Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 6:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr Kidd should be more concerned about salaries, benefits and working conditions of his members rather than castigating a CVUSD Board member about soliciting opinions thru emails. Kidd ought to be working for better conditions at the middle/high schools, stopping overcrowding, medical benefits for teachers after retirement and adequate salary raises rather than the insulting 1% - 2% they have been getting lately. UACT has aligned themselves with Beaubion and Didio who will be defeated at the November election-where was the outcry from
teachers at the CVUSD Board meeting before the school closure vote was taken? This vote will cost jobs and the teachers' silence was deafening.
It's not "if" charter schools are going to happen, it is "when"!! Teachers at Charter Schools can form their own employee association and UACT will become irrelevant like CVUSD!!!

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Arleigh Kidd is an overpaid union boss who has written VERY rude comments in education blogs in the Star.

The CVUSD had an unknown clause in its contract about the calendar. Other school districts in the state don't have to worry about this tiny detail when they discuss changes in the school calendar before voting. So when Dunn found out that the contract did not allow contacting teachers directly, he said complied. Other board members were also unaware of this small detail. It was crazy to send this to PERB.

The truth is that this was really about the senior teachers in the Conejo getting to call in sick the week before Christmas. They get 3 weeks of sick pay, and it is the most convenient time for them to get subs. It is also about UACT (United Association of Conejo Teachers) always having in the calendar contract, the jewish holidays in the fall every year. Only 3 districts out of 21 in Ventura County are off those days. Because of this policy, the winter break in the Conejo for 2006, 2007 was forced to begin very, very close to Christmas. Many families complained, and wanted to travel, but felt compelled to have their students stay home. Some travelled anyway. But 9% of teachers called in sick the week before Christmas!!! Why? Because they could.

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

(continued)
The Union got so angry about Dunn asking to change the calendar, because the senior teachers, who have 3 weeks of sick pay a year, ALWAYS use that week to call in sick. Yet students in AP classes at the high schools who traveled with family that week, and missed a final, were DROPPED from AP classes!

So, families need to know that they can use a State Law about missing classes for religious observances, and their student will not be punished as a truant. In the Conejo, the principal must get a letter 3 days prior to the absence. So, if you want to celebrate Advent, and travel that week, you can, since Advent is a time of religious observance. And any Chinese family that wants to travel to Taiwan for New Year's (a very common practice) can also use this law. It also covers the jewish holidays in the fall. So the union should back off, and stop asking for those 3-5 days every year, and let the jewish families who are observing these holy days do so, according to this law. And the union should STOP insisting on making it a district-wide holiday for 22,000 students and staff. Because of the extra fall religious holidays, it messes up the Conejo winter break every 3 years!!! I do not believe that 22,000 students observe Roshashana and Yom Kippur. Those teachers who are observant, can also be excused from instruction for religious reasons, according to the law. So don't blog that this is discrimination, the the "tyranny of the majority" that the liberals are quoting lately.

Solution? Vote in Board members in November who are not bought by the Union. Remember, 9% of Conejo teachers called in sick that week in December, and your students had substitutes. Make our district calendar like the vast majority of Ventura County Schools which do have instruction during Roshashana and Yom Kippur. And let parents know about the religious observance law, which is printed on the Parents Rights and Responsibilities page.

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is stupid. Arleigh Kidd says he wants Dunn to apologize. Mike Dunn apologized several times on TV, saying he was unaware of this calendar clause, as was the rest of the CVUSD Board.

And Arleigh Kidd wants assurances that this won't happen again. OK. Easy. We vote in Board members who are NOT bought by the union, and UACT Bosses. And then we make sure that calendar issues are NEVER part of the union negotiations. Is that enough assurance for you, Arleigh?

Thank God the UACT president, Susan Falk, is retiring. She will have nothing to do with future contracts, we hope. Or will she? What do you think? I'm thinking she will still be a "player" behind the scene.

This is the largest district in Ventura County with over $223 M a year in the budget. The union wants as much of it as they can get.

Parents who take their kids out for funerals are also eligible for excused abscenses for religious observances. So don't hesitate to travel for funerals, weddings, confirmations, bar mitzvahs, etc. Also, Orthodox Easter and Christmas are excused holidays, per the law. There is a large Hindu population here that has many religious holidays that fall during the week. They also have the right to take their kids out, and not have repercussions, per the law.

But Conejo policy wants notice in writing 3 days prior. I think this is unfair. Did the "sick" teachers write in 3 days prior that 9% of them would be out the 3rd week of December? A new school board could change the policy to say an excuse note after the absence would also suffice. Another reason to vote out Didio and Beaubien who let the union run this town, and who took huge campaign contributions from UACT over the years.

Posted by Traditional on March 22, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What a pathetic hit piece by the union bosses and the Star. Our teachers need better union leaders, our parents need better school board members then the majority we have now, and the public needs a newspaper that is not so politically aligned. I am ashamed of the Star.

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is costing tax-payers money, just to satisfy a union boss. The apology was made years ago, and the obscure contract policy was advertised and made known to the Board.

