Top-down management. One-size fits all reforms. A contentious school board. A superintendent who favors retribution over resolution. This curious series of long-standing conflicts plaguing San Diego Unified seems to have reached an apex since the outcome of San Diego’s November school board election, which teachers across California can read about in the December issue of CTA’s California Educator. The ESUHSD community, particularly its leaders, should heed the six years of hard lessons learned in San Diego. One look at San Diego Unified’s recent history illuminates disturbing parallels between the problems affecting SDUSD and the current state of leadership in the ESUHSD.
In 1998, the San Diego Unified Board of Trustees began searching for a new superintendent to lead their district, the 16th largest in the nation and second largest in the state. Some corporate-minded trustees decided the district needed a tough, reform-oriented, CEO-type for the position. In their view, the ideal candidate’s strong reform track record would trump his or her experience in public school education. On the behest of San Diego’s campaign contributing business community, the Board courted San Diego’s chief federal prosecutor, Alan Bersin, for the district’s top job.
Bersin earned a controversial reputation as a federal prosecutor. On paper, he doubled the number of successful prosecutions for San Diego County. However, many of those cases dealt with illegal immigration violations, an issue that deeply divided the Latino community from other active groups in San Diego’s electorate. Furthermore, to achieve that success, Bersin dismissed any employee simply for disagreeing with his reform initiatives. Some of those former employees complained publicly about Bersin’s autocratic managerial style.
Reform-minded Trustees obviously liked the statistics documenting Bersin’s rapid success, and Bersin was appointed superintendent of the SDUSD on a 4-0 vote, with one board member abstaining. That lone abstention speaks volumes. One can only guess at the SDUSD Board’s private awareness of his top-down approach to management. Bersin’s primary support came from people without a professional background in education; these corporate-minded individuals philosophically believe that education reforms work best when following a business-type model: strong central control and a defined hierarchy of power. Even though very little evidence exists to support this pedagogical philosophy, as is always the case, those with the power of the purse can afford to put questionable ideology ahead of successful reality. Three of the trustees supporting Bersin’s appointment had little to no professional experience in public education, much like Bersin himself. The other yes vote came from a retired teacher, John de Beck, who has since regretted bringing the polarizing Bersin into the district (read de Beck’s lengthy and exclamation point-abusing position paper on Bersin’s performance here: 
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The lone abstention came from Frances Zimmerman, another professional educator with over 25 years of public education experience. She seems to have realized that the autocratic hierarchy setting the tone in some corporate management structures would not work in a public school environment. Within a year, this 3-2 split would permanently divide the Board into pro and anti-Bersin camps, fueling a bitterly contentious and often public rivalry that put politics ahead of the best interests of students, parents, and teachers.
Bersin’s first and only major reform remains the controversial focal point of San Diego Unified’s woes. Bringing in a team of costly, “expert,” out-of-district consultants, Bersin developed a reform plan called the “Blueprint for Success.” The Blueprint emphasized standardized test scores as the primary means of assessing a school’s academic performance. Most of the document is couched in the innocuous education terminology used in school-site ESLRs and district mission statements. Some points of the Blueprint are controversial, especially the punitive measures for schools—and teachers—failing to meet its accountability goals, and the questionable merit pay schemes to reward high test scores. San Diego teachers consistently complain about the Blueprint’s extreme emphasis on test preparation and its one-size fits all strategy that fails to meet the diverse needs of individual campuses, all of which are very serious concerns.
However, by and large, the document’s essential goals are general enough to be acceptable to all parties, given a proper course of implementation, reflection and evaluation with valued input from the teachers charged with meeting them. The controversial plan demonstrated some success its first year, which led to Bersin receiving a “superintendent of the year” award from a corporate-funded, education reform political organization. But growing skepticism from parents and a litany of complaints from demoralized teachers led to a call for an independent review of the Blueprint. That evaluation, conducted by the conservative American Enterprise Institute in 2002, highlights the real problem behind Bersin’s reform plan: the Blueprint received a “B” for its goals, but an “F” for its implementation. In other words, Bersin’s dictatorial style destroyed any chance his own Blueprint would ever have to successfully reform the district.
