Guess subscriptions must be down again for the Sun Prairie STAR, because recently the STAR's managing editor. wrote an OpEd piece casting aspersions on the Sun Prairie School Board's actions...and more directly at President Tom Weber.
Chalk one more up on the list of whiners in the "Bryan Davis for Superintendent" fiasco. Or is it that outgoing SuperNintendo Tim Culver is trying to sow as many seeds of malcontent as he can during his final weeks (can't we just put him on paid administrative leave and avoid this nonsense?). We wonder what the good doctor's correspondence records would show.
The coconut (emphasis on "nut") telegraph tells us that our local editor-in-cheek has either filed or is planning to file a massive open records request. When you cast a net that large, be careful what you are fishing for! You might find that some of your buddies are far more worthy of an investigative journalism article than the school board or its President.
Our money is on Mr. Weber and the board landing squarely on their feet. They did what the community wanted...went through a process. The process ended poorly. Then they went out and found a perfect fit for our district. Instead of crying foul, why don't you thank them? What? You wanted ANOTHER lengthy, time consuming process that would drag into summer when most residents are gone? Your thought process is misfiring! They found a perfect fit, and the board was unanimous. Note as well that when it came to RE-considering Bryan Davis, only John Whalen was a fan (and you understand that his vote has no value...right?). They averted a potential train wreck and turned it into a huge success story.
In fact, even new board member Marilyn Ruffin voted against considering Mr. Davis. You don't think THAT caused some interesting dinner conversation in the Ruffin household after Jerry Ruffin pleaded with the board, on behalf of Sun Prairie African American Parent Network (AAPN), to hire Mr. Davis? (Hi, honey,I'm home...and hey...I didn't vote to hire Davis. Sorry!).
And we hope, Mr. Managing Editor, that if you do get those Open Records, that you'll spend as much time exposing the multitude of district staff who we are willing to bet will be discovered to have spent much staff time involved in some grass roots lobbying for Bryan Davis...all on the taxpayers' dime. If anyone should be worried, it's those folks.
Showing posts with label superintendent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label superintendent. Show all posts
Monday, May 25, 2015
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Desperation Sun Prairie: What Part of 'Failed Search' Don't You Get?
The superintendent/ school district administrator position was offered to one of the finalists, who was not Dr. David from Columbus.
The offer was declined. And we totally get that.
So why are we hearing MORE rumors (confidence is high; we repeat, confidence is high) that Dr. Davis has been reaching out via e-mail to both school board members, district staff, and even community residents?
Newsflash: All this is easily discoverable via an open records request. The difference between rumpr and fact is what you can prove. We may just do that to offer proof, to show you rumor-mongers what an actual fact looks like.
So, it appears that SOMEONE is at DesperationCon 1.
We have so very many questions about what transpired during lat March/early April...and so should you.
Question #1: if an offer was made to Dr. Davis, as has been rumored, why was he not hired and instead an offer made to "the other guy"?
Question #2: Once the other guy turned it down, why didn't the board go back to Dr. Davis?
Deductive reasoning would tell us that there was something....or some things...that soured the board on the Columbus Superintendent.
- Did he demand some unfathomable salary....you know like the $175-200K club?
- Was he requesting "absolute power" like Elliot in E.T. the Extraterrestrial?
- Or was there some other as yet unrevealed BSC requirement/condition that piqued the board?
- Or after not 1, not 2, but at least 3 failed attempts at getting another job, is Columbus eager to help him on his way? (How happy would your boss be if you were in the public eye applying for many positions?)
Question #3: Why is this guy peppering the board, district staff, and ostensibly key community members with his resume and continued interest? Doesn't that sound a bit like, "nobody wants me; think I'll go eat worms?"
Is Dr. Davis doing the Desperation Samba?
Don't know where i'm goin'I don't like where i've beenThere may be no exitBut hell i'm going inThe bottom line here is this thing smells funny and noone should be eating it. Someone needs to get through to Dr. Davis and respectfully suggest that he be more like Elsa and just "Let it Go".
---Jimmy Buffett, "Desperation Samba"
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Culver's Title Envy Still A Fire in His Belly?
Dr. Culver has been fairly quiet lately --at least publicly-- about his title. But that all changed at last night's graduation ceremony. In his congratulatory speech to graduates, Culver recalled,
Oh, there's been work behind the scenes to change the title, mind you. In fact, recently revised policy BDDI (we know...we know...our policy naming structure is the absolute silliest we've ever seen), revised in March 2011, introduces the two titles as interchangeable.
