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Dear Board of Education : 7/3/2009

This is a crisis. Special Ed struggled last year with incompetent leadership, and an independent agency attempted to remedy the situation, but the school district cannot implement the changes necessary. If these two resignations were the first two questions of competency for this superintendent, he would entitled to prove himself with a longer tenure. The fact that the number of these embarrassments has now grown into the teens, and the fact that they happen with shocking regularity, suggests that action needs to occur, and it needs to occur quickly. How much longer can the school board preside over, and endorse, this lack of leadership competence? The average length of employment for a superintendent in California is fewer than four years, and most districts recognize that new leadership is needed periodically to keep a district up-to-date. This superintendent has had his four years (and more) to prove himself. This school board needs to take decisive action now--before the next series of debacles is allowed to happen.

Mesa Accountant

the whole district is in crisis, this is just a symptom : 7/3/2009

Thank you Josh for keeping the spotlight on this issue. As long as the leadership stays the same, nothing will change. The very idea that a guy from Blythe in the middle of the desert, whose father is his boss, who has a history of special education crises and suspect behavior, in a school district with only SIX schools total could have been considered qualified in the first place is proof enough of the inadeqacy of the hiring/vetting process. The very idea that the district is baffled is insulting to those of us who understand the real problem. The so-called negativity can be turned very positive with a change in "leadership" because it's wasting time and resources. The qualified candidates in the Santa Ynez Valley would gladly turn this mess around, but they can't even seem to get an interview from the "leadership" currently in charge. It's time for Sarvis to go.

parent

Start at the Top : 7/3/2009

Seriously, after last year's nightmare with Anissa McNeil, the superintendent had to make rectifying the special ed situation his TOP priority this year. It's ended in, yet another, disaster. Now they have to start the hiring process over; who is going to be available to be hired at this late date? Certainly not the best and brightest. The board of trustees must take action and bring in a new superintendent. Our district is a joke in the community. After the first special ed resignation on Tuesday, when parents brought to light the improprieties and nepotism of the first resignee, Dr. Sarvis' response was: "I was starting an investigation." Are you kidding me? That's leadership? There should have been an investigation BEFORE he was hired. It's called vetting. The district has a personnel director that makes over $100,000 a year to ensure this. The personnel director has assistants to ensure this. What kind of incompetence is this? And when the improprieties are brought to light the leader of the district says, "I was starting an investigation?" The sheer immaturity and incompetence of that statement beggar belief. Board of Trustees, if you don't act to terminate this leader you will have to answer for his mistakes, again and again and again. . .

Retired Teacher

Wake Up! : 7/3/2009

Ben Franklin famously said: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." This school board should reflect on this for a few moments. The board is charged with improving our schools, and yet they won't change the leader of the district--it's insanity. How many more embarrassments are they willing to tolerate?

District Observer

Resign : 7/3/2009

In an effort to allow the district to rebuild, Superintendent Sarvis should resign.

Agreeing with Mesa Accountant

who should resign? or be FIRED? : 7/3/2009

should Sarvis resign? or should the person responsible for hiring and vetting resign? of course Sarvis is ultimately responsible, and he should see there is a problem in the system of finding and hiring personnel; But the director of Personnel should also be held accountable.

teacher

District is Baffled? : 7/3/2009

The district is baffled? Not as baffled as me. How can these people remain in their jobs? When the first person hired resigned, the district response was "we are doing our own investigation." When the second resigns the district response is "we're baffled." I'm baffled too--that this kind of leadership is tolerated. What the #%&* is going on?

John Locke

Same old story : 7/3/2009

Another sad example of bureaucratic waste perpetuating itself --how many highly paid directors does it take to change a light bulb? The salaries of at least two directors would be better used in hiring more teachers or aides that work directly with the students. It is these people that affect and improve the lives of the students.

