John....Please do not read into any tones here...as for CP and NG...these are the facts.... CP track was donated by a CP family eight years ago and were not neighbors on the hill. They were a track family. The only thing they requested was that bleachers be installled when funds were available. We continue to work to make additional improvements...it's all about the quan.
As for NG.....your informer and information is not correct they are moving forward. Currently in the mist of their EIS at a cost of in excess of $58,000.00. The NGPF in a well oiled machine with tremendous support. Installing lighting today is a very sensitive issue. Because of public and legal issues every item required by the district, DSA (State) and local must be followed...and I mean every T crossed each I dotted. This is one of the reasons it is so expensive. Neighbors can organize, threaten lawsuits and make noise. However, should they want to push the issue someone needs to fund it, even thats a stretch. That said....thats why so much detail work goes into the plan. Once all is completed it's time for City public comment meetings (required). Once it gets to this, movements infavor out number those against 50-1...at least.
Todays new lighting is very environmentally sensitive compared to those installed four years ago. Unfortunantly, most against don't even both to do the research and capture the facts which they really should. It's ALL about having the funds....ALL. Ask the CV local community...all against...now in favor and moving to add additional nights...it's helped the area and bettered the school.
It's just difficult to swallow the fact that our 3 district schools are the only ones that have to play these 3:00-3:30 friday games or Sat. Did you know that of the 68 NCS schools 9 do not play night football, of those 3 do not because of safety (crime) issues, though they have lighted facilities. Add the numbers up.....sad for the Diablo Valley ....middle america.
Just the facts.....
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 1
I think we are all getting off track. The one place where we know the money didn't come from is the district. In my opinion the money should come from the district and only the district. I've been a coach in the East Bay for 14 years. I started in MDUSD, then I went on to Liberty Unified, Antioch Unified, and now I'm back in MDUSD. I have to say it's the worst when it comes to dealing with the district and getting funding. This district always preaches do right by the kids. I think they should practice what they preach. The parents of the kids that are in our program are absolutely amazing. They are always coming up with creative ways to raise money. We are able to travel to camps in the summer, we are able to have first class equipment and uniforms. If we looked to the district for help we wouldn't be able to afford a trip to San Francisco. When will the district understand that kids need sports. Many get the grades that they do so that they can continue to play sports. If you see a kid misbehaving and you say I'm going to tell your teacher or the principal they could care less. If you tell that same kid I'm going to tell your coach they shape right up. Now I'm not saying that kids who play sports should be treated different or they should get more money. I'm sure that music departments are having trouble also but with sports the district needs to help out. If a school needs the football, baseball, softball field fixed. FIX IT!! If the gym needs work. FIX IT!! We all know it's about the bottom line for the district and if they can save money and put it in their own pocket then that's what they will do. As coaches we all knew what their motive was in getting all the district schools in one league. They got what they wanted and the kids are going to suffer. I really hope that someone in the district reads the posts that are on here. I don't see how they can look themselves in the mirror or even look at their children and think they have been and are doing the right thing. I've been to all the meetings and let them know exactly where I stand and what I think of them. Please go to the meetings and let your voice be heard.
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 1
What is the problem with lights at the High Schools? It has to do with money and poor planning in the past.
As you mentioned there will be a few neighbors that will try to stop the improvements at these High School.
People live next door to lighted high school fields in the Lamorinda area, Alamo, Danville and the rest of the 680 corridor. The lights are on until about 9:30 every night.
The homes next to CP have turned over the past 10 years and every real estate flyer talks up the great location of waking to school K-12.
And another thing please explain how the MDUSD has only one High School that has a swimming pool College Park and it has been shut down for repairs during the swimming season. The 680/24 area has swimming pools all over but not at the High Schools. This area is a hot bed for swimming and water polo.
It is my opinion that a comprehensive High School has the following: qualified teacher with the proper materials/books, proper classrooms for the subjects taught, a useable field for PE and Athletics, a Swimming Pool and a Theater. And I am sad to say not one school in the MDUSD meets these requirements. I believe MDUSD schools miss out on 2 or 3 from the above list.
Joined: Sep 2008
Current Posts: 6
Is it true that now all sports funding has been cut, with no pay for play, no fundraising as of the March 3 board meeting? Are we seriously looking at an entire school district with no high school sports?
