At first glance, it might seem like a conflict of interest that Pleasanton school board member Jeff Bowser and his wife are on opposite sides of the negotiations between the district and the teacher's union.
But neither Bowser nor the union sees it that way.
Trevor Knaggs, president of the Association of Pleasanton Teachers (APT), said Tuesday that Patty Bowser has been representing elementary school teachers on the union for years. Patty Bowser teaches third grade at Hearst Elementary School and is a member of the elementary at-large committee.
"She would relay any concerns that the members have expressed to the executive board," Knaggs said. "I think Patty is above reproach."
Knaggs pointed out that "she's been involved in union work for a long time before her husband ran for school board."
Jeff Bowser also discounted any conflict of interest.
"My wife has her own career and she's been selected as a leader," he said. "She's not part of the negotiating team. Neither am I."
The issue came to light as the district, with Bowser elected to the board just last year, begins its negotiations for revisions to the APT contact for the 2011-12 school year.
Comments
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 23, 2011 at 8:52 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Sounds like a clear case of conflict of interest to me. Jeff Bowser should recuse himself from anything that comes before the school board involving the union, if his wife is a union representative, in my opinion.
Country Fair
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:00 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:00 pm
Obviously this is a conflict of interest. A School Board member knows what is going on in closed session when negotiating contracts and his wife is on the other end of the table. You have to be kidding!
Jeff Bowser said he is not part of the negotiating team. Huh? He is a school board member; giving direction to the negotiators. Maybe we have to get the District Attorney to look at this.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:20 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Most husbands have the last word in their households. The smart ones use it to say "yes, dear". Not sure how that helps the Pleasanton taxpayer however.
His obvious conflict of interest was public knowledge at the time of his election. This doesn’t make it less of a problem, but it was known beforehand. I have yet to see any action from a board member, past or present, that was not in FULL support of the union position anyway. His association is frankly the least of our worries at this point.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:21 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:21 pm
"Obviously this is a conflict of interest. A School Board member knows what is going on in closed session when negotiating contracts and his wife is on the other end of the table. You have to be kidding!"
Unfortunately this injustice/conflict of interest is the result of allowing employee union members to negotiate contracts with fellow employee union members, or the people that the union members elect that have the power to approve these contracts. The conflict of interest has more hidden layers than an onion.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:31 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Bowser just voted in favor of eliminating funding for the Barton program while keeping the birthday holiday. It sounds like there is definitely conflict of interest here!
But hey, I did not vote for the guy, those who did should question why they did so knowing Bowser's situation as far as being married to a union gal.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:34 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Perhaps someone can clear something up for me. And Arnold, maybe you have already done so, I'm just finding it hard to believe. At the board meeting, Trevor Knaggs was asked who was part of the negotiating team for the union contract and then Bill on the management team answered the same question from his side.
In both cases (unless I heard this wrong) it seemed that teachers and administrators were the people negotiating on both sides. Is this true - I seriously thought I must have misunderstood. Who is representing parents and taxpayers? Can the people who are the beneficiary of union agreements negotiate them on the management side? Or did I hear it wrong?
And clearly the board decides what ultimately gets negotiated. They decide on the cuts that are allowed to be put on the table. No one is going to negotiate on things like step and column if it's not allowed to be placed on the agenda.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:45 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Bowser and wife:
You two certainly make it easy for all to say NO on the parcel tax! Bowser cannot possibly even suggest freezing step and column, the post above is right, a guy is not the most empowered person in a household.
No on the parcel tax! Conflict of interest with Bowser on the board? Absolutely!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:14 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Posted by parent:
"Perhaps someone can clear something up for me. And Arnold, maybe you have already done so, I'm just finding it hard to believe. At the board meeting, Trevor Knaggs was asked who was part of the negotiating team for the union contract and then Bill on the management team answered the same question from his side.
In both cases (unless I heard this wrong) it seemed that teachers administrators were the people negotiating on both sides. Is this true - I seriously thought I must have misunderstood. Who is representing parents and taxpayers? Can the people who are the beneficiary of union agreements negotiate them on the management side? Or did I hear it wrong?"
You certainly understand a big part of a more complex problem.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:21 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:21 pm
We need Bart Hughes and Kay to turn their attention towards the school district. The City of Pleasanton finances look pretty darn good in comparison to the school district!!!
I must say that I was surprised at the lack of speakers on the budget solution (cuts--nice spin)item at the Board meeting. Its one thing to criticize and another thing to show up and speak up as residents (taxpayers).
Gatewood
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm
on Feb 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm
"We need Bart Hughes and Kay to turn their attention towards the school district. The City of Pleasanton finances look pretty darn good in comparison to the school district!!!"
Yes, please! Also, I've heard that there are some clean wells out there still--how about we (Word removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff) in those while we're at it!
Vintage Hills
on Feb 24, 2011 at 6:45 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 6:45 am
It is correct that administrators generally have two things in their contracts: automatic raises for satisfactory performances (reviewed each year) and "me too" clauses that entitle them to whatever is negotiated with the unions. In those years of relatively large raises that have compounded the problems caused with the state cuts, administrators were receiving something in the range of 3% that is in their contracts (I don't have everyone's contracts, but they are public record if you want to get them) AND the 4, 5, and 6% that was negotiated (2005-2008 school years). So, it is the fox watching the hen house.
Foothill High School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:39 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:39 am
Who are they kidding? The fox garding the hen house to the blatant insult of the parent/taxpayer is right!
