From Sweetwater Union High School District Trustee John McCann…
Press Release
Citing the need for the Sweetwater District to recover from its massive corruption scandal, board member John McCann has called for the immediate resignation of board members Bertha Lopez and Jim Cartmill. The two board members have pleaded guilty to a variety of crimes and are awaiting sentencing.
“With the last indicted board members admitting guilt it is time for the District to begin healing and move forward. This can only happen if these two board members resign their seats. I believe the State of California Education Code is very clear on this issue. Even more so, if these two members care about our students and the School District they will step down and allow the District to recover,” John McCann stated. “These board members have lost any remaining ability to serve in a governing capacity of this district.”
As the South County dealt with numerous indictments of school officials, McCann has led reform initiatives to help the district move forward. Recent successes include:
- Higher graduation rate than the state and county averages
- Seven District schools named in the US News and World Report as medal winners for 2014, six with silver medals (top 12% of Schools in the nation), and one with a gold medal (top 3% of Schools in the nation)
- Three District schools named California Distinguished Schools in 2013
- 11 District schools exceeded the 800-point target on the API scores
- Numerous CIF championships
- Eight District graduates received Gates Millennium Scholarships in 2013
- Sweetwater schools dominated the San Diego County Academic Decathlon competition, sweeping first through fourth places
- Robotics championships
- Visual and performing arts awards
McCann stated, “These success stories have been sidelined because of the indictments and subsequent convictions. It is time to let our students’ successes shine and be front and center. I urge Bertha Lopez and Jim Cartmill to see beyond their positions and resign their seats on the Board.”
John McCann currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Sweetwater Union High School District and has been working to rid the District of corruption since his election in 2010. Prior to the charges by District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, John challenged and replaced former Board member Greg Sandoval and terminated the former Superintendent Jesus Gandara, who both recently pleaded guilty to felonies.
# # #