Online Forum Spotlights Candidates for School Board Seats in SB Unified and Goleta Union Districts
By Jerry Roberts of Newsmakers
Up against the Rams-49ers game for ratings, 10 candidates for five seats in two local school districts shared their views Monday night about literacy, sex ed, pandemic learning loss and a host of other issues facing public education.
A partnership of community groups, including The Resource Santa Barbara, the Coalition for Neighborhood Schools and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sponsored a campaign forum featuring competitors for both the Goleta Union and Santa Barbara Unified district boards of educations.
The November 8 election is the first under a new district election system for local school board contests, and the candidates answered questions for 90 minutes about challenges confronting public schools, both universal and district-specific.
Participating in the event were:
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Three contenders for an open seat in SBUSD Trustee Area #1 - retired educator Efigenia Banales, student affairs professional Gabe Escobedo and parent Dan Le Berge
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The incumbent in the Santa Barbara district's Trustee Area #4, Rose Munoz, and her challenger, small business owner Phebe Mansur.
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The rivals in Goleta Union's Trustee Area #1 - incumbent and UCSB professor Richard Mayer, facing off against school teacher Caroline Abate.
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Two of three candidates in the Goleta District's Trustee Area #3 - teacher Christy Lozano and teacher Emily Zacarias. Also on the ballot is businessman Bert Haley.
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Ethan Bertrand, a Democratic Party activist, who is the only candidate for the seat representing Goleta Union's Trustee Area #5.
Among the more contentious matters were the sex education curriculum in Santa Barbara and a joint-use agreement between the City of Goleta and the School District.
The affair was co-moderated by longtime public schools advocate Lanny Ebenstein and Newsmakers' own genial host.
You can watch the forum via YouTube below or by clicking through this link. Check back for a link to the podcast version.
Comments Penalty Box
2 Comments deleted due to down vote
16 Comments deleted by Administrator
60 Comments
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Oct 06, 2022 03:34 PMIf you don’t think masking is a real issue for schools, I can’t help you Sac. There are candidates on both sides of it. Some are ready to mask and shutdown, others are not. Covid and other viruses aren’t going away.
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Oct 06, 2022 03:39 PM"If you don’t think masking is a real issue for schools" - where did I say that?
1) YOU, not me, said we need to "stick to real issues." I asked what those where. You failed to answer but instead put words into my mouth in an attempt to deflect, much like your RW/con/Rep buddies here.
2) I agree that is a real issue, if that is what you now want to discuss here. Good thing is, NO PUBLIC SCHOOLS are requiring masks right now. So........
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Oct 06, 2022 02:17 PMFor you couple who are arguing semantics, and apparently having not been around the university for the past couple decades, it’s called the ITP. Just leave it at that and stick to real issues.
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Oct 06, 2022 03:09 PMFor those of you who haven't been around reality for quite some time:
https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu
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Oct 06, 2022 03:05 PMBasic, as usual, is wrong. It's the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP).
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Oct 06, 2022 02:56 PM"stick to real issues" - like what? You're the one who derailed this whole thing by making it all about the cancer-surviving moderator and his mask. What are the "real issues" you think we should be discussing here?
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Oct 05, 2022 09:10 PMAlright Marcel and Sac - tell us all who to vote for, and why. Thank you.
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Oct 05, 2022 07:06 PMSacjon quote "So, is someone speaks out about their beliefs and lifestyle choices, it's OK to ridicule, laugh and insult them? That is what you are saying. Is that what you really mean? Think hard before answering that one......"
Holly crap bro... I've been saying that for a year only to get insulted and told what I believe.
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Oct 05, 2022 09:00 PM@8:33PM It makes sense to intelligent people, the sort who don't attack cancer sufferers for wearing a mask.
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Oct 05, 2022 08:36 PMhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alright
There are better reasons to criticize Basic ... like a) the fact that the criticisms of "Fair Education Santa Barbara" and its agenda of inserting religious ideology into our schools have already been laid out in response to his absurd comments about "improving" those schools and b) he's changing the subject from whether it was ok for him to "ridicule, laugh and insult" Jerry Roberts (among others protecting their own and other people's health).
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Oct 05, 2022 08:33 PMYou’re making zero sense.
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Oct 05, 2022 08:28 PM"Song by Kendrick Lamar"? per google...
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Oct 05, 2022 08:15 PMWhat language is the word "alright" in?
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Oct 05, 2022 07:44 PMAlright, someone please give a logical explanation of what you mean by the chaos platform. If you’re going to nail individual candidates for something be ready to back up your accusations. Let’s hear it…
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Oct 05, 2022 07:15 PM@7:06PM So you disapprove of what VORW and Basic did.
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Oct 05, 2022 04:57 PMLyin' and a' cryin' all the day looooong,
Trollin' and a' moanin' 'bout ev'ryone,
Rules fer theeeee..... oh yeah baby
But not fer meeeee... no how!