" When you began kindergarten in 1998, I began in Sun Prairie as a “kindergarten” superintendent... "He still doesn't get it that there IS no superintendent in this district. We have a district administrator. Why can't that title be enough? We have a CONTRACT for a district administrator...NOT a superintendent. We're wondering if many of the not-so-positive things that have transpired in the district would have occurred had our "superintendent" been less focused on changing his title.
Oh, there's been work behind the scenes to change the title, mind you. In fact, recently revised policy BDDI (we know...we know...our policy naming structure is the absolute silliest we've ever seen), revised in March 2011, introduces the two titles as interchangeable.
STEP 4
If you (or the person about whom you have expressed the complaint) are dissatisfied with the decision of the district-level administrator you, or they, may appeal to the District Administrator (Superintendent).
District Administrator Tim Culver may be contacted at 834-6502 or tculver@spasd.k12.wi.us or at 501 South Bird Street, Sun Prairie
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Top 10 in 2010
Yes...we know...2010 is only 1 month old. But you have to remember...this is our school district here. Most of what they do has the community's head shaking. And...for fear of the ever looming fear of being labeled "micro-manager", our elected leaders --the school board--- simply refuse to manage at all.
Who needs Letterman, Carson, Leno, or what's that other guy's name? We have our very own top 10 list.
1. Basketball Coach Fiasco
Been there; done that. Head Coach Liz Hrodey and Asst. Coach Steve Bartow were "suspended--with pay-- for the remainder of the season. Nothing of a sexual, physical, or criminal nature was involved. Based on multiple community commenters, many with involvement, it seems that 14 of the 16 varsity&JV girls bballers threatened to stage a walkout. They didn't like their coach's style, including making them run laps after losses (can you just feel the tears welling up?). The athletic Director, Jim McClowry, offered a resolution. The girls and their parents declined. So plan "B" was to remove the coaches.
Say Dr. Culver...is this what you were referring to when you were quoted as saying,
Does 'PAC' stand for Piano-less Arts Center? This fall we will open the brand new high school, complete with a stunning Performing Arts Center (PAC). They did not budget for a grand piano. The hope is that the Bernie Powers Band Foundation will raise private money to purchase one. The district is now looking to hire a PAC Manager. The high school is $1.075M under budget, but not one of those remaining dollars is planned to purchase a grand piano for said PAC. We have just one question: Can you even call it a PAC if it doesn't have a grand piano.
3. Winning Bidder writes the Bid Specs!
That's right folks, we budgeted $1.5MILLION dollars for furniture for the new high school. And then solicited a vendor of such furniture to write the bid specs. Then---who would have guessed?!----this same vendor won the bid!!!! It was the LOW bid, mind you....but...ya know?
The STAR said all that needs to be said
The teachers union (SPEA) would like to continue getting big raises. So they suggest that the district tax the community up to its full DPI revenue authority. And just in case 200 of those whiny taxpayers show up to cut the levy next year (as they did this year), SPEA members promise to come out in force (enforce?) to outvote said whiny taxpayers.
SP-EYE report on the SPEA response
5. Budget Crisis? For 2010-11? Really?
There has been talk at the board table that the budget outlook is even worse for 2010-11 than for this year. That's is especially true because we are opening a new school (plus the new 'upper middle' school) and there are always mega-cost that go into opening a new school. So...wouldn't you think the board would accelerate the pace on the budget planning? If you thought "yes", you'd be wrong.
Other districts have already presented a draft budget--including MORE cuts--to their communities. Not so, Sun Prairie. Culver and Frei are in no hurry. It requires Finance Chair Terry Shimek and Board President John Whalen to get the their riding crops out.
Can you imagine a FIVE TERM (hoping to make it 6) school board member would refuse to follow the vote of the school board to have each board member's picture appear on the district website? It's called "Community Engagement"...you know, as in, it's nice for the community to be able to recognize their elected leaders. Well, Caren Diedrich, "doesn't like her picture", so she refuses to have her likeness appear on the web. Maybe the community should decide they don't like her picture either and refuse to re-elect her.
Tomorrow, every time a Superbowl commentator utters the words "WHO DAT", we will laugh so hard we'll be exhaling bits of hotwings through our nasal orifices.
7. Charles in Charge? Who the hell is Charles?
Who's REALLY in charge of the school district?
8. Supersizing the Alternative Learning Center
Quietly...oh...you've NEVER seen this on a board agenda...has anyone noticed that enrollment at the "alternative learning center" has risen 23% since the start of the school year? That's right folks...enrollment now stands at 119, up from 97 as of the infamous 3rd Friday count. In fact, alternative learning now accounts for nearly 7% of total number of high school aged kids.
