Discussions for the week of February 24.
-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002
Answers
BOARD MEETING 7 p.m. February 25, 2002 Phoenicia Elementary School
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION:
Trustee D’Orazio moved to direct School Counsel David Shaw to File an
Amended Answer to the Gerald Ricci and Samuel Mercer Petition and
Seeks Permission To Do So – School Counsel David Shaw
Flash Cameras at Board Meetings – Trustee Doan and School Counsel
David Shaw
Discussion on Individual Board Members Requesting Research and/or
Creation of Reports from Administrators and/or District Employees –
Trustee Carey
Policy Supporting Students in Program Regarding Condom Availability,
Including and Educating Parents – Trustee Ostrander
-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002
Be aware that Barbara Clare replied to the Freddy Blue Fox letter in
this weeks UCT. It contained many uninteliggible accusations (English
must be the second language) as well as took big insulting swipes at
Maureen Millar, the Rosato's and the Carey's. But she took Freddie to
task which, I feel, is the result of making it personal as Freddie did
in his first person attack on Doan. She defended Fred Perry and the
board majority. She also raised the patriotism flag in a tirade which
was largely undecipherable to me. But it does provide some insight
into the focus of their campaign which is to make the board minority
out as the negative naysayers, and political grandstanders. But it
wasn't very comprehendible. Ed Ocker also voiced a letter of
discontent with Hal Rowe in the same paper. He said "Teachers...as a
general rule, are not practical business people".
-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002
Ed Ocker, I swear, has dimencia. I don't think people take him to
serious. Is this the first time CARE has voiced in paper this
campaign? See you tonight at Board Meeting, Phoenicia, 7:00.
-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002
This is the first public CARE reply I have heard in several months. It
was larely incoherent. Anyone else see that letter?
-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002
To as coherent as I'd like, the typo was meant to read "largely". Opps!
-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002
yeah, pretty easy to be incoherent..I was sorry to have to pay the
price of being printed with FBFox's letter..did you notice Killin's
charming mangling of the typing of my letter..nice touch
Blake.Barbara's letters are pretty entertaining altho I think she
achieves occasional eloquence in her pro democracy tirades.I think
CARE is so far dead in the water..we'll see what they pick up.
-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002
Sure wish we had an indie person in CARE to see what's really up...oh
well. I would guess that if JD and Roase run (!) they will form a
NEW political group, since CARE may be trying to become just
educational.
I wish Frededie had not gone ballistic and personal...I think he was
trying to be funny (sarcastic) and to say the least it doesn't
work...of course Ms. Clare makes the leap of connecting everyone she
doesn't like on or off the board with Freddie's rantings.
See you tonight...Perhaps Shaw will be willing to speak and be
questioned in public...but I somehow doubt it.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002
So.....a friend of mine, Diana Bryan wanted to help me get
signatures....she lives in Saugerties though. She apparently spoke to
Jane Vandebogart (her friend) and Jane said she wasnt allowed to get
signatures for me because she herself doesnt live in the district.
Diana was going to go to Sunflower and sit outside to get the
sigs.....why does she herself have to live in the district just to
pass out the petition? Is this true?
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
Untrue.
As far as I know there are no stipulations as to who gets the sigs for
your petition. What does it matter? Perhaps Jane was being cautious
about her residency or she is busy with other matters.
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
I am tentatively scheduling Saturday at 9:30am as the time for us to
help with the Bennett move into the modulars. Please help out if you
can and have an hour or two to spare for this good cause. We will get
our individual names in the Bennett newsletter for promotional purposes.
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
Meg and I will be at bennett.
For those who missed the end of the meeting, the softball field came
up and Doan denied ever saying he would sign and seal the plans! Meg
simply read the approved minurtes where it states that he agreed he
would do thye plans and sign and seal them if SED required it (which
they do.)
