A list of resignations

Below is a very partial list of individuals, connected to Kevin Johnson, who have resigned from their posts or been dismissed over the course of the current year.

June, 2008 – Kevin Johnson resigns as CEO of St. Hope and is elected Mayor of Sacramento in November 2009

February, 2009 – Sarah Z’Berg, Johnson’s administrative assistant, resigns (after only a few months) to take a job at the Capitol. Johnson’s special assistant, Chris Young, resigns to take a job in Obama administration

March, 2009 – Bernard Bowler, St. Hope Board member, resigns
Lori Mills, St. Hope Board member, resigns
Sam Oki, St. Hope Board member, refuses comment on resignations/investigation involving St. Hope and eventually resigns

April, 2009 – Robert Trigg, St. Hope Board member, resigns

May, 2009 – Rick Maya, executive director of St. Hope, resigns

June, 2009 – Inspector General Gerald Walpin is dismissed

August, 2009 – Kim Curry-Evans, Director of 40 Acres Art gallery, resigns
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The plot grows thick legs...

Today, an eye-opening 62-page report was released by two Republican members of Congress, (Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley) who directed their staff members to gather factual evidence and investigate the June 11, 2009 firing of Inspector General Gerald Walpin.

The report also suggests that Michelle Rhee, the school chancellor in Washington, intervened on behalf of Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, her current fiancé, who was under investigation by Walpin.

"The facts outlined in the referral give rise to reasonable suspicions about potential hush money payments and witness tampering at a federally funded entity," the congressmen wrote.

The entire document merits a thorough read.

Find it here

County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

Sacramento County's series of free public clinics to distribute the vaccine against the H1N1 flu starts on Monday.

For the first two weeks, the vaccine will only be for those in priority groups
-Pregnant women
-Healthcare workers
-Persons caring for children under 6 months of age
-Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years
-Adults aged 24-64 with underlying medical conditions

If you plan on attending one of the free clinics, you may save time by downloading the consent form and bringing it with you.

Here is a complete schedule of the upcoming clinics:
Hiram Johnson High School
Monday, November 16th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
6879 14th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95820

Rio Linda High School
Tuesday, November 17th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
6309 Dry Creek Road
Rio Linda, CA 95673

Loaves & Fishes
Wednesday, November 18th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
1321 North C Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Casa Roble High School
Thursday, November 19th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
9151 Oak Avenue
Orangevale, CA 95662

Samuel Pannell Community Center
Friday, November 20th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
2450 Meadowview Road
Sacramento, CA 95832

Town & Country Lutheran Church
Saturday, November 21st 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
4049 Marconi Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821

First Covenant Church
Monday, November 23rd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
10933 Progress Court
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

La Sierra Community Center
Tuesday, November 24th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
5325 Engle Road
Carmichael, CA 95608

Scottish Rite Masonic Center
Monday, November 30th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
6151 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95819

North Highlands Community Center
Tuesday, December 1st 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
6040 Watt Avenue
North Highlands, CA 95660

Isleton Elementary School
Wednesday, December 2nd 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
412 Union Street
Isleton, CA 95641

South Natomas Community Center
Thursday, December 3rd 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
2921 Truxel Road
Sacramento, CA 95833

Antelope High School
Friday, December 4th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
4635 Elverta Road
Antelope, CA 95843

American River College
Saturday, December 5th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
4700 College Oak Drive
Sacramento, CA 95841

Sheldon High School
Monday, December 7th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
8333 Kingsbridge Drive
Sacramento, CA 95829

Anthony Pescetti Community Room
at City of Galt Police Department
Tuesday, December 8th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
455 Industrial Drive
Galt, CA 95632

Burbank High School
Wednesday, December 9th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
3500 Florin Road
Sacramento, CA 95823

Citrus Heights City Hall
Thursday, December 10th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
6237 Fountain Square Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621

Florin High School
Friday, December 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
7956 Cottonwood Lane
Sacramento, CA 95828