Joined: Feb 2009
Current Posts: 3
Has anyone truly thought about the ramifications of this decision??? Where shall I start! Kids will now have nothing to occupy their time, hence, will be out causing trouble. There will be more drop outs. Truancy will be on the rise. Gangs and violence and crime will rise amongst the teens. Better get more police on the roads now. People will start moving out of the district, possibly the state. Or families will do transfer to other districts or switch to private schools or homeschooling. How many people out there were involved in sports and that is what kept them out of trouble. My own child has had troubles and been involved in sports. Without that I have no idea where he would be! Sports is a crucial part to high school. I am so confused. How is it that MDUSD is one of the largest districts in the state but one of the poorest!! Where is our money going????
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Yes it is true. As of last tuesday nights MDUSD board meeting the General Fund budget ($720,000) was cut. I will also say that it is very sad that these past few meetings during the cutting process yielded very few parents, coachs or students inforce in favor of athletics. The last two meeting yeilded only 2-3 spaekers in favor. People....we have a voice, it needs to be heard. It is a little late now, but surely would help. Next meeting tonight @ 7:00 pm.
It seems that we are heading to a pay to play, yet there is very little transparency going forward. Title 9 is certianly an issue. I know that the CP Athletic Boosters have reached out to the other booster clubs and AD's scheduling a meeting at CP later this month. You would think that the district would have made this move, but are silent. Is this a ploy to rally more support infavor of the May Measure D parcel tax, could be. However, we need to make more noise. We need to have better facilities that could generate revenue.....Friday Night Lights = more butts in the seats=$$, concessions stands = more revenue $$ to Booster clubs, not to mention what track meets concessions $$ can generate. All manned by volunteers, supplied by donations that get pumped back into our athletic programs. Where are the MDUSD long term plans for athletics...we're here to help.....hey...MDUSD LEADERSHIP....... HERE.....WE'RE OVER HERE...OVER HERE......HEY.....WAVING MY HANDS.....WERE OVER HERE!
Joined: Mar 2006
Current Posts: 72
Sports wont get cut ... just funding. You know schools like CV and CP will have no problems fundraising to have teams. I have heard that over 100 lawsuits have been filed by parents. The parcel tax should pass and sports funding will get reinstated.
even if it doesnt pass, teams can fundraise and pay for their transportation etc.
Who really gets screwed is a school like Mt. Diablo. No way many of the families can comeup with themoney if it becomes pay to play. It flat out isnt fair. If my kid went to MD then i would sue. If somehow sports are gone, look for the crime rate in the concord/clayton.pleasant hill area to absolutely SKY ROCKET
Joined: Sep 2008
Current Posts: 6
At the Mt. Diablo board meeting last night they clearly stated that "pay to play" is illegal. That means that either all the Mt. Diablo schools have privately fundraised sports (so that all players have an opportunity to play, whether or not they can pay) or no schools will have sports at all. Wake-up Northgate - this means you also. I did not see any representation from Northgate in the board meeting last night but overwhelming support from Concord High players, coaches, parents, AD and even former coaches. Northgate, College Park, Clayton Valley - you need to know that funding for sports have been cut and unless parents from the district can work together to create a solution for all sports for all schools then there will be no sports.
Joined: Mar 2009
Current Posts: 1
I wanted to voice my opinion and concerns about the cut in the athletic department for next year.
Do people understand the importance of high school sports?
Are people seeing the BIG picture?
What will happen to our kids, our communities and their futures?
I will tell you, these kids will have a lot of spare time on their hands which for some will lead to nothing but trouble, grades will drop, poor attendance rate will rise, obesity will rise, less kids will be able to attend college... do I need to say anything more?
Bottom line, there is nothing good to come out of this. We need to find a solution to keep sports in our schools and our kids lives!
The first post is right, make some NOISE!!! Let our voices be heard for our kids!!!
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 68
This whole thing is a smoke screen by the MDSD! High School sports will remain. This is just a ploy to get more money via a parcel tax for MDUSD to waste. Most booster clubs will be able to raise the money. Mt. Diablo HS does not field many teams currently because of lack of interest.
