University High Needs to Hold Lottery

A couple of weeks ago I read an article in the Fresno Bee about University High being named the 36th best public high school in the nation. Within the article the head of the school, Dr. James Bushman, was puzzled by the lack of interest. Now I have to say that I am a huge fan of University High (since I am a dyed in the wool homeschooler this is a huge statement) so my interest was piqued. I decided to keep an eye out for any developments. Well, that seems to have been rectified. This week they had to hold a lottery and place 30 students on a waiting list.

This left me with some questions so I emailed Dr. Bushman for some more information. Currently the school has space for 400 students and there are no plans to change that regardless of demand. Fresno State has set aside enough space for this many students and the program is set up to work best at this size.

I was also curious about the entrance process. Since the demand had grown I was curious as to why a lottery was employed and not merit system. Dr. Bushman said that as a charter school they aren't allowed to pick and choose. Instead they must conduct a lottery of all applicants that meet the entrance requirements. In order to put more stringent entrance requirements in place the school would have to change their charter (something not in the works).

If find all of this quite interesting and I am sure that I am not the only one (I hear things). This school continues to develop into a wonderful program. I think what is great is that the requirements leave plenty of room for lots of students to apply. They aren't just looking for the Virtuosos but those who will work hard and challenge themselves. I am going to watch this school to see what mark its students make on the world!

Relief Kits

The Mennonite Central Committee is collecting items for relief kits that they will be distributing to victims of natural disasters, war or conflict, and economic and political injustices. You can either contribute items for the kits, completed kits or money to help cover kits themselves or shipping costs. You can go to the website for a list of kits and what they need in them. You can then deliver your kits or monetary donations to the Central Committee at 1010 G Street in Reedley. You can also call 559-638-6911 for more information. I think this is a great way to show others how much you care!

(HT: Around the Valley in the Fresno Bee)

CSUFresno to Appeal Johnson-Klein Ruling

So CSUFresno has decided to try to appeal the ruling for Stacy Johnson-Klein and for Vivas for a new trial. Stacy Johnson-Klein's attorney, Warren Paboojian was on Ray Appleton's show today talking about it. There is also talk that this opens Stacy Johnson-Klein up to appeal the reduction that she agree to. What is shocking is that CSUFresno made this big show about how happy they are to move on from all this. Apparently, while the school said they wanted to pay her off and move on, the school hasn't paid anything nor made an effort to. Paboojian said that he thinks this is coming from higher up than the school, possibly the Chancellor's office in Long Beach. In addition to all lawyer costs but CSU system will have to pay interest on the settlement and opposing counsels fees if the CSU loses the appeal. It takes 18 months to 2 years to decide if the appeal will be granted. Interest on the settlement will accumulate about $80,000 a month. I think that the school doesn't think about that monetary risk because they don't have to pay anything until the appeal is ruled on. That financial risk is on top of the risk of the appeal being granted and CSUF looses big again but this time with out the reduction. Now there is always the chance that CSUF will be exonerated and have to pay nothing but I think the chances of that are very slim. Given their past track record in this area they would have needed to uncover something big on the coaches. Ray Appleton has wondered if this is just ego driven or if they have something new to blow away the opposition.

So how do you think this will effect this new Capitol campaign for CSUFresno? Are you willing to donate to the school now? This will all develop into some interesting blog material.

Technorati Tags: csuf, Stacy Johnson-Klein, Fresno State, Ray Appleton

National Attention for Fresno Firefighters

For a while there has been a legal fight as to whether there are going to be mandatory sprinklers for new, large houses in the Fresno Area. I don't really think we should be mandating these things. But in the sprinkler note, the Fresno Fire department has put together a great and humorous piece. It has gotten over 30 thousand hits on YouTube.



(HT: Fresno Bee)

Technorati Tags: firefighters, Fresno Fire Department, sprinklers

The Hacienda: Halfway House or Abandoned Building

The Fresno City Council had plans to turn a former hotel at Clinton and 99 into a halfway house but it has been delayed due to neighbors complaining. According to the article in today's Fresno Bee, the decision has been delayed another 30 days. I understand that the neighborhood maybe concerned about this secure facility to house ex-cons, parolees and their kids but is the alternative better? It has been sitting empty for 2 years. In the harshest sense this is a choice between a crack den with criminals or a supervised facility with criminals that are trying to be reformed. That isn't a real choice to me. It isn't a situation where it is a profitable business or a halfway house, I could totally understand the neighbors getting involved the. I think that 30 days to placate the neighbors isn't going to placate the neighbors. Either do it or get a business in there because it just sitting is the worse thing for the area. Looking at the harsh reality of Fresno, buildings can sit empty for decades, so what the neighbors think would be a temporary problem may not be. I urge the neighborhood to not try to live in the glory of the old days (this had been one of the nicest hotels in the area) but deal with today's harsh realities.

City Councilman Called to Iraq

Fresno City Councilman, Larry Westerlund has been called to active duty by the Navy. This isn't the first time he has been called back into active duty, in 1998 he was called to Bosnia to serve. While I am very proud of him for serving it does raise some interesting issues. He will be missing the 8 months that will be remaining in his current term but he is also running for reelection. It appears that if he is reelected he will miss the first 6 months. Now how does this effect his elect ability? Should he still be able to take office, even if he isn't here to take office?

Separately, what do you think about the federal government calling a local official into service. NerdDad and I were talking and he raised a great point that this is usurping the voters' rights. We (or those in his district) chose for him to represent them and now that is being taken from them. The Armed Services doesn't call back members in Congress because they are serving in a different branch of government. Why doesn't that extend to state and local governments?

We have the right to elect whomever we want to without federal interference. So why can they interfere in this situation? Now I am not trying to get anyone to shirk their duty and I am pro-military. I am just curious about how this plays in the context of voter rights. What do you all think?

Technorati Tags: Larry Westerlund, Fresno City Council, Fresno California

Locals in the Local Paper

So here are the articles out The Bee by the Bee (not including Sports;).

The Front Page Section:
I thank you, I thank you, I thank you by Ron Orozco
Not in your front yard? by Eddie Jimenez

Local and State Section:
Traveling water: and a lack of basements by Paula Lloyd
Rain, rain GOING AWAY by Don Mayhew
Churches offer a joint black history lesson by Vanessa Colon
Restoring Valley fish run seen as unlikely by Mark Grossi
Term-limit turnover will make upcoming races interesting by Dan Walters

Business:
Word on the Street by Sanford Nax and Bethany Clough

Life Section:
Oscars have an international flavor by Rick Bentley
British actor steps up to play an iconic hero by Rick Bentley
'Beowulf' looks bad by Rick Bentley and Donald Munro

Uncredited Life Features (which I loved):
Fundraising Calendar
Library Events
Someone You Should Know