Warren
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/21/2012 08:54:01 PM PDT
Updated: 09/21/2012 10:04:32 PM PDT
FONTANA – An effort to recall two School Board members has gained an ally – the mayor.
“I’m all in,” said Aquanetta Warren, using the same phrase she used when she announced she would run for mayor.
“I have been getting so many telephone calls and e-mails from people in the community about what’s going on at the School Board … if I am going to lead this community, it’s my job to get those two on the ballot (of a recall election) and let the people decide.”
Warren was referring to the recall effort against Fontana Unified School District board members Leticia Garcia and Sophia Green.
Both Fontana Unified board members were served paperwork in July notifying them of a recall effort, but the campaign has been relatively low-profile since.
Backers of the effort cite the opposition of Green and Garcia to a city-run after-school program they say serves 3,500 students and provides more than 350 jobs.
But they also listed several other grievances in their petition filing in July.
Among those was Garcia’s vote last year to eliminate all the district’s counselors in budget-cutting move.
Their claims also include that Garcia spearheaded a failed parcel tax during one of the worst economic times since the Great Depression, and the $147,000 cost of the special election came at a time when programs and jobs were being eliminated.
“I am not concerned with the recall effort,” Garcia said. “Even if they get
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the (required) signatures – and I don’t think they will – I can defeat this at the election.”
The election would be held in spring next year.
Garcia said the parcel tax was an effort to find revenues for the district, and while it was unsuccessful it was supported by more than 50 percent of the voters, she said. But that type of election required the measure to win by a two-thirds majority, she said.
Since the parcel tax failed, she said, other districts have moved toward their own parcel tax elections to raise revenues.
As for the counselors, it was a recommendation brought to the board by the district’s superintendent, she said.
To read entire story, click here.
Wait, so neither of the people they want to recall did anything illegal and unethical? And the people just questioned/opposed Mayor Warren on some issues? Why is this the subject of a recall at all? What a waste of tax payer dollars — just vote against their proposals and vote them out in the election if you do not like what they are doing. This knee-jerk reaction to recall people over disagreements in policy/policy making is ridiculous and a waste of tax payer dollars. It is an abuse of the recall process. What am I missing here?
Well if you must know Anonymous, these two board members are a joke and constantly expose the district to litigation. Case in point, at a joint meeting with the City Council, Board member Green disclosed closed session personnel information concerning the performance of an employee. Then Board member Garcia repeatedly posts performance issues of the Superintendent on Facebook and then makes an allegation of inappropriate conduct between the district’s lawyer and the Superintendent. Can you spell hostile work environment?
Then there’s the constant chattering at school board meetings. These officials seems to ignore the fact that their microphones are hot all the time and the public can hear their smartass comments.
Then there’s Board member Green not knowing what the heck they are being asked to vote on. It is quite often that Green will move and item for consideration and then vote against the item she moved for approval.
Then there’s the whole issue of Garcia taking her lovelife on national TV and flaunting to the entire nation what a fool she is.
Aside from that, no reason to recall these two.
Still not sure those are grounds for recall.
Dont mess with the Mayor of Fontana.
RESPONSE TO THE RECALL
Fontana School Board Member Sophia Green
This is not a recall from a group of concerned citizens who have determined that the best interest of the community is no longer being served. This is a recall from a special interest group and is the result of the overreaching power of one family, in particular.
It is no coincidence, that upon review of the names on the petition for her recall, that ten of the twenty-two petitioners carry last names of individuals who have district ties. The public would be shocked to know just how deeply rooted Fontana’s First Family truly is. Fontana Unified is no longer about old ideas and even older regimes. Board member Green mandate is to do what is truly in our students’ best interests. We must move beyond rewarding those who have the most power and do what is right. Together, we must evaluate our schools, establish priorities and build a more effective educational
system. In the past, the preferred school board members were lame ducks who would basically serve as the “yes man/woman”. That time is over! Board Member Green has managed to ruffle the feathers of those who tend to profit from their positions. Now, more than ever, we must act boldly and decisively to remove any barriers that stand in the way of reaching and teaching every student that we serve. Board Member Green asks the tough questions and she cannot be influenced, bought or intimidated into submitting to another’s agenda.
