This was originally posted as a response to a comment that was left by Jackie Vialapando at http://www.kentclawson.com/Best-wishes#comment-104

Jackie Vialpando District 49 (D49) Union Rep

Sure you want to help, the problem is the way that you want to do it. The fact that in 2005 you were endorsed by the Falcon Teachers Education Association (Union) is one of the most dangerous things that I see with the Vialpando candidacy. As a person I believe that you really do want to do good things for District 49, but endorsing the philosophies of the those who seek to make teachers unaccountable for their failures is antiquated and detrimental. You espouse accountability for student achievement in District 49, but when the time comes and those who produce stagnant results you turn the other cheek and instead talk about demographics and teachers not having the resources that they need.

When it comes time to discuss the "extra" mill levy money in the Mill Levy Oversight committee, the Board is vilianized because you're asked if you considered the needs of other schools' besides your pets. The Board is seen as being "mean" because you were asked if you had considered the upgrading of other mill levy schools such as Patriot Learning Center where windows were secured with broomsticks and allow snow in during the winter. What was the response of the Mill Levy Oversight Chairperson? The profound, "No we only talked about the money going to Vista Ridge."

Now once again it appears you hope to ride perceived dissatisfaction to justify your views. Make no mistakes about it, you should be better positioned than you were in 2005 and won't need to rely on the Falcon Teachers Union for 85% of your total contributions (http://car2.elpasoco.com/PDF/ContrExp_VialpandoJ_Dist49_102805.pdf http://car2.elpasoco.com/PDF/ContrExp_VialpandoJ_101105.pdf). Did you ever ask yourself why they might be supporting you to that degree? Honestly that is the biggest contribution that has been made by any single donor in District 49. Have you thought that it might be to help enhance the position of an organization that currently only 30% of teachers belong to, but that they would love to have more so that they can get a great contract like another area school district that has performed dismally, but has continued to keep the same teachers that got them those results. At least the teachers are safe as the District hemorrhages over $2.4 million annually as students leave each year. I think that it is safe to say that District 49 needs better than that. They need accountability. We need to allow those teachers who continue to perform at an above average level to be rewarded for those successes (chances are that they would just put it right back into the class room because that is what they care about and love to enhance their ability to make those connections and God bless them for it).

Feel free to respond Jackie, but in the end you are a tool for an organization that would support mediocrity and apathy solely because "kids don't pay dues"

Check out http://district49.blogspot.com/ for further insights into the candidates for D49 school board.

Best wishes