By Allen Payton

Antioch School Board candidates Crystal Sawyer-White and Fernando Navarro, an appointed Board Trustee, filed complaints with the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), on Friday, against the Antioch Education Association (AEA) for not filing the required financial disclosure forms. Sawyer-White also filed a complaint for Board President Diane Gibson-Gray not filing her reports properly,

Complaints Against AEA

As a result of a Herald article about the campaign finances in the school board race for next Tuesday’s election, published on Thursday, in which it was revealed the AEA had not filed any financial forms for this election as required by state law, Sawyer-White complained to the agency, which oversees enforcement of the Political Reform Act.

Navarro filed a separate complaint with the FPPC about the AEA’s lack of financial disclosure.

The Antioch teachers union did not file required forms for either their contribution to former school board member Joy Motts’ campaign in the amount of $2,003, as reported in her 460 form, nor for the expenditure for a mailer supporting Motts, Gibson-Gray and former school board member Gary Hack.

Calls to Robert Strickler, President of the AEA asking him why the forms weren’t filed, or if they were, where were they filed and requesting a copy, as well as comments on the complaints, on Friday afternoon, were not returned by publication time.

Complaint Against Motts is Moot

Navarro also filed a complaint against Motts for not filing her required form 460 report for the period ending on October 22nd, which was due on October 27th. Attempts to reach both Motts and her campaign treasurer, former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas, on Thursday, asking if the report had been filed, if not why not and requesting a copy, if it had been, were unsuccessful.

When reached for comment, Navarro stated he filed the complaints “because she hasn’t reported and I’d be interested what her donations would look like.”

“It’s about transparency,” he added. “Hopefully they’re not dragging their feet and playing out the clock right before the election.”

Navarro said in his complaint against the teachers union he wrote “that they’re not reporting their donations and for the mailer.”

“I would be interested in seeing how much they spent and the amounts they contributed to the candidates they endorsed multiple, multiple times,” he continued. “The public has a right to know.”

“If a check for $125 to my campaign makes a scandal and is such an outrage, I would like to see what amounts the others received,” Navarro added. “It’s the epitome of hypocrisy. At least I was being honest reporting the contributions I received.”

Just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Motts’ campaign manager, Cliff Glickman called and said that her 460 form was filed on time and then provide a copy of it for the Herald to post. He also said they don’t know why it hasn’t been posted on the county’s website.

When reached for comment about this latest information, Navarro responded by asking “Is it online? I’d like to see it. I’d like to see her donations. It’s only fair.”

Asked if once he saw a copy of Motts’ report, would he rescind his complaint, Navarro said, “Of course. I’m just making sure we’re all being transparent.”

Please see a copy of her report, here: motts-460-102216

County Clerk Explains

When reached for comment about why Motts’ 460 form was not on the County Elections office website, and if they were having a problem with the website, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla responded, “No.”

“Number one there’s nothing that requires us to post the reports on our website,” he explained. “We do that as a matter of convenience. They are available to see in our office. We’re trying to get everyone to file electronically.”

“I was actually in the lobby when she (Motts) and Diane Gibson-Gray came in to file and they were filing by paper, because their treasurers were having trouble filing online,” Canciamilla stated. “We’re just behind in scanning in the reports, because everyone is on election duty, right now.”

“We’ve been transitioning over to all electronic, so when people submit by paper, we have to go through a whole process to get them uploaded to the website,” he added. “We’re hoping to have them all up on the website, this weekend.”

Motts’ latest report was still not on the County Elections office website as of 7:00 p.m. Friday. Search the campaign finance disclosure portion of their website by clicking, here.

Complaint Against Gibson-Gray

The complaint Sawyer-White filed against Gibson-Gray was a result of the same Herald article. In that article it was revealed the school board president had improperly reported her expenditures, by either paying her husband Ken Gray, which is illegal, or reimbursing him in amounts more than $500 without disclosing who was actually the recipient of the campaign funds, as required by state law.

Gibson-Gray refused to answer questions emailed to her on Thursday asking if the expenditures were payments to her husband or reimbursements, and who was the recipient of the two expenditures over $500. A call to her campaign treasurer, Bob Martin asking the same questions on Friday, was not returned before publication time. She also did not respond to attempts to reach her for a comment on this article on Friday afternoon.

11/05/16 7:30 AM UPDATE: In a comment on this article, last night at 9:52 PM, Martin wrote, “The financial information listed on Gibson-Gray’s reports are correct to the best of my knowledge. Expenditures to Ken Gray were for reimbursement for actual expenses and not payment for any services. The two expense in excess of $500.00. One in the amount of $1,105.05 is itemized as follows: $485.05 to Bellici Designs for yard signs, $600.00 for an internet ad to ETC and $20.00 for zip ties. The second one in the amount of $650.00 was for print ads in the Bay Area News Group. I neglected to include Bellici Designs and Bay Area News Group as a sub-vendor. An amended report has been submitted.”

