One of the school board's pet projects for some time now has been to slowly position things so it can move board meetings to the District office. At the last FT&T meeting, this issue was raised as an action item. The advantages and disadvantages as presented by District Administration--along with our comments---are provided below.
The disadvantage of using City Hall for School Board Meetings.
1) Will need to provide access to Internet and wireless router. Estimated Cost: $700 per year. SP-EYE: Seems like a small cost in comparison...but perhaps we can access the City's hook-ups for free.
2) Lights take 30 minutes to come on, if turned off during meetings. SP-EYE: Someone suggested an inexpensive "cage" over the light switches to resolve the issue.
3) Limited access to set up before meetings. SP-EYE: How much time is really needed?
4) Will need to transport laptops to meetings and back to District Office. SP-EYE: Hence the name, "LAPtop"....as in small *transportable* computer that can fit on one's lap.
5) Projector and computer must be transported and set up for meetings. SP-EYE: See LAPtop
6) No equipment to show videotapes or DVD recordings. SP-EYE: Videotapes are old technology. All new laptops have DVD capabilities. See LAPtop
7) No computer or video integrated into board meeting broadcast. SP-EYE: Perhaps aim a projector where a camera will pick it up???
8) Poor HVAC controls. SP-EYE: It's as good as the air handling at the District office room 100.
9) Information about checks is limited due to the fact that the documentation is at the District Office. SP-EYE: Checks are discussed in literally the closing few minutes of Finance committee meetings, half of which are only 15 minutes in length. The District can continue to follow-up on questions as needed.
The advantages of using Room 100 at the District Office for School Board Meetings:
1) Internet access is available for board member laptops and access to BoardDocs. SP-EYE: It would be hard to believe that there is no Internet access available at City Hall. Must it be wireless?
2) Projector and screen is in place. SP-EYE: Projectors and screens are quite portable these days.
3) Meetings could be streamed live via Internet. SP-EYE: But how easily will people with a dial-up connection be able to access them? This aspect of Board Docs (already purchased by the District) has not ever been tested in Sun Prairie.
4) Wireless network access is in place. SP-EYE: We need an Internet connection, wireless is simply a luxury.
5) Video, DVDs, and computer presentations can be integrated into the meeting broadcast. SP-EYE: But it requires a body with knowledge to do so....when will we be seeing that request to hire come through?
6) District staff can more easily provide support before and during meetings. SP-EYE: Has anybody noticed the side table full of District Admin folks at City Hall? What are they there for...if not to provide whatever they would provide at meetings held elsewhere?
7) District can record any meetings, presentations, workshops, etc, for live or stored streaming and broadcasting. SP-EYE: Ummmm...this may not be so easy. External trainers very likely will not allow taping of their presentation due to copyright issues. They DO want to sell their presence, right?
The estimated expense of the technology for video equipment and microphones is $40,000. The
estimated construction cost of a raised floor is $5,000. (for a total cost of $45,000)
Sounding much like former board member Mary Ellen Havel-Lang and her spending cry of, "It is what it is", lame duck board member and FTT chair Jim Carrel simply stated that, "These are the times in which we live" in response to questions about the cost of the plan.
Sun Prairie STAR editor Chris Mertes gave the idea of spending $45,000 to move meetings to the District Office two thumbs down. Read his Opinion column here.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Where have all the files gone?
Where have all the documents gone?
for some time missing
Where have all the documents gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the documents gone?
The board has hid them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
[SP-EYE...with deep apologies to Pete Seeger]
Interested in reviewing information generated during the Boundary Wars? The high school planning process? Minutes of previous school board meetings? School board policies? Forget it.
The school district website has a page entitled, Search our Policies". But don't bother, because this directory appears to have been stripped of all information for several weeks now. Theoretically, once can even (and used to be able to) click on the "Browse Documents" tab and review all available documents.
for some time missing
Where have all the documents gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the documents gone?
The board has hid them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
[SP-EYE...with deep apologies to Pete Seeger]
Interested in reviewing information generated during the Boundary Wars? The high school planning process? Minutes of previous school board meetings? School board policies? Forget it.
The school district website has a page entitled, Search our Policies". But don't bother, because this directory appears to have been stripped of all information for several weeks now. Theoretically, once can even (and used to be able to) click on the "Browse Documents" tab and review all available documents. Go ahead and try it. We've tried searching on common terms like "board", "minutes", "school", "high school", and "boundary"....words that surely should have resulted in at least one document. Sadly, searches resulted in: "Sorry, no matching documents were found".