Been in the trenches

Who is responsible... : 7/3/2009

Since the hiring of our latest Dir. of Personnel, the system of hiring administrators has been more influenced by loyalties and nepotistic ideals than by who is the most qualified. Do the research... our Dir. of Personnel is smart and get what (and who) she wants. Look at who has been hired in her reign. Call her to account.

district employee

This is not a new problem : 7/3/2009

Let's not forget that SBSD has been denying rights and destroying (and criminalizing) the lives of low-income students with disabilities for decades, and people have been speaking out about it for years - and being treated dismissively and/or rudely by the SBSD School Board and administration (with the present exception of Board member Bob Noel and a few past Board members such as Fred Rifkin). It was only when SBSD thought they could get away with doing it to slightly higher-income families that finally something was done about it - if anything meaningful even ends up ultimately being done about it, which is far from a sure thing, as Sarvis is not being held accountable as he should be. In addition, however, the problem originates at a County level, and this has not even been mentioned by the SBSD School Board, or FCMAT, an agency which stated, incredibly, that they simply will not deal with all the malfeasance and corruption that was reported to them during their investigation, since, "Oh, we don't deal with corruption".

Karolyn Renard

Thanks, Josh : 7/3/2009

I'm not a parent, but I know the importance of keeping close watch on our schools. Glad you're here to keep us informed.

Kim Favors

Told you so : 7/3/2009

Sorry to use that term, but... The entire district is a mess. Dir. of Personnel? How about failed principal who gets moved to a cushy new higher paid postion. What about the old embattled principal of La Cumbre? Gone? No, new cushy higher paying job downtown. That place is a mess. Go get the broom... the biggest one you can find. Yes, there are SOME very qualified people downtown, but they don´t sit in the upstairs offices. Of course, the second director was gonna leave. Get out before your skeletons come crawling to town. Please, communtiy. see this as your opportunity to come talk to the employees and the teachers and see for yourself. The Board has got to go. They just rubber stamp about anything. I implore your with a desire to help children to run for election to the board and start making some sound decisions. Come talk to us and the teachers. We will tell you. I applaud the parents of the special ed. students in their fight for better services. Now, come on the rest of you. Come save the rest of the students. This district is being run by ostriches (yes, I know it is a fallacy they they spend all day with their heads in the sand, but it is an apt analogy. Too many sweet deals without proper scrutiny are going on downtown. Time to awaken the angry masses. Please, our fine city deserves a better school system.

employee

Gimme a break : 7/3/2009

The reason no special ed administrator will want to work here is because there are too many whiners in SB.

Enough already

RE: Enough Already comment : 7/3/2009

Shame on you for judging this community wihout knowing of what you speak. It's a tragedy that a city like Santa Barbara has swept the problems in this school district under the rug for so very long. This is not whining, it is a fact, supported by the recent independent FCMAT report that documented horrifying abuses and omissions, and fully 160 recommendations for improvement. That was in just one department. Rethink, please, your harshness and try to comprehend that there is a real problem that people--who have their hands full working full time and trying to raise their kids, and not paid for this work-- have been trying to solve for far too long. Maybe now we've reached the tipping point and will get somewhere. The future generation depends on it, dear E.A., and you surely have an investment in their proper educational opportunities.

parent

Parents Put Your children in private schools : 7/3/2009

Curriculum & Instruction High court: Schools are required to pay for private special education Students do not need to have attended public-school special education to receive district reimbursement for private-school tuition, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday. Some worry the ruling has the potential to reduce cooperation between public schools and families. "We feel it undermines the collaborative intent and spirit and structure of IDEA," said Lindsay E. Jones, CEC's senior director for policy and advocacy. "It allows parents to bypass the special-education process altogether." Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (6/22) , The Wall Street Journal (6/23) , The New York Times/The Associated Press (6/22)

Parents why deal with incompetent leadership? Force change

To Previous Poster : 7/3/2009

Could you please explain more? Does that mean I can put my special needs child in a private school and the public school district has to pay the tuition???

Could use some help

Post To Previous Poster : 7/4/2009

Yes, the Supreme Court's recent decision--In my post I left the citations for The Wall Street Journal, EdWeek and The New York Times and the date that the article was printed 6/22/09. If you can't find it, post back and I will add a link. This was a monumental decision by the court.

