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About this blog: I am a native of Alameda County, grew up in Pleasanton and currently live in the house I grew up in that is more than 100 years old. I spent 39 years in the daily newspaper business and wrote a column for more than 25 years in add...  (More)

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Trustees blunder in national politics again

Uploaded: Aug 31, 2017
The Pleasanton school board and its administration could not resist stepping into the race debate after the debacle in Charlottesville, VA.
The trustees felt compelled to reaffirm the existing policy that they treat all children equally. Great. That’s the way it should be.
But trustees went beyond that, arguing that systematic racism characterizes our country.
Excuse me.
School board president Joan Laursen was quoted in the Weekly saying, “While the events in Charlottesville were frightening and ugly, and I was heartened to hear good people across our country denounce the sentiments expressed by the white supremacists, I believe that it is time we all recognize and begin to address the historic and contemporary structural racism that plagues our country,” Laursen said.
I have lived in Pleasanton for virtually all my life. I have witnessed the community change from tiny town, to suburb with affordable housing, to a business center with great neighborhoods and schools.
The character of the community has shifted as the wealth has grown. It’s become a place where there’s an open question of how well you know your neighbors where once neighbors knew each other pretty well.
In the last 10 years, the it has become much more diverse ethnically as Indian and Asian families have flocked here for the quality schools and quality community. To my knowledge, they have been welcomed and there’s been no overt backlash.
The trustees blundering into this issue is like what they did earlier this year when they responded to state schools chief Tom Torlakson’s request that they declare Pleasanton a “sanctuary school district.” By policy, it already was, but trustees and senior staff could not resist dipping into national politics with the action.
Trustees, who have hired a new superintendent, Dave Haglund, to stabilize a district characterized by leadership turnover. They would be well-advised to stick to that focus and leave the national politics to those in those roles.
One follow-up from Tuesday blog post: If you want the poster child for disruption in the retail business consider Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods, otherwise known as “Whole Paycheck.”
Monday, after the deal closed, Amazon slashed prices on everyday items, throwing the traditional, low-margin grocery business into a tizzy. The Whole Food price cuts—from $9.99 to $7.99 for an organic rotisserie chicken, still leave the price point higher than traditional supermarkets, but being within hailing distance.
Amazon also will leverage the new store locations by placing its lockers there so customers can pick up items when they do their grocery shopping.
This will be interesting to watch how this works over time. Amazon has revolutionized the online shopping business—how will the fresh food acquisition with its storefronts open additional opportunities?
Local Journalism.
What is it worth to you?

Comments

Posted by Scary, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 10:24 am

With the misguided and ridiculous perception that "systematic racism characterizes our country," this is absolute proof that the governing board has been in a role of no longer providing an education for students, but engaging in systematic political indoctrination of students that perpetuates the entire District dogma which can be summarized succinctly as: 1) white males oppress or harass all and 2) everyone else is a victim.

This may go a long way to explain why white male principals, vice principals and teachers have run as fast as they can to the exit door.

Meanwhile, the students have no room to park at Amador, and they haven't bothered to spend ongoing maintenance repair funds so that many of the schools' facilities are in such disrepair that some resemble photos you would find of ramshackle schools from the 1950s.


Posted by American, a resident of Danville,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 12:13 pm

This is similar to the Bart Board spending their time and resources announcing Bart is a " sanctuary". With all the mistakes, blunders, problems facing Bart, and Pleasanton school district, they prioritize getting involved in federal immigration issue while ignoring what their real jobs they were elected to do. Take care of your own numerous problems first, and don't throw stones if you live in a glass house.


Posted by Jake Waters, a resident of Birdland,
on Aug 31, 2017 at 8:48 pm

Jake Waters is a registered user.

@Tim

I agree and appreciate your sentiments. One of your points says it all: "The trustees blundering into this issue is like what they did earlier this year when they responded to state schools chief Tom Torlakson's request that they declare Pleasanton a “sanctuary school district." By policy, it already was, but trustees and senior staff could not resist dipping into national politics with the action." So true, so true.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Sep 1, 2017 at 2:05 pm

now lemme see...we live in a world most people dont even need anything...you post a comment on a blog and your buds say right on and other call you nasty names...that's gang kinda stuff!