Now, don't get us wrong. We believe in the value of an alternative learning high school. In fact, Madison's Shabazz High School is a shining example of how alternative learning centers can reach those kids that cannot learn in a typical classroom environment. Does anyone realize that Shabazz serves as the alternative high school for the entire Madison school district, and it's enrollment total is 123 students--a scant 4 more than ours? Hello! McFly! Madison has nearly FIVE TIMES the high school level enrollment and our alternative learning center enrollments are the same? Is there a problem here? Shabazz has a rigorous application process. That's right...students don't get "put" there...they must apply and be accepted. The disparity begs a question...and we're just askin'.
9. A Charter School? NOW?
We would say that a looming budget crisis, opening a new high school, implementing a new 'upper middle school', and year 2 of the 4-year kindergarten program trumps Culver's dream of implementing a full-immersion Mandarin Chinese charter school in Sun Prairie. School board...you really need to move that one to the far back burner. And turn the burner off.
10. SuperNintendo? District Administrator? Superintendent?
Which is it? WTF!
Who needs Letterman, Carson, Leno, or what's that other guy's name? We have our very own top 10 list.
1. Basketball Coach Fiasco
Been there; done that. Head Coach Liz Hrodey and Asst. Coach Steve Bartow were "suspended--with pay-- for the remainder of the season. Nothing of a sexual, physical, or criminal nature was involved. Based on multiple community commenters, many with involvement, it seems that 14 of the 16 varsity&JV girls bballers threatened to stage a walkout. They didn't like their coach's style, including making them run laps after losses (can you just feel the tears welling up?). The athletic Director, Jim McClowry, offered a resolution. The girls and their parents declined. So plan "B" was to remove the coaches.
Say Dr. Culver...is this what you were referring to when you were quoted as saying,
“Doing this is like being in the middle of a flight on a 747 and deciding what parts you’re not going to use for the remainder of the flight...”2. PAC but no Piano
Does 'PAC' stand for Piano-less Arts Center? This fall we will open the brand new high school, complete with a stunning Performing Arts Center (PAC). They did not budget for a grand piano. The hope is that the Bernie Powers Band Foundation will raise private money to purchase one. The district is now looking to hire a PAC Manager. The high school is $1.075M under budget, but not one of those remaining dollars is planned to purchase a grand piano for said PAC. We have just one question: Can you even call it a PAC if it doesn't have a grand piano.
3. Winning Bidder writes the Bid Specs!
That's right folks, we budgeted $1.5MILLION dollars for furniture for the new high school. And then solicited a vendor of such furniture to write the bid specs. Then---who would have guessed?!----this same vendor won the bid!!!! It was the LOW bid, mind you....but...ya know?
The STAR said all that needs to be said
“A lot of concern you have for that process is addressed in the way that the process worked through the system.” He said there was no cost to the district to work with him in developing the bid specs. The only way for Marshfield Book and Stationary to recover costs for those planning meetings is to participate in the bidding process.4. Tax to the 'max; (we'll out-vote the community, so) then just relax
---Dan Bubolz of Marshfield Book and Stationary (who wrote the bid specs and was winning bidder)
The teachers union (SPEA) would like to continue getting big raises. So they suggest that the district tax the community up to its full DPI revenue authority. And just in case 200 of those whiny taxpayers show up to cut the levy next year (as they did this year), SPEA members promise to come out in force (enforce?) to outvote said whiny taxpayers.
SP-EYE report on the SPEA response
5. Budget Crisis? For 2010-11? Really?
There has been talk at the board table that the budget outlook is even worse for 2010-11 than for this year. That's is especially true because we are opening a new school (plus the new 'upper middle' school) and there are always mega-cost that go into opening a new school. So...wouldn't you think the board would accelerate the pace on the budget planning? If you thought "yes", you'd be wrong.
Other districts have already presented a draft budget--including MORE cuts--to their communities. Not so, Sun Prairie. Culver and Frei are in no hurry. It requires Finance Chair Terry Shimek and Board President John Whalen to get the their riding crops out.
6. Who Dat!"Keep in mind the message that came through [last Monday]. If the economy doesn't change we could be doing this all over again next year. I don't want to sit up front like that ever again." -(Finance Committee chair Terry Shimek 10-19-09 )
"The electors said that they do not want a 12.5% tax increase this year so I'm sure they don't want a 14-18% increase next year. " -(Finance Committee chair Terry Shimek 10-26-09 )
"What's important [from the annual meeting] is the message that came through that the people think we're spending to much and we have to cut back". -(Incumbent board candidate Al Slane 10-26-09)
Can you imagine a FIVE TERM (hoping to make it 6) school board member would refuse to follow the vote of the school board to have each board member's picture appear on the district website? It's called "Community Engagement"...you know, as in, it's nice for the community to be able to recognize their elected leaders. Well, Caren Diedrich, "doesn't like her picture", so she refuses to have her likeness appear on the web. Maybe the community should decide they don't like her picture either and refuse to re-elect her.
