Upfront
FOOTHILL COLLEGE Invites you to join us on the main campus – Room 5015 (Just minutes from either Foothill Expwy or 280)
A SIX-WEEK INVESTMENT AND FINANCIAL PLANNING CLASS Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. It is better for you to register now, but you may also register the first evening of class on FEB. 20th. (Class #057). The cost is $49. No prior financial knowledge is required. To register call (408) 864-8817, or online, www.communityeducation.fhda.edu (in the Financial Planning section).
“Outstanding Course!” “I don’t want to exaggerate, but I truly believe this course has improved my life and my financial well-being. The instructors had an outstanding command of the material and presented it thoughtfully and with great humor & insight.”
Some of the Topic Are: $ HOW TO INVEST IN DIFFICULT TIMES $ STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESSFUL ESTATES $ THE BEST WAYS OF INVESTING IN REAL ESTATE $ ETFs, BONDS & MUTUAL FUNDS & STOCK $ THE UNKNOWN DANGERS OF TAX-FREE INCOME $ PROTECTING WEALTH & ASSETS IN TROUBLED TIMES $ MANAGING YOUR MONEY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE $ WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW & FINANCIAL PLANNING $ HOW TO CHOOSE A TOP-NOTCH ADVISOR $ TURNING THE MOST COMMON FINANCIAL MISTAKES INTO PROFIT $ HOW TO PROPERLY INTEGRATE YOUR IRAs & 401(k)s $ ECONOMIC HEDGING & ASSET ALLOCATION $ HOW TO INVEST FOR/IN RETIREMENT $ AND MUCH, MUCH MORE ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS Steve Lewis is President of Lewis & Mathews Investment Management in Menlo Park. He is a college professor, investment counselor, Value Line award winner, financial author and has appeared on national radio and television. He is a past officer of the S.C. International Association of Financial planners and served on the National Academy Advisory Board. He has written for Money magazine and Dow Jones's Barron's. Jim Curran is a veteran of over 25 Years on Wall Street. He is President of Curran & Lewis Investment Management, Inc., in Menlo Park, a Wealth Manager Magazine top Wealth Management firm. He is Chief Portfolio Manager, and specializes in investment advice for individual investors, companies, and their officers. He is an accomplished and dynamic college and business lecturer.
The instructors have taught over 30,000 Northern Californians their money managing techniques. SOME COMMENTS FROM PAST CLASS MEMBERS: “This course has been excellent, very informative and enlightening.” “...Very objective in presentation of material...” “I have looked forward to each class like opening a new package each week.” “The course exceeded my expectations.” “...A very helpful, well thought out, well presented course. I have recommended it to many people.” “Well done, informative, stimulating.” “Terrific! Loved the course.” “Your ability to take subject matter and make it understandable commands my highest respect.” THIS IS THE ONLY AD THAT WILL APPEAR FOR THIS COURSE. PLEASE CUT OUT AND BRING TO CLASS (This space donated to Foothill College. Not paid with tax dollars.)
Page 10ÊUÊÊ iLÀÕ>ÀÞÊ£x]ÊÓä£ÎÊUÊ*> Ê Ì Ê7ii ÞÊUÊÜÜÜ°*> Ì " i°V
Bullying (continued from page 3)
Superintendent Kevin Skelly apologized to board members for failing earlier to fully and promptly inform them of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) findings and the district’s “resolution agreement” with the government. “When this thing came out I informed you about it, but I didn’t give you the report or share the findings of the OCR group, and I should have done that, bottom line,” he said. “I know the effort that was put in there that wasn’t captured in the report, but my responsibility was to share it with you and the community and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got an issue, let’s go after it.’ “From a transparency issue, I blew it.” Skelly said he was embarrassed by the federal report, which was dated Dec. 26. In the resolution agreement that Skelly signed and dated Dec. 14, he agreed on behalf of the district to implement voluntary remedial steps in bullying policies and procedures but specified that the district did not admit to any violation of the law. About 20 community members testified Tuesday night, including a number of parents who told stories of their own children being bullied. They asked for clearer and more consistent policies throughout the district. “When I read the article I saw my own family’s situation in every word,” one mother said, referring to coverage of the report last week in the Palo Alto Weekly, which broke the news. “I’m hopeful the district will take into account changing policies right now. Earlier it was mentioned the wonderful bullying programs each school has, but I request you provide a universal bullying prevention program to provide consistent language to children so they can all receive the same training and know what to say to each other,” the parent said. Representing its membership of 300 Palo Alto special-education families, the Community Advisory Committee on Special Education called on the district to enact and publicize an anti-harassment policy that includes immediate investigations and clear grievance procedures. The district should consider hiring an “ombudsperson or parent liaison” to deal with harassment issues or consider using voluntary mediation services offered by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, committee members told the board. Another parent group, We Can Do Better Palo Alto, cited the federal findings as a failure of a culture in the district that leaves decision-making to individual schools and called for an independent investigation of what went wrong in the middle school case described in the report. The group challenged the district’s analysis of student survey data that concluded Palo Alto has low bullying rates compared to Santa Clara County as a whole. Members said Palo Alto’s bullying rates are probably about the same as “state and national norms
for similar schools.” “This is a total system failure — there’s no other way to describe it,” said We Can Do Better member Wynn Hausser, a Gunn High School parent. “We don’t need to look at how we compare with other districts. The federal government
told us how we’re doing and it’s a failure. “We need to speak in plain, honest language about what’s going on here.” N Staff Writer Chris Kenrick can be emailed at ckenrick@paweekly. com.