Trust me, the amount of lawsuits filed if they tried to do this would be enormous.
This is why Northgate tried to get out of this school district!
Joined: Sep 2008
Current Posts: 6
Two years ago I would have gone with the smokescreen theory. The reality is that our country is in trouble and our state is in trouble and it is a realistic possibility that high school sports will no longer be an option for this school district. If people are complacent and sit back and let this "work itself out" with the belief that this is nothing but politics there is going to be a very rude awakening in August when there are no football programs running.
Our economy demands more parental involvement district wide to ensure that sports continue.
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 225
This is something to chew on.... Did someone see this coming? Was it just by chance or on purpose that ALL MDUSD schools are in the same league now? Was the realinement the precurser to the district no longer having sports programs and not affecting other schools? I know I was questioning it when it happened. NCS said it was to limit travel yet Alhambra is still going to Dublin when all the MDUSD schools are much closer.
This sounds like it may have been planned for at least the last year.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Tooldforthis, you just never know. But if it was me and i was involved I would want to be in a league that had some facilities. All those realigned do. Why would you want to share your facalities with a district that has very few and some that have none and no vision or commitment to the future. All these school should have them. You'd think after thrity-forty years we'd all have them. Especially when it come to the Stadiums and night football, the single highest athletic revenue stream in high school sports today.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
SocrFan the budget cut process has been going on for the past two months. The athletic cut was made LAST Tuesday, not last night. As a CP parent I have attended all but two meetings these past two months in support of athletics as have other CP parents and coaches. During these past two months other schools have also had supporters. Though these numbers were not as high as last night It would have had more impact if more had been in attendence these past eight weeks PRIOR to the cut last Tuesday night.
The district has a legal issues related to Title IX....equal rights for all no matter what thier socioeconomical situation is, male or female. This is the delima. Two school in the MDUSD have this issue MtD and YV. This is because the paperwork to be considered low income is simply a form that is filled out and submitted to the district. NO back up is required nor is the information checked. Hence these numbers are as high as 95% at Mt. D and 75% at YV. We all play or none play, or we all fundraise as a group into pot and the entire pot no matter how much any single school raises go to the entire athletic budget. So much has changed since the DFAL days....We had great facilities....riding the coat tails of other district facilities....now we stand alone, what a difference a year makes.
The parecl tax MUST PASS. No matter if athletics is included in the wording or not. The district simply needs the funds and WILL benifit athletics. If it does not pass...well...Look out below!
If any of you want to he heard.....Make some noise in Sacramento and with our local Represantitives...the email addresses are in the first posting a few month back when this started. HELP GET THE PARCEL TAX PASSED! Our schools, students, community and athletes need it. The MDUSD Board is reacting to Budget mandates from the State.
Joined: Mar 2009
Current Posts: 1
Gary Eberhart
President
gary@mdusd.net
Paul Strange
Vice President
paul@mdusd.net
Dick Allen
Board Member
dickallen_dallen
@yahoo.com
Linda Mayo
Board Member
mayolk@aol.com
Sherry Whitmarsh
Board Member
sherry@mdusd.net
Office of the Governor of the state of California - http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email
Congessman George Miller District 7 - George.Miller@mail.house.gov
Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher District 10: http://www.tauscher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=966&Itemid=103
#3 Show up at the next MDUSD Board meeting
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
Until the teachers union gives up on the tenure system and stops supporting illegal aliens in our classrooms. I wont give them another dime and if that means no more HS sports so be it.
And to all you sports crazed dads out there, do you have as much passion for the academics at your schools? Do you know the test scores as it relates to state averages. What people get fired up about..............Anyone know who won the recent Math/Science competition? I did not think so.........
btw, your sports minded kids will have NO chance against the kids that focus on academics when it come to college time. Now wake up and check on your kids grades!
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 225
You make comments about the teachers union, illegal aliens, Math/Science competition and sports minded kids, what does all that have to do with the tax measure in the MDUSD?
!.) If it wasn't for the teachers, you or your friend would have not been able to win the Math/Science competition.
2.) Teachers are required to teach each student with out reguard to who they are or where they are from. Thats the state law. I guess you wouldn't know that because it's not math or science.
3.) The tax measure is not for teachers wages, it's is to "balance the budget".
