My Resignation from the Newark Unified School Board
Folks have been asking if I’m okay, if my health is okay, in the wake of my resignation from the school board. I’m fine. However, I do feel I owe an explanation to the voters who elected me in November.
There were times in the past when I felt the board was operating in an environment conducive for change and improvement. For example, during the great recession of 2008 we pulled together to make difficult but courageous cuts in the face of big state takeaways. I was proud when we passed our Measure G bond, and we have since enjoyed new roofs, new play structures for our students, and HVAC systems that work!
While the past wasn’t perfect, I have become increasingly alarmed and have been outspoken about major shifts away from being transparent, fiscally responsible and compliant with laws and codes. The strengths I thought I brought to the equation have been interpreted by some as divisive and counterproductive. A letter I sent alleging certain open meeting law violations was brushed aside by the board and they publicly criticized me for the legal costs involved. Although I know my views and the changes I suggest are supported in the community, I no longer feel I can effectively work on them with the current board.
Without major changes initiated by the board, I believe fiscal and operational issues like these will continue:
There were times in the past when I felt the board was operating in an environment conducive for change and improvement. For example, during the great recession of 2008 we pulled together to make difficult but courageous cuts in the face of big state takeaways. I was proud when we passed our Measure G bond, and we have since enjoyed new roofs, new play structures for our students, and HVAC systems that work!
While the past wasn’t perfect, I have become increasingly alarmed and have been outspoken about major shifts away from being transparent, fiscally responsible and compliant with laws and codes. The strengths I thought I brought to the equation have been interpreted by some as divisive and counterproductive. A letter I sent alleging certain open meeting law violations was brushed aside by the board and they publicly criticized me for the legal costs involved. Although I know my views and the changes I suggest are supported in the community, I no longer feel I can effectively work on them with the current board.
Without major changes initiated by the board, I believe fiscal and operational issues like these will continue:
- The district has been deficit spending almost every year over my 16-year tenure. We began with a balanced budget in June 2018 but ended the year with a $1.9 million deficit.
- The latest letter from the Alameda County Office of Education warns that the district may not be able to maintain its required three percent (3%) reserve over this and the following two years.
- The board voted against beginning a school consolidation study to reduce costs in the face of declining enrollment and a surplus of buildings.
- Service contracts have been written after the work was performed and invoices have been paid far beyond contract limits.
- Recently the board was notified that classified management and confidential employees have been allowed to accrue unlimited vacation pay since 1995.
- Executive salary increases were hidden from the board and the public in part because open meeting laws were violated.
- Some agenda item descriptions have been insufficient, and their financial impact hidden or obscured from the board.