Attempts to reach Sawyer-White for comment were also unsuccessful.

According to Navarro, all four complaints were filed on the FPPC’s website. An email was sent to the FPPC after 5:00 p.m. on Friday asking for any information they can provide about the complaints. Calls will be made to the FPPC on Monday when they’re offices are open, again.

Check back later for updates to this report.

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) Governing Board held a special public meeting on Friday, November 4, 2016, to announce they reached a unanimous decision to select Dr. Fred E. Wood as the next chancellor.

“All three finalists demonstrated strong leadership skills,” said Governing Board President Vicki Gordon.  “In the end, Dr. Wood was chosen because of his focus on student success, building programs and services to help community college students successfully transfer to a four-year institution, experience working collaboratively with business on career technical education, and successful fundraising abilities.”

The announcement was made following a nationwide search, that began in May 2016.  Potential candidates were reviewed and three finalists were selected to participate in public forums and final interviews this week.

Governing Board President Vicki Gordon recognized the dedication and work conducted by the Search Committee.

“In addition, we were also very pleased and want to thank the faculty, staff, managers, and community leaders who attended the public forums and provided input on the candidates.  Their feedback was important in making our decision.”

The District will begin negotiating the contract with Dr. Wood with the goal of placing the item on the December 14, 2016, Governing Board meeting agenda for review and approval.

“As a Diablo Valley College (DVC) alumni, I am humbled and extremely honored to be selected to serve as the next chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District,” says Dr. Wood.  “My DVC experience changed my life, and I am living proof of the power and impact community colleges can make.  I am excited to work with my colleagues throughout the District to transform the lives of all our students who strive to achieve their higher educational goals with us.”

Wood presently serves as Chancellor at the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC). UMC, which was a two-year technical college beginning in 1966 and transitioned to a baccalaureate granting institution in 1993, is a work-force focused campus of the U of M system of which half of the degree seeking students are on-campus students and the other half are on-line. UMC offers an experiential learning based curriculum where on-campus students are required to complete an internship and currently offers 14 degrees fully on-line.

Chancellor Wood joined UMC after a 26-year career at the University of California, Davis, where he served as vice chancellor of student affairs from 2007 to 2012, leading one of the largest student affairs portfolios in the nation. His career at UC Davis included other leadership positions, as well, such as interim vice provost for undergraduate studies and associate dean of the College of Letters and Science, while concurrently serving as a faculty member in chemistry.

He began both his college education and professional career at the community college. Prior to UC Davis, Dr. Wood was a faculty member at North Idaho College and his first teaching assignment during graduate school was at Diablo Valley College.

A first-generation college graduate, Chancellor Wood earned an A.A from Diablo Valley College, and B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from UC Davis. He is married and has three grown children. He enjoys hiking, biking and skiing with his family.

Wood will oversee the Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD), which is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon. The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.

At the October 19^th Board Meeting, the board approved a resolution to recognize and raise awareness of the issue of youth homelessness.  The goal of the resolution is to highlight the issue of youth homelessness within the county and our schools. Currently, Contra Costa County has over 3,000 children and youth living in homeless situations, as reported by the county school districts, charter schools and the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness. This includes children ages 0-5 and students in grades Kindergarten through 12.

In California, more than 298,000 youth up to the age of 18 experience homelessness each year. During November all students, schools and community members are encouraged to engage in discussions on this topic to raise awareness.

Below are some suggested activities for school sites:

• Send a flyer home with students or create a display to inform students and families of homeless education rights and resources available at your school and in Contra Costa County.
• Make a presentation to school teachers, staff and board members to raise awareness of homelessness in your community or school district.
• Organize a food drive and donate to the local food bank or pantry.
• Make a donation or volunteer at a local shelter.
• Participate in Contra Costa Community Donation Day on November 19^th.

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program) coordinates the following:

• Provides technical assistance regarding the proper identification, enrollment, and service needs of homeless students and their families.
• Conducts professional development trainings for school personnel and community agencies regarding the rights and responsibilities of homeless students.
• Educates students, parents and guardians on their educational rights, and promotes their participation in school-related activities.
• Facilitates the school enrollment process to ensure equal access to educational services, free-or-reduced price meals, tutoring or other programs.
• Assists unaccompanied youth with enrollment procedures, school placement options, and retrieval of records.
• Provides assistance with transportation, backpacks, school supplies and clothing.
• Provides medical, dental, and mental health referrals, in addition to other school/community services.
• Provides assistance to specialized populations of homeless students, including pre-schoolers, homeless teen parents, children with special needs, and unaccompanied youth.

For more information, contact CCCOE’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program at (925) 942-3300.