Tomorrow, every time a Superbowl commentator utters the words "WHO DAT", we will laugh so hard we'll be exhaling bits of hotwings through our nasal orifices.
7. Charles in Charge? Who the hell is Charles?
Who's REALLY in charge of the school district?
8. Supersizing the Alternative Learning Center
Quietly...oh...you've NEVER seen this on a board agenda...has anyone noticed that enrollment at the "alternative learning center" has risen 23% since the start of the school year? That's right folks...enrollment now stands at 119, up from 97 as of the infamous 3rd Friday count. In fact, alternative learning now accounts for nearly 7% of total number of high school aged kids.
Now, don't get us wrong. We believe in the value of an alternative learning high school. In fact, Madison's Shabazz High School is a shining example of how alternative learning centers can reach those kids that cannot learn in a typical classroom environment. Does anyone realize that Shabazz serves as the alternative high school for the entire Madison school district, and it's enrollment total is 123 students--a scant 4 more than ours? Hello! McFly! Madison has nearly FIVE TIMES the high school level enrollment and our alternative learning center enrollments are the same? Is there a problem here? Shabazz has a rigorous application process. That's right...students don't get "put" there...they must apply and be accepted. The disparity begs a question...and we're just askin'.
9. A Charter School? NOW?
We would say that a looming budget crisis, opening a new high school, implementing a new 'upper middle school', and year 2 of the 4-year kindergarten program trumps Culver's dream of implementing a full-immersion Mandarin Chinese charter school in Sun Prairie. School board...you really need to move that one to the far back burner. And turn the burner off.
10. SuperNintendo? District Administrator? Superintendent?
Which is it? WTF!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Does Tim Culver Suffer from Title Envy?
Do a search with your favorite engine: Yahoo, Google, whatever....on the words "Superintendent Tim Culver" and you get a bunch of hits.Only problem is...there IS no Superintendent Tim Culver. The job title, as it appears in ALL official documents, AND his quite lucrative contract we might add, is "District Administrator".
It seems Culver, in addition to being one of those types that likes being called "Doctor", is not happy with his current title. So he's creating a new one for himself. Even his 'anti'blog declares that the blog is " Sun Prairie School Views via Blog from Superintendent Tim Culver".
There are over 426 school districts in Wisconsin. Care to guess how many of them employ a "Superintendent"?
Trick question. The answer is NONE of them!(Don't believe us...believe the facts. Download the complete list of ALL public school district administrators and scroll through the "Position Title" column.)
Hmmm...is Culver setting his sights on the top spot?
What is it with this guy?
Dontcha think the school board needs to curb its dog?
search results
InspirED
Sun Prairie School Views via Blog from Superintendent Tim Culver ... Together we have made many improvements to public schools in Sun Prairie over the past decade. ...inspired-sunprairieschools.blogspot.com - 88k
Church sues Sun Prairie School District - WKOW 27: Madison ...
"I've seen gun safety training, boy scouts, churches, political groups, different youth activities, day care," said Superintendent Tim Culver. ...
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL
Securing the facility is "just common sense," said superintendent Tim Culver. This year even the students' seating arrangement has been tweaked. ...www.madison.com/wsj/mad/top/452286
The Madison Times - Articles
"The statement is often made, 'It takes a whole village to raise a child,' and ... guests including Nerad, Sun Prairie Area School District Superintendent Tim ...themadisontimes.com/articles/local-news/...
Spirit of Piece-Keeping Award - Sun Prairie Area School District
Sun Prairie Area School District ... Sun Prairie superintendent Tim Culver stated, "Ms. Manthey, Mr. Lessor, and the team at Westside exemplify connectedness. ...www.sunprairie.k12.wi.us/do_ws_piecekeeping_309.cfm
Friday, June 5, 2009
A New Title for Tim?
Has anyone else noticed the (not so)subtle change in terminology being bandied about? How Dr. Culver, with increasing frequency, refers to himself as the "Superintendent" rather than the District Administrator? In his recent blogpost, InspirED, which might be appropriately subtitled, "Diatribes from Dr. FeelGood" Culver even asks "What does a Superintendent Do"? Who cares? Because Sun Prairie doesn't have one of those....we have a "District Administrator.