Supreme Court Decision

To the Board of Education : 7/4/2009

It is time to take action and clean house. The leadership (or lack there of) is ultimately responsible for the mess in Special Education. The board has rubber stamped the decisions of the administration for too long and until very recently turned it's back on the parents who have brought forth proof of failure to follow the law and serve our children. As a result, the SDSB cannot find qualified personnel to run the Special Education department. Who suffers? Our children. The lack of competent leadership does not stop at the Sp. Ed. department. There are principals who violate the rights of children, prevent them from receiving services, intimidate and retaliate against parents when they are questioned. The administration is also aware of these violations and turns it's back. It is time for new leadership with the ability to unite this district, follow the law and create a district that is known for its excellence in educating all of our children rather than being know for its morally corrupt practices, retaliation, intimidation and less than mediocre services.

Parent who knows

Every Parent/Employee Should Contact The SC ACLU : 7/4/2009

Parents and concerned employees unite and contact the Southern California ACLU. Below is the link and it is easy to file. https://www.aclu-sc.org/intake_requests/add The State of California Uniform Complaint Form: http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cp/uc/ Office for Civil Rights San Francisco Enforcement Office California 50 Beale Street Suite 7200 San Francisco, CA 94105 TTY 877-521-2172

Plan a working meeting have each individual call/email every agency

To the Board of Trustees, : 7/4/2009

It is evident, from the performance of this superintendent, that he must be replaced. It is evident from the FCMAC report, and the superintendent's lack of ability to address its provisions, that he must be replaced. It's evident from the fact that parents in the district can investigate candidates for employment, better than the superintendent and his (highly paid) associates, that he must be replaced. It is evident from the hiring that he has presided over: Sawaske, Zetel, Gonzales, and eight directors of special education, that he must be replaced. If this was private industry, he would have been replaced three years ago. What is the meaning of this inaction? The Russians have an expression: "A fish rots from the head." This fish is rotting. Board of Trustees: replace the head.

Special Ed Veteran

Vindictive Principals and Teachers : 7/5/2009

I fought for my special needs child's rights this past year. And as time went on it became evident that the principal and teacher had no intention of assisting my child in any way, though at each meeting it was "Of course we'll do what we can. Of course we'll help your child". It never happened. This coming school year I plan to file the formal IEP plan, which I was trying to avoid because I know it takes so much more time and money and staff involvement than the extremely simple extra help my child needs. What did I get for advocating for my child? The teacher filed a complaint with Child Protective Services against me for child neglect, and the principal, I feel certain, was supportive of the teacher's actions!!!!! What a clever trick to get a parent off their backs, because God forbid they should do their jobs. I obviously left that school, because the principal and teacher refused to do their jobs and care for my child. I could not leave my child in their care–that would have been child neglect!

Let me add my voice in demanding the board take action against the superintendent : 7/5/2009

Many of the points made previously in these comments are very good. I would add my outrage that the special education mess has STILL not been fixed. It is truly unexcusable. But let me highlight another point of criticism for the superintendent: Michael Gonzalez. He was removed as principal of La Cumbre Junior high some years ago (four? five?) and kicked upstairs so he would be in a place where they could minimize the harm he was doing to children. Now this is a fairly common occurrence--it happened with two San Marcos principals, Bob Ferguson and Donna Stuart, in the 1990s. But in those cases the people kicked upstairs were given one year to find another year and move on. Mr. Gonzalez has apparently been given a permanent position as a district assistant superintendent. This is unconscionable for a number of reasons. First, if he is not worthy of being a principal, why should he get a promotion? Second, there are very few district administrators on the payroll. The secondary district needs a assistant superintendent, but is stuck with an elementary educator as their asst. superintendent. Third, in this economic climate, where every dollar is important, the district can't afford $120,000 a year for someone who can't pull their own weight. If Mr. Sarvis won't help Mr. Gonzalez move on, then the board should remove Mr. Sarvis.

Inmate in the Asylum

Retaliation Practices...more : 7/5/2009

I am not surprised at the post from the parent who was reported to Child Protective Services by the classroom teacher. Below is a link to an article about retaliation practices that school districts use. This article was first published in 2006: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/retal.primer.htm. I would encourage each and every board member to read this article and be aware that these very practices are being used to intimidate and scare parents and teachers in your district. Level I, II and III scare practices are all too common in SBSD. Level III practices of threatening to file a due process against parents has occurred in your district recently. Check out the FCMAT report on the SDSB website. Parent and teacher fear of retaliation by principals and administration is well documented in that report. Dear Board of Trustees: you have a zero bullying policy at schools; why don't you have one for principals and administrators?