In 2003, the ESUHSD Board of Trustees brought in their own “tough-minded reformer” to clean up the East Side and “narrow the achievement gap”: Dr. Esperanza Zendejas. Her most vocal supporter is also the board’s most prominent corporate-minded reformer, one with an MBA from Phoenix University who seems to have a difficult time finding steady employment in corporate America: Craig Mann. In a year and a half, Zendejas’ autocratic, top-down style has left teachers, CSEA employees, and site administrators frustrated, fearful, and angry.
“Employee morale in this district is at an all-time low.” How often have East Side teachers heard that exact sentiment over the past year? But that quote did not come from ESTA’s Panorama. Team Unruly lifted it from the union president of the San Diego Educators Association’s monthly update. If you already noticed or anticipate similarities between Bersin and Zendejas, take the time to read the very detailed comparison that follows, as well as the similar outcome Team Unruly feels will take place if the East Side Trustees fail to act decisively on the lessons this cautionary tale teaches.
Questionable Background Prior to Hiring
Bersin: Well-known problems with temper and managerial style. Also questions surrounding the actual degree of his “success” as lead prosecutor.
Zendejas: Well-documented problems as superintendent of Indianapolis schools. Reforms initiated were so disruptive a board member was censured for publicly arguing with her. (you can read about Zendejas’ tenure in Indianapolis and other “questionable background” issues on Unruly’s “skeletons” page). Demonstrated employment instability, with five different jobs in four different states over a ten-year period.
Questionable Support
Bersin: Pro-business/anti-education lobby offers strong support. Hired by politically motivated Trustees whose personal in-fighting with Board colleagues well documented. Wins on 4-1 vote, and given two primary tasks: close achievement gap and get employee unions under control. Lots of connections and support to anti-education political groups, who have continued to bring national funding from companies like Wal-Mart to Bersin Board supporters’ campaign coffers, totaling into the hundreds of thousands (read the article here: ).
Zendejas: Politically motivated trustees divided board. Roach and Mann desired a “reformer” publicly; privately both had a political axe to grind with Coto and his administration—particularly Bill Kugler. Hiring Kugler would get a divided 3-2 vote. Another candidate was considered; that person received a 4-1 vote and wouldn’t take the position unless a 5-0 vote was received. Remaining board members wanted to maintain 5-0 unity. Costly headhunting firm brought in for a second time. Zendejas gets 5-0 vote publicly, though some claim the first vote was 3-2 and the 2 caved to show unity. Given two primary tasks: close achievement gap and get employee unions under control.
Zendejas also has ties to pro-voucher, anti-public education groups. Zendejas spoke at a pro-voucher convention during her tenure in Indianapolis, angering parents and teachers (see “skeletons”).
Managing Administrators
Bersin: Extremely autocratic. In administrative meeting about the Blueprint, told administrators, “You are either with me or I will be ruthless in pursuing you!” Later on, he fired 15 of them. Another example: according to the SDEA website, “Bersin [made] a comment to the administrators attending a meeting, ‘In a year you will be saying, what shared decision-making?’”
According to the alternative press publication “La Prensa,” Bersin’s petty tyrant behavior led to this interesting moment: “October 2001. Instead of working to create harmony, Superintendent Bersin’s ‘in your face’ management style boiled over into an ill-advised email in which Board President Sue Braun threatened to shoot two other board members.”
Zendejas: Just as autocratic. The Mercury News’ first “report card” on her performance, while overwhelmingly positive, does note she is perceived as an autocrat (read it here: )
The most recent laudatory article from a public education administrator’s magazine (which you can read here: ) notes, “Her budget slashes--as well as her demeanor, which has been called condescending-- have been criticized. Some say she’s out of touch with those at ground level.” Zendejas responds by praising her own ability to listen to all parties.