Everyone, except teachers, who voted for Bowser should be ashamed of themselves. The teachers must be laughing at the foolish voters of Pleasanton
Amador Valley High School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:44 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:44 am
This is as clear a case of conflict of interest as you could find.
It is also a clear case of there being an "appearance of impropriety."
The test is whether it is POSSIBLE that there could be an improper influence, not whether the person actually will exert improper influence.
When there is any element of the person saying "Trust me, I will do the right thing," then there is a problem.
A judge would recuse himself or herself if there is any possible question of there being an appearance of impropriety. A careful judge recuses himself or herself if anyone even thinks there might be an appearance of impropriety or influence.
Sorry to the husband and wife here, but this is JUST PLAIN WRONG. No amount of explaining or sugar-coating or spinning can change that.
Downtown
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:32 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:32 am
No conflict of interest to see here folks, move along.
Foothill High School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:39 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:39 am
Jeb & Gina... can you at least admit that this article was an exquisitely lame approach at trying to resolve this obvious perception issue? Come on, you are journalists. You're supposed to be unbiased and tell the WHOLE story. Instead we are force fed one side of the liberal agenda from PW. Yes, the Jeff and Patty story is a conflict of interest. Yes, the parcel tax is futile unless S&C are addressed. Time to wake up and be part of the solution for goodness sake.
Grey Eagle Estates
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:47 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:47 am
Sounds and looks like a duck.
Amador Valley High School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:51 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:51 am
MomO2,
I read the story as the PW bringing this to the communities attention. I would not criticize the PW for this article, perhaps for endorsing this guy during the election. Pleasanton voters are chumps and the union is laughing at us. I hope the voters of Pleasanton will use better judgement on the salary tax.
Livermore
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:14 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:14 am
Of course we do not have a conflict of interest, trust us.
This is almost to funny, anyone with half a brain could figure this one out. Just think about it. Then laugh at the chumps in Pleasanton. What did someone say, "if it looks like a duck"
Quack Quack Quack
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:28 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:28 am
Well, OF COURSE, Mrs. Bowser does not see any conflict of interest!
She also did not disclose her union involvement when she was out campaigning for her husband's run for he School Boafrd! I told her then that I could not vote for her husband, BECAUSE THE UNION HAD ENDORSED HIM, and she didn't get that, either.
Exactly WHO is representing the taxpayers and parents of Pleasanton? It is clearly NOT Mr.OR Mrs.Bowser!!! Ergo, we, the parents and taxpayers, are being HAD! THIS IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, PLAINLY AND CLEARLY. We NEED the City Attorney AND the Alameda County District Attorney's office to step up to the plate, and render their opinions on this matter, and NOW, now six months from now Once we have those, we can take the next step, if need be.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, acts like a duck --- it probablsy IS a duck!!! This is not rocket science, folks!
We do not need a mess here in Pleasanton like they have in Wisconsin, and Gee, guess who is playing a major rold in that mess?? The NEA!!!!!! It was a sad day in this country when teachers were allowed to unionize. And the price of that is becoming TOO high, and intolerable. Not the cost of our good teachers -- THE COST OF THAT UNION'S POLITICIZING OUR EDUCATIONAL PROCESS IN THIS COUNTRY!
Pleasanton Valley
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:30 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:30 am
We must be fair, let's ask the Teacher's Union for it's opinion!
Kottinger Ranch
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:39 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:39 am
I definitely think there is a conflict. Even if Jeff he can be above it to the common person it appears that way so he should recuse himself. I do agree that the parents/taxpayers should be represented. I do not have any kids in school but am a taxpayer.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:42 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:42 am
I voted Larson, Piderit for this reason. I guess the other voters didn't see it that way
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:56 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:56 am
Tuesday's vote is an example. They were voting on whether to accept changes including changes to teachers training as a substitute for reading program cuts. Two board members had already indicated that they were willing to make this sustitution, but Trustee Bowser spoke up against doing so. If he had abstained what would have happened?
Vintage Hills
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:04 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:04 am
Of course this is hugely wrong. Knaggs in typical Union Hack fashion laughably points to her being in the union long before her husband ran for the school board.....what kind of logic is that? The fact is that he cannot be impartial or objective since he NOW is married to her. Knaggs thinks we are all morons.....this guy represents the exact reason unions are now under attack by states with budget problems. Knaggs cares nothing about budget issues or kids....he wants more members and more dues period.
Val Vista
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:20 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:20 am
If neither one is on the negotiating team, how is this a conflict - other than just the perception that they're on opposite sides?
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:31 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:31 am
This is clearly a conflict and both Bowsers should recuse themselves from any matters involving the board/union negotiations.
This happens too often in Tri-Valley school districts, and these situations should not be allowed. When a school board member has a spouse that is a teacher in the district, it is too easy for the teacher to be an informant to their spouse about discussions among teachers and administrators to which the board should not be privy (i.e. breach of confidentiality, being a stoolie, etc.). Also petty politics get involved, with the teacher using their board-member spouse to get another teacher or an administrator demoted, reassigned, or penalized.
There is a similar case in the Dublin School District where a board member's spouse is a high school teacher. It's a real sore point with the teachers and administrators, and rightly so.
People should think twice about voting someone on to a school board if that person's spouse is a teacher in the district; and it should be required that people running for the board disclose in their election statement whether they have a relative that is an employee of that school district. That's a requirement for corporate boards, and it should be so for public boards as well.
Del Prado
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:13 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:13 am
CONFLICT, NO FURTHER DISCUSSION NECESSARY...............CONFLICT.
Country Fair
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:28 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:28 am
Definitely a CONFLICT of INTEREST.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:29 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:29 am
"If neither one is on the negotiating team, how is this a conflict - other than just the perception that they're on opposite sides?"
