January 2002greenspun.com : LUSENET : Diversity coalitions : One Thread |
January 2002 discussion and news
-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002
Happy New Year! May 2002 bring us peace and clarity.I'd like to acknowledge the last day of Onteora's winter break by re- running a quote from CARE's recent newsletter, and another perspective (forwarded by Jane Van de Bogart, thanks):
"Vacation is a time when parents realize that teachers are grossly overpaid." -- CARE newsletter
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Have you heard about the next planned Survivor show?
Three businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped in an elementary school classroom for 6 weeks. Each business person will be provided with a copy of their school district's curriculum, and a class of 28 students. Each class will have five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.D., one gifted child, and two who speak limited English. Three will be labeled as severe behavior problems. Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organize, or create materials accordingly. They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, write referrals, correct homework, make bulletin boards, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents, and arrange parent conferences. They must also supervise recess and monitor the hallways. In addition, they will complete drills for fire, tornadoes, and shooting attacks. They must attend workshops, (100 hours), faculty meetings, union meetings, and curriculum development meetings. They must also tutor those students who are behind and strive to get their 2 non- English speaking children proficient enough to take the Terra Nova and EPA tests.
If they are sick or having a bad day they must not let it show. Each day they must incorporate reading, writing, math, science, and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment at all times. The business people will only have access to the golf course on the weekends, but on their new salary they will not be able to afford it anyway. There will be no access to vendors who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to 30 minutes. On days when they do not have recess duty, the business people will be permitted to use the staff restroom as long as another survival candidate is supervising their class. They will be provided with two 40-minute planning periods per week while their students are at specials. If the copier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials at this time. The business people must continually advance their education on their own time and pay for this advanced training themselves. This can be accomplished by moonlighting at a second job or marrying someone with money. The winner will be allowed to return to his or her job. Pass this to your friends who think teaching is easy and to the ones that know it is hard. They will both benefit.
-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002
Happy New Year to all!I can't stress enough the amount of wonderful, public support I have been hearing regarding Meg, Tom and Marino's school board efforts as well as our own during this holiday season. I feel we have many positive things to look forward to in the upcoming months but, of course, we must stay focused and address the important issues at hand. It is very gratifying to hear from so many people whom I've never met approaching me and wanting to get involved. It is so very encouraging. Let's hope the New Year continues with this rising enthusiasm for a postive change.
Melissa Reebock has suggested that Pam Free be granted permission to the site. Any comments?? Otherwise, I will get her onboard the bbs in a day or so.
Thanks to all for your continued support and encouragement. Best wishes for the New Year!
-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002
I hope we can organize a meeting soon, where we can invite the public to join us in what can be billed perhaps as a listening session, meant to hear what people most want in the district...or some other way to ask for public input and in the process gain support for our brand of board politics...Perhaps at the olive town hall, as suggested by Morty...The same place that CARE mees...he he...jim or another olive resident needs to reserve this space I guess...and we can perhaps kick in a few bucks to run an ad or simply do press releases. Dates anyone?? Did I say happy New Year? TobeTobe
-- Anonymous, January 01, 2002
That always raises the interesting point when we decide to enlarge our forces. Is it in our best interest to "go public"?I can certainly see many reasona to not but to simply keep the group within the confines of interested parties. I'm interested in hearing a good reason to invite the public but I'd prefer to not be bogged down with opposing points of view. The amount of time and energy we have, as individuals, needs to be focused and well directed to achieve our goals. At this point, our goals should be to harness our constituants, refine our points of view, finalize candidates, and win an election. But I'm not sure if inviting the public helps us or hurts us. I'm not certain if many of us have the time, energy, patience or resources to be "public".
-- Anonymous, January 02, 2002
Pam Free has got the info to join. We welcome her input and suggestions. Hi Pam! Please feel free to listen and contribute when you feel comfortable. Thanks for joining.
-- Anonymous, January 02, 2002
In case i missed any of you on my emailing...here's the latest:Many have asked that I let them know if the nurse (Mary Patricia Tiernan, RN) is scheduled to speak on sexually transmitted diseases to the Board as requested by Mr. Doan. She is scheduled for this coming Monday, January 7 at the Woodstock School at 7PM...she has not confirmed this, but is on the published agenda and expected to be there... We urge all interested parents, students (anyone around from college??) medical professionals, etc. to come and speak out on this important topic.
The New Paltz Center is at http://www.NPPSC.org/staff.shtml...check the staff photo and see the program she is in charge of...Be aware that this work and affiliation with the New Paltz Center was NOT on the resume Joe Doan gave to the Board on her behalf. If you haven't done so, check out Care-Net, the organization with which New Paltz, Saugerties Pregnacy Support Center is affiliated to see what their agenda is... web site online at http://www.care-net.org Try going to the membership area and then to "become an affiliate" to see what the New Paltz center and staff (and volunteers) have agreed to... Also, as a reminder, here is the Statement of Faith as gathered from similarly Care-Net affiliated centers around the country... CPR Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, and that this salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and not as a result of good works.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and to perform good works.
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our lord Jesus Christ.
Adapted from the National Association of Evangelical's Statement of Faith (All volunteers, staff, and Board Members must sign a Statement of Faith and be active in their local church.)
Care Net Pregnancy Resources - Antelope Valley 1110 West Avenue L-12, Suite 1-B, Lancaster, California 93534
Other items on the agenda placed there by Joe Doan include asking Shaw and Perelson (lawyers) to be hired to "investigate" (at $150/hour) the old business about Brian Lane, unencumbered fund balances, Erratt lease renewal and payments, architects (Einhorn Yaffee and Prescott) report and fees, and flyers (not) distributed before Bennett Bond Vote...
Of course most if not all of these have already been discussed ad nauseum and we know the answers, but Doan doesn't appear to like the answers received, sooooo there goes more of your (our) money...
Whew...so much for making meetings shorter. To get on Public be Heard call Wendy at 657-8851.
See you in Woodstock.
Tobe PS Happy New Year!!!
-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002
New Paltz center URL ishttp://www.NPPSC.org/staff.shtml
Sorry about that. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002
Uh-oh, am I in trouble again? Does this (from the agenda for next Monday's meeting) have anything to do with the letter I wrote Laurie Cassel Dec. 21, and cc'ed Hal?"Holiday Decorations in Onteora Schools – Trustee Doan"
I sent her a letter saying I felt really shut out of Bennett's holiday celebrations, because I couldn't see a single mention anywhere about the celebration of the winter solstice, a holiday celebrated by pagan members of the community. She'd mentioned something in the Bennett newsletter that seemed cryptically be saying something about the decorations in each classroom, but it really wasn't very straightforward what she was saying. The teacher's restroom door, theoretically a neutral place, was loaded with motifs of winter celebrations, including Kwanzaa and even as far ahead as Chinese New Year. I'd have been happy with a single lousy yellow construction paper sun and the word "solstice" there on a bathroom door, that's all it would take. Throw us a crumb at least, just don't shut us out entirely. I don't care if they need to save face and make it look like some dreadful PC parent twisted their arms and made them do it, just do it. You don't acknowledge some of the community's winter religious holidays, and pointedly exclude others due to the bigotry of some people in the community.
But I just snapped when I heard the umpteenth pious mention of Kwanzaa celebration in a school full to the brim with blonde children that can't possibly have anything even close to the district average which is a whopping 3% black. Mine is definitely not the only pagan family or individual in the Bennett community, but I may be the only one in a position to speak out about it. I said I understood that there were political sensitivities involved, and that there were members of other religious traditions in the community that didn't approve of our religious practices, but that we're pagan , we're here, we're part of the school community, and they'll just have to get used to it.