I've experienced "racism" and hate towards people of color in Plutonia...stuff happens.

At age 75, I don't get so hung up as when I was younger. Over time, all of us die off...move into the ether or go just 6 feet under. I don't really care where others go...I wanna be cremated and placed in a secret place. Maybe I'll have my ashes dropped over Plutonia from a helicopter or in a public liberry...


Posted by Ptown Mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 5:02 pm

Tim,
You could not be more out of touch and wrong. Systemic racism is exactly how this country was built. To think that our kids will be immune is ignorant.
How do you know there has been no backlash? Are you an Asian or Indian person? I have been told, pay people who have experienced it firsthand, of many instances of not so welcoming behavior toward new neighbors.
Please explain why some populations of students do not perform as well as others in our wonderful school district.
I'm proud to call Pleasanton home and thank the board and new Superintendent Dr. Haglund for taking a bold stance.


Posted by parent, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 5:32 pm

The real reason that some Asians and some White students do better than some Latino or Black students is because many send their students to the many of the several dozen tutoring centers and heritage schools in Pleasanton. It is an economic issue and most people don't have $10,000 to spend annually on external tutoring, but many of the families in Pleasanton do. This is out of reach for many Latino and Black families as well as Asian and White families who do not have the economic means to pay the high price of 1:1 tutoring.

The quality of many Pleasanton teachers is questionable; otherwise, all of these tutoring centers would never be able to stay in business.

The other reason why the PUSD leadership is so dysfunctional is that they believe in the teachings of the "Pacific Education Group" a consulting group which espouses the theory that "It describes schools as “oppressive systems" with “hostile environments" that are “infested with token people of color and racist white people who uphold White Supremacy.""

Most teachers know this is a bunch of false B.S. but they don't criticize fellow teachers because it is not allowed in their collective bargaining agreement. Also they will be targeted for removal by the leadership including Odie Douglas and Micaela Ochoa and the new superintendent.

A teacher's take on this is in the opinion piece in the Merc this weekend - - -

Web Link

So rather than the school board dismissing bad teachers, they will blame some sort of external reason like racism.


Posted by Progress, a resident of Bordeaux Estates,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 7:25 pm

Believe me when I tell you that as a non white resident of Pleasanton there is plenty of backlash.
My family and I experience it daily. Not the overt racism that you are probably looking for but plenty of things to remind us that we are changing the town, and the implication is that it is not for the better.
How many of your new neighbors, who are not white, do you invite into your circle?


Posted by Michael Austin, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 7:49 pm

Michael Austin is a registered user.

My response to Progress question:

All of them!


Posted by Michael Austin, a resident of Pleasanton Meadows,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 8:09 pm

Michael Austin is a registered user.

parent:

Many Asian parents tend to tutor their children in home, work with the child like a teacher, not a parent during the school home work time, raising questions, encouraging questions, researching together as student & teacher for the answers. Secondly, when the home work is finished, they are satisfied as a family should be.


Posted by Scary, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 8:22 pm

Aaron Benner, a black teacher in the Minneapolis/St. Paul public schools, believes the "systematic racism" and "whites are oppressive" lines peddled by PEG Pacific Education Group (and now PUSD leaders presumably) are complete lies. PEG makes millions in consulting fees pushing the mantra that white teachers and white students should feel guilty for thousands of years of "white supremacy." Furthermore PEG peddles the lines that black students or students of color should not be disciplined to the same standards as other students because, insulting as it seems, PEG says that blacks and people of culture act in inappropriate ways because it is a "cultural norm."

Take a look:

Web Link

Web Link

Web Link

Obviously, black people and people of color are extremely astonished and angry to hear this ridiculous set of PEG pronouncements.

Also, Benner - a black teacher - was retaliated against by the District administration when he criticized the PEG rhetoric that was being rammed down the teachers' throats in the Twin Cities.

I agree with Tim Hunt and Michael Austin. Also, I do not believe that 99% of Pleasanton residents are racists and that the nation is based on systematic racism. I do believe that the School Board are poor leaders that do not represent the community.

