Kicking ass and taking names
File this one under “Much Ado About Nothing” yet again…for those that have been following the “omigod AEF isn’t representing the interests of West End schools, I know because a “bunch” of West End parents told me so!”* here is a small update on the evil that is the Alameda Education Foundation. Their board list is up. Now I don’t know if it was recently put up or if it has always been there, but as I wrote on Stop, Drop & Roll under John Knox White’s take on the strangeness of the whole KASE/AEF attacks, I found the Board list pretty easily. It was not in the main navigation tool at the top of the page, but rather on the right hand side bar, you actually had to scroll down to find it, but it’s right there under the heading of “Pages” and, oh look, there’s also a “Strategic Plan” reflecting the direction that the new and improved AEF is heading toward.
Actually though, before I looked on AEF’s website I remembered that the Wayback Machine archives lots of sites, including AEF’s old site and list of Board of Directors. Guess what, the list hasn’t changed that drastically from the current list. Then I thought to myself, “Self, why don’t you just check the AEF website?” and so I did and there it was.
And, if the writer really wanted to know what goes on at the Alameda Education Foundation, there is always the great tool of asking, rather than making broad accusations based on the information of a few. I’m sure the Executive Director is more than happy to talk, in detail, about what is going on at AEF and what some of their past successes are and what the hope is for the future. Of course that is not nearly as interesting, nor headline worthy as, “Bias Against West End Schools, news at 11″
But what makes this story even funnier is the irony that was captured by SDR:
Mr Howard included this gem in another typical rant:
“Maybe the AEF could start by putting back on the website the list of the names of AEF officials and their school affiliation.”
Anyone has visited the Action Alameda website should be busting a gut at this point. From their homepage:
Q: Who runs Action Alameda?
A: Action Alameda is governed by a five-person executive board…The names of the executive board members are available on request by sending an email…So, in Action Alameda Land, demanding to know who’s behind a well-respected organization is a righteous action, even as you hide the membership of your own, personal fiefdom.
But back to the list of names, I’m not familiar with many of the names, but I recognize a few like Laurie McLachlan-Fry who is the Principal of Chipman Middle School. That’s the West End for those unfamiliar. I remember Judy Blank’s name from some news articles about the ACLC Charter School which is situated in the West End as well. But I’ll leave it up to Alameda’s own investigative reporting team to google all the names to try to figure out where each person sends their kids to school.
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* Full text of point, counterpoint, and counter-counterpoint posted below from Alameda Daily News, because you know Don Roberts doesn’t archive.
Point:
Is there a Bias Against West End Schools?
Don,
Over the spring break, I had opportunity to speak with several parents whose children go to West-end schools, like Paden, Washington or Ruby Bridges. They of course had thoughts on the funding crisis and the parcel tax, and their views deserve to be heard, so I’m airing them here:
o There is a pervasive sentiment among west-end parents that AEF money isn’t equally distributed to all schools. Parents note programs at other schools that don’t exist at Washington, Paden etc.
o Some parents have asked for ways to donate directly to programs at their local west-end school, only to be encouraged to put their money into AEF. Parents aren’t convinced that their money that goes into AEF comes back equally to their own schools.
o West-end parents see AEF as being largely controlled by Franklin School parents, and that Franklin School - a public school - is pretty much run by AEF and Franklin parents as a private school.
o Many west-end parents view the parcel tax as a subsidy from the rest of the city to Franklin School parents to keep their “private school” (Franklin) open.
o Most west-end parents see no distinction between AEF and KASE, especially since Ronald Mooney of AEF organized and filed the KASE PAC.
o Parents feel that Washington School has an un-deservedly poor reputation, but parents love the school and the teachers, and it was a 2006 Distinguished School (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/cs/ap/distingyear.asp?year=2006) But somehow it is perpetually under-enrolled and under-capacity, while Franklin School parents fight for money to keep their “private” school open.
It sounds to me from talking to these parents that if AEF/KASE (and AUSD) wants their support for the parcel tax, they will have to work on greater transparency and equalization among the schools when it comes to distribution of resources and work hard to make sure West-end parents have a say in the decision making. Maybe the AEF could start by putting back on the website the list of the names of AEF officials and their school affiliation. Those names were listed on the old website, but seem to have disappeared (I can’t find them) with this new website update. For all I know, west-end parents may be well-represented in AEF, but I can’t check that if they don’t publish the list.
