Don't Be Fooled By This Email

Dear R.,
BREAKING NEWS: AFT president Randi Weingarten was among a group of protesters arrested in Philadelphia this evening for engaging in civil disobedience to protest the city’s proposed public school closures.


Mayor Nutter and the School Reform Commission want to close 29 of the city’s public schools, a reckless strategy that won’t help kids and won’t save money. These harmful closures will only destabilize neighborhoods and destroy schools. Local teachers, parents and community members are standing together to demand a moratorium on harmful closures.

DON'T BE FOOLED! WEINGARTEN WAS NEVER ARRESTED IT WAS A PUBLICITY STUNT. BOTH THE AFT AND THE NEA ARE TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THEIR DOING SOMETHING OF SUBSTANCE IN ADVANCE OF THE DEVESTATION TO COME.

NEITHER IS DOING ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE.

---

Confidentially or Not, the Eveland Settlement is a desparaging Statement of School Boards and their True Intentions

Confidentially, the Eveland settlement is a crying shame

Originally written and publihsed 

 by Maura Larkin

The San Diego Education Report

March 10, 2012

"A year ago, Daniel Shinoff, prominent attorney the the San Marcos USD, needled me (Maura Larkin) for raising the dark questions that pounded my skull like a migraine. 'being the mensch you are, he wrote, I am confident you will extend your apologies to this fine educational community when the truth comes out in court.' Well, Mr. Shinoff, the truth hasn’t come out in court. Only the District's dollars."

Is San Marcos Unified School District tacitly admitting responsibility by way of the $4.75 million judgement the court has ordered for Scotty Eveland's injuries. Why didn't they settle with the Eveland family in the first place? It's mind-boggling to think how much the school district paid its lawyers to attend over 300 depositions, countless motions, and trial preparations. A Million? More? That money should have gone to the Eveland family! So why the charade? The school board and administrators should rethink their attitude toward students and their families--and to the public at large.

The school district's insurance premiums are going to go up as a result of this case--and the taxpayers will be stuck with those increased bills for many years to come.

Was attorney Danielle Shinoff working for the public good, or was he working to protect a specific coach who had made a catastrophically bad decision? Was he also working to protect other individuals in power in San Marcos Unified School District? Would the school district have been better off to settle with Scott Eveland years ago? We're pretty sure Shinoff's coffers are much the better off for convincing the school board to fight. But Why?

Is this really how the public wants lawyers to behave when they are supposedly working for the public?

See all Maura Laurkins posts regarding the Scott Eveland case.




the Sand Diego, Union-Times
by Logan Jenkins

March 9, 2012

There is no shame. Only dollars.

Nearly a year ago, I started a column with a personal anxiety:

“My biggest fear about Eveland vs. San Marcos Unified School District is that the lawsuit will be settled without a full accounting before a jury.”

On Friday, that worry was realized following a phony Kabuki dance that no one ever expected to lead to a jury trial.

In a matter of minutes, the financial terms of the 11th-hour settlement were announced — and a curtain of silence descended.

The two sides, which argued diametrically opposed accounts of what happened to Scotty Eveland, agreed not to “disparage” the other and to “refrain from rehashing the disputed allegations.”

There is no blame. Only a relatively paltry $4.375 million (minus hefty attorney fees and accrued medical liens), doled out by a remote insurance company.

There’s no lesson. Only a joint statement that appears to have been crafted by Mary Poppins on behalf of the San Marcos school district.

There’s no suggestion, the joint statement says, that “professional and hardworking coaches, athletic trainers, administrators and staff of the Mission Hills High School intentionally contributed to the unfortunate and tragic accident that occurred during a high-school football game (italics mine).”

Mind you, no one ever alleged that Scotty Eveland’s Mission Hills coach, Chris Hauser, intentionally inflicted a life-changing brain injury upon his second-string middle linebacker.

What was alleged, assuming witnesses were telling the truth, was a “catastrophic error of judgment” to send Eveland into the game, in the words of the neurosurgeon who operated upon Eveland after he collapsed on the field.

Also alleged was a conspiracy to cover up the coach’s alleged decision when Eveland’s headache allegedly was so severe he couldn’t focus on the ball.

