Dear Parents and SMUSD Staff of the San Marcos Unified School District,
While it’s always important for the Board and Union to work together, these are especially trying times that require extra effort on both parts to work towards solving problems rather than creating problems and divisiveness.
I’ve never been one to promote or engage in petty politics, but I received some interesting information that I would like to share with you. Recently there was a news letter (October 09 edition of the SM Defender) that went out to the Teaching staff in our district from the local CTA Union leaders:
"Where was David"
The question that was asked by many SMEA members after the back to school breakfast was, "where was David Horacek?" It seems interesting that the clerk of the school board did not attend what is considered a district tradition. Is it a sign of his commitment to SMUSD? Is this how he shows his support for the employees of the district? A quick peak of his website provides evidence of his feelings towards teachers based on the links to two articles his site contains, one titled “California Teachers Associations Deceit" and the other "Trageser is right Teachers Union Greedy".
An event that is essentially attended by all SMUSD employees was missing one of its main players in the district. Apparently celebrating the start of the school year and congratulating all of you on your hard work was not a very high priority for Mr. Horacek. We wonder if this is the "balanced" approach David plans for the district's future? Stay tuned for the latest developments.
In response I have a few comments I would like to share with you:
1) I have always been clear on my position that I value all employees of our district and the hard work they do for our kids. I personally know that they are the backbone of the success of our district and community. I have thanked them in many ways over the years both personally and publically in our board meetings.
2) If you notice, the two articles mentioned have to do with the “Union,” not the employees. This is a tactic that the Union has always used in dealing with their disdain toward those with opposing viewpoints. They want to tie my opinion related to the Union to my beliefs related to the employees. I am certain that most if not all those reading this rhetoric are wise enough to separate the two.
3) As a board member I have devoted now 5 years to this community position and will continue to do so as long as the community continues to believe in me through the electoral process. In so doing, I will often be in direct conflict with the views of the CTA Union’s leaders in our district and state. This is something that I expect as I have never even sought out their endorsement.
4) My devotion to this district is very rewarding. I am often approached by many parents and SMUSD staff members (Union members) that support my views and encourage me to keep up the good work.
5) Unlike the Union leaders that receive a full-time salary from the district and/or employee dues I receive a stipend of $360 per month leaving my position effectively a volunteer position. In the end my interest in what is the best interest of the kids and our community. The only way our kids can succeed is if our teachers succeed.
In closing, this nothing more than a “politics as usual” poorly designed strategy. Dig deeper, demand transparency, and don’t fall for the “spin.”
Your servant on the board,
David Horacek
P.S. Winston Churchill once said “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
Senator Mark Wyland- 38th District
Assemblyman Martin Garrick- 74th Assembly District
Mike Preston- San Marcos City Council
Kevin D. Holt, Ed.D.
Pam Bancells
Dean Nelson- Candidate for San Marcos City Council
In the News
2010
7-18 San Diego County Taxpayers Association endorsed the San Marcos School district's bond proposal
7-12 School board agrees to ask voters to support bond in November
6-19 Kids gets kicks at new nonprofit academy
6-11 Layoffs averted, furloughs conceded in teacher contract
5-6 High school aims to ease hunger with Empty Bowl Project
2-27 Schools struggle with new budget reality
2-25 Unions failing our students
2009
9-16 Wyland pushes for teacher merit pay, more charter schools
8-26 Testing improvements attributed to teachers, increase of data
7-4 Trustees brace for rough ride in 2010-11
6-25 Painfully, schools balance budget
6-25 VISTA: VUSD passes $194M budget
6-18 San Marcos district will raise class sizes to cut costs
6-15 Crowd opposes class size increase as San Marcos prepares to balance school budget
3-9 San Marcos trustees agree to teacher layoffs
1-11 Fallout from budget impasse could soon hit hard and wide
12-31 Educators expect another rough year financially
10-21 Interview with David Horacek for San Marcos School Board
10-18 Teachers give stamp to school candidates
10-18 Principal gets soaked in stunt to raise money to cover cuts in budget
10-17 School board candidates seek to maintain high district standards
9-21 Enrollment back up at many schools
9-20 Incumbent, 3 others compete for 3 seats
9-7 Tutoring program's senior mentors shape young minds
9-6 Trustees hear plan to pay for retiree benefits
9-5 San Marcos campus test scores go up 59%
9-5 12 comeback campuses in county taken off watch list
8-29 District to open 11th elementary Tuesday
8-25 Bond-financing plan moves forward
8-25 Trageser is right: Teachers union greedy
8-18 Schools scramble as tougher times hit
8-16 Schools look at ways to pay for retirement benefits
7-30 California Teachers Association Deceit
5-24 Shrinking reserve pressing concern for school board
4-24 SMUSD invests in 'Partnership for Success' coordinator
4-16 San Marcos school board tours High Tech High
1-23 SMUSD appoints new leader
1-9 Conservation efforts begin at Oleander school site
12-11 Garrett and Jenkins sworn in to San Marcos Unified Board
11-15 San Marcos board members ready to move forward; goal is to refocus on students
10-31 SMUSD board member demands grand jury investigation over Brand's resignation
The foundation of every state is the education of its youth. - Diogenes Laertius
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