David Howard
Counterpoint:
Former Alamedan “Deeply Disturbed” by David Howard’s Letter
Don,
Although I left Alameda several years ago, the Internet is a wonderful tool to keep informed on what is going on in Alameda. I was deeply disturbed to see David Howard’s letter questioning the motives of one of my good friends … Ron Mooney. If Mr. Howard had done just a little research, just a little, he would have found that Ron is the BIGGEST supporter of West End schools in Alameda. Ron has done more than any other person in the Alameda community to bring programs to the West End schools. He has worked tirelessly and put in countless hours to make sure the kids on the West End were taken care of. Mr. Howard owes Ron a BIG apology.
One other thing. I was on the board of the Alameda Education Foundation for several years. I was lucky enough to chair the “Adopt A School” program. I was privileged to visit all of the schools on a regular basis and saw the needs on the West End. We made sure that the West End Schools were well represented in this program.
Mr. Howard should also be informed that the Alameda Education Foundation was well represented with West End parents. My children attended Paden, Chipman and Encinal High. I served as PTA president for two years at Paden and four years at Encinal High. When we moved to the East End, my son continued to attend Encinal. Mr. Howard should also be aware that after kids graduate Franklin, many wind up going to Chipman and Encinal.
The Alameda Education Foundation has been a BIG advocate for West End schools, Mr. Howard!
John Newton
Counter- Counterpoint:
David Howard Responds to “Deeply Disturbed” Letter Writer
Don,
Mr. Newton is clearly out of touch with what’s happening in Alameda today. If he were, he’d realize that I’m one of the few people doing any meaningful investigative research on civic issues in town, while so many others are trying to whitewash over the scandals. Further, Mr. Newton needs some remedial reading comprehension courses. To wit:
o In the course of my research, I spoke to a bunch of West End parents, and reported what I understood to be their sentiments and I was told those sentiments were widespread. I reported what I was told by parents with children currently in West-end schools.
o I also stated that I tried to check West End parent representation on AEF’s website - but their website no longer lists the executives and directors of AEF. I closed my letter with “For all I know, west- end parents may be well-represented in AEF, but I can’t check that if they don’t publish the list.”
o I did call for greater transparency from AEF. If the parents I spoke to are mis-informed, then that’s AEF’s fault for not doing a better job at disclosing to the parents how they work and how decisions are made.
o The people I spoke to are questioning the motives of AEF/KASE as a whole, and those groups are comprised of more people than just Ron Mooney. Besides, Mr. Mooney barely received mention in my letter. I did state a verifiable fact that Mr. Mooney filed the KASE PAC filing.
Despite my previous letter to the Alameda Daily News, and my feet-on-the-street outreach to West End parents, I have yet to see any up-swell of West End parents rushing to tell me about their ongoing participation in AEF management structure, and I have yet to hear from anyone in AEF with a list of all the West End parents participating in senior decision making in AEF. And I do not see on AEF’s website any written policy documents that explain how decisions are made or how funding allocations get determined. I’m happy to hear from and receive any or all of the above and report accordingly.
David Howard
Being attacked by David Howard is like being on Nixon’s enemy list - it is immediate confirmation that you are doing the right thing. If we are starting a pool on how many are in his “bunch” I pick the number 2. I also say that none of that “bunch” were from further west than Webster.
Comment by notadave — April 9, 2008 @ 8:02 am
I am a teacher at Encinal, the major West-End school. There are two issues, but they are not connected.
Is there a bias against West End schools? Most educators I have encountered over the years think so. But the bias is at District level. It is expressed in so many ways - copy machine costs, school building projects, attendance zone enforcement, textbook allocation, staffing decisions and reductions, fundraising, visits to the schools by Board members and District staff, publicity for our student achievers and staff accomplishments, etc.
Mr. Howard seems to be expressing a very tired argument used against West End parents - that they have not stepped up in equal numbers to help. Perhaps Mr. Howard should take time to observe that generally, the socio-economic conditions do vary on the West End, and affect the time available for West End parents to participate. Despite the obvious difficulties, there have been a stellar group of parents over my years here who care deeply and give until it hurts for West End students and schools.
However, the issues raised in regard to the Mooneys are silly. I can attest that the Mooneys have put a tremendous time and effort not only into the parcel tax effort, but into Encinal High School to raise funds, support student academic and athletic efforts, and support the teaching staff. These are great Alamedans stepping up for kids.