We have approved funds for more electronic file storage space, more technology, and to develop a committee to "engage the public". And what have we received for all this? The removal of critical PUBLIC information that community residents may like to--and are entitled to-- review.
So...why has everything been pulled from the website??? Is it to make things more difficult for those that are investigating BS (Board Shenanigans)??? Hmmm...let's see....if someone wants that information, they'll have to request it and then come down to the district office to pick it up. That'll reduce the number of people interested in looking under the hood of the school board engine!!!
We have approved funds for more electronic file storage space, more technology, and to develop a committee to "engage the public". And what have we received for all this? The removal of critical PUBLIC information that community residents may like to--and are entitled to-- review.
So...why has everything been pulled from the website??? Is it to make things more difficult for those that are investigating BS (Board Shenanigans)??? Hmmm...let's see....if someone wants that information, they'll have to request it and then come down to the district office to pick it up. That'll reduce the number of people interested in looking under the hood of the school board engine!!!
N
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Stackhouse now up-to-date on taxes
On July 25, school board president David Stackhouse paid the remaining balance due on his delinquent property taxes, removing a bit of tarnish from the school board's image.
Thanks again to the community residents who brought this issue to our attention. Civic responsibility begins with paying one's taxes in a timely manner. It's simply reprehensible for any elected official...particularly one who is charged with levying property taxes...to pontificate while in serious arrears on the very taxes they levy.
Again, we sympathize with Mr. Stackhouse and any financial difficulty he may be facing. Unfortunately, choosing to serve as an elected leader means living under the microscope of public scrutiny.
The outcome of this recent situation certainly clarifies how important Mr. Stackhouse's school board position is to him. Many would have chosen to simply step down and walk away.
Thanks again to the community residents who brought this issue to our attention. Civic responsibility begins with paying one's taxes in a timely manner. It's simply reprehensible for any elected official...particularly one who is charged with levying property taxes...to pontificate while in serious arrears on the very taxes they levy.
Again, we sympathize with Mr. Stackhouse and any financial difficulty he may be facing. Unfortunately, choosing to serve as an elected leader means living under the microscope of public scrutiny.
The outcome of this recent situation certainly clarifies how important Mr. Stackhouse's school board position is to him. Many would have chosen to simply step down and walk away.
Monday, July 21, 2008
School Board President Delinquent on School (and property) Taxes
A few folks have contacted SP-EYE regarding an unfortunate situation that school board president David Stackhouse apparently finds himself in. Several community residents, either separately or as a group, have learned that Stackhouse is and has been in arrears on his property taxes.
We understand that this information was uncovered as far back as this past January, but nothing has been said for several reasons...most notably that no one wants to publicize any financial hardship that David and his family may be going through.
The flip side of the coin is, however, that, as school board president, Stackhouse is the leader of a significant taxing authority. As more people have gotten wind of this issue, the general sentiment has turned to one basic issue...and that is our elected leaders need to be role models in all they do. It's simply wrong for a leader of a taxing authority to oversee an $80M budget for the school district and approve tax levies that s/he is not paying themselves--regardless of financial hardships. It's doubtful that any community would be very supportive of someone being in arrears on their taxes while serving as an elected official.
This is about ethics and accountability of our elected leaders. This is not--regardless of accusation certain to come-- a witch-hunt for Stackhouse. A rather large net was cast seeking similar problems of the entire school board and likely other elected officials. Unfortunately he was the one that got caught. David Stackhouse has certainly given a great deal to this community, both as a school board member and through his work with the Youth Football Program. Who Stackhouse is and what he has done for the community, however, don't mitigate a significant wrong. Being in arrears on taxes and an elected official are simply two worlds that cannot co-exist.
SP-EYE has received 2nd and 3rd hand information that Stackhouse was recently approached regarding his tax delinquency and asked to resolve it. As part of these discussions, Stackhouse has allegedly responded that he's "only a little behind for the current year" and that he "has been making payments all along". We also understand at least one current school board member (if not all of them) are aware of the situation and have no problem with it (although they may not have all the facts).
