jvc wrote on Oct 9, 2008 7:54 PM:Many school board members in the county
are the pillars of the community that are helped get elected by self-interest
groups! The electorate of the people must take back the electoral process!
No more powerful self-interest group board members on our school boards!
There are only three issues for determining school board members:
1) students 2) students 3) students.

raa wrote on Oct 9, 2008 9:38 PM:I agree with jvc. I am a teacher and the union is only interested in its own protection. Please do not vote for union endorsed canidates. Our kids deserve better.

Lisa wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:11 PM:To RAA. if you were really a teacher and you knew what each of these candidates bring, their experiance,goals, and knowledge of the district. you would not be voting for the 3 other candidates,no way.

Skip wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:23 PM:The answer is simple. Simply vote for the candidates that the UNION does NOT Support.

Where have all of the signs gone wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:30 AM:There were many signs out on Sunday that supported Anderson, Fernandez, and Dr. Guffanti and now they are missing. It is sad that there are obviously people who never learned to play by the rules and leave the signs alone. Please be respectful.

Samuel wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:48 AM:Signs, signs and more signs! It is obvious that most of the VTA funds was spent on signs. Too many signs so close together is an eye sore and an insult to area residents. Please continue making fools of your selves and littering our beautiful area. What a joke.

vote wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:40 AM:because kids deserve better you should vote Lilly, Chunka, and Jaka. If these folks are endorsed by the teachers in the VUSD, then they are what is best for students - because the number one concern of teachers IS the students. VUSD teachers don't have an "agenda" like some of the others.

And as far as spending the most to date, if you divide that $22,000 into 3 you come up with an average of about $7,500 per candidate. It seems Guffanti alone is the one garnering the most $$ for this race, even if he is sharing it with the other 2 candidates. I would question a candidate receiving so much money from a developer. What's in it for the developer??? I would much rather see money coming from a group of people who are right there in the trenches with the students and know what kind of leadership would be most beneficial for their success.

Union attempts to buy wrote on Oct 10, 2008 5:48 AM:It looks like all the candidates raised about the same amount of money. But the union wants control of the $200 million budget. Who can blame them? It makes negotiation super easy and no board member who wants to keep her seat dare vote against them.

Remember Barbara Donovan? Board president, 6 year incumbant, the union dumped her because she she voted to consider charters. All she wanted to do is serve the students and she was out.
I hope the voters can see past the money of the special interests and vote for the community candidates - Anderson, Fernandez and Guffanti.

He Said wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:10 AM:Thank you raa @ 9:38 PM. Based on where the money is coming from the union has more fiscal interest in these three than ordinary citizens. One thing to remember is the ratio of union membership to the whole of the voting public. Where does the union get that kind of money per member? Taxes?

Beth wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:16 AM:I am sure that raa is a teacher in another district! This district needs a BAILOUT from the insanity that is Guffanti. God help us if he wins again!

Lisa wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:57 AM:Once again, name calling and finger pointing rears its ugly head. Alas, doing that only serves to make you look desperate and see through. I'm laughing inside and out. Pathetic people.

Three candidates wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:09 AM:There are only three candidates who want the best for our children and our district and who have no hidden agendas. These three support public education and send(sent) their children to public schools. They will support FACT based teaching of science and sex education. They supported the building of new schools in our district.

If they are elected, there will be no more turmoil in the district We will have a NORMAL school district like all the other districts around us.

Those three are Elizabeth Jaka, Angela Chunka, and Steve Lilly.

To Vote wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:48 AM:If you are only looking at the $22,526 from the Union and dividing it by 3 then you have failed to look at the funds the 3 individuals have raised.

In checking with the Registrar of voters i note that Fernandez and Anderson don't have individual accounts, and so you'd have to divide the Guffanti account by 3 as well. Thus, each is only spending about $4,942. According to this the Union alone is spending nearly double what each of the other three are spending.

As for the comments from bloggers about special interest money: Union Money is SPECIAL INTEREST, and don't be fooled that their interest is Education or Students. A former President of the NEA clearly stated, "The Union will represent Students when the Students start paying dues!" Parent also don't pay dues, and are therefore shut down (Just attend any VUSD Board meeting and you will see the Union gets unlimited time while parents and community members are limited to 5 minutes).