Meg, Tom -- do you know what sort of mischief Doan intends to do here?
-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002
As far as we know, the issue has somehting to do with phoenicia school...heard that principal wanted to be sure it was multi-cultural, and not just Christian displays...the small menorah didn't cut it, and somehow it was even removed from the wall...shades of M Millman's issue again??? Haven't heard anything about Bennett, but Carol, you are a trouble-maker.... :-) Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002
I must say that I think Joe Doan tipped his hat a bit when he made reference to the American Legion Magazine (as the reference for why condoms should be prohibited from the schools). I did some poking around and what seemed to be a recurring theme at the American Legion website was the same rhetoric that we have heard from Mr. Doan (and Mr. Vanacore) for the past 2 years. One article, which I forgot to bookmark, made reference to the conservative 50's and how much better things were back then. Sound familiar??? I do remember that line of reasoning not too long ago and it pops up in Skip Weidner's letters to the editor all the time. We may have found the cave they hide out in....
-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002
Pictures of the Dump Doan signs would be great...can someone who knows where they are contact Beth Blis 657-2714 and see if she can get a snap or two for a Woodstock Times piece...he he he. Monday at Woodstock School 7PM...Yahooooo!
-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002
Hi all: Happy New Year! I am also hearing a lot of folks speaking out against Mr. Doan's practices and points of view. Teachers & parents alike. It's interesting how people show their true selves over "Xmas decorations in the lobby". I noticed there was only Xmas depictions. I then was out with Jeff sick a couple days. Upon my return I didn't notice the itsy bitsy manorah on far window yonder, so, I asked Linda Sella "what's up"? She pointed it out...but mentioned folks thought it was a religious symbol. Maybe it is maybe it isn't. So it came down and replaced with dreidels. I get nutty when Christians proclaim Santa is not religious, or trees etc. (Carol, he's a pagen! so are the trees). Anyway, Linda really wanted to do a winter scene on windows like snowflakes, snowmen, sleds etc., but our custodian (who does the decorating every year and has gotten so much flack over the years for manorahs and dreidels) decorated the lobby without talking to her first and was sensitive and fur up. Linda had the board meeting coming up and wanted PC lobby. Can't blame her for that. There have been letters in Phoenicia Times. My neighbor in her letter proclaimed that the grinch hit Phoenicia School. I'm so bored of this whole thing. If you try to level the field on this issue extremists are so threatened. Hey, the NYC Jews really might take over? By the way there was a holiday spirit in the school. Less intence, but happening. Why can't that be OK? Perplexing. I'm hearing that SE Audit report is done. No staff has seen it yet but have heard that she's suggesting BIG cuts in special ed. Meg, have you read this report yet? I would like to know what she's targeting. Bet Doan's read it. It is as I thought. His intention with Shaw is to dismantle and ruin all the wonderful programs built up over years. Special ed parents are paying close attention. Hearings, courts, legal fees are going to boggle their brains! I'm hesitant about making SOS public. It always comes down to a solid core group...we have that. Getting information out and making people think is more important than confusing our intentions with added babble. Maybe a few meetings clarifying SOS focus could insure the mission of the group...then go public? I'm uneasy.
-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002
Barbara Boyce just emailed me and suggested strongly I get copy of audit report through FOIL. Jim, can you assist me in that? Thanks. Also, another comment about going public. Staff and Onteora folks may be hesitant to participate with bbs or SOS if public? It does get tricky.
-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002
I want to remind newcomers (and those who haven't checked them out) that we have some links to some of the information our school health policies are based on in the December thread, that will be relevant to the presentation at Monday's board meeting. Looks like we may possibly have a snow day, though.If we were to have some public informational meetings at somewhere like the Olive Town Hall. that wouldn't necessarily compromise our bulletin board or working meetings. We could have a speaker or two, or perhaps even some panels discussing various topics. I happen to like the panel format over individual speakers, as I find you get a richer range of opinion and the give and take can reveal a lot.
-- Anonymous, January 05, 2002
I expect to be offline for maintenance the beginning of this week, so won't be in the email/bb loop for a few days. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
Let's not into the public meeting discussion until we have a private SOS meeting in order to prioritize our agenda. We need to focus clearly on candidates and platform at this time.Melissa-you need to call Wendy at the OCS district office to get a FOIL request. Maybe it can be faxed. Fill it out and ithe report will get to you, eventually. You need to be very specific about what it is you are requesting. It does cost a copy fee per page (.25) which can get very expensive if it is lengthy. Call me if you need more info and I may even have a FOIL form around here somewhere if needed.
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
For a good laugh, check out the CARE website with the blue highlighted text. The English language is slaughtered.
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
I've begun to agree with jim and melissa on having our internal house in order. The time to have a public meeting is when (and if) we have a program to offer that would raise our visibility and esteem in the community. This does not have to be a meeting to seek "members" we're not a "membership" group like CARE. Then, later when we recommend our slate, people will find us believable and follow our advise. How's about a date in two weeks...before jan ends...Melissa, we have a copy of the SE report that we can let you have...I believe Meg got two. Tobe
If the board meeting is cancelled for tomorrow, it will be held NEXT monday at 7 at the Woodstock school... tobe
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
You a cyborg, Tobe? ;)Of course, if the Bennett (and other school) parents knew some of the the roots of the Kwanzaa that their children were so blithely namedropping songs about in a nod to an acceptable sort of winter concert multiculturalism as long as you don't think about it, they'd have heart attacks. How about the seven principles being the ones also symbolized by the 7-headed snake of the Symbionese Liberation Army? Or Marxist Ron Karenga's cultural nationalism being thought by some to be even more radical than the Black Panthers? Or these thoughts, from the Kwanzaa Information Center "The Red, or the blood, stands as the top of all things. We lost our land through blood; and we cannot gain it except through blood. We must redeem our lives through the blood. Without the shedding of blood there can be no redemption of this race. However, the bloodshed and sorrow will not last always..." and "WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE RED, BLACK, AND GREEN, OUR FLAG, THE SYMBOL OF OUR ETERNAL STRUGGLE, AND TO THE LAND WE MUST OBTAIN; ONE NATION OF BLACK PEOPLE, WITH ONE GOD OF US ALL, TOTALLY UNITED IN THE STRUGGLE, FOR BLACK LOVE, BLACK FREEDOM, AND BLACK SELF-DETERMINATION."
This would not play well in Shokan.
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
nO CYBORG THAT i KNOW OF :-) simply that Wendy is calling board members to get agreement on next meeting if (and when) they call off school tomorrow. so I had a few hours advance notice! T.
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
Love the kwanza story...Want to post it on over to CARE for their next newsletter? he he
-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002
It was the "I expect to be offline for maintenance the beginning of this week" that made me wonder, Tobe.I think we'd better not tell CARE, though they may pick up on it anyway, given that there is a Dartmouth Review article on the evils of Kwanzaa circulating in the conservative community. I don't want to be left with the dreaded "Jingle Bell Rock" as the only thing suitable for the winter concert.
-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002
Thank you Tobe and Jim. I got the form from Tobe. I'll put in the FOIL and gladly read the extra copy in mean time. I hope to gather a few parents together, so, can it be interofficed to me in school? Or let me know where to meet you. Thanks again:) I like the cyborg thingy ;) very cute.
-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002
What is the new BOE meeting date? Still at Woodstock?
-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002
The next BOE m,eeting is Monday night the 14th at Woodstock..says 6:30, but I think that's for an exec session. t.