Time for change

Stop the Insanity : 7/6/2009

If the SB School District was the military, the superintendent would have been fired years ago. The military's chain of command requires that someone take responsibility. If this was the military, the insanity would have stopped years ago. Let's put the responsibility where it belongs and stop the insanity. Can Sarvis.

Weekend Warrior

New vision calls for new approach : 7/6/2009

Regarding the continuing trials and tribulations of the Santa Barbara School District’s Special Education programs, it should be clear to even the most casual observer that a new vision is needed and a new approach to administrative staffing essential. Seven Directors in eight years is a clear testimony to the simple fact that the job of building and maintaining a student-focused, innovative, and responsive program for families of special needs students is problematic at best for one individual. Given the recommendations of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) report of June 12, 2009 recently presented to the Board of Trustees, it would seem most prudent to create an administrative team of three capable administrators (working as equals in all respects) who each bring unique strengths to their position. In addition to each administrator’s broad and proven experience in Special Services, the specific characteristics of leadership needed by the “Special Education Administrative Cohort” can be found threaded throughout the report itself. One position should focus primarily on all aspects of implementing the legal mandates outlined in IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), including timely identification, testing, IEP development, and compliance monitoring. To support this structure, a second administrator would oversee staff training, program development, staffing plans, develop and implement collaborative models between General and Special Education staff, ensure learning materials are provided in a timely manner, and support student transitions from grade to grade and school to school. The third administrator would function primarily as a parent liaison. Tasks would include: building effective channels of proactive communication for parents and the community at large; implementing a structure for ongoing and focused parent education; facilitating community outreach and consistent opportunities for parents to provide input; and employ conflict resolution strategies early and often to address and resolve concerns prior to more costly and adversarial options are considered. At the very core of each of the recommendations outlined in the FCMAT report is a clear call for increased communication and collaboration at all levels that support students with special needs…what better place to start than with the very administrators who will be asked to lead that change.

Guardian Angel

Unskilled with good intentions : 7/6/2009

Santa Barbara's school board by and large loves kids, but don't know how to run a district. The "how can I help" attitude does not qualify you to be on the school board. If you don't have experience running a large financial organization please go love kids as an classroom volunteer.

Status Quo

To Guardian Angel : 7/6/2009

Dear Angel, You propose an eloquent solution to some of the problems plaguing the Special Education department in the district. However, each and every one of your recommendations requires an administration that supports following the law under the IDEA, believing that teachers do need on going staff development in scientifically, research based programs that result in significant improvements in student performance and an attitude of collaboration with parents and teachers. Unfortunately, the current administration has shown over and over again that they do not support these well founded practices. The administration is content with Special Ed. curriculum that is out dated and in many cases minimally effective and with practices that violate the IDEA. It is time for a new administration.

We can do this

You Can Lead the Horses to Water... : 7/7/2009

Here, here! It's true. The best program in the world won't happen unless people want to make it happen. But what I don't understand is why anyone would want to stand in the way of excellent programming for the kids. After all, didn't the administrators/teachers go into the profession to help kids? There certainly must be more money and time spent to deny services than what it would actually cost to administer the services. If everyone said yes, and the door was open, the river would flow downstream, the path of least resistance. Certainly that would be more cost-efficient. And one would think MORE REWARDING to the administrators/teachers to see a system working and kids making progress–all happy and bursting with good self-esteem! And such success would propel administrators/teachers to do even better, because the rewards of children's success would bring it full-circle.

Take Action if You Want Change : 7/8/2009

Be sure to contact the Southern California branch of the ACLU and make a class action suit against the district for not providing for the needs of the children. A group can and will make a difference.