In theory, there could be influence over what is put on or kept off the bargaining table for the teams to negotiate. I don't think it would happen with the people concerned in Pleasanton and I'm sure they're careful to keep this stuff separate, but it's still something people might perceive to be a problem.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:30 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:30 am
"None of the Above"....it appears that maybe you didnt go to school at all. Go change your diaper.
This is so blatant!
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:31 am
Registered user
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:31 am
They don't have to be on the negotiating teams for there to be a conflict. Bowser would have to excuse himself from meetings with the district's negotiating team to ensure that he couldn't inadvertently reveal any negotiating strategies to his wife. In other words, he'd need to be kept in the dark.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:31 am
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:31 am
I think some info was left out of PW article.
Mr. Bowser is NOT on the negotiation team, but as a board member, provides direction to district's negation team. Mrs. Bowser was recently voted to the executive board of the teacher's union - APT, also providing direction. Both ultimately vote on terms and conditions of the contracts and agreements but do not negotiate. What I want to know is how is the school board having discussions about what they want or not want with Mr. Bowser in the room? Legally this is not a conflict for him to be on the board. But how does discussion happen? Which is more important than a vote. This is very messy and to me seems like these two B's need to check in about their integrity and ethics. Maybe Bart Hughes should start a recall process?? Not sure how the district can really have the discussion they really need to have with him in the room. Mr. Bowser fully disclosed his connections and the voters still voted him in - top vote getter too. Go figure Pleasanton peeps.
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:33 am
Registered user
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:33 am
There's a great little anecdote from Simi Valley where a mayor ended up revealing that City's strategy with his buddies from the police union he was friends with from before he was appointed mayor. And guess what happened? Since they knew what the City's bottom line was ahead of time, that union pushed exactly for that.
Vintage Hills
on Feb 24, 2011 at 12:58 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I wonder if Mr or Mrs Bowser will/is reading the threads in this forum. This forum obviously shows what the community thinks of him now, especially with the school district trying to pass the parcel tax. My opinion is he should just remove himself from the board while his wife is an executive board member of the union.
Amador Valley High School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:42 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:42 pm
I think it would strengthen the article to include a quote from an attorney.
Vintage Hills
on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:59 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Let's all say it together... "NOT A DIME MORE"....say no to the greedy, unreasonable union.....say no to the seniority culture, say no to out of control pension liabilities, say no to the "protection at all cost mentality" that let's lousy teachers thrive, and definitely say no to any added tax....public workers should not be immune to the recent economic turmoil.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 3:46 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@Steve
So you think teachers are over paid? WOW! The union has been so "effective" that teachers are now working longer, harder for less pay. Gee, let's break that union! Class size is larger and classes that students need are getting cut. Why don't you just say NO to our future!
Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:03 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Hello?
You must be a teacher because your reading comprehension is terrible. I never said anything about their pay. I do not think they are overpaid.....but I do think they make enough for working essentially 8 months a year. Should their healthcare and pension benefits remain outrageous?...no way. Teachers think they are "entitled" to their jobs...they aren't. They may have to make a tough choice that teaching isn't working for them any longer because it isn't financially viable...so be it. Private sector employees are faced with those decisions everyday. Like it or not, we will always have enough teachers. There are plenty of smart, motivated people who would love to become teachers even with reduced benefits. Our kids will get educated just the same.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:08 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:08 pm
"Like it or not, we will always have enough teachers."
Where do you get that idea?
Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:21 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Concerned Parent,
we currently have ~10% unemployment in California. You don't think there would be a line from here to Oakland if we had 20 open spots in PUSD? Get real....teaching has its frustrations but it is a sweet gig....even if benefits are cut.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:30 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Please remember to vote. I think by the first week of april, we will receive the ballots in the mail. Make sure everyone knows to fill out the ballot and mail it on time.
NO on Measure E.
concerned parent: there will be many districts laying off teachers, so I am sure that a shortage of teachers is not something we need to worry about. As for people quitting for better jobs in the private sector, I say let them. Let's see how many job offers those education majors get in this economy (yes, the tech sector is hiring but how many teachers do you know could get hired for those jobs)
Vintage Hills
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:34 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Concerned Parent,
I know this is not what current teachers want to hear, but they are not some magical workforce with unique skills that are only held by 1% of the population. They are replaceable and expendable just like any other profession. Learn the lesson of the aircraft controllers back in the 80's when they were all fired and plane traffic continued as normal with no planes falling out of the sky. In my profession, the moment I get carried away with myself and think that I am too important to part with, that will be the day I am on the street wondering what happened. There are plenty of good teachers in the district, but others can match that performance if given the chance. We won't even talk about the other spectrum of deadbeats who the union protects.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:20 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:20 pm
CONFLICT.....cut the rhetoric. "Quack quack"!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:40 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:40 pm
So much complaining. I'm curious why none of you ran for school board?
Country Fair
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:49 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:49 pm
To 'Get the facts:'
Are you suggesting that if we don't like what Congressman McNerney, Governor Brown or President Obama are doing, that means we should run for that office?
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:16 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:16 pm
No, I am suggesting that you, or any of the complainers here, could have run, or could run in the future, for school board. It costs nothing to run and nothing to campaign, but it seems like you would all rather sit here and complain anonymously.
If you don't like McNerney, Brown, or Obama, you can campaign against them. Certainly running for these offices is out of the realm of realistic for anyone except the privileged few. But not the school board. I don't really know for sure, but I believe we have three businesspersons and two non-working moms (I apologize for incorrect info on this, I am just taking what I see from the PUSD website). That's a bit of a diverse group, in my opinion.
