'Your Presence Makes Certain People Uncomfortable...' *NEW Update Friday 4 p.m.*

Update at bottom

I thought I'd drop by the St. Regis tonight for the local debut of the Pacific Research Institute's film "Not as Good as You Think," even though I'd be uninvited earlier because they didn't have room for me.

I thought I'd just hang around, not take up too much space, and see who showed up. So I arrived at the St. Regis about 10 minutes before the 6 p.m. cocktail hour, thinking I'd slip out when the documentary started at 7 p.m., because, well, there was just no room for me.

When I found the ballroom, though, I noted there wasn't any good place to hang out. Part of the hallway was blocked off to make room for the open-bar mixer, so I couldn't really find a spot to see all of the entrances to see who was arriving.

So I just starting chatting with the early arrivers. I sat down with Julie Collier and a friend, then struck up a chat with another gentleman I knew. I watched as Capistrano Unified Trustee Jack Brick arrived with his wife, Collene, then Trustee Larry Christensen and his wife, Deborah. I saw Recall Committee leaders Tony Beall and his wife, Jennifer, and Tom Russell, too.

I mentioned to the gentleman I was with that I'd been told they didn't have room for me, so I was avoiding the open bar and the salmon appetizers being served by waiters. No problem, he said, he'd RSVP'd for two people, and his friend couldn't join him, so I could have that seat.

Just as we settled that, a man tapped me on the shoulder. "Mr. Volzke, may I speak to you outside," he asked politely. As I looked at him, I noticed he had a gold St. Regis pin on the lapel of his gray suit, and, and, noteably, a walkie-talking earpiece in his ear. "Excuse me," I asked. "Mr. Volzke, I'm Ron Garcia, head of evening security here. May I talk to you outside, please?

He was polite.

We went outside, and he explained he knew I'd RSVP'd to the event, only to learn the computer had "mistakenly" accepted my RSVP when they were out of room. He also knew I'd asked the PRI if I could attend as a reporter and was told no. "I must ask you to leave," he said.

I listened, then told him "Ah, the gentleman I was with reserved two seats, but came alone, so he offered the extra seat to me."

Well, Mr. Garcia replied, "I've also been told that your presence makes certain people uncomfortable, so I must ask you to leave."

I didn't think it would be fair to ask Mr. Garcia how I was making anyone uncomfortable, or who, exactly, and he was being very nice and professional and all. With not much more I could say at that point. I asked if he'd validate my parking. Ultimately, I'd been there less than an hour, so parking was free.

I didn't even get to say goodbye to the trustees.

UPDATE:

Scott Martindale at the Register got to go. Here's his story.

I've also emailed the four trustees who attended -- Jack Brick, Larry Christensen, Ken Maddox and Mike Winsten -- and asked them if they wanted to respond to parents' questions about chosing to go the PRI film instead of the SCHS awards, and whether they had any issue with my disinvitation.

I'll post any response.

UPDATES

Trustee Ken Maddox is the only response by 2:30 p.m.:

"Jonathan,

I was pleased to attend the screening of PRI's documentary.  Lance Izumi with PRI is a long time friend.  It was a great opportunity to see Lance and listen to a recognized education expert.  The information provided is valuable to anyone interested in improving public education.

 

The event was hosted by private sponsors.  I had no say in the compiling of the guest list.

 

Respectfully,

Ken"

 

(Frankly,  I credit Trustee Maddox with responding.)

 

UPDATE 2 (Thursday)

 

OC Weekly's Spencer Kornhaber talked to Recall Committee leader Tony Beall about the movie, and the current state of affairs in CUSD. Here's that link.

 

UPDATE 3 (Friday)

 

Trustee Anna Bryson responded this morning to my e-mail. Again, I want to thank her, as we all should acknowledge, for responding. Her email:

 

"

Hello Jonathan,

I had called in Wednesday morning with regret to inform Principal Deni Christensen that my work schedule would not permit me to attend, frankly I felt unhappy about not keeping this commitment. In the past two and over 1/2 years, I do not recall ever missing a scheduled event at a school, from plays, to awards, to graduations.

The movie invitation was sent to all Trustees. Realizing only a few days before, that it was on the same day as the awards, my husband, who had come to discuss textbooks with Carolyn Williams at CUSD, planned to attend,He is my textbook representative.

Events changed the schedule again, very late in the day. As many know, I have a full time position in Santa Ana. Arriving home at the last minute, accompanying my husband was the decision I made, since other arrangements had already been set at the school.

Bill and I maintain a grueling flying schedule, (now, back and forth to Stanford University-before back and forth to Washington D.C.), so that I may keep the commitment made to the children of CUSD. My husband's support of my efforts here and devotion to education, have made it possible for me to be faithful to my work. This has enabled me to focus on what is in best interest of CUSD.

One can only hope that the parents, who live under one roof, in one city will understand the sacrifice made these past two plus years and the sacrifice that will be made in the months ahead by one Trustee, on behalf of their children.

I regret any disappointment created by my cancellation

Respectfully,

Anna Bryson Trustee "

------------------------------

* I have been told all trustees were in attendance, although I have not received confirmation beyond Trustees Brick, Bryson, Christensen, Maddox and Winsten. This would not, however, be a violation of state open-meeting laws because the trustees did not discuss CUSD issues among themselves. -- Jonathan

Comments

[Rhetorick]

These people are damn scary!