Arleigh, so what if you were the target of "disparaging remarks." You are a union "Don" over 3 districts. Can't take it that you aren't everybody's nearest and dearest? You get paid well to take this heat. Some "disparaging remarks" against you don't come close to the trash talk you've put in political blogs over the years against your political enemies. Arleigh, you've even taken classes on how to slam people. That's what the teachers' union calls training classes for their administrators.

Because the teachers' union chooses to resurrect this issue, the State of California has to pay lawyers from PERB, the Public Employees Review Board, to go over this again. For what, Arleigh? I guarantee you that the backlash from this will be the end of your over-reaching power in this part of Ventura County. You control Moorpark, Conejo, and Simi for now. But you WON'T be controlling the new CVUSD charters. And you WON'T be controlling the new trustees on the CVUSD Board, who the people will vote for in November to replace your favorite grammas, Delores Didio and Dorothy Beaubien.

Congratulations, Arleigh. You are going to be personally responsible for a huge drop in ADA (average daily attendance) funding for the Conejo next year. People will be pulling out kids for religious observances left and right. Parents will be signing up for charter schools that get to keep their own ADA. Yeah, you may think you will win this one, Arleigh, but at what price?

Posted by Poppa on March 22, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks to me like the same crazy woman did all the posts above and those of us who live in the Conejo know who she is. If she wants to attack people she really should use her own name and not hide behind fake names. It looks to me like the State agrees that Mr. Dunn broke the law. I thank the Star for letting us know this information because the public has the right to know! We just had Sunshine week after all! It seems reasonable to me that they would want Dunn to agree to not break the law again. Also, when Dunn brought up this nonsense about school closures and the teachers getting a raise he was told point blank by District staff that he was wrong and had been told before he was wrong, I know because I watch the Board meetings on t.v.

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who gets 3 weeks paid vacation every year? I teach in the district and I don't. In fact when I had my children I had to forfeit all my sick time. I loved getting a vacation just a couple days before because it forced me to get everything done, and then I felt I had 2 full weeks to rest with my family instead of preparing for one week, tearing down the next week, and the back to work. Don't use broad generalizations, and the fact is Dunn e-mailed us more than once, and then when he got called on it, I received more from his "wife." On top of that he is the ONLY board member to NEVER come by our school at any time. (Thank goodness!) Rules are rules. Go Doc.

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Very senior teachers get 3 weeks a year. Several teachers have more than 27 years in the district. They get 3 weeks a year sick leave. Calmdown has not been in the district very long, and hasn't gotten this generous perk. She works 180 days, gets several weeks off in the summer, a long winter break, a week in the spring, and multiple pupil free days, plus all the usual holidays. Teachers have it very good in the district. No lunch duty, no recess, no before school, no crossing guard, no pe, no teaching sex ed, lots of field trips, lots of assemblies. They get reduced rates on car insurance and mortgages. They get tax breaks on instructional items bought. They get tuition reimbursements for advanced degress. The get lots of sick days and great health benefits. This is a very generous school district.

The first # is District amount,
The next is State Average for districts in the same category

Beginning Teacher Salary

$37,301
$37,540

Mid-Range Teacher Salary

$60,690

$59,426

Highest Teacher Salary

$76,845

$73,925

Average Principal Salary (Elementary)

$97,991

$96,377

Average Principal Salary (Middle)

$102,902

$100,144

Average Principal Salary (High)

$108,749

$109,130

Superintendent Salary

$172,620

$185,251

Percent of Budget for Teacher Salaries

44.2

40.9

Percent of Budget for Administrative Salaries

5.1

5.3

Posted by aloparc on March 22, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Unions - They're whats wrong with public education.

Look at this video about Locke High. It contains footage showing the unions in action and how low they will stoop to protect their power.
http://kitchentablemath.blogspot.com/...

Unbelievable

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doc finally crawled out his hole now that his 2
"girlfriends" are going down the drain-wow, now he even watches the Board meetings on TV.
Hey Doc, how about voicing your concerns and displeasures at Public Comments like the rest of us instead of hiding on this blog?
It's not "if" charter schools are coming, but "when" they are coming-which is soon!!
BTW, Mr. Dunn voted AGAINST school closures while "Dumb and Dumber" voted for them - get over it!!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Doc finally crawled out his hole now that his 2
"girlfriends" are going down the drain-wow, now he even watches the Board meetings on TV.
Hey Doc, how about voicing your concerns and displeasures at Public Comments like the rest of us instead of hiding on this blog?
It's not "if" charter schools are coming, but "when" they are coming-which is soon!!
BTW, Mr. Dunn voted AGAINST school closures while "Dumb and Dumber" voted for them - get over it!!

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks, aloparc, for the link. It's about 10 minutes with Drew Carey as host. It is a shocking story of union bosses in Los Angeles giving mis-information about Green Dot Charter Schools, and firing a principal at a High School who demanded that teachers come with lesson plans. Unions are killing California schools.

Maybe parents should show up at the next CVUSD board meeting wearing green, to show support for charters.

