Santa Barbara School Board Member Calls On Superintendent to Resign
Bob Noel's comments precede the board's closed-door session to discuss Brian Sarvis' job performance.
Citing a need to restore credibility, Santa Barbara school board member Bob Noel called on Superintendent Brian Sarvis to step down on Tuesday night, just before the start of a closed-door session during which the board evaluated Sarvis’ job performance.
Noel’s comments, which other board members later criticized as unfair, came during a time of turmoil in the district’s special-education department, whose leader recently resigned amid criticism from parents, a handful of whom were at Tuesday night’s short meeting.
“I concur,” Noel said in his comments. “I have become ever firmer in the belief that Dr. Sarvis has neither the moral authority nor the temperament for the task. For the sake of the children and the institution, Dr. Sarvis, it is time for you to step aside.”
Reached on his cell phone after the meeting, Sarvis said he has no plans to step down.
“Bob Noel has run off too many superintendents,” he said. “I am committed to this community, and I have no intention of leaving.”
The past month and a half have been tumultuous for the school district. The trouble started brewing in mid-October, when parents of children with special needs began showing up to board meetings to complain about a shortage of aides. It came to a head Nov. 21, with the resignation of special-ed director Anissa McNeil.
The tension remained a week later, when Sarvis was criticized at a board meeting by Noel and a parent of a child with autism for a request to extend his three-year contract by a year. (Sarvis later said it was board president Laura Malakoff who put the item on the agenda.)
Speaking by telephone after Noel made his comments Tuesday night, board members Annette Cordero and Kate Parker came to Sarvis’ defense. (Tuesday night marked the final meeting for the other two board members, Malakoff and Nancy Harter. Next week, new board members Susan Deacon and Ed Heron will be sworn in.)
The newly re-elected Cordero said she found Noel’s comments to be “mean-spirited, unprofessional and inaccurate.”
Cordero, who often is at odds with Noel, added that she believes Sarvis is doing a “good job.”
“I have confidence that Dr. Sarvis can do the job of superintendent,” she said. “I think in our evaluation we certainly identified areas where there is room for improvement, but we also identified areas where we felt there has been improvement.”
Parker said she was disappointed that Noel chose to boycott the closed-session evaluation.
“He didn’t choose to communicate with board members anything beyond a 90-second sound bite,” she said. “I really feel like he was letting the board down. If he really felt strongly about that, he should have come into closed session and sought to convince other board members.”
Parker added that she doesn’t believe Sarvis should resign. “I think Brian will be the first one to say the district has a long way to go and there are challenges,” she said.
Noel has long been a go-it-alone member of the board. For years, his lone no vote has been a regular occurrence. Noel is also known for criticizing the board in public, often in the form of letters to the editor.
A retired political science professor at UCSB, Noel believes that there is a tendency for many government bodies — and this one in particular — to become insular, thereby stifling dissenting views.
Despite his unpopularity among his board colleagues, Noel has been popular among the electorate. In 2006, he was elected to a third term.
On Tuesday night, after leaving the boardroom, Noel said he had no intention of taking part in an evaluation by the current board, which he views to be in lock step with Sarvis.
“This is my evaluation of the superintendent,” he said.
Reached at home later in the night, Noel elaborated on the reasoning behind his statements, saying the turmoil in the special-education department was just part of why he called on Sarvis to resign.
“This crisis follows on the financial crisis,” he said, referring to an embarrassing discovery in the summer of 2007, when the district’s newly hired financial director found $5 million, several weeks after the board cut millions of dollars worth of programs. (The director and his No. 2 man stepped down shortly after, and some programs were reinstated. The district later hired the director’s replacement, Deputy Superintendent Eric Smith, whose skills have been widely praised.)
Noel also said he believes that Sarvis has failed as an instructional leader. As an example, he said that the district’s high schools, when compared with similar high schools around the state, are among the lowest-scoring schools for socio-economically disadvantaged students.
“We’re among the highest-scoring schools for the white subgroup,” he said. “Other schools have managed to do the job with disadvantaged students and Latino students, and our schools are very, very poor.”
Noel also elaborated on his statement about Sarvis’ temperament, saying he doesn’t believe that Sarvis welcomes disagreement among staff members.
“He looks for tactical advantage, rather than areas for accommodation and compromise,” Noel said, adding that his thoughts are mostly the product of his gut impressions, as well as his conversations with others.
Noel said many parents and staff members have told him that they want to speak out against certain district policies but are afraid to do so.
“The fear is of Brian Sarvis,” he said. “I’ve been through other superintendents, and I’ve never seen it like this.”
