In response to a letter published in the Lucerne Valley Leader on November 24, 2015 by attorneys for the Lucerne Valley Unified School District [dated November 13, 2015], I respectfully respond as follows:
As a resident of the area with a child in the system, I am a concerned parent. As a career educator, I have unique insight. I have no political aspirations. I have no pockets to line with buddies getting contracts. I have and am going to speak to matters that improperly drain public funds for private use, whether on the Board or not. The Board has the records which I believe may prove misconduct and self dealing by Board members and the District has been withholding them (if they haven't been trashed) despite those records having been asked for by me through a lawful California Public Records Act request as a private citizen (something not mentioned by the District's attorney). The wrongful withholding of those records could expose the District to a law suit for fees and costs.
The District hired a lawyer to consult with and write a windy letter over a simple work off slip request and a demand from my lawyer that the District communicate through him. What a waste, but the waste does not end there. This District has agendized discussion of the recall election, in effect putting taxpayer money into a campaign to recall a board member who they disagree with. I guess the First Amendment died in Lucerne Valley
If the District didn't do anything, why would the release of those records be stalled in violation of the California Government Code? Doesn't spending attorney fees to write a letter (in a District where school lunches owed have been allegedly withheld) smell? I have paid for those record's copying with a money order. I am having to resort to a certified letter and check (now its twice).
I have not made any complaints to any county or state agency as is suggested by the newspaper, so if someone is sniffing around, maybe, just maybe Mr. Harvey and his minions have something else to worry about.
I hired a lawyer to present my claim rights through the California Government Code mandated procedure for misconduct specific to me. I have a right to present a claim for tort damages. The procedures are complicated when making claims against government entities. I don't apologize for taking legal steps when I have been wronged.
"Despicable" says Harvey? ‐‐maybe he has been reading the law on punitive damages which he may have to face in the future requires conduct be despicable.
The louder they scream, you have to believe, the more they think they are getting away with hiding. The recall election is set. Why don't these people act like leaders and respect the process?
Dawn Turnbull