Hurray for the correction. Unfortunately it is 11 days after the erroneous story was originally posted and four days after the error was pointed out.

Why does a union rep have offices at the Pleasanton school district headquarters and why does she, "As the union's representative, she frequently uses the school district's Web site to advise SELPA and CSEA members about issues of importance to them." This relationiship between the district and the unions is perverse.



From the article: "Lorentz is a member of the CSEA's Pleasanton Chapter and is also executive secretary of Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), a consortium of participating school districts, which has its offices at the Pleasanton school district headquarters.

As the union's representative, she frequently uses the school district's Web site to advise SELPA and CSEA members about issues of importance to them."

SELPA has had offices at the district for as long as I can remember. A good part of their work/students/classes are in Pleasanton, although they cover (Dublin, Livermore, and I believe Sunol), so I don't know why there is a question. All CSEA leadership, as with APT (teachers) leadership, work and communicate through the district for a range of issues within allowed topics. Others can fill in the rest or correct any errors.

As to the relationship, the union members serve students. The relationship is inevitable. Same at the city with fire and police. Those who are not represented by a union are few, and the majority of those few have contracts.

Kathleeen,

Thank you for always being so objective and insightful on your posts. We appreciate that and know we can always trust a post from you.

We agree, hurray for rhe post as there are much stronger candidates out there than Olivia and with much more experience. Heard Olivia just got involved wih city committees shortly before she decided to run for office. Sounds like she needs some experience first before representing us.

kathleen,

Why are the unions, which have plenty of taxpayer dollars already, using school district offices and equipment to promote their own agenda. I would think that action is illegal. While I'm a fan of yours we will disagree here. What the heck is this:

"When opened the URL brings up a lead paragraph endorsing Sanwong on behalf of the Alameda Labor Council. The endorsement includes a plea to CSEA members: "We need to help in getting her elected. CSEA will be making calls to members to encourage voting."

And why does the CSEA think it so important to elect someone to the Pleasanton City Council? One of my biggest issues with local elections has to do with the colusion of the various unions that want to control both the elections and the people sitting at bargaining table. Having the unions sitting in the district offices doesn't help either.

Taxpayers don't have a chance - and Jeb Bing is defending this?

the weekly erroneously reported something? no way....

Arnold, Not having been a union member, I don't know all the rules about using the email system. I don't believe the unions actually have offices in the district devoted to union business either. I could be totally wrong; just remember APT had offices in Dublin once upon a time.

The paragraph endorses Sanwong on behalf of the Alameda Labor Council. Not quite an endorsement by CSEA. Other than a large percentage of Democrats wanting to elect a large percentage of Democrats (true for the other side too), I can't imagine why school employees think a voice on the city council does them any good. By the way, it says CSEA will "encourage voting" -- don't know if that means they will ask for a vote for Sanwong.

“Lorentz is a member of the CSEA's Pleasanton Chapter and is also executive secretary of Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), a consortium of participating school districts, which has its offices at the Pleasanton school district headquarters.

As the union's representative, she frequently uses the school district's Web site to advise SELPA and CSEA members about issues of importance to them.”

The link she provided endorsed a city council candidate that her union was also endorsing. The fact the Alameda labor council was endorsing the same candidate is a separate issue. I for one do not want to fund, provide offices for, or provide computers to a union I do not support. It is illegal to do what she’s doing.

I do not appreciate the PW’s shameful attempt at sugar coating an obvious wrong doing.

I agree. I agree. I agree. I agree.

I think she should be arrested. I think she should be arrested. I think she should be arrested. I think she should be arrested.

Arnold, Do you think this sentence makes sense: "As the union's representative, she frequently uses the _school district's Web site_ to advise _SELPA_ and CSEA members about issues of importance to them." Don't you think it should read "email" instead of "web site"?

What advice would be given to SELPA members? This is a consortium of area districts represented by board members from each district. SELPA serves the families of those with students in special education. I can see emails going to that board or to families, but not for political purpose.

Again, there are rules about email use for both unions. Sending an email that says, "here's your new web site" isn't political. Those in control of that web site decided to note that the Alameda Labor Council endorsed Sanwong. It's a bit of a stretch to make it a conspiracy to sneak that in an email and at this late date. Frankly, the unions have plenty of ways to get voting recommendations out to membership, and sooner. I will take a step to say individual members just might choose a candidate on their own.

I wish the PW would show this much interest in getting to the bottom of many other issues at the district.

Correction (again)!
> PW misprint: Leadership legally uses district EMAIL (NOT website) to convey information such as meetings, surveys, picnics, scholarships, benefits info., etc. to classified employees.
> In this case, the change of a website URL was the message. The old one was closed April 8 and I needed to provide the new link. No hidden intent to make a political endorsement. Really!
> CSEA does NOT have offices on PUSD sites. We work here.

Lisa Lorentz

Correction:

I agree.

I think she should be arrested.