Now the softball field has been tacked onto the Bennett Project which
probably means the expenses have to come from the Bennett money...I
for one don't like this, and want Bennett parents to know that this
Doan debacle may delay their school improvements even longer and take
money from their use. The softball plans will now be done by the
school's architects at a cost of up to $3600. This makes the softball
project total about $38,000, and it may not be over...we'll see.
Meanwhile, because Doan didn't do his promised engineering and plans,
nor manage the project in a proper way the girls may lose their season
at home and any use of the field this year The short term buses used
last year may no longer be available to take them to Davis Field. Can
you spell MESS?
etc. etc.
His application for emergency generators also may have misrepresented
the facts, since in it Doan certifies we have money to pay the
non-federal share, ($750,000)and we clearly don't...doesn't this make
the District's application automatically false and if this is the
case, won't it get tossed by the grant-givers on the face of it? and
shut out any chance of getting this grant?
I have a copy of the letter of intent if any "legal" minds want to
know.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
correct.untrue. signatures have to be from registered voters
...doesn't matter who gets you there.I'm sure you've been warned to
get 100 or more yes neil?Diana Bryan makes those remarkable metal
sculptures?hey can you believe the mentor program passed last
night?Iwould'nt have bet on it.
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
hi Tobe what's a short term bus?
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
Meg says to remind all petition signers to be sure they use their
legal name (no nicknames,) fill in their complete address, include
town and date and sign it. Even our daughter only wrote our PO Box
and left off Glenford and we didn't pick it up....Meg had 40 names
disallowed last time out..get lots and lots of names, sign up time is
a good time for electioneering...name recognition.
Tobe
PS Hurely Ridge is a great place to be.
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
I may not have this correct, but I think the girl's team went to
davis park every day for practise and had a special bus
arrangement...short-term is my made up name :-)
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
What was the word on condoms and cameras?
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
condoms:
Rose tabled her reuqets in the rush to get out easrly...Rev McCullum
spoke at public be heard...damning Planned parenthgood, Safe or Sorry,
etc...asking for morality and Birthright and Pregnancy Support Center
to be included in health curriculum...abstinence now and forever.
Flashes..there are competing flash policies on the table..Tom
offered one which removed Marty's power and restricted the policy to
flash cameras only -no video or audio...
T.
-- Anonymous, February 26, 2002
The girl's softball team was bused to Avery Park in Shokan. It was not
a good arrangement as it depended on the buses after school and often
they were inconsistant and late. Many complaints about it.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
I will ask everyone to consider this proposition.I've spent a fair
amount of time with commissioner's decisions lately and believe that
the behavior of the president and vice president of the boe may be
worthy of a petition to the commissioner.The clear message from
Monday's meeting was ..this opinion of Shaw's is not applicable to
JDoan.I'd like to appeal his letter of intent to accept a grant and
incur a debt in the name of the district without board authority and
without board approval.I'd like to include in the appeal recent
"directions" of this kind to district employees that occured w/out
board approval.Particularly the REPORT. Appropriate Education Law s
1701 which states that a boe is a corporate body acting only through
resolutions adopted by a majority of the Board.Commissioners decisions
are VERY CLEAR on this.I have contemplated petitions a million times
before but they are difficult to win. And since what I really want is
not to win (I swear) but to assure compliance with the law that
protects legitimate community interests..I would like to before
filing..invite the boe in a meeting(next) to consider this issue ASAP
and deal with legal compliance.I don't need to file a petition but I
do need to see these minimum standards met.Frankly I would like to
include the need to abide by Robert's rules of orders or change
policy.If there are no rules, than Boards thru all time get to play
these stupid games.Oh well what do you think I know feelings differ a
great deal on this .
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Well, Rose offerred to drive me home on Monday, which was
interesting. I liked how she stormed out of the meeting "I HAVE AN
OBLIGATION, yadda yadda." Hee. Anyway, she spent the entire drive
home telling me about how Dennis Guisler was a crook. That is, until
she ran over a skunk, which sprayed her car. Karma?
You all might get a kick out of this... For Foreign Culture Month,
every 11th grade student had to make a poster in another language.