Given the unavoidable conclusion that some of the players in this tragedy have lied through their teeth — either plaintiff witnesses or school employees — then is a reckoning on behalf of all young athletes too much to ask?

Evidently so.

There is no shame nor contrition. Only $ dollars.

  The two sides, which argued diametrically opposed accounts of what happened to Scotty Eveland, agreed not to “disparage” the other and to “refrain from rehashing the disputed allegations.” There is no (assignment of) blame. Only a relatively paltry $4.375 million (minus hefty attorney fees and accrued medical liens), doled out by a remote (indifferent) insurance company.

There’s no lesson. Only a joint statement that appears to have been crafted by Mary Poppins on behalf of the San Marcos school district. There’s no suggestion, the joint statement says, that professional and hardworking coaches, athletic trainers, administrators and staff of the Mission Hills High School intentionally contributed to the unfortunate and tragic accident that occurred during a high-school football game.

Mind you, no one ever alleged that Scotty Eveland’s Mission Hills coach, Chris Hauser, intentionally inflicted a life-changing brain injury upon his second-string middle linebacker.

What was alleged, assuming witnesses were telling the truth, was a “catastrophic error of judgment” to send Eveland into the game, in the words of the neurosurgeon who operated upon Eveland after he collapsed on the field.

Also alleged was a conspiracy to cover up the coach’s alleged decision when Eveland’s headache allegedly was so severe he couldn’t focus on the ball. Given the unavoidable conclusion that some of the football players in this tragedy have lied through their teeth — either plaintiff, witnesses or school employees — then is a reckoning to come for a  Student atheletes, coaches, and  others?  No once again, only Dollars bearing no witness and no standard.

National School Counseling Week

(HALF-HEARTEDLY) Recognizing National School Counseling Week Feb. 4-8, 2013

February 8, 2013

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne  Duncan (Smells like Bullshit to me) issued the following statement today, recognizing National School Counseling Week, Feb. 4-8, 2013.

Every day, caring and dedicated professionals across this country engage in the often (ALWAYS) unrecognized work of school counseling. This week in particular, I want to recognize these trained educators (in those states that require training), who help millions of young people sidestep the roadblocks of life and circumstance to become successful students and, ultimately, reach their full potential. 

The role of school counselors is growing increasingly demanding and it continues to change. Not only are counselors charged with finding innovative and effective ways to provide students with academic and career guidance, counselors also are called upon to help support students’ social and emotional well being, which is essential for them to thrive. Particularly in light of recent traumatic events in schools, including the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, this role is more important than ever to create and maintain a healthy school climate and ensure that students feel safe and supported as they learn and grow. 

Increasingly, counselors are working in new ("same as "innovative," already said that) ways – embracing the importance of data on graduation rates (the only measure of a child's needs that seems to matter under his reign,) FAFSA completion, and college enrollment rates to better prepare students to access and persist in higher education. It is this type of work ("type of work," WTF) that will help our nation to reach the President’s goal of leading the world in college graduates by 2020.

Last week, I met with counselors who have been honored as finalists in the School Counselor of the Year Award program (one giant 'you stroke mine and I'll stroke yours' - circle jerk of narcissistic ....) These finalists remind us of the extraordinary work that is being led by counselors across the country to address the needs of the whole child.  By collaborating with students, staff, parents and the community, counselors are finding better ways to support children and help their families to access vital academic, mental health and social services. For these efforts, we salute them. In affect using his middle finger.

Limp d... bureaucrat! He isn't even sure what a counselor does. Duncun couldn't be bothered to go to a real school with real counselors working with real life issues: pregnancy, gang warfare, fights, foster care, abuse, homelessness, etc. May be he just didn't have time to hunt down the rare district that hasn't fired them all in the latest round of budget cutbacks.

MVUSD BOARD TRUSTEE IS CONVICTED

Origianlly Published in the Riverside Press Enterprise
Written by Lora Hines

Moreno Valley school board member Mike Rios was convicted Friday, Feb. 8, of pimping, pandering and insurance fraud. Jurors found Rios, 42, not guilty on one rape charge. They hung on a second rape charge and one pandering charge. During the trial, Rios cried and engaged in sharp exchanges with the prosecutor. Jurors got the case Thursday.