Since many taxpayers are home owners, and since developers want property values to go up, and since good quality education at local schools helps to sell homes, I don't see anything wrong with a developer taking an interest in the education of the community they are working in. In fact, I'd seriously question any developer who simply wants to build houses and run away without showing any interest in the community and its citizens. Besides, many developers need quality workers who can read, write and speak English (it is far easier to communicate that way). So, why not help the schools to improve in their level of Education in these areas? Do you have something against children learning the basics? Finally, if you question developers why not question the owner of BioFilms? What is his agenda?

To Three Candidates wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:54 AM:Do you have any FACTS to show that Anderson does NOT Teach FACT Based Science or does not support Public Education?

Last time I checked she was a graduate of one of the top Scientific Institutes in the world, and teaches Public School Teachers at Public Colleges and Universities!

The Turmoil I've seen at VUSD Board meetings has routinely come from the VTA and its supporters against the minority members of the Board. I guess it is just a matter of perspective, and FACTS are nothing more than what you perceive.

Vista Watchdog wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:37 AM:It seems to me that the bloggers supporting the VTA Candidates are so insecure with their own candidate’s abilities that they must resort to innuendoes and unsupported false claims (lies). Over the past few weeks I've seen many attempts to attack Anderson, Fernandez, and Guffanti by "implying" that they would return VUSD to the days of the Recall. Why do the Union supporters have to constantly try to drag us back to those days? They never supply any facts to back up their claims about Anderson, Fernandez, or Guffanti. And when talking about their own candidates here too they only use rhetoric, no facts. I find it very hypocritical that these same supporters would claim their candidates "support FACT based teaching of science."
I know where my money is going: Anderson, Fernandez, and Guffanti: The only candidates with facts on their side. Not just a bunch of implications and innuendos about hidden agendas.

fooled no more wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:54 AM:Guffanti and Anderson both opposed Prop O that built our new VUSD schools.

Guffanti has opposed every VUSD school bond. We spent years with terribly overcrowded classrooms until the Prop O was passed.

To find the numerous letters to the editor that Patty Anderson wrote against Prop O do an advanced search of the nctimes archives under her alias (her married name)Patricia Johnson.

She also says she opposes all school bonds in an August 4, 2000 letter to the editor.

In an August 6, 2002 letter she complains that even though she opposed prop O she has to pay for it.

Tax Payer wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:58 AM:Here is another example of the Union trying to buy their next raise! Ill vote for anyone the Unions do NOT endorce. All the Union does is look for what benefits them not the children or the tax payers! I am thankful to the Union because they point out who I should NOT vote for!

Not implying wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:58 AM:We are not implying that Guffanti, Anderson and Fernandez will return us to turmoil, we are warning the community. It will happen again.

No one wants to see the chaos, that we saw in 1992-94. Guffanti, Anderson, and Fernandez have NEVER disagreed with even ONE thing that the 92-94 extremist board said or did.

To fooled no more wrote on Oct 10, 2008 10:58 AM:Where is your PROOF that Anderson opposed Prop O??? Do you have access to the voting records? Was she even involved in the VUSD election back then?

Where is your proof that her name is Johnson? Do you have a copy of her marriage record?

I happen to know from my personal relationship with her that she is, and has always been, Anderson, and NEVER been Johnson. So, you are attempting to associate her with someone she is not!
Why do you have to continue to lie about her? Is she really that much of a threat to your control of the $200 Million Budget? Control of the education? Control of the People of VUSD?

Nice try, but you need to get your FACTS straight and use know who you are talking about.

To Not implying wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:03 AM:Have Guffanti, Anderson, and Fernandez been asked to comment on the 92-94 extremists?

I happen to know that Anderson is very familiar with the CA Ed Curriculum Standards and teaches these Standards to her students at CSUSM. If she had a problem with them wouldn't it have shown up already?

I'd fear more those who would hide their Hidden Agendas by constantly attempting to "IMPLY" that other have them and who use scare tactics concerning events long since resolved and buried.

Why are you so fearful of people who speak the TRUTH anyway?

To Fooled no more wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:06 AM:Who are you fooling with your false claims and accusations? You have so much hatred for your opponent that you have to lie about people's names and associations. How are we to trust you with our children if this is the sort of person you are when running a campaign?

To Fooled no more wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:26 AM:I just did a quick check and found no less than 20 Patty, Patti, Patricia, and, P. Johnsons who currently live in the VUSD area. Can you show proof which of these was the submitter of the Letters to the Editor in 2000 and 2002?