4.) A great many of the "sports minded kids" are hopeing to offset the cost of college by playing sports and know that their GPA must stay at a high level so they can go to the college of their choice.
5.) On another board, DVAL baseball, you claimed that SRV high school will have a great team in the future and their freshman class will be hard to beat for a long time. So do you hate sports or just other districts? I think I read somewhere that SRV high school students had some major problems not to long ago. I just can't remember what it was, shoot or should I take a shot in the dark to jog my memory.
Now you can go back to class, you got a reaction.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
I dont hate sports. I think they are great for kids. I wish them all well, all of the kids from all of the districts. If our team does not do well I respect the opponent that was better that day.
I simply point out there must be priorities. Right now I dont want ANYTHING funded until we cut out waste. For example look at a household budget. You and I would (maybe) agree that before we decided to not eat meals we would cut waste first. (going ou to eat, paying for a car wash, HBO/premium channels, Starbucks). This is all I am asking for out of our schools.
I have both teachers and law enforcement in my family so I am VERY grateful for all they do.
I have no doubt that there are problems at every school (including SRVHS). I dont put my head in the sand about that.
Let me be clear, I dont want Math/Science/Band or Sports funded with new taxes until the district and the union get their act together. I have seen first hand great youg teachers get their pink slips while some very bad and known problem teachers (been around too long to fire) did not. And guess what the older bad ones get paid more too. Yes some of the senior teachers are great as well but the way the system "works" tenure is a big probelm.
The other great problem is passing kids with a grade of D. This is a huge waste and burden on our system and needs to be addressed.
Balancing the budget means cutting costs as well as looking at raising taxes. While we have so many illegal aliens driving up our costs why should we not look at that. If this was a household budget you certainly would.
The teachers union (not the teachers) have too much power over our state. They oppose school vouchers. I wonder why? Vote no on the parcel tax.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Tom925, many areas need to be addressed, but based on your response to voting No your feeling go very deep. Your just not going to fix everything, especially those that are woven into union issues. The facts are this, the district is in need of funds, the mdusd is one of the only districts that does not have parcel tax funds comming. The district has priortized cuts that would be reinstated, tonights district meeting will address these items. Athletics is one of the items that they deem a critical componet to site based funding. To vote no is to say you do not care about education period, this includes acidemics, athletics and the arts. This is only $99.00 a year per parcel, not $150, $199, $200 or more, it's a step in the right direction.
What is your alternative for funding other than more cuts? I ask you to take the time to attend the meetings and/or read the minutes. These cuts go deep in all areas. They may not address your speciific issues but the fact of the matter is the district needs other revenue streams like parcel tax revenue that all the other districts have in place.
Joined: Nov 2006
Current Posts: 400
I think when looking at Tom's posts one might want to pay attention to the picture with which he has chosen to represent himself.
It's from the movie "Falling Down". For those who haven't seen this film, it's story surrounds an unemployed defense worker frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society, who ultimately begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.
I can't claim that I understand what Tom is attempting to "say" with this choice. Generally, I have felt that people tend to use the photos associated with their login names to make statements about who they are, often humorous, or to try to illuminate their belief systems. I am guessing that Tom falls into this latter category with his choice of photo.
So, if this is correct, take this into consideration. The character he has chosen to represent himself is a disturbed man, made more so by the fact that he has lost his job. Instead of being a man and doing what he needs to do to find a new job, he pretends to go to his job every day. It isn't made clear in the film what he's been doing and I'm not sure it matters.
He gets stuck in a traffic jam on a hot summer day. His solution? Abandon his car and make things worse for everyone. You see he's trying to get "home" to his daughter's birthday. It sounds noble except for considering that he has terrorized his ex-wife and child enough to have a restraining order placed on him. What a great Dad! Along his "journey" he assaults the owner of a Korean-owned convenience store after trying to buy a can of Coke. You see, he is incensed at the high price, and begins a tirade against foreigners coming to America and charging outrageous prices. He is soon fighting with the Korean owner and, after grabbing a sawed-off baseball bat from the man, begins wrecking the store. Eventually, he calms down a little, pays a "reasonable" price for the soda, and leaves. I guess taking his business elsewhere was a little too much to ask for our "hero".