Be sure to come to Thousand Oaks High School on April 21st at 6 pm for the info meeting on Insight Charter Schools - Los Angeles. It is a free public high school with on-line classes. Here's their link. They are registering students for fall 2008.

http://insightca.net/

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love my job and I am not complaining, but I have been teaching for MANY, and I work 185 days. I get 2 weeks (10 days)sick leave and I wish it was as easy as you say. Many of us work way more than 185 days/year, and put in LONG, LONG hours. No before school duty, this is true, however, I get to work long before contract time and leave well after contract time without pay. Many times my class is filled to capacity and I teach ALL subjects excluding PE and grade all papers from every subject. This takes COUTNLESS hours, and this is the norm. I have taken my kids on 1 field trip this year and that was to the Griffith Observatory which I set up by myself so the kids could experience the wonders of space since that is part of our curriclum. 1 hardly constitutes "Many." As for the tax break, we get a 250 tax credit a year for expenses that have put me out well over 1000 dollars. Arnold suspended the other a few years back. We DO NOT get paid for our "Long" winter break or spring break. We are paid for the 185 days and that is it. In fact, if you knew anything, you would know that the Jewish days we get off we have to put in an addtional 18 documented hours outside of the workday on our own time to make up for these days. That is 18 hours I take away from my family so the district can take those days off. I love teaching, but parents like you make it difficult. Think before you write, and research the facts. Appreciate us for the long hours and extra days we put in. You have no idea how long I have been in the district so be quiet. I love this district that you are b----ing about constantly at board meetings and on these blogs. Just about everyone in this town thinks you are a joke and full of crap, and now I know you are because you just stated many things that are untrue. If you think this district is so generous and great then why do you bash it all the time. Pick a side and stick with it. DOn't just go straight to conflict and negativity. What a sad childhood you must have had!!

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1 more question. Why is everyone so mad at Didio and Beubian when Phelps voted for closure as well? The vote was 3, but no one ever mentions Phelps? Let me know because I am curious.

Posted by Poppa on March 22, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calmdown, If you read the comments this same person has written under the different names you will see she is an angry and hateful person. I don't think anyone reading her comments would want someone like this running the schools when they call two Board members names like "Dumb and Dumber" etc. She cries about unions and then calls names like a child, this is not the kind of person I would EVER want around children and if this is the kind of person around Mr. Dunn it says a lot about him. Just reading through the story again and seeing that Mr. Dunn's response to breaking the law was "So what?" also says a lot about him. I want to thank you Calmdown for the great work you do everyday in the classroom for children, I'm proud you are part of our schools here in the Conejo!

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To Doc:
Thanks so much. You made my day. I hope most people in this community are like you. After being raised here and then moving away for a few years, I decided I would love to raise my own family in this community. I have never once regretted the decision until reading all these nasty blogs. I was starting to wonder if I was the minority, but you are right. I think we are the majority, and the minority are people that just spew hatred the loudest.

PS I wish I knew all about the mortgage breaks for teachers years ago. It might have made things easier. I never knew. :)

Posted by truth_be_told on March 22, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calm Down: You need to transfer to one of the many schools in the Conejo that hire PE specialists. Sounds like your elementary school is spending money on the wrong things. Sounds like you would like to get rid of the fall religious holidays. Thanks for pointing out that you are told to put in 18 hours on a time card for days that you weren't teaching. I know that teachers get paid to go to seminars, but paid for days off??? That sure will be interesting to parents who are looking to cut back costs.

I'm a believer in public schools that work. Our district is dysfunctional. And why is it that you don't know why Pat Phelps is not criticized here? I understand that you are overwhelmed with your teaching and your family, and you can't keep up with the politics on the board. If you are only getting your info from Doc, then skip the rest of this post, and stay fat dumb and happy.

(I warned you. Skip this part if you want to stay stupid. Keep reading and you will get your eyes opened. WARNING: Anyone who reads the next paragraph, and still posts supporting D&B will be pegged as an idiot. If you make comments disagreeing on my info on Pat that I'm sharing, then you are going to look mighty foolish that you were even interested in what I had to say. Is my reasoning too complex for you? Do you always have this much trouble with word problems? Must be the brain damage suffered from Everyday Math.)

Pat is reasonable and asks tough questions. She was set up to propose the closure this week. So of course she didn't vote against it. I don't hold that against her. Beaubien sets Pat up time and time again. She yells at her, too. Pat had a corporate career in management, and she is very approachable. She is also a philanthropist multi-millionaire and can't be bought by the unions. We want to keep Pat on the board. Go Pat!

Posted by Oranges on March 22, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Should TBT sign in:
Truth_be_tolt from thousand Oaks here.

Dunn Broke the law. Any board member worth their salt knows the calender is a negociated item. He decided he was above the law.

TGT invited the west county to the charter forum by claiming "a majority of west county girls are pregnant." Did she live in west county as a teen? I would urge everyone to avoid whatever she is involved in.

Keep your children away. Keep education away. And avoid this bit of community rot in Conejo Valley.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To calmdown-
Thank goodness my student is almost out of high school and won't be exposed to inept, whiney,
pathetic teachers like yourself that enable this dysfunctional board (gang of 4) with uninformed comments. You don't even know your own contract with the district-you get a FULL check for December and a FULL check for March/April (whenever Spring Break is) - and you work 185 days. I have been a teacher and administrator with another District for over 35 years-we certainly wouldn't put up with the "duds" you have here in UACT as so-called "leaders". Where are your lifetime retirement benefits? Have you ever seen raises larger than 1%-2%? Charters will be here soon, so I would suggest you dump UACT and join
the Charter Schools Classroom Teachers Assoc.
Your new "buddy" Doc is even more uninformed-has he ever been on a middle/high school campus? Both of you need to wake up and smell the chalk dust or dry-erase pen fumes!!

