That’s kind of the bottom line. When you have a low profile race, and you are likely entering as the underdog, you need to radically change the dynamics and neither Bob Schelen nor Joe Spector were able to do this.
Some suggested that this was some sort of repudiation of the progressives, I do not see it that way. I think the city council is the venue where progressives assert themselves. A repudiation of progressives would be a continuation of the current council. That is a story to be written in June of 2008 not November of 2007.
An interesting observation came from Davis Columnist Bob Dunning last night:
“BY THE NUMBERS … no matter what the above percentages say about the candidates and their respective levels of support, a more accurate picture forms when you run the raw numbers that show Lovenburg received 6,806 votes of the 11,518 cast, which comes out to a mandate-like 59.1 percent … she was the only one of the four to be mentioned on more than half the ballots …”
That is a good way of looking at it that some times gets overlooked when you have two votes in a given election. On the other hand you have to wonder what her mandate is (granted he said mandate-like). I am not certain I really know what she was elected to do in terms that we generally think of as a mandate.
Susan Lovenburg did send us a statement after her victory:
“I’m pleased to have experienced broad-based support throughout the Davis community. I look forward to serving with Richard Harris, and with continuing Trustees Sheila Allen, Gina Daleiden, and Tim Taylor.
I acknowledge the efforts of Bob Schelen and Joe Spector during the campaign, and thank them for their willingness to serve our District.
I’d also like to thank Interim Superintendent Richard Whitmore for his efforts on our behalf, and enthusiastically welcome new superintendent, James Hammond. Together with a community that actively supports children and their education, we will meet the challenges that lie ahead.”
My hope is in the coming weeks to do full stories on Susan Lovenburg, Richard Harris, and James Hammond, the new superintendent who was sworn in last night.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Vanguard readers-The election is indeed behind us, and the new Board of Education will be facing some major challenges. The Valley Oak Charter proposal may or may not be approved on Mr. Provenza’s watch, the DTA contract needs attention, and the “7-11” surplus property report will need a thorough airing. Those in the progressive community who neglected to engage in this campaign will be shocked how much this new board will have to say about the disposition of school district property. Do you think the closing of Valley Oak school was supported by development interests in this town? How do you say high rise condos on the S.B. Anthony city block? How do you say housing projects on Nuggett fields? The playground at Valley Oak School would make some nice “infill” locations as well. Wake up and smell the bulldozers Davisites!
Vanguard readers-The election is indeed behind us, and the new Board of Education will be facing some major challenges. The Valley Oak Charter proposal may or may not be approved on Mr. Provenza’s watch, the DTA contract needs attention, and the “7-11” surplus property report will need a thorough airing. Those in the progressive community who neglected to engage in this campaign will be shocked how much this new board will have to say about the disposition of school district property. Do you think the closing of Valley Oak school was supported by development interests in this town? How do you say high rise condos on the S.B. Anthony city block? How do you say housing projects on Nuggett fields? The playground at Valley Oak School would make some nice “infill” locations as well. Wake up and smell the bulldozers Davisites!
Vanguard readers-The election is indeed behind us, and the new Board of Education will be facing some major challenges. The Valley Oak Charter proposal may or may not be approved on Mr. Provenza’s watch, the DTA contract needs attention, and the “7-11” surplus property report will need a thorough airing. Those in the progressive community who neglected to engage in this campaign will be shocked how much this new board will have to say about the disposition of school district property. Do you think the closing of Valley Oak school was supported by development interests in this town? How do you say high rise condos on the S.B. Anthony city block? How do you say housing projects on Nuggett fields? The playground at Valley Oak School would make some nice “infill” locations as well. Wake up and smell the bulldozers Davisites!
Vanguard readers-The election is indeed behind us, and the new Board of Education will be facing some major challenges. The Valley Oak Charter proposal may or may not be approved on Mr. Provenza’s watch, the DTA contract needs attention, and the “7-11” surplus property report will need a thorough airing. Those in the progressive community who neglected to engage in this campaign will be shocked how much this new board will have to say about the disposition of school district property. Do you think the closing of Valley Oak school was supported by development interests in this town? How do you say high rise condos on the S.B. Anthony city block? How do you say housing projects on Nuggett fields? The playground at Valley Oak School would make some nice “infill” locations as well. Wake up and smell the bulldozers Davisites!