Next up he climbs a hill in "gangland," an area rife with Hispanic gang activity. Two young gang-bangers accost him, because his is a white man in a white shirt and tie and briefcase, wandering through their "hood." In what would normally be an act considered heroic (but in this case an act only caused by mental illness) he refuses to hand over any money. Their response is to threaten him with a knife, and he fights them off with the bat he got at the convenience store. Again, noble if you overlook the mental illness aspect.
When the Latino gang members attempt a "drive-by" shooting, they miss our hero, hitting other bystanders and then crashing their car (perhaps the most lame gang members portrayed on film since West Side Story). Going up to the wreckage, takes their weapons, admonishes them for missing him, and makes off with a gym bag filled with guns.
Now hungry, our hero stops by Whammy Burger, only to be told that breakfast had stopped being served five minutes earlier! Not a wise thing to tell our hero; he soon pulls out a submachine gun, threatening everyone. After berating the staff for serving him a hamburger that looks nothing like the advertising posters, he leaves. Our hero seems to have the belief that if he goes into a place of business and they are not doing things to his liking then he has the right to terrorize and cause physical damage. Interesting thought process that.
His next stop is a Army/Navy surplus store to buy more durable footwear for his journey. While he's being fitted, a Police Detective who is now looking for him comes in asking about him. The white supremacist owner (keeping in line with the stereotypes resplendent in this film) distracts her, and after she leaves tells our hero that he knows all about his activities. He has assumed that our hero is a racist who is attacking non-Whites, instead of being mentally ill and attacking anyone who causes him "frustration". After being corrected about this, the irate owner attempts to handcuff and turn our hero over to the police. He is instead knifed and ultimately killed. So now our hero gets to clothe himself in military-style garb and sets out on his quest once again.
Cutting through a nearby private golf course, and is accosted by two elderly golfers. After berating them for wasting such lovely green space on a silly game, he shoots up their golf cart, causing one to have a heart attack.
Our hero eventually reaches his former home, but his wife has left just in time. By this time, the police have figured out who our hero is and come upon him in the house. Our hero shoots one of the officers, wounding her. The other Detective chases our hero onto a fishing pier for the final confrontation with our hero, who psychotically demands an old western gun draw, and kills him.
Let me make a couple of points. The film is, relatively entertaining. We all want to enact our own sense of justice in our lives and on this level can relate to the protagonist. This said this man is, by definition, mentally ill. Those unfortunate enough to come across him are assaulted without provocation (excluding the gang). Because of his mental state, he is too unstable to stand up (Falling Down - get it?) and be a man, a father, a husband, a contributing member of society. Not someone I'd choose to represent me or my beliefs. But hey, maybe I'm reading WAY too much into this. Tom may come back and say "I just liked the movie." And I guess that would speak even more about the choice.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
You put way too much into the choice of pictures and would not do weel as an FBI profiler.
I used this picture because I though the line about not being able to get breakfast at a certain time was simply funny. I use it as an analogy to our current school system. I think it is broken. Much like the man that just wanted breakfast, I want real reform. No, not through threats or violence but through debate.
Michael Douglass did a pretty good job in the movie. I thought he did a good job in Wall Street but not as well with Romancing the Stone.
Of course you ignore the content of my post. What does that say about you? I am gamefully employed and do not even own a gun. I still await a rational rebuttal to my arguement.
Why should we the tax payers put up with a broken system that is failing our kids? We are the customers here. Our schools sghould be better. You on the other hand if they throw you a bone and continue to offer sports you will be satisfied. I am sorry but I want more for all of our kids.
My question to you is why do you want to sell our kids short? Why are we so behind other nations in lower education? Do you even care about this?
Joined: Nov 2006
Current Posts: 400
can read the line - it seems a selection that makes little sense to anyone other than yourself; but that's fine, you're entitled to use whatever photo you deem appropriate.
Frankly, I ignored the content of your post because based on previous posts you've made in various threads; I believe you are at best a bigot, and at worst a full-on racist. You constantly argue that "bad elements" should be kept out of your precious living area and have no business being there. You cite Oakland and other minority filled cities quite often in your posts as the source of virtually all ills in society. As to your not owning a gun; remember the "hero" was unarmed in the beginning. So, I made the comment that your choice in picture brings into question your views of society. Hate to break it to you, but it, along with your previous posts, makes you appear to have views and offer "solutions" not too unlike the hero in the film.