State law says Rios’ school board seat will not become vacant until his sentencing on March 8.

John Hall, spokesman for the Riverside County district attorney’s office, said it was unclear whether Rios would be retried on the two charges on which the jury hung.

Rios was taken into custody following his conviction. His bail was revoked. He faces up to 33 years in prison during sentencing

Deputy Riverside County Public Defender Michael Micallef couldn’t be reached for comment Friday following Rios’ conviction

Moreno Valley Unified School District board president Cleveland Johnson said he’s hopeful Rios’ conviction will allow the school district to move forward and focus on the work of its students and teachers. 

“There are a lot of good things going on in Moreno Valley,” said Johnson, who cited recent state Golden Bell awards for Hidden Springs Elementary and Valley View High schools. “We want to get this behind us.”

Johnson said the board has had to operate under the premise that Rios was innocent. However, he said he became concerned after it was disclosed in court that Rios said he ran a private dancing/stripping business. Johnson said he began thinking about what the board could do if Rios was acquitted.“There’s nothing we could have done prior to today,” Johnson said. “This put a whole new light on everything.” 

Rios had been free and continued to attend school board meetings. Elected in 2010, Rios remains a member of the school board, which could not oust him. He refused to resign.Superintendent Judy White said the board at its Tuesday, Feb. 12, meeting will discuss its next steps regarding Rios’ seat. In a written statement, she said the district remains focused on “providing the best education possible for all of our students.” 

Within 60 days of a vacancy, the board must make a provisional appointment or order an election, she said. “We ask for patience as the board, the district and the community work through this long and difficult process together,” White said. 

Rios, who faced multiple charges of pimping and pandering, plus two counts of rape and six counts of insurance fraud, denied he was a pimp, procurer and rapist. He insisted on the witness stand that he did nothing illegal. Rios called “ridiculous” the charges that he ran a prostitution ring out of his home, worked to get more women to join the operation, raped two of the prostitutes involved in it and committed insurance fraud by allegedly making false claims stemming from a December 2011 vehicle accident.

His arrest last April in the pimping case resulted from the investigation into a separate attempted murder case in which Rios is accused of shooting at two men who followed him to his house after they got into an argument at a Moreno Valley bar in February 2012. Those charges still are pending. He has also pleaded not guilty in that case, and has steadfastly insisted that all of the charges were fabricated to kill his political career. 

City political activists, residents and school employees fell short of collecting enough (10,000) signatures to place a vote calling for Rios’ recall on the Nov. 6, 2012, ballot.

After Rios’ arrests, the school board censured him, meaning it issued a severe statement of disapproval. It also changed its bylaws, limiting access to schools and school activities for board members who are charged with crimes, including those that involve children.

Almost a Quarter of Californians Now Live in Poverty - California Now hasHhighest Poverty Rate in the U.S., According to the Latest Census Report.

California has highest poverty rate in the U.S., new Census Bureau report reveals

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

 The U.S. poverty rate is higher than previously thought.

The US Census Bureau is testing a new way to measure poverty – and the new measurement indicates that California has the highest poverty rate in the nation.

Almost a quarter of Californians now live in poverty, according to the new Supplemental Poverty Measure, released Wednesday. Under the new measure, California's poverty rate increases from 16.3 percent to 23.5 percent of the population. Not only is that the highest in the nation, but it represents the largest jump from the official rate. The increase is driven in part by California's high cost of living.

The numbers released by the Census Bureau are part of the newly developed measure, which was devised a year ago. It provides a fuller picture of poverty that the government believes can be used to assess safety-net programs by factoring in living expenses and taxpayer-provided benefits that the official formula leaves out. It looks at broader data, including housing costs, child care and medical expenses. It also adjusts for income earned from federal assistance, such as school lunch subsidies and the earned income tax credit.

The Census Bureau is testing the supplemental measure as a replacement for the current system, which hasn't changed since the early 1960s.

Nationally the rate increased from 15 percent to 15.8 percent under the new measure. Overall, the ranks of America's poor edged up last year to a high of 49.7 million, the Associated Press reported.