A statement dated June 20th from the Dane County Treasurer's office (which collects all delinquent taxes) indicates that:
- property taxes for 2005, 2006, and 2007 are delinquent in their entirety
- the total amount due is $14,006.37
- the total includes nearly $2,800 in penalties and interest
- no payments had been made in the past 3 years
- property taxes for 2006 (partial), and 2007 (entirely) remain delinquent
- the total amount due is $5,174.89
- the total includes about $540 in penalties and interest
This information is public record. All property records and taxes are open to the public via the AccessDane website. The Dane County Treasurer can also be e-mailed for any updated information at treasurer.delinquenttaxes@co.dane.wi.us.
Mr. Stackhouse has recently chosen the option to screen any searches using his name, but one can search on the property address, available via public record as 131 Jone Street City of Sun Prairie, or via the parcel # (282/0811-053-1503-8).
We sympathize with Mr. Stackhouse and his family as they deal with a difficult financial issue, but being an elected official requires one to set up residence in the confines of a glass house. The larger issue here is that the vast majority of the public would be inclined to agree that a position on the school board...let alone the presidency...is not a proper fit for someone who is delinquent in paying the very property taxes that serve to fund the school district.
Should Stackhouse resign his position on the school board?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ignoring Fiscal Fundamentals???
The issue
June 23rd Finance Committee agenda item: Raising the prices of school lunches.
The Supporting Documentation
The "board package" information contained only the following "Situation Report" submitted by Administration:
The Director of School Nutrition recommends breakfast and lunch prices be increase by ten cents and milk be increased by five cents.
There was also a table showing area school district meal prices for the 2008-09 school year (see below) with both the Sun Prairie current and proposed prices.
For the school board meeting of July 14, the only additional information provided by Administration was a gross budget projection for the ENTIRE food service program.
Citizen Concern
Roger Fetterly, former school board member and active participant in school board actions, asked a simple question: "Where is the budget information to support the price increase?"
Fetterly was concerned-as should the Finance Committee have been- that perhaps the prices had not been raised enough, and that the Food Service fund (Fund 50) would potentially end up being in the red.
School Board Response
School Board member and treasurer Jim McCourt sent the message at right in an e-mail response to Fetterly. Is this really how the Board should be communicating with its residents. As we've said so many times, you can't be in an elected position and toss the message aside just because you don't like how it's presented. Mr. McCourt --and the school board-- needs to get a thicker skin. No one promised this job would be a bed of roses. And even if you thought that's what you were getting, you forgot that roses have thorns. Deal with it.
Three Questions
1. Shouldn't the Finance Committee have been presented with a more complete budget analysis, rather than a simple, "Trust us, we've looked at this and we think it will work" statement?
2. Why would a Finance Committee approve this request (and forward it to the full Board) in the absence of more detailed financial supporting data?
3. Maybe we can understand the Finance Committee not reviewing a more detailed analysis of the meal price increase, but shouldn't the school board--as the last line of fiscal defense---done so?
The Numbers-on Closer Inspection
Shouldn't SOMEONE be concerned that across the board the proposed price increases only represent 4-6% increases (except for milk at 17%)? If the projection is that food prices will rise 15-20%, how will these price increases cover the additional food costs?
If we have already spent $1,779,510 and only taken in revenues of $1,702,373, isn't this fund already running at a deficit of over $75,000? Do a little math and you'll have as many questions about what financial data were used to come up with the proposed increases as Mr. Fetterly has.
The bottom line
It's quite possible that Administration has such a good handle on the food service budget that they don't need to spend time doing a more detailed analysis. And perhaps there's an element of trust involved. But...the school board MUST operate under philosophy of "Trust..but verify".
Mr. McCourt: THAT is what Mr. Fetterly is trying to impress upon you. And until you and the school board stop simply ignoring his messages --no matter how they are presented--things will not change. You profess to always taking the higher road on issues. Well, the higher road would be to incorporate Mr. Fetterly's concerns...because he presents valid points.
The numbers certainly make it difficult to understand why we are not raising prices higher than proposed.
June 23rd Finance Committee agenda item: Raising the prices of school lunches.
The Supporting Documentation
The "board package" information contained only the following "Situation Report" submitted by Administration:
Food prices are projected to increase an estimated 15 -20% for the next school year. For example, the School Nutrition Association predicts that the price of milk will increase 17%, rice and pasta 13%, cheese 15%, and bread 12%. The financial goal of the School Nutrition Fund (Fund 50) is to be self-sufficient and to not rely on the General Fund to subsidize it. In order for the School Nutrition Fund to reach this goal, we need to increase our meal prices. ...with the proposed ten-cent increase Sun Prairie Area School District will still be below the average meal price. This is due to the high participation in the meal program and also the efficiency of the department.