Franklin High School
Saturday, December 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
6400 Whitelock Parkway
Elk Grove, CA 95757

Mesa Verde High School
Monday, December 14th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
7501 Carriage Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95621

Folsom High School
Tuesday, December 15th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
1655 Iron Point Road
Folsom, CA 95630

St. Rose Parish
Wednesday, December 16th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
5961 Franklin Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95824

Sacramento High School
Thursday, December 17th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
2315 34th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817

Encina High School
Friday, December 18th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1400 Bell Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825

Rosemont High School
Monday, December 21st 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
9594 Kiefer Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95827

Natomas High School
Tuesday, December 22nd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
3301 Fong Ranch Road
Sacramento, CA 95834

Robertson Community Center
Monday, December 28th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
3525 Norwood Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95838

Sears - Florin Mall “Drive-Thru”
Tuesday, December 29th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
7000 65th Street
Sacramento, CA 95823

St. Anthony's Church
Wednesday, December 30th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
14012 2nd Avenue
Walnut Grove, CA 95690

First Baptist Church
Monday, January 4th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
4401 San Juan Avenue
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Elk Grove High School
Tuesday, January 5th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
9800 Elk Grove-Florin Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624

Grant Union High School
Wednesday, January 6th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
1400 Grand Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95838

Sunrise Mall “Drive-Thru”
Thursday, January 7th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
6041 Sunrise (behind Sears)
Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Inderkum High School
Friday, January 8th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
2500 New Market Drive
Sacramento, CA 95835

Valley High School
Monday, January 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
6300 Ehrhardt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95823

Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church
Tuesday, January 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
6929 Franklin Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95823

Christ Community Church
Wednesday, January 13th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
5025 Manzanita Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608

Sacramento City Public Safety Center
Thursday, January 14th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
5770 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822

County Administrative Center
Friday, January 15th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
700 H Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Confirmed: Montessori will move to TJ Elementary

California Montessori Project will be relocating to the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School located at 2635 Chestnut Hill Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826. School will be closed on Nov. 12th and 13th for the move and will resume on Monday, November 16th. SCUSD will provide bus transportation in the morning and the afternoon beginning Nov. 12th through the end of the school year.

Capitol Relocation Survey

Sacramento Press article about the move...
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Neighboring Folsom Cordova Unified to close schools

Last night at Mills Middle School, parents and community members came together to discuss school closures.

Six schools north of Folsom Boulevard in Rancho Cordova, could shut down for good, although the focus was on three - Cordova Lane, Riverview and Williamson elementaries.

One parent suggested that homeowners in Rancho Cordova may fight back by filing a class action suit, an injunction or even a restraining order to prevent the district from closing schools.

Although often unsuccessful, school closures can lead to lawsuits. This summer in Seattle, parents filed litigation on behalf of schools targeted for closure in the poor/minority areas of the city.

In Hawaii, the state is facing two federal lawsuits that seek to block Furlough Fridays in public schools, one representing nine students with autism and the other on behalf of regular and special education students.

Closing neighborhood schools will eventually awaken the sleeping giant of parents, teachers, community activists and education advocates (if it hasn't already).

Regardless of the outcome, defending against the protracted litigation that will eventually follow these closures will drain school districts of precious time and resources.
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Sac Ballet comes to Hiram Johnson HS today to preview future school of the arts

Hiram Johnson High School dance students will learn what it takes to be a professional dancer and
the diversity of styles as the Sacramento Ballet Company completes a sample workout and performs in different dance genres for students in the schools’ dance studio located in the Johnson gymnasium.

The visit is scheduled for today from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the school, 6879 14th Ave.
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Let's really be bold

On the editorial pages of the Sacramento Bee recently, writers have touted the successes of local school districts that have acted "boldly" in turning around our failing schools.

The reconstitution of Jonas Salk Middle School is cited in one editorial as the brave action that San Juan Unified took to improve its test scores.

