Q. This is only taking one year off of his term – why not just wait until he's gone?

A. During the year in question the Board must not only continue to deal with substantial budget cuts, but must also hire a new Superintendent.  Eisen will quickly and single-handedly scare off the top notch Superintendent candidates this community demands by interruptively inserting himself into the selection process against the will and direction of the Board.   Just one encounter with Eisen will cause high caliber candidates to quickly sense the disruption he causes, at which point they'll turn and run for the hills.  In addition, Eisen's proven inability to work with any of his fellow Board members will only continue to derail each and every already-difficult financial decision.

Q. Shouldn't this money be spent on education, rather than on recalling a Board member?

A. Allowing Eisen to remain in office is measurably more expensive than removing him.  Eisen's actions have already cost the district considerably in both real dollars and delayed/derailed decisions -- costs that will only continue to escalate with time.  The recall campaign will be paid for with private donations that will, in the bigger picture, SAVE the District the much greater expense of allowing Eisen to remain on the Board.  Unfortunate as it is, this IS the fiscally prudent approach for the District and community. 

Q. What about Eisen's claims that the Board plans to sell land?

A.   Eisen often repeats this vague and inflammatory claim, but never names anyone or gives any details -- because he can't.  All other Board members have emphatically and repeatedly said they have not yet even discussed any potential sale of District property -- and their
record for telling the truth is infinitely better than Eisen's.

Q: Does the Board support the recall effort?

A: Absolutely. The committee has personally discussed this with the other four board members and they are completely supportive. Please contact them yourself to verify this.

Q: Will the recall effort divert volunteers from the bond campaign?

A: No. The recall petition effort will finish on June 15. The bond effort will not begin until months later, mid- to late August.

Q: Will the recall effort will divert donations from the bond campaign?

A: The donations for the recall are coming mainly from those who have known Eisen politically for years, and do not have kids in the schools. They would not otherwise be donating those funds to the bond effort. Also, the sequential rather than concurrent timing of the two campaigns, with months between them, facilitates donations to both.

Q: Will the recall effort will put the school district and board in a negative light?

A: On the contrary – letting Eisen stay only allows him to continue to taint an otherwise greatly improved Board, and provides Eisen the pulpit from which to continue to criticize everything the Board does, most certainly including the bond.

Q: Will the recall effort bring out all Eisen's supporters to vote against the bond?

A: Eisen's few, most loyal supporters will come out against the bond regardless – but the recall effort is clearly causing Eisen's support base to dwindle. Eisen's supporters opposed the prior parcel tax yet we still got 58% of the vote when the district had a much worse reputation and there was no state budget crisis. The bond issue needs only 55%, and this presidential election will be much more favorable to “getting out the vote” of supporters.

Q: Might the recall effort keep bond supporters away?

A: The recall effort gives those who support the schools TWO good reasons to vote in November, rather than just one.

Q: Might the recall effort detract attention from the bond?

A: As we gather recall signatures until June 15, we are talking up the bond to those who sign. This is great early exposure to the bond, which can be strengthened in the fall when the bond drive is in full swing.