Posted by Laid Off Teacher, a resident of another community, on Sep 6, 2010 at 9:20 am

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.

Posted by District Insider, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Sep 7, 2010 at 6:53 am

Finally an editorial with some teeth that's not afraid to take on the party line. Well done!

Awkward position for sure. Ghysels was able to go job hunting for a year while he two-stepped out of the district with the board providing the accompanying music.

"The district relied on the California School Boards Association for updates on policy, but received no guidance at the time, according to Stephanie Totter."

Classic cherry picking. Totter never went out of her way to find clarification, but is infamous for dumping plenty of obscure, hair-splitting, at times vindictive personnel policies on teachers, staff, and parents and community members throughout the district in order to put people in their place in her mind. Hypocrite! Other equally large or larger districts had such policies in place that could have been consulted, and the district supposedly had competent legal advisers that could have provided clear guidance. In order to "receive" guidance, you have to request it.

Ghysels, who suffered from corporate envy, clearly had the district office and board over a barrel on this one and took full advantage of it.

Posted by Observer, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Sep 8, 2010 at 5:02 pm

A good smart move by Mr. Goldman to start his new tenure. There is still more work and trash to be taken out, however, which I'm sure will be done over time.