Fearin' and a' tearin' 'bout them mean ol' Liiiiiiiibs,
Dishin' up a bowl o' hot steamin' fibs,
Rules fer theeeee..... oh yeah baby
But not fer meeeee... no how!
[Washboard and 1 string bass solo]
Projectin' and deflectin' and a' wearin a fez,
Not gunna back up anything he says,
Rules fer theeeee..... oh yeah baby
But not fer meeeee... no how!
[mouth harp outro]
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Oct 05, 2022 05:30 PMthat "...1 string bass solo" is pretty sweet!
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Oct 05, 2022 04:25 PMAs a reminder, below are the "Nutty Nine" candidates who are running on a "chaos" platform.
They have banned together to infiltrate the system and will stop at nothing until their bigoted, religious agenda is inserted into the school system.
These are dangerous and self serving people!
Follow the money Santa Barbara, you deserve better!
Gabriel Morales
Caroline Abate
Christy Lozano
Sharon Jegottka
Debi Stoker
Efigenia Banales
Rosanne Crawford
Colleen Estrada
Dani Blunk
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Oct 05, 2022 02:58 PMI would encourage the undecided voters to cast your ballot for Phebe Mansur, SB District 4 candidate. She will add something much needed to the school board: a quality alternative to the status quo that runs most of Santa Barbara, as well as the state. Her constituency will be YOU; her focus the STUDENTS. Not a political party or ideology. Many of us attended California public schools when we were the envy of the nation. For decades, we ranked number one in schools. For some time now, we are positioned at or near the bottom. Status Quo clearly is not working. Vote for the candidate, not the party! Checks and Balance is a necessary component of our form of governance. We require healthy debate in the public arena, rigorous debate that encourages diversity of opinion and philosophy. Phebe Mansur is smart, concerned about improving the education of all our students, including those most vulnerable. She runs a small business (print shop) and is successful, skills that will serve her well on the dais. She's a fine woman, committed to our community. Before you make a decision, check her out. Contact Phebe and ask her questions about the issues of greatest concern to you regarding local schools.
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Oct 05, 2022 06:41 PMWhat a pile of dishonest baloney. She most certainly does have an ideology, and it's why she is running--and no relevant experience or expertise (other than having spent a lot of time in summer school due to her admittedly having been a terrible student). Rose Muñoz is a better candidate in every way. That Phebe is "a fine woman" is completely irrelevant--so is Rose, so are many people. It's not a reason to vote for Ms. Mansur. Likewise with Efi Banales, whom I know and have worked with on volunteer projects--a really nice person, but not the best candidate for the seat she is running for.
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Oct 05, 2022 04:13 PMPlease ignore the man behind the curtain, and the strings emanating from the articulations.
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Oct 05, 2022 04:02 PMNot a political party or ideology? How is that she struggled to read off her sheet of pre-printed far right talking points? Phebe was the least coherent and qualified candidate, absolutely not.
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Oct 05, 2022 11:19 AMC Abate and C Lozano seem so creepy to me- especially since they essentially are running as "chaos candidates" It's sad and pathetic to watch them lie.
C Abate is dangerous and C Lozano is just plan delusional.
I still say:
"Follow the money"
"Follow the money"
"Follow the money"
"Follow the money"
"Follow the money"
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Oct 04, 2022 07:27 PMAbsolutely.
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Oct 06, 2022 02:53 PM"We’re way past that. At least some of us are." - are you the same guy who belittled, teased and laughed at the cancer survivor with an upper respiratory infection who wore a mask around other people in an enclosed area? Yeah, you're totally "past" masks........ LOL
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Oct 06, 2022 04:19 AMBasic, seems you don't know what the Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics is.
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Oct 05, 2022 09:07 PMP.S. It's KITP, not ITP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kavli_Institute_for_Theoretical_Physics
"The Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) is a research institute of the University of California, Santa Barbara. KITP is one of the most renowned institutes for theoretical physics in the world, and brings theorists in physics and related fields together to work on topics at the forefront of theoretical science. The National Science Foundation has been the principal supporter of the institute since it was founded as the Institute for Theoretical Physics in 1979. In a 2007 article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, KITP was given the highest impact index in a comparison of nonbiomedical research organizations across the U.S."
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Oct 05, 2022 08:26 PM"I wouldn’t listen to anything the ITP @ UCSB wants to put out on ‘lessons on mask wearing’."
Of course you wouldn't -- one of the premier physics institutions in the country might say something you don't want to hear.
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Oct 05, 2022 07:39 PMYes, those in the delusional crowd who believe in being cherry-picked data driven are all with those who have only a basic understanding epidemiology.