I also believe that the School Board has hired a number of questionable hires and consultants at PUSD in the last decade. Also, instead of blaming themselves, they will come up with each and any excuse as preposterous and radical and divisive as it seems to come up with reasons that that PUSD students of all ethnic groups are not successful. However, the bottom line is that it is the School Board's fault.


Posted by Ptown mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 8:33 pm

Scary,
I suppose if you don't believe it then it is not true. I sure hope we can find a school board which espouses that fantastic philosophy.


Posted by Scary, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 8:52 pm

Tim Hunt stated:

"But trustees went beyond that, arguing that systematic racism characterizes our country.
Excuse me."

I agree.

No wonder teachers and staff having to sit in so-called diversity training in public schools around the country where they are being accused that they are like the KKK and told to reflect on slides entitled "When Do You Wear the Hood?" with a picture of someone in KKK garb are leaving the profession.

Web Link

Laursen's comments were toxic. No wonder the School Board has little to no respect in this town from community members, parents, teachers, staff and the press.


Posted by Ptown mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 9:26 pm

Scary,
I and my large group of friends and famiy here in town support and respect our school board, administrators, teachers and every other employee that works on behalf of our kids. It is a hard job and while I may not agree with every move I know that everyone involved is working hard.

I guess you missed us in that survey you took to come up with you 99% figure.


Posted by Dan, a resident of Downtown,
on Sep 2, 2017 at 10:35 pm

I don't agree with Laursen's assertion that the nation and community are full of racists and those with "white privilege." In fact, I find it very insulting.

Also I do know that the head of the California Dept of Education hired the controversial Pacific Education Group / Glenn Singleton and shortly after, districts began to get on the White Supremacy bandwagon.

And I am very familiar that when San Leandro Unified scapegoated teachers and painted them as racists as part of the Pacific Education Group ( see Web Link for a sample presentation) seminars, within several months the teachers balked and voted no-confidence for Supt Christine Lim and a few months later she was fired.


Posted by Ptown mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 7:28 am

Dan,
I dont recall Mrs. Laursen or anyone saying that Pleasanton or the country is full of racists. I heard her talk of undertanding that people of different races experience different treatment sometimes. What is wrong with any of us trying to understand why that happens still? Do not be so easily insulted. Understanding that there is racism in our society and wanting to protect our students does not mean you are a racist.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 8:08 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

I'm really confused by this question asked of Tim by Ptown mom:

"Please explain why some populations of students do not perform as well as others in our wonderful school district."

To be sure, you are claiming that our district is "systematically" racist in this question, so how's about you tell us where it's at?

Go ahead, tell us what programs/people are outright racist?

I'm more than willing to go after racists in any form, but first, because you are making the claim, you are responsible to identify the racist so that we can address the problem together.

Absent the evidence of racism, you are just dog-whistling and virtue signaling. The same goes for the district in it's ridiculous statement. All platitudes.

There is an elephant in the room, but nobody wants to see it...and god forbid we talk about it.

The true racists are those who want to paternalise over whole cultures of people. You have destroyed the African American community with your incessant welfare programs and nanny-ism.

And lets never forget that slavery, Jim Crow, the KKK, the internment of American Japanese and MANY other racist acts were ALL started and progressed by DEMOCRATS.

Is it any wonder that as the South gets more and more Republican, it also has improving race relations? How can that be?

Want to see racist's? Go to any big Northern American city and left/right coasts.

Dan



Posted by Ptown Mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 8:51 am

Dan,

No dog whistle in that question and certainly no talk of democrats or republicans. I genuinely want to know why we see differences in who does well and I just don't think your simple answers are the whole reason. Clearly the mention of race makes you feel attacked.

I am not blaming democrats or republicans. No blame at all, really. I am simply questioning. I hope our leaders in this city keep asking the tough questions and sharing what they have learned and pushing for better for all who live here. It matters a lot and you'll be fine either way.