The theme was "From the Classroom to the Boardroom" (yes, it was as
confusing and ominious as it sounds). A girl did a poster
entitled "The Disturbing Truth: From the Boardroom to the Classroom"
(all of this was done in Spanish). Underneath the heading are
charicatures of myself, Rose, Joe D., and Dr. Rowe sitting in class.
A text bubble above my head says, "Can't we all work together?" above
Hal it says, "How can we help the other students?" above Rose it
says, "I'm not supposed to be in this class!" and above Joe D. it
says, "Who stole my money? I think it was..." Rose and Joe are also
passing a note.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Pat asked me if I could write something up in order to show people
who maybe don't know me (is that possible?) 
what it is I'm all about in terms of my Board Candadacy.
Here's what I'm going to send to the papers next week. Hopefully Pat
can use this too. Comments are appreciated, although it is really
from my heart....so I'd like to say it all if everyone has a good
feeling about it. Thanks
Why I’m running for the Board of Education
By Neil Eisenberg
The answer to the question "Why am I running for the Board of
Education" is a simple one, and yet multi faceted. I am running
because of the kids. Sure, that sounds like a cliché, but in reality
it was my own children, and their friends who got me interested in
attending Board meetings in the first place. Inspired by students
like Rachel Hernandez and Laura Kandell, among others, I attended
meeting after meeting in an effort to support these kids, who time
after time have expressed themselves and their opinions in a far more
eloquent and graceful manner than many on the Board level. I quickly
became appalled at the behavior I witnessed from certain members of
the Board.
Sure, dissention in our community could be traced back to the
divisiveness of the Mascot issue, but it was surprising to me to see
how polarized my own friends were becoming based on the actions of
renegade Board members. This is not the example we should be
setting. Sadly, Board meetings have become more of an entertainment
event to see what certain Board members will do to make fools out of
themselves then a productive environment where leaders are inspiring
our children to achieve greatness. It has continued on such a steep
negative spiral, that you literally have to choose sides to go to a
Board meeting not unlike the wedding ceremony where you’re either on
the Bride’s side or the Groom’s.
It is the job of the School Board to set the tone for the collective
code of conduct for the students, teachers, and in the end the
community at large. Instead of leadership, I witnessed vindictive
witch hunts, negative tirades and loose cannon board members
embroiled in legal battle after legal battle. The inappropriateness
has escalated to the point where outright illegal actions on the part
of Board members have become an everyday occurrence with the apparent
motive being simply to fuel the inevitable “bullet list” of so called
accomplishments come election time.
My friends and neighbors have never been so divided and the very
educators that flocked to our district for its openness, innovative
atmosphere and sense of community have not only been discouraged at
every opportunity, but in some cases literally run out of town!
Those who can stand the heat have managed to weather the storm, but
many have done so at the expense of their dignity, and in the face of
relentless criticism, second-guessing, and micro management. Even
our kids have been made to feel less than adequate, and much of the
stereotyping the students themselves have been working so hard to
dispel has returned with a vengeance due to the thoughtlessness and
irresponsible behavior of two or three of our so called
leaders.
I have been giving back to my community for over 20 years, in one
form or another, and I feel it is time to offer my skills at the
Board of Education level. Having served on over 11 Boards, including
a three year term as Chairman of the Board of the March of Dimes,
Junior Achievement, where I also taught in the Newburgh City Schools,
Hudson Valley Philharmonic, The Mid Hudson Civic Center, The Orange
County Chamber of Commerce and Pius XII Youth and Family Services, I
feel comfortable in the Board setting. I also co-founded Sunshine
for HIV Kids, worked for years with the Orange Ulster and Sullivan
County Associations for Retarded Citizens, and have organized, as
well as performed in over 50 local benefits for every cause
imaginable, including Phoenicia Schools Environmental Field Trip. I
served for 5 years as Chairman of the Healthy Grants Executive
Committee, which awarded numerous grants to the Onteora School
District including the “sound baffles” in the Woodstock Elementary
School cafeteria ceiling, among others. I have also received numerous
awards and citations for my community service including a
commendation from the United States Congress, as well as the New York
State Legislature.