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Do I get full pay checks in July and August? Mmmmm NO! I get no paychecks. Truth be Told needs to read more carefully. I said "EXCLUDING" PE. Also, the 18 hours I have to put in, I do not get paid for. In fact, I have to pay for the workshops or classes out of my own pocket and they have to be approved for us to receive credit. If I don't comply and complete the 18 hours, my sick leave is taken or I lose pay. I bet you are not a product of te CVUSD because you cannot read. Calling me names is so grown up. I think you must have been looking in the mirror when you were typing. I have wasted enough time with you. It is time to get ready for Easter, dye the eggs with my kids and get ready for my LOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGG spring, fully paid break, where I will not grade one paper or answer one e-mail from a parent, or lesson plan for when I come back. :)

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

koolwhazzup- Conejo teachers are paid for 185 days per year. That is evenly distributed among 10 months. It does not matter what days off exist and where those days are placed; teachers are paid for 185 days of work and the paychecks are evenly distributed. Teachers are not paid for holidays or breaks, only the 185 days worked.

180 days are instructional (pupils are present). Two days (This year Monday and Tuesday) immediately before school begins and the Monday before second semester are pupil free days and mandatory for teachers. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Friday before Winter Break are professional development days. Teachers are required to report to school for professional development or complete 6 hours per day (12 total) of professional development outside of their contracted day. These make up the 5 days outside of the 180 pupil days. Again, teachers are not paid for any holidays, breaks, or weekends.

Finally, Conejo teachers got a 5.5% raise two years ago...so yes, Conejo has seen raises larger than 1%-2%.

Do you have anything else based on incorrect information you would like to share? I have a copy of the contract if you need it.

Posted by calmdown on March 22, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

imp9824
THANK YOU!!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To imp9824 and calmdown-
Your weak responses sound like Everyday Math-
If you read what I wrote, you get a FULL check in December and a FULL CHECK IN March/April and work 185 days so I suggest that you READ your contract instead of just "having a copy of it"!
I never said that you got paid for July and August-why doesn't UACT negotiate your contract so your salary is spread over 12 months? Or haven't they figured that out? Most districts now do this.
If you choose to work over your breaks, that is your choice-work smarter, not harder!! You proved my point-you complain about your workload,
but UACT does nothing to make working conditions better for teachers in this dysfunctional district!!
Wow, a 5.5% raise over 2 years, that's 2.75% each year-and you're happy with that? Who's negotiating that contract for UACT? What about lifetime medical benefits after retirement? What about class size? These items are critical and the "duds" from UACT haven't a clue-Susan Falk and Arleigh Kidd are the best Union reps that CVUSD ever had-the 2 of you need a clue, badly!!

Posted by lunachick4life on March 22, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey kool...your math must be why your children needed expensive tutors to get through their high school classes. You state you have been a teacher and Administrator in another district...oh yeah, must have been LAUghSD. Now that is first class union negotiations and working conditions, NOT!

Why would ANYONE want to take up the option that would let the district hold back your EARNED money and collect interest and send you a check over the summer months? Ignorance? Simply take the money every month and put it into savings....

Administrators work more contract days, teachers less. Certificated do not get paid for furlow days...ie: vacation, holidays or breaks. Classified do however get paid for legal holidays. Did you have to put those little V's on your card when you took days off as an administrator?

The only reason teachers need unions is to protect themselves from the self-righteous radicals that distort reality to serve no purpose than create disention within the community. If your students excel and you refuse to kiss the right cheeks you are toast. The only thing rewarded is compliance. Surely you can't guarantee a high quality independent thinkers like yourselves to be safe from a rogue administration even in a charter school?

Yeah, we need you and the other "experts" running schools like we need the current CVUSD Board to remain in place.

Again, kool...Oxnard Union HSD stopped giving lifetime benefits because it simply costs too much money. I believe Ventura County has discovered the same for its Public Employees as well.

Quit trying to minimize Mike Dunn's complacency and responsiblity for what has occured in the school closure process. Mike Dunn voted to move FORWARD on school closure at each and every juncture until this last meeting. Why didn't Mr. Dunn just create a new motion like the one for Maple and Ladera? Why didn't he vote no?
Oh, that is right, he is using his elected position to support the Charter movement.

Beaubian & Dido are the union pawns, Stephens the realtors, and Dunn is the pawn of the conservative right. Truth has been told, Pat makes her own decisions and will not be manipulated. Seems like only Pat should remain seated.

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My post stated facts. I notice that you did not dispute the validity of the facts. I in fact did not dispute the "full check" during the Winter and Spring Break months. Yes, Conejo teachers get a "full check" September through June. Take the annual salary and divide by 10. There is also an option to take the base salary and divide by 12. The last two months are combined in the June 30th paycheck and is an option for people who find it easier to budget over the summer. I never argued that, I just pointed out how the teachers are paid. It sounds as though you are the one who does not know the contract of a Conejo teacher.