As for contributions, Dontrelle Willis set the example in contribuing $30,000 to ALAMEDA, not to Encinal, his school. Perhaps all parent booster groups (East End) could follow his example so that all children could have an equal opportunity in this town. Then Encinal teachers would not have to worry (like I do) about “making too many copies”, while Alameda High gets unlimited amounts.
I hope these divisive criticisms of the Mooneys are not intended to distract from real school funding issues facing all Alameda students.
Brian Rodriguez
Comment by Brian Rodriguez — April 9, 2008 @ 8:48 am
His entire argument “some people told me” is a non-arguement, non-point. You can’t make general staments on AEF and the West End, with out having some sort of valid, general(well represented) concencus of the West End.
Comment by MarkD — April 9, 2008 @ 9:32 am
statements*
Comment by MarkD — April 9, 2008 @ 9:33 am
I think that part of the problem here may also be a function of a basic misperception about AEF. AEF doesn’t have tons of discretionary money to throw around in any direction. If you look at AEF’s Form 990 (available at http://www.guidestar.org, free registration required), you will see that roughlly half of AEF’s revenue and expenses are related to the after-school enrichment programs. AEF’s role in the enrichment programs is limited. The enrichment programs are really in the hands of the parents at each of the schools. It is the parents who select the classes, do the scheduling, contact the vendors and help run the classes. AEF’s role is limited to matters such as processing payments and approving the vendors. Simply put, AEF has no control over that process and has limited, if any, discretion with respect to how the after-school enrichment program dollars are spent. The parents do.
The second largest part of AEF’s budget relates to the Adopt a Classroom program. Here again, AEF’s discretion is liimited. The adopt a classroom program allows donors to direct their contribution to a particular classroom, school or program. While there likely are some donors (such as businesses) that do not direct their dollars, many donors direct their adopt a classroom donation to their children’s classroom or school. In those cases, again, AEF does not have discretion, and although I don’t know how the discretionary adopt a classroom funds are directed, I would be very surprised if those dollars were directed disproportionately to East End Schools.
Much of the rest of AEF’s budget is directed to things like music programs (which AEF specifically states is offerred to teachers at all the schools), AP classes at both AHS and EHS, and grants that teachers at any school can apply for.
In other words, I think that the charges of geographic bias by AEF have no basis, and I would challenge anyone who charges AEF with bias to show specific facts supporting this claim.
Comment by Page — April 9, 2008 @ 9:46 am
I have lots and lots that I could say about Mr. Howard’s “meaningful investigative research,” but I will limit myself to two points.
1) Brooke Briggance, the executive director of AEF, is a West End parent. She’s pretty darn involved in “senior decision making.”
2) Questioning AEF’s dedication to equity is just laughable at this point. Those of us who work for or with the foundation (I manage the AEF website) are very, very aware of the equity issues in this district (as well as the issues at the county and state level)and we are very, very committed to solving those issues.
I cannot even begin to quantify how many hours and how much effort AEF staff and volunteers have put into trying to help this district this spring. It has been an exhausting effort, inspired by, yes, our dedication to the district, not just our own schools.
If some of us are also helping KASE, it’s because we’re so passionate about, again, saving this district and supporting high- quality public education (for ALL kids) that we’re willing to work on both fronts. Most of us are taking time out from our families, our jobs, and our school sites to do so. As such, the implications of elitism and cover-ups and conspiracies are just plain ludicrous.
Comment by Susan Davis — April 9, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Anecdotally, I personally know a family (who I won’t name) who lives in the west end and is very involved in AEF.
To me, the interesting post is from Mr. Rodriguez. Is anyone going to challenge his perception relative to bias at the District level? If not, then that says something, I think. If there is bias at the District level, why is that?
Comment by Mike Rich — April 9, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
I don’t usually get into these discussions for a number of reasons. But I think there are a couple of things I can clarify for those of you engaged in this particular conversation.
1) We have recently redesigned our website at AEF to coincide with our “Step Up” public awareness campaign, and in the process of its launch some items were accidentally left off for a time - until they came to our attention and we had the opportunity to correct the error. The after-school enrichment registration button is an example of an unintended omission. The list of current board of directors is another. We apologize if that information was difficult to find as we launched - we have replaced it for the public.
2) I am a West-End parent and am the Executive Director of AEF. My eldest is graduating from EHS this spring; my middle child will be attending Chipman in the fall; and my youngest will be attending kindergarten (I don’t know where yet since our initial enrollment was diverted through the lottery of the AUSD - a policy change I supported on the basis of equity. I have requested that my child be placed at Paden and am waiting to hear from the AUSD if that has gone through. It is my sincere hope that it does.)