Either run for the school board, or go to the board meetings and voice your opinion. Voicing your opinion anonymously on these blogs will get the attention of no one, but speaking at the meetings and saying you have a problem with the possible conflict of interest, might have an actual positive effect.
Country Fair
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:49 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:49 pm
To 'Get the facts:' -
You need to get the facts. Jeff Bowser said that the county filing fee is $1200.
Web Link
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:01 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:01 pm
"Voicing your opinion anonymously on these blogs will get the attention of no one, but speaking at the meetings and saying you have a problem with the possible conflict of interest, might have an actual positive effect. "
If these forums are not important, why did Trevor the APT president start one trying to defend step and column?
btw Trevor, are you ever going to tell us how many teachers pay for healthcare and how many get it through a spouse? (you brought it up when you started a forum in defense of step and column)
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:13 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:13 pm
I had no idea there was more than a nominal fee, I apologize for the error. But I will be happy to pay your fee to make it "free", if you choose to run, to account for my error.
I am kidding, of course, but the cost is nominal, and there is a small stipend that goes with the job that would defray a bit of the cost. And if you did want to take on McNerney or others, this is a good way to get started. Joan Buchanan (state assembly member) got her start as a school board member, after all.
Bottom line, stop your yapping anonymously, and show up at the board meetings to air your beefs.
Apperson Ridge
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:26 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:26 pm
I was one of the voters who saw this potential conflict of interest and voted for someone else. Obviously, I was not the majority.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:39 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 9:39 pm
Would you seriously pay the fee? It's not nominal to me and I would think about it. But I wouldn't be on the union's side and wouldn't do interviews with any "powers that be" other than parents, so it's probably a wasted fee.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:51 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:51 pm
"Like it or not, we will always have enough teachers."
You said "always".
Then you say:
"we currently have..."
and
" know this is not what current teachers ..."
It was the business about always that bothered me. I recall just five years ago people saying that finding qualified teachers to take positions in San Ramon was a problem. Eleven years ago it was even worse. It is ebb and flow. Demand comes and goes. I can't agree with "we will always have enough teachers."
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:53 pm
on Feb 24, 2011 at 10:53 pm
"btw Trevor, are you ever going to tell us how many teachers pay for healthcare and how many get it through a spouse?"
I'd be surprised if he is even reading this thread.
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Registered user
on Feb 24, 2011 at 11:11 pm
I'm sure he's reading, or at least someone is telling him what is being said. Haven't you noticed the recent letters to the editor in response to whatever is being discussed on this website? Don't be surprised if "In Defense of Step and Column" appears in tomorrow's publication of the PW.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:10 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:10 am
Michelle Rhee studentsfirst.org. This is an excellent movement focused on fixing our schools nation wide.
Canyon Oaks
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:41 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:41 am
Time to start a local union that represents parents and students. Think about it there are more of us then them. Lets use our collective bargaining to make sure the students are the focus for a change.
Right now the teacher's union is too powerful and their main focus is not the well being of the students or education. Making sure the teachers are getting what they want is their purpose not making sure kids get a great education. That and maybe more importantly collecting union dues and keeping the power that control over so much money gives them.
Check out studentsfirst.org. Michelle Rhee is the founder and she has some great ideas.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 1:09 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 1:09 am
I think teachers should have reasonable compensation. Benefits in effect add on to teachers salaries. Benefits and pension are substantial and should be considered when comparing union and nonunion pay. So teachers your pay may not be as bad as you think. Especially when you couple that with time off. In fairness you do get more of that than in just about any other job. Everyone had suffered, It is hard to count the number of friends who have lost their jobs.
By the way does the union really help all teachers all the time. If you have to move after working in one district for many years you should be able to negotiate pay based on experience and performance. Not start back near the bottom of the pay scale.
Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:32 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:32 am
Concerned Parent,
I have never heard of a school being closed down because they could not find qualified teachers....now, then, EVER. It is a coveted job (even if we cut benefits) because of the hours and time off. Most teachers I know were drawn to the job with the chance to work with kids and have the summers off. My inlaws were teachers and that was why they loved teaching. And please.....don't ever compare teacher salaries to those other professions that get only 2-3 weeks off a year. People aren't buying the "poor teacher" routine anymore....the scam is over. A teacher making $50K for working ~140 days during the year is equivalent to someone else making $70K for working 240 days. Comparing salaries to other professions is obviously not an apples to apples view....even before the ridiculous benefits are thrown in. That's what the union counts on....the ignorance of the voter.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 8:57 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 8:57 am
resident,
"I have never heard of a school being closed down because they could not find qualified teachers"
I never said so either. I think we need to attract highly qualified teachers, and in say 1999 - 2000, that wasn't an easy thing. Same could be said for 2005 - 2006.
By the way, I have had a very different experience with Pleasanton schools than "resident" above. We have found them to be generally excellent. We have not had to spend a lot of money of time tutoring our children. Our oldest son's SAT, ACT, and AP scores were quite good. I think the teachers had a lot to do with that. True, some are way better than others, but generally they were very good. That is not true of many other districts.
I do agree that retirement benefits are too generous, and more than we can afford to pay. I'm all for raising the retirement age to 60 or 65. But those reforms have to be done at the state level.
Harvest Park Middle School
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:02 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:02 am
Get the facts,
Your facts are wrong too often to use that moniker.