Total union spending unknown; controversy over two $125 contributions by Rocketship board member; Motts continues lead in finances, 460 form turned in on-time; county website backlog

By Allen Payton

In the Antioch School Board race, in which only four candidates have raised and spent more than $2,000 on their campaigns, it’s been the California Charter Schools Association Advocates (CCSAA) and the local teachers’ union that have spent the most money.

Each side is supporting a slate of three candidates. The Charter Schools are supporting appointed Trustees Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry, and challenger Crystal Sawyer-White. The Antioch Education Association (AEA), the local teachers’ union is supporting Board President Diane Gibson-Gray and former school board members Joy Motts and Gary Hack.

Required campaign finance reports show the CCSAA has paid for mailers supporting their slate of candidates, spending $750 paid to a Chris Rylee on October 17th, $5,565.48 for printing also on the 17th, and $5,565.48 also for printing on October 21st. That brings their total reported expenditures to $11,880.96 for the race.

The total amount spent by the AEA’s Political Action Committee (ID# 1248555), has spent to support their slate of candidates is unknown at this time. The organization is identified as the one that paid for a mailer supporting Hack, Motts and Gibson-Gray, which arrived in mailboxes, this week. However, the California Secretary of State’s website shows no financial information for the AEA PAC for this year.

“This committee has not electronically filed a Form 460/461/450 for this election cycle,” is what is stated on the website.

All committees and campaigns are required to report contributions received or expenditures made of $1,000 or more within 24 hours of occurrence.

Candidate Finance Reports

Of the seven candidates in the race, only five have raised enough money to require they file a form 460 campaign finance report. Hack and Sawyer-White have not yet reached that threshold.

Motts

The AEA did contribute $2,003 directly to Joy Motts’ campaign according to a form 497 large contribution report she submitted. She also received a contribution of $1,000 from the Sheet Metals’ International Association Local No. 104.

11/04/16 8:30 PM UPDATE: There is no report on the County Elections office website for either the latest reporting period or the second half of last year. Attempts to reach both Motts and her campaign treasurer, former Antioch Mayor Don Freitas, on Thursday, asking if the report had been filed, if not why not and requesting a copy, if it had been, were unsuccessful.

However, just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4^th, Motts’ campaign manager, Cliff Glickman called and said that her 460 form was filed on time and then provided a copy of it for the Herald to post. He said they don’t know why it hasn’t been posted on the county’s website.

Motts’ latest report shows she received $4,004 during the period, bringing her total to $10,597 for the year. Since she started the year with $1,522.30 in the bank that gave her a total of $12,119.30 to spend on her campaign.

Her largest contributions during the period were $1,500 from the AEA, which was included in the $2,003 amount reported on her 497 form; and $500 each from the Plumbing Industry Consumer Protection Fund United Assocation Local No. 159 and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council.

Motts spent $4,216.90 during the period bringing her total expenditures to $11,131.47 for the campaign. Her largest expense was $2,500 for Cliff Glickman Communications in Walnut Creek and $844.75 for literature to Baseline Resources also in Walnut Creek. She had an ending cash balance of $987.83 at the end of the reporting period.

When reached for comment about Motts’ 460 form and why it isn’t on the county’s website, County Clerk Joe Canciamilla explained.

“I was actually in the lobby when she (Motts) and Diane Gibson-Gray came in to file and they were filing by paper, because their treasurers were having trouble filing online,” he stated. “We’re just behind in scanning in the reports, because everyone is on election duty, right now.”

“We’ve been transitioning over to all electronic, so when people submit by paper, we have to go through a whole process to get them uploaded to the website,” Canciamilla added. “We’re hoping to have them all up on the website, this weekend.”

Motts’ latest report was still not on the County Elections office website as of 7:00 p.m. Friday.

Gibson-Gray

The AEA also contributed $500 directly to Gibson-Gray’s campaign, which matched her largest contributions from Antioch resident Gloria Martin and former Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan of Alamo.

She is in second for total funds raised as of the end of the latest reporting period on Saturday, October 22 with $6,844 raised including a $4,000 loan from herself. She has spent $2,430.82 on her campaign. For the reporting period she shows $1,609.76 paid to her husband, Ken Gray, for campaign paraphernalia, literature and a fundraiser.

Her report also shows $821.07 in unpaid bills, all to her husband for campaign literature and printing, and an ending cash balance of $5,234.24.

11/03/16 8:15 P.M. UPDATE: However, what Gibson-Gray did with her campaign’s payments to her husband might be illegal and at least one of the payments is in violation of campaign finance law.

In response to questions about Gibson-Gray reimbursing or paying her husband for campaign expenses, Jay Weirenga, the Communications Director for the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), wrote, “A committee is allowed to reimburse others for certain campaign expenditures. When reporting the reimbursements, the payee is listed (the spouse would be deemed the payee here) and the subvendor would also be reported if the payment was $500 or more.  There is more information on this on page 5.2 of Manual 2 and reporting rules in Chapter 8. (under the ‘learn’ tab on our website, then campaign manuals)

The above is related to reimbursing others for campaign expenses they made directly. However, Government Code Section 84307.5 prohibits paying a spouse for these services.”