At no time did I complain about a workload, so I assume you are talking to calmdown.

You then make a statement about improving working conditions. What working conditions for teachers do you think need to be improved? What would help them and the students be more successful?

You then comment on the 5.5% increase in salary and claim that it is equivalent to 2.75% over two years (which is mathematically not correct, but whatever). You also discussed being in a different district as both a teacher and administrator. Is your district a public school district? If so, what part of California? What have your raises for teachers been over the last five school years? What is your district doing differently that would help increase the salaries of the Conejo teachers?

Perhaps instead of name calling and comments such as, "the two of you need a clue, badly!!" you could help by providing the insight that makes your district function so well in comparison to Conejo Valley.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To lunachick4life-
Who addressed you in this debate?
I'll take LAUSD anytime over CVUSD-top teachers there earn over $85,000 and lifetime medical benefits are provided, thanks to tough negotiations by UTLA!! You know nothing about either!!
It's so nice to know that you are concerned about saving the District and Ventura County money by excusing them from lifetime benefits-you must be a UACT negotiator!! UACT is very weak and I would be embarassed to pay dues to them. Wait until retirement and you have to pay your own medical insurance! What about class size? Why are there over 40 students in Science classes in our high schools? We all, parents, students AND teachers, deserve better than that!!
Who said anything about Mike Dunn? Why are you so worried about a "minority" Board member? He doesn't know anything about Charters-that's pretty far-fetched!!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To imp9824-
What working conditions?
How about overcrowding-over 40 students in Science classes in our high schools, "ghetto portables" that when the AC goes on, kids at the rear of the classroom can't hear the teacher. We all, parents, students AND teachers deserve better!!
Top teachers in LAUSD earn over $85,000 (without summer school)-why can't teachers here have an opportunity to earn that much or more? Because of UACT, Susan Falk, Arleigh Kidd and Jerry Morris!!

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmm...Article 6 Section B of the Conejo contract states that the maximum class size is 38 students. There is a stipulation that a college prep, honors, or AP class can have up to 42 students provided that no more than 5% of all college prep, honors, or AP classes are that way.

So my question is, What class(es) at what school, taught by whom, has "over 40 students in science classes?" Please provide verifiable data to support your claim.

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just addressed the class sizes.

You mention "ghetto portables." What specifically about them are "ghetto?" Are they not washed often enough? Do they need new carpeting? Or is it simply that they are not structured buildings? Again, you seem to be making broad statements instead of getting to specifics.

And then you do mention a specific, the AC units. Have you contacted the principal of the school? Have you had you child ask to be moved to a different location in the room? Have you brought this up at a board meeting? If you do not bring this to the attention of people who can actually do something, then it is difficult for them to do something.

Here is the Conejo salary schedule: http://ww2.conejo.k12.ca.us/_cvusd/in...
Here is the LAUSD salary schedule: http://www.teachinla.com/Research/doc...

It appears that the top of the pay scale for a regular classroom teacher is $80074 (Including a doctorate) in LAUSD compared to $84762 (without doctorate) in Conejo. Unless there is a pay scale I am missing, Conejo teachers can earn almost $4700 more.

Please let me know if my facts are incorrect.

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It appears the Conejo link only takes a person to the homepage. From there, choose "certificated jobs" on the left side and scroll down to the "Teacher" section of the Certificated Salary Schedules.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just because it is stated in the contract, doesn't mean it is followed.
Ask Jerry Morris, TOHS, and UACT "groupie, to investigate-that's his job!! I have informed the principal on several occasions and was pretty much "blown off"!
And why should CP, Honors or AP have that many since the high schools are NOT on a block schedule
and it takes valuable class time to take daily attendance, announcements, etc. That pretty much covers all academic classes except Standard. This is not being monitored by UACT!

Posted by imp9824 on March 22, 2008 at 10:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You still haven't stated what science classes at what school have too many students. As for the AC thing, which school was/is it and which principal ignored you? Have you e-mailed the board members about the situation? What was their response?

I noticed you have not refuted any of my facts...

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You don't have any facts other than LAUSD is bargaining for a 7-9% increase for 07-08 which will make the scale go to $85,000.
ALL portables at ALL schools have the same problems-ask the teachers affected-and why would I e-mail any Board Members of a dysfunctional School Board? So I can be accused of being a "racist" - see previous posts. I addressed this Board last year about this problem and was told that these portables were high quality-whatever that means-then Didio and Beaubion began their "happy talk" routine about how great our high schools are-gag!!
You are beginning to sound like a "stooge" for CVUSD, like UACT.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 22, 2008 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

More to imp9824-

CVUSD pay scale shows a 2.5% raise effective July 07 (Wow). UTLA is negotiating for 3 times that amount!!

