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KHSD candidates, teachers disagree on mailed invitations

On Saturday, a story ran in the paper about whether the Kern High Teachers Association reached out to all seven candidates. Here's a portion:

After re-checking addresses, the Kern High Teachers Association is insisting it sent interview invitations to all high school district trustee candidates before endorsing two of them.

Chuck Cournyea, Robert Frank and Chad Vegas said they did not receive an invitation. Charles Rodriguez did not respond to calls.

The group endorsed Bob Hampton and Bill Perry. It said it only considered those two and Larry Bly because the others didn't schedule an in-person interview. More...

Candidate Chuck Cournyea sent me a response on Saturday evening to the story:

The recent article in today's paper: "Group insists it mailed invitations," is a slap in the face of all Kern High School District voters.

It's amazing to me that Jan Graves found the time to call and verify what my address was but did not believe, as she stated, "it is not the association;s responsibility to chase down candidates." She was quick to call me when news broke they did not mail out invitations to the other candidates.

No one asked them to "chase" anyone done. A phone call would have done it. They made sure some people were there but not the rest. Why? Because their mind was already made up as to who they were going to endorse. Their actions speak louder than any words -- for the group's integrity and their endorsements are now in question.

What do you think? Is a mailed invitation enough?

Kern High Teachers Association endorse Hampton, Perry

The Kern High School Teachers Association announced Wednesday it’s endorsing incumbent Bob Hampton and candidate Bill Perry for the Kern High School District board.

The board only considered Perry, Hampton and Larry Bly for endorsement because the other four candidates did not arrange for an in-person interview.

Charles Cournyea, Chad Vegas and Robert Frank said they never received an invitation. Charles Rodriguez did not return a call Wednesday evening.

Teachers Association President Mitch Olson said the group got addresses for all seven candidates from the Kern County Elections Division and mailed them an invite.

“We believe we notified every candidate,” Olson said.

Cournyea said he is disappointed to not be considered.

“Believe me, had I got an (invitation), I would have been right on it. I’ve received other surveys from other groups and always responded to them,” he said.

Vegas said he is not surprised to not be invited.

“The fact is the union decided who they were going to endorse before this all started,” he said.

Perry said the endorsements are important for his campaign because the teachers are a large and important group in the district.

“People will look at it and say ‘OK, they are endorsing them,’ so I’m going to vote for them,” he said.

Olson said the association likes Perry’s background in public education. It also appreciated Perry’s interest and attendance at most board meetings.

“He is walking the walk and talking the talk,” Olson said.

The association endorsed Hampton because he has fought hard for teachers’ issues while on the board.

“Teachers really feel that he tackles the meat and potatoes issues like health benefits, insurance and the conditions teachers work in,” Olson said.

Hampton said it has always been beneficial to get the support of teachers.

“They’ll talk to their neighbors, and it’ll get a lot of votes out there,” Hampton said.

The Scott Cox saga continues: A legal dilemma indeed

Today, District Attorney Ed Jagels said his office would not file charges against KERN 1410 talk show host Scott Cox for the signs he took last week.

Also, after scouring the law, his office is just as shocked as everyone else that charges cannot be filed, he said.

Because the office cannot prove that Cox planned to take the signs permanently, he did not commit theft, Jagels said.

"A person must have intent at the time the item was stolen to permanently deprive the owner of that property," he said.

Chad Vegas said the attorney's office has gone soft.

"Bottom line, our district attorney is not as interested in justice as he is in public opinion," he said. "That is the stupidest line of logic."

So what do you think? Was this theft? Did he steal or just borrow? Can anyone think of another situation in which this could possibly occur?

Operation "Rolling Thunder" and endorsements for KHSD candidates

Operation “Rolling Thunder” Truancy Sweep in Shafter resuted in 15 citations for truancy, according to the Kern High School District Police Department.

The multi-agency sweep focused on students from Richland School District and Kern High School District.

Check the breaking news blog for more results of the sweep.

Also, I should know around 5 p.m. who the Kern High Faculty Association plans to endorse for the board race.

This endorsement is important because:

- They extended an invitation to meet with all the candidates individually before deciding.

-They are educators and know the problems facing the district.

- With seven candidates, any extra endorsements will probably be important.

I'll blog and twitter once I know who they pick so make sure you keep hitting refresh on your browser.

Everything you should know about Bill Perry

If KHSD is not the school board race you are most interested in, do not fear. We will also have stories on the elections for Rosedale and BCSD coming up.

Also, if you are more of a tweeter than a blogger, check out our new Twitter feed at The_Grade.

And not to be repetitive, but I just sent my absentee ballot back to Missouri, since that is where I'm still registered. You should send in your voter registration and postmark it by October 20.

And here's the fourth KHSD candidate profile - Bill Perry. Here's the summary or read the whole thing here.

Age: 68

Board meetings attended last year: Almost all

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 18 of 18 elections for which he was eligible since 1992.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

1. What is the first thing you’d change about KHSD?

The board’s propensity to become involved in noneducation issues.

2. Describe a board decision you’ve disagreed with.

I strongly disagreed with the decision to allow board members to sit in on administrative interviews.

3. Twelve of the district’s 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?

Put as many resources at the teachers disposal as possible so that we can meet the standards.

4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?

I think the board needs to avoid religious and cultural issues mentioned. Those issues belong in the home and the church.

