Three incumbents face four challengers for Lennox school board

As a teacher in Lennox for over 20 years, I agree with the concerns of many about this present board. They have made many terrible decisions and brought about a general feeling of fear, intimidation, and anxiety in Lennox. Speaking to Mr. La Madrid's comment about our test scores, he's referring to our Math scores. The present board fired the person who brought the new math program to our district. We need change, before they completely destroy the wonderful Lennox Community.

I have been a teacher in the Lennox School District for more than 25 years, and a consistent subscriber of the Daily Breeze for much longer than that. I have two comments to make anout your article.
It is mentioned in the article that the incumbents are running on a record of rising test scores. It is true that our test scores have improved considerably over the last few years. Not too long ago, the Daily Breeze quoted our superintendent, Dr. Bruce Daniel, as crediting that growth to a new math program. While the current board did vote to adopt this program, they also voted unanimously not to renew the contract of the individual who was largely responsible for bringing it to our district.
Your article also mentioned the controversy over the reassignment of Ms. Martha Padilla--Pardo, who was my prinicipal. It states that action was taken "after hearing some complaints from teachers and parents". It is important to note that the Buford teachers overwhelmingly supported their principal. More than 80% of the teachers, along with classified staff and a great number of parents signed a petition urging the board to reconsider their decision.

In regards to this statement "The incumbents - Marisol Cruz, Maria Verduzco-Smith, and Maribel Amaya - are running on a record of rising test scores in the majority-Latino district."
Yet, they let go of the one person that had the greatest impact on our scores-Ceci. As a teacher, I make decisions based on data and if you look at CST data for the last 4 years, you see improvement but not of the magnitude experienced last year. We, as teachers, had our doubts about the program at its inception. However, as time progressed the on-going data showed that it was working. At this time a majority of the teachers started to see its benefits and fully welcomed it. Yet for unknown reasons, she was let go because the Board did not believe that she fit the majority of the School Boards political vision. Teachers questioned this decision and went to board meetings, yet the majority of the School Board ignored the data and the teachers, and in the process jeopardized our students success in math. Now, Ms. Cruz and Ms. Verduzco-Smith want to take credit for that? Please randomly call teachers at the elementary schools and ask them what they think about this decision. They will share their frustrations with these members and their two other allies, Ibarra and Fajardo.

I would like to applaud Brenda Muse for taking a stand for the community and all the CSEA and LTA members who are really afraid of the illicit actions of a majority of the School Board members. We are afraid because we feel that LTA e-council doesn't do anything to stop the persecution of teachers who dare to question their means (We have asked for help in numerous occasions yet we have been ignored.) I would like to clarify that CSEA endorsement voting is a true democratic vote since each member has a vote. Not surprisingly, they endorsed Saldana, Navarro, and Amaya. Yet, when I read LaMadrid's quote,I was infuriated because he makes it seemed as if a majority of the teachers agree with him. As a matter of fact, the LTA Political Action Committee suggested to endorse Amaya and Saldana (Navarro and Rivera did not participate in the interview process hence they were not considered but had they, they probably would have been endorsed, too.) Yet, his e-board overturned the PACs decision and ignored the teachers decision. WE asked for at 1 teacher, 1 vote but were ignored. What were they afraif of?

I have been an employee of Lennox School District for many years and it needs to be stated that the opposition to this school board is extensive. They have conducted themselves in an unethical and unprofessional mannor. Last year they let go of a young and talented administrator at the district who is truly the person responsible for the increase in test scores. They also demoted the Buford principal who was overwhelmingly supported by parents and teachers. The principal was removed because of a personal vandetta that the board president had against her. This board has brought nothing but division to the community. Fajardo, Cruz and Ibarra have appeared more interested in protecting their power and promoting their friends. They are also protected by the unpopular teacher's union leadership that is more interested helping their board friends then in protecting the rights of their own teachers. Right now in Lennox there is an environment of fear and resentment. This board has shown a complete lack of transparency and an inclination to go after those that oppose them in a very sneaky and vendictive way. They need to be exposed!

Does Humberto's parents know he is running for this position? He looks like he should be at home studying for his algebra exam!!

Wondering wrote:

Does Humberto's parents know he is running for this position? He looks like he should be at home studying for his algebra exam!!

what does that have to do with anything?

I am a Lennox parent but I have also worked for the Lennox in the past, I am so glad that there is finally a few MEN trying to join the board. I honestly believe that our board needs a new team to make a difference in our community, SPECIALLY for the sake of our children.

