The Sacramento Bee announced its endorsements for Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education Wednesday, and picked the most established candidate in each area.
In the race for the vacant Area 1 seat, the Bee endorsed Susan Parvis, who has been endorsed by retiring Trustee Bill Lugg.
"In this open seat, Susan Parvis has demonstrated that she knows the district and has put in her time as a volunteer," the Bee's editorial board wrote.
In the Area 6 race between Jake Rambo and Steve Ly, the Bee sided with appointed incumbent Rambo.
"Both are strong candidates, but Rambo has shown in his six months of service a grasp of complex issues," the Bee wrote.
Rambo said in an email that he was honored to have the Bee's recommendation.
In the three-candidate Area 7 race, the Bee went with Trustee Al Rowlett, who was appointed in 2009 and ran unopposed in 2010.
"Rowlett is a 'gold standard' board member, with a big heart and a constant presence at school sites," the Bee's editorial board said.
Elk Grove voters, do you agree with the picks made by the Sacramento Bee's editorial board? Why or why not? Post your own picks in the comments section below.
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He also has a son at Franklin Elementary: http://patch.com/A-x3Br
"As a former prosecutor, I have always believed in the need for a city prosecution program. I supported that for many years. While serving on a city committee, a rumor spread that I may want to create the program as a job for myself. Valuing integrity, I immediately addressed and dispelled the rumor at a committee meeting. The Citizen ran an article on my comments to quell the rumor, confirming its falsity. The source of the rumor came to me, discussed the matter, and apologized. I was told to let the rumor simmer, don't address it. My integrity said I needed to address it head-on even though that means easy fodder for those looking to throw mud. "To be clear, I enjoy my work as an Administrative Law Judge. I very much prefer the quality of life a judicial practice provides. I do not want to return to the life of a trial litigator and I am not interested in serving as the city prosecutor in any community. My current job affords me the ability to work a compressed 4-day hearing calendar, so that I can spend more time visiting our schools. I spend most of my day on Monday's visiting schools, in addition to whatever other events need my time." He also added that his middle son attends a private kindergarten because of health issues, but will attend Franklin Elementary next year.
To Cody: As for the comment about being the District Attorney... Thank you for pulling that article up (because I couldn't find it), and thank you for the email from Mr. Rambo himself. While he expresses he has no interest in becoming a trial litigator and enjoys being an administrative law judge because of the extra free time it allows him... Let's get real. I encourage every voter to read that entire article. I see his email and that article as empty words. Please note this one sentence: Rambo said he wouldn’t hesitate to work for the city. Feel free to believe Mr. Rambo's intent. I'm sure he's a good father to his own children and a good citizen, but I don't believe his best interests involve my children's educational future and well-being. I hope that if he wins I am dead wrong.
Yes, while Dr. Ladd decided to freeze his salary, the decision to talk about and approve a raise in the midst of teachers receiving pink slips is unconscionable. Yes, while he is the superintendent, he is still considered a district administrator. Also, to note, the other Associate superintendents also received a 3% pay race over the course of the next 5 years. I believe the Patch reported this. If Cody is as objective as I like to think he is, perhaps he'll pull up the article for us. Unless, Cody just pulls up articles that support specific individuals ( reference his quick response to Chris J's comment about Mr. Rambo above). Oh btw, M. Legison, while we can disagree, I think we should still have discourse that is civil and free from using language like "pimping." Also, I'm an administrator, not a teacher and not part of a union.
The current board is unwilling to do their job, which is precicely why we need a change. That change is most noteably seen in CARMINE FORCINA - Area 7. When asked directly whether he will retain the current superintendent, Carmine has said on several occasions "One of the jobs of a board member is to evaluate the superintendent. If elected I will do my job. If the superintendent does his, he can stay. If he doesn't, he will have to go." HONESTY is what our district NEEDS. This and nothing less.
COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICA - Local 9421 AFL-CIO-CLC, Robert Monger, Executive Vice President/Legislative-Political Director SOUTH COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB, Sandi Russell, Nancy Fox, Dan Schmidt, Robert Monger LOS RIOS COLLEGE FEDERATION OF TEACHERS Why do you think the AFL-CIO is endorsing a school board member? Because Proposition 32 is probably going to pass, despite the huge opposition from unions and SuperPACs, and the CTA is scared that they will lose their vise grip on the state legislature. The only recourse is to load local boards with union hacks who are paid to infiltrate public boards. Expect more "new posters" to chime in here in support of these covert operatives. These posts have nothing to do with fairness. They are desperate attempts to promote those who would put union compensation and policies above those beneficial to the students and the community.
Rowlett. My message has been clear. I will treat ALL EMPLOYEES fairly and I will look at every aspect of the district budget but children's instructional needs will always come first. Please get your facts straight..
During most of my teaching career, there was an infectious educational vibrancy in the district which started with the top district administrators and worked it way down. I had scores of casual conversations about education over the years with Superintendents Trigg and Gordon and Associate-Superintendent Steve Winlock, and every time I came away proud to be a teacher and energized by the discussions. With the exception of Associate-Superintendent for Elementary Education Ann Zeeman, who in the district office has the ability to "inspire"? Who even cares about inspiring? The current school board reflects that lack of inspiration. That's why changes need to be made at the district administrative level, and for that to happen, new people, people who will inspire teachers, students, and the community, need to be elected. Carmine Forcina is definitely a person who understands what I'm talking about. I believe Jake Rambo and Steve Ly also understand. We need both on the school board, but that can't happen. James Letoa is raw, but he gets it.
- I challenge you to say one SPECIFIC positive thing about either incumbent. You have continued to try to denigrate board challengers, but can not name one SPECIFIC way that either Rowlett or Rambo have helped students. You can not name one SPECIFIC way that Rowlett or Rambo have assisted in developing positive district-board-staff-parent-student-community relations. - You must not be on the front lines (i.e. you must not be a district employee or parent) because if you were, you would understand how critical it is that the current board, its policies, and the direction in which they have been leading the district are CHANGED IMMEDIATELY! - You reference CTA's "vice grip" on the state legislature. Do you really think anyone buys into this? If CTA really did have a vice grip on the legislature, why are we always fighting for every scrap of funding we can find for public education? If CTA really did have a vice grip on the legislature, why would Prop 30 even be an issue? Why would funding continue to be cut, year after year?
As also stated, I don't know any of the incumbents running. However, I know a union plant when I see one, and when you have the local Democratic party and the CWA and other similar agendized groups groveling over some guy that comes out of the shadows and starts making a stink about the Bee not endorsing him, you know he's got something more to lose than an election. The CTA does not care about students. They look out for their members and will attempt to throw any election they choose. That's not an objective, a task, or an activity that should be a part of the board.
----- M. Legison - You have again missed the point, AGAIN. You say you do not know Rambo or Rowlett personally and so, can not comment on what they have done that has been positive for the district. However, it is clear that you do not know Carmine Forcina personally either, yet you are convinced he is a pawn for CTA. Carmine is running for the EGUSD Board of Trustees for one reason and one reason only, he is a man of such high moral fiber that after watching what has occured in this district over the last several years is no longer able to stand on the sidelines. He knows that a man with his knowledge, experience and expertise, if truly a man, must stand now and do something to rectify the situation the current board has put us all in before it is too late. Carmine has been open and honest about his positions from the start. He has said and has maintained that communication is the key. Carmine's contact information is readily available. If you took the time to do some homework, and called or met Carmine in person, you would understand that he is beholden to no one and no group. Carmine has always been a man who listens to all, but makes his own decisions. He will continue to do so, once elected to the EGUSD Board. Call him and find out for yourself, I dare you.............
Once again you have it wrong. Please give me a call and ask any question you have on any subject and I will be glad to speak with you. 916 203-0873 Do you have the courage?
Ah, another anti-government guy feigning the powers and glory of the Self-Made Man! The "I made it on my own with no help from the stinking government" belief is, pure and simple, FANTASY. Since the original discussion centered on an educational issue, let me ask you this, Mr. Self-Made Man: Did you attend any public schools (elementary, secondary, college/university)? If yes, you're considerably less self-made than you think you are.