Gibson-Gray was emailed questions about the payments to her husband for all her reportable expenses and who the funds actually went to at 3:09 P.M. on Thursday. But as of this update, she has not responded.

11/05/16 7:35 AM UPDATE: In a comment on another Herald article, last night at 9:52 PM, Martin wrote the following: “The financial information listed on Gibson-Gray’s reports are correct to the best of my knowledge. Expenditures to Ken Gray were for reimbursement for actual expenses and not payment for any services.

The two expense in excess of $500.00. One in the amount of $1,105.05 is itemized as follows: $485.05 to Bellici Designs for yard signs, $600.00 for an internet ad to ETC and $20.00 for zip ties. The second one in the amount of $650.00 was for print ads in the Bay Area News Group. I neglected to include Bellici Designs and Bay Area News Group as a sub-vendor. An amended report has been submitted.”

The financial information from her previous report were not included in the article about campaign finances of the Antioch School Board candidates for the reporting period which ended on September 24th, because it was submitted after the September 29th due date.

Burkholder

Mike Burkholder is in third place in fundraising for the campaign. His required form 460 financial disclosure report shows $3,785 in total contributions received by his campaign. Of that amount Burkholder loaned himself $2,035. His largest contribution was $700 from Strategic Threat Management. His campaign has spent a total of $3,687.57. His largest expenditure was $1,612.11 to Belleci Designs in Pittsburg for signs and $1,492 on three slate mailers with companies in Folsom and southern California.

Navarro

Navarro’s campaign report shows he’s in a close fourth place, having raised a total of $3,450 so far, of which $3,000 was from his own pocket. He has spent $3,420.76 on his campaign. His largest expenditures for this reporting period were $700 for advertising in the Herald, $517.76 for Fast Signs in Antioch and $400 to The Print Club, also in Antioch.

Terry

Terry’s latest report shows a zero balance in every column for contributions and expenditures. However, his previous 460 report showed he had received a total of $3,286 in contributions and and spent $3,046.07 on his campaign.

Contribution Controversy

On their previous finance reports for September 24^th, both Navarro and Terry reported receiving a contribution of $125 each from Greg and Lisa Stanger, whose address on the checks is in Atherton, in San Mateo County. A controversy erupted on social media and in an article in another publication over the contributions, because it was discovered that Greg Stanger is a member of the Board of Directors for Rocketship Education, which has submitted a petition to locate a public charter school in Antioch.

A public hearing on the petition has been set for next Wednesday, November 9^th and a final vote for Wednesday, December 7^th. That means both Navarro and Terry will still be on the Board and be able to vote on the matter, regardless of the outcome of the elections, next Tuesday.

Terry Didn’t Know, Returned Money

“I didn’t know it was from Rocketship until Robert Strickland the teachers’ union president told me,” Terry said. “So, what I did was write a cashier’s check to the contributor and handed it to Robert and asked him to mail it back to him.”

That was done last Friday, October 28^th.

“I was so upset,” Terry continued. “I was never accused of anything like this before, questioning my integrity. It was a personal check. It wasn’t a corporate check or anything.”

“I did it for the principle of it, not because it was illegal,” Terry added about refunding the contribution.

“I was just glad to get anything. I wasn’t getting too much financial support,” he said with a chuckle. “If it was $1,000 or $10,000 I would have questioned who is sending me this much. But it was $125.”

On Terry’s 460 form he reported Stanger as Self Employed. Asked how he knew Stanger was self-employed, Terry said he can’t remember how he obtained that information for the report he submitted in September.

Navarro Didn’t Know Either, Won’t Refund Money

Fernando Navarro said he didn’t know who the contributor was, either.

“This check came from an area where I do business,” he explained. “So, I really thought it was an individual contribution from my customers or friends of customers, who I’ve been telling I’m running for school board. They gave me a lot of encouragement, saying ‘go for it. I can’t vote for you but I support you.’ They’ve known me for years.”

Navarro said he first heard of it, two weeks ago, “but I thought they were talking about the independent mailings and I said I hadn’t received a dime from them.”

On his 460 report, Navarro disclosed he requested Stanger provide the information state law requires of contributors for political campaigns of $100 or more. That includes the contributor’s name and street address, as well as their “occupation and the name of his or her employer. If the contributor is self-employed, provide the name of his or her business. If the contributor is not employed, enter ‘none,’” according to the Form 460 financial disclosure report.

However, since Stanger is only a board member for Rocketship, if he had provided the required information, it wouldn’t show any affiliation with the private, non-profit charter school network. Furthermore, there’s no list of members on the page showing photos of the Board of Directors for Rocketship. It requires touching the cursor on each photo to reveal the name of the director.. http://www.rsed.org/meet-us.cfm Running an internet search on the Stangers produces the name of their charitable foundation. It’s only when a search for his name on LinkedIn does it show Greg Stanger’s position with Rocketship.