CityView A round-up of
Palo Alto government action this week
City Council (Feb. 11)
Housing: The council approved a letter appealing the housing mandate issued by the Association of Bay Area Governments. The letter focuses on reassigning 350 housing units from the city’s allocation to Santa Clara County’s. Yes: Berman, Burt, Holman, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd No: Klein 2455 El Camino Real: The council discussed a proposal by Pollock Financial Group for a four-story building at the intersection of El Camino Real and Page Mill Road. The council asked the developer to return with a revised package of public benefits. Action: None Procedures: The council voted to raise from two to three the number of council members required to remove an item from the agenda’s consent calendar. Yes: Berman, Burt, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Shepherd No: Holman, Klein, Schmid
Board of Education (Feb. 12)
Construction bonds: The board authorized the issuance and sale of $70 million in bonds as part of the $378 million “Strong Schools” bond program approved by voters in 2008. Yes: Unanimous State legislation: The board endorsed Senate Constitutional Amendment 3, which would lower the two-thirds majority required for passage of a parcel tax to 55 percent. Yes: Unanimous Bullying policy: The board discussed potential updates to the district’s policy on bullying and heard testimony about a December 2012 finding by the U.S. Department of Education that a Palo Alto middle-school student’s civil rights were violated in a poorly managed, long-term bullying case. Action: None Paly athletic construction: The board discussed the possibility of rebuilding Palo Alto High School’s indoor athletic facilities by 2015 because of a prospective $20 million donation by an anonymous family. Action: None Summer school: The board heard a report on plans for 2013 summer school dates and fees. Action: None
Council Policy and Services Committee (Feb. 12) Liaison: The committee discussed the role of a council liaison, including the frequency with which a liaison should attend commission meetings, and voted to direct staff to revise the definition of a liaison. The committee agreed that a council liaison should be appointed for two years and that the liaison should not be asked to attend every meeting of the commission to which he or she is assigned. Yes: Klein, Kniss, Price Absent: Holman
Council Rail Committee (Feb. 13)
Funding: The committee discussed proposed modifications to SB1029, which approved funding for high-speed rail. Additional language would create further assurances that funds would be provided for the electrification of Caltrain. Yes: Burt, Klein, Kniss Absent: Shepherd
Planning and Transportation Commission (Feb. 13)
Senior housing: The commission voted to initiate a “planned community” zone at 567 and 595 Maybell Ave. to enable construction of a 60-unit affordable-housing complex for seniors and 15 single-family homes. Yes: Alcheck, Keller, Martinez, Michael No: Panelli, Tanaka
Utilities Advisory Commission (Feb. 13)
Finances: The commission discussed the city’s water-resources alternatives and saw a presentation on financial projections for electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities. Action: None
Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week CITY COUNCIL ... The council has no meetings scheduled this week. ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES BOARD ... The board plans to discuss 180 El Camino Real, proposed exterior storefront changes for Marimekko at the Stanford Shopping Center. The board also plans to discuss the proposed pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Highway 101 at Adobe Creek and proposed streetscape improvements for California Avenue, including changes to sidewalks, crosswalk improvements and new furniture such as benches and seatwalls. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). PUBLIC ART COMMISSION ... The commission plans to allocate funds for the Youth Art Awards, approve the updated Municipal Art Plan and get updates on the Color of Palo Alto, maintenance of the city’s collection and Juana Briones Park restroom mural. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).