-- Anonymous, January 07, 2002
hi all . bless the new year. aside from all the million other things to talk about, my computer nerd son does not know how to make those blue words turn into a connection to another site. Can somebody talk to me about that ? and give me the right words to talk about it with? Also tobe i'd like to offer you my time in research , transcription or whatever.I thought I'd start with the tirades of JD and MM , offering reasons to buy out Hal. Woodstock library collection is quite chaotic and I could not find most recent meetings. Thought I'd look at Phoenicia , but haven't got there yet.See you Mon.mm
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002
You want to make "hot links."The formula is like this:
[a href="http://www.dumpthedoan.org"]The Dump Doan website[/a]
should get you to blue words saying "The Dump Doan website" and clicking on them will link you to that site.
I've done some substitutions in order not to have that be a live link as I explain it. Where there is a [ you will put instead a < and where there is a ] you will put instead a > . You can have spaces in the phrase you want hotlinked, but it must be nestled up against the angle brackets on either side without spaces.
I made up a hand-out for how to do it which we had available at a few meetings, remind me on the 14th and I'll try and bring one to the BOE meeting for you.
Once you have it figured out, copy the formula on a post-it and stick it on your computer. It's the only piece of HTML I know by heart.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2002
Thanks a million Carol, I'm working on it.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
I have been thinking about getting together a last minute hand out for the BOE meeting on Monday in response to Doan asking for more investigative money for Shaw. Let's hand out a flyer which lists Doan's requests, with the answer to each question of "who's responsible?" being ...The Onteora School Board! I will make something up and submit it to the site for input.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
Sounds like a great idea Jim. Any chance we could get dates that discussion and voting occured on? I can help with that tomorrow and Mon. Is Tobe back on Board ?
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
Here I am practicing my hot links... freeman website
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
WE DID IT!!!! Thankyou
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
I'm baaack!The best way to find dates for anything is to go over the minutes...we have complete minutes fropm August of 2000 on..The rest are at the school office...I believe anyone can call and ask to come in, see them, make notes, etc etc...someday, maybe they'all be online...might ask wendy if an archive of old minutes is in the works. I will post two or three Doan deeds in ther next few days when i get caught up. cheers to all. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2002
Now that I think of it, I wonder if there is any reason that all the minutes aren't _still_ online, just not indexed? Can't get into the BOE page right now to test this, but will try later to see if she just over-writes the page with the new page, or whether there is some date formula pattern in the URL that we can try. No reason why they can't have them all up there, other than needing an index.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002
The OCS BOE page is down for some reason. I e-mailed Wendy last night to notify her of the problem.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002
Wendy has acknowldged the website problem and is on it. I also asked about the possiblitity of minute archives. We'll see what she says...
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002
hi just to let you all know that Olive Town Hall tonight at 730 chuck Snyder will be addressing "mismanagement of school finances" at CARE meeting. I'm going I'll fill you in.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002
Here's an attempt to send my response to Doan's charges of "who is responsible?" to be distributed at the Monday 1/14 meeting. I hope the formatting works out OK.In order to assist the Onteora School Board with the financial difficulties that clearly lie ahead due to the freeze in NY State school funding for the 2002 school year, the national recession and the practical need to hold down expenses, SOS, (Support Onteora Schools) would like to answer, at no cost to the district, at least half of all the questions Mr. Doan is requesting the Shaw law firm answer at the rate of $150/hour. The following is Mr. Doan?s request with our answer underlined and in italics where we feel it helps and will save the taxpayers hard-earned money.
Retention of Shaw and Perelson, LLP, per Trustee Doan?s request as follows:BE IT RESOLVED, that Shaw and Perelson, LLP, are hereby authorized for the fee of $150/hr to investigate the following matters and report to the Board in writing by February 10, 2002.
1. Were the payments of District funds to Brian Lane, upon his retirement legally made? If not, what person or persons were responsible?
The Onteora Board of Education led by board president Sandi Casesse.
2. Was the payment of $44,000 in June 2001 to Robert Erratt made lawfully? If not, what person or persons were responsible?
The Onteora Board of Education led by board president Marty Milman
3. Was the lease renewal in June 2001 for the relocatable classrooms owned by Robert Erratt legal? If not, what person or persons were responsible?
The Onteora Board of Education led by board president Marty Milman
4. Was the unencumbered fund balance of the 1999-2000 budget returned to the Onteora taxpayers in accordance with law? If not, what person or persons were responsible?
The Onteora Board of Education led by board president Marty Milman
5. Was the architectural firm of Einhorn, Yaffee and Prescott lawfully paid fees of $24,000 during the 2000-2001 school year for preparing a report (Rescue) to be submitted to the State Education Department, regarding the facilities of the school district? If not, what person or persons were responsible?
The Onteora Board of Education led by board president by Marty Milman
6. Were approximately 11,000 flyers to inform the voters of the District, regarding the Bennett bond vote held on June 20, 2001, discarded without the Board?s knowledge and authorization? If so, what person or persons were responsible?
Superintendent Hal Rowe primarily due to the untimely arrival of the literature at the last minute which would have required the district to pay overtime, on the weekend, for district workers to mail the flyers out by election day. Yet another money saving decision made by our superintendent after all school district legal obligations to notify voters were met..
SOS ? Support Onteora Schools is an advocacy group for the Onteora community made up of parents and taxpayers who simply wish for the board to ?focus on education?.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2002
Nicely done, I like the call and response rhythm. I assume the question marks in the last paragraph are formatting glitches here.Two Ls in Millman, though.
-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002
Good going, Jim... and I think if each response could state when the board resolutions were passed (day, month, year)that would strengthen them...Any other specifics that can be sited? Let's be sure the flyers issue is accurately portrayed.....also, I would lead with the fact that all the legal requirements were made plus the district sent out one additional informational flyer...(Is this correct?)I love the rapid response approach on all these issues, and let's start getting more visible as the elction apporaches, so we can gather support...people are asking how to help, let's make a plan to put them to work..letter writing campaign??? Themes???...Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002
Jim: Meg suggestes talking with Tom about the EYP fees and if they actually needed to come before the board, and if in fact they did...Meg can't recall..or ask hal directly.Also, re: the flyers..ask hal directly or say something more general, such as "The District met all the legal obligations to inform voters about the bond vote. In addition two informational flyers were prepared by Syntax for mailing to district residents. The second of these flyers arrived at Onteora too late to be used.
-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002
So what happened at the CARE meeting???
-- Anonymous, January 11, 2002
A short note from ed sanders applies to all here (the keep up the gfood work part!) and is a fun idea...Speaking of the BOE... Yes, The Best Show in Town!
It needs a off-Broadway style playbill, with pictures of the "Stars" and biographies (such as the history of Doan) of each main character
Ads could be sold, as in playbills. Maybe the privatized school bus companies would run ads.