5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?

By listening and being available.

Help! I need questions for the election

Since I'm new to Kern County and there's 47 districts, I need some help figuring out what people care about in each district.

We are going to be doing profiles on at least some of the following school board races: Rosedale Union School District and Bakersfield City School District.

What are your questions for the candidates? What concerns do you have as a parent? What does your child complain about?

Thanks for the help.

Everything you should know about Charles Rodriguez

Here is the third in a series of Kern High School District candidates that will appear on the ballot November 4.

If you have not registered to vote, go to this Web site to print out a registration form and mail it in on Ocober 20.

Also, if you want to see all blog posts on the KHSD election, click at the bottom of this blog on the words KHSD race to see all the stories.

Here's part of the profile on Charles Rodriguez. You really should just read the whole thing here.

Age: 65

Board meetings attended last year: Six

Regular voter? The Kern County Elections Division shows he voted in 21 out of 22 elections for which he was eligible since 1992.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO ALL CANDIDATES (LIGHTLY EDITED):

1. What is the first thing you'd change about KHSD?

My ultimate goal is to help kids in our community graduate. I know I can help rally our community to focus on the kids and their needs and not on somebody else’s personal agenda.

2. Describe a board decision you've disagreed with.

Proposition 8. They have to get back to focusing on the kids in the district and how to make sure they graduate and continue on to be successful in whatever they decide to accomplish.

3. Twelve of the district's 16 comprehensive schools did not meet all requirements of No Child Left Behind. What can the board do to help meet these guidelines?

We need to provide the focus, resources and guidance that can allow our schools, teachers, parents and, ultimately, our children succeed.

4. Do you think the board has spent too little, too much or an appropriate amount of time and energy on religious and cultural issues?

We need to focus on our kids. In my book, their needs come first before any other personal or outside agendas.

5. How do you plan to stay connected with teachers, parents and students?

I believe that it is very important to give back and make a difference. I will continue with my practice of gathering community members to build a better future for our communities.

Candidate questionnaire for Charles Rodriguez

Name: Charles Rodriguez

Office sought: Kern High School District trustee

Date and place of birth: 11/5/1942 in Goliad, Texas

Spouse’s name: Single

Number of children and ages: Three, 2 twin girls who are 36, and 1 son who is 27

Current employer/occupation: Retired

List employment history (past 20 years): Co-partner of A. Ghazale Brothers Inc., co-owner of Fern’s and Charlie’s Grill & Catering Co., co-partner of Fiesta Foods – Charlie’s Meats, general manager of Super California Markets, owner of Charlie’s Meats, owner of Center Markets

Professional licenses: Master Meat Cutter

How long have you lived in the jurisdiction you seek election? 47 years

Political offices you have held: None

Political offices you has sought: (dates, locations, outcomes): None

Board memberships/Community activities: Past president of Community Action Partnership of Kern, executive board of California-Nevada Community Action Partnership, Sheriff’s Activity League, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, president of East Bakersfield Optimist Club, BPD Hispanic Advisory Board, Las Fiestas Inc., Hispana Internacional Inc. in Tucson, Richard Prado-East Bakersfield Senior Center, chairman of the Kern County Museum Foundation, past chairman Bakersfield College Cicano Cultural Center, Association of Old Town Kern, Latino Networking Organization, Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sports Marketing Council, Downtown Business Association Marketing Committee, East Bakersfield Community Coalition, San Joaquin Latino Vote, Mexican American Grocers Association, Hispanic Community Bank Committee, Kern County Museum Foundation

Education: Some college at Bakersfield College

Military: U.S. Army from 1965-1967

Describe anything you have published, invented, discovered, painted, etc., and events or hobbies that would be interesting for a biographical story: None listed

Campaign committee members: Friends

List all criminal convictions or pleas in this county and others
(Include year): None

List all civil court judgments against you or any business you have had a financial interest in (partnership, sole proprietor, corporation) in this county and others (include year): None

KHSD cancels Principal Partners' Day because of state budget concerns

The Kern High School District is canceling its 2008 Principal Partners’ Day.

In the past, about 400 business, government and education leaders toured the districts’ facilities during the fall.

KHSD sent out “raincheck” postcards on Sept. 15 stating the district will have to postpone the day until 2009.

The card said the district canceled the day because of the uncertainty of the state budget.

The card also stated that KHSD wants to dedicate all the resources of the district and the KHSD Educational Foundation to academics, athletics and other extracurricular activities.

The day has helped KHSD foster relationships with business leaders and community members.

CSUB celebarates expansion of science program

In a hallway at Cal State Bakersfield, senior biology major Aaron Ramirez stood next to a poster describing his on-going experiment measuring the growth of plant species after wildfires on Santa Catalina Island.

Senior psychology major Jessica Trujillo gathered in a room nearby with other students and faculty to look at a loud ringing tube that measured the speed of sound.

At the dedication of the Science III building Wednesday morning, CSUB students and faculty excitedly greeted alumni, donors and other supporters. Spokeswoman Kathy Miller said the new building marks the first science expansion since the mid-'70s.

“I’m really stoked. It's a beautiful facility,” Trujillo said. “I have a couple classes here. And it really adds to my educational experience.” With the new facility, CSUB will be able to offer a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and a master’s degree in computer science in the future.

Read the rest...