No one has the right to use a child's image holding a weapon. Why not use a book instead, if you really stand for education. Should we tell our children that the 7th pillar of character counts is now "surviving Lennox". Guns and violence isn't the solution, it's education.

These board members gotta go! They run this district with 3rd world country politics using corruption, intimidation and attacks. Someone needs to show them a map and let them know they are in the United States of America not Nicaragua.

I have witnessed Marisol Cruz attack and belittle a highly respected teacher in front of a cafeteria full of parents. When a parent stood up and expressed her disappointment in Cruz's behavior and lack of professionalism she was followed, harassed, and intimidated-not just on that day but consistently during and after other school activities by Cruz, Fajardo, and Ibarra. It got so bad the parent was frightened for her well being and stopped attending and participating in school meetings and functions. Other parents witnessed the harassment and also stopped participating in their child's school for fear that the same would happen to them. The teacher that was belittled...was consistently attacked and harassed until she stepped down as meeting coordinator. These board members are BAD for this district- especially for the parents, teachers, and students which are ALL at the bottom of these 3 board members list of priorites. They only care about their own agenda and squelch the rights and voice of those that oppose them and their agenda.

As these present Board Members have done their 'thing,' we've seen many beloved Lennox employees jump ship and head to saner ground. Some extremely devoted people - to the community, the children, and school staffs - have left in the past 2 years because District Office has become a terrible place to work. Tom, Margaret, and Laura - if you read this, we miss your brilliance and your dedication.

LTA membership did not vote to endorse the incumbents- LTA executive board voted to endorse them. LTA executive board knows full well it's membership does not agree with this board or how it's handled the district's business. I find it very interesting and very telling how Larry Lamadrid states, "For this board to suffer any kind of change would be devastating." It would be devastating only for Fajardo and her cronies...Lamadrid is working only for Angela Fajardo and her interests not for his membership. When Fajardo, the Lennox Board President is calling Larry, the president of the Lennox Teachers Assoc. "Daddy" IN PUBLIC, you KNOW there's a conflict of interest and Larry has consistently turned his back on his membership that elected him and a blind eye when things have happened to the teachers in this district. He needs to go too!

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Mr. Navarro and Mr. Rivera have alluded to the fact that there have being numerous times in which Cruz#1 a.k.a. Fajardo, Cruz #2 a.k.a. Ibarra, and Cruz#3 a.k.a. Cruz have met together at different places throughout the community to discuss school issues without following the protocol that requires them to announce such meetings within a period of time. This is a violation of the Browns Act; however, since parents and teachers are not aware of the law, nothing has occurred. However, the District is aware of the activities and complaints and this is the reason why they have had a special session on the "Browns Act." Unfortunately, they have continued to meet given the gray area regarding quorum, and the belief that they have total control of the District. Ignorance of the Law is not an excuse-if you break a law there must be repercussions.

I can't believe how much bull, conflict of interest, ignorance is going on with our current board members.At this point I don't care which of the new four candidates are elected, as long as the three witches get out. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

WOW what GREAT comments from an AMAZING group of people I too agree with Ms Brenda :-) The Board needs some revamping and with Cruz gone this will be a start.I ask all school employees to keep a very close eye on both Saldana & Navarro should they take a seat on the BOARD .What WE don't need is them two buying into the (rumors & gossip) that plauge our little district
because if they do they are no better than "Cruz & Ibarra" and someone needs to hold them accountable.Ms Amay is about the only one with common sense.

mividaloca Lennox CA wrote:

WOW what GREAT comments from an AMAZING group of people I too agree with Ms Brenda :-) The Board needs some revamping and with Cruz gone this will be a start.I ask all school employees to keep a very close eye on both Saldana & Navarro should they take a seat on the BOARD .What WE don't need is them two buying into the (rumors & gossip) that plauge our little district
because if they do they are no better than "Cruz & Ibarra" and someone needs to hold them accountable.Ms Amay is about the only one with common sense.

You are right, and as someone who has worked very closely with both of them, I have great confidence in them both that they are not 'easily swayed.' They both want the best for our children and our district.

We should all work together and support these two candidates who truly want to make a difference in the community. Less talk and more action.

I would like to thank the Daily Breeze for attending the board meeting and for the article today.

A few questions arise:

1. Based on what was reported, is the Daily Breeze still going to endorse the incumbents?

2. I have subscribed for many years to the Daily Breeze and seen many articles on various administrators who were in the process of being removed from their positions and in some case, the decision was changed. I can't help but wonder why there were no articles last year about the administrators who lost their positions in Lennox.
Why was that not reported??