Asked if, now that he knows who Stanger is, he too would be refunding the contribution, Navarro responded with the following statement:

“Although I was not aware of any affiliations that my donors had, I do not think that this is an issue.

My campaign is about a very different vision for Antioch schools that focuses on the needs of families and students. I am standing up to the well-funded and entrenched establishment that is failing our students and is extremely resistant to change. My message is that parents know what is best for their children, and that all children deserve high quality educational options.  I’m proud of that idea, and I’m glad to hear that people who think the same way, without having even met me, are joining this cause and supporting this effort.

I consider joining the democratic process a very noble cause and encourage more people to get involved – by voting, putting up yard signs, and talking to their neighbors. Of course, running for office takes money, and it is great that people are willing to contribute financially. It is no secret that I’m running against a slate of candidates that is heavily supported by union employees, who have an interest in electing candidates that will view them favorably as we enter a multi-million-dollar contract negotiation with them.  That doesn’t work to my benefit, but I certainly don’t begrudge individuals on the other side their right as Americans to participate in the political process in this way.  That would be hypocritical.

Ultimately, the voters benefit by being able to hear all sides of the arguments.  Hopefully, the ideas I’m expressing will resonate with those going to the polls, and we’ll be able to bring the change necessary to provide much better educational opportunities for our children.”

Sawyer-White Falsely Accused

According to Sawyer-White, she was falsely accused on another website, of receiving a check from Stanger, as well.

When asked if she had received any contributions from the San Jose area or peninsula or anyone affiliated with Rocketship, Sawyer-White said, “No. I’ve been using my own personal money, and some small contributions from friends and family. It was less than $1,000.”

Please see below the reports received for the latest reporting period. The election is Tuesday, November 8th.

motts-460-102216

motts-497-092816

motts-497-aea-101216

gibson-gray-460-092416

gibson-gray-460-102216

burkholder-460-102216

navarro-460-102216

terry-460-102216

By Allen Payton

Political flyers from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) of the Antioch Unified School District recommending the election of three candidates for school board, were distributed to members of the Board of Trustees in their joint mailbox and individual mail packets, inside the District office, on Friday, October 28th.

The flyer labeled “Classified Chit Chat shows the names of photos of Board President Diane Gibson-Gray and former Board members Gary Hack and Joy Motts with the title “Special Edition – Election 2016” and the subtitle “CSEA Recommendations for School Board.” It gives the background of each of the three candidates and reasons to vote for them.

About Gibson-Gray, the flyer reads, “She successfully guided the School Board to approve our most recent contract which resulted in raises for all employees and improved health benefits.” The flyer also states, “Mr. Hack has always supported not just teachers, but the Classified employees who are a big part of his constituency.” About Motts, it reads “If it seems like we’re going ‘old school’ in selecting candidates that’s not really the case” and “During her tenure on the Board, it was a time of stability which was good for our members.”

In an email response to questions about the matter, Superintendent Stephanie Anello wrote, “The Board has a mailbox here. This was mail received. We don’t open or read mail.”

Asked if it was for U.S. mail or internal District mail, she responded, “It is for the collection of both US Mail and internal mail.”

Asked if this or any other political campaign material is also being distributed on the campuses and/or by faculty or staff, Anello replied, “There have been no reports of political campaign material being distributed on campuses by staff.”

However, Trustee Debra Vinson said she “also received it.”

When asked if it was it mailed, she responded, “No. It was in the Board packet.”

“It was not mailed,” Vinson continued. “I was a little surprised.”

She said she would inform District staff to put an end to it.

Vinson also mentioned trucks with large campaign signs parked in school parking lots.

“I think the public is fairly tired of the campaigning,” she added.

Board President Diane Gibson-Gray has been seen driving around in a truck with a trailer attached, with her large campaign signs on each side.

Asked if she was parking it in school parking lots, she did not respond before publication time.

In an email response, Trustee Fernando Navarro, who is running for election, but is not supported by the AEA, wrote “No it was inserted loose leaf in the envelope no postage added.
Which brings up the point.  I think this is inappropriate material [to] be sending to the board in general considering two of the board members weren’t even endorsed. It’s kind of a slap in the face in my opinion.”

Anello responded to Navarro, “I’m sorry you felt it was a slap in the face. In short, neither I nor Nancy (Belleci, Anello’s executive assistant) read correspondence – either external or internal that is intended for Board Members.”

Anello and all of the Board members were then asked via email, which staff member placed the flyers in the trustees’ mailbox and packets, and what can and would be done about the distribution of the CSEA flyer. In addition, questions were asked of Anello regarding who delivered the flyers to be distributed, what the procedure is for distributing mail to Board members, if any staff member can bring in things to give to them without them being checked.