I can be opinionated yet I know how and when to build a consensus and
do what’s best for the group. I make my share of mistakes, but I am
willing to admit them, and move on, just as I am willing to accept
the mistakes of others, and MOVE ON. I may not bring a vast
knowledge of every issue to the table, but I am a fast study, and I
know where to find the information I need. I believe in teamwork
first, and foremost, and I will never let my personal feelings
interfere in the ultimate responsibility of a Board member to put the
students first. I do, however want to renew a process of listening,
healing, and growing that begins on the Board level.
Only by involving parents, students, teachers, administrators, and
every member of the community in the process will we ever accomplish
our goals. Moreover, our goals should always focus on education,
inclusiveness, and understanding.
I learn everyday from my children and their friends, and I intend to
keep listening. It’s hard enough to provide even a basic education
for our kids in times where funding sources are drying up, and
budgets become increasingly harder to pass, let alone operate under.
We need to squeeze every available resource out of our community, and
that can only occur if we begin to open our minds, and accept the
fact that we all want the same things, in the end. There may be
slightly different paths that we will need to explore, and we may not
please everyone all the time. However, we need to follow the rules,
not bend them to suit our own personal agendas, and we need to set an
example for the students who look to us for their future.
We are lucky to have the talent pool that we have here in our
district. Now we need to work together and put the divisiveness
behind us. Yes, I do come away from Board meetings feeling proud of
the things I hear. Unfortunately, too often its coming from
the “Students be Heard” portion of the meeting. Maybe we’ll be OK
after all.
Hope you like!
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Ooops....in my cutting and pasting I left this sentence out of the
end of the 4th paragraph.
Regardless of their intentions, a Board member should not rely on a
shotgun approach to leadership and solo agendas that clearly lead to
more dissention, less productivity, inappropriate spending, and out
of control legal fees. In the end, we have little or nothing to show
for it but bad feelings and late, late nights.
Sorry about that.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Neil - That is a great letter!
But the timing of it's submission to the press is absolutely critical
and I would strongly suggest that we wait a little while and plan
carefully.
I would suggest that we first make a press anouncement to the papers a
few days before a BOE meeting as to who is running as the slate. I
spoke to Bill Kemble about a press release and he was very interested.
He even made the suggestion as to when to have it in order to tie it
into a news flow of the BOE for the Freeman.
Then shrotly thereafter, we can submit your letter to the editor or,
perhaps, even as a guest editorial. Though in order to get printed in
the papers as a letter, it may have to be shortened. The WT has a 500
word limit as to their letters to the editor. The Freeman has even a
shorter attention span although a policy isn't apparent. Some letters
do run longer.
My reasoning is that we can get double the coverage that way and thus
keep your name in the papers longer in a positive way. Also remember,
that most people aren't as involved in the BOE issues as we have been.
They may not be paying strict attention and will likely forget by
election day that you were the guy who wrote that great letter - 2 1/2
months ago! Be patient and let the info flow slowly but persistantly.
On another note, I had a good conversation with Webb Leonard this
evening and he again has offered the utmost support from the OTA. He
has promised money and has a budget to spend with ads and a
consultant. He and I spoke about coordinating our activities and, at
times, combining them to be most efficient. We plan to meet with his
campaign consultant shortly before the SOS meeting on the 16th.
He did have a great campign slogan which was nixed by the OTA
publicity committee. DOAN'T
The OTA is thrilled by the prospects of a D'Orazio, Hochman and
Eisenberg campaign(in whatever order we all agree)
Rachel-are you sure it was a skunk
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Another reason to not submit the letter is that it would be great to
wait until after the March 16th meeting so we (SOS) can all be in
agreement as to the official ticket we support. It is a matter of
protocal that we have setup and it is more of a formality than a
necessity in this instance but it is what most people have agreed to
and feel most comfortable in persuing.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Neil: Thanks so much for your response. Boy, are you quick!
