Posted by John the Man, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2010 at 10:26 am

Craig is as good a man as there is. He is smart, diligent, and very hard working. If he can't turn that district around, then no one can.

Having said that, so long as the senior administrators and asst superintendents who are currently in that district office remain, he is doomed to fail. Those people are the root cause of the district's staggering dysfunction, they alone.

Posted by castro mom, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2010 at 3:13 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with above statement!!

Posted by J.J., a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2010 at 3:59 pm

Wow, I could not have said it any better. I absolutely agree with the above statement too. If parents want to see this district change for the better finally, they should encourage change in the leadership under Mr. Goldman. It is time to bring in NEW, competent leaders to follow Mr. Goldman's lead. Sadly, it is too late for my children. Don't let it be too late for your children to reap the benefits of a properly run school district.

Posted by Observer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2010 at 4:58 pm

I as well wholeheartedly agree. I have no confidence at all in the Assist and Assoc Supes who danced to Ghysels corrupt tune. A complete cultural change is in order, otherwise nothing will change.

Posted by Elaine, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2010 at 2:45 pm

My objection to the Assoc. Superin.Ms. Totter is that she does not serve every employee as equals. Some don't have to follow the rules, but with other staff members they are enforced. It's been this way for years.

My objection to the Asst. Superin. Ms. Liaron is that she has been doing this job for years and not much has changed. I can't honestly point to anything she has contributed that has greatly improved the educational process in MVWSD, but she talks a really good game. She also talks down to parents and some teachers. She has one of the most important jobs in the district - to see that our children all receive a good education at many levels and in many ways. Most parents don't even know who she is or what she does.

The board members would do well to see that the new Superin. is given a really good chance at success by suggesting new leadership under him. It would help improve leadership role models and improve moral at the same time and benefit our students in the long run.

Posted by Teacher, a resident of another community, on Sep 10, 2010 at 9:28 pm

Totter plays twisted loyalty games with the old guard from the old Whisman School district before it merged.

Posted by Steven Nelson, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Sep 12, 2010 at 7:55 pm

Be assured that both the Board and the new Superintendent read these comments (as I have been properly, discretely, and kindly 'brought to task' when I have occasionally misstated a detail). I would urge that parents start WRITING their complaints in detail and sending it in CONFIDENCE to Craig (and asking for a written acknowledgement). You'll probably get a call. You might then ask that your name be redacted and a copy put in the appropriate personnel file (i.e. the Board will have to see it when they review the person's work).

Posted by Laid Off Teacher, a resident of another community, on Sep 13, 2010 at 1:39 pm

Awkward situation last year indeed. Goldman is smart to get out ahead of it right away and attempt to close the issue. Good luck to him on cleaning up the rest of the corrupt culture and sense of entitlement at the district office created by Ghsyels.

HOWEVER, AND SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS ONE AWAY: There is still a conflict of interest with ex-Ghysels approving the hiring as a teacher of one of the board members, Higgins, that once supervised his salary, and then had placed in employment at his lover's (Mizell's) school! And when Higgins is laid off with other temporary teachers, she is amazingly one of the first to be hired back! No doubt one of the benefits of public office!

I'm sure it will take more hand wringing from Ms. Totter (former subordinate) to do the right thing and stop hiring and rehiring ex-board members (former supervisors). And of course, Totter received more than a few promotions (more like position title changes) and salary increases under Ghysels/Higgins to do exactly the same job! The playing field is hardly level for other beginning teachers when that occurs! These people never learn.