Wednesday, March 01, 2006

And We Trust These People with the Welfare of our Children

The latest word to arise from the VAPAC situation is that the DLC and his office manager are refusing to step down from their positions, have instructed security guards to deny entrance to anybody but students, faculty, and sycophants and have essentially barricaded themselves in the building. Students, parents and faculty report the DLC maintains that the district has no authority to remove him or his mother from their employment. Interestingly, however, they will take the district’s pay and benefits.

Apparently the district has an affinity for administrators with a flare for exiting in a dramatic fashion. Seems that the previous principal of Fern Bacon Middle School, Gloria Nogales-Talley, who was removed from her position there under curious circumstances, pulled a similar stunt during her tenure with the Santa Ana Unified School District. We can’t do the story justice, so for more information we encourage you to find out for yourselves:

http://www.ocweekly.com/the-news/news/notes-from-the-banana-republic_2003-12-18.html

(By the way, Ms. Talley is now an interim administrator with Rosemont High School.)

As for the VAPAC situation we’re not sure what the ramifications of the DLC’s actions may be for the school, the faculty, or the students. Additionally we’re not entirely sure what the district’s next move will be. We only hypothesize that it is the intentions of the DLC to tie this thing up in lawsuits until they can find an educational entity to grant them their charter revisions.

On a final note, just as they did with “those teachers” from last year, the DLC’s are attempting to impugn the reputation of Allen Young by dragging his name through the mud. As far as our research has shown, no complaints or grievances have ever been filed against him, and he has never been asked to step down from a position or resign under suspicious circumstances.
…And he’s never blockaded himself in his office instead of leaving with dignity.

19 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The observations made in this post appear to be fairly accurate.

The administrative action (apparently supported by Depot Park) to bar district personnel from accessing the campus poses some interesting questions. Can district superintendents be barred from observing VAPAC staff who are under their supervision? Can the district retaliate by pulling out all of their employees, which would effectively close the school? Can the DLCs prevent union representatives from meeting with teachers and noncertificated staff on site?

Also, legal proceedings are apparently under way. Can school funds be used to finance legal action against the district?

Further, does anyone know who the members of the VAPAC Board of Directors are? I would appreciate any listing of their names, occupations, and the constituency which the appointed (non-elected) representatives are said to represent.

Tomorrow I will try to post additional information about the charter revisions and the DLC letter to the district.

1/3/06 22:58  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK! My kid will not be attending that place any longer! These are scarey ass people! There's a large group of us (parents) who will not allow our kids to be subjected to this type of behavior. These are not adults that are stable.

What's next? My concern is that these people are crazy enough to have a gun or something!

It is time for the folks with the white jackets that tie in the back to come pay the dlc's a visit!

2/3/06 05:58  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can we assume that the district has no control over their own employees? Better yet, can we assume that the district has no control or oversight with respect to all of these new schools that they charter? Finally, isn't there some kind of background check or psychological exam required to work with kids at a school site? If not maybe there should be...

2/3/06 10:10  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Todays lesson is: Crazy Behavior is equal to "the dlc's"!

Time to revamp the "Wanted Poster" me thinks!

2/3/06 10:23  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ding Dong, They are crazy as hell!

2/3/06 10:28  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

charter info can be found here:

http://myschoolonline.com/site/0,1876,1618-210300-1-107641,00.html

2/3/06 13:48  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looking through the charter revisions, I find some disturbing changes:

1. VAPAC will no longer recognize the union-negotiated contracts of teachers and noncertificated staff. They will set the terms and conditions for all employees.

2. VAPAC will create their own salary schedule for employees. Does anyone believe this will be beneficial to the staff?

3. The charter revision does not mention providing employees with medical, dental, or vision care benefits. How many quality teachers will work without these necessities?

4. The retirement options for staff (mention in the most current charter revision) are vague and include Social Security as one option. No right-minded teacher would trade STRS for Social Security ever.

5. While MANY of the provisions in the charter are not currently being met by the school, they are seeking a charter extension to 2011.

Also, I still cannot understand why the VAPAC Board of Directors appoints members to its board. Parents, teachers, and students are not allowed to vote for their representatives. Is this the way a public school should operate? As it stands, the Board of Directors appears to consist of the DLCs and their personal friends.

Here is the specific charter wording: "VAPAC Charter will employ decision making through its Board of Directors of its Board of Directors which will consist of members elected by the Board of Directors to represent administration, certificated staff, classified staff, support personnel, parents, community members, and students/alumni."

The charter revisions solidify the DLCs control over the school. It's a horrible deal for teachers and staff. Please let the school board know how you feel. The power to approve or deny this charter lies in their hands.