File a Complaint-Everyone

Sarvis Said, I respect his integrity : 7/9/2009

Superintendent's son offered $78,000 to leave BLYTHE - Palo Verde Unified School District (PVUSD) Board of Trustees Clerk Dr. Norm Guith called for the dismissal of PVUSD Superintendent Dr. Alan Jensen, Asst. Superintendent Dr. Yul Whitney and Director of Special Services Jacob Jensen, son of the superintendent, at the July 7 board meeting. Guith called their behavior, "Fraud, nepotism, misuse of public funds and duplicity." The request was made in light of the recent discovery that the school board considered a contract buyout of Jacob Jensen in the amount of $78,000 prior to the Board being told of a job offer presented to Jacob Jensen from Santa Barbara School District. Jacob Jensen was unanimously approved for the job as a special education director at a June 23 Santa Barbara Unified School District Board meeting. Guith said that the Brown Act was violated when the Board directed Whitney to negotiate a severance package. Never was the item properly placed on the closed session agenda and the result of the request was never made public following the closed session. "As a result of these shortcomings, there was no public comment on this topic," Guith said. "There was no action reported out from the June 23 closed session regarding the Director of Special Projects position. The Board had no knowledge that the employee had already verbally accepted another job at time of the June 23 closed session." Guith further explained that without Board knowledge of this information, there was no way the Board could have made a "fully informed" decision that night. Guith was a no-show until the very end of the closed session hearing that night, stating a Board meeting in Desert Center, of which he is the superintendent, ran late, but that other board members had shared with him what had occurred. Guith said Whitney received a letter of resignation from Jacob Jensen after it was known that he had accepted a job offer from Santa Barbara. Guith stated that Whitney called Guith on June 25 to "convince me to agree to the wholly unnecessary $78,000 expenditure." Jacob Jensen has disputed the claims that he accepted the job offer from Santa Barbara School District. When the job was offered to him on June 24, he declined the position stating that he would not want to abandon the district while there are issues that need to be resolved here first. According to Santa Barbara School District Superintendent Dr. J. Brian Sarvis, "Jacob Jensen withdrew from the Director of Special Services position prior to assignement abd before an employment agreement was signed." Sarvis said that Jacob Jensen told him that there were complaints in his own district and he felt it was upstanding to put his own house in order first. "I appreciate that," said Jarvis. This was not the first meeting that Guith has stated that he, as a board member, has had problems with the administrators. Previously he said that Supt. Jensen has scheduled special meetings that coincided with his duties as superintendent and principal in Desert Center; refused to place items on the agenda at his request and failed in his quest to modify the early/late start school day schedule, Guith also had issued with the Jensen's K-8 school model, classified negotiations, lay-offs and other items. Board member Jim Carney added an agenda action item prior to the approval of the agenda at Tuesday's meeting, a Resolution of Disagreement where he states, "Dr. Guith made statements regarding Dr. Jensen and administrative staff that do no reflect the opinion of the school board as a whole and, in fact, do not align with the truth." Carney suggested that the remainder board members refuse to associate with Guith's remarks and continue to support the administration. "The administrative team has worked tirelessly with strong conviction to make our district function as well as it can in today's economic environment," said Carney. He further denounced Guith's accusations by saying that no actions have been taken by the board without their knowledge. He ended by asking the board to ensure that their contracts continue for the 2009-'10 school year as written. The board voted 4-1 to uphold the item, Guith being the lone holdout. Discussion and possible recourse for the public employee discipline/dismissal/release will take place at a special meeting called for July 9, 4 p.m. at 295 N. First St.

For Crying out Loud

For Crying Out Loud : 7/12/2009

After following the most recent turn of events that lead to two special ed. directors to bite the dust, I am not surprised to see the last post regarding the events at Palo Verde School District. OK, what is it going to take to convince the board that things are smelling badly in the admin. They should have known better. We almost got Jenson as the new director of special ed. with his current turmoil. The director that was hired last year also had a questionable past. Hmmmm interesting....Do ya think a different approach is needed?

And Dr. Sarvis respects his integrety?

Board on vacation : 7/14/2009

The Board meets on July 14 and takes a month off!! With Special Education still in turmoil? Has the Administration told the Board to take a month off? Why? To avoid the public outrage? Another school year starts without competent leadership. If the Board cannot do anything else, it could hold a meeting to consider the only real solution. Clear out the incompetent top management which is unable to carry out the tasks of recruitment and selection because it has its own special criteria. More bad decisions will result if the same persons are making the decisions. Students interests are not considered, only which friends can be advanced within the districts. Time to act--not take a vacation.

Accountability

I'm going to Hawaii! : 7/14/2009

Yay!