8:58 P.M. UPDATE: In an email response at 4:07 P.M., Anello provided answers to the following questions:

Q. Who brought in the flyers for placement in the Board’s mailbox(es) for distribution to the Board members?

A. Anyone can place things in the Board’s mailbox. I have no knowledge of who put it in their box.

Q. What is the procedure for having things distributed to Board members?

A. We distribute the Board’s mail at a time when we are delivering district-related materials.

Q. Can just any staff member bring in things to give to them without it being checked?

A. Yes. Our job is not to screen or censure public comment to elected officials. Additionally, employees do not shed their first amendment rights because they are employed by the school district.

11/04/16 5:43 P.M UPDATE: In a follow up email, Anello was asked “so, what you’re saying…that campaigning is allowed on school property and by staff and during work hours. Correct? Her response was a simple “No.”

Further questions asking if staff doesn’t “shed their First Amendment rights” do they shed them on school district property and during the work day were sent after the work day on Friday. Please check back later for Anello’s response.

Please check back later for Anello’s response.

By Allen Payton, Publisher & Editor

After observing the actions of the Antioch School Board and now the election for three seats on the Board, this past year, here’s what I see is really going on in the Antioch Unified School District. It’s a story of the proverbial ostriches versus camels, of those in the status quo establishment who want to keep their heads in the sand, ignore the facts and keep the public in the dark, versus those with their “nose under the tent” finding out what’s really going on and letting the public know, and wanting to actually do something about it.

There’s an effort to keep control of the Board in the hands of the status quo establishment, which believes things are going pretty well in the district, by electing three of their own and opposing two appointed Board members and another candidate, who are learning the facts and have been letting the public know. That isn’t sitting well with the establishment – made up of one current Board member, three candidates, the leaders of the local teachers’ union, management employees and the certified employees. They say the three change agent candidates and their supporters are being negative.

Now, the establishment is going after one of the current Board members who isn’t up for re-election, this year, to get their fourth candidate on the Board, by recalling Trustee Debra Vinson, because they can’t seem to control her or get her to fall in line, either.

First, the new Board majority, who speak of wanting to improve things in the district, forced out Dr. Don Gill as Superintendent. But, then they appointed two new members to the Board who, like the proverbial camel with his nose under the tent, discovered that things aren’t going as well as the establishment has led the public to believe.

Alarming District Facts Being Learned, Shared

Appointed Trustees Fernando Navarro and Alonzo Terry have learned that the students in the District are in fact not doing so well, nor are the District’s finances. They learned and have pointed out to the public that an average of 67% of children in Kindergarten through Fifth grades are not proficient in English and an average of 81% are not proficient in math. In fact, in one elementary school in Antioch only 8% of the students are proficient in math.

Trustee Debra Vinson, who is not facing re-election this year, has also been pushing for the facts and having them shared publicly. Following her request of staff for a report on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) scores, a presentation was made during a recent workshop.

“The scores are horrific,” she said. “They didn’t want them out to the public.”

The appointed school board members also learned about the problem of truancy in the District, meaning students are not showing up for school.

Under Goal 3 in the District’s state required Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) it states “During the 2014-15 school year, 34% of AUSD students were truant. 13.4% were severely or chronically truant. Chronic truancy is especially high (16.1%) in the primary grades (k-3)…Students who don’t read proficiently by 3rd grade are 4 times more likely to drop out of school. 19.4% (941) of African American students were chronically truant… 40% of the students at Antioch High School were chronically truant.”

During the campaign, Navarro, Terry and the third candidate offering a different approach to the status quo, Crystal Sawyer-White, have been speaking out about these challenges, as well as the practice of promoting students prematurely.

In addition, enrollment in the District has been declining for the past decade, with 4,000 fewer students in the schools. The three candidates are saying part of the decline is due to parents choosing other schools for their students, both private and in other, better districts. The establishment’s narrative is that it’s due to the natural aging of the population in Antioch. But demographic statistics don’t support their argument.

In fact student-age population figures have been increasing in the district, at the same time enrollment has been declining by over 400 students per year. The establishment is concerned because the money the District receives from the state is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Fewer students in the classrooms results in less money for the district.

But, Navarro and the others are more concerned about the academic achievement of the students, and if that changes, it will result in fewer students being removed by their parents for greener pastures.

District finances are another challenge, as they were facing a budget deficit, this year of $1.2 million and is facing deficits of over $2 million per year for the following two fiscal years. But, some one-time money was received by the District since the budget was approved in June, which produced a budget surplus, for this year.

Yet, it’s still not a pretty picture and the reserves are not at the level the District needs, and are only one month of staff salaries.

