Board Meeting Tomorrow Night

It looks like EUSD board meetings are about to get exciting again, kind of like the good ol' TIP days. Lean King has announced his retirement. Though I have my issues with Dr. King, the timing of switching superintendent's mid-stream during a very dire budget crisis could have waited maybe a year or two. On the other hand, maybe this tough economy is going to drive a new kind of superintendent right into the arms of the district. If  you haven't been happy with the way the way the district has been run, now is the time to let the Board know what you are looking for. I can't imagine they are happy with King's decision at this critical time, and hopefully will also be open to change rather than more of the same. For me, equity continues to be the number one issue that this district needs to address. King has been content to let school's be their own fiefdom with varying practices of standards and priorities. Randy Goodson, president of the Encinitas Educational Foundation has outlined perfectly what many of us have felt in dealing with 'the King' over the years. I have posted his email below. 


Hi Everyone,

I am writing to encourage you all to show up on Tuesday evening, 6pm, at the EUSD Board Room to briefly share your thoughts on your hopes for the new Superintendent (or offer support for others who speak). I understand that Dr. King may be heavily involved in the selection of his replacement and strongly believe that this would be a missed opportunity to return the District to a spirit of openness with a fiscal focus on the students...NOT THE PARENTS!

As President of the Encinitas Educational Foundation over the past two years, I have found myself at odds with the Superintendent and District over funding and fiscal issues, and have heard many stories that should concern every parent in the District.

For example:

- The District instituted a policy requiring all consultants hired by either EEF or PTA's to be paid the same rate of about $30 per hour, even when some were hired and agreed to work (for music or P.E. classes) for less, often half as much. Now, those schools may be forced to terminate the services because they can't afford this bureaucratic bonus dictated by the Disctrict.

- The District also asked EEF to pay teacher overtime for non EEF events because money was in the account.

- The District has notified EEF that some schools will be required to pay for all pencils and supplies because the District (with 27 administrator's or so) does not have the money.

- Dr. King has repeatedly told the PTA and EEF that it needs to be prepared to carry a much higher financial burden because the State is going to be reducing it's budget. This is not and was not actually TRUE because most of the District's funding comes directly from local property taxes rather than from State funding. While property tax receipts are expected to be going down, Dr. King only focused on getting parents to lobby the Govenor for more money by providing false and/or misleading information to EEF and the PTA.

Dr. King has created an environment that freezes concerned parent's, and often teacher's too, out of any involvement or participation in the discussions necessary to make sure the best decisions are considered when our children's education is concerned.

While I think that the Board of the EUSD has the best intentions, there is only so much they can do when the information necessary to make decisions is controlled so tightly and open discussion is prevented and even squashed. Anyone who has ever attended a "meeting" with Dr. King knows how difficult it is to do more than listen. In fact, the monthly PTA President's meetings have turned into talk show host presentations, now that no issues can be raised that have not been placed on the agenda by Dr. King. In fact, seven of our nine Principles have left the District in the past couple of years and some of the replacements are less than stellar but had the necessary resume of being loyal friends of Dr. King (and they will be achieving tenure within the next year).

Many of us have been resigned to doing the best we can under the circumstances while hoping to avoid being ostracized by our school's administration. NOW, THE KING IS LEAVING AND WE ALL HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

Please show up and tell the Board what you want for your children and the District. Please forward this email to all the parent's you know.

Sincerely,

Randy Goodson


ps. Dr. King left the District because after having worked for EUSD for four years he can retire, since he is now 62, and receive his full salary for life. We know who is paying this bill...our children!

Please spread the word about the EUSD Observer blog and comment or email me with your thoughts. The EUSD administration reads the blog and wants to know what parents and teachers want in a superintendent.

Thank you, Bob Nanninga

As I drove down the coast this morning looking for surf, I drove past the farmer's market setting up at Central School, Cottonwood Creek Park, the new library, Milk playing at the La Paloma and the SRF. All the while thinking, is there a better place to live? Got some fun waves this morning and came home. My wife told me the news about Bob Nanninga passing. He is one of the many great people in our community that was never satisfied with the status quo. Thank you Bob for working tirelessly for the kids and residents of Encinitas. Think globally, act locally!

A Poem by Central mom Celia

From Orpheus Park

Once upon a time, not too long ago
At Orpheus park where us young moms would go
We’d stand ‘round lamenting about the day’s heat
Saying,“When these trees grow up tall, this place will be neat!”

And those lame sticks grew into some lovely shade trees
And provided such coolness and swayed the breeze
Then the City came in with it’s big buzzing saws
Without any consult, without any pause

And cut ten of our trees without our consent
Though the neighboring people knew just what it meant
Claiming no prior knowledge of the felling of trees
“Well, gee what a great view… 180 degrees!”

And people are saying things about our tree sitter
Oh, “He’s a big liar.” or “He is a quitter.”
He’s a wonderful man who got up in our tree
And took on our issue in our absentee

And whether he’s crazy, a liar or not
The point’s that OUR people don’t like us a lot
My faith in my city has really been marred
For them to treat us with such ill disregard

And speaking of Andrew he taught my young girls
That beliefs stand for something in this unfair world
About peaceful protest and keeping up hopes
And even a little ‘bout climbing up ropes

He welcomed the kids in his sweet little fort
To and from school they’d hold Tipu tree court
Reading books, eating fruit and discussing “green” things
Wonderful, happy Orpheus kings and queens

Please, he’s not the bad guy, stop pointing those fingers
When he is forgotten the stink will still linger
As the problem lies here in our own paradise
With leaders that long ago fixed their own price

And perhaps maybe this time it wasn’t your cause
About which the council made up some new laws
And with the exception of the new gal, Ms. Barth
They relished in playing their big bully parts


After laughing at us and our tree loving ways
When your time comes, not a finger they’ll raise
You’ll see that these people who represent us
Will, in their own interest, throw you under a bus.

It’s sad that their using this to make us take sides
When we’re all Encinitans and have great city pride
A sad lesson for kids about having no voice
But trust me, they’re learning ‘bout candidate choice

Well, the big storm came in and the rain poured from heaven
And they showed up on Monday and took number eleven
And now, to be honest, my heart hurts inside
Some sad disappointment replacing some pride

And the Orpheus Park sweat that dripped down our backs
Is back once again due to our city hacks
The condos are happy that they have their view
And though kids lost their shade, at least they had Jru.

Happy Birthday Abe and Charlie!

Sixth grade parents be afraid.....be very afraid.

I bear not think about what '.ings' will be going on when my 6 year old starts high school. Ugh.

The Milagro Tipu Tree War

Wow. I cut down a tipu in my yard a while ago because I was worried it was going to break into my septic tank. Good thing I kept it on the down low. Central kids are getting a first hand and hands on lesson in civil disobedience from Andrew. I think it's awesome that teachers took classes up there. That is called a 'teachable moment' in edu-speak. Unfortunately, Lean King wasn't too happy with the use of time, saying "that students can learn about community activism but can't join a rally on school time." Hopefully he wasn't too hard on the PEC administration and staff. This ongoing episode is reminding me of The Milagro Beanfield War.