Stay cool.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:20 am

@DKHSK

Slavery, the KKK, and Jim Crow were all started by SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE Southern Democrats. There, I fixed that for you. Furthermore, you're talking about events over 100 years ago and SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE people who support those kind of things became more Republican over time since, after all, the Republican Party is the party of SOCIAL CONSERVATISM. Or are you going to try to convince us all that all those white supremacists we saw in Charlottesville were really all Democrats and voted for Hillary? Nope, they're all on your side of the political fence.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:27 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Truth hurts Sam, your revisionist attempts notwithstanding.

You have an amazing and annoying habit of not actually debating a point but pontificating and re-directing.

I'm still waiting for your "analysis" on Clintons email issues and Wikileaks before the last election.

I haven't forgotten.

Good day.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:33 am

Why is the Pleasanton School Board AND many other school boards and public organizations "blundering into national politics" about Charlottesville? Tim Hunt knows the answer to that, although he doesn't want to discuss it. We all know that answer to that: It's because we are now in the bizarre situation of having a President who - unlike Presidents of the past - has abdicated his responsibility of showing national moral leadership by not vigorously condemning racism and the KKK. That vacuum of moral leadership at the very top of the government has shocked many people into taking action for themselves and doing what the President Trump has failed to do: Vigorously and unequivocally condemn racism and race hatred in no uncertain terms. None of Trump's mealy mouthed talk about "both sides" being to blame or how there are "good people on both sides". Nope, people around the country are doing what Donald Trump lacked the moral courage to do: Condemn racism and racial hatred flat out.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:36 am

@DKHSK

Send me a check for $800 (8 hours for $100 an hour) and I'll be happy to thoroughly investigate the issue and deliver it to you in a nicely typed report, Dan.


Posted by Scary, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:47 am

What Tim Hunt is saying is that the school board condemned the country as being one based on systematic racism. What?

Many of the Districts in this area seem to be bringing in Singleton or some other consultant or staff member that convinces the District and the Board that their teachers are all racist. I even found where Singleton had written some articles for the Palo Alto Weekly. This San Leandro blog says the following:
Web Link

"She seemed convinced that the low scores of “black and brown" students were due to racist teachers not understanding their students. To address the problem, she introduced diversity teaching training and lax discipline policies for students of color, which contributed to an increase of classroom disruptions and a growing antagonism between the teaching staff and the administration. In 2008, San Leandro Teachers Association took a no-confidence vote against Lim, which passed with 90% of the vote. Lim was finally fired in December 2009, for undisclosed reasons. It would seem, that her measures to reduce the achievement gap not only had the effect of embittering teachers, but of actually increasing it."

By this "diversity teaching" she is referring to Pacific Education Group. Benner, the black teacher who criticizes PEG says:

“PEG was hired by SPPS in 2010 to help close the achievement gap. PEG makes no secret of the fact that its prescription for closing the gap is based on the Critical Race Theory. This theory argues that racism is so ingrained in the American way of life �" its economy, schools, and government �" that things must be made unequal in order to compensate for that racism.

“PEG pushes the idea that black students are victims of white school policies that make it difficult or impossible for them to learn. So, when a black student is disruptive, PEG, as I see it, stresses that it's not their fault."

So it sounds as if PUSD has been taking sips out of the PEG Kool-aid, they are not treating students equally at all. They seem to have embarked on some sort of social experiment training the teachers on "white privilege" so that the teachers will treat students of color not equally, but differently.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:48 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Ptown Mom,

You explicitly asked Tim: "Please explain why some populations of students do not perform as well as others in our wonderful school district." Clearly suggesting that "systematic" racism is the reason for differences in the district. And when I simply ask for proof of said "systematic" racism, your default answer is "No blame at all, really. I am simply questioning."?

Since the topic of the thread IS racism, and you clearly implied that the district is racist, please tell us where the racism is so we can work on eliminating it.

Otherwise, you're dog-whistling.












Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:54 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Sam,

With over 20 years in management and hiring 100's of applicant's, based on reading 1000's of your opinions, you're not worth more than $8.00.

Take it or leave it.