As for your FBI profiling of me; you too should make sure not to quit your day job. Ironically, while you claim I want to sell our kids short, you really know nothing of the sort. I have, in fact, written on a number of posts, the importance of education. As a coach, I stress excellence in the classroom far more than I do excellence on the field. I enjoy sports and feel they should be part of our kids schooling because I believe that there are many important lessons to be learned through competition and teamwork. That said, if forced to choose between math and football; I choose math.
As a past and present member of a number of educational committees, I give of my time and my experience in attempts to improve the quality of education for the kids in my local area. So please, don't attempt to paint me with your assumptions.
Bottom line, I agree that schools should and can be better. I don't believe that limiting their tools will accomplish this goal. I too agree, that pay for performance would be a much better means of compensation for our teachers. I am not a fan of tenure in that in some situations, there are those who simply give less of an effort after reaching their tenure goal. I will say, however, that they represent a pretty serious minority and that the vast majority of teachers are trying their best to teach our kids.
You ask "why should we the tax payers put up with a broken system that is failing our kids?"
Because there is nothing ready in the wings to replace it. Are you saying we should just let it die off rather that keep it going while trying to improve it? If that's the case, then yes, we sure do disagree. If that's not the case, what is your magical solution? I wish I had one and would love to hear yours. So your assessment that I am looking for a "bone" of sports to be thrown my way is mistaken. As I stated earlier, I believe athletics are an important PART of education and to let them go away when they don't have to, is short sighted at best. More importantly, to let public education go away when it is so sorely needed is not only short sighted, but criminally ignorant.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
I knew it would be a matter of time. Oakland is a good example. It is lost by all measure. The people that are being screwed the most are black males. So lets take a good look at what the peopel of Oakland have done.
You voted for a Mayor that has deep rooted hatred for the police. (See ties to Black Panters)
Now you have four dead cops.
You put in a school board so inept that the state had to take over.
You fought for ebonics.
Your test scores suffer and you wonder why. The true racists are the people that continue the cycle of destruction. It hurts all of us.
I think we need to try the voucher system and see if that works. We need to stop passing kids with a grade of D. We need to deport all illegal aliens.
Joined: Nov 2006
Current Posts: 400
When you cite Minority cities as the crux of all problems, you are baiting that race to be brought into the equation. YOU forced the issue. So taking a look at what the peopel (sic) of Oakland have done...
Let me correct one important use of language, for it also implies a number of things about me. I do not, nor have I ever lived in Oakland. I grew up in the suburbs of which you are so desperately protective. I no longer live in the state. I happen to be white, although that shouldn't matter.
You voted for a Mayor that has deep rooted hatred for the police. (See ties to Black Panters)
I did not. While the Mayor supported the Black Panters (sic) in his early political career, he was not a member. I would argue that his support was more politically motivated (trying to get votes) than it was by any core belief in their positions. I don't believe that he necessarily has a "deep rooted hatred for the police." It's possible, but only your opinion.
Now you have four dead cops.
We ALL have four dead cops. Pathetic and sad that you don't see it that way. Especially since one lived in your town.
You put in a school board so inept that the state had to take over.
I didn't put in a school board; was long gone by the time this happened. My question to you is where were you? Couldn't you have volunteered your vast wealth of knowledge and aptitudes to improve the ability of the board?
You fought for ebonics.
I did not fight for Ebonics. Frankly, while I understand the original premise behind Ebonics (to improve TEACHERS ability to communicate with students by teaching the TEACHERS - noble, but misguided), it seems to me that it would be best to stick with good old plain English.
Your test scores suffer and you wonder why. The true racists are the people that continue the cycle of destruction. It hurts all of us.
My test scores are just fine, thanks. Your point has a tinge of truth to it. It would be more salient if you actually cared about minorities and what happens to them past the desire to exclude them from your circle of life.
I think we need to try the voucher system and see if that works. We need to stop passing kids with a grade of D. We need to deport all illegal aliens.