The Director of School Nutrition recommends breakfast and lunch prices be increase by ten cents and milk be increased by five cents.
There was also a table showing area school district meal prices for the 2008-09 school year (see below) with both the Sun Prairie current and proposed prices.
For the school board meeting of July 14, the only additional information provided by Administration was a gross budget projection for the ENTIRE food service program.
Citizen Concern
Roger Fetterly, former school board member and active participant in school board actions, asked a simple question: "Where is the budget information to support the price increase?"
Fetterly was concerned-as should the Finance Committee have been- that perhaps the prices had not been raised enough, and that the Food Service fund (Fund 50) would potentially end up being in the red.
School Board Response
School Board member and treasurer Jim McCourt sent the message at right in an e-mail response to Fetterly. Is this really how the Board should be communicating with its residents. As we've said so many times, you can't be in an elected position and toss the message aside just because you don't like how it's presented. Mr. McCourt --and the school board-- needs to get a thicker skin. No one promised this job would be a bed of roses. And even if you thought that's what you were getting, you forgot that roses have thorns. Deal with it.
Three Questions
1. Shouldn't the Finance Committee have been presented with a more complete budget analysis, rather than a simple, "Trust us, we've looked at this and we think it will work" statement?
2. Why would a Finance Committee approve this request (and forward it to the full Board) in the absence of more detailed financial supporting data?
3. Maybe we can understand the Finance Committee not reviewing a more detailed analysis of the meal price increase, but shouldn't the school board--as the last line of fiscal defense---done so?
The Numbers-on Closer Inspection
Shouldn't SOMEONE be concerned that across the board the proposed price increases only represent 4-6% increases (except for milk at 17%)? If the projection is that food prices will rise 15-20%, how will these price increases cover the additional food costs?
If we have already spent $1,779,510 and only taken in revenues of $1,702,373, isn't this fund already running at a deficit of over $75,000?
If the overall budget is only projecting 65 additional students in the entire district, and we're only raising meal prices by 4-6%, how on earth are we projecting revenues from student meals to increase by 18.2%??? Are we going to force students to purchase meals? Advertise? Perhaps send subliminal messages to eat more over the loudspeaker system?
Food costs represent about 50% of the Fund 50 expenses....and they are projected to rise 15 - 20%.
Does anyone else think that it would be nice to see actual versus projected sales breakdown of individual meals and milk to really evaluate the proposed increases?
The bottom line
It's quite possible that Administration has such a good handle on the food service budget that they don't need to spend time doing a more detailed analysis. And perhaps there's an element of trust involved. But...the school board MUST operate under philosophy of "Trust..but verify".
Mr. McCourt: THAT is what Mr. Fetterly is trying to impress upon you. And until you and the school board stop simply ignoring his messages --no matter how they are presented--things will not change. You profess to always taking the higher road on issues. Well, the higher road would be to incorporate Mr. Fetterly's concerns...because he presents valid points.
The numbers certainly make it difficult to understand why we are not raising prices higher than proposed.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Al Slane selected to succeed Jim Carrel
While the Packers continue to deal with the aftermath of Brett Favre's decision to un-retire, a successor has been named to the Sun Prairie School Board; there will be no "un"-resigning here. Come August 1, Carrel moves on and someone else moves in. In the end, Carrel's knowledge of heating and cooling engineering will be replaced by...well...an engineer. In a 4-3 board vote, Al Slane decisioned Patrick Anderson for the vacant seat.
SP-EYE's crystal ball initially indicated that Patrick Anderson would be selected. For those trivia buffs, the Baltimore Ravens drafted WR Patrick Johnson in the 2nd round in 1998. The Atlanta Falcons' Jamal Anderson got his 15 minutes of fame for choreographing the "Dirty Bird" touchdown celebration. Upon receipt of the candidate application information, Kevin Viney's submittal temporarily caused the needle to jump on the Board Shenanigans (BS) meter. Following Sunday's vote, however, it became evident that the stage 5 BS alert was either a false alarm, or the board was unimpressed with Viney's 3 minutes flat time in answering the main 5 candidate questions. As the curmudgeonly Dr House would say: Engineer Guy was selected over Banker Guy, Real Estate Guy, and Educator Guy. Actually put someone with an education background on the board? Naaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
Candidates were each asked 5 main interview questions, followed by optional follow-up questions posed by board members. Board members came up with 5 follow-up questions which were generally asked of each candidate.