[Friend]

So, they are our trustees who are using their positions to undermine this district.I hope that all who voted for them see what this is all about. We parent are just a bunch of fools. I am sorry-we are just a peanut gallery.
Jonathan- thank you for being there.

[MeForMyKids]

I was there. I waited until after the movie to linger and listen to the panel discussion lead by (surprise) Tommy, Tony, Jennifer, the Asian man in the trailer, and some 30ish guy who probably was from the production crew. Afterward I saw Trustees Maddox, Winsten, Brick, and Christensen exit. I was shocked to also see an older SJC couple I thought to be good people who cared about children.

During the discussion Jennifer said something about Placentia-Yorba Linda U.S.D. and Suzette Lovely in the same sentence. Then mentioned some kind of uprising to take place there and how "we have said we will come up and help". Then the whole room broke into applause.

There was also evidence of future teachers in attendance. In the lobby they talked about what they had just heard and what the discussion meant to them. They were being coddled by a professionally dressed woman who approached and suggested they talk a little more discreetly. She moved them off to the side to continue talking.

I also heard Jennifer mention something about staying on message.

The meeting concluded with a woman from Pacific Reasearch Institute who gave a pep talk. She couldn't believe it had been 18 years since they started prior to all the great technology now at their disposal. She said they now have the internet and that "we" will be all over Twitter and YouTube. She also said, "For 25 dollars you can help us share this DVD with 10 households and their friends". For "250 dollars we can make 100 DVD's to distribute".

I must agree with Jonathan---when did Tommy, Tony, et al. decide it was about good education?

Finally, as an aside, Jesus Flores, publisher of The Trabuco Canyon News was there. He told me he has been publishing his paper "as an honest business" for 20 years.

[can't wait to get my own dvd]

Poor Johnny! It's best that you weren't in the audience. It would have been FAR too much for you to bear.

Unlike the board meetings - for once YOU would have been in the "minority" without your union buddies by your side.

[can't wait to get my own dvd]

Wow "MeForMyKids"! How clandestine of you!

This was a MARVELOUS evening in the CUSD! Now the district is REALLY "on the map" - probably nationally! Total exposure.

This is an EXCELLENT documentary - and I can't wait to get my own copy! Jonathan - please do your followers a service and provide the link to YouTube as soon as its posted in a few weeks.

[Just another peanut]

First: A REPOST

Jonathan hits the proverbial nail on the proverbial head.

The Recall movement IS NOT about the quality of education in CUSD. Never was, still ain't. Just another feint to win over the populace.

Right up there with Winsten disappearing into the phone booth to reemerge as Superman who saves CSR. If ONLY he COULD make the earth spin in reverse!

From my own 1960's/1970's New York City perspective, the education offered to our children in CUSD is a major disappointment. I began studying a foreign language in public school in 1st grade (like, seriously, Dude) (and never stopped)! One example.

I will, however, agree with Russell on one point. One only. The teachers are good. Darn good.

But our district, our county, our state, our country, need to put our money where our mouths are.

Excellent education does not just happen. It happens when a community embraces and funds the future. It happens when parents champion education and model the value of learning. It happens when the parents DEMAND excellence and are then willing to pay for it. And the parents insist that the community at large help pay for it. What else is there?

Our children, their future. THE FUTURE.

I haven't seen this documentary, but I get the gist. No new news. More propaganda.

Do we need to do better? Absolutely!

Is the "Recall Group" going to the lead the way to better education?

I, humbly, suggest that their true mission is not focused on the advancement of higher standards in our classrooms.

Maybe, as parents, we need to make our voices even louder?

I can think of quite a few ways....

But then again, I am....

[Just another peanut]

Second:

Go Jonathan! I am SO in favor or entering where I am not welcome. With politeness, of course. Their "fear" of you speaks volumes.

And then some.

Thanks for trying.

Sorry, Folks. This is frightening.

Transparency, Honesty and Openness in ACTION!

Three Cheers for Democracy....HIP, HIP.....Whoops!

Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World.....Revisited. Or maybe it is Golding's Lord of the Flies.

Whatever...if you don't subscribe to our beliefs, completely, totally, fully, absolutely, and surrender your soul to OUR WAY....

PLEASE EXIT, STAGE RIGHT....

Graceful exit, Jonathan. I don't know that I could have been so,uh, polite and professional as you appear to have been.

Hi, Board.....

I think I hear a clock ticking.......

My, my it's almost 2010!

And whatever could Kenny be up to?

Maybe he's making a movie?

[Saw the movie, not just the gist]

Hey peanut, by your comments you obviously haven't seen the movie and you couldn't be more off the mark. That "I got the gist..." approach doesn't do much for your credibility, but keep pluggin and spinnin if you're comfortable with it.

[can't wait to get my own dvd]

2010 is bound to be a marvelous year! And if I were a bettin' man - hmmmm, I'd put money on the NEW board remaining intact!

MANY of us have had it with "biz as usual" in the CUSD a la Fleming and the 7 puppets that drove us into our current sad financial state of affairs!

I hope justice prevails and Fleming enjoys some time behind bars - couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Hopefully his 7 dwarfs will visit him on Saturdays.

[Jonathan refuses to be fair-minded, so why bother with him?]

The reform movement in CUSD always has been about good education, including the removal of the impediments to good education. Most of the reformers have kids in CUSD schools and want the best for their kids too. Jonathan probably wasn't invited because he's not a real journalist. He's a shill for district special interests, who, by the evidence on this blog, panders to the basest in the district.