The filing fee is prohibitive and the cost of being competitive in a campaign is a minimum of $10K. The abuse by union members toward nonunion candidates is substantial, many past candidates can attest to that fact. Teachers campaign on campus (they are allowed to wear buttons) which hurts and intimidates candidates children. The unions make campaign contributions and soft money contributions to their candidates. The unions work very hard to control who gets elected. I know many potential board candidates who felt they could not put their families through it, and several who regretted that they did!
Bowser is a very good Union board member.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:35 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:35 am
Sadly, I was unaware of Mr. Bowser's CLEAR conflict of interest situation before I voted last November. My bad for not finding that out beforehand, because had I known, I would NOT have voted for him.
Yes, I believe his background makes him well-qualified for the position, but that doesn't change the fact that his spouse works for/teaches in PUSD and he has a personal, vested interest (financial and otherwise) in what decisions are made.
There's CLEARLY a conflict of interest here with him serving on the school board--anyone suggesting otherwise is naive.
Per Wikipedia: Web Link
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:46 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:46 am
My two cents:
I am surprised you were not aware of Bowser's status, there were forums on the PW speaking of that.
I did not vote for him but many people did. It may be because of the endorsements, including the PWs.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:50 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:50 am
The children of parents who are on the PTA or very politically involved in the school might well be insulated from bad teachers. That may be one factor that contributes to the very different experiences within this school district. Some of it may just be luck!
Most of the teachers are excellent and really care about our kids. It is not the teachers that are the problem but the system. I do not believe that a teacher has a choice but must be a union member and pay dues. No one wants teachers to be hired and fired on the whims of parents. There are plenty of difficult parents in Pleasanton we know them too, they are our neighbors. But like most teachers are good so are most parents.
It needs to be easier to fire bad teachers and reward excellence. I think one of the worst part of the union is the mentality it seems to foster. This can create a wedge between parent and teacher when we are supposed to be on the same side.
Teachers your salaries are not that bad. Your benefits and pension put your actual money earned higher. Lots of time off to spend with your family or earn more money if you choose to work during the summer as the rest of us do. Please grade the papers,tests and homework. Less homework and more feedback on what is done. So often my kids will work hard on homework, test and projects to wait weeks for feedback and when they do get the work back there is often points taken off without any comments as to why. Isn't feedback the most important part of learning?
I am really tired of the bad attitudes of some teachers. Please do your job and stop complaining. Or get another job and let someone who wants to do the job take your place. I have always gladly given as much of my time and lot of money to the schools. I voted yes for the parcel tax first time around but most likely will not this time. It is never enough.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:53 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:53 am
Get the facts:
As a parent I would not put my kids through the turmoil of a campaign, and I would not agree with, nor seek the endorsement of, the teachers' union. We all saw last election that Piderit did not stand a chance once the teachers' union spent time and effort promoting Bowser and Laursen.
You got what you wanted, but Bowser on the board may well work against you since many will vote against the parcel tax because of Bowser. Step and column is being talked about, but we know Bowser will never go for that, his wife is a teacher and a union rep.
Bowser just voted to reduce funding for Barton and keep his wife's and all the union folks' birthday holiday! If that is not a conflict of interest, what is?
btw, same goes for speaking before the board. Who in their right mind would go tell those board members and union lovers anything that contradicts what they will do? We have kids in the schools, and the last thing we want is for teachers and staff to be against them because of their parents' views.
And if these forums are not effective, ask your union leader (Trevor) why he chose to post a forum in defense of step and column.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:06 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:06 am
"The children of parents who are on the PTA or very politically involved in the school might well be insulated from bad teachers. "
This is very true. If you donate, are into the PTA or simply act dumb and agree that a salary tax is a good idea, and make your "view" be well known, chances are your kids will have good teachers. If you don't make your views known, your child will not be penalized and has a 50-50 chance of getting a good teacher.
A friend of mine told me that she lied when the phone bank folks called her. She told them what they wanted to hear, that she would support the parcel tax. She plans to vote no, but she could not say this to the person who called her because they actually addressed her by name - isn't voting supposed to be an anonymous/private thing?
Harvest Park Middle School
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:13 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:13 am
While sometimes harsh this forum has allowed parents to speak up without the fear of reprisal against our children that used to silence parents!!!
This has been a great tool to inform parents and share stories that many of us experience but are told by the district that we are the only one with concerns.
The district used to control all of the communication and propaganda.
Harvest Park Middle School
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:20 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:20 am
Everyone Please pick up a copy the March issue of the Diablo Magazine.
The average teach salary at Amador and Foothill is $80,000 per year. That is the average salary I would defently take $80k to have my summers off an additional two weeks between Christmas and New Years, be home by 4pm every night.
Yes I know what you get what you pay for Amador/Foothill at Mt Diablo and if I look at face value I would agree but I would also say higher are also a result the countless hours my wife and spend on helping with the home work not to mention the money we spend on addition tutoring.
Conflict of Interest defiantly.
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:25 am
Registered user
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:25 am
concerned parent wrote: "I'm all for raising the retirement age to 60 or 65. But those reforms have to be done at the state level."
Are you sure? Local agencies can negotiate the retirement age for CalPERS pensions (which is one reason why CalPERS wanted to obtain control to set the contribution rate). I would imagine the same is true of CalSTRS, which cannot set the contribution rate and is one reason why CalSTRS will be insolvent in 30 years.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:24 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:24 am
25 Year Resident, the $80K average salary you were looking at is probably a bit outdated. If you go to the Sacramento Bee, they have information for the 2010 year and PUSD average teacher salary is $82,958. The average teacher salary keeps going up, even in these hard times, because step and column raises still go out. It is business as usual.