The unreported story? In her first meeting with district administrators, Zendejas threatened the gathered audience, saying in her last superintendent position she fired ten administrators in a month. She routinely belittles administrators, one very public instance against Bernie Olmos and Warren Strauss documented on this website (see “Bon Gaffes”); a couple of others have resulted in pending lawsuits. Has unprofessional habit of shuffling administrators without warning. In 2003, informed the acting principal at Santa Teresa of her transfer five minutes prior to a staff meeting. Unruly ST folk claim Zendejas pointed a finger in said administrator’s face to admonish her for “lacking people skills.” Similar admin demotions took place at James Lick, Independence, Silver Creek, Andrew Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Oak Grove, and the district office. In April, she pink-slipped all but one African-American administrator; later rescinds that decision to avoid bad press. Rumors abound in 2004 that local administration organization looks to officially give Zendejas a vote of “no confidence.”
Managing Teachers and Classified Staff
Bersin: In an effort to raise money to implement costly Blueprint, Bersin fired 600 paraeducators without due process. Rudely calls teachers who disagree with his plan “Blockers.” Violates Collective Bargaining Agreement by illegally transferring “Blockers”; all transfers have been grieved and projected to be resolved in teachers’ favor, but at considerable cost to the district. According to California Educator, Bersin has routinely said, “classroom teachers are the district’s real problem.” 93% of teachers give Bersin an official vote of “No Confidence”.
Zendejas: Made numerous attempts to circumvent Collective Bargaining Agreement, cutting personnel to reduce a questionable budget shortfall. Attempted to change job description of advisors; rescinded under public pressure. Attempted to fire librarians and career center technicians; rescinded under public pressure. Suggested Board eliminate class size limits to cut costs; move rescinded by Board A DAY AFTER SCHOOL STARTS, requiring district-wide hiring of over 30 temporary teachers in late-September. To fix problem, sends credentialed teachers at the district, mostly subject-area coordinators, back into the classroom part-time. Numerous grievances filed against district; district found to have violated contract, all at considerable expense. (See also "famous reversals)
The most controversial move was the attempt to replace international teachers, predominately from the Philippines, with handpicked teachers from Mexico. Zendejas quietly tried to let their work visas expire. Other teachers spoke out on issue during board meetings. In June of 2004, Zendejas claimed the visas were being renewed; in September, told teachers at her “teacher advisory council” meeting that some of the visas were not renewed because of paperwork delays. Shirks responsibility for the problem by blaming the Philippine government. Over a dozen teachers deported.
Zendejas went through five secretaries in one year. Classified personnel told to report any “unprofessional behavior” by their colleagues directly to her, what Team Unruly calls the “Narc on Your Neighboring Cubicle” policy. Variety of attempts to get classified personnel at district and sites to “share rumors.” Numerous CSEA grievances and lawsuits filed, district projected to lose all of them, again at considerable expense. Characterizes members from both unions to media as self-interested radicals unsympathetic to district fiscal problems. Members of CSEA and ESTA consider taking an official vote of “no confidence.”
Annoying Petty Tyrant Mantra
Bersin: As you read above, “You are either with me or I will be ruthless in pursuing you!”. His other claim to fame: “NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS!”
Zendejas: “I EXPECT RESULTS!” and other variations of the same theme. One member of Team Unruly suggested this infamous quote from the Mercury News Report Card, “Joe was a giver. I’m a taker.”
Administrator Exodus
Bersin: In 1999, Bersin uttered the “ruthless in pursuing you” line to 12 principals and 3 assistant principals. At the end of that year, he fired all of them, bringing in police and armed security guards to usher them off school premises. All these administrators were fired for questioning the Blueprint, even though, according to the San Diego Tribune, “several of the [principals] had glowing performance evaluations and supervised schools where students excelled.” This intimidation tactic created a culture of fear in the district with disastrous consequences. Qualified administrators don’t want to work for the district. Trustee John de Beck laments, “the evidence since then shows that many experienced principals have elected to leave the district in fear of that form of humiliation. Nearby school districts have eagerly snapped up these competent principals, and other high-level district personnel.” (read it here: ).
