Would You Like That On Ice?

In regard to TR Harts letter (Falls News Press, Nov. 2, 2008) regarding my professionalism or lack thereof, I would like to ask him if he has attended any board meetings of late to witness the mentioned disruptive behavior? In fact I found Board President Barb Gunters quacking (CFBOE minutes Feb. 21, 2007) like a duck far more disruptive than anything I’ve seen so far. I question the letter writers motives being that he is the board presidents neighbor (two doors down I believe?) in Silver Lake. I ask Mr. Hart to list the criteria for constructive dissent. I assume this wont be a problem as he apparently reads my blog.

Constructive dissent has done nothing to prevent a levy from hitting the ballot next year. In fact let me tell you a funny story about constructive dissent Mr. Hart. Last year someone (me) mentioned that the GPA for participation in extra curricular activities seemed too low. Being lucky in the draw of the game of DNA, I was blessed with smart genes and have a hard time understanding why other people can’t “get it”. So the board decided that raising the required GPA should be considered. I did research and listened to what our staff had to say about it. It became apparent to me that raising the GPA helped no child. It only hurt those already having problems with school. I found no data that supported the notion that raising the GPA would bolster the overall education of the kids it affected.

Meanwhile, other board members were spending their time requesting data on who and what teams the higher GPA would affect and how to implement the plan that was concocted with no forward thinking and little to no research of the effects on kids or our budget. My (and the administrations) presenting data contrary to what this elite majority wanted was scoffed at and the new GPA was ram-rodded down our throats.

So here we are, almost 2009 and we can’t afford the intervention services that the higher GPA requires, in fact we can’t afford the contracted raises without passing a levy. Or making serious cuts. Again.

Constructive dissent got the people of this district nowhere. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid and remember that while you may be willing and able to vote yes on new and renewal levies, many of us over here on the other side of the lake cannot afford to.

The statement about attracting candidates intrigues me. I think you’ll be hard pressed to find someone more dedicated than me. You may not agree with my reasons for wanting this position, but apparently a lot of other people did. You see, I don’t just represent the “rah rah schools” crowd. I realized a long time ago that a representative was needed to protect our tax dollars. I have kids in our schools. I want the best for them. But just like at home, there is a limit. We can’t have the Cadillac on an Oldsmobile salary. And that, my friend is what the Cuyahoga Falls City School District is.