Ok...so many of you might ask...what's the big deal? What's in a word? A title? OK...maybe nothing. Of course, maybe you could pose the same question to Trainer McCarthy, (retired) Mentor Madden, or Counselor Bellichick. To these guys, the title swap MIGHT make a difference. You see...if you look up "coach" in your thesaurus du jour, you'll find those three optional equivalents. We're thinking that these guys, and the football world at large, might have a teensy weensy problem with the switch.
But the issue goes beyond titles. Why is Dr. Culver passively (and publicly we might add) advocating for the change in title? In fact, since the two titles are (arguably) interchangeable, why would he even be working towards a change? What does it matter? And why doesn't the school board...HIS collective BOSS...politely tell him to stop confusing the people by switching terms.
Does Culver realize (or care) how much it would cost to change every one of the plethora of policies that routinely contain the term "District Administrator"? EVERY policy change (even such subtle word changes) must go through the school board...you know...HIS BOSSES. What about the cost of producing new letterheads, publications, business cards? Here's a good one...what about his (legal) CONTRACT? Contractually speaking, the "district administrator"...not the "superintendent" is the responsible party for the district. We're not suggesting Culver is looking for a way out, but as someone who spends a lot of time consulting lawyers, he surely must understand that such subtle nuances can become major issues in court. [Your honor, this contract says that the 'District Administrator' is responsible for _____. My client is the 'Superintendent', not the 'District Administrator', so this contract provision is not applicable to him.]
Newsflash, Dr. C...we know you don't feel it due to the plushy cushion afforded by your $150K salary and "stipends", but the rest of the world is facing a nearly unprecedented economic crisis. People are being laid off, state workers are getting salary reductions instead of increases (but you'll be getting about a 4-5% INCREASE, won't you?), and even education funding has been cut. But you seem to need a new title?
So...in our eyes...it comes down to a simple question: isn't this just a "me" thing for the good doctor? For someone who likes to talk a good game of "team", it sure looks like some self-serving interests have ditched the letters "a" and "t" and reversed the others to successfully come up with the "me" in team. If it's NOT just a "me" thing. Then we suggest you stop confusing people and stick with the title you have.
Perhaps a little less focus on trying to subtly (or not) suggest to the board that you're looking for a new title, and invest that energy and effort into improving things within the district. You know... diversity issues, expulsions, violence, test scores, scholarships, budgeting?
N
Ok...so many of you might ask...what's the big deal? What's in a word? A title? OK...maybe nothing. Of course, maybe you could pose the same question to Trainer McCarthy, (retired) Mentor Madden, or Counselor Bellichick. To these guys, the title swap MIGHT make a difference. You see...if you look up "coach" in your thesaurus du jour, you'll find those three optional equivalents. We're thinking that these guys, and the football world at large, might have a teensy weensy problem with the switch.
But the issue goes beyond titles. Why is Dr. Culver passively (and publicly we might add) advocating for the change in title? In fact, since the two titles are (arguably) interchangeable, why would he even be working towards a change? What does it matter? And why doesn't the school board...HIS collective BOSS...politely tell him to stop confusing the people by switching terms.
Does Culver realize (or care) how much it would cost to change every one of the plethora of policies that routinely contain the term "District Administrator"? EVERY policy change (even such subtle word changes) must go through the school board...you know...HIS BOSSES. What about the cost of producing new letterheads, publications, business cards? Here's a good one...what about his (legal) CONTRACT? Contractually speaking, the "district administrator"...not the "superintendent" is the responsible party for the district. We're not suggesting Culver is looking for a way out, but as someone who spends a lot of time consulting lawyers, he surely must understand that such subtle nuances can become major issues in court. [Your honor, this contract says that the 'District Administrator' is responsible for _____. My client is the 'Superintendent', not the 'District Administrator', so this contract provision is not applicable to him.]
Newsflash, Dr. C...we know you don't feel it due to the plushy cushion afforded by your $150K salary and "stipends", but the rest of the world is facing a nearly unprecedented economic crisis. People are being laid off, state workers are getting salary reductions instead of increases (but you'll be getting about a 4-5% INCREASE, won't you?), and even education funding has been cut. But you seem to need a new title?
So...in our eyes...it comes down to a simple question: isn't this just a "me" thing for the good doctor? For someone who likes to talk a good game of "team", it sure looks like some self-serving interests have ditched the letters "a" and "t" and reversed the others to successfully come up with the "me" in team. If it's NOT just a "me" thing. Then we suggest you stop confusing people and stick with the title you have.
Perhaps a little less focus on trying to subtly (or not) suggest to the board that you're looking for a new title, and invest that energy and effort into improving things within the district. You know... diversity issues, expulsions, violence, test scores, scholarships, budgeting?
N
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