Of the candidates, Lovenberg and Harris were the LEAST favorable towards teachers and Valley Oak. Expect contract negotiations between the district and the teachers to head ‘south’ really fast. Teachers were screwed when the district asked them to ‘do it for the team’, get behind Measure Q, and then come back to the discussion table. Teachers did their part, did the right thing, and then the district said “we’re not budging” from their lousy offer of 1 percent (out of a state-given 4 percent COLA).
I smell a strike.
Of the candidates, Lovenberg and Harris were the LEAST favorable towards teachers and Valley Oak. Expect contract negotiations between the district and the teachers to head ‘south’ really fast. Teachers were screwed when the district asked them to ‘do it for the team’, get behind Measure Q, and then come back to the discussion table. Teachers did their part, did the right thing, and then the district said “we’re not budging” from their lousy offer of 1 percent (out of a state-given 4 percent COLA).
I smell a strike.
Of the candidates, Lovenberg and Harris were the LEAST favorable towards teachers and Valley Oak. Expect contract negotiations between the district and the teachers to head ‘south’ really fast. Teachers were screwed when the district asked them to ‘do it for the team’, get behind Measure Q, and then come back to the discussion table. Teachers did their part, did the right thing, and then the district said “we’re not budging” from their lousy offer of 1 percent (out of a state-given 4 percent COLA).
I smell a strike.
Of the candidates, Lovenberg and Harris were the LEAST favorable towards teachers and Valley Oak. Expect contract negotiations between the district and the teachers to head ‘south’ really fast. Teachers were screwed when the district asked them to ‘do it for the team’, get behind Measure Q, and then come back to the discussion table. Teachers did their part, did the right thing, and then the district said “we’re not budging” from their lousy offer of 1 percent (out of a state-given 4 percent COLA).
I smell a strike.
How convenient that the district gets Measure Q passed and THEN tells the teachers that their offer is final. They can pay Murphy a huge salary every month for sitting at home, give the new superintendent something like a 30 percent increase in salary, but not offer anything more for teachers.
Last time I checked, the teachers are the ones who teach the students. Come to think of it, why do we even need a superintendent? Actually, we currently pay for two…
How convenient that the district gets Measure Q passed and THEN tells the teachers that their offer is final. They can pay Murphy a huge salary every month for sitting at home, give the new superintendent something like a 30 percent increase in salary, but not offer anything more for teachers.
Last time I checked, the teachers are the ones who teach the students. Come to think of it, why do we even need a superintendent? Actually, we currently pay for two…
How convenient that the district gets Measure Q passed and THEN tells the teachers that their offer is final. They can pay Murphy a huge salary every month for sitting at home, give the new superintendent something like a 30 percent increase in salary, but not offer anything more for teachers.
Last time I checked, the teachers are the ones who teach the students. Come to think of it, why do we even need a superintendent? Actually, we currently pay for two…
How convenient that the district gets Measure Q passed and THEN tells the teachers that their offer is final. They can pay Murphy a huge salary every month for sitting at home, give the new superintendent something like a 30 percent increase in salary, but not offer anything more for teachers.
Last time I checked, the teachers are the ones who teach the students. Come to think of it, why do we even need a superintendent? Actually, we currently pay for two…
Susan Lovenburg was the only mom, a school volunteer and stayed away from the hot button issues. Harris’ campaign theme, on the other hand, recognized that the majority of Davis voters on Nov.6 had come to the conclusion that sacrificing VO Elementary and the current VO Charter School plan was in the “best interest” of THEIR children. It was THAT simple.
Susan Lovenburg was the only mom, a school volunteer and stayed away from the hot button issues. Harris’ campaign theme, on the other hand, recognized that the majority of Davis voters on Nov.6 had come to the conclusion that sacrificing VO Elementary and the current VO Charter School plan was in the “best interest” of THEIR children. It was THAT simple.
Susan Lovenburg was the only mom, a school volunteer and stayed away from the hot button issues. Harris’ campaign theme, on the other hand, recognized that the majority of Davis voters on Nov.6 had come to the conclusion that sacrificing VO Elementary and the current VO Charter School plan was in the “best interest” of THEIR children. It was THAT simple.
Susan Lovenburg was the only mom, a school volunteer and stayed away from the hot button issues. Harris’ campaign theme, on the other hand, recognized that the majority of Davis voters on Nov.6 had come to the conclusion that sacrificing VO Elementary and the current VO Charter School plan was in the “best interest” of THEIR children. It was THAT simple.