At some point we will see the individual salaries for PUSD on the Bay Area New Group (Contra Costs Times) website. The News Group did a public records request to get this info from PUSD about a month ago. All the employees received a letter indicating that this information would be published. My guess is that PUSD is stalling on releasing this information until after the parcel tax election.
Pleasanton Valley
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:24 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:24 am
First, let's be clear the birthday holiday is not for teachers it is for classified employees (custodian, secretary, attendance clerks, etc..).
I am a teacher, a teacher who does her job and does it well. I did not choose my career based on the vacation schedule, I chose it because I enjoy learning and I enjoy sharing that love of learning.
I did not vote for Bowser as instructed by the union because I am a free thinker and was well aware of the potential conflict and how that would look to the community. I also did not think he was the best candidate for the job.
Every once in a while, maybe many of you could open your minds to examine the idea that there are teachers who enjoy their job, think for themselves (not follow directives from the union) , don't complain and really just want to do our jobs.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:40 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:40 am
Stacey,
"Are you sure?"
Not sure. That was my understanding. I think Kathleen R posted something along those lines.
Vintage Hills
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:48 am
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:48 am
Teacher,
Do you believe in tenure and seniority? If you say no I just might have to move to your school zone....I would be in love.
Kudos to you teacher.....Unfortunately I think even you would admit that you are in the ultra minority in terms of your peers. If you weren't, this forum would not exist and you would not hear the bitterness felt by so many parents and taxpayers. This divde has been created by your Union and militant colleagues.
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:53 am
Registered user
on Feb 25, 2011 at 11:53 am
concerned parent,
I found the answer. CalSTRS retirement age is set by state law, unlike CalPERS. Web Link Look starting at page 284 of the pdf. It is rather complex.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:04 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Thanks Stacey.
That is complex.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:17 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Teacher
I did not mean to offend the vast majority of teachers that work hard but the attitude I spoke of is coming through. So many parents are sick and tired of the double standard. The students especially in middle and high school are held to high standards marked off if anything is late or missing. (Twice this year my daughter was missing work that I knew she had done. I met with the teacher and both times the missing papers were in a stack of papers in the classroom.) Teachers have an endless list of excuses as to why they are so delayed in grading papers. High standards are good but should also
apply to the adults as they are setting the example.
Bowser had a definite conflict of interest. I do not think this is out of the ordinary for the teachers union. Bad practices, bad attitudes, the union will push and try to get away with whatever they can unencumbered by any true opposition as they have become so powerful. I really hope that changes.
I am glad you think for yourself and work hard at your job but some do not and I know I am not alone in my sentiments. A few years ago I did not feel this way.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:32 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Complaint all you want but if you voted for Bowser, you asked for this. If you didn't even bother to vote, you are twice as guilty. I'm proud to say that I did my homework and voted for Sandy instead. Uninformed voters hurt us all.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 5:09 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 5:09 pm
OK, I did not vote for Bowser, but obviously many did.
That is neither here nor there. Moving forward, if you realized too late that you should not have voted for Bowser, there is a way to fix your mistake, make sure you vote NO on measure E.
Ballots will be mailed around april 4. Make sure you vote, vote NO and tell everyone you know about it. Explain the mistake voters made when electing Bowser, explain how his wife is in the union, explain how instead of freezing step and column for a savings of 1.6 million, they propose to increase class size which costs 1.3 million (less than step and column), explain that the district is playing with semantics when saying the tax won't be used for raises. The parcel tax will be for raises, indirectly. First the district will cancel 1.6 million dollars worth of programs, then use the money from those programs to pay for RAISES (aka step and column) and then the tax money will be used to fund the programs that were cut in order to finance raises.
NO on parcel taxes. Send a loud and clear message to Bowser and his union spouse.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:07 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:07 pm
"That is neither here nor there. Moving forward, if you realized too late that you should not have voted for Bowser, there is a way to fix your mistake, make sure you vote NO on measure E."
I'm having trouble seeing how voting no on measure E fixes something. By the way, I didn't vote for Bowser either.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:08 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:08 pm
" First the district will cancel 1.6 million dollars worth of programs, then use the money from those programs to pay for RAISES (aka step and column) and then the tax money will be used to fund the programs that were cut in order to finance raises."
If the parcel tax doesn't pass will cut 2 million more worth of programs. We'll pay for step and column either way.
Amador Estates
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:22 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 7:22 pm
This is an obvious conflict of interest. Anything he votes for that benefits teachers helps his own family. He should resign immediately. As long as he is on the board I can't support a parcel tax, period.
I'd sure like to see Pleasanton schools get their budget issues resolved, but there has to be some true concessions from the teachers union. I don't consider unpaid days off as a concession.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 8:26 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Passing a parcel tax allows them to get one more raise in before they have to do some changes. I say, make the changes first. Step and column raises are over $1.5M in the first year and then $3.0M in the second year because the raises get added to. While the parcel tax allows status quo this year, next year they will be in the same financial shape they are this year. The parcel tax buys one year of raises; that is it. Even if step and column were suspended next year, the $1.5M given out in raises this year will still be there every year in the future.
Also, if you want to pay for Bartons, just get rid of the $600 per month per administrator automobile allowance.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:47 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:47 pm
"Passing a parcel tax allows them to get one more raise in before they have to do some changes."
I don't see how you figure that. The raises are going to be the same either way. It is the programs that will suffer if the parcel tax fails.
"While the parcel tax allows status quo this year"
It doesn't. There will be cuts this year even if the parcel tax passes.
"just get rid of the $600 per month per administrator automobile allowance."