Based on the revised formula, the number of poor people exceeded the 49 million who were living below the poverty line in 2010.
That came as more people in the slowly improving economy picked up low-wage jobs last year but still struggled to pay living expenses. The revised poverty rate of 16.1 percent also is higher than the record 46.2 million, or 15 percent, that the government's official estimate reported in September.
You can view the full report below.
U.S. Census Bureau Supplemental Poverty Measure

Day One Of Oral Testemony In Moreno Valley School Board Official Mike Rios’ Pimping, Pandering, Rape and Insurance Fraud Case

(I will refer readers to MVGordie's blog on the Moreno Valley USD BOARD TRUSTEE MIKE RIOS DEBACLE. Gordie's coverage is the best to be had on this subject, Press Enterprise included.)

Labor Recruiting Firm must pay $4.5 million to exploited teachers

Firm must pay $4.5 million to exploited teachers in precedent-setting case

A jury ordered a labor recruiting firm and its owner Monday to pay $4.5 million to 350 Filipino teachers they lured to teach in Louisiana public schools and forced into exploitive contracts after arriving in the United States through the federal guest worker program.

Universal Placement International of Los Angeles and its owner and president, Lourdes Navarro, were ordered to pay the damages following a two-week trial in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

“The jury sent a clear message that exploitive and abusive business practices involving federal guest workers will not be tolerated,” said SPLC Legal Director Mary Bauer. “This decision puts unscrupulous recruitment agencies on notice that human beings – regardless of citizenship status – cannot be forced into contracts that require them to pay illegal fees.”

The verdict came in a federal class action lawsuit, Nunag Tanedo v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, brought on behalf of the teachers in August 2010. The teachers are represented by the SPLC, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP.

The teachers began arriving in the United States in 2007 as part of the H-1B guest-worker program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. H-1B visas permit foreign nationals with special skills to work in the United States for up to six years. Most teachers paid the placement service about $16,000 – several times the average household income in the Philippines – to obtain their jobs.

Nearly all the teachers had to borrow money to pay the recruiting fees. Sounds like a private school loan most young Americans endure to get the chance to be a teacher. The recruiters referred the teachers to private lenders who charged 3 to 5 percent interest per month. Teachers were forced to pay these exorbitant fees because they had already made substantial investments that would not be returned. The recruiters confiscated their passports and visas until they paid.

“This groundbreaking verdict affirms the principle that all teachers working in our public schools must be treated fairly, regardless of what country they may come from,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “The outrageous abuses provide dramatic examples of the extreme exploitation that can occur, even here in the United States, when there is no proper oversight of the professional recruitment industry. The practices involved in this case – labor contracts signed under duress and other arrangements reminiscent of indentured servitude – are things that should have no place in 21st-century America.”

Sorry Randi, but this is the way all teachers will be treated in the near future. Please don't think that this is a foreign labor affliction. OH wait you should know that. At least the AFT and the Southern Poverty Law Center went to bat for these unfortunate folks. This aid wouldn't have occurred if the NEA or the CTA were involved. It would be a fair bet they would have denied the occurrence. Just as they ignore similar treatment to members right now within their own ranks.

In addition to paying upfront fees, the teachers were forced to sign away an additional 10 percent of the salaries they would earn during their second year of teaching. Teachers who resisted signing the contracts were threatened with being sent home and losing the thousands of dollars they had already paid. The court declared those contracts illegal and unenforceable. “We are very pleased with the verdict in this case and proud to have stood by these brave teachers as they finally obtained justice,” said Dennis Auerbach, lead attorney on the case from Covington and Burling. The theft of thousands of dollars in earnings by California school districts from unsuspecting teachers is much the same. Only difference these folks had some top notch legal help. CTA pays its attorneys a BONUS to settle a case, even at the educators expense or ultimate firing. A percentage of the difference from the super secret maximum dollars in Billable Hours. Hell, as a victim, oops client, you can't even look at the billable hours charged. Speaking of QUALITY representation, when I asked my CTA "fraud" about my Weingarten, lybarger rights as well as due process per the the CTC, I was told, "some things have to be given away to grease the wheels and get things moving!" I had no say nor was I asked.