Posted by beenthere on March 22, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Truth et all
Good God, you and all your supporters are frightening. Misinformation, scare tactics, frightening rhetoric...spare us. We all need to focus on what is going on in our community, not in LAUSD, not in the rest of Ventura County. We must think of this community, what is going on here, and what is best for all the kids, not just a the fortunate and affluent. The bottom line for you and all koolwazup or whatever, is if you are so unhappy with what the works for the majority, then move on! I am sick of all you special interest types, be it political or religious, trying to dictate what is best for all students. This is suppose to be an inclusive community, not just your commuity or your perceptions of what this community should be. Money and affluence should not dictate what policy should exist here.If you have to hire tutors because you don't believe your kids are getting the education you want them to get, well that is your right. The facts are that based on the overall average scoring, your kids are all doing pretty well. If you don't like what your child's score is, pursue your options. Don't blame the system, or the math program or the district. Look home, because most problems really start there. Please, don't knock salaries or teachers in this district. They all work very hard to do what is best for their kids, be it affluent, under-represented, minority or just average. Let go of your misconceptions and political alliances and think about the big picture...schools need to look at the big picture...is the community doing what is best for all?

Posted by beenthere on March 22, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, I live in this community, have had kids go through this school system ( both are very successful, college degrees, good relationships, etc), and, gasp, not having been involved in every little thing they did in school. As a matter of fact, I couldn't get as involved as many of you folk, having to have worked FULL TIME, and not having been able to physically volunteer at their school. Guess what, they survived. Was I involved? Yes. I monitored, participated, and did what I could. Maybe some of you would find more success being spectators instead of meddlers...

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Beenthere-
Your naivete is showing-in order to go through the college admittance process, kids must now submit SAT and ACT scores plus a credible transcript of decent grades in order to be admitted along with an essay, extra-curricular activities and community service, AP courses, etc. Things are quite different now compared to even 5 years ago as far as this process goes. The SAT itself is totally different and parents must shell out money for expensive test-prep courses as none are available thru CVUSD!! Tutoring must also be included in this as most of the college prep classes are overcrowded-this is a fact!!
Since your students have been gone from CVUSD for a while, I suggest you visit any high school campus
here and see for yourself how things have changed and not necessarily for the better! If you were a parent here now, I'm sure that you would be just as "meddling" as some of us are-and wouldn't be so full of the "happy talk" that was in your posts!!

Posted by insideinfo on March 23, 2008 at 3:47 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by imp9824 on March 23, 2008 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

koolwhazzup- A 7-9% for 2007-2008...and they are still bargaining for that as March comes to a close? That sounds odd. Do you have any proof? I noticed that you have glossed over the other areas where I requested verifiable information. Do you have any substance to back your claims (the over 40 in science classrooms for example)?

In your last post you continued to use broad generalizations about how all parents must shell out money for prep courses. No, that is a choice. The SAT is radically different? No, the SAT I has an essay now, but previously students going to a UC school were required to take the SAT II which had an essay writing component. That essay just moved from the SAT II to the SAT I. Nothing really changed.

Perhaps you are more talk and complaint than actual facts and helpful suggestions.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go back and review the minutes over the last 2 years of CVUSD meetings-you will see that parents have complained about this at Public Comments many times.
How do you think kids are getting high scores on the SAT? From having CVUSD support? There are NO SAT prep courses in CVUSD-parents must rely on Kaplan, etc.-and yes, the SAT is different than it was 4-5 years ago-a top score is 2400 as compared to 1600 a while back. Also, Subject Matter tests are now required for most major universities-SAT I requires NO essay, get a clue. Do the English classes here adequately prepare kids for vocabulary? I don't think so.
Go read the UTLA news about salary arbitration in LAUSD-
Wake up and become informed and quit beibg a "stooge" for UACT and CVUSD-Go update your lesson plans!!

Posted by lunachick4life on March 23, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

kool, maybe you haven't noticed, but YOU are not the only voice in the Conejo Valley and since you have to yell, scream, demean and tantrum to feel you have a voice, then maybe that is a message to you: You are wrong.

Clearly you are threatened by those who have a clear and logical perspective on anything that would threaten your "minority" hysterics. Your words, not mine.

Last time I checked, the citizens of this country didn't have to be invited to do anything. It is a right, not a priviledge. But you seem to have missed that part about living in a democracy. Clearly you subscribe to a type of neo-nazi, since your clan has gone as far as using that language, to whip others into believing your drivel.

You know nothing about me, so back off. UACT and UTLA both suck. UTLA and their membership are not concerned about the children, only their pockets as demonstrated by your comments. LAUghSD...well say no more. And let’s see, since I have planned my retirement well, I don't have to take from the classrooms of the future to support myself or worry about medical insurance. I watched, I respected and I learned from generations who struggled and appreciated and didn't expect others to take care of them. Again, another lesson in personal responsibility.

Don't be so sure of yourself. Dunn, Carlson, Duckett, et al. are all together and adamant supporters of Charters. Since you speak during Public Comment and watch the meetings, I am sure you know what I am talking about. Nothing far-fetched here. What is so scary about acknowledging the truth?

Your lively personality also proved my point why teachers need unions...to protect them from those who do not respect anything but their own narrow minded point of view.