The same search only shows a few Patty, Patti, Patricia, and P. Andersons. Also, I know these searches don't show everyone as some people remain unlisted.

Better come up with better PROOF than this set of disconnected and unsubstantiated claims.

to fooled no more wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:33 AM:If VUSD had not refused to take hardship funds in 2000 (you can check this FACT by doing your same advanced search and see where David Hubbard called Hardship Funds Welfare and refused to apply for them), we could have eliminated the overcrowding on our High Schools with the need for Prop O!
Speaking of high schools, why didn't the new high school get built first? Why were so many of our students forced to suffer their whole time in school in overcrowded classrooms (yes, many of those currently in high school attended grade school during the days of overcrowding)?
Wasn't it your union supported board who decided which schools to build first? Wasn't it this same group who let the option expire on the Stacco Property, forcing us to look elsewhere and pay millions of dollars more and wait years and years longer?

Better come up with some better arguments than your current batch of rhetoric!

To not implying wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:37 AM:Are you one of those Anti Christian Liberal Union fanatics?
You do realize the 1st Amendment protect Freedom of Religion, not Freedom from Religion. You better watch your schools very closely as you will find that the Muslim and other Religious Fanatics have already infiltrated to an even greater extent than the Christian fanatics you are trying to warn us about.

Patty wrote on Oct 10, 2008 11:46 AM:To Fooled no more.

I wrote those letters and I'm NOT Anderson! I'm also NOT running for School Board!
Finally, I still say the money was wasted!

VUSD Parent wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:33 PM:I am sure alot of teachers do not want their dues used to endorse Lilly, Chunka, & Jaka. They have no say in what the union does. VTA can waste their money. I will ignore all the signs they are putting up. I am voting for Anderson, Fernandez and Dr. Guffanti! They are the ones who really care about education and will not have to answer to the VTA.

Kate wrote on Oct 10, 2008 12:49 PM:To the person who posted the comment at 11:37 A.M.

Are you serious?? Muslim and other religious fanatics?? What a crack up! I am still laughing! You are loony.

Was on the Fence ... before... wrote on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 PM:I was on the fence about who to vote for until I went to pick up my son at Mission Meadows only to see big signs supporting Lilly, Chunka and Jaka in about 20 of the teacher's cars windows parked facing the pick up line so that we'd have to see them as we drove on campus.

This offended me and my husband so much we are now voting for Guffanti, Fernandez and Anderson. When teachers feel they should be bringing politics on school grounds and subjecting my children to VTA politics, they need to be stopped ASAP.

I don't particularly like Guffanti, but at least he has responded to emails, unlike any of the other board members, even though he is a medical doctor with huge responsibilities.

The new High School needs to be completed and I hope the new board members will push for a 10th grade class as was promised the voters.

(For those that do not know, those of use who signed up our Freshmen in the "save my spot" campaign were all told to take a hike.)

Goodadvice wrote on Oct 10, 2008 3:29 PM:Skip said it well. "The answer is simple. Simply vote for the candidates that the UNION does NOT Support". Very good advice whether it's the teacher union, the police union or the firemen union.

jvc wrote on Oct 10, 2008 4:31 PM:What Christian fanaticism?

Sam wrote on Oct 10, 2008 6:21 PM:As a teacher in VUSD I am appalled that so much money is going to the election. If I could keep my money I would but then there is the threat of being black balled. At this point I think there is no good candidate but a lesser of the evils. I don't support the union's choices, but I also don't support Guffanti. ... I say no to all of them and let's find people who care about the kids and not their own political gains!

Lisa wrote on Oct 10, 2008 7:53 PM:To "I was on the Fence".. political signs offend you, my your really sensitive huh? I'll tell you what offends me, school board candidates that don't believe in public education, don't have kids attending public schools.can't stay awake at forums, answer every question with the same tired line... "all kids should learn to read, write and speak english!"(no matter the question).That's what offends me, a few signs, nah.

To Lisa wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:21 PM:Your points are right on the money. You should add this as an irritation as well: Board Members who have a lousy attendance record at Board meetings. And Board Members who continue to post on blogs acting as if they are someone else.

There are some really, really scary people (unfortunately, voting) in this district. It is comical to read accusations that spew from their mouths about teachers only wanting control of the Board so they can ensure a raise. Are you serious?! Why would people with a minimum of 5 years of FT college become teachers if money is what they were looking for? Get real!! It is because of this venom that this community is so divided. And the children are the ones who suffer. Shame on you.