Now...if I was computer savy I would know how to make a print. I
have to get off the computer and do my MOM job, homework, etc.
so...would you you mind faxing me a copy??? The fax # is 340-9074.
ALSO: Happy to know so many people will be at Bennett on Saturday.
Has anyone contacted Beth to see if Woodstock Times is covering the
move and whether she will be taking pictures????
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Beth lurks on this site so she will know about it and I am thinking
about photo ops but it is a delicate political situation as the school
adminstration does NOT want to appear partisan. Perhaps Beth could
take some photos and include the candidates in them without mentioning
their candidacies. It would be too much to announce there and then
although the thought did occur. Laurie would have a heart attack and
we don't want to appear to be too opportunistic.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
I have no problem waiting. You are more experienced at this stuff
than I, however so many people now know about me running, I thought
it would be nice to officially announce it. Of course, I do need your
endorsement, so I guess I'll wait. Pat can still show this to anyone
who wants to see whats what before signing the petition right? I'm a
little anqious about getting the signature thing behind me.
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
It's not so much about being nice but about making every move get the
full impact in the press. Everyone that you know who knows you're
running (including our opposition at this point) doesn't really win
the election, it's the 3,000 other people who don't know you that win
the election and they'll forget who you are in a week or two. :-)
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Well, that's why I asked. You are right. Timing is everything, and I
want to follow the appropriate procedure, and, of course I'd like to
get the endorsement of both SOS and OTA.
I can't believe I got so wrapped up in the Grammy's that I missed
west Wing. DANG!
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
I'm a little concerned that Neil's letter goes too deeply into the
subject of divisiveness. I'd like to see it focus more on the
positive aspects of what he can do. He's got some good credentials,
bring out his vision if positive things the board can be doing.
And yes, size matters. Make sure (this is for all of us), that any
letters we send have run through a word processor program that can
give a word count, and include that word count figure down in your
contact information for letters to the editor. Neil's was over 1000
words, the Woodstock Times is currently asking for a ***300 word***
maximum, not 500. Pat, if you want to grab a copy of Neil's letter
from here, just highlight the words you want, then copy and paste
into Word or a similar program.
Letters that go to the Ulster County Townsman should perhaps be
printed in a larger typeface, and one which is sans-serif? If anyone
is enterprising, they could call Blake Killin and find out what
typeface and size to use for optimum clarity. Buried in the last
Middle School news was a complaint about some typos, and Blake said
that they use optical character recognition software to scan
TYPEWRITTEN (sheesh!!!) text. It's the twentyfirst century Blake, if
you have a scanner why not just accept emailed text?
It was unfortunate that Maureen got dragged in with Freddie Blue Fox
in Barbara Clare's rant, but at least Barbara had nothing real to pin
on her, just guilt by association. Barbara's letter was important in
that it illustrated how vital it is to not give the opposition
anything they can pin on us. We must go through anything we write,
sentence by sentence, and make sure that it is an objective, factual
observation. Freddie blew it, no doubt about it, as we observed here
when his letter came out.
As the election gets closer, it will be useful to assemble all the
letters from the opposition, and see what points seem to be trigger
points for them as running themes. That is, if there _is_ any
coherent thread to their ramblings.
DOAN'T. I like that. Now if we were just running D'Orazio and
Hochman, we could use D'OH...
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Morty wanted dates regarding he softball field events...so here they
are best we can gather them...
1. Some unknown date the topic surfaces and Doan says it'll cost
about $2500 with all free labor from community.
2. July 9th: Doan says he wants to put it on the agenda for August
20th meeting...at $10,000 cost.
3. August 20th...postponed topic until Sept. 10.
4. Sept 10...Doan requests $10,000...says he will do the plans for
free....$10,000 cost said to include fences and backstop, materials,
labor, engineering...Chuck says make it $15,000 just in case...Doan
agrees.
5. December 3rd. Asks for $10,000 more for fencing and backstop
(sound like familiar items??)
