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22 QUESTIONS

District Deeds received the following 22 questions from an anonymous source about the San Diego Unified Leadership for current Superintendent and Deputy Secretary of Education nominee Cindy Marten since 2013.

We have reviewed all these questions and agree that ALL of them should be answered by Marten in her federal confirmation hearing.

We urge our readers to review this list and send it or the link to this post all to your Local, State or Federal official, your favorite TV, Radio or Newspaper or your relatives and friends who are education advocates.

Here you go:

Senators and Media,

It was our hope that Biden and his new team would Build Back Better by choosing a vetted group of professionals to lead critical cabinet positions. We aren’t sure who vetted Cindy Marten, but if the message you are trying to send is that photo ops and a focus on “me” takes precedent over the achievement of students you have made the right choice.

Have you asked any questions about this nominee?

(1) Why isn’t anyone asking questions about the deposition Cindy Marten gave regarding the Green Elementary incident? What kind of district leader responsible for the well being of students would say that she wasn’t sure that the oral copulation of a kindergarten student was not serious or a priority?  https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/marten-depo-gurrieri.pdf

(2) Why hasn’t SDUSD been able to close a California Department of Education Federal Program Monitoring Review from Spring 2018? Specifically English Learner items 14 and 15—why has it been more than 637 days and the items are still open? Has anyone asked why the textbooks, curriculum and training were not in place over her tenure as superintendent? https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/cr/unrslvfndgs225.asp

(3) Has anyone seen the recent public records request findings raising questions over $37,000 of relief funding that was used to pay for a lobbying firm? Has anyone asked why SDUSD is putting off the release of the totality of these public records requests given Cindy’s nomination? Shouldn’t the public see what was actually purchased given that these were relief funds and should have been used to support students returning to school? Shouldn’t we see these documents before she is confirmed?  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X6USAD-rHEHjT1JIRf5AfrG-YQkSsdDP/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bLdrNgFIqi4_xJlyopVRwJ_kgzhGNwj_/view?usp=drivesdk 

https://opensdusd.com/2021/01/21/did-taxpayers-fund-cindy-martens-nomination/

(4) Has anyone seen the yearly reports on the disproportionate Black suspension rates in SDUSD from Dr. Luke Wood at San Diego State University? Has anyone asked why three of the principals with the highest rates of suspension were subsequently promoted when Cindy Marten claims she supports social justice and culturally responsive practices? 

https://cceal.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/WHENTHEYpdf.pdf

Note page 17: Montgomery Middle School Principal Stephanie Brown #1 rate of discipline promoted to Principal of Lincoln High School. Innovation Middle School Principal Nicola Labas #3 rate of discipline promoted to Principal of Logan K-12 Complex. Roosevelt Middle School Principal #8 rate of discipline promoted to Area Superintendent. Has anyone looked at the expulsion and suspension record of the newly appointed High School Area Superintendent Erin Richison–check out her suspension and expulsion, dropout rates and achievement rates (esp Black and Hispanic) as a principal at El Cajon Valley High School from 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. 

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqCensus/DisSuspRate.aspx?year=2012-13&agglevel=School&cds=37681303731692

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqCensus/DisSuspRate.aspx?year=2013-14&agglevel=School&cds=37681303731692

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqCensus/DisExpRate.aspx?year=2013-14&agglevel=School&cds=37681303731692

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqCensus/DisExpRate.aspx?year=2012-13&agglevel=School&cds=37681303731692

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/CohortRates/GradRates.aspx?Agg=S&Topic=Coh&TheYear=2011-12&cds=37681303731692&RC=School&Subgroup=Ethnic/Racial

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/CohortRates/GradRates.aspx?Agg=S&Topic=Coh&TheYear=2012-13&cds=37681303731692&RC=School&Subgroup=Ethnic/Racial

https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/CohortRates/GradRates.aspx?Agg=S&Topic=Coh&TheYear=2013-14&cds=37681303731692&RC=School&Subgroup=Ethnic/Racial

(5) Why was the San Diego Chapter of the NAACP the first to come out and question Cindy Marten’s nomination? 

https://www.sandiegonaacp.org/2021/01/18/position-statement-on-the-deputy-superintendent-nomination/

(6) Has anyone asked why Cindy would train district leaders on how to delete their emails?

https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/education/official-san-diego-unified-trained-employees-to-delete-emails-from-public-record/

(7)   Has anyone called Lallia Allali, a parent who chairs the District English Learner Advisory Committee, to inquire about Cindy’s support for English Learners over her tenure as superintendent? Has anyone watched the board reports online to watch how she was dismissed when presenting her concerns to the board?

(8)   Has anyone called the recently resigned Special Education elected parent leader, Moira Allbritton, to inquire about Cindy’s support for special education over her tenure as superintendent? Has anyone asked her about the number of due process cases filed against SDUSD and Cindy over the last 24 months? Has anyone watched the board reports online to watch how she was dismissed when presenting her concerns to the board?

(9)   Has anyone looked at the Advanced Placement (AP) data over Cindy’s tenure? How can you explain the increase in enrollment of students in the first three years and the subsequent decline in AP test taking and pass rates? Doesn’t it look like kids were better off under Superintendent Kowba? Were underserved students just shoved into AP classes to meet quotas without the support needed to be successful?

(10)   Has anyone looked at the state SBAC data over Cindy’s tenure? (Not year to year but impact over multiple years.) She conveniently says “kids are not a test score” but why can’t SDUSD show gains on mastery sets of data vs. subjective data that can be manipulated by placing pressure on adults?

(11)  Has anyone asked about the number of non-disclosure agreements issued in Cindy’s tenure? Why does the “be kind, dream big” superintendent need to close so many mouths in the system? How about asking about the principals who have been placed on leave before any evidence that the accusations against them were valid? How about the principal who reported that she was being sexually harassed to her supervisor (area superintendent) and was placed on leave?

(12) Has anyone looked into the relationship between school bond funding and Gafcon? Didn’t Cindy teach his kids?

(13)  Has anyone examined the results of the workload surveys completed by administrators over Cindy’s tenure? Has anyone read the comments that are submitted as part of the survey?

2018 Elementary Principals Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/elementary-principals-workload-survey.pdf

2018 Middle Level Prinicpals Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/middle-level-principals-workload-survey.pdf

2018 K-8 Principals Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/k-8-principals-workload-survey.pdf

2018 Senior High Principals Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/senior-high-principals-workload-survey.pdf

2018 Vice Principals Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/vice-principals-workload-survey-copy.pdf

2018 Central Office Workload Surveys

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/central-office-certificated-management-workload-survey-1-copy.pdf

2017 Workload Survey – Certificated Elementary Principal

2017 Workload Survey – Certificated K-8 School Principal

2017 Workload Survey – Certificated Middle School Principal

2017 Workload Survey – Certificated High School Principal

2017 Workload Survey – Certificated Vice Principal

2017 Workload Survey – Central Office Manager

(14)   Has anyone watched the recorded LCAP board meeting from 2018  where promises were made to special education families about the “Lighthouse” model? Where are the Lighthouse models and are they benefiting kids? Are there any?

(15)   Has anyone looked at the data at Lincoln High School over Cindy’s tenure? Didn’t she say in her first year as superintendent, “if we get Lincoln right we get public education right?” Has anyone asked the Lincoln community how this has gone? Has anyone looked at the achievement data, college data and other student impact data?

(16)   Has anyone asked about how many complaints have been filed with the Office of Civil Rights? Has anyone asked about the nature of these complaints?

(17)Has anyone requested the retention rates of African American Students over Cindy’s tenure? Did she do anything to change these rates after they were openly discussed at board meetings? Did she make the retention rates public as Board member John Lee Evans requested after a board meeting examining the findings from the graduation strategies committee?

(18) Has anyone looked at Cindy’s use of reorganization each year to balance the budget? How about the year(s) she didn’t bring reorganization charts forward despite huge shifts in district staffing? Is this how student-centered budgets are designed and implemented?

(19)  Has anyone read the District Deeds Blog https://districtdeeds.blog/  and Facebook pages created by community members summarizing Cindy’s behavior over many years? Did you know that a parent leader created that blog after witnessing the abuses to administration at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA)?

(20) Have grading practices really been changed in SDUSD or was this announcement made prior to the board election a headline photo op? Doesn’t the communication by the teacher’s union (SDEA) communicate that teachers will continue to maintain control of grading processes?

(21) Has anyone actually vetted the depth of her resume? Has she been recognized for her work, achievements or accomplishments as a principal or superintendent? Is starting a school garden at Central the noteworthy achievement in her resume?

(22)  Has anyone looked at all of the newspaper reports about students being compromised in SDUSD–Doesn’t research tell us that toxic leaders create toxic environments?

San Diego County CIVIL GRAND JURY REPORT 2013 – San Diego Unified Adult-Child Bullying 

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/adult_child_bullying_report-sd-civil-grand-jury-report-2013.pdf

San Diego Schools to Tackle Adult to Student Bullying Report

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/bullying-san-diego-school-adult-student-focus-group/1970248/#ixzz45Yg53b5P

Lawsuit Claims SDUSD Mistreated Disabled Boy https://fox5sandiego.com/news/another-san-diego-family-claims-special-needs-child-mishandled-by-school-bus-drivers/

Parents Ask City Attorney for Help in Alleged School Abuse https://fox5sandiego.com/news/parents-ask-city-attorney-for-help-in-alleged-school-abuse/

Mother of Kindergartener Claims School Response to Fondling Claims ‘Insulting’:

https://videopress.com/v/pSeAApso

San Diego School Counselor Pleads Guilty to Keeping Child Pornography     https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/03/san-diego-school-counselor-admits-keeping-child-pornography.html