SP-EYE's crystal ball initially indicated that Patrick Anderson would be selected. For those trivia buffs, the Baltimore Ravens drafted WR Patrick Johnson in the 2nd round in 1998. The Atlanta Falcons' Jamal Anderson got his 15 minutes of fame for choreographing the "Dirty Bird" touchdown celebration. Upon receipt of the candidate application information, Kevin Viney's submittal temporarily caused the needle to jump on the Board Shenanigans (BS) meter. Following Sunday's vote, however, it became evident that the stage 5 BS alert was either a false alarm, or the board was unimpressed with Viney's 3 minutes flat time in answering the main 5 candidate questions. As the curmudgeonly Dr House would say: Engineer Guy was selected over Banker Guy, Real Estate Guy, and Educator Guy. Actually put someone with an education background on the board? Naaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
Candidates were each asked 5 main interview questions, followed by optional follow-up questions posed by board members. Board members came up with 5 follow-up questions which were generally asked of each candidate.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
School Board vacancy: Is Kevin Viney this year's Tim Boylen?
The candidates have been determined and interviews are set for THIS SUNDAY July 13, beginning at 1:00 pm at the District Office (501 S. Bird St). These interviews are open to the public, and the board WILL vote someone in by ballot at the conclusion of the interviews.
Last year, when a post-election vacancy emerged, despite several candidates with direct Sun Prairie school board involvement, the board opted to choose the pro-administration outsider with experience as a school district business manager: Tim Boylen. A quick review of the candidates for the vacancy created via Jim Carrel's resignation June 23 suggests that if history repeats itself, Kevin Viney becomes the likely successor to Carrel. Note that the public has NO INPUT on the selection process; the board simply selects the candidate of their choice. Four votes wins someone a seat at least until next April.
Note also that, as with last year, the board requires candidates provide a list of three critical issues facing the district along with suggestions to resolve them. But there is no "check" to ensure that candidates have actually fulfilled this "requirement"; nor is there any follow-through on the information provide. So...what's the point...just to make busywork? As with any other application process, should this not serve as a "screening" procedure?
The candidates
Kevin Viney - The Banker/Town Chairman (Burke)
Al Slane - The Engineer
Patrick Anderson - The Real Estate Manager/Developer
Dr. James Murray - The Educator
Candidates' School Board Experience
Kevin Viney - Served as a member of the High School Planning Committee representing townships. Has not attended school board meetings since the High School Planning Team was dissolved.
Al Slane - Ran unsuccessfully for the school board this past April; has applied for a citizen representative seat on the Finance and FTT committees. Has regularly attended school board meetings and some committee meetings since this past winter.
Patrick Anderson - Has applied for a citizen representative seat on the FTT committees. Has regularly attended school board meetings since this past winter.
Dr. James Murray - Currently serves as a citizen representative of the school board's Finance committee; has also attended school board meetings.
So...we have 3 candidates with recent involvement in school board activities and one candidate with temporary peripheral involvement. Mr. Viney sure looks like this year's Tim Boylen on paper. One has to wonder, however, whether his involvement on a number of boards as well as being the Chairman for the Town of Burke will impact his ability to participate fully on a school board that requires a great deal of time commitment.
The candidates' issues
As part of the application process, candidates were asked to identify "three critical issues facing the district; and how to address/resolve these problems".
Kevin Viney - Listed the following issues: school overcrowding, busing safety, continued technology enhancements. His letter did not offer any suggestions for solutions. In fact all three were combined into a short 5-sentence paragraph. (Should this disqualify him as a candidate?):
" The three critical issues I can see now [sic]is school overcrowding, busing safety and continued technology enhancements. I think long range planning needs to be addressed to make sure the schools are adequately balanced with students of all backgrounds. I know that bus transportation is an issue with fighting, inappropriate behaviors and aggressiveness. I feel the buses need to be monitored and students controlled. We need to continue to excel in our training and education of technology in our schools to prepare our students for higher education."
SP-EYE: Ummm...some of our students may not choose to pursue higher education...but we still need to prepare those students for life beyond high school.
Al Slane - Mr. Slane identified these 3 challenges: boundary issues, grade promotion standards, the need for a pool.
Boundary issues: "...the current approach the board is taking in forming a longer term task force is a step in the right direction."
