Hmmmm…Wednesday held several surprises. The first was the intervention presentation. What started out two months ago as an additional position has now been word smithed into “additional staff”. I find that statement activating my spidey senses.
I again asked our board president if we taxpayers were spending money to send her to an educational workshop only to have her move from the district in a few months. I prefaced this by stating that I support continuing education for all.
Even Madam Kellie couldn’t have predicted what happened next. First the superintendent jumped in and gave a brief overview of the workshop pointing out that other district staff, including himself, were attending the workshop. I was assured that plenty of people would be in the know even if one was leaving. He also added that the board president initiated this endeavor so it was fitting that she attends.
I’d agree with all of this if she’s not moving. But if she is she should step aside and allow someone who will continue to have a stake in our community go. But, back to the meeting…
The next statements came from board members. Here’s a sampling:
“I heard a rumor that you were moving” directed to me. Sorry, you heard wrong. No one wants a house in my neighborhood because we don’t have a quaint neighborhood school. And I didn’t hear a rumor. I heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. As did many others.
“Let’s take a look at who has spent what on workshops. Dunphy $30, Rump $719, Grimes $30, Gunter $48, Patterson $1258.” The figure with my name drew gasps from the audience! Three corrections. Rump has actually spent $582, Gunter $30, and Patterson $249. What you say? Why the discrepancy? The balances are encumbrances. You see I have registered for future workshops. I have a busy schedule and many obligations so I try to schedule early. So gasp if you must but $1258 is for 6 months of work shops. And I refuse to be ashamed of it. I can’t control what OSBA charges for their sessions. The board sets aside $15,000 for training, publications, workshops, etc. We all came into this with no experience and it shows. So why should I feel guilty for educating myself in the ever changing world of education? Especially since that’s what the board service fund is for.
Another member said “It doesn’t matter if she’s moving. Right now she is a full member of this board and should be treated that way”. I agree. I didn’t suggest we put her in a separate room until she moves. I suggested that if she’s moving she step aside in attending the parent university and let a representative from the CF PTA council go in her stead. I know. Silly idea.
The board president then moved on to the next order of business. So I guess only time will tell if we’ve spent $1000 on information flying south this summer. It’s a question that is being avoided but can’t be denied. I’m not saying that her circumstances haven’t changed, but I know what I and a few respected people in the community were told 8 months ago. Come on Pres, do the right thing, if you’re leaving let a long term Tiger go.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
oooh Bus, The Magic Bus
The gift that keeps on giving is giving us another expense tonight.
Just a quicknote to let you know that up on tonights agenda is the purchase of a few properties on 2nd St.
Seems our former business manager turned noob board member didn't plan well when he pushed for and got the new and improved bus garage. Apparently there isn't enough room for parking and turnng around. Mind you they do it now on a postage stamp lot.
Prepare to open your cheque books because we've only just begun. Seems our formr business manager forgot that it would also need fencing, an alarm system, and new windows too. It's like Whack-A-Mole. Every time you think you've killed an expense, a new one pops up.
Also on the agenda is a presentation for the NEW POSITION that is now being considered because my fellow board members passed a new GPA to participate in extra curricular activities. Against all administrative recommendations. Because they didn't think this through, they are now going to implement the CYA policy and hire someone to help these kids they blocked from participating. Wow! That sure is being fiscally responsible. Maybe next time they'll think to ask about the cost of one of their cockamamie ideas before they push it through.
Just a quicknote to let you know that up on tonights agenda is the purchase of a few properties on 2nd St.
Seems our former business manager turned noob board member didn't plan well when he pushed for and got the new and improved bus garage. Apparently there isn't enough room for parking and turnng around. Mind you they do it now on a postage stamp lot.
Prepare to open your cheque books because we've only just begun. Seems our formr business manager forgot that it would also need fencing, an alarm system, and new windows too. It's like Whack-A-Mole. Every time you think you've killed an expense, a new one pops up.
Also on the agenda is a presentation for the NEW POSITION that is now being considered because my fellow board members passed a new GPA to participate in extra curricular activities. Against all administrative recommendations. Because they didn't think this through, they are now going to implement the CYA policy and hire someone to help these kids they blocked from participating. Wow! That sure is being fiscally responsible. Maybe next time they'll think to ask about the cost of one of their cockamamie ideas before they push it through.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Metamucil Anyone?
Regular meetings. Every January, the Board of Education at their required organizational meeting must- “Bylaw 0154 (C). designate a day, place, and time for regular meetings which shall be held at least once every two (2) months; R.C. 3313.15”. Another part of that bylaw says- “Bylaw 0154 (D). establish a reasonable method whereby any person may determine the time and place of all regularly scheduled meetings and the time, place, and purpose of all special meetings; (R.C. 121.22(F))”.
It was real simple. Back in January, the board approved a schedule that set meetings for 7 Pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month except June and July. Seemed simple enough to follow. But our meetings of late have been anything but regular. In fact they change so much even I am having a hard time keeping track. Throw in all the special meetings, (half of which were wastes of time and money) and it’s amazing the entire board makes it on time each time. Of the last 7 “regularly scheduled” board meetings, 3 have been moved to an earlier time. With another scheduled to. in the future.
Which brings me to my complaint of the day. Plan A was to have the May 21st meeting start at 6 PM rather than the scheduled 7 PM and go over the community survey attempting to tie in community concerns with the “Plan for Excellence”. So I planned my schedule to accommodate. Now it seems another member decide to schedule an out of town trip that same day and can’t fly back in time. So the “board” rescheduled the May 21st meeting to 7 PM and moved the June 11th meeting to 6 PM. My question is this. Why do I constantly have to readjust my schedule to accommodate other peoples bad planning and over extending themselves? I plan around regularly scheduled meetings and make every effort to be present at the plethora of special meetings planned of late. In my opinion this member should have said “I’m sorry that date is bad for me because I have the business of the school district to. How about the following week?” It’s simple. I do it all the time so I don’t inconvenience 10 other people and their schedules.
This board has made it so the public must request an agenda to keep track of meetings. I know when City Council is going to meet. It’s regular. I even know when their committees will meet because they are regular. I don’t have to check the web site or pick up a paper to know when and where to show up. If there is extra business to attend to they do it during the “regularly scheduled meeting”. If it means staying late, it means staying late. Another thing City Council does is letting citizens have input during discussion time on individual issues. It’s hard for a citizen to make comments, have a complete understanding of issues, or have their statement have meaningful impact when it must be given before the actual meeting starts or at the end, after a vote is signed, sealed and delivered. This board could learn a lot about conducting meetings fro CF City Council.
Lastly I want to answer a few of you that have Emailed me regarding the question I asked of our board president at the meeting. I was informed by our board president almost a year ago that she would be moving out of state at the end of this school year. She told me her husbands company was sold and they were being transferred south. She had very valid fears that her opinions and decisions would not be taken seriously if employees knew this and asked me to keep quiet about.
I recently found out that we were sending several district personnel to a program in Kentucky that basically fosters parent and community involvement for the district. I am all for this program It is the Center for Parent Leadership. The part that concerned me was that I was informed that our board president would be attending the workshop. Which normally would be ideal, but if she is moving in a few months I had to question if this was a wise choice or if we should be sending someone who will be here to utilize the information. This will cost almost $1000 per person so I would like to ensure our tax money will be spent wisely. I didn’t think it was an unreasonable question to ask. But each time I asked the response was to just stare at me. ?
If you don’t answer a question does that mean it wasn’t asked. I will ask here because I know she reads my blog, and I will ask her again “at the proper place on the agenda” at the next meeting- “Are we investing our tax dollars in training and workshops on someone who will be in the district to utilize the information for the next school year”? I’m all for bettering ourselves and professional development as well as conferences and workshops that expand our horizons. For everyone. Teachers, administrators, board members, even support staff. It’s money well spent but not if the knowledge leaves the district.
It was real simple. Back in January, the board approved a schedule that set meetings for 7 Pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month except June and July. Seemed simple enough to follow. But our meetings of late have been anything but regular. In fact they change so much even I am having a hard time keeping track. Throw in all the special meetings, (half of which were wastes of time and money) and it’s amazing the entire board makes it on time each time. Of the last 7 “regularly scheduled” board meetings, 3 have been moved to an earlier time. With another scheduled to. in the future.
Which brings me to my complaint of the day. Plan A was to have the May 21st meeting start at 6 PM rather than the scheduled 7 PM and go over the community survey attempting to tie in community concerns with the “Plan for Excellence”. So I planned my schedule to accommodate. Now it seems another member decide to schedule an out of town trip that same day and can’t fly back in time. So the “board” rescheduled the May 21st meeting to 7 PM and moved the June 11th meeting to 6 PM. My question is this. Why do I constantly have to readjust my schedule to accommodate other peoples bad planning and over extending themselves? I plan around regularly scheduled meetings and make every effort to be present at the plethora of special meetings planned of late. In my opinion this member should have said “I’m sorry that date is bad for me because I have the business of the school district to. How about the following week?” It’s simple. I do it all the time so I don’t inconvenience 10 other people and their schedules.
This board has made it so the public must request an agenda to keep track of meetings. I know when City Council is going to meet. It’s regular. I even know when their committees will meet because they are regular. I don’t have to check the web site or pick up a paper to know when and where to show up. If there is extra business to attend to they do it during the “regularly scheduled meeting”. If it means staying late, it means staying late. Another thing City Council does is letting citizens have input during discussion time on individual issues. It’s hard for a citizen to make comments, have a complete understanding of issues, or have their statement have meaningful impact when it must be given before the actual meeting starts or at the end, after a vote is signed, sealed and delivered. This board could learn a lot about conducting meetings fro CF City Council.
Lastly I want to answer a few of you that have Emailed me regarding the question I asked of our board president at the meeting. I was informed by our board president almost a year ago that she would be moving out of state at the end of this school year. She told me her husbands company was sold and they were being transferred south. She had very valid fears that her opinions and decisions would not be taken seriously if employees knew this and asked me to keep quiet about.
I recently found out that we were sending several district personnel to a program in Kentucky that basically fosters parent and community involvement for the district. I am all for this program It is the Center for Parent Leadership. The part that concerned me was that I was informed that our board president would be attending the workshop. Which normally would be ideal, but if she is moving in a few months I had to question if this was a wise choice or if we should be sending someone who will be here to utilize the information. This will cost almost $1000 per person so I would like to ensure our tax money will be spent wisely. I didn’t think it was an unreasonable question to ask. But each time I asked the response was to just stare at me. ?
If you don’t answer a question does that mean it wasn’t asked. I will ask here because I know she reads my blog, and I will ask her again “at the proper place on the agenda” at the next meeting- “Are we investing our tax dollars in training and workshops on someone who will be in the district to utilize the information for the next school year”? I’m all for bettering ourselves and professional development as well as conferences and workshops that expand our horizons. For everyone. Teachers, administrators, board members, even support staff. It’s money well spent but not if the knowledge leaves the district.
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