Carolyn's Corner

April 21, 2006

As most of you know by now, Dr. Mays has resigned from her position as superintendent as of June 30, 2006 citing her inability to continue to work with the majority of the Board of Trustees. The press has been covering the unfolding story ever since. As these events have been occurring, many of you have asked what's going on and how can we change Dr. Mays' mind.

While there is a group of teachers who are okay with Dr. Mays' departure and believe that this is the “best Board we've ever had”, most of you have been saddened by her departure and angered by the behavior of some Trustees. Never before in my thirty eight years in education have I seen tears shed when a superintendent leaves, but I've seen them at site after site, and at several public gatherings. Sadly, the community is blaming the Union as the majority of the Board are considered the “Union vote”. We need to make it clear that we don't consider them the union's vote nor do we consider them union supporters. Let me give you some examples of their anti-union, anti-teacher, anti-district behavior.

To begin with, there's Sharon Gray's unwavering support for secession, her strong campaign against P.V. High, and her recent public support for the Governor's Agenda that labor fought so tirelessly to defeat.

Next, Trustee DeHart has led the Board to reject more than one of our Tentative Agreements with the district. The most egregious was her leadership in rejecting our agreement to take furlough days to help the district budget. She instead proposed freezing step and column to make up the deficit, a move that strikes to the heart of any union's philosophy of equity for all members. She is also the Trustee who called the press and stopped the district administration from getting the training to implement the AFT reform model which empowers the teachers' voice at the site and district level. And, in spite of be well aware of the laws against it, has been the leading trustee in meeting with teachers regarding working conditions that are our exclusive bargaining right.

Trustee Nichols began her tenure on the Board by publicly and loudly opposing PV High knowing fully that it was the only site that could be used within the narrow window of the hardship money. She recently supported the election of Gray as President of the Board which is one of the key events that led to Dr. Mays' departure. In spite of the union's lobbying of her, privately and publicly, to retain the position of Director of Certificated Personnel which is the key position that PVFT uses to resolve members' issues, she voted with the others against keeping it.

Finally, due to recent press articles, it is becoming increasingly evident that the Board majority has been in continuing violation of the Brown Act which requires that district issues and policies are to be discussed by Trustees only in public session. If they are meeting to discuss anything regarding the district, it is a violation of the Brown Act and the public trust. I have been involved with many Boards over the years, many of them bad, but this one is the worst by far. Their arrogant disregard for the laws of California, their micromanagement of DO personnel, and their anti-union positions lead me to believe that PVFT should deliver a vote of no confidence in their ability to govern PVUSD. I believe that should be the first step that we take as a union. I welcome your input on any of these critical issues.

Carolyn Savino