Grade promotion standards: I think the current grade promotion standards need to be updated. The current standards reduce the schools to being a baby-sitting facility for low-performing students. ...we can certainly do better than just checking for math and reading proficiency."
Pool: "...I am in favor of getting a pool at the high school."
Patrick Anderson - Mr. Anderson identified these 3 challenges: SPHS on DPI list for failure to make adequate yearly progress in reading, balance student needs in designing curriculum for new grades 6-7 and grades 8-9 schools, and reduce utility costs.
High School Reading achievement: "...One of the stated priorities of the Board is to improve reading achievement. The Board should review results, revisit the action plan making appropriate adjustments, and monitor the progress quarterly through the 2008-09 academic year...."
Grade 6-7 and 8-9 schools: " How can we maintain academic achievement and offer diversity of class selections that can advance those that are struggling and also advance those that are gifted and talented? The balance is to block for the differences in Math, English, Social Studies and Science and allow flexibility in schedules for the extra classes that round out the academic day...."
Reduce utility costs in all schools: "The 2008-09 budget shall be over $1.4 million...The high school is close to being LEED certified, can we get there?...I also believe the use of photovoltaic solar on the massive roofs of the schools can generate the power necessary to meet the needs of most of the buildings as long as the payback to the taxpayer is short."
Dr. James Murray - Dr. Murray identified these 3 challenges: Improve community relations, Revitalizing writing skills, and Control discipline/Maintain a wholesome learning environment.
Improve Community Relations: A perception of exclusion is a condition that often spawns suspicion and resentment. To that end, residents should be invited to participate in monthly 'town hall' meetings during which time their concerns would be received by a panel consisting of an administrator, teacher, school board member, student, and a citizen representative."
Revitalizing Writing Skills: " While reading and math are being emphasized, knowledge of sentence structure, paragraph construction, parts of speech, punctuation, and spelling seems to have only incidental recognition. ...many individuals are unable to compose a text that is unambiguous, coherent, grammatically accurate, and correctly punctuated."
Control Discipline/Maintain wholesome learning environment: "Strict standards need to be established and communicated to all students and their families. Repeated violations, carefully documented may necessitate referrals to professional intervention sources. If they persist, a 'no-further-tolerance' policy needs to be articulated and a dismissal for significant periods instituted. To do otherwise is to reinforce and perpetuate deviant behavior and to undermine the opportunities our schools should provide...."
There you have it folks....which candidate do YOU think is a best fit for the school board?
Last year, when a post-election vacancy emerged, despite several candidates with direct Sun Prairie school board involvement, the board opted to choose the pro-administration outsider with experience as a school district business manager: Tim Boylen. A quick review of the candidates for the vacancy created via Jim Carrel's resignation June 23 suggests that if history repeats itself, Kevin Viney becomes the likely successor to Carrel. Note that the public has NO INPUT on the selection process; the board simply selects the candidate of their choice. Four votes wins someone a seat at least until next April.
Note also that, as with last year, the board requires candidates provide a list of three critical issues facing the district along with suggestions to resolve them. But there is no "check" to ensure that candidates have actually fulfilled this "requirement"; nor is there any follow-through on the information provide. So...what's the point...just to make busywork? As with any other application process, should this not serve as a "screening" procedure?
The candidates
Kevin Viney - The Banker/Town Chairman (Burke)
Al Slane - The Engineer
Patrick Anderson - The Real Estate Manager/Developer
Dr. James Murray - The Educator
Candidates' School Board Experience
Kevin Viney - Served as a member of the High School Planning Committee representing townships. Has not attended school board meetings since the High School Planning Team was dissolved.
Al Slane - Ran unsuccessfully for the school board this past April; has applied for a citizen representative seat on the Finance and FTT committees. Has regularly attended school board meetings and some committee meetings since this past winter.
Patrick Anderson - Has applied for a citizen representative seat on the FTT committees. Has regularly attended school board meetings since this past winter.
Dr. James Murray - Currently serves as a citizen representative of the school board's Finance committee; has also attended school board meetings.
So...we have 3 candidates with recent involvement in school board activities and one candidate with temporary peripheral involvement. Mr. Viney sure looks like this year's Tim Boylen on paper. One has to wonder, however, whether his involvement on a number of boards as well as being the Chairman for the Town of Burke will impact his ability to participate fully on a school board that requires a great deal of time commitment.
The candidates' issues
As part of the application process, candidates were asked to identify "three critical issues facing the district; and how to address/resolve these problems".
Kevin Viney - Listed the following issues: school overcrowding, busing safety, continued technology enhancements. His letter did not offer any suggestions for solutions. In fact all three were combined into a short 5-sentence paragraph. (Should this disqualify him as a candidate?):
" The three critical issues I can see now [sic]is school overcrowding, busing safety and continued technology enhancements. I think long range planning needs to be addressed to make sure the schools are adequately balanced with students of all backgrounds. I know that bus transportation is an issue with fighting, inappropriate behaviors and aggressiveness. I feel the buses need to be monitored and students controlled. We need to continue to excel in our training and education of technology in our schools to prepare our students for higher education."
SP-EYE: Ummm...some of our students may not choose to pursue higher education...but we still need to prepare those students for life beyond high school.
Al Slane - Mr. Slane identified these 3 challenges: boundary issues, grade promotion standards, the need for a pool.
Boundary issues: "...the current approach the board is taking in forming a longer term task force is a step in the right direction."
Grade promotion standards: I think the current grade promotion standards need to be updated. The current standards reduce the schools to being a baby-sitting facility for low-performing students. ...we can certainly do better than just checking for math and reading proficiency."
Pool: "...I am in favor of getting a pool at the high school."
Patrick Anderson - Mr. Anderson identified these 3 challenges: SPHS on DPI list for failure to make adequate yearly progress in reading, balance student needs in designing curriculum for new grades 6-7 and grades 8-9 schools, and reduce utility costs.
High School Reading achievement: "...One of the stated priorities of the Board is to improve reading achievement. The Board should review results, revisit the action plan making appropriate adjustments, and monitor the progress quarterly through the 2008-09 academic year...."
Grade 6-7 and 8-9 schools: " How can we maintain academic achievement and offer diversity of class selections that can advance those that are struggling and also advance those that are gifted and talented? The balance is to block for the differences in Math, English, Social Studies and Science and allow flexibility in schedules for the extra classes that round out the academic day...."
Reduce utility costs in all schools: "The 2008-09 budget shall be over $1.4 million...The high school is close to being LEED certified, can we get there?...I also believe the use of photovoltaic solar on the massive roofs of the schools can generate the power necessary to meet the needs of most of the buildings as long as the payback to the taxpayer is short."
Dr. James Murray - Dr. Murray identified these 3 challenges: Improve community relations, Revitalizing writing skills, and Control discipline/Maintain a wholesome learning environment.
Improve Community Relations: A perception of exclusion is a condition that often spawns suspicion and resentment. To that end, residents should be invited to participate in monthly 'town hall' meetings during which time their concerns would be received by a panel consisting of an administrator, teacher, school board member, student, and a citizen representative."
Revitalizing Writing Skills: " While reading and math are being emphasized, knowledge of sentence structure, paragraph construction, parts of speech, punctuation, and spelling seems to have only incidental recognition. ...many individuals are unable to compose a text that is unambiguous, coherent, grammatically accurate, and correctly punctuated."
Control Discipline/Maintain wholesome learning environment: "Strict standards need to be established and communicated to all students and their families. Repeated violations, carefully documented may necessitate referrals to professional intervention sources. If they persist, a 'no-further-tolerance' policy needs to be articulated and a dismissal for significant periods instituted. To do otherwise is to reinforce and perpetuate deviant behavior and to undermine the opportunities our schools should provide...."
There you have it folks....which candidate do YOU think is a best fit for the school board?
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Filling a Board Vacancy - How it Really Works
This is our second consecutive year of needing to replace a board member between elections. In our last episode, last July the board completely ignored the candidate who received the 3rd highest vote total (only 32 less than Jim Carrel) as well as 4 other long-time community members. Ignoring the voice of the community, the board opted to select Tim Boylen, who didn't even run for election last year--after a 5 minute interview [not counting disconnections due to loss of signal] via cell phone from his northwoods vacation.
Ultimately, the board got what THEY (not the community) wanted---someone who has served as a business manager for another school district. That would give them another vote to blindly rubber stamp whatever district administration puts forth. Forget the fact that Boylen had only lived in the community about 2 years.
Fast forward to present day. We have another board opening. Wanna know the inside scoop on how it will be filled? Let's start with the appearances put on for the public. Any community member can apply for the position. Applications (see link below) are due this Tuesday July 9. Interviews will then be held on July 13. That's right, folks, that is indeed a Sunday....and around dinner time...when the public is not around. Oh, the interviews are open to the public, but they won't be televised. We wouldn't want the public to see for themselves how the selection process really works....would we? After the interviews, the board will cast secret ballots. All it takes is 4 school board members to vote for a candidate and that individual will fill the seat until next April.
So...that's the Hollywood storefront set erected for appearances sake. Want a dose of reality? Here's what's happening behind the scenes. Board members have spoken with various community members and encouraged them to vie for the vacancy. There are even meetings between potential candidates and board members. In some cases, there have even been whisperings that verbal commitment of a board member's vote have been offered.
Want a clue as to who will be selected to fill the school board vacancy? Our crystal ball shows a very clear image.
Sadly, the quest for transparency of government is always hindered by backroom dealings. The school board wonders why the community does not trust them. What we need of our school board (and other elected officials) is a board that does not congregate after meetings for adult beverages and "small talk" and keeps district administration members at arms length. Certainly board members can have an amicable working relationship with district administration, but many of our board members are uncomfortably close to them. Unfortunately the public is never going to find out about cell phone discussions between board members between meetings. To assume these types of things are not happening is to be naive.
How to apply for the school board vacancy created by Jim Carrel's resignation
Ultimately, the board got what THEY (not the community) wanted---someone who has served as a business manager for another school district. That would give them another vote to blindly rubber stamp whatever district administration puts forth. Forget the fact that Boylen had only lived in the community about 2 years.
Fast forward to present day. We have another board opening. Wanna know the inside scoop on how it will be filled? Let's start with the appearances put on for the public. Any community member can apply for the position. Applications (see link below) are due this Tuesday July 9. Interviews will then be held on July 13. That's right, folks, that is indeed a Sunday....and around dinner time...when the public is not around. Oh, the interviews are open to the public, but they won't be televised. We wouldn't want the public to see for themselves how the selection process really works....would we? After the interviews, the board will cast secret ballots. All it takes is 4 school board members to vote for a candidate and that individual will fill the seat until next April.
So...that's the Hollywood storefront set erected for appearances sake. Want a dose of reality? Here's what's happening behind the scenes. Board members have spoken with various community members and encouraged them to vie for the vacancy. There are even meetings between potential candidates and board members. In some cases, there have even been whisperings that verbal commitment of a board member's vote have been offered.
Want a clue as to who will be selected to fill the school board vacancy? Our crystal ball shows a very clear image.
- Think of a wide receiver from Oregon drafted in the 2nd round by NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
- Think of the NFL running back whose claim to fame was a touchdown celebration involving flapping arms.
Sadly, the quest for transparency of government is always hindered by backroom dealings. The school board wonders why the community does not trust them. What we need of our school board (and other elected officials) is a board that does not congregate after meetings for adult beverages and "small talk" and keeps district administration members at arms length. Certainly board members can have an amicable working relationship with district administration, but many of our board members are uncomfortably close to them. Unfortunately the public is never going to find out about cell phone discussions between board members between meetings. To assume these types of things are not happening is to be naive.
How to apply for the school board vacancy created by Jim Carrel's resignation
No Committee Members = No Meeting
What if the school board held a committee meeting...but nobody came? By nobody, we don't mean no one in the community, we mean, no one on the committee...well except for the chair.
Our very own Concerned Citizen reports that
Sure, it's summertime, but that doesn't excuse responsibility...certainly of elected board members. It's not like this wasn't an important agenda. The following topics were on tap for action or approval:
Our very own Concerned Citizen reports that
" I attended the HR committee meeting [June 30] at the District Office ...unfortunately of the 5 members on the committee only the Chair ( Caren Diedrich) showed up. No quorum--no meeting --goodnight all!!"
Sure, it's summertime, but that doesn't excuse responsibility...certainly of elected board members. It's not like this wasn't an important agenda. The following topics were on tap for action or approval:
- the [basketball] co-head coach job description fiasco
- a side letter of agreement to the SPEA [teachers] contract
- a change in administrator contract days
Ahhh...but the board would likely say that we are focusing on the negative instead of embracing the positives. Tell ya what. We'll embrace the positives when the board stops sweeping the negatives under the carpet.
Community Engagement Task Force members, take a memo. Here's a free tip...and it's a simple concept. If you really want to engage the community, you might want to actually show up at committee meetings.
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