Immediately, the establishment candidates – backed by the teachers union, management and certified staff – are wanting to spend the surplus and get the reserves down to as low as 3% the minimum required by state law, as stated by Gibson-Gray at a candidates forum. But, according to AUSD Chief Business Officer Chris Learned, that “doesn’t even cover one payroll for the district. We want to keep reserves at 7%, preferably 10%.”

Those are alarming statistics and if they were happening in say, Walnut Creek, Lafayette or San Ramon, there would be an insurrection by parents, and the entire school board would be recalled and the top staff fired and replaced.

Negative Information Criticized, But Correct

Now that the facts are being shared, while the establishment is not denying all of them, they’ve turned their tactics to attacking those who are informing the public of them.

Navarro was criticized by status quo candidate Mike Burkholder, for giving the District a grade of F-minus-minus in a private conversation with Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, after Harper shared Navarro’s comment with Burkholder.

But, Navarro is correct. On an A through F grading scale, with an A having a score of 90 to 100 and an F being anything less than a score of 60, then scoring a 20 in math and a 30 in English is an F-minus-minus.

Burkholder and the rest of the establishment and their three other candidates don’t want that information out there. Why? Because it’s too negative, makes the District look bad, and is being critical of the teachers, and hurts Antioch’s reputation. They think the public somehow either doesn’t have a right to know what’s going on with our students, our government and our tax dollars the District is spending, or they don’t think we can handle knowing, which is rather elitist if they do.

One of the new superintendent’s goals is to “rebrand the District.” But, what’s the purpose of that? If the vast majority of K-5 students are failing in English and math, what’s there to re-brand, until they aren’t? Besides to whom are they wanting to market the District, which is the purpose of a branding campaign?

New Superintendent

Then the Board majority, on a split vote, hired a Superintendent from within the District staff sending a message that things are doing just fine in the district. Navarro voted against the contract because he thought it was too rich, at a time enrollment is declining and the District facing deficits for the next three years. He also said he preferred hiring someone from outside of the District with a different perspective, preferably with more successful schools.

While I believe Stephanie Anello wants to and can be an agent of change for the better for our students, it’s going to require a new Board majority to offer a new direction for her and the District. Because as the hired CEO of the organization, she has to do what the Board majority wants her to, if she wants to keep her job.

White Candidates vs. Candidates of Color

The agents of change in this election happen to be the one Hispanic man and an African-American man and woman. The status quo establishment candidates all happen to be white. That fact hasn’t gone unnoticed by some in the Antioch community and has some, who have chosen to remain silent, upset.

This is at a time students in the district are 41% Hispanic, 26% African-American and only 17% white. That doesn’t reflect the population of the city, which is 31.7% Hispanic, 30.7% white, and 21.9% African-American, which is a possible indicator that the white parents are removing their students from district schools and placing them in either private schools or those in other districts, or homeschooling them.

Yet, it’s the students of color in the district who have been suffering more under the establishment’s leadership, and they don’t want the three candidates of color or the other, current African-American Trustee to be on the Board, who will more likely be motivated to do something about it.

The establishment is hoping to get three of the white candidates elected, and their fourth one on the board by replacing Vinson with whomever doesn’t win, next Tuesday.

“It has not been easy because I’m not the status quo,” Vinson said. “I’ve been told Burkholder or one of them wants my seat.”

“When I asked the staff for the SBAC scores is when they stepped up the attack,” she explained. “They are not happy that all of this is coming out because the previous board didn’t do a good job and they don’t like it.”

Asked about the racial aspect of the current election, Antioch resident and former NAACP East County Branch President Odessa Lefrancois shared her concerns.

“I don’t like what is happening,” she said. “When I saw what happened at the school board meeting, last week. That shouldn’t have happened. They let that happen.”

“I have a belief the voters know what is happening and they will get elected,” Lefrancois continued. “I would love to have all three elected because they reflect the make-up of the school district.”

Charter School Battle

Antioch currently has two public charters schools, Antioch Charter Academy and Antioch Charter Academy II. Of the students at Antioch Charter Academy 41.3% are white. Even though the AUSD Hispanic students make up 40% of the population, but only 28% of the students at Antioch Charter Academy. African-American students make up 26% of the population in AUSD schools but only 9.7% of the students at Antioch Charter.

Yet, teachers in the district say they like the district’s current charter schools while berating the effort of the private, non-profit Rocketship Education to bring one of their public charter schools in Antioch.

But, Rocketship’s model is one of taking the least performing students in a district, most of whom are Hispanic and African-American children, and helping them advance in their education, like a “rocketship.” In fact, Rocketship’s lowest English and math proficiency statistics are at the same level or better than any of the elementary schools in the AUSD.

The fact the District has been performing so poorly is the reason Rocketship has chosen Antioch for one of their schools, as AUSD observer and former teacher Willie Mims pointed out at the October 12^th Board meeting.

The organization is trying to get one of their schools approved in Antioch and the public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9^th and a meeting for the final vote will be held on December 7^th.