I personally believe the voucher system would prove to widen the already huge expanse between the haves and the have nots. I despise the reasons that the NEA fights against it so vehemently (job protection), but I do not truly believe it is the panacea that most seem to feel it will be. Frankly, your grade issue is specious. So should we have A,B,C,F? There are no below average kids, just above average, average or failed? A "D" is nothing for a kid to be proud of but it does represent a skill level above failing. I don't see how this would help anything.
Finally, the need to deport all illegal aliens is not something I disagree with with, but I ask you just how is it to be accomplished? Rather than deport all, I would say deport those that enter the system (via drivers license, payroll, etc.) and ENFORCE their deportation. In turn actually ENFORCE the laws currently on the books. Etc., etc. - nothing new. That said, people in your lovely Danville enclave may need to look elsewhere for their gardening needs, their childcare, their house cleaning, exterior painting, etc. I find it ironic that many of those yelling the loudest about deportation of illegal's seem to represent a large majority of those utilizing their low cost services.
So here we are. You feel the way you do, and I feel just as strongly about my beliefs. I happen to think that my way is better because I don't spend time denigrating those I am trying to help. I may be wrong, but I can live with it, as I'm sure you can live with your beliefs. As is often said; "it is what it is."
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
You work with kids and do your part. I am glad you do. Nothing could be better (yes, even if we disagree on some details) than for ordinary people to do their part. You have my gratitude for that. As for me...years ago I worked in east palo alto (no I was not paid). I did what I could at Ravenswood Middle School. I did this for several years and yes I will do this again in the near future. I have no hate for the minority community but do think they are lead very poorly by people that may or may not mean well. It is the results that disgust me. I could just pretend this does not exist and wtach a baseball game but seeing what just happened in Oakland made me sick as I am sure it did you.
I also beleive in rule of law. I want our immigration laws upheld. This is true for EU/AP and Latin immigrants.
I understand why they come but where does it end?
Once you go down the path of a law does not fit my personal views so I am not going to follow it you are going down a bad path.
My gardner produced valid legal paperwork. I am sure I can not say that for all of my neighbors. If I had to mow my own lawn that would be fine with me.
If we are to have immigration reform let us vote on it or have the Congress pass a law. Until then uphold the current law. Why is that racist?
You seem like a good person that can have a spirited argument. I hope you continue to work with kids. Again I like a good argument and have no issue hearing from other points of view.
Do you really think your current mayor is the best man for the job? My guess is you do not.
I wish you well and peace.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Lets keep the posts productive. As with any issue both sides have valid points. One step at a time. The parcel tax doesn't fix the problem. It's a short term patch. We all need to step up for our communities, at least it's staying in our area and not going to another bailout or bonuses........at this point we either help plug the holes and continue to work for change or just let it fail.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
We can differ on how to solve problems. I agree that our schools are underfunded. I also agree sports should be funded. I also want reform in how we spend.
Good luck to all.
Joined: Oct 2008
Current Posts: 4
tom925,
I want you to understand that I get where you are coming from, I really do. I am a math teacher and a coach in MDUSD, so I see value in the athletic competitions and the math competitions. But ultimately this parcel tax has to be about the kids not your beliefs of the system. You are right it is a terrible system needs to be fixed but voting no on the parcel tax will do nothing to change the system, it will only cost students educational opportunities AND athletic opportunities. My site (in my opinion) currently is not meeting the needs of our students because of the cuts that have already been made. It is so frustrating to not have something as basic as your classroom swept every night and currently our ability to make copies has been severely limited. There are so many other things that are affecting students I don't even have time to list them all. I do not know how my site will function next year if additional cuts are made, I honestly don't. I respect your desire for change but from my viewpoint this is not the time. I wholeheartedly believe that your $99 dollars will be the difference between dropping out and graduating for some students, college and jail for some, and possible life and death for a handful. This may seem extreme but that is what it looks like from the inside. While I understand your problems with the "system" voting no is just going to hurt kids academically and athletically.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
First, thank you for your service to our children. Although not in my school all of our kids need good teachers like you. I am VERY frustrated as you say. I would honestly be fine with paying $500 on th eparcel tax if I thought we were spending the money wisely. I guess my concern is if we continue to put a band aid on this large would instead of fixing the insides we will never get what I think we all want. I want good teachers paid more. I want bad teachers out. I have no agenda beyond that. This is not political to me. I think all of our children deserve better than what we are giving them and we continue as a society to do nothing.