Zendejas: While technically only firing one administrator (Karen Willet) during her year on the job, many others have fled or retired because of the “culture of fear”, including: Brink, Shimizu, Payne, Guerin, F. Renteria, R. Renteria, R. Martinez, Ordaz, to name a few. Payne’s recent “out of the frying pan” move has prompted the most discussion among district employees; she left East Side for historically the most contentious and demoralizing district in San Jose: Alum Rock. Many others plan to leave in the summer of ’05. Teachers who completed the requirements for a tier 1 admin credential are refusing to apply for open positions. Again, well-documented habit of shuffling and demoting administrators without due process, a trait demonstrated from tenure in Indianapolis (see “skeletons” section).
Then there’s the infamous dismissal of former deputy superintendent and 35-year career veteran Bill Kugler, who was escorted from the building by Garfolo and Emerson. Kugler’s rude dismissal caused Trustee J. Manuel Herrera to apologize for Kugler’s mistreatment in an email sent to all staff—in opposition to his Board colleagues.
Abusive Media Use
Bersin: After the 15 fired administrators were escorted from the building, they found the press waiting at their homes. Bersin provided local media with fired/demoted principals’ home addresses to further public humiliation.
Has a history of releasing doctored data to parents and media to boost image. Has well-staffed “office of communications” at district to feed stories to local media.
Zendejas: Has own cable access television and AM radio programs paid for by the district. Extremely self-promotional. Feeds stories to the media directly, takes credit for accomplishments she had nothing to do with, and routinely blames district problems on former superintendent Joe Coto at the behest of some Board members—a politically motivated move, given Coto’s successful bid for state assembly, an office Trustee Craig Mann considered running for. Trustee Patricia Martinez-Roach ran against Coto in the primaries.
Biased Major Media Support
Bersin: Supported by San Diego’s major daily newspaper, The San Diego Tribune. Tribune editorial board routinely ignores complaints from teachers union and parent groups. Currently, SDEA and CTA are gathering signatures and running radio ads to have the Board buy out Bersin’s contract. The editorial writer for the San Diego Union Tribune had this to say about the effort to remove Bersin: “The San Diego teachers union is nothing if not a bully” (read the whole editorial here: )
(Irony of Bersin’s documented bullying obviously lost on the Tribune’s editorialist).
Zendejas: Has developed connection with John Fensterwald of the Mercury News. Zendejas subject of nearly a dozen editorials in less than a year, at least two of them full-page, all strongly supportive (even when admitting she’s perceived as an “autocrat”). Fensterwald, proclaimed “the Information Minister” by Team Unruly, consistently distorts facts and accepts superintendent’s statements as true without verifying information with other groups. Three examples: Completely ignored the story about international teachers not getting their visas renewed, an issue raised at the May 2004 board meeting. Instead, wrote short editorial about that board meeting commending Zendejas and Trustees for wisely listening to parents in striving to keep librarians at all schools.
In September 2004, credited Zendejas and lackey Art Darin’s support of a long-standing summer school program as major reason for test scores increasing at all schools. Failed to mention three schools who’d shown significant API growth under prior administration. Team Unruly speculates this omission was politically motivated due to Mercury’s distaste for former superintendent who was campaigning for state assembly.
Never reported on the shameful means used to dismiss Bill Kugler, nor was there mention of the e-mail sparring between former Trustee Juanita Ramirez and current Board President J. Manuel Herrera resulting from this incident. However, Team Unruly knows that Fensterwald was not only present at the Board meeting when this event took place, he actually tried to gain access to Kugler’s office while attorneys for both parties were negotiating. Kugler himself kicked Fensterwald out of his former office.
Fensterwald abuses editorial position to attack ESTA and readily accepts superintendent’s word as truth. Blamed union for the failure of parcel tax Measure K, though fails to acknowledge ample other reasons for Measure K’s failure. Ignores complaints from teachers and community groups, like the local chapter of the NAACP. Dismisses well-documented problems with superintendent as rumors from “union radicals.”
Alternative Press Paints Accurate Picture
Bersin: San Diego Tribune did a performance report card on Bersin, and gave him high marks, in part to persuade trustees to vote yes on a proposed raise to Bersin’s salary. Small alternative press paper, “La Prensa”, writes their own report card, where Bersin’s highest mark is a C- and his overall grade is an F. (Read it here: )
Zendejas: Santa Clara’s weekly “Metro” only paper to expose problems with Zendejas. Notably, the first paper to write about the CSEA march on the district, featuring a picture of a protest sign that read: “Ship Zendejas to Iraq.” Metro also documents inappropriate behavior of board members, predominately Trustee Craig Mann (see this month’s Unruly story on “ghosting”).