Furthermore, when reading the recall, one must ask what are these “relationships that were damaged and issues that were repeatedly voted against”? Perhaps, some people are angry that Board Member Green consistently requested the accounting of millions of dollars that a small group of individuals controlled for the after school program. Questions concerning the salaries of certain individuals and the quality of the after school program have also sparked controversy. Well, if these are the accusations, Board Member Green admits that she is guilty of doing the job that she was elected to do, which is to protect the tax payers and to support the community.
Board Member Green believes in a democratic system where people should advance based upon their own merits. Unfortunately, this is not the type of system that is found at Fontana Unified, a district that is known for its widespread nepotism, cronyism and favoritism. Board Member Green does not support any programs of board members where he/she will receive any type of gain as a result. We, as a school district, find ourselves in grave financial times; therefore, our budget must be tightened. The days of writing blank checks without scrutiny are gone. The children of this district deserve someone to be their advocate. Let’s work together to turn this district around. Get informed!
Board member Green invites you to attend the school board meetings which are normally held every other Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Piazza Center, 9680 Citrus Ave. Fontana CA 92335. The meetings could also be viewed on the internet at http://www.fusd.net. Board Member Green may
be contacted directly at (909) 350-2622. Please become a part of the team as we work together for our children. Be sure to attend city and school district meetings and to speak up for what is right. Together we can create a better future for our children!
The slanderous allegations stated by the signature gatherers for my recall are baseless and unfounded as I have no access to public funds, financial records nor do I have an association with any entities that my position on the board could benefit. One concern I voiced to the superintendent is that having a relationship that is too close with the mayor and her followers allows unjust influence on the board decisions and thus the inherent potential for conflict of interest and ultimately violation of the public trust. This is what we are witnessing when I requested an accounting for monies that went into the after-school programs. No other trustee on the Fontana school board has asked for any auditing, as many Binks family members and cronies are in high-level positions, where their decisions could pose a conflict of interest or their actions could be deemed violating the public trust. This is not an attack on the Binks family but rather the concern of several people in the community.
The recall effort by Mayor Acquanetta Warren and the cronies are simply an attempt to deceive and misguide the public into support for the recall, in order to accomplish personal agendas, which could lead ultimately to a small group of individuals’ professional and personal financial gain while leaving the students of the Fontana Unified School District short-changed. It is an abuse of the system and a waste of educational funds that our students need and could be deemed violation of the public trust. I want to make clear that the reasons stated for recall are baseless and have no merit. The proponents of this effort have resorted to lying to the public to fool them into signing their petition. They are claiming I have embezzled money, yet they have never put such accusations in writing because they are an outright lie. The tactics this group is using are unethical, un-American, and designed to distract citizens from the real issues that have come to the attention of the public since my election (conflicts of interest and misuse of public funds on behalf of several in positions of trust). No evidence of theft has been presented, no evidence of fraud, or any other crime that would prompt the venomous actions of some involved in the recall effort. No one is asking how this alleged embezzlement took place nor has any proof been provided. That is because no such proof exists since I do not have the authority to sign district checks, I do not have a district credit card, nor do I have access to any funds that belong to the district taxpayers.
Again, it is merely a pitiful attempt to keep the focus off those involved, who have been for many years abusing the system and violating the public trust. The people out front are using uninformed citizens as pawns to enable them to continue abuse of taxpayers. These scandalous operatives behind the scenes are afraid of the curtain being pulled back and their corruption will finally be exposed for all to see. I can only say that I will not allow anyone to marginalize, undervalue or underestimate me as a human being. I ask too many questions and I don’t just accept any answer. This is what the true motive for this recall is all about. I refuse to just go along just to get along. If we as citizens would take the time to follow the money trail, we would unravel the misuse that has been going on for years. A select group of people in Fontana believe they are entitled to do as they wish with public funds. In my opinion such actions appear to be a blatant violation of the public trust.