Lisa wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:33 PM:Thanks for the support. Yes, there are some scary, voters to be sure. I would bet most of them don't have kids at any of the public schools. Anyone who believes in public education would never vote for candidates that don't believe in public education. I just wonder how they all ended up in Vista? Please tell any and all of your neighbors, for our kids sake vote for the best candidates the "teachers choice" Chunka, Jaka, and Lilly.

concerned parent wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:52 PM:Why would the voters choose to not support the Teacher's Union (made up of VUSD teachers) school board candidates? "THOSE" teachers are the ones that spend more hours of the day with our kids than we do as parents. Morale is at an all time low because of the dictatorship of Dr. Bales. Dr. Guffanti needs to go. He will completely distroy our district if he is voted in again.

VISTAN wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:34 AM:To Lisa: I will tell you why teachers become teachers. It's not because they are so noble and dedicated, it's because education is one of the easiest majors in college. That's why. Many of them aren't qualified to teach the subjects they are teaching. That's been shown again and again by tests. Sure teachers back their own union's candidates. It's self-serving and don't tell me that a pay raise isn't a factor. Voters who have no children attending school in the VUSD should be quiet and allow those who do decide for them? All voters have an equal voice and all are taxpayers for your info. Futhermore, you characterize voters as "scary" who disagree with you. That's arrogance at its worst.

Lisa wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:58 AM::To Vistan" I can't believe what just came out of your mouth! Teaching is an easy degree, where have you been? Most of my kids teachers have their Masters Degrees,do you? What "tests" are you speaking of that measure how easy it is to be a teacher? I guess anyone who is represented by a union "has it easy and is self serving" huh? What about fire fighters, police officers, what about the school bus drivers and janitors, I guess those are self serving people too huh? "Arrogance"? Hardly, just realistic.

Samuel wrote on Oct 11, 2008 2:46 PM:Several blogs made derogatory comments about Dr. Guffanti. 10-10 9:52 PM states “he (Dr. Guffanti) will completely destroy our district if he is voted in again.” 10-10- 8:58 AM “we are not implying that Guffanti, Anderson and Fernandez will return us to turmoil, we are warning the community. It will happen again.” 10-10 6:16 AM “this district needs a BAILOUT from the insanity that is Guffanti. God help us if he wins again!” Blogs on other articles have had similar if not worse comments. I would appreciate someone explaining the source and proof of these claims and how only one individual could possibly be considered so dangerous to the VTA?

Voters aren’t ‘scary’ but closed-minded voters do concern me. Please open your minds and look at the facts. The 3-person VTA backed majority agreed to the cost overruns on Prop O and then signed the Edge contract without a complete and State approved set of plans for the high school project. Why did they do these things? That is another question that needs answering.

It is time for a change. Anderson, Guffanti and Fernandez will not only continue the successful programs of Dr. Bales but will not be pressured to make ill-fated decisions that others made. Our students need responsible parents to vote to continue District wide academic improvements. And, our bank accounts need responsible parents to elect Trustees that will do a better job with our tax dollars. Remember, vote for Anderson, Guffanti and Fernandez on November 4th.

FYI wrote on Oct 11, 2008 7:14 PM:Samuel IS Guffanti...

to VISTAN wrote on Oct 11, 2008 8:14 PM:Okay, so if it's so easy to become a teacher, why doesn't everyone do it? Have you ever stepped into a classroom? Getting the credential IS the easy part, you're right. Just because you have one, though, doesn't mean you're going to be a good teacher. All of you whiners out there that bash teachers should get your credential - since it's so easy - and teach. Then you, too, can benefit from all of the perks, i.e. great pay, time off, etc. But if teaching is not your calling, spending 7.5 hours everyday for 9+ months in front of students is a very long time.

Those of us who teach know what it takes, and know how challening it can be and love it anyway. Hearing the blather from people like you is what makes it hard.

Samuel wrote on Oct 11, 2008 11:22 PM:Here they go again. No, I am not Dr. Guffanti but thanks for the compliment. When he does blog he always makes it clear it is him. Again I ask, why is the VTA so afraid of him? He is only one person!

The word wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:17 PM:I think the word you're looking for isn't "afraid" of but "disgusted" by. There's something rather smarmy about these accusations.

And... wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:20 PM:I don't think it is meant as a "compliment," Samuel.