Posted by imp9824 on March 23, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"SAT I requires NO essay, get a clue"

And yet the Collegeb Board website, you know, the one that creates and administers the test, says differently. From their website: "The SAT is comprised of 10 total testing sections. The first section is always a 25-minute essay..."
For those of you who wish to see the information for yourself rather than take my word on blind faith, please visit the College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/t...

Again, I seem to know what I am talking about by providing facts for everything I have said. You have yet to tell us what your district is doing differently to save money, what raises your teachers have gotten over the last 5 years, and what specific science classes in the district have more than 40 students.

Again, if you would like to have a reasonable discussion without insults and name calling, I am willing to listen and participate.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SAT I requires NO essay for students with a learning disability!!! Or else get extra time!! The old SAT never required one-now in order to perform on SAT and ACT students must enroll in private Test Prep courses that costs $2000-$4000 depending upon the level of the student. My kid's braces didn't cost that much!!
Go ahead, try to dispute that-fliers are passed out to kids in the 9th and 10th grades in their English classes. LAUSD offers intense test-prep courses for FREE!
Get over youself-I already told you about 9th grade Science classes at ALL high schools that have over 40 students - see above and which school it is along with the principal-
Are you related to Beaubion and Didio? Anyone who disagrees with CVUSD is either called a "racist" or there is retribution against their student - if you are so interested in "saving money" go to the LAUSD website and find out for yourself-UTLA has negotiated raises totalling 14% over the last 4 years-07-08 is still not settled but will probably be around 7% retroactive to July 07-as far as next year goes, (08-09), who knows?
Since you are such an expert on college admission testing, why aren't there any AVID courses offered at Westlake and TO High Schools? Parents have been requesting this since the SAT was changed!! We in this community deserve better-what happened to the $88
million dollar bond that we all voted for at the urging of the CVUSD Board a while back that was
earmarked for improvements-all we got was more "ghetto portables"!!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To lunachick4life-
More babble from a pathetic Didio and Beaubion supporter-now I'm a nazi for disagreeing with "Dumb and Dumber"? Well, "sweetie pie", I am African American so you better do research on "social justice" - have you ever heard of it?
I have no desire to know anything about you-because I don't associate with "bigots"!
If you think unions are so bad, go negotiate your own contract-of course, being a member of UACT, you may do better.
Good luck on paying for your own medical bills after retirement-do you have a crystal ball to know what they might cost in the next 10-15 years?
Watch those "dreaded" charters make you and CVUSD "irrelevant"!!

Posted by imp9824 on March 23, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And you still have no real proof about the 9th grade science classes. None of them are over 38 at my high school. You are all talk. It is a good thing most people have stopped listening to you.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How would you know this? Did you go to school today, Easter, and check other teachers' roll books?
Wow, only 38 students in a classroom lab set up for 25-and that isn't overcrowding?
You are a typical CVUSD stooge that goes along with what the Board and UACT tells you-no independent thinking!! It's really scary to think that you are actually a high school teacher, and an uninformed one at that-Yikes!!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

More to imp9824-
I see you didn't dispute the Test Prep issue nor the $88 million school bond-but you would probably be happy teaching in a "ghetto portable" since the students don't listen to you anyway!!

Posted by conejomom71 on March 23, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I suggest you all exchange phone numbers and debate this amongst yourselves. We are all tired of reading your conversations that have nothing to do with the article. So, back to the article, it doesn't surprise me that Mr. Dunn's reaction to breaking the law is "so what." Yet another reason I will make sure I don't vote for him when his turn comes up. I will NOT forget he voted yes on all school closure related issues (so what if he voted no on the very last vote, not a hero in my book), he pushes Charters when he was elected to represent us in the public schools AND here he is again, breaking the law. I will not forget how he checks his email online while we all sat at the board meetings expressing our concerns, how he invited protestors to persuade his decision and how happy he was when Maple and Ladera got excluded from the process. This person is not a leader. Everything he does is to get votes, not to benefit the children. I’m sick and tired of everyone that has personal agendas. The children should always come first.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 23, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To conejomom71
FYI Charters are "public" schools-I certainly haven't heard him (Dunn) push for charters-there wouldn't be enough votes for them on this Board-any petitioners would have to go to the County or directly to the State.
BTW, what part of Charters don't you agree with?
Local control? Direct funding for all school programs rather than money being siphoned off by CVUSD? Teacher controlled curriculum? Better salaries for teachers? Accountability?
Wow, how dare anyone that would even think about
these advantages over CVUSD!!

Posted by conejomom71 on March 24, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I SAW Mr. Dunn pass out Charter Information sign up sheets at the Maple parent meeting. I also SAW him step out with parents who later will post Charter questions to the district employees. I don't disagree with Charters but my child doesn't attend one of the schools proposed for closure and frankly you are the ones pushing for one. I will support your decisions but still I have to deal with what affects my child which is 5 incompetent board members. So get off my back for having another opinion!

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 24, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You are mis-informed. Those sheets had nothing to do with Charters.
District employees would have to resign to work in a charter-how many will do that? Maybe a first or second year teacher with not much to lose.
Don't vote for Beaubion and Didio in November!!

Posted by lunachick4life on March 24, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wow, kool is in a frenzy now. Truth is babble to him because he has his fingers in his ears acting like a child.