Parent and Community Relations
Bersin: Develops Blueprint to reform entire district, but only holds 3 parent and community forums in spite of demands for more. Community made numerous requests to discuss firing of 15 principals. Bersin ignores requests and claims he fired the administrators because he “had to”. Dissolves a parent/community group in order to form a “parent congress” to rubberstamp 150 million-dollar Title I expenditure to fund Blueprint. Community consistently misinformed about success of the Blueprint as they are inundated with doctored and inaccurate data from Bersin’s office. Latino coalition gives Bersin vote of no confidence. African-American coalition does the same.
Zendejas: Uses district-paid media shows to get message out to parents, in spite of claim of budget shortfalls and lack of revenue. Tried to implement district-wide common dress policy; caves to public pressure. To avoid confrontations, now sends cabinet members to community meetings instead of attending herself. Ignores parent complaints about administrative changes. In June of 2004, Zendejas decided to transfer long-time AH Vietnamese community liason Minh Chau to Piedmont Hills. Angry parents meet with Zendejas, who cuts a deal promising to not transfer Chau if the parents stay away from the end of June board meeting. Parents agree, and a few days after the Board meeting, Chau is transferred. Recently told by Board member that she was not doing enough to promote Budget Task Force meetings with the public. Local chapter of NAACP denied opportunity to address the board. NAACP looking to give vote of “No Confidence” to Zendejas.
Teacher and Stakeholder Input
Bersin: “Intentionally closes out all exclusive bargaining agent participation in planning the Blueprint and student instructional strategies,” according to SDEA. Bersin also hires a law firm to develop book on “how to fire teachers”.
Zendejas: Uses “divide and conquer” strategies to stir unrest and obtain information. Made numerous requests for all East Side staff to “confidentially” share concerns and gossip about administrators. Formed “teacher advisory council” to “exchange ideas and solicit input” from teachers; at the third or fourth advisory council meeting, a teacher from ST asked if these meetings were forums to solicit ideas from teachers. Zendejas tells the teacher no, that the meetings are for her to tell teachers about district decisions.
In violation of Collective Bargaining Agreement, meets with particular groups of teachers to “divide and conquer” by making promises she can’t keep. In a recent Petty Tyrant moment, she told a small group of teachers questioning one of her decisions that if they didn’t believe the budget expenditure figures she projected, she’d just make even deeper budget cuts.
Problematic Hand-Picked District Administrators
Bersin: Primary lackey is (perhaps was?) Anthony Alvarado, Chancellor of Instruction and chief top-down proponent of moving to one-size fits all education. Sharp criticism of Alvarado leads Bersin to officially give Alvarado freedom to not attend Board meetings, frustrating some trustees. Alvarado purported to do lots of traveling on the district dime.
Zendejas: Drives nearly all former district admin out or into retirement, then brings in a couple of outsiders with no knowledge of district history.
Creates cabinet of five chiefs, whose salaries and perks combined total nearly $1 million. Staff and site administration complain of cumbersome process to get decisions approved by district cabinet. Some speculate that cabinet “chiefs” hesitate to raise concerns and expenditure requests in meetings because they must judge superintendent’s “mood” before making requests.
Darin, the former district CAO (see main news “District CAO Put Out to Pasture”), proposes number of initiatives that many teachers see as “One-size fits all”.
Doug Emerson, former CFO under Coto, willingly did Zendejas’ bidding; following his August retirement, Zendejas blames all district financial and scheduling problems on Emerson. Emerson retaliates at the end of October by attending a press conference held by ESTA who had just won a ruling under the “Freedom of Information Act” to have Trustee Craig Mann’s audit report from an independent agency available to the public. Emerson tells press Zendejas and Mann directed him the previous April to suppress the document. Press does not report on Emerson’s damning testimonial.