6. January 14th... when he initiates a conversation about the project,
Meg counters by recalling the stages...now budget is up to $25,000.
Meg asks if Joe has done the plans...Joe says yes, he has the plans.
7. January 28th...Joe DiGiovanni says add $10,000 more for bleachers
and team benches. (I guess the fans and teams could always sit on the
ground!) Chuck raises issue of SED involvement since costs are so high
now....Doan requested that Chuck call SED to find out what they say
about the field. Doan says loud and clear that he will sign and put
his engineering seal on the plans if SED requires the plans to be
submitted.
8. February 25th..Doan denies ever saying he would make the plans!
Meg reads the approved (7-0 vote) minutes of January 28th meeting
where Doan says he'll sign and seal the plans.
I count at least two times he said he would do them, and one time when
he said he had them done...before his denial.
Anyone want to add to this list? Anyone recall about when Doan first
brought it up at $2500 estimate?
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002
Great letter, Neil! I small critique... learned from the world of
special ed. "Person first" is politically correct. "kids with HIV"
rather than "HIV kids".
Talk in teachers room about doan and softball field...they're lovin'
the heat directed at him!
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Thanks Melissa....but "Sunshine for HIV Kids" is the official name of
our not-for-profit organization that I founded along with Larry
Hoppen and Patty Smith Hoppen in 1994. In Conjunction with Birch
Childrens Services we formed the organization to send kids diagnosed
with HIV along with their whole family to specially staffed summer
camps for a week where all their medical treatment was covered,
giving them the opportunity to enjoy camp for a week while their
parents and siblings joined them and were given a break from caring
for the child. The expense as you can imagine is enormous, so we are
only able to send 3 or 4 kids a year, but the Organization is still
going strong after 8 years, although primarily funded through private
donations at this point.
We got it off the ground with an initial benefit concert at UPAC
which raised nearly $30,000 in one day.
Anyway....thats the
name of it...Our committee, about 20 people from this area, named it,
and filed the papers etc.
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
I would like to comment on Maureen's proposition regarding the filing
of an appeal, first to the board, then perhaps to the commissioner,
regarding the unilateral approach Mr. Doan has taken regarding the
Phoenicia School data gathering and the recent FEMA application. Both
of these are clear examples of Doan's renegade behavior. This is what
Maureen is concerned about and is considering a follow up procedure.
No one has commented on it but I feel that it is a very important
consideration. Of course, Mr. Doan's behavior has been well
documented and, in Maureen's opinion, illegal. It is a pattern of
behavior behind many of the current problems now facing the board. And
Maureen feels she has a strong well documented case.
However, IMHO I think that the public will not understand or even care
that the details of current NYSED law. The public may likely perceive
this as yet another nit-picking attack on Mr. Doan who is just trying
to do something good for the district. I feel that in every situation
we need to look at the gains and the loses asociated with our actions.
This action would seem likely to promote more loses for us than gains.
Maureen has suggested that, god forbid, should Mr. Doan win this
election this action may help reign him into good board behavior. I
don't believe it will. Plus there is always the chance that the SED
commish will not agree with Maureen's case and rule in Doan's favor.
That is a scenario we simply cannot afford to have happen.
Another scenario, if it goes all the way to the commish, is that it
never gets decided upon until well after the election. Given the
results of every appeal filed to the commish in the last few years
from Onteora, I feel this is the most likely scenario. It doesn't get
decided upon until after the election. Doan then gets the sympathy
vote without a timely slap on the wrist from the commish.
I don't see any political gains from this proposed measure after
giving it some thought and discussing it with several people. Who will
be persuaded not to vote Doan because of this action and change the
vote to D'Orazzio? Even if the board reprimands Doan, what does it
gain for our candidates? If anything it looks concilliatory, as if the
board can work with Doan if he tones it down a bit.
I simply do not see any gains this measure will give to our
candidates. Only dangerous possibilities and a sympathy vote for Doan.