Ironically, in 2004, when Sarvis — then the district’s director of research and technology — was applying for the position left vacant by Debbie Flores, Noel was Sarvis’ strongest supporter on the board.
On Tuesday night, Noel acknowledged that fact.
“He did a terrific job in that role,” Noel said. “I’ve heard many people say, ‘What happened to the old Brian Sarvis? He changed.’”
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» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 05:44 AM
If Sarvis is to be part of the solution and not part of the problem, things do have to change. I am saddened that teachers are not standing up in greater force and attending these meetings. It is non-representative to say that minimal teacher concerns exist. I do not know if these teachers are truly afraid, or if they are just to busy but I call for teachers to stand up and be counted. If you can attend a board meeting for contract negotiatious you can attend for supervision change. In numbers. This is the way to social change. In addition, I call for administration to meet with staff individually and collectively. I call for a strong position paper on what special education is to be in this district. I still feel the necessity for outside review. I still feel the need for a collection of best practices throughout the country to be made visible here in Santa Barbara. The entire process needs to be visible. Lines of communication, even to board members are not as open as they need to be. It takes all of us to do the right thing, not just name calling and asking for one of us to do the right thing.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 06:29 AM
It is just too darn bad that Dr. Noel has created so much discord among the other board members becuase he is right--it is time for a change of leadership. Unfortunately, even people who agree with Dr. Noel are distancing himself from the message (and the truth). The real losers in this huge mess are the children and families of Santa Barbara. It all comes from the top and, in a school district, that means the superintendent AND the board. Bob Pohl’s suggestion in the previous article to have an independent evaluation done is a good one. If faith is not restored in the leadership soon, it won’t matter who is right or wrong because there will be no followers!!! It is time to step UP on behalf of the children and families in Santa Barbara and get down to business.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 07:19 AM
“Bob Noel has run off too many superintendents,” he said. “I am committed to this community, and I have no intention of leaving.”
Really? Flores, Caston run off by Noel? I don’t think so. Sarvis would like you to think so to discredit Noel’s criticism. Unfortunate public statement that I believe to be false.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 07:51 AM
Is it possible that Noel, and not Sarvis, is the one who’s changed?
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 08:23 AM
This is one of the few times I agree with Noel…
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 08:33 AM
Thank you, Dr. Noel!
RECALL ANNETTE CORDERO AND KATE PARKER! They are co-opted by the Machiavellians, Brian Sarvis and Bill Cirone. They are both criminals.
Dr. Noel: Please use your position to uncover corruption: special education non-compliance, abuse and criminalization of the Hispanic students and systemic and systematic violations of federal and state laws.
The mismanagement of educational funds, fraud, waste, cheating, retaliation, and deceit has made the SBSD administration a mockery and a farce.
Look into the personal use of educational money through credit cards, life-long health benefits for past superintendents and Marcia McClish (SELPA), misappropriation of funds (i.e. “Outreach Workers” paid for by “Pupil Retention” funds---be a whistleblower!), CAHSEE Waivers, illegal expulsions, and the School to Prison Pipeline.
Thank you for your courage, wisdom, and honesty.
P.S. “School Corruption: The Betrayal of Our Children and The Public Trust” by Dr. Fusco will help us rout out corruption in our school district.
The Capistrano mayor and D.A. assisted the community to take the school district administration to the Grand Jury (the superintendent was indicted for criminal charges) and the community recalled the board of education.
“America’s Second Civil War: The Public Employment Complex vs. The Taxpayer” (Dr. Lewis Andrews) explains how greed and dishonesty have gripped our nation’s govenment and what The People can do to restore sanity and justice.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 08:48 AM
Being the Loyal Opposition to an often ideological majority on the School Board or any other is good to keep them honest and usually a needed component of a governing body, but just throwing a sound bite tantrum and then not participating in the closed-session meeting is just an immature spat that just makes Noel all the more easy to ignore.
Do your job Bob, as you were elected to do, or resign now.
And again, an important news story that only Rob Kuznia got in this scoop. THE KUZ ROCKS!
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 08:58 AM
Bob Noel obviously has some kind of distorted agenda
and therefore, I think, he should be the one to
resign his post, and then let the Board get on with
its duties !!!
