Whalen Going Rogue?

We keep hearing more and more about this "Mandarin Chinese " program that will be implemented in the district next year.  We already know that the district is spending at least $2500 (that we know of) and Culver is spending another $900 for his virtually all expenses paid week long trip to China in November.  As part of his trip, Culver, as with all "qualified" travelers, must be prepared to speak about their existing or developing Mandarin Chinese program.  We wonder what he'll say...and why the Chinese will know about our "program" before the taxpayers in THIS district do.

So...how come the public hasn't heard a peep about said program?
More to the point...how come said program has never been authorized or discussed by the school board as a whole or even at Committee level?
But the BIG question is:  where does John Whalen get off "authorizing" Culver to spend a week in China?
Shouldn't that have been a board majority vote?
Didn't the other board members deserve at least a heads up phone call?
Or has Whalen so gone rogue that he doesn't feel he needs the other six?
We think Whalen better CHECK six.
If it wasn't abundantly clear by now, Whalen sure looks to be firmly ensconced in Culver's pocket....a lot like a certain former board president who frequently dines with Culver.

Oh...and if those aren't enough questions, then we'll ask another:
How come we're spending money on a program for which we have no need instead of on the students we have NOW that heed help NOW?

Hmmm...a 3.5% tax levy increase...we wonder how much surplus is hidden away to fund the Chinese program.  0.5%?  1%?




什么他妈的!

$350,000 Doesn't Go As Far As It Used To

At the PVMS Open House this week, parents were greeted by a request for donations in different houses and classrooms.
Wait....WTF???

We very clearly heard the school district tell us that the building budgets were being increased back to 2008 levels.  According to the most current budget documents, that meant an additional $345,000 over last year!  11 schools dividing that purse means more than an additional $30,000 EACH for supplies over last year.  And we have to hit up parents for "donations"?  C'mon, man!  This is most definitely a "H'ep Me Understand" situation.
We also heard (to a hefty applause from parents) that standardized class supply lists were developed.

Requests for supplies donations were observed
throughout the Open House Night
at Prairie View Middle s School this past Thursday

We guess that not all schools received that memo, because here we are again, having teachers soliciting for supplies including markers, Post-It notes, Elmer's glue, those fan favorites--glue sticks, Scotch tape, and even colored pencils.
Again...WTF?

How were the class supply lists developed?
How much involvement did teachers have?    It would seem that a number of teachers think more supplies are necessary.  Is this just a bunch of teachers gone rogue?   It would seem that this act, done right under the very nose of the principal, that said principal supports said soliciting of "donations".

And why are parents being asked to provide MORE supplies?  Shouldn't these essential elements of the classroom be covered by the General Fund budget?  Or is too much of the General Fund budget ($72,000,000) being used for "other" things and not enough for general supplies ($1,239,507)?

So...we can...

• send Dr. Culver to China for a week
• earmark at least $2,500 to begin a Mandarin Chinese program next year 
• have taxpayer financed pizza lunches
• provide candy bars for staff for after school meetings
• provided bottled water for EVERY staff meeting/training session
• but not have enough money for basic supplies.

All good questions...