Seems obvious to me.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:59 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:59 pm
"The raises are going to be the same either way."
That is the obvious problem. The teachers would rather have a raise that will cut programs.
And yes, the parcel tax allows status quo this year. The tax raises $2M, the step and column costs $1.5M and the election costs $250K. When will the community realize that the current financial policies of the district are unsustainable. And we have not even talked about the pension system which is projected to go broke in a couple of decades (having administrators in our district retiring with up to $175K is robbery). What a great problem we are leaving our kids.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:12 pm
on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:12 pm
"And yes, the parcel tax allows status quo this year. The tax raises $2M, the step and column costs $1.5M and the election costs $250K."
But you've left out the drop in funding coming from the state.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 12:31 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 12:31 am
This needs to be repeated...and shouted from the rooftops!!
Posted by Vote No on E, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, 7 hours ago
OK, I did not vote for Bowser, but obviously many did.
That is neither here nor there. Moving forward, if you realized too late that you should not have voted for Bowser, there is a way to fix your mistake, make sure you vote NO on measure E.
Ballots will be mailed around april 4. Make sure you vote, vote NO and tell everyone you know about it. Explain the mistake voters made when electing Bowser, explain how his wife is in the union, explain how instead of freezing step and column for a savings of 1.6 million, they propose to increase class size which costs 1.3 million (less than step and column), explain that the district is playing with semantics when saying the tax won't be used for raises. The parcel tax will be for raises, indirectly. First the district will cancel 1.6 million dollars worth of programs, then use the money from those programs to pay for RAISES (aka step and column) and then the tax money will be used to fund the programs that were cut in order to finance raises.
NO on parcel taxes. Send a loud and clear message to Bowser and his union spouse.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 12:52 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 12:52 am
OK, how many people would be OK with going to a board meeting and saying we'd like step and column to be frozen for the duration of a parcel tax. Would teachers join us to save jobs? I will go for it if we get a group together.
Vintage Hills
on Feb 26, 2011 at 3:21 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 3:21 am
I read in one of the posts here in PW about "Waiting for Superman" - documentary movie about US school system. Watched it and it was a total eye opener. I recommend it to all parents who have kids in public school. It showed the major difference in administration and test scored between charter school and traditional public schools. I just don't understand why charter has the freedom from unions and the traditional is owned by unions? Our superintendent should learn from Michelle Rhee who rewarded great teachers, removed tenure and actually cared for kids.
Country Fair
on Feb 26, 2011 at 7:49 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 7:49 am
Charter school?
According to this article, an independent high-school charter school would receive $950 more per student than that same school in a unified school district.
How about we get Amador Valley High School to turn charter, get $2.5 million more in funding?
And reading all the other benefits, we could raise the excellence of that school even higher!
Web Link
$950
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:09 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:09 am
I do not know how many registered voters we have in Pleasanton, but I know there are about 50 thousand residents.
Bowser received a little over 14,000 votes
Web Link
I did not vote for him. I guess his votes were from all the teachers who live in Pleasanton (contrary to arguments, these teachers are not going to quit their cozy job where they live if step and colum were to be suspended), some uninformed voters who made decisions based on what was on the ballot at the voting place, and some PTA types like all the Laursen supporters.
But with this parcel tax, PUSD will need more than 14000 votes to pass the tax.
Wake up Pleasanton! Vote No on measure E. Send a message to Bowser this way. He needs to resign even if the lawyer tells him otherwise.
Even if the district no longer uses Lozano and Smith, the fact that the law firm which is largely used by school districts was fined for ethical violations, means that lawyers will try to get away with anything they can. Look, Kernan was not a Pleasanton resident, and the PUSD lawyer said it was OK! If someone had challenged that legally, we might have had a different opinion, but that takes money and many years.
Vote NO on E as a quick way to tell the district that you are not buying their nonsense.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:16 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:16 am
Correction, I wrote:
"But with this parcel tax, PUSD will need more than 14000 votes to pass the tax."
But that was wrong. Measure G failed, with about 10,000 in favor and 6,000 votes against.
Web Link
So unless people who voted for Bowser for whatever reason vote NO on E, or we have more people voting, measure E might pass.
Make sure you vote, vote NO and tell everyone you know to look for that ballot in the mail the first week of april and send it in asap!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:29 am
on Feb 26, 2011 at 10:29 am
I do not know if the information on this site is accurate but matches what other sites say as well.
It says Pleasanton has about 40,000 registered voters:
Web Link
So we more than the 14,000 or so voters that went to the polls las november.
If more voters cast a ballot and vote NO, measure E can be easily defeated.
But if only the 14,000 voters who elected Bowser vote, we may have a parcel tax that I am sure most do not want.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm
on Feb 26, 2011 at 4:53 pm
"Posted by Just another parent, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, 13 hours ago
I read in one of the posts here in PW about "Waiting for Superman" - documentary movie about US school system. Watched it and it was a total eye opener. I recommend it to all parents who have kids in public school. It showed the major difference in administration and test scored between charter school and traditional public schools. I just don't understand why charter has the freedom from unions and the traditional is owned by unions? Our superintendent should learn from Michelle Rhee who rewarded great teachers, removed tenure and actually cared for kids.
Report Objectionable Content
Posted by Start Afresh, a resident of the Country Fair neighborhood, 8 hours ago
Charter school?
According to this article, an independent high-school charter school would receive $950 more per student than that same school in a unified school district.
How about we get Amador Valley High School to turn charter, get $2.5 million more in funding?
And reading all the other benefits, we could raise the excellence of that school even higher!