This election (as zzzz as it was) does show:
1. Money and fundraising wins.
2. PTA volunteering is a good way to build up your name
3. Saying that you are for a “GREEN” school doesn’t hurt
4. Envelope stuffing at DHS won’t help your campaign, as well as not saying about it or distancing yourself from it immediately
I had a hard time deciding who to vote for, not because I liked one more than the other, but because no one really excited me. All of Lovenberg’s talk about watching the district’s money tells me that she is going to be very tight-fisted about budgetary issues (which has its pros and cons). Harris strikes me along similar lines. At the same time, I found him offputting with his constant “Green Schools Initiative” which he seemed to drop into every other statement. Schelen didn’t really register much of a blip other than Valley Oak issues, and some questioning as to whether his true interests were school board or for higher office down the road (like Harris for that matter, with his obsence amount of outside money). And Spector never presented much of a campaign and really only became more defined after the DHS Don Winters fiasco.
Again, my concern at the moment is the DTA contract negotiations. We are friends with several teachers and have heard about the situation from their perspective. The district salary and benefits package is so lacking. Our friends manage because their respective spouses with superior health care benefits and salaries. But what about teachers who depend on the district package? Too much of their paycheck never makes it to them. While Schelen and Spector seemed the most sympathetic to DTA, Lovenberg and Harris seemed the most indifferent, if not quietly hostile (in Harris’ case from my POV).
We want our schools to continue to be successful? Measure Q is the right step. Now let us make sure that we fairly compensate our staff. We sure do pay the administrators a lot. But in my opinion, they have the LEAST direct impact on the students. I do not understand why more people do not raise more of a stink about this unfairness. 1 percent salary offer???? Out of a 4 percent COLA? And the DTA only asked for 2 percent, but the district won’t budge from 1 percent?
My friends are saying that the teachers are starting to rumble about a strike. If they do, I stand behind them.
This election (as zzzz as it was) does show:
1. Money and fundraising wins.
2. PTA volunteering is a good way to build up your name
3. Saying that you are for a “GREEN” school doesn’t hurt
4. Envelope stuffing at DHS won’t help your campaign, as well as not saying about it or distancing yourself from it immediately
I had a hard time deciding who to vote for, not because I liked one more than the other, but because no one really excited me. All of Lovenberg’s talk about watching the district’s money tells me that she is going to be very tight-fisted about budgetary issues (which has its pros and cons). Harris strikes me along similar lines. At the same time, I found him offputting with his constant “Green Schools Initiative” which he seemed to drop into every other statement. Schelen didn’t really register much of a blip other than Valley Oak issues, and some questioning as to whether his true interests were school board or for higher office down the road (like Harris for that matter, with his obsence amount of outside money). And Spector never presented much of a campaign and really only became more defined after the DHS Don Winters fiasco.
Again, my concern at the moment is the DTA contract negotiations. We are friends with several teachers and have heard about the situation from their perspective. The district salary and benefits package is so lacking. Our friends manage because their respective spouses with superior health care benefits and salaries. But what about teachers who depend on the district package? Too much of their paycheck never makes it to them. While Schelen and Spector seemed the most sympathetic to DTA, Lovenberg and Harris seemed the most indifferent, if not quietly hostile (in Harris’ case from my POV).
We want our schools to continue to be successful? Measure Q is the right step. Now let us make sure that we fairly compensate our staff. We sure do pay the administrators a lot. But in my opinion, they have the LEAST direct impact on the students. I do not understand why more people do not raise more of a stink about this unfairness. 1 percent salary offer???? Out of a 4 percent COLA? And the DTA only asked for 2 percent, but the district won’t budge from 1 percent?
My friends are saying that the teachers are starting to rumble about a strike. If they do, I stand behind them.
This election (as zzzz as it was) does show:
1. Money and fundraising wins.
2. PTA volunteering is a good way to build up your name
3. Saying that you are for a “GREEN” school doesn’t hurt
4. Envelope stuffing at DHS won’t help your campaign, as well as not saying about it or distancing yourself from it immediately
I had a hard time deciding who to vote for, not because I liked one more than the other, but because no one really excited me. All of Lovenberg’s talk about watching the district’s money tells me that she is going to be very tight-fisted about budgetary issues (which has its pros and cons). Harris strikes me along similar lines. At the same time, I found him offputting with his constant “Green Schools Initiative” which he seemed to drop into every other statement. Schelen didn’t really register much of a blip other than Valley Oak issues, and some questioning as to whether his true interests were school board or for higher office down the road (like Harris for that matter, with his obsence amount of outside money). And Spector never presented much of a campaign and really only became more defined after the DHS Don Winters fiasco.