:)


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:56 am

@parent

Concerning the overall average academic performance of white and Asian students in Pleasanton versus Latino and black students, I don't think that paid tutors have much to do with that. In following the progress of my own child's classes through elementary school in Pleasanton, I've noticed a gap starting to emerge as early as the 1st and 2nd grades. Doubt that many parents are sending their kids to tutors at that age level, but I can see how the educational level of the parents and how much they emphasize education could make a big difference, and I think that that's the real factor. I remember helping my daughter with her first speech before her class in the first grade. We worked on writing out a short speech together, worked on some props together, and then went over rehearsing it many times. It was a great success. But my daughter benefitted from the fact that her father (me) was a professional who has given many talks and seminars and who thinks that education is important. Would a child of parents who had not gone to college have gotten anywhere near that same level of support in preparing for a class assignment? I think the answer is "probably not". Furthermore, we've all heard stories of how poor, first generation immigrant families raise children who go on to academically excel and enter top-tier universities. Think that those poor families hired tutors? Not likely. Parental emphasis on education and also tutoring by the parents themselves are the keys.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:58 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Scary,

Yes, the left is continuing the "systematic racism" trope but notice when you ask them for examples they go scurrying back into the dark.

Yes, they can bring up individual instances a-plenty, but that can cut across all races, so they stay away from those as much as possible. It's only when you challenge them on systemic that they can't seem to articulate any examples.


Its always the same thing with these guys and gals.


Posted by Scary, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:05 am

The PEG philosophy that racism is rampant and ingrained in the nation, the philosophy that Laursen is parroting, is appalling. I am also wondering whether someone could give me examples of "systematic racism" in the classroom.

PEG says having black children who turn homework in late should not be punished and it is fine because time as a concept is a "white privilege" concept.

PEG says that black children who hit teachers and students are perfectly fine because not hitting is a "white culture" social norm.

Web Link">Web Link gives some examples as to why Laursen's philosophy is so destructive in a website called educationviews.org. Web Link">Web Link

“It's so comical. PEG says shouting out in class is a black cultural norm, and being on time is a white cultural thing. It's so demeaning, so condescending to black kids. If a white person were making claims like this, black people would be in an uproar.
“You are not doing kids any favors by making excuses for them because they are black. It's not a matter of culture if you're talking about norms that all cultures need to abide by �" you cannot throw things or attack your teacher, regardless of your race."
When asked for examples of how school officials have chosen to ignore behavior issues involving black students, particularly boys, Benner has no shortage of disturbing tales.
“I remember two black boys humping on a second grade girl," Benner said. “The teacher wrote up a referral for inappropriate sexual behavior, but the principal and vice principal dismissed it by calling it ‘cultural dancing.'
“That's just plain racist. PEG ties everything to culture."

I do not believe that the teachers holding every student to the same standards of academic achievement or behavior, regardless of background, is 'racist.' If a homework assignment is due on a particular date, unless the student has been sick or had a serious family issue (e.g., a funeral, had some other extenuating circumstance), the students need to turn it in on time. It is preposterous that students of color can turn in the homework late because the PEG philosophy that only white students have the concept of time as being important.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:33 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Ptown Mom,

YOU made an accusation of systemic racism.

YOU need to tell us where it is.

I have ZERO tolerance for race-baiters and hustlers.


Posted by Ptown mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:39 am

Dan,

Simply asking questions. If you don't have answers that is okay. These problems are complicated.[removed]


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:40 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Ptown Mom,

You said: "Earlier in the thread someone said that Latino and Black families can not afford tutoring. Is that a stereotype or do you know they aare poor?"

What?

The example you gave is not indicative of "systematic racism", so stop moving the goal posts.

Then you go on to say: "Pleasanton is expensive and I personally know Latino and Africnan American familes that are well to do.
I just want to know why we see this pattern in our great schools."

I've asked now three time and this will be my last: what pattern are you talking about, specifically?

GIVE US EXAMPLES OF RACISM IN OUR GREAT SCHOOLS?!

Dan


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:42 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Let's be very clear about this: you are making accusations, not asking questions.


Posted by Ptown mom, a resident of Bonde Ranch,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 10:46 am

[removed] I am asking questions. I am not sure if systemic racism is the reason for all of those things. I am not sure that systemic racism is NOT the reason for all those things. There certainly is not an abundance of "proof" either way.

