HBCSD Corruption

The Misleading Information:

October 23, 2014 – Step into the Arena, by School Board member Jack Burns (2009-2014), Letters to the Editor, The Easy Reader  (TL-2014Oct23 LTTE J Burns and M Prassas)

“The negative campaign Miyo Prassas continues to wage against Hermosa Beach schools has reached comical levels to those of us who take the time to understand the issues.”…  [reads like something former School Board member (2002-2009) Greg Breen would write]

“Having served on the board for four years, I can say firsthand that countless volunteers logged thousands of hours and left no rock unturned in the quest to solve a variety of issues that helped the district weather one of the most challenging economic periods in several generations.  I believe the efforts were a success and Prassas’ ongoing rock throwing is an insult to their efforts.”  [reads like something former School Board member (2002-2009) Greg Breen would write]

“I agree that some solutions seem logical on the surface but must be dismissed because they are either against the education code, state law, or just not practical.”

“Is Prassas implying our elected officials should break the law by pursing illegal paths?“  [reads like something former school board member Greg Breen would write]

“It is also hard to follow the twisted logic that the district should utilize property it does not own and is not for sale rather than use property that it currently operating as a school site.  I can only conclude it is not that there is insufficient data available, but simply an inability to comprehend the data.” [reads like something former school board member Greg Breen would write]

NOTE:  Former School Board member, Jack Burns (2009-2014) is believed to have left the Hermosa Beach School District in 2014.  According to public records he moved his family to Palos Verdes Estates in 2013 and purchased a new home in Palos Verdes Estates in January 2014.  (TL-2022 J Burns Public Records) This letter to the editor was supposedly written by former school board member Jack Burns 10 months after he had left HBCSD for PVUSD.

NOTE: October 09, 2014 - Misinformation and Misleading Statements contained in Letters to the Editor #3, Tom Bakaly, City Manager, City of Hermosa Beach, Letters to the Editor, Easy Reader News: Please see information and discussion regarding misinformation and misleading information contained in Tom Bakaly’s Letter to the Editor of October 09, 2014. (TL-2014Oct09 LTTE Tom Bakaly)

NOTE: October 21, 2014- email Measure Q Q&A, email exchange between Superintendent Pat Escalante, former school board member Cathy McCurdy and former school board member Lance Widman (former City Council member and signer on the Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Pier Avenue School in 1978).  (TL-2014Oct21 email btwn C McCurdy, L Widman and P Escalante)

Former school board members Cathy McCurdy and Lance Widman and current HBCSD Superintendent Pat Escalante are discussing who in the school district and city will write letters attacking the No on Measure Q members and stance:

 Cathy McCurdy writes: “Someone needs to respond to this baloney…”   Lance Widman writes: “I also believe current Board members need to respond as well, not just Pattie [Ackerman?], Jenn [Auville?] and Cathy [McCurdy?].”   Pat Escalante writes: “Lisa (Claypoole) was published two weeks ago - jack burns has a letter in this week, city manager two weeks in row.  More next week…” 

NOTE: This email illustrates the on-going collaboration and coordination between Superintendent Pat Escalante, and former school board members Cathy McCurdy (1999-2007 and 2009-2011), Lance Widman (2002-2009), Pattie [Ackerman?], Lisa Claypoole, and Jack Burns (2009-2013).