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Oct 05, 2022 07:36 PMI wouldn’t listen to anything the ITP @ UCSB wants to put out on ‘lessons on mask wearing’. There are far better sources, and it’s not Fauci and the CDC. It’s real academic institutions that have individuals that aren’t political, aren’t parrots, and specialize in data-driven conclusions. Think Stanford, John’s Hopkins, UCSF, etc. Anyone can tell you “a mask can prevent an airborne infection”. We’re way past that. At least some of us are.
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Oct 05, 2022 08:48 PM@2:54 PM
No apology, just absurd rationalizations.
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Oct 05, 2022 02:54 PMAchoo, I assumed that he was unaccompanied on the video, since I saw no one else in the room. Apparently that was not the case, as was pointed out. And to answer your question, I’ll tell you why. There was a major disruption to our childrens’ education which was driven not by science, studies, or even any evidence (of children being spreaders of the virus) but by a lot of paranoia. That manifested in overkill shutdowns and mask wearing within our schools. It was unfounded, costly, and it was a detriment to the kids. Can anyone wear a mask if they want to? Sure, but don’t be thinking just because you chose to it means it should be fine to force that on others at this point, after where we went the past couple years. Call me defensive. On this one at this time, yeah absolutely.
So in the context of a debate about where our schools are headed, it was upsetting to see someone moderating it with a mask on remotely. I made the incorrect assumption, and that’s on me. I appreciate the moderator’s clarification and respect his wish to wear a mask. I’m happy to see none of the candidates had to do so.
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Oct 05, 2022 01:45 PMThe Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics at UCSB is having a nice online lecture about studies showing the efficacy of mask wearing in preventing transmission of pathogens. Some of the armchair medical experts here might want to tune in.
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Oct 05, 2022 11:38 AM"if the moderator kept their mask wearing and feelings to themselves it's be no problem." - he did, until he was called out and laughed at by your buddy.
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Oct 05, 2022 11:37 AMAHCOO, if the moderator kept their mask wearing and feelings to themselves it's be no problem. It's when those hypochondria feelings are expressed with school boards, spoken at city council meetings, emailed to politicians, etc. that it impacts others leading to schools shutdowns or draconian rules/procedures for students, businesses being closed or unnecessarily restricted, continued mandates for vaccines even for those at very low-risk, etc.
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Oct 05, 2022 10:32 AMBasic, please tell us why the moderator wearing a mask affects you or any other viewer. Do you automatically discount mask-wearers’ credibility, despite not knowing their reasons for wearing masks?
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Oct 05, 2022 12:23 AMBasic can't even figure out how to reply properly to a comment to keep the thread organized. How do you expect him to come up with any sort of coherent answer to a complex question? For someone who claimed in the past to be a physician, he's also remarkable clueless about health issues.
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Oct 04, 2022 07:48 PMHow?
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Oct 04, 2022 06:14 PMIt’s relevant to people Sac, you just don’t know any of them.
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Oct 04, 2022 06:17 PMNo, thank God I don't. Will it affect your vote? Does it change your thoughts on the issues?
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Oct 04, 2022 05:53 PMAnd also who is “Mony”!? Who just dumped right in to someone’s else’s feed. Clueless.
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Oct 04, 2022 05:49 PMWow. Here’s the first and most relevant question: why in the world is the moderator sitting in his own home space and still wearing a damn mask? Laughable.
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Oct 05, 2022 06:27 PMhttps://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/15/business/media/15paper.html
"Mr. Roberts revealed that he had had emergency surgery over Thanksgiving to remove an enlarged spleen, leading to a diagnosis of cancer. "
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-problems-and-spleen-removal/
"it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells)"
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Oct 05, 2022 06:22 PMC'mon, Alex, you know that right wingers don't apologize for their sociopathic behavior.
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Oct 05, 2022 08:27 AMBasic, you probably should consider apologizing to Mr. Spleen.
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Oct 04, 2022 08:16 PMBASIC you just got schooled. Shameful to make fun of others, but typical of the lEtS gO bRaNDoN crowd.
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Oct 04, 2022 07:57 PMjust for the record: 1-I wasn't at home -- Lanny, Teri and I did air traffic control for the forum at SB College of Law; 2-As a two-time cancer survivor, I'm gettin' by with a less-than-peak performance immune system; 3-Currently have upper respiratory infection (not Covid, at least according to home tests) and wore the mask primarily to keep from spreading whatever it is to others; 4-Despite what President Biden says, the pandemic is not over -- 400 or so deaths a day. Stay safe.
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Oct 04, 2022 07:05 PMBasic I know someone with cancer who wears a mask in house with family members due to vulnerability. Maybe you should do a little research perhaps.
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Oct 04, 2022 06:30 PMWhat’s laughable about a person wearing a mask? There are all kinds of possible reasons. Why should I care about that detail? How does it affect me?
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Oct 04, 2022 06:01 PM"most relevant question" - no, it's not.
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