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 11:59 AM
In fact, Caston and Flores both left the District due to Noel’s abusive and arrogant behavior. This is FACT, not fiction. While I will not identify the multiple sources, Sarvis is exactly on target. Noel, who brings substance and exactness to the Board, blew it this time. Say it in closed session. Or...resign.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 12:47 PM
I’ll bet little Bobby Noel was the kid who cried and took his ball home if things didn’t go his way. Grow and do you job.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 12:57 PM
I’ll bet little Bobby Noel was the kid who cried and took his ball home if things didn’t go his way. Grow and do you job.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 02:06 PM
With a very few exceptions, the public discourse around school district and school board issues over the past few months has been unbelievably and unjustifiably negative. It seems to me dangerously naive to blame one or a few individuals for long-term, systemic problems. Do we have serious challenges in Santa Barbara? Sure. Are they resolved by vilifying each other and spouting off without a full understanding of our complex system? No. It is easy to sound off in public, especially when one may do so anonymously. I’d love to see Dr. Noel attend more board meetings and pay more attention to our real issues; I’d love to see the writers of some of these nastier posts get out from behind their computers and support their elected officials, their administration, and their teachers by attending meetings, visiting schools, and researching real and perceived issues with an eye toward positive improvement. At the very least, we’d be modeling better behavior for the children we are supposed to be raising as caring, productive citizens.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 02:54 PM
The Superintendent’s December 1 update memo to the public posted on the web-site concludes by saying, “But, our students deserve excellent programs and we should not be satisfied with less.”
This statement follows a recognition that the Board had heard from many parents regarding multiple failures to provide even the minimal services required. Parents provided horror stories of lack of services, failures to communicate at practically all levels within the District management, misinformation provided to parents and teachers regarding non-existing policies, and intimidation of parents and teachers. The list goes on and on. The parents actions have caused serious staff concerns with program leadership and direction to surface.
Rarely do parents become so frustrated with special education systems that they are willing to risk loss of privacy and retaliation by revealing their personal stories at a public meeting which will be broadcast on TV. Based upon the number who came forward with complaints management has admitted to be legitimate and the broad range of problems identified and acknowledged, how many others are suffering in silence and not getting deserved services because of management misinformation and outright lies from people they trusted regarding the role and duties of this school district?
More than three months into the school year, the Superintendent claims he has started to formulate plans to deal with failures. It includes calling for a total evaluation of Special Education by persons and committees yet to be located and selected. In his opinion the District will not be able to perform many of the needed steps “within the next four months or by the end of the school year.” In other words, the excellent programs deserved by our students have not been and will not be provided this school year. The Superintendent has already failed and will continue to fail to perform the basic requirements of his employment contract. The remedy is termination. He has admitted failure of leadership and management. His resignation should be submitted and quickly accepted.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 03:10 PM
Whatever one thinks of Mr. Noel’s tactics, he happens to be right on substance.
That said, I don’t think Mr. Sarvis deserves all the blame for the current turmoil concerning special ed. It’s a state-wide issue: districts simply do not receive the resources they need to do what’s expected of them in special ed. No superintendent can change that.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 04:37 PM
Anyone who ever encountered Ms. McNeil knows exactly why the special education community is especially offended by her presence and relieved by her resignation. That was a very specific problem brought into this particular district, and I seriously question the motives of anyone who decided to hire her--and their true commitment to implementing and facilitating special educational services.
» wrote on 12/03/08 @ 09:08 PM
Mr. Sarvis has been treading water since he somehow got this job. He does not have what it takes. Be a man and step up or step down!
Take an example from Bob Noel.the board,teachers and parents!
» wrote on 12/04/08 @ 06:43 AM
Sarvis lied and kids got hurt! Sarvis brought McNeil in with a record of “professional incompetence” and breaking laws. Sarvis falsified test records by illegally exiting kids from special education to raise district test scores. Sarvis chased out Jo Anne Pulley after holding illegal pre-IEP meetings. Sarvis continues to violate state and federal laws and is unresponsive to parent demands. He retaliated against staff after they spoke out and tried to help a child assaulted by a county employee. Sarvis is not a leader. He is a corrupt politican and incompetent. SARVIS MUST RESIGN to bring dignity and order back to the district. Write a letter to the editor and demand Sarvis’ resignation:
Noozhawk
SB News Press
Independent
Montecito Journal
Valley Voice (Goleta)
Daily Sound http://www.thedailysound.com/contact/Letters-to-the-editor
SARVIS IS A FRAUD! SARVIS NEEDS TO GO! REMOVE SARVIS NOW!
» wrote on 12/04/08 @ 08:52 AM
Thanks, SB Citizen for Social Responsibility!
Check out the civil uprising in ADMHSA---another corrupt government agency---in Noozhawk’s “Town Hall Meeting on Mental Health Services,” by Bill McFayden 12/4/08.
What happened to my comments (long story, natch) on Mike Caston and Debbie Flores, Noozhawk? Bob Noel didn’t “run them off;” they were running away from lawsuits and exposure. (I have the court documents---you won’t get sued for libel.)
[Editor’s note: We’ll make our own determination about Noozhawk’s libel risk, thank you very much. But we’re appreciative that you would put our best interests ahead of your own. A good-faith start would be to use your real name and not a pseudonym.]
» wrote on 12/04/08 @ 10:36 AM
[Editor’s note: Well, that’s certainly a lot of information for us to fact-check. I’m sure you won’t mind helping us get started by signing your real name to your submission. Thanks.]
» wrote on 12/06/08 @ 11:39 PM
It upsets me that Noel got his panties in a bunch and ran off. I looked forward to hearing his comments as the meeting went on. So unprofessional. If Noel cannot remain in a meeting than what type of example is that setting for his values? Retire your seat allready,,you make good points at times but c’mon! It’s time for change.
» wrote on 12/07/08 @ 08:48 AM
To Cranberry:
Dr. Noel has been elected to the Board of Education three terms. His popularity among the people is clear. His opinion and voice represent 20,000 citizens in our community.
Re-examine your view and look at the facts. His was a statement of protest to a board that has been unresponsive and ineffective in addressing parent and community concerns about Sarvis. Dr. Noel was prohibited from speaking on a “pulled” agenda item while multiple members from the community spoke on the same item. Malakoff was out of line.
There is dishonesty and gamesmanship on this board. Dr. Noel is the voice of reason. We are hopeful new board members will join Dr. Noel in calling for Sarvis’ immediate resignation.
» wrote on 12/07/08 @ 07:35 PM
Noel? He has little to no room to speak. He may appear to be the champion of the dissenters who have real frustrations to voice, but often seems more out of touch then connected with both sides of an issue. Yes, things aren’t perfect in the District, but Noel is the last member of the board to have a clue what is going on - he is not around the schools enough to be aware enough to have such strong (and often simplistic) opinions. His voice has grown tiresome and perhaps it is he who should step down.
» wrote on 12/08/08 @ 08:25 AM
1. From the SB School District Web-site, the position of Internal Auditor, described during the fiscal melt-down last year as very important to management of the fiscal affairs, is still open for applicants with a new closing date of January 16, 2009.
Was it critical? Is it critical? Would that person have been responsible to monitor, review and advise regarding Special Education Department? Apparently yes, if job descriptions are valid. Another recruitment failure of top management? Apparently yes.
2. Staff update on Special Education and the public’s requests to be on the agenda regarding Special Ed is scheduled to start sometime after 9:25 PM on Tuesday night, December 9. Under outgoing Board majority it would likely be much later. Superintendent Sarvis and Board President Malokoff (her last salvo as she surrenders her chair and gavel early in the evening) again use “Agenda planning” to thin the audience of Special Ed parents and teachers who need to balance needs of their children evenings and mornings with advocacy at Board Meetings. Note that Sarvis did not even put the subject of vacancy of position of Special Ed Director on Agenda--it took action by Board Member Noel. Thanks.
» wrote on 12/08/08 @ 01:07 PM
Another comment--why does the District wait until sometime on Monday--not yet posted at 1:00 PM on Monday December 8--to post the attachments to the Agenda to the website? The Agenda and attachments are prepared during the prior week and the meeting is on Tuesday evening. Attachments should be available by Friday before the meeting to allow access by teachers and parents over the week-end.
» wrote on 12/12/08 @ 08:08 AM
If Dr. Sarvis is part of the solution , then George Bush must be the answer to our economic problems.
» wrote on 12/14/08 @ 06:37 PM
Let’s see...Sarvis gets a 70% raise so that he makes $205,000 per year. He increases the administrative budget by millions and the public pays for the arts, math, science and vocational training for our children.
Bob Noel is elected to serve The People; he listens to complaints, asks questions, challenges facts, and works full-time for free.
Noel’s research is based on SBSD data sheets and Sarvis can’t dispute them---we were all there when million dollar mistakes were found in the budget.
And Steve Cushman is OFFENDED that Sarvis is criticized?!?!?
Out of the $4 million for Computers for Families, Mr. Cushman, what business in Santa Barbara DONATED computers to the schools?
The computers the families get are the discarded administrative computers or old ones donated to the schools by the community. The administrators get nice new ones, don’t they, Mr. Cushman?
Mr. Heron ran on the platform that the technology in the schools was decrepit; he called it a disgrace. He should know---he’s on the board of Computers for Families. Sarvis is there, too.
Don’t spill any of the catered coffee on your expensive tie! Dry cleaning bills aren’t tax-deductible...or are they?