Hires energy manager at 6-figure salary whose primary duty is to send occasional email reminding staff to turn off lights before going home. Best demonstration of position’s value: discovered district could actually save money by covering the swimming pools.
Chooses former SJSU security chief Ric Abeyta for security chief position rank and file deem unnecessary given current state of budget. Best demonstration of position’s value: sent out message to Overfelt community via Mercury News article to remind parents not to let their kids eat loco weeds growing on neighborhood lawns.
Most entertaining lackey moment: In June 2004, Zendejas went to Evergreen Valley High School for an awards ceremony attended by State Superintendent Jack O’Connell. Students hung protest posters critical of Zendejas around the school. Jim De Diego, former Zendejas public relations sycophant, sent to Evergreen the following Monday to question and harass students to fork over names of teachers encouraging this protest.
Title I Abuse
Bersin: SDUSD had a parent group called “District Advisory Council” to oversee Title I expenditures. Bersin needed $150 million for his Blueprint; DAC didn’t want to authorize the expense. Bersin dissolved the group and started the “Parent Congress.” Then he authorized his $150 million. Members of DAC eventually sued.
Zendejas: Has proposed eliminating positions paid out of Title I in spite of School Site Councils approving expenditures and budgets passing CCR audits with similar expenditures in previous year. In recent e-mail, Zendejas informed district of the need to cut positions paid by Title I because some schools were “out of compliance”, citing ed-code language that says 85% of Title I must be spent on direct support to students. Schools are challenging Zendejas’ interpretation of the law. In the same e-mail, Zendejas pledges support to magnet programs and other similar services, but fails to realize many program coordinator positions are paid under Title I. Many feel Zendejas and the district are trying to illegally wrestle control of Title I funds for personal pet projects and to shore up perceived deficits.
Secession Movements
Bersin: La Jolla High School’s teachers and parents, fed up with the divisive board, dictatorial Bersin, and the academic content of the Blueprint, file a petition to convert into an independent charter school. Fearing the sharp decline in district’s overall ranking because of La Jolla’s strong test scores, Bersin and Trustees negotiate a deal that allows La Jolla to “pilot” its own instructional program independent of the Blueprint (you can read the agreement they reached here: )They essentially become a charter school without the district losing governing — and financial — authority. District continues to impose Blueprint on other schools, a plan so rigid and uncreative that California Educator claims caused elementary school “teachers [to] practically [hide] their crayons.”
Zendejas: Long fed-up with boundary issues, parents in the Evergreen/Silver Creek Valley area have formed a group that seeks to unify the Evergreen Elementary School District, change the attendance boundaries, and annex both Evergreen Valley and Silver Creek High Schools. After experiencing a number of cuts to vital programs, and fearing more on the horizon, teachers at Andrew Hill High School voted to explore charter school conversion for the upcoming school year. District administrators and Trustees were taken aback by the request. In perhaps the only accurate statement to come from the Mercury News, new Trustee Lan Nguyen cited board concerns that if Andrew Hill converts, other district schools will follow. Team Unruly correspondents tell us a number of other schools are quietly looking into charter conversion as well, including: Overfelt, Yerba Buena, Independence, Silver Creek, and Piedmont Hills.
Entertaining Moments in Fiscal Management
Bersin: Diverted 21st Century grant from one school to district coffers, a grant worth 195k per year for three years. School (Sherman) asks for grant to be returned; district promises to do so, then breaks promise. District under investigation by county elections officials for allegedly using district funds to advocate for local school bond measure. Kickback scheme involving computer equipment results in one of Bersin’s minions being put on paid leave.
Zendejas: Used district funds to pay for concealed weapons permit. Brought in outside company on district expense to sweep office for bugs, then installs own hidden microphone system in office and board meeting rooms. As mentioned, uses district funds to pay for cable-access television show (“Super Talk”) and radio show. In early 2003 said district faced financial crisis; staff and community complain about “media expense.” District stops payment—then quietly approves expense again in September 2004, suspiciously prior to November election. For district’s Cesar Chavez Essay and Poster contest, rents huge tent to host luncheon on district lawn. Tent nearly catches fire when light fixture falls and shatters. Luncheon’s guest motivational speaker flown in at district expense to deliver laudatory speech about Zendejas.