Again, my concern at the moment is the DTA contract negotiations. We are friends with several teachers and have heard about the situation from their perspective. The district salary and benefits package is so lacking. Our friends manage because their respective spouses with superior health care benefits and salaries. But what about teachers who depend on the district package? Too much of their paycheck never makes it to them. While Schelen and Spector seemed the most sympathetic to DTA, Lovenberg and Harris seemed the most indifferent, if not quietly hostile (in Harris’ case from my POV).
We want our schools to continue to be successful? Measure Q is the right step. Now let us make sure that we fairly compensate our staff. We sure do pay the administrators a lot. But in my opinion, they have the LEAST direct impact on the students. I do not understand why more people do not raise more of a stink about this unfairness. 1 percent salary offer???? Out of a 4 percent COLA? And the DTA only asked for 2 percent, but the district won’t budge from 1 percent?
My friends are saying that the teachers are starting to rumble about a strike. If they do, I stand behind them.
This election (as zzzz as it was) does show:
1. Money and fundraising wins.
2. PTA volunteering is a good way to build up your name
3. Saying that you are for a “GREEN” school doesn’t hurt
4. Envelope stuffing at DHS won’t help your campaign, as well as not saying about it or distancing yourself from it immediately
I had a hard time deciding who to vote for, not because I liked one more than the other, but because no one really excited me. All of Lovenberg’s talk about watching the district’s money tells me that she is going to be very tight-fisted about budgetary issues (which has its pros and cons). Harris strikes me along similar lines. At the same time, I found him offputting with his constant “Green Schools Initiative” which he seemed to drop into every other statement. Schelen didn’t really register much of a blip other than Valley Oak issues, and some questioning as to whether his true interests were school board or for higher office down the road (like Harris for that matter, with his obsence amount of outside money). And Spector never presented much of a campaign and really only became more defined after the DHS Don Winters fiasco.
Again, my concern at the moment is the DTA contract negotiations. We are friends with several teachers and have heard about the situation from their perspective. The district salary and benefits package is so lacking. Our friends manage because their respective spouses with superior health care benefits and salaries. But what about teachers who depend on the district package? Too much of their paycheck never makes it to them. While Schelen and Spector seemed the most sympathetic to DTA, Lovenberg and Harris seemed the most indifferent, if not quietly hostile (in Harris’ case from my POV).
We want our schools to continue to be successful? Measure Q is the right step. Now let us make sure that we fairly compensate our staff. We sure do pay the administrators a lot. But in my opinion, they have the LEAST direct impact on the students. I do not understand why more people do not raise more of a stink about this unfairness. 1 percent salary offer???? Out of a 4 percent COLA? And the DTA only asked for 2 percent, but the district won’t budge from 1 percent?
My friends are saying that the teachers are starting to rumble about a strike. If they do, I stand behind them.
If the teachers decide to strike the community should stand behind them.
The bottom line is that the Davis schools would not be as good as they are if it were not for the teachers.
The problems in the past where there have been poor decisions made about the allocation of money all stem from poor leadership in the administration. The teachers had nothing to do with this and yet they keep paying the administrators more. Until we demand more, this will continue and the schools will suffer.
How about starting a community petition for giving the teachers the 1% they deserve? Or, a community petition supporting our teachers?
If the teachers decide to strike the community should stand behind them.
The bottom line is that the Davis schools would not be as good as they are if it were not for the teachers.
The problems in the past where there have been poor decisions made about the allocation of money all stem from poor leadership in the administration. The teachers had nothing to do with this and yet they keep paying the administrators more. Until we demand more, this will continue and the schools will suffer.
How about starting a community petition for giving the teachers the 1% they deserve? Or, a community petition supporting our teachers?
If the teachers decide to strike the community should stand behind them.
The bottom line is that the Davis schools would not be as good as they are if it were not for the teachers.
The problems in the past where there have been poor decisions made about the allocation of money all stem from poor leadership in the administration. The teachers had nothing to do with this and yet they keep paying the administrators more. Until we demand more, this will continue and the schools will suffer.
How about starting a community petition for giving the teachers the 1% they deserve? Or, a community petition supporting our teachers?