It remains puzzling and I am thankful our leaders will do the hard work needed to better understand this complicated issue.

I have students in the system and this is very important to me.


Posted by Sam, a resident of Oak Hill,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 11:02 am

@DKHSK :"Ptown Mom, YOU made an accusation of systemic racism. YOU need to tell us where it is. I have ZERO tolerance for race-baiters and hustlers."

She wrote "Systemic racism is exactly how this country was built.". That's the exact quote, and it is true since there was black slavery in this country. You're going berserk trying to make it seem that she wrote something else that she did not.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 11:34 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Sam,

And exactly what is the point of saying "Systemic racism is exactly how this country was built."?

We're not living in the past, so what is the point and how do contextualize that to the present situation?

Come on smart guy, give me examples of current "systemic" racism. I'm happy to discuss.

I absolutely despise race-baiters of any stripe.

Dan


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:17 pm

DKHSK is a registered user.

Ptown Mom,

Yep, I'm calling you what you are and you have no response.

Race baiter. Its all right there in your comments.

Wear it.


Posted by Ptown Mom, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:23 pm

Dan,

You truly are amusing. But I won't call you names because I don't engage in bullying tactics when I am feeling threatened.

It's simply not productive.


Posted by Disturbed by school board rants, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:30 pm

I am very disturbed by the school board's diatribe and rant. Also I am very disappointed that they seem to know absolutely nothing about history. In Virginia, indentured servants initially were used for labor. In fact, most of these people were white. PUSD seem to spout all about hatred and seem to know nothing. Don't they realize Virginia voted to be part of the Union multiple times before finally voting to secede? I guess not. Also it is PUSD and the board that eliminated the remedial reading specialist program so that anyone behind in reading including blacks and Latinos could catch up. It is their decision to eliminate the remedial reading specialist and Barton reading programs, not systemic racism or racist teachers, that is to blame.


Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:56 pm

[Comment removed because it was inappropriate]


Posted by Pecking order, a resident of Grey Eagle Estates,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 3:55 pm

I'm from Massachusetts and have lived in Pleasanton for several decades, and I've concluded that most East Coast schools graduate students with a 12th grade education, but Pleasanton schools have deteriorated to such an extent that they now graduate students with an equivalent education of somewhere between 8th and 9th grade. I didn't go to Boston Latin School either, but a regular public high school.

Why do you think the Silicon Valley corporate firms and high tech companies have stopped locating here? There is a prime location with freeway frontage next to 680 where Clorox was for a high tech corporate campus, but the only interested party is Costco? High tech companies in Silicon Valley or companies funded by VCs know the downfall with PUSD and would never expose their employees to such chaos. Who wants to deal with the lost productivity of their workforce in day to day dealings with the district?

Students are also not treated equally. Children of admins/teachers and contractors and high donor PTA and high donor PPIE folks have the clout so that their children treated the best---teachers hand-pick the best teachers from grade to grade. If the principal does not go along with their wishes, the union removes the principal with a grievance or worse. The children of admins/teachers/contractors/sports league coaches also are the ones that get picked for positions in sports and music and drama class/team positions. Next are the regular parents who send their children to tutors that are also teachers and pay the teachers directly. Money definitely talks in this town.

By the way, also Massachusetts was the first colony to have slavery when it passed laws in 1641. The Southern colonies were settled by 1/2 to 2/3 indentured servants with labor contracts from Europe. This was to pay the costly passage across the Atlantic, and most white Europeans were under a labor contract in America for multiple years to pay off the debt of passage to America.

I don't think that qualifies as racism being the foundation of America, does it?

And as far as the school board latest drama, don't they know that the person who basically finds the CEOs and C-position positions for 95% of the Silicon Valley firms and VC start-ups is from Virginia? Also, I don't recall that the Board condemned Occupy Wall Street riots and violence across the U.S. And why is that?

The Board needs to take responsibility for canceling the remedial education programs they ditched that helped subgroups with learning disabilities. Also perhaps it needs to open up a history book or since it seems to be clueless about many things including history which is disturbing. Also, if they really feel that racism is rampant in America and America is rooted in racism, perhaps they really should not be in the business of education children.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 4:54 pm

DKHSK is a registered user.

