Bloomberging at CJUSD... Let them HEAR a NO

Shutting out voters in 2010
Posted: 07/04/2009 08:43:20 PM PDT


Seems some local elected officials have found one way to ensure job security in these trying times.
The Colton Joint Unified School District board late last month voted to give its members another year in office, ostensibly to save the district the estimated $50,000 cost of an election in 2010.

That action, which has yet to be finalized, would mean some board members will serve six years before facing voters for re-election in 2011, if they choose to run. Their four-year terms had already been extended a year to bring the school district's elections in line with other districts.

Now, it could very well be that the four board members who voted to approve delaying the election want only to save "a job," as board Vice President Mel Albiso put it.

That is certainly a laudable goal. But aren't there other ways the board could save that $50,000? We believe so.

It would be easier to embrace Albiso's rationale if the board had a better track record.

We're talking about the same school board that voted to name a school in Grand Terrace after a Colton resident (and former board member) only to get an earful from Grand Terrace residents. The board reconsidered the decision, and named the school in honor of Grand Terrace, but only after facing considerable pressure from the community.

This is the same school board that went to voters last fall to ask for millions to complete school construction and renovation projects that it failed to finish after passing a school bond some years back.
Given all that, could it be some on the board don't want to face voters next year?

It's a fair question, and one we aren't alone in asking.

Letters from community members have appeared on this page demanding the board move forward with an election in 2010.

One of the board's own members, Robert Armenta, has been vocal about his opposition to delaying the election. His seat would be open in 2010.

"There is no cost savings that can justify the elimination of democracy in our district," Armenta has said.

Three of the four board members who voted for the term extension - Albiso, Marge Mendoza-Ware and David Zamora - are also up for re-election in 2010.

The terms of Frank Ibarra, who favored the extension, Patt Haro, who rejected it, and Kent Taylor, who missed the June 25 meeting, are set to expire in 2012.

The board is expected to meet again July 16, and it typically begins meetings with a public comment period - you know, for anyone who agrees with Armenta and would like to voice support for restoring democracy within the district.

The board has already changed course on one bad decision this year; here's hoping they'll do it again.