Another laughable puff piece in the series displays the Bee's continued insistence that Sacramento Charter High School has been transformed by the St. Hope Corporation into a successful school with glowing reviews.

Well, we won't go there at the moment...

Instead, let's offer up some real alternatives on how to improve schools that show deteriorating test scores -- if that truly is the measure of how we are failing to educate our children.

For instance, the concept of building Smart Education Systems aspires to promote and sustain high-quality student learning on a grass-roots level -- at the school, in the home and in the local community. A smart system requires partnerships among the school district, other city agencies, cultural institutions, community groups, and businesses.

Examples of Smart Education Systems

Unlike the Bee suggests, we cannot close down schools and reestablish them again in leaner configurations. And we cannot solely abdicate our public responsibility to the corporate pressures of charter school reform and not expect to pay a high price for that surrender.

Another glaring omission in the Bee's editorial equation is the urgent need to involve parents as education advocates. The concept of Parent U-Turn is succeeding in The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Where is a similar implementation model for SCUSD?

The solutions are out there. We need to open our eyes and roll up our sleeves.
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Tom Barentson quits

Our friends over at the Big Education Ape reported Friday that Deputy Superintendent and CFO of SCUSD, Tom Barenton has resigned, effective October 15. Barentson has cited personal reasons for his departure.
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Luther Burbank groundbreaking today

The $24.5 million Luther Burbank Regional Sports Complex will commence groundbreaking ceremonies today at 10:00 a.m., at 3500 Florin Road, Sacramento.
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Listening or lecturing?

This evening, SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond will visit the Pocket area as part of a continuing campaign of outreach to district stakeholders. Councilman Robbie Waters, Board President Ray Grimes and Raymond will partner to present the "listening and learning tour of the district" tonight at John F. Kennedy High School from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

An opinion piece in the Sacramento Bee yesterday urged local communities to assert a "count us in" approach by informing state legislators of the "barriers that need to be removed in order to achieve dramatic turnaround of the lowest performing schools." The feel-good ideas of reconstitution, transformation, and culture change are bandied about, yet the crux of the matter centers on a very ugly couple of words -- school closures.

Today, the Bee's editorial page is touting the "reconstitution" of Jonas Salk Middle School (San Juan Unified) as a dramatic fix to that particular school's problems of low API scores and chronic underperformance. The editorial, in no small way, credits the miraculous and swift turnaround to performance-based pay for teachers and a corporate partnership with Apple Computer, Inc.

Do teachers really want the performance-based pay incentive?
Do parents ultimately want corporations in their public school systems?

Given the recent pressure for Race to The Top federal funding, the local competition for economic resources, and the opinion trend on the Bee's editorial page, the question stakeholders really need to ask is:

Should we buy what you're selling?

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KJ's art initiative brings "Any Given Child" to SCUSD

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Sacramento to pilot the Any Given Child program in SCUSD schools.

The initiative could reinvent arts education for schools struggling with budget cuts and fewer art teachers. The Kennedy Center will help identify the resources needed to create a tailor-made art curriculum for both the Twin Rivers School District and the Sacramento City Unified School District. The program will include teacher training and other resources, provided by the Kennedy Center at no cost.

Officials said they chose Sacramento out of a list of 27 cities in part because of the city's For Art's Sake initiative started by Mayor Kevin Johnson.
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Matusi to host health care town hall at Sutter MS

Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) will hold a town hall meeting tomorrow, October 10, at Sutter Middle School.
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Town hall meetings at SCUSD schools this week

The Sacramento Charter Review Committee is inviting the public to share comments about recommended changes to the city's charter. This week, the meetings will take place in local schools.

The schedule is as follows:

Tonight (Monday) Tahoe Park Elementary School, 3110 60th Street

Wednesday, Sam Brannan Middle School, 5301 Elmer Way

Thursday, Caleb Greenwood K-8, 5457 Carlson Drive

All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.
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Board Meeting tonight 6:30 p.m.

Agenda here