"Sytematic Racism: Arpaio"

Qualifying for the most ridiculous comment uttered yet.

Let me point out the obvious to you genius: Arpaio is a MAN not a system. Do keep up.

Thus ends my loooong habit of not responding to anything you write.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 5:00 pm

DKHSK is a registered user.

Sam wrote: "Would a child of parents who had not gone to college have gotten anywhere near that same level of support in preparing for a class assignment? I think the answer is "probably not". Furthermore, we've all heard stories of how poor, first generation immigrant families raise children who go on to academically excel and enter top-tier universities." He goes on to say "Parental emphasis on education and also tutoring by the parents themselves are the keys."

So Sam is admitting that it isn't racism, systemic or individual, that is the issue. He clearly indicates its culture.

Thanks Sam.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 5:01 pm

DKHSK is a registered user.

I think Cholo's comment should stay up. Let the light expose him/her.


Posted by Jake Waters, a resident of Birdland,
on Sep 3, 2017 at 7:15 pm

Jake Waters is a registered user.

To everyone commenting: Are we having fun yet? LOL, my head is swirling from the back and forth.

@DKHSK: Just giving a shout out that I agree with you and keep it up. Stay strong!

@Sam: commenting on one of your repeating talking points that you never get tired of and, unfortunately, are wrong again. You said, "It's because we are now in the bizarre situation of having a President who - unlike Presidents of the past - has abdicated his responsibility of showing national moral leadership by not vigorously condemning racism and the KKK." Come on Sam. He came out about it several times, but all of you regressives just don't want to hear it. He has denounced the KKK many times in his past, but you don't want to hear it. Look how long it took for your precious Democrats to come out against the oxymoron group Antifa, when Pelosi finally had to be forced to say something. You throw the word 'racist' around as if it is a catch all for everything including climate change. Be careful of your labeling everyone who doesn't agree with you as a racist, because it may come back at you and stick.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 4, 2017 at 9:39 am

DKHSK is a registered user.

Thanks Jake.

Dan


Posted by BobB, a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood,
on Sep 4, 2017 at 2:59 pm

BobB is a registered user.

@DKHSK and Jake Waters,

But did really put his foot in his mouth when he said "... you also had very fine people on both sides." No you didn't have very fine people on both sides. I keep hoping that he'll start thinking before he speaks...


Posted by Jake Waters, a resident of Birdland,
on Sep 4, 2017 at 6:01 pm

Jake Waters is a registered user.

@BobB

I agree with you BobB, that was not the best response, and to be clear, I am not hear as a PR person for Trump, nor are my intentions to defend him, history will be the judge of that. I just believe in fair representation for anyone in that position, not to be determined by extrememedia.


Posted by DKHSK, a resident of Bridle Creek,
on Sep 4, 2017 at 7:32 pm

DKHSK is a registered user.

BobB,

Point taken. I agree that Trump is not the most eloquent of speakers, but he is absolutely not a racist.


Posted by Sgt. Friday, a resident of Danville,
on Sep 5, 2017 at 6:54 am

Sgt. Friday is a registered user.

Take it from me, folks: the fish is the very last one to know that he's in the water.


Posted by Regina Nestor, a resident of Livermore,
on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:48 pm

Regina Nestor is a registered user.

I find Sam's comment, "Would a child of parents who had not gone to college have gotten anywhere near that same level of support in preparing for a class assignment? I think the answer is "probably not", extremely insulting.

I never went to college. As a widow, I raised three children alone. After working a full time job all day, I sat up many nights going over homework, practicing for plays, sewing costumes, correcting essays, etc. and managed to put all three of them through college, one through grad school and one through law school without having gone to college myself. I am disgusted by educational snobbery. Education level is NO MEASURE of intelligence or parental dedication. I know many parents today who have college degrees and couldn't care less about their children or their education. The only time you hear from them is if their taxes go up 20 cents to pay for their local schools. If they can look up from their phones long enough, that is.

Your comment is an insulting generalization. If you are so educated, you should know better.


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