3) When I first arrived at AEF in September one of my top priorities was to reach out to the West End and to introduce an evaluation of AEF through the lens of equity. Those members of the AEF executive committee who were present for my job interview will attest to the fact that I made the issue of equity and my passion and commitment to it one of the main themes of my presentation to them. Moreover, it was the very first topic I addressed with the AEF board when I led my first meeting with them as Executive Director. My history of working with children is a long one though I never went into education directly as a career path. My passion for children began during four years I spent as a youth, working in the housing projects in Chicago - when as an intern I helped set up and run day cares centers during the summers, as fairly intensely contested welfare-to-work programs were being instituted and children were left without supervision. Those days have shaped me today.
4) When I arrived at AEF the first parent group I met with was from Washington, because I wanted to get a sense of their perspective of the Foundation and get some ideas of how I might focus some continued efforts on behalf of the West End. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to speak to parents at Encinal and also at a West End Neighborhood Network parent meeting held at Paden. I have met with administrators at several West End schools - including a meeting with Niel Tam at Washington. I have also spoken to teachers and staff at Encinal and Chipman. I will also be speaking at an upcoming Ruby Bridges parent meeting.
5) I would agree that there are needed changes in how our schools are funded in Alameda - on the marco and micro levels. I would agree with Mr. Rodriguez that some funding inequities are institutional, while others have to do with access to programs and still others have to do with private fundraising (the differentiation of PTA funding capacities comes to mind).
For our part, I am asking AEF to take equity seriously and as we examine all of our efforts on behalf of the AUSD we have committed to have equity as part of our main mission. AEF has a long history in this community as a volunteer organization. Only recently (three years ago) did the board hire its first Executive Director. So, I don’t expect you to believe me just because I say it. I will expect that my commitments on a number of fronts will be questioned and tested by those among you who are suspicious, until it no longer is an issue because our actions speak loudly on our behalf. I will be quietly over here - walking like a duck and talking like a duck until everyone knows exactly what I am.
But I do hope that criticisms levied against myself or the Foundation in the immediate term remain rooted in fact and not gossip. That they are presented in a manner befitting adults. And that they refuse to stoop to personal attacks.
Any insinuations intended to besmirch the character of Ron Mooney are misguided and unnecessary, deflecting from the real work at hand - which in my estimation has more to do with finding creative solutions to our funding crisis than spending time looking for trouble where there isn’t any to be found.
Working to pass the parcel tax and working with the AEF - even at the same time - are not crimes, nor do they represent deficiencies in person or direction. As a mother of three children in the AUSD I am glad to have good people working to create solutions to the problems we face in our schools, and I thank them for their efforts.
Is there a lot of work left to be done? Yes, of course there is. I, for one, am pleased to have been given this opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get to it. I look forward to working with other, like-minded citizens in my community, who recognize that public education is not only an important thing to do, but the right thing to do. I am working today because of that belief - I know many of you are as well. And I will wake up tomorrow and do the same.
Comment by Brooke Briggance — April 9, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
Well I say we all ought to thank our lucky stars that we have Brooke B. at the helm of AEF, a nonprofit fighting for our public schools. Her eloquence in print is just as solid as it’s been the dozen or so times I’ve heard her talk passionately about the need FOR ALL CHILDREN to have an opportunity to go to quality schools. And in reality–not in the fiction that it seems at least one person in the community is trying to weave–her heart and soul is in her work as an advocate for those with less–whose families maybe can’t supplement the ever-more-spare public school curriculum with art or music or sports. I am proud to work with Brooke and to try my best to support her and AEF in their efforts as they work to energize this community in support of one of its most fundamental public institutions. So, yay to Brooke and ick to name-calling and finger-pointing and red herrings.
Comment by Eve — April 9, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Brooke, welcome to the club - you join a group of dedicated, impassioned, intelligent and decent citizen leaders who have been attacked by David Howard without cause. This current example is a classic howard attack piece - fabricate a charge, call for an investigation, then when the governing body responds, announce that “such and such agency is looking into charges of….”.
Comment by notadave — April 9, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
Some people are just not happy unless they believe that there is a vast conspiracy against them.
http://watchthesimpsonsonline.com/movie/402-612_Homer_the_Great.html
Comment by AlamedaNayTiff — April 9, 2008 @ 8:21 pm