Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 11:06 am

Is this the same board that last year hired the superintendent from Mountain View with a controversial history and gave him a salary of $204,000?

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Posted by Unbelievable, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Yes. And the same Board Member who just voted to give the construction company another $50,000 to finish Hillview on time even though they were obligated to do so under the contract.

Posted by Misha, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 1:12 pm

Yes, and while the jury is still out on how he perform in the long term, so far it looks like a solid hire for the school district. The school board works hard on behalf of our students but I didn't always believe that. I was a skeptic who assumed they were all resume-builders with hidden agendas until I started paying attention and attending every board meeting. I now realize they're a group of smart, talented individuals who are passionate about providing quality education within our community. That's it. I don't want to be on the school board, that's for sure, so I'm thankful to those who do and who represent our District's interests so well. This is a tough time in California for public education, so many of the decisions that will be made going forward (particularly with November's vote) will need to be carefully considered. Glad to know this group will do that.

Posted by Very Lucky, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2012 at 8:50 pm

We are VERY lucky to have Maria and Jeff run again for this position. "Bob" and "Unbelievable", how 'bout YOU guys run for office? If you only knew the rigors, the

time commitment and the many stressful decisions that need to be made by this crew,

all in the name of our kids, while VOLUNTEERING. Don't forget how great this school system really is, it's embarrassing for any of us to criticize anything regarding our schools. If you want to gripe, go after our "vibrant downtown" or El Camino Real, perhaps some changes need to happen THERE.

Posted by Give Me A Break, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 27, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Are you kidding??? No one else can run! If you haven't been vetted by the Menlo Atherton Education Foundation you will NEVER have a chance to serve on the Board of Education. No one will challenge these folks because it's a hand-picked, closed process and if you dare to try you will be ostracized from the school community. If Jeff and Maria run, NO ONE else will challenge them. So let's not hear any more about these overworked, underappreciated martyrs.