Even if the commish rules in our favor before the election, what do we
gain politically? Not that much. Remember it is that moderate
undecided voter to whom we must appeal. That can be done with more of
our efforts put forth in a controlled media campaign, not in a
political, uncontrolled state ed venue.
That's my 2 cents...
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Here's an attempt to jump start a conversation about GOALS for the
district. I believe this is a way for our candidates to stand head
and shoulders above the Doan gang.
I also know if we are smart, we can get our trusted board allies to
talk about these same goals at meetings to pump up the need for
changes in this direction. Please edit, change and add your own.
I think Neil, Kathy and Marino can easily run under this kind of a
baner: In fact, setting goals, vision and overall direction is what a
board SHOULD be doing, not nit-picking principal and staff decisions
on which musicians they want in their schools.
1. Promote cooperation and teamwork on the board.
2. Encourage and support strengthened shared decision making and
school site teams.
3. Foster trust in school faculty, administrators and staff.
4. Delegate and support the authority of building level professionals
to act in the best interest of students and staff in their buildings.
5. Insure that complete and accurate information is given by board
members when they request items be considered by the board.
6. Increase opportunities for professional staff development.
7. Support creative initiatives to raise student achievement.
These are not in any particulare order...please let's make this a
working document that will lead to a clear set of goals...positive
things we and the candidates stand for.
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Thanks for the reply Jim. I would be curious who you spoke to about
this and have the opportunity to speak to them myself. I can only
assume that readers on this board are not supportive of the notion or
would you please clarify.The behavior of this board of ed has been
completely out of control for three years...it's not clear to me why
imagined political outcomes are more important than establishing legal
policy for the district that protects minority interests once and for
all time.These are not little pointlesss grievances that are rooted in
partisan politics,but serious violations of the law.I do not want to
convince any one of the rightness or wrongness of this proposed action
but to make a clear statement as to my reasoning.Pointing out to the
public that behavior is illegal and innappropriate has virtually no
value without legitimate back up, in fact it tends to look completely
partisan. Neil , I think your letter is terrific and boy do you
look good on paper. It is my experience that long letters to the Ed.
are a problem..people's attention spans are quite short.Comments
preceeding mine are valuable, in their questioning the need for
negative comments on board behavior. Of all people it would be good to
keep you well above the partisan fray. As for timing I guess I'm
tempted to agree w/ comments about waiting, but please let's not get
too tied up in telling people what to do and how to run.It's important
to trust instinct and personal passion. Rachel...I can't believe
that Rose was dissing Dennis G to you..talk about wildly
innappropriate! what'd she say!!!??? Sorry to abandon you to her
..your Mom asked me about a ride home but we have car issues at my
house lately..
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Here's an attempt to answer the Doan letter in the Freeman this
week...I know it's still a bit long...but would request help from all
in final shaping...I'll hang onto it until I get some feedback.
Thanks in advance.
PS The softball field article (not very strong!) is hidden in today's
Freeman on Page D6.
Tobe
As readers of the Kingston Freeman of February 29th article entitled:
"Onteora's trustee's grant application worries board," can now see,
Onteora Board of Education member Joe Doan has once more acted
improperly and without any legal authority. This disturbing news was
reported on the very same day that Mr. Doan published a letter
twisting the truth to imply that he was previously given permission to
act on the district's behalf, when no such permission was ever given.
When a board member says he or she intends to do something, or reports
that he or she has already done it, without any motion, with no
discussion and no board approval, the board member is acting on his or
her own, without proper authority. In fact, the board member is
prohibited by law from acting on behalf of the district without such
approval. Mr. Doan knows this, but when it suits him, he continues to
act in defiance of the Commissioner's regulations and State Education
law. It's that simple, and Mr. Doan's calling my letters "moronic
ramblings" when I dare to point this out, won't change the facts in
this matter.
On June 6th, when Mr. Doan raised four items in a late night session,
the first two were discussed at length, and appropriate board
decisions were made. The last two items (water testing and asphalt
borings) were never addressed before the meeting was adjourned. Mr.
Doan lies when he says Mr. Millman said he thought it was a good idