Legal Fees Spent with SHUSD Education Funds

Dear Editor:
On April 22, 2009 our SHUSD sued the Napa County Office of Education including a hand full of individuals in their capacity as employees of the NCOE, County Treasurer, Board of Supervisors, etc. for an allocation of tax dollars that relate to the educating of high school students from Pope Valley and Howell Mountain. Also, our SHUSD has entered into a legal harangue with the Napa County SELPA (and has threatened to sue) for supposed excess costs (some $378k) our SHUSD paid since June 2007 for providing special education services.

I've read the legal petition and the position appears to be based on old law deleted in 1980. The SELPA issue also appears to be flawed in that we (SHUSD) are the ones that asked to pull away from the county supported SELPA. But whoever is right, one thing must be known; SHUSD has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on attorneys, consultants, and staff resources pursing these arguments. These dollars didn't educate our kids nor did they stay in our town. That is a fact. Our district has postured itself in a very adversarial way that is all too familiar. I like to call this legal intimidation. Beat them down until they give you what you want; an adult's way of being a school yard bully.

I've personally seen the district actions force a family to hire an attorney. I've seen the district stall, delay, mislead, and misinform with hope they "go away". I've seen the district negotiate not in good faith (withdraw an accepted offer to settlement) and refuse mediation so that the issue to goes an exhaustive and expensive two week administration hearing. I've heard the words "I don't believe in mediation." I've seen the letters and emails directed to the Board. I've witnessed all of this. That is a fact.

In the end, we will continue to spend hundreds and thousands of dollars chasing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Although the arguments appear colorable…what's the point? Are we working "with" or "against" people to solve problems? Remember the cost of it all and remember the kids.
Kevin Alfaro