There are great heros in the system, teachers, coaches, bad leaders, administrators.
The system though is broken and I dont see any effort to do anything about that. It makes it difficult to throw money at is as a result. I am just a guy, I dont know but if the powers that be understood we would not fund this system without reform would they not listen and reform?
On a somewhat related note. There was a post defending the current Mayor of Oakland. I stated that he is part of the problem and must go. I also stated that he is not a fan of cops in general. Why would I say such a thing?
On February 17, 1968, Dellums delivered the keynote address at a birthday party for Black Panther Minister of Defense Huey Newton, who had been convicted of killing a policeman. The next year, 348 Panthers were arrested for such serious crimes as murder, armed robbery, rape, bank robbery, and burglary. Party leaders openly called for the assassination of President Richard Nixon, and the FBI determined the Panthers to be "the most notorious and dangerous of current militant groups." But the Panthers’ appalling record of violence did not cause Dellums to turn his back on them. During his 1970 campaign for Congress Dellums openly endorsed the Panthers.
So is this the best Oakland voters can give Oakland? We just lost four cops. Oakland is completely messed up and they want more moeny. Should we give it to them?
Joined: Dec 2008
Current Posts: 225
Tom925,
Let me get somethings cleared up about you.
On another board you talked about SRVHS, is that where you live and or where your children go to school? If it is, than why are you concerned about MDUSD? The parcel tax will not affect you, it is only for home owners in the MDUSD. If you live in our district and send your children to SRVHS, that is a choice you made and you have choose not to belong to this district.
Second, you talk about tenure for teachers, untill a teacher reaches tenure, which is 2 to 3 years at the same postion, they can be released without any reason. Once they reach tenure they only can only be removed for just cause or cuts in staff, than can come back on a last one laidoff is the first one to return. You as a parent can file a complaint about a, as you call it, "bad teacher". If it is investigated, and found to be true, the teacher can be suspended or released. So my advice to you is that you know for a fact that a teacher is so called bad, put it in writing and send it to the district with the facts, don't just make blank comments without facts to back them up. Be proactive.
Third, you dislike the mayor of Oakland because he supported the Black Panthers 40 years ago. What were you doing 40 years ago? Everybody liked our current Govenor(sic) as an actor 30 years ago, but look what he has done to our educational system now, we went from one of the top if not the top educational states for students, to one of the worse.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
I am concerned about the education in our state. I live in Danville and we have our own parcel tax as well. These are going around everywhere.
I have made my opinion made. I am not shy about speaking up about this. The system is flawed. If you dont think so you are part of the problem.
As far as 40 years ago. Some things are just too chilling. I would NEVER EVER go to a send off of a convicted cop killer. The mayor has never expressed regret over that and given what Oakland is going through he is just NOT the best man for the job in my opinion.
I would not have launched my poltical career in the home of Bill Ayers either but that is just me.
I can go into my own shell. If SRVHS fails I can afford private. I am trying to be part of a proactive solution. Part of that is speaking to people in person and my hope was in a civil discussion here as well.
California has been a one party system now for many years. Presidents dont even campaing here unless they want to raise money.
Your thoughts?
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
Oakland mayor asked to forgo speech at officers' funeral
OAKLAND — Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums attended Friday's funeral for four slain city police officers, but did not be speak at the request of at least one slain officer's family.
The mayor's spokesman, Paul Rose, said Dellums turned down a police offer to give opening remarks after at least one of the families requested he not be among the dignitaries speaking at the ceremony.
Rose said the mayor did not want to "make an awkward situation even more awkward."
Rose said he didn't know which families made the request or the reasons behind it. An Oakland Police Department spokesman wouldn't comment.
Among those speaking were Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and state Attorney General Jerry Brown.
Joined: Oct 2007
Current Posts: 22
Tom925, though this is a public message board and your thoughts are appreciated, I believe your posts are way off subject. You'd be better off posting your feelings in another forum.
Joined: Jul 2008
Current Posts: 1191
I am out.