Budget Crisis?
Bersin: Since 1999 repeatedly announces the district is in crisis despite growing yearly surplus demonstrated in actuaries. Claimed district deficit was as high as 33 million dollars. Last year told each site they had to decide what they wanted to cut. Schools do so, only to discover that the superintendent has written into bylaws that he is the final authority before budget cuts are presented to the board of trustees. Made arbitrary cuts to magnet programs despite promise of community input. No salary increases given to teachers in two-year period.
Zendejas: Claimed district faced deficit since taking position. Heavy layoff of classified staff results in protest march on School Board, May 2003. ESTA and CSEA never given copy of budget to review, and never brought into budget discussions. Reported in September that district faced budget deficit of $15 million. Submitted negative interim report to county based on those figures. Trustee Herrera promotes “transparency” and opens up a “Budget Advisory Task Force” to look at numbers, although Herrera noted for saying at April 2004 Board meeting that the reports given to Trustees by Zendejas were so nicely organized the Board didn’t have to question her information. ESTA President Don McKell points out errors in budget figures that cut proposed deficit in half. Other sources of funding found accessible if district submits waivers. District doesn’t submit waivers until issue made public. Current supposed budget deficit: 2.9 million.
Favorite Positions to Cut in a Budget Crisis
Bersin: Counselors, librarians, nurses, paraeducators
Zendejas: Counselors, librarians, career center technicians
Costly Lawsuits
Bersin: On top of numerous lost grievances costing the district about $3k per grievance, Bersin sued by parents from dismantled Title I oversight group. The biggest lawsuit was just won by the aforementioned 15 fired principals, eleven of whom filed a class-action suit. Judge found Bersin and district guilty of not providing due process for termination. Majority of new trustees appear ready to vote down a proposal to appeal the ruling (read the whole story here: )
Zendejas: Sharp increase in lost grievances costing district $3k per grievance. Egregious amount of administrative and classified shuffling in first year violates collective bargaining contractual language, resulting in a number of “change in working conditions” lawsuits. Sharp increase in Special Education lawsuits, some speculate due to Zendejas bringing back students with severe emotional disabilities from special County schools, then cutting in half personnel needed to service those students. Rumor that a class action harassment suit against the district and Zendejas has been filed.
Costly Expenses and Perks
Bersin: Sharp increase in number of district administrators. Travel across the country paid for by district. Routine practice of hiring “outside consultants” at considerable expense. Enjoys own 20% pay increase (salary $284k), then tells teachers there is a budget crisis and they will not get raises. According to John de Beck website, Chancellor of Instruction Anthony Alvarado received FREE housing in Coronado at district expense.
Zendejas: Aforementioned self-promotional media programs. Came to district initially at $175k; renegotiated contract to get $225k (a 28% increase in less than three months). Negotiated a $400k 2% home loan in a district where home prices have left nearly 1/5 of district employees commuting from areas at least an hour away from district. In Spring of 2004 purchased a second home in San Jose [Editor’s note: the $400k loan is equivalent to one-fifth of the district’s supposed deficit]. Attempted to limit COLA given to teachers because of “budget crisis”. Asked union to suspend part of their COLA prior to election under pretense of earning voter support for parcel tax measure. Board quietly extends Zendejas’ contract for one year without public discussion.
