FUESD needs to stop poor financial decisions

An article published March 14 in the San Diego Union Tribune made an observation relevant to the "ongoing" case of Allyn vs. FUESD.

It quoted San Ysidro Board of Trustees Chairman Antonio Martinez, "I think ultimately (attorney Dan Shinoff) saw us as vulnerable and as an opportunity to make money and that's unacceptable."

The three Allyn trials have racked up close to $1 million for the Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holtz law firm.

First trial: Deliberate extension of time allotted for each witness. Result - mistrial - chargeable hours.

Second trial: Appellate court (cause for appeal by prevision decision overturned) . Result - more chargeable hours.

Third trial: Jury unanimously awards judgment in favor of Allyn. FUESD administrators change testimony during trial. FUESD fired Allyn before receiving preliminary report from their investigator (cost $43,000). Report stated, "investigation did not prove the allegations." Result - more chargeable hours.

Now FUESD's law firm is threatening to file for restitution of fees for claims that never made it to trial and a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict. Follow that with an appeal. Result - more chargeable hours.

Kudos to community members who came to a recent FUESD board of trustees meeting and chastised them for lack of leadership; poor relations with employees; and lack of responsibility with taxpayer dollars.

FUESD's financial irresponsibility and mismanagement needs to stop. It's time for common sense to prevail and this ugly chapter in its history to close.

Jackie Heyneman