The Desert IndependentTM

Serving Blythe, California & the Desert Regions of the Southwest

The “N” Word

By Robert E. Jensen
The Desert Independent

BLYTHE, Calif – It was a bit shocking. This was a word that no one had dared to utter in any open session of the Palo Verde Unified Board of Education Meeting ever! This was a word everyone knew, but no one had the courage to say it, much less accuse anyone of the practice.

However, it was said. It was said openly and in an accusatory way by CSEA Labor Relations Representative, Dale Wissman, during open session of the regularly held meeting of the Palo Verde Board of Education last Tuesday.

The “N” word. Nepotism.

Mr. Wissman made this accusation against Dr. Jensen publicly at the open microphone, and one could tell that a certain cohort of employees immediately became righteously indignant – namely all of Dr. Jensen’s relatives. Favoritism was another word thrown at the dais as well. In a strictly legal sense, however, the hiring of Dr. Jensen’s extended family and promotions of Friends of Alan cannot be laid at the feet of Dr. Jensen. Dr. Jensen does not do the hiring. The hiring and firing of employees is a power that rest with the Board of Education. All Dr. Jensen does is make recommendations. If the hires and promotions appear to be nepotistic or reek of favoritism, that’s really the Board’s problem, especially when they blindly approve of such recommendations. Either way, it just shows a genuine lack of ethics and sensitivity from both the Board and the Superintendent, but that’s not all.

“Cattle Call” Layoffs

Mr. Wissman also went on to open the Board’s eyes regarding the lack of respect shown to the classified employees and the “Cattle Call” method of notifying them of their layoff. He related that in any given situation where an employee is to be fired or laid off, he or she is called into an office and the bad news is gently communicated in private with concern and sympathy. An opportunity to cry or vent is also given to such employees. This was certainly the practice with the administrators and teachers whose positions were cut, but why were classified employees not given the same respectful, individualized, humane treatment?

Shockingly, Dr. Yul Whitney summoned 38 classified staff to the Board Room to inform them in a group setting that their jobs would no longer exist after May 30…and have a nice day! Mr. Wissman chided Dr. Whitney for this incredible lack of respect for this group of people who have, in some cases, worked for this District for decades and are lifelong members of the community. Read: Taxpayers, Parents, Voters. In many years of service as a labor rep and in education, Wissman said, he has never observed employees treated in such a cold-hearted manner by their district.

Lack of Sensitivity

One could surmise that this all explains Dr. Whitney’s recent acquisition of a new Jaguar during this time of layoffs, since it’s too much to expect sensitivity from an administrator who is so insensitive. Nothing illegal about buying a Jag to be sure. Certainly, no laws were broken. Unfortunately, classified employees at the District see the flaunting of such conspicuous consumption to be akin to Marie Antoinette’s admonition to the starving peasants clamoring outside of Versailles in search of scraps of bread: “Let them eat cake!” she cried to the starving masses. The soon-to-be hungry classified can’t eat Jaguars, but they sure can see use this vehicle as a focal point for their anger and disgust. No one at the meeting will ever see a Jaguar again without remembering this ugly period of their lives.

Not the best public relations for such a fine machine. Certainly, it’s not good PR for PVUSD. But, at least Jaguar didn’t earn their bad reputation.