It’s hard to say which of these superintendents is worse. One significant difference is the thickness of their respective skins. Bersin seems to keep going in spite of the criticism; Zendejas fears negative public reaction. Both use deceptive tactics to further their agendas and their careers. One has a clear and systematic reform plan accessible to any interested party on the San Diego district website; the other has no actual specific reform plan save for increasing test scores and expanding AP courses, reforms already required to be met by every high school under current California law. Using the media to further humiliate people you’ve just fired because they don’t agree with your policies is shameful; so is allowing international teachers to be deported in order to replace them with people from a culture more to your liking. If you find both superintendents equally vile, perhaps one further point can tip the scales:
Years in Current Position
Bersin: seven
Zendejas: one and a half
Closing
The conclusion to Bersin’s story is still being written, but recent events do not bode well for the despotic superintendent. Bersin has managed to stay in power for seven years on the tenuous hold of a 3-2 majority vote from a San Diego Unified Board of Trustees that preferred to be ideologically divided than professionally united on district policy. In 2004, Bersin critic Frances Zimmerman decided not to seek reelection, increasing the possibility of the pro-Bersin camp turning their 3-2 majority into a 4-1 super majority. The campaign was shaping up to be a fierce referendum on Bersin and his Blueprint. Zimmerman was censured by the 3 vote majority in September for comparing Bersin’s plan to give San Diego’s seven lowest performing schools to the highest bidding charter group to Gauleiters, the Jews who turned their own people over to the Nazis during WWII (not the first time Zimmerman used a Nazi reference to describe Bersin’s actions). The business community dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into the campaign to support pro-Bersin candidates, handily outspending their opponents in order to saturate voters with radio and television ads. The teacher’s union played it safe and endorsed a neutral candidate. The San Diego Tribune followed the business community and endorsed the pro-Bersin candidates.
School board races historically receive little attention from the public; incumbents and those at the top of the ballot always tend to do better than others. The San Diego electorate came out in force this November, and in spite of the financial backing and media endorsements, every anti-Bersin candidate won.
We titled this article a cautionary tale because similar events lead to similar conclusions. What can be learned from San Diego’s recent history? While “be careful what you wish for” comes to mind, there are three valuable lessons East Side’s Trustees and other leaders should learn from this expose.
- Morale matters! Each East Side Trustee claims they want to make the ESUHSD the most attractive employer in the Bay Area. But nobody wants to work for people who use humiliation and fear to motivate workers and initiate reforms. Quality dedicated professionals are abandoning the district for greener pastures. People are retiring earlier than they had planned, making “you picked the right time to leave” as common a greeting as “hello”. Teachers and site-administrators are consumed by a siege mentality; every Board meeting is a fight, every staff meeting a cathartic group therapy session. Last year Trustee Craig Mann told teachers that employee morale was the responsibility of site administrators, but one school in the district who was appointed an interim principal with a questionable reputation is looking to secede—and they’re taking her with them! Unlike San Diego Unified, which governs dozens of elementary, middle and high schools; East Side only has 12 schools, and three of them are openly exploring secession (that doesn’t include the five other schools privately considering a similar move). If the Board of Trustees fails to act soon, they might find themselves governing a district half its current size.
- Media will lose credibility: The media has always had the responsibility to investigate claims and put aside personal ideology for the greater public good. Today’s media consistently fails to investigate issues. Editorial ideology trumps facts, even when entire groups of people attempt to alert the press to a growing problem. The whole reason this website exists is to challenge the misinformation on East Side’s governance filling the pages of the Mercury News. Newspapers also have the power to endorse candidates, an honor any aspiring politician hopes to earn. But when the concerns of the public are ignored by one editorial-writing ideologue, the weight of those endorsements drops significantly. Three candidates not endorsed by the Tribune won in San Diego. The San Jose Mercury News claimed the worst candidate for school board in their opinion was Lan Nguyen because he didn’t support Zendejas. Lan Nguyen defeated incumbent Juanita Ramirez, the first time a Latino candidate failed to win a seat on the board in over thirty years.
- Parents have the final say: A superintendent can propose any number of reforms; if parents don’t like them, the offending policy will eventually change. If school board trustees ignore the complaints of their constituency, they run the risk of losing elections. Have parents ever truly favored the opinions of a school board over the advice of their child’s teacher? The fact is parents throughout the district are very upset with Zendejas’ management. They see firsthand what’s happening to the teachers who provide for their children, and they are very upset. The local NAACP tried to raise these concerns at a school board meeting last spring, but they were shut out by then-president Juanita Ramirez. She no longer sits on the Board.
Parents vote. It’s that simple. Zendejas’ contract expires in 2006. The next school board election takes place that November. And in 2006 when three seats are open, if conditions remain as they are, it’s a guarantee that East Side’s election will mirror what happened in San Diego this past November.