Web Link
$950"
I think because a lot of people are happy with the test scores right now. We have one of the top school districts in the state.
Laguna Oaks
on Feb 26, 2011 at 7:50 pm
on Feb 26, 2011 at 7:50 pm
This is an obvious conflict of interest. If I would known this, he never would have gotten my vote. What a sham.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 8:02 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 8:02 am
"This is an obvious conflict of interest. If I would known this, he never would have gotten my vote. What a sham."
You can still fix your mistake. Vote NO on E. Did you know that Bowser was very involved in trying to lower the threshold so that a parcel tax could pass by a simple majority instead of the 2/3 required? Send a message to this guy and vote NO on E. He is so out of line, send him a message, vote NO on E.
California Somerset
on Feb 27, 2011 at 8:19 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 8:19 am
Concerned parent,
Michelle Rhee did NOT remove tenure, and charter schools do not, on average, outperform public schools. In fact, Stanford's detailed study of charter school performance shows practically no difference in achievement, with public schools coming out ahead ever-so-slightly ahead. Making PUSD schools into charters is not the answer. By the way, do you really believe that the massively underperforming inner-city schools cherry-picked in the movie are similar to Pleasanton's schools?
I, too, wish that a movie could solve the problems facing education in the USA, but please inform yourself more thoroughly if you want to be a constructive participant In positive change. There's a lot more to the big picture than was portrayed on the silver screen and uninformed activism harms much more than it helps.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 9:43 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 9:43 am
"Making PUSD schools into charters is not the answer. By the way, do you really believe that the massively underperforming inner-city schools cherry-picked in the movie are similar to Pleasanton's schools?"
No, of course not. That's why I had the whole first part of my post in quotes. I was quoting what was posted above. I agree that there is no desire or need for charter schools in Pleasanton.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 9:45 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 9:45 am
"You can still fix your mistake. Vote NO on E."
Voting no on E would not fix a mistake. It would just lead to more cuts in programs.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 10:37 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 10:37 am
Concerned Parent- Not entirely true...
The movie included Woodside High School (which it said was a high-performing school in a suburban neighborhood of million-dollar homes)and one of its students was highlighted along with kids from the inner city because she had low test scores in a "good" middle school.
The film pointed out that the girl from Woodside High signed up for the lottery to a nearby charter school because the outcomes at the charter school were better for kids who were obtaining low test scores in middle school. In other words, low scorers did better if they moved into the charter high school compared to low scorers who went to Woodside High.
The point they were trying to make in the movie was that charter schools outperform even schools with high scores.
She was one of 2 highlighted kids who won their lottery and made it into a charter.
Great movie, by the way. It's on Comcast now but you have to pay for it. We thought it was worth it.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:04 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:04 am
"The movie included Woodside High School (which it said was a high-performing school in a suburban neighborhood of million-dollar homes)and one of its students was highlighted along with kids from the inner city because she had low test scores in a "good" middle school."
"The point they were trying to make in the movie was that charter schools outperform even schools with high scores."
What a load of rubbish. Woodside High School is hot a "high-performing school". It is a average-performing school that is a least better than inner city schools. Woodside High does not have "high scores". Pleasanton schools have high scores. It is why my family moved here, and we've been very happy with that decision.
Amador Valley High -- 879 API
Web Link
Foothill High -- 889 API
Web Link
Woodside High -- 750 API
Web Link
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:31 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:31 am
Correction:
"Woodside High School is not a..."
Downtown
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:55 am
on Feb 27, 2011 at 11:55 am
Woodside High is by no means, not even close to a moderately high performing school. I attended a basketball tournament for my son within the past year at Woodside High. Not just some, but all signs on campus are written in Spanish. In the the early 1990's this campus was about 30% Mexican or hispanic, today the hispanic student population at Woodside High is 53% Mexican (975/1835). Of these 975 Mexican students at Woodside high, more than half are classified as English Learners (source: CDE). How in the world can a high school student classified as an english learner, so late in life, expect to succeed in high school? They don't. Affluent Woodside parents, in their right mind, do not send their kids to the local high school, they attend St. Francis, Serra, and even Bellarmine.
The flight of the affluent white and asian kids to private high schools, years ago, further put local public high schools in severe decline, even in posh neighborhoods.
Pleasanton, CA will be eventually be no exception.
Registered user
Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Feb 27, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Registered user
on Feb 27, 2011 at 1:14 pm
"Emily Jones of ‘Waiting for Superman’ on why she entered the lottery for Summit Prep Charter High in Redwood City " Web Link
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm
on Feb 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Stacey! Thank you for posting that link. It was a great follow-up to the movie because it was Emily herself, without editing, giving her opinion on the movie and her education.
I think Emily says it all.
BTW, if Woodside High has the demographics that some others have stated here, then an API of 750 is higher than I would think it would be. Nevertheless, I guess the low scorers still do better at the charter...and Emily did say there was a diverse student body at the charter. I am curious if the teachers at Summit Charter High School have tenure.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 3:36 pm
on Feb 27, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Forgive me if I'm being dense, but what did that video prove? It was one girl's assumptions and "feelings" about one school that she thought was shinier than another. She even says she wanted to go to the other, which she also liked. Did her test scores improve? Grades? She says she's a poor test-taker, so how did her AP tests go? There just didn't seem to be any substance to the interview.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Feb 27, 2011 at 3:51 pm
on Feb 27, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@anonymous,
Who cares? Our moral charge is to throw any kind of mud up on the wall that might stick. That's why I'm voting NO on Measure E.
Signed,
Poorly disguised possessive individualist (stress: possessive)