That would mean more students being removed from the regular schools and even though Rocketship pays their teachers more than AUSD teachers get paid, AUSD teachers’ union leadership doesn’t want one of their charter schools in Antioch.

Yet, even Antioch’s own Tom Torlakson, a former AUSD teacher and cross country coach, Antioch Councilman, County Supervisor, State Assemblyman, State Senator and now State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supportive of charter schools, specifically Rocketship. He along with the State School Board majority, voted in favor of the one in the Mt. Diablo School District, earlier this year even in the face of opposition from that district’s teachers and no votes by that Board and the County School Board.

Campaign Support, Battle Lines Drawn

The California Charter Schools Assocation has been backing the agents of change, by paying for three mailers with their names and photos on them. The Antioch Education Association, which is the local teachers’ union, as well as the certified employees’ union and Antioch Management Association, representing the District’s management staff are backing the status quo establishment candidates, both with endorsements and paying for mailers to support them. The AMA actually endorsed all four of the status quo establishment candidates for the three seats, indicating they want Vinson gone and replaced with one of theirs.

Unfortunately, it’s gotten a little nasty. But desperate people do desperate things. In fact the establishment went so far as to illegally shut down Navarro and prevent him from making a lawful motion to have an urgency item placed on the last school board meeting’s agenda, to nail down the schedule of the meetings for Rocketship’s charter school petition. Then they criticized him on social media for attempting to do so.

So, the battle lines are drawn. On one side we have the status quo candidates, the ostriches with their heads in the sand who want the public to do the same and not know the facts of how bad things are in the district, and who will keep doing the same things over and over again hoping things will improve – which is one definition of insanity – and are backed by those who have been embarrassed by the revelations of the facts by the other side.

On that side are the candidates of change, the proverbial camels with their noses under the tent, who have learned the truth and are exposing it, and who want to represent the best interests of the students, their parents, the taxpayers and the Antioch community in general, which will benefit by improved schools with better property values and attracting employers to our City.

That’s what’s really going on in the Antioch school district and school board race. Now it’s up to the voters to decide which direction they want for our students and community.

Alumnus, U.C. Berkeley grad Hammed Suleman encourages students with his own experience

By Allen Payton

University of California system President Janet Napolitano visited Deer Valley High School in Antioch, today and encouraged the students in the standing room only gymnasium, that they can get into a U.C. school if they do the work. Before she spoke, however, Deer Valley High and U.C. Berkeley graduate student Hammed Suleman shared his experience of how he was able to get into “the best school in the world,” as he put it.

“I never thought I was college material or smart enough to get a college education,” Suleman said. “But I knew I could never achieve my goals if I didn’t do the work.”

He was on the track and field team at Deer Valley and became the number one triple jumper in the U.S., resulting in him receiving scholarship offers from colleges across the US.

Suleman chose UC Berkeley.

“It was and still is the number one university in the world,” he stated. “It has had a profound influence on who I am today and who I want to be.”

While at Berkeley Suleman was a track and field champion and earned the Most Academically Improved Student Athlete award in 2014.

Suleman is now completing his masters degree, also at Berkeley.

He then introduced Napolitano, who is also served as Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama.

“You do the work and take the SAT or ACT and some community service, work and all those things go into your application to the University of California,” she told the students. “That’s your part. Our part is to give you a great college education.”

“You’re at a great stage of your life,” Napolitano continued. “I kinda wish I was back in high school.”

Speaking of a college education, she stated, “It does matter.”

“Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?” Napolitano asked the students. “What do you want to contribute?”

She then quoted President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

“One-third of our students start at community college and transfer to UC,” Napolitano shared. “Ask yourself what you’re good at; what you think you’ll be good at. Take some classes.”

“I want to leave you here with this message. Only you can answer the question ‘what are you prepared to do?’ Get ready,” she said. “California is the only state with the higher education we have in this state.”

The former two-time governor of Arizona said while serving in that position she wished she could have brought one of the U.C. schools to her state.

“Find some quiet time. Turn off your screens. Turn off your phone,” Napolitano said in encouraging the students to think about their future.

“You won’t get where you want to go without…preparation,” she added. “UC is for you – a place to grow, to learn and leave the nest for the next generation.”

Napolitano then ended with “Thank you. Go Wolverines!” to a roar from the audience.

Before the assembly, Napolitano met and spoke with the school district’s college counselors and students interested in attending a U.C. school. During the assembly was treated to music by the Deer Valley jazz band and a song by Divine Voices.

Principal Ken Gardner welcomed everyone and then handed the event off to teacher Bernard Stephens who served as Master of Ceremonies and had been Suleman’s track and field coach, while he was in high school. Congressman Jerry McNerney was in attendance and offered his thoughts. The students also heard from Eloy Oakley, the Chancellor of the California Community College system.