Samuel wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:52 PM:I am still waiting for responses to my 2:46 PM blog regarding the lack of over sight by the BOC and no attempts to ask the Board for such authority. Yes building costs increased but who is to say that the BOC could not have helped save taxpayers' money with authority from the Board? Since no one can predict what the country's economic future will be it is imperative that our new Board does not rubber stamp expenses without a thorough explanation why the increase in costs. Don't be influenced by the number of signs the VTA can put on the streets. Investigate the true facts and don't listen to rumor and inuendo. As I mentioned before one VTA candiate has a record with the BOC. There is no reason to believe this person would change her ways. It is our money.

VISTAN wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:18 PM:Vote for Dr. Guffanti, Patty Anderson and Eileen Fernandez for the Vista Unified School Board. Let's have a board that represents the public and not just the employees of the school district!

VISTAN wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:21 PM:The VTA is a union folks. Don't vote to place that union in control of the school board. That's called a CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

Voter wrote on Oct 12, 2008 2:30 PM:Vote for Dr. Lilly, Angela Chunka, and Elizabeth Jaka for the Vista Unified School Board. Let's have a board that represents the students, parents, and community members - for a change!

Lisa wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:08 PM:To Vistan..
A conflict of interest? I call voting in people who don't believe in public education a big conflict of interest,how about a board that represents the students. Vote for Jaka, Chunka and Lilly.

Samuel wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:28 PM:How about a Board that represents students and the taxpayers? have you ever noticed that VTA never mentions taxpayers? Anderson, Guffanti and Fernandez. They sure can’t do any worse than what the current VTA backed majority has done. In fact common sense dictates their votes will not be influenced by what is best for the VTA. Anderson, Guffanti and Fernandez for continuing the upward trend in academics and definitely better accountability of the taxpayers’ money.

VTA is not the teachers wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:22 AM:I've spoken with several teacher friends and while they do not support VTA's choices, they also are afraid to voice their opinion. Even tenured teachers can be nitpicked out of a job if targeted as "not team players".

Basically this board has wasted a lot of tax payers money and new blood is needed.

Lisa wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:31 PM:Oh my, I didn't realize the oppositon was so desperate to "fool" the voters. Of course it makes for good fodder if people think that teachers are not supporting their own candidates. And tenured teachers losing their jobs over candidates? Come on now,you gotta do better than that.

Thats funny wrote on Oct 13, 2008 8:19 PM:If the Union is so strong, why on earth would tenured teachers be afraid of being out of a job for being targeted as "not team players?"

You're so silly!

Now youre getting desperate... wrote on Oct 14, 2008 2:53 PM:Tenured teachers afraid of their own union?? You are trying to stir something up. You must be incredibly desperate. Union membership is optional. While it is recommended, it is not required. As for being afraid of being "nit picked" out of job, that's just absurd. Who has time to "nit-pick"? I'm busy doing my job... teaching. As for your "friend" who is "afraid"... like I said, you must be so desperate.

VTA is not the Teachers wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:40 PM:LOL! ABSOLUTELY there are teachers who are afraid to express their opinion, as well as being afraid not to pay union dues. VTA's usual tactics high pressure tactics just drove them underground.

Why do about two-thirds of the teachers I've talked to fully admit that they distrust the union, but feel they have to smile and nod - fearful of being targetted? hmmmm

I would never be a teacher, particularly in Vista. I could not stomach dealing with the union politics!

To VTA is not... wrote on Oct 14, 2008 5:20 PM:As you are not a teacher, you are obviously misinformed regarding "union politics". Additionally, I strongly doubt your "2/3's" number. Just more hype. As for "high pressure tactics", please give me one example. This is just more hype being spread to slander VTA. (yes, I fully expect you will supply an incredibly vague example which can not be validated). Hype, hype and more hype... slander and more of the same... throwing everything you can and seeing what sticks. A true act of nervous opposition.

The teachers in Vista know the true story. And better yet, the public is finally getting the full picture. Why don't you check out today editorial on Lindamood Bell and Dr. Guffanti. That may enlighten you.

VTA Rep wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:48 PM:I'm one of the VTA reps at my school and I can say with certainty that no one is pressured to join. It is really sad how desperate some people are in the district to paint VTA with the same brush of say, the Teamsters, as if they're out there carrying crowbars and breaking knees to get people to join. It has been my experience at 4 different schools in the VUSD (elementary, middle and high school) that the most committed to academic excellence have been the most active members of VTA.

How do you sleep at night? I agree, today's forum says it best.