Many of us don't need a contract or a crystal ball. Some of us can actually think on our own and make decision for ourselves without need for unions or ranting of kool, et. al. We don’t need to rely on others to make our decisions; but feel free to relax knowing your union has prepared you for retirement just because you were paid to do a job. Sounds like entitlement to me. You did a job and were paid for it. You are owed nothing more and nothing less.

The concept of personal responsibility is foreign to some. There was a time when you worked for what you earned and you learned to save, invest and prepare for the future. It was not a time when you relied on the social welfare state for support, what “kool” purports as “social justice.”

Stop hiding behind “social justice” as an excuse for your myopic nonsense. Again you are the first to pull out the race card. Just because you are "African-American" doesn't mean you aren't racist. Calling anyone else a "bigot" makes you as bad as the rest.

It also appears you are that dangerous type of name calling individuals who assumes anyone who won't use testosterone to demean or intimidate is a "sweetie pie" or "yummie mummie." So that would be what?

It is funny that Mr. Social Justice himself can’t seem to reconcile the issues in the district or on this posting that have more to do with social issues than economics.

Posted by aloparc on March 24, 2008 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Conejo Mom -

Mike Dunn has never advocated on behalf of public charter schools for CVUSD.

Mr. Dunn has supported (since 2005) turning Manzanita Elementary School into a magnet school using A traditional math program with the hopes it would draw enrollment from the surrounding schools. But you don't get the hear good things like that about Mike, because the VC Star is too busy printing union attack pieces.

The CVUSD union is trotting this dusty old story out because it is an election year. This is the issue they hoped to defeat Mike with during the last election. Yes, I know Mike will not be on the ballot this time, however, this garbage is likely being revisited to intimidate anyone who is thinking of running against Beaubian and Didio.

Posted by aloparc on March 24, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You folks need to be more measured in your posts.
Conejo Mom - Did Mr. Dunn hand you one of those documents about charters you say he was handing out? I would be surprised to know that was the case, more likely I suspect someone who has an agenda is bending your ear and telling you miss information.

FYI Mr. Dunn was very concerned about the budget short fall, he has a fiduciary responsibility to protect the solvency of this district. The ONLY BUDGET BALANCING OPTION the other 4 board members pursued was closing schools, this was not Mike's idea or his preferred option , it was the only option presented to him.

Mike indicated he would vote to close the schools recommended to him by the committee (which at that point was Manzanita and Meadows IIRC) and boy oh boy did the Manzanita folks run wild with that one, poor Mike, once again he got roasted in the papers.

There came a point however, when the information that the district was giving Mike started to not add up. It became questionable as to weather there would be ANY cost savings from closing the schools, especially as parents started digging into the data and forwarding it to Trustee Dunn. At that point it became doubtful that voting to close schools would actually save the district any money. So there you have it, Mike looked at the numbers and voted with parents to keep the schools open.

Tim Stephens' vote to keep both schools open was surprising. My guess is that this was only because the committee put Meadows up on the block, had it been any other two schools he would have likely voted to close them.

Posted by aloparc on March 24, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Conejo Mom said:
"he checks his email online while we all sat at the board meetings expressing our concerns,"

FYI Mike isn't checking his email, he is fact checking info pertinent to the issues being presented at the time.

It was Mike's quick thinking and his lap top and Google that saved CVUSD parents over 1 Million dollars that Baarstead and Volmert were about to overspend on the fiber optic line that Verizon will provide to CVUSD for FREE.

Mike was able to stop those efforts to ram the dreadful and terribly wasteful decision through.

You don't seem to know the real truth about anything that is going on with Mike, you need to investigate these matters before you print untruths that frankly could be considered slanderous. (that's a very expensive matter you should be careful)

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 25, 2008 at 12:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To lunachick4life aka "sweetie pie" -

Wow, maybe you should donate your retirement check,
if you ever qualify for one, back to the school district or state, since you are so well prepared for the future.
FYI, Didio and Beaubion will soon qualify for and receive "LIFETIME" medical benefits since they have been on the Board for 20+ years-are you aware of that? It's OK for them but not retired teachers?
Lifetime benefits reverts to Medicare after age 65 so I suppose you think anyone who is on Medicare (most social security recepients) is "unprepared" and sucking off the government after they paid into the system-teachers hired after 1984 also pay into Social Security-thanks to Ronald Reagan.
I suppose we should all go back to the early 1930's when little or no benefits were available to teachers or any other workers by employers until those horrible unions came along.
Since you are so well prepared for the future and think "social justice" is a nazi-ploy, don't bother to continue paying into STRS-obviously, you are unaware of the Teachers Union's struggles in the State in the 60's and early 70's or what collective bargaining is about.
Let's hear more about your "social issues" and gripes against minorities!!

Posted by whsghronek on March 27, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Teachers new and old in the Conejo district get 1 sick day per month. That is exactly 10 per year for all of us. Days that are not used can be saved up. I currently have about 135 unused sick days. If I ever wanted to use more than 4 days in a row, I would need to provide a Doctor's note.

Posted by koolwhazzup on March 28, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Save those unused sick days-if they aren't used,
you can cash them in for "years of service" when you retire-180 days = 1 year.