Keep up the good work.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
Personally, after reading the article in the Woodstk X , I feel more must be said in response to Doan's accusations.VSnow went in some depth at these issues and I think Jim's response trivializes these matters. Sorry. Hal,SOS {and it's sympathizers} have never responded in any fashion to Joe's call for Hal's removal and i do not think this helps our case.Blaming it all on the BOE with no explanation of the underlying issues , appears to me that we are knee jerk defensive.Seems to me better to explain the Board's role in these issues and their role as a voting body( not as individual dissenters ) would do more to support our cause. The ? is , who is this "flyer " for?Is it meant to be educational?, confrontational?,...for "us" or for "them"?A statement at public be heard would be more clarifying to me than a handout which provides very little info beyond the response to the ? of Syntax's mailings.If you go to all the trouble of writing, printing and handing out written material I think it must have more meat or following flyers will be ignored.I'm afraid this sounds more harsh than I mean for it to be and I am under no illusions that what I think about it matters a tinkers damn. As far as the CARE meeting goes.. First of all it was very sparsely attended , the usual players Ostrander, FPerry, McCallum,Tom and BClare,Bev Stein and husband,G Walters,maybe 20 in all. I do not think I exaggerate to say a group that used every opportunity to dis Hal et al. First off a presentation by an individual whose name I unfortunately cannot recall ,{ starts with r LIVES ON wITTENBERG RD.}WANTS TO USE SCHOOL TO TEACH 5 HOUR PRE liscensing course and defensive driving. Claims he has asked VBruck and the Board with no luck. Various obnoxious comments about Board including some notion that the Heather Stephens fund is "locked up"by the Board.Clearly a Doan sympathizer, calls himself a private investigator{ex cop Long Island}and I must wonder is he Doan's?Ostrander jumps on idea that board has held up use of HSFund and Chuck clarifies with explanation that no one has ever set format or rules for use of this money.until then it waits.Must clarify that Doan's original intent was to get taxpayer's to fund entire Driver Ed program, but total failure , that.Clearly Rose is willing to say whatever to make Hal and minority members of board look bad, blatant lies or no. Chuck's budget information was fairly sraitforward tho he spent much time dodging attempted attacks on Hal.Nothing too remarkable , just alot of hostility. More ? about the cafeteria debacle than I would have expected and I think we should be prepared to deal with that one too. Chuck did say that 50% of all districts operate at a loss. Ours is a big 279,000$$ and attempts have been made this year to improve. Would be interesting to know if any one on the inside notices smaller portions , less offerings, whatever. When does ketchup become a vegetable? It becomes clearer and clearer that Dennis Geisler had some very real shortcomings. We must be able to admit fuckups where they have occurred and move on. Once again I remind you of Carol's letter to WoodstkX which i believe speaks exactly to where SOS needs to stand in relation to these historical problems.Otherwise we look like we are merely attempting to protect our friends and compatriots.Lord, one more thing . All must read last Thursday edition of Ulster County Townsman 's attack on Rande Collins and PElementary school.So much about this infuriates me I hardly know where to begin.Dirty data. I'd really like to hear Melissa speak to this if she's out there.I will check into Phoenicia school's test scores of last four years and see where they stood.I do not recall any huge gaps between elem. schools but I cannot swear to it. If indeed 40% of 7th graders are failing various subjects and there was warning of this in NYS test scores, someone was NOT doing their job.Ai Yi Yi.Meg was at this Care meeting also and may have further comments to offer. Incidentally a number of comments implying that Dennis G. made off with district $. Any specific ? about all this I will be happy to try and answer.I've been getting alot of ? in the community about all this. People are confused and concerned and do not know who to believe.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
Well folks, it looks official. Joe Doan has purchased the West Shokan store and post office. According to word of mouth...It must be true, the store is selling everything for 50% off.
Rumor is that he plans on making an upscale Starbucks-like coffee place. I can just see the Olive Highway Dept. and local workers lining up everyday for decaf cappucino and espresso.
Anyway, see everyone on Monday night....
dy
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
I had the same reservations about the SOS handout at the meeting even before reading Maureen's post. We simply don't have the correct facts on all the issues to respond so cavalerely(sp?). We shouldn't be lead into a cheap response which doesn't educate the audience. Much better to get a response from Doan in regards to our agenda than responding to Doan's.One issue that caught my eye in the WT artyicle was Doan's offer to engineer the district instead of EYP. At issue here is that Doan is not a licensed engineer. The women's softball field which he spearheaded has NO plans or specs on file with the school. It is just a bad way to proceed and bad business to take someone's offer to workl for free. Where are the plans Joe?? What if it floods in 2 years and we need to refer to the specs to fix the problem?
As a side note, I once recall working on a commercial which comedian Bill Murray did for free for the NBA because he was such a big fan. He didn't want to set a precedent to work on a paid commercial (ie:he can't be bought). But it created huge problems because he constantly was late ot didn't even show up one day while a crew hung out getting paid. No one could hold him responsible because he wasn't getting paid. No one could tell him what to do because he would leave if not treated the way he wanted to be treated. You couldn't fire him...it was a disaster from a productivity point of view. Doan would only have gained more power to work for free.
I feel our energy is better used toward constructive letters to the editors encouraging people to attend the meetings and witness the board in action. Let the board members make the points at meetings and we support them in letters and PBH.
Thanks Maureen for your candid response.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
Let me correct myself...Doan is a licensed engineer but NOT a registered engineer. Sorry for the misinfo.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
hey Jim . I pray you understand my point of view and take no offense. It is quite all right if we don't agree, we've been thru that with no destruction.Both Carol and Tobe seemed to think you were headed in the right direction, perhaps they could add their 2cents.I'm totally with you on the question of Doan's donation of his "professional" services. In fact if you all recall' JDonaghue made it quite clear that it was completely inappropriate for a Board member to do so, that it opened the district to unnecessary litigation in the event of a problem.This was when Joe offered to do the traffic flow report on the high school campus. Would be interesting to hear if Shaw would reiterate that opinion.Doan needs to be reminded that he was elected to be a member of the school board,not a lawyer,not a newspaper reporter,not an engineer.Looks like a long meeting Mon.Spoke to a Ptown parent at length about the article in the Townsman. I do believe there will be some upset faculty over this issue and the twisting of truth. We shall see.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
I didn't get to see the Townsman article...Anyone feel like being more specific as to it's contents? I wonder how much this has to do with the changing of the guard in Shandaken and the Townsman losing status as the town paper?PS-Maureen, FYI the use of the question mark in the proposed handout was a typo introduced by the bbs server in not recognizing quotes.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
Glad Jim cleared up that although Doan is licensed, he is not registered in NY State, and therefore CANNOT legally do professional engineering. Please keep this information quiet, since we do NOT want him to know that we know.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
Jim, et al...keep your eye out for any building reconstruction plans and if he needs any engineering that he might do to change the store or PO. he he he Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
I'm willing to reconsider anything I say if a better response comes along, and I think the later comments about the proposed flyer do show more wisdom and tactical discernment than mine.I sure would like to see these allegations of Doan's answered fully and properly. Maybe letters to the Woodstock Times every week, each one concentrating on documenting fully the allegations, would be a far better tactic. And let's make sure those of us on the SOS board get the information too -- this is the first explanation I'd finally heard about the missing flyers.
-- Anonymous, January 12, 2002
As usual, carol has it right..each point needs to be addressed completely...this is the rub, howevere...each point is not simpe (as doan would like us all to believe) there are points of interpretation by lawyers involved, not just opinions of us (the rabble, as it were.)Once we get some more info, perhaps we can get a letter a week in the press, plus start to hand out info-sheets at Hurely Ridge that was so effective last election... Perhaps an SOS member could adopt each point and make it their priority to find out all there is to know about it????Then a coherent response could be written... Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
I think Tobe's idea is terrific.If those of us who have time and inclination pick one aspect of these accusations it may simplify the process of revealing the truth as we see it.For myself at the moment i will be working on the P school issue, because it is so fresh and because we need all the P voters we can get in the spring.I'll be calling Frank gORLESKI IN THE am TO SEE IF i can get test scores. A preliminary looksee at my collection shows no great disparities.I will quote a few things from the Townsman article.."over 40% of P seventh graders in the middle school are failing classes and reading below grade level...in the 2000-2001 school year 41.6% of P. students failed at least one course, compared to 19.4% at Bennet,17.3% from W.H. and 17.7% from Wood.Statistics from previous year are worse. { so Jim I was wrong about the info I gave you re: this data,sorry.}Various quotable quotes from Millman and Doan abot what a bad and horrible administrator Rande is and how {Doan} "doesn't want him coming back in July and saying I'm ba-ack".Doan is quick to point out that he is not singling out the teachers at the school for the students problems, instead directly blaming Collins.Of course his affair with BL is mentioned.Just FYI, let me point out that the free lunch programs at the elementary schools look like this..Phoenicia 96-97 33.9 % / 97-98 38.6% /98-99 38.9%..Bennett..18.1%..14.4%..14.1%..WH..18.2%..14.4%..14.3% Woodstk..24.6%..21.8%..20.9% There are also more students with Spec.ED classifications. None of this is taken into consideration in Doan's #'s.Frankly no matter what the truth is,these kids do not deserve to be publically dissed like this. Apparently Joe will stop at nothing to make Collins look bad .
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
I think this is a put up job between Marty M and JD...Mary is carrying his wife's old hatred for Family groupings...It might be worthwhile to get families that loved and cherisehd their family grouping expoerience and that are thriving in middle-high school...Wonder how many parents of kids having problems wioll show up and say so in public...I believe this is a perception problem, best licked by showing the good and valuable things Randy did for Phoenicia, from the mouths of parents and teachers...not us! Certainly the real story from the "report" won't be black and white or simple the way Doan smeared it, so we have to also say how he mis-used raw data to get the results HE wanted.I firmly believe that we need to use every opportunity to show Doan for the lying duplicitous (sp?) person he is, and that he stoops at nothing to get his political ends (get rid of hal, paint himslf as the savior...etc.)We need to constantly erode his believability so whatever he says, people will laugh and say, "There goes that crazy-man again." T.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Here's some info from the report that Frank gave to the board of ed about failures in middle school...Interesting that they (JD etc.) are (of course) more interested in failures than successes...Anyway, from the cover page...clearly ignored by Joe D. and Marty in their presentation to the paper (Maureen, interested in calling Blake Killin to see if he was given this info??)
Here it is: "As a note of caution, in reading the raw data presented in the charts on the following pages, please note that our elementary schools cannot be compared as apples to apples. First total enrollment at the schools is not equal, nor is class size at grade levels. Another factor is socioeconomic status of the different buildings.
Socioeconomic status of a building (based on socioeconomic status of students) has a direct effect on achievement. A regression line, developed by Broome County BOCES was used to gauge our elementary school performance. As you may recall, Bennett, West Hurely and Woodstock had results on state assessments consistent with their socioeconomic status. On the other hand, Phoenicia performed above the predicted level.
A review of the data does indicate a significant difference in failures at grade 7 over the past two years. The difference is somewhat decreased when factoring in the number of students classified, however there is no indication of a cause-effect relationship. It would be valuable to examine the data further to find a root cause, as well as examining other data for similar patterns."
(Any misspelling are my fault.)
note the caveats about using the raw data...ignored as expected. And the all-important socioeconomic data...Hope this is enlightening and helpful...just the beginning of the story. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Talk is starting about an SOS meeting this month...Jim will suggest some times and places...Jane is your house/meeting room still a possibility... Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
"Interesting that they (JD etc.) are (of course) more interested in failures than successes..."As Michael Goodman pointed out to us last spring, the failures and retentions do have a real fiscal impact on the district, aside from the human costs.
How long has Randy been principal there? Do we have access to any data from before his stewardship that would indicate similar trends with the previous principal?
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
I'm getting bored of Phoenicia School being the target! Doan and Millman, once again, are going after Collins. They don't give a rats a-s about the kids. The faculty is infuriated and I'm hoping Linda Sella will speak to their numbers and accusations. The socioeconomic point is a HUGE one. If Phoenicia is guilty of anything it is that generous supports (models, programs, cirriculum & support staff) have been put in place. These supports are non exsistant at middle school & high school. A lot of kids would have fallen through the cracks, been classified and/or classified students placed in more restrictive settings. I'm getting the feeling that the special ed audit report may indicate these supports as above and beyond, so, save money and cut. The majorities mind set is still in the 40's & 50's. If kids aren't learning they're "lazy", if kids are disabled put them in a separate place far away from "normal" kids, if kids learn differently punish them and wear down their self esteem. Statistics can be used to prove any point, depending on how it's presented. The family grouping problem is Millman's. Here we go again, a little history....just around the time Georgiana screamed anti-Semitism, she went to a PTA meeting complaining that her son was being distracted and his grades affected in a "family grouping" classroom with IEP integrated students. The "kid" distracting her son had an IEP and on medication. She found out at the meeting that the kid didn't have and IEP. The classified kids were in classroom in the morning and her sons problem happened in afternoon. she then announced knowing all the kids on medication from the pharmacy. I was not at this meeting, but had 2 phone calls from concerned parents. I immediately called Marty and explained that Georgianna was breaking the confideniality law and had no right to make such a statement in public or private, especially in such a threatening way, and he might want to speak to her so he as a pharmacist would not be put in jeopardy. He thanked me, she called me back immediately and did her George talk ;( and I told her pointedly at end never to do that again. It's a perfect example of the Millman's style. If they are proven wrong, twist it, squeeze it till it becomes what they want it to be. They never spoke to it again. So how better for them to get back? Dis family grouping. By the way: Family grouping is a model that combines grades. In beginning there were grade combinations at primary and intermediate levels. My son, Jesse, was in a 3-4-5 blend one year. It proved not to serve all kids well (Jess was lucky in 4th so he gained from both ends)so 3 grade blend not done again. The primary grade blends are great. I'm in a 2-3 blend this year and the children are thriving. Every year the blends are decided according to the kids needs. Presently blends are only in the primary. One year we had a straight first grade because thats what the faculty thought would be best. So you see, Millman isn't up to date, is reacting to his personnal experience that's skewed. Would you expect anything else?! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! See you tomorrow at board meeting.
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Melissa, this is such an eloquent statement about what's happening in Phoenicia...Can this become a letter to the editor that can give the true perspective on Phoenicia School?Perhaps it takes a joint letter or statement from the Phoenicia Community (or both or more.) I'm sure you're alread way ahead of me on organizing within the Phoenicia School Community, but Susan Buckler said she would be interested in supporting the school...679-2800. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Thanks Tobe :) Yes, I am active. Teachers are organizing. I'm calling parents. Estelle Nadler is accumulating data information on statistics. Can Maureen who has done a lot of research be accessed by Estelle? Even if it's to compare information? I haven't spoken to Estelle yet, so, if you feel comfortable Maureen, let me know and I'll offer you to her. Hopefully it will be ready for tomorrows board meeting. Hang in there.
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
sure, Melissa .Have her call. The two years( I,ve looked at),of 4th grade state testing show no significant variations. Indeed. P's math performance is quite marvelous relative to other school's.Indeed if someone wanted to worry about test scores , they could consider Woostk. also MS 8th grade Math and English. MS is at least as much of a factor as the parent elementary school. Why are these students failing? Academics or other reasons( absenteeism,late work,MS social shock?)With an enrollment of 295 students at pschool. it may come as no surprise to imagine some students not doing well in this new environment..
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Pre Kindergarden screening scores are also being looked at so public will see where kids are starting from and how far they have come at graduation. Many kids don't have preschool experience (remember the preK program was ousted) and same parents who voiced against family grouping at Phoenicia School didn't want full day kindergarden. 50's mentality again. I just got information (that may be old news) that contractors at Bennett threw down their tools and walked off the job site. They stated they won't come back til board decides whether to lease or rent. Sorry Bennett people :( We really are sister schools ya know. Even in grief.
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Melissa : First we've heard of the job action...any more info? Who told you? any witnesses.Tom are you here? Any word on this? Anyone else... ? Curry Janet Jim Nelso and I visited the softball field and bennett site yesterday. The bennett site did look very quiet...???
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Meg is placing an agenda item on tomorrow's meeting agenda to bring up the article in the Ulster Townsman.This will allow anyone to speak on this topic at the beginning Public be Heard. Spread the word. tobe
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
I think you can assume that news doesn't always get around. So when in doubt, post useful information. Even if it is old news, it may be useful in a new context, or with a new perspective.
-- Anonymous, January 13, 2002
Re: the Bennett Temp space. The "Contractors did not throw their tools down and walk off". The issue here is; there is a problem with the lease document format. It seems that the lease agreement is attached to an AIA standard form, which is used for purchase rather than lease. The Modular "Temp Classroom" builder assured us, at the last facilities com. meeting, that production on the units has not been held up because of this. The builder, Chuck and Shaw are working to correct this. The reason that the AIA form was used was that it contains a schedule of values. The value list allows us to delete items for credit like chalkboards. We need not pay for new chalkboards when we can use the existing boards from the spaces that were vacated. Knowing the values assures us of getting an honest credit. There are other ways to accomplish this or to use the AIA format with out reference to purchase. By the way, Chalkboards are expensive and taken together with other items that we already own and don't need to replace will save the district significant dollars. Tom Rosato
-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002
Just heard that the nurse will NOT be at the meeting tonight. Doan has asked for her to be rescheduled for Feb 11th.We still, however, need lots of support tonight at Woodstock, given the topics on the agenda...attacks on everyone in sight, including Phoenicia ... Come on down! Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 14, 2002
Morty mentioned something last night to me that I don't think has come up publicly before, that Marty Millman sells condoms and thus has a conflict of interest. How do we use this if the condom issue is up for a vote? Do we wait until it is at the voting stage, to get him to recuse himself?Joe and Rose aren't getting many of their friends to come out for them, I see.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Did anyone else think that Hal was in a zone last night? I hope he's up to something..... I think he is......Marino's discussion of the 6 dirty questions was masterful...
But the Joe & Rose Naysayers stole the show.....
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
I couldn't go last night due to "family comes first". Who/What Naysayers, Curry? I did hear at Phoenicia Elem. that Maureen and Gail Cavenaugh (sp?) spoke beautifully! People seemed to last til 9- 10 o'clock...anything significant in later time slot? Did Meg bring up Phoenicia test scores? By the way, Marty not only sells condoms, but years ago (and maybe still) when my Forest was 15 and wanted a Playboy Mag I got it at Phoenicia Pharmacy. The only other place I knew sold Playboy was Hiest Hardware in Woodstock and going west, Margaretteville. Guess his shrewd business mind saw the opportunity:) Before the big hullabaloo about halloween candy Marty would hand out loose vitamins to the kids! Piece of work, hey?
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm here. I feel honored to be included in your discussions, and I look foward to communicating with all of you.I'm sorry that I had to leave last night's meeting before the Townsman article was discussed. A lot of the high school students I've spoken with were clearly distressed by the message the article sent. The obvious disregard for students' feelings by certain trustees is upsetting.
Once again, thank you for the invitation. I'll be milling around, trying to get the hang of things for a little while. Thanks.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Welcome Rachael. It's great having new folks join in.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
There was a run of votes on the hiring of subcontractors basically in two catagories: special ed & the arts. A pattern emerged that Joe and Rose would grumble and groan, make many stupid remarks, and then, in reasonable unison, bleat Naaaayyyy after everyone else said their ayes. It got quite comical, and Tobe's got it all on tape.They called Barbara Boyce up to the table so many times that Marino finally gave his seat to her! And then MM, of all people, got a spare chair for Marino. For a brief moment, Barbara was back, and patient as always deflecting their insulting behavior.
It was really quite a meeting. What was everyone's favorite vignette?
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Welcome to Rachel...it's fun and friendly here!Last night was indeed full of stuff...something for everyone... The sad part was the waste of time and money we are now entering into with the new investigations.
The best parts were: Rachel's eloquent statement (read by Marino) about Phoenicia, Tom's masterful approach to cost-benefit anlysis on the investigations, Maureen's eloquent statement about Phoenicia, Marino's great idea to get Shaw to write if he's got a conflict of interest in representing the district in these investigation matters and being asked to investigate the same matters...Another Doan goof up...he doesn't think things through...maybe he only has Rose to ask about these things before he goes ahead, and maybe she doesn't help too much...It was fun watching Frank Gorleski put up scores showing Phoenicia students doing so well on standardized tests, and the silence with which these were greeted by Doan and Millman.. The joke of Marty Millman accusing BCL Solutions (!) of being behind the "problems" at Phoenicia, and the praise for the ancien regime of Principal Maronne (sp?) Any anecdotes about his tenure that we should all hear?
For those who couldn't stay 'till the end, I got to say my public be heard,on the W Hurley water testing debacle, in which I told how Doan was wrong when he called me (of all people!) a liar in November, and then I showed how he unilaterally had the water tested at W Hurley, how he kept the records for himself, and then how he had the school pay for these tests...I showed the invoice, etc...Had the taxpayers pay for his private test. He flunked the truth test...bad Doan! No biscuit!
Just before the meeting ended, Doan tried to defend his cost overruns on the girl's softball field, by saying it would be a permanent facility, so what did a little overspending mean anyway (try that logic on the Bennett school project and see how long he stays silent.)
Meg responed by saying directly to him...it was your project that started out as free labor and a few hundred bucks for a backstop, grew and grew (from practically free to $10,000 and then to over $23,000)...and she asked him directly if it was his project and if he engineered the plans...He admited he had, she asked him again to be sure and he repeated that he did the engineering...he he he... now to see the plans themselves..Yahoo!!! We love it when Doan plays engineer.
I also loved it when Meg read the letter from STD/HIV/AIDs expert Phili Weiss, MD...It can be read again when (and if nursey shows up on Feb 11.)
I will write my Public Be Heard as a letter to the editor...I urge Maureen and Rachel to do the same, and be sure to include the Ulster Townsman...and the Kingston Freeman as well as the Woodstock Times.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Beth Bliss will be formally joining the SOS bbs. She has been lurking over Dennis' shoulder so let's formally welcome her here. Thanks for joining the fray, Beth. We look forward to your comments.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Pam Free is lurking on our site as well. Welcome Pam!
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Melissa sorry to miss you last night. I know the conflicts. I believe that the next boe meeting on Jan.28 will be the discussion of the Spec.Ed. "investigator's report." Have you been able to get a look at that? If we had a few speakers at public be heard I think it would be very useful, especially if they were able to speak to issues mentioned in the report. RosieO made every attempt to micromanage Barbara's requests and mentioned criticisms in the report several times. Especially suggesting that we were not using in house staff enough for evaluations and "going Outside" to other expensive and maybe unnecessarily qualified professionals. Clearly they will attempt to use this as an axe to cut SE in the 2002-03 budget.I remember AKahn spoke well to SE issues also. If it is not too strategic and demanding.. it seems to me to have value to place letters to the editor in the WoostkX the Monday of the meeting . That way we would have call and response in the same edition. Any way I can help with that I will.. including getting Meg's xtra copy of that report to you if that would be useful.RE last night's meeting I left at 11:30 and that was the beginning of the conversation about P school. Apparently Frank G. did offer some supportive statistics but the crowd had certainly dwindled. We'll see what Violet Snow caught for thurs WX.I am curious whether or not Ms. Alpert has investigated other districts and whether or not we can access that info with time to make some calls. Any ideas anybody? Melissa, I don't mean to be too demanding, but you are uniquely articulate on this subject and I think your personal point of view makes a huge difference. on another topic, i'm sure all of us noticed Kathy Hochmann and MGoodman at the meeting.I'm uncomfortable that prospective candidates do not appear to feel a need to comment on the current collection of crises.Many more faculty seem to be hanging around til the bitter end which i am happy about. Many comments about micromanaging.. even by G Wing.Thank God people are beginning to recognize what it means.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
How's February 3 sound for the first SOS meeting of 2002?? Time and place are open to suggestions...Let's hear some feedback on this date.______________________________________________________________________
Rachel's comments were, indeed, eloquent and well worth the late night wait. Great insights and well thought out position. Kudos to Rachel!!
Marino and Tom were great in addressing the 6 points of Doan.
It was fun laughing out loud at the antics the Doan team was trying to pull. They may have won the 6 points but I don't believe they stole the show. I believe they made absolute fools of themselves, once again. And this will only help us in May.
They obviously had no intent of being persuaded by reason on the 6 points but only their own stubborn short sightedness held forth. And the public will clearly see this on TV and they will be held accountable for their actions by SOS. The funniest line of the night was made after the lenghty discussion of the Lori Mulford appointment took place just after the debate about stick-built vs. modular. Doan and company had no idea what this appointment was about, were confused about what was going on and what this woman's job was to be. After the last pause in this long discussion and clarification a fellow behind me said "But is she stick built or modular?"
The Bennett discussion by Doan was embarrassing, to say the least. How anyone can act the way he does and not have any sense of humiliation is way beyond my understanding. Doan is really outdoing himself and digging a deep, deep hole from which I hope he'll never climb out.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Actually Maureen, Kathy Hochman did speak in the late public be heard (to be heard by very very few folks)although I admit I'd have to review the video to recall what she said...sorry...even my sharp (!) mind gets bleary at 11:45.... :-)She also told me she had reviewed some tapes and logged them...and i got a log of tapes fropm Curry also Thanks..anyone else want a tape..remember a favorite meeting and want to check it out??...let me know... Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
No Jim...the funniest part was Marino's Yeat's quote about "activiities under the sun".......Many students behind me, obviously well versed in the poetry from their English classes, were extremely amused. Welcome to Rachel and Pam and any other sanity......it is exciting to see our numbers growing at this critical time!P.S. I was gone by then, but I was told that Tom was pretty funny too, regarding our son's offer to play the piano.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Kathy Hochman made a great PBH at the end of last nights meeting (1/14) regarding Special Ed. She did extremely well and she was pissed! I was also impressed by her confrontation with Ms. Ostrander, outside, after the meeting. Kathy told Rose how disappointed she was with her positioning with Doan on Special Ed and that if she had gone to the seminars offerred on Special Ed she wouldn't have such ignorance. Ann Marie Johansonn was there and was even more critical to Rose about her actions in following Doan's every move. Ann Marie told her it was transparent! Rose was livid.But the PBH by Kathy was brilliant and in response to this...
When Tom was trying to demonstrate the huge amount of money the district was spending this year on lawsuits, Doan replied that most of that money was spent on Special Ed cases which eventually saved the district lots of money.
Kathy Hochman at PBH said something to the effect that it was despicable (my word) that Doan would wave the "saving the district money flag" by fighting Special Ed. That money to lawyers was more worthy than money to help the children with the most need in the district. How dare he be so proud of such an endeavor? (This is all my paraphrasing...it was late) Kathy did very well.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Personally, I enjoyed Marino's "Um. It's on the addendum. Number three."Expect a large student turnout on the 11th. Between condoms, insulting "naaaay" votes by Rosie and Joe, and the Townsman article...
I'm glad my comments regarding the article were well-recieved. I'm considering sending what I gave to Marino to the local papers, but coincidentally I wrote a short essay on my outrage over the aforementioned "naaaaay" votes. I may choose to send that instead.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
I thought Meg's presentation of Dr. Weiss's credentials, and then his letter, were very powerful and effective, though obviously it wasn't enough to deter Doan's agenda. I had to leave after the Six Points, missed the rest. Thanks to all of you who were able to stay to the biter end to bear witness.Welcome to Rachel and the other newcomers. Rachel, would you be sure to pass on to your classmates and friends who have been attending the meetings our appreciation that they are there?
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Not a problem. They will definitly be happy to hear that their presence is appreciated.
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Hey, this bulletin board is getting to be fun! Carol, maybe we need to start dividing it up weekly again and make it east to navigate through all the messages.Also, can you post the security, etc. reminder to all, in case you haven't...just call me paranoid! Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Please check the Doan's Deeds thread for my West Hurley Water info...more goodies will surely follow. TobeChime in with your favorite confirmed doan deed sightings...
-- Anonymous, January 15, 2002
Are we revved up or what?? Let's ride this wave!!Sunday, Feb 3 is ok by me for our meeting...1) let's confirm this date and find a place...2) should we invite everyone who has expressed interest? this might be a sizable crowd, and I'm for it
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
I, too thought it was a great meeting. A lot of positive rebuttals were thrown into Rose and Doan's face and I think people were really on top of things. I sure didn't expect my name to come up but found it interesting that Rose voted to pay one piano accompaniest but not me...One thought... as much as they avow to be for the Onteora Indian it is amazing how they strike down anything that has to do with the arts...something that is so important to native people. In one evening both Doan and Rose voted no on every proposition to bring in either dance, poetry or music.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
Although we felt good about the meeting and are sure of our righteous positions, let's remember we're talking in a cave when we are the meetings...without public knowledge through letters and articles, no one knows what's going on...We are talking to ourselves at meetings...We must start a serious letter campaign debunking Doan and Rose and telling what they are doing without pulling any punches.Come on folks: a fact-based letter a week by everyone will show people what's up! a reminder: dealines: Woodstock times and townsman..Monday 4PM..Freeman vereyday (short letters are best!) Maybe we can divide up topics. I'm sending my letter about Doan's unauthorized water testing and how he owes the district money...This will be on the next agenda as well.
Meg cannot come on the sunday the 3rd planned meeting day...any chance for it to be on sat the 2nd?
If not, she'll just not be there.. Rumors continue to strengthen that susan goldman will consider running again...for the board that is! That would be great!
Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
2ndsokbyme
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
Very glad to be proven wrong about KHochmann's involvement at the Mon. meeting. She ,too ,is a fantastically eloquent speaker about SE issues.I wonder if she has any feedback on THE REPORT that might be useful for us to know. Do we know that she has access to this BB?I am completely supportive of KH's candidacy and can't imagine anything better than SGoldman joining her. Can anyone tolerate the notion of working on letters to the editors on this BB? It is often difficult to coordinate info , edit and clarify. I know we've discussed and sort of tried this before w/out too much success...but i think the idea has merit.Perhaps one of those threads like Doan's deeds. Everyone see the Freeman? I thought Shaw's remarks interesting....OK with me on the 2/2/02 mtg..............I'm working on a letter that will win me no friends re: a travesty of justice in the Hurley Town Court.The timing is a little brutal since I care so much about these School bOARD ISSUES and would prefer to be seen as not simply hotheaded and innappropriate.I know and care about this more than many and for the moment am trapped by my own impatience and anger.An important teacher of mine often said Thou doth protest too much , but as time goes by I believe Thou doth protest not nearly enough.AS far as SOS and it's role in the community I have an important ??. For the reasons above it may be best if I minimize my relationship to SOS and wonder how you all feel about that.I can stand it.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
A reminder about security -- our effectiveness depends upon this board remaining a confidential and private one. We don't mention the board in public if we can help it. We _never_ give out passwords in public, only through e-mail, and all new members must get orientation material from Jim, who is the gatekeeper (if you miss-type a phone number or something, or say something that you decide later you want to retract, you can contact me or Jim and we can go into the innards and fix it).I've started a new thread strictly for newspaper coverage. Do click the links and read the information on the newspaper websites over the course of the day, as sometimes there will be online letters in response posted up through the late evening. The Freeman only keeps items in their archives for a couple of weeks, which is why we need to post the full text. I'll start going to new weekly threads on Sunday, and get back into that rhythm as things heat up.
Maureen, remember it is not always the amount of protest, but its quality and effectiveness that may determine its value. Sometimes quiet and sneaky have their uses too. The old "not the dimensions, but how you use it" phrase comes to mind.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
I've added today's Freeman article to the newspaper thread. We should probably announce here when we've done this, as not everyone gets the Freeman or checks it daily online.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
Oh Maureen,Get off it. Your participation has been nothing short of marvelous, at times brilliant and wonderfully encouraging with deep conviction and positive criticism.
We need your support for this campaign no matter what you do in Hurley. (I have no idea what you're getting at there). We need you to tell us when we do something stupid and you know you have the courage to say it if it's the right thing to say. So please, don't try to tell us what trouble you will cause for us. We can get ourselves in enough trouble on our own.
If you have a public persona that you feel is too strong than we just trim back your public presence. Besides, you have many supporters as well. Look at the response to your recent PBH...it blew people away.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
Thanks,Jim.I'm going to raise some hell about justice Athena Groelle in the town of Hurley, including a complaint to the Commision on Judicial Conduct. I'm a little nervous about it but she is such a prejudiced dragon I can't stand leaving it unsaid. After I posted that bit I was a little embarassed by my inclination to drama...oh well.Love you all and the hope of undoing Doan is bright in my heart.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
Care to elaborate now that you piqued our interest or... not here.
-- Anonymous, January 16, 2002
My dear Maureen: I have heard nothing but wonderful comments about your PBH spot! Personally, I was relieved not to be the only ranting nut yelling at these crazy people. It's a trade off, but outspoken people end up with a neon sign on their forehead. Mine is SPECIAL ED, SPECIAL ED, SPECIAL ED. I also questioned myself and am getting back on board. I'm also actively getting others to speak up or write up. I get the feeling the cashews sitting up on the board see me coming and automatically close their ears and minds. Who else is going to speak up for the under dog. Doan? Millman? Rose? Stay with us and lets sit together at next board meeting:)
-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002
A meeting on the 2nd or 3rd is in order and we should decide which date is preferred. Right now it seems as if Feb. 2nd is the best date. Any objections or that will be the date we have the meeting.Next we need to find a place which is large enough to accomodate us. Let's say, 25 - 30 people. I'm open to suggestions.
I will create an agenda which will include a new election of SOS officials or we can stay the same. You guys tell me if that necessary. The agenda will also include topics which I would like people to volunteer to do research and get the info on. That way we can focus on our topics and then puty our heads together when they are presented.
We need to plan a schedule for the election and get into fundraising ideas. All at this meeting. I will work on an agenda and welcome any input from all involved. Thanks.
-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002
FYI.. no Onteora school Board news in today's UCT..but this in MARIAN"S MEMOS..In congratulating several Phoenicia students upon graduation from UCC," Therefore I must conclude that they recieved an excellent education both in the grammer and the high school! This appears contrary to recent information which was well publicized and seems to be unfair and unfounded to some extent.Let's hear from the other side ...namely the dedicated teachers and administrators! "Tobe , your letter looks great!
-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002
The 2nd is great...I realize I will be away on the 3rd, so i'm happy with the change..Should we invite Marino, Kathy Hochmann, and others?????Also maybe we should invite Marion Umhey to be the phoenicia head of the "Zero Votes for Doan" commitee ...just (sorta') joking! Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002
Great press today in the Woodstock Times and in the UCT with Marion's mention of the Phoenicia controversy over Doan and Milman's recent article in the UCT about the bad grades from Phoenica student's in the middle school. I placed Maureen's quote into the 'newspaper coverage' topic where this sort of thing should be placed for future reference.
-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002
I just posted a potential Letter to the Editor in the appropriate thread. Please check it out. :)I thought I'd post Dr. Philip Weiss' letter that Meg read at the meeting, just is case anyone wanted a copy or hadn't heard it at all.
I have been caring for patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) for over eighteen years. I am the lead physician at the Ulster County STD Clinic treating a mostly adolescent population, including Onteora High School students. I treat dozens of Ulster County residents weekly. I helped organize and served as the physician at the Mid- Hudson Care Center in Kingston, the regional HIV clinic, for four years. In addition to providing medical services to people with HIV infection, I lectured to High School students, Medical students, and medical residents on HIV, including prevention. I have been full- time faculty, first at New York Medical College and later at Albany Medical College's Department of Family Medicine for eighteen years, teaching medical students and Family Practice Residents, including lecturing on the subject of STDs. I was the medical director of the Woodstock Family Health Center providing primary care, including reproductive and infectious disease problems to the local population.
Condoms are the essential and irreplacable foundation for the protection of sexually active adolescents. Although condoms are imperfect in their protection from STDs, they can substantailly decrease transmission of most STDs to males, and decrease importantly, but to a lesser degree, STDs in females. The effectiveness of condoms relate importantly to their proper and consistent use. This requires advice and instruction for optimal protection. Correct and consistent use of condoms should be encouraged for the sexually active adolescent.
Barriers to condom availability should be removed. No evidence exists to suggest that making condoms available increases the rate of adolescent sexual activity. Although imperfect, condoms can decrease the rates of STDs and HIV infection.
Philip Weiss, M.D.
-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002
Rachel: Great work..I emailed you a few suggestions.. Good to have dr. weiss's letter available for all to see.Hope others will follow your example and write letters to the three papers...name names, name name, name names!
I heard today that Bill Kemble (freeman reporter) has asked for the information i received in my FOIL about the water testing...hope there's a story afoot. Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 18, 2002
Pat Stroh, who has already been active and vocal against the board majority, would like to join our bbs. I instructed her to email Jim. All in favor? Say aye!
-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002
Aye and Aye again! Tobe
-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002
thrilled to hear of Pat coming on . Hi. Forgot about the letter to Ed. thread already here . Ya'll are awesome.ASpects of my response to the Freeman's article on Mondays meeting (on line ) were satisfying to me and I'm going to try to work them into a letter. By the way I'm pretty suspicious that Bill Harderned (same freeman on line) is none other than Woodstock's own Highway dept. super ...that is reported to have no love for JD.Hey Tobe and Meg can I get a hold of the Spec. Ed. report?
-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002
Bill Hard-earned lurks here under a different name. Sorry Maureen... but please don't blow my cover and I won't blow yours.Aye to Pat-but I haven't received an e-mail from her yet. :-(
-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002
I'm not telling my aliases there. But I am sure they would find it boring if the same people were writing over and over, and would like to see a wide variety of people posting. ;)
-- Anonymous, January 19, 2002