Former School Counselor and Former Navy Enlisted Man Sentenced for Child Pornography Offenses

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/sandiego/press-releases/2011/former-school-counselor-and-former-navy-enlisted-man-sentenced-for-child-pornography-offenses

Sexual Assault – FOIA Document

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sdusd-foia-re-michael-guererri-responsive-documents-fy20152016-060.pdf

LaToya Johnson v SDUSD – Sexual Assault

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/latoya-johnson-v-sdusd-green.pdf

Settlement Agreement Dr Ferguson

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/settlement-agreement-dr-ferguson.pdf

More Parents Concerned About School After Abuse Claim

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/rory6p0522_san-diego/53962/

Green Elementary Parent Letter

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/green-elementary-parent-letter.pdf

Parent Claims She Warned Hamilton Elementary of Bathroom Attacks

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/hamilton-elementary-bathroom-attacks-kindergarten-bully-san-diego/1963282/#ixzz45Z5084y4

4-Year-Old Girl Found Alone in Parked School Bus: Parents

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/girl-left-alone-on-school-bus-san-diego-autistic-sdusd/57119/#ixzz45Y3xGPJc

Elementary School Sued Over ‘Harmful’ Bathroom Policy

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/parent-sues-school-after-child-denied-use-of-restroom/

Bus Driver Forced Boy to Expose Himself, Urinate: Lawsuit

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/bus-driver-forced-boy-to-expose-himself-urinate-lawsuit/83982/#ixzz45Y0XKdhY

Riley Elementary Special-Needs Student Victimized

https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/oct/06/ticker-riley-elementary-student-victimized/

Former Teacher Gets 3 Years for Sexual Acts with Student

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-former-teacher-gets-3-years-for-sexual-acts-with-2010apr23-story.html

Rosa Parks Elementary  https://videopress.com/v/XxozQp76

Torrey Pines Elementary   https://videopress.com/v/1IBbg56i

SAY Employee – Child Sexual Assault

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/sexual-battery-lawsuit.pdf

Whittier (Del Sol) Spec Ed Assistant Caught with Child Porn

 https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/special-needs-teacher-child-porn-adolfo-chavez-whitter-elementary-school/1912334/

Students Suspended for Viewing Porn in Class: Report

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/students-suspended-for-watching-porn-in-class/1925043/#ixzz45YmWYZXs

Local teacher Named ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 2010 Arrested on Suspicion of Having Child Porn: https://videopress.com/v/NHV4iVE7

Retired San Diego Unified School District Educator Sentenced to 84 months for Receipt of Child Pornography

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pt-loma-einstein-child-porn.pdf

Alba High School Counselor Arrested on Sex with Minor Allegations

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-teacher-investigation-alba-high-school-lucas-jubb-oregon/2052455/

Teen Reacts to Jury Verdict in Bullying Lawsuit Brought against San Diego Unified School District – Statutory Rape:

 https://videopress.com/v/KIudxbeS

Toni Sutton: Crawford Teacher Predator

https://videopress.com/v/3rZ3NO1l

https://videopress.com/v/xTPZvLZX

Crawford High School Teacher Accused of Sex with Student Pleads Not Guilty

https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/crawford-high-school-teacher-accused-of-sex-with-student-pleads-not-guilty/509-5500d1e2-6147-4c1b-80e5-68674b16e94f

Crawford High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex with Student

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/teacher-pleads-guilty-to-sex-with-student/

SD Unified Fails to Report Sexual Abuse Complaint Involving Coach

https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/sd-unified-fails-to-report-sexual-abuse-complaint-involving-coach/509-4eb1e112-9acf-4118-9125-46e197fa81f9

Parents Ask City Attorney for Help in Alleged School Abuse

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/parents-ask-city-attorney-for-help-in-alleged-school-abuse/

Retired San Diego Unified School District Educator Sentenced to 84 months for Receipt of Child Pornography 

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pt-loma-einstein-child-porn.pdf

Parent Claims Teacher Gave Student Prescription Drugs, Told Them to Run Away

https://videopress.com/v/7Jh7369d

Lawsuit Against San Diego Unified for Not Reporting Teacher for Having Sex with Student  https://www.leagle.com/decision/incaco20111220034

Serra High School Severely Mentally Disabled Student Molested by Student

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/serra-legal-doc.pdf

Bathroom Video, Bullying Led to Teen’s Suicide, Parents Say

https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bathroom-video-bullying-suicide-20140714-story.html

Retired San Diego Unified School District Educator Sentenced to 84 months for Receipt of Child Pornography

https://districtdeeds.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/pt-loma-einstein-child-porn.pdf

Please go to The United States Deputy Secretary of Education Nominee Cindy Marten EDU-Rap Sheet for more information.