2/3/06 17:40  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Today's VAPAC News:

District staff were again turned away from the school by security. A school that previously felt that a hall monitor was a superfluous need has managed to arrange daily security to protect staff and students from SCUSD personnel. I feel safer already.

2/3/06 17:44  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Drove by the school tonight. Something was going on. Didn't stop to check it out, but you can gain access to Depot Park through the cafe, can't you? Or are they stopping people from entering the building?

The district should pull all of their employees, reclaim their property, and call in the loan. They should then make special allowances for students to transfer to other campuses in the district and grant some kind of dispensation for the current seniors to salvage their senior year. It's too bad for the kids that the DLC's are willing to ruin these kids' school year by pulling something so stupid.

2/3/06 19:43  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The VAPAC Board of Directors sent a letter to the SCUSD School Board and Superintendent. The letter was dated February 28, 2006. In the letter, they detail the actions that they have been "forced" to take. I have duplicated that section of the letter here:

"-VAPAC employees Arbatel de la Cuesta and Sonja Williams have been directed to continue their duties.

-The VAPAC Campus is private property leased exclusively to the Visual and Performing Arts Corporation. SCUSD has no authority or permission to utilize the facilities without the expressed written consent of the Visual and Performing Arts Corporation Board of Directors.

-Allen Young is denied permission to serve as interim principal at VAPAC. Furthermore, due to inappropriate conduct on the VAPAC campus in 2003-04, the VAPAC Board of Directors refuses to grant permission for Mr. Young to be a visitor on campus in any capacity.

-The Board of Directors denies permission for SCUSD contracted security officers to remain on the VAPAC campus. Any security deemed necessary by the Visual and Performing Arts Corporation Board of Directors will be provided under the Direction [sic] of the VAPAC Board and in conjunction with the existing Depot Park security.

-All SCUSD questions and concerns regarding VAPAC fiscal operational procedures as covered under the audit will be addressed in concert with Gilbert and Associations who are under contract by VAPAC to conduct a thorough and independet audit of the school. All further requests for information must be provided in writing and with adequate notice for the VAPAC Charter School to respond and consult with Gilbert and Associates.

Please direct further correspondence with regards to this issue and others currently under litigation to VAPAC legal counsel, John Lemmo at Foley & Lardner LLP"

2/3/06 22:07  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wonder if they have any idea that they have cut their own throats?

3/3/06 06:20  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Scary, these people seem to think that they are a private school. I hope that the district has cut off financial payments to the dlc's. Sadly they are not only cutting their own throats, but potentially destroying this program for the students because of their own selfishness.

3/3/06 07:12  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is the district planning any sort of parent meeting in regards to the current situation at vapac? As a parent of kids there I'm very concerned, and I know that many of the teachers are very upset about the current situation.

3/3/06 12:36  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I suggest that concerned parents contact the school board with their comments or questions. I can't see how this situation is beneficial for anyone aprticularly the students.

3/3/06 13:15  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's wack. When did Allen Young ever come to VAPAC prior to Feb 28th? I seem to recall he and ST. Hope's old super dropping off a check. But that's it. I think he talked with Ms. Siegert and Mr. Melchor but that's it.

3/3/06 16:41  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does anyone know if Arbatel has ever said he was a lawyer? There is an SNR article floating around in web-land that makes reference to ADLC being a lawyer, but the CA Bar does not know anything about him. He seems to be making a habit of practicing professions he is not qualified (or licensed) to perform. I think he would make a fantastic surgeon!

3/3/06 17:20  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please check out the Bee article and let Elizabeth Hume know what you think.

Article:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/breakingnews/story/14225506p-15049812c.html

Contact:

The Bee's Elizabeth Hume can be reached at (916) 321-1013 or ehume@sacbee.com.

3/3/06 20:22  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Allen Young Visited the VAPAC campus during the 2003-2004 school year and tried to "recruit" VAPAC's students to come St. Hope. He had no permission from any of the administration to talk to students of VAPAC. That is why he is barred from the campus.

You people disgust me. All that Arbatel is doing is protectiing what he and his mother have put THEIR time and THEIR money into building. They never once took from the schools money for their own personal wants and needs, but put their money into buying furniture and supplies for the school. VAPAC is a great place, and I am proud to support it.



Maybe you should know what you are talking about before you say it.

11/3/06 11:31  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time? Sure?
Money?! None of theirs I assure you. Aren't you a bit skeptical about $130,000 in missing funds? That's missing tax dollars...

As for Young's visit in December. He came with that Fortune woman to drop off a check. He asked the then office clerk if they could get a tour. They called many times but mother and son would not see them. The secretary said "I won't stop you..." So they took a brief tour of the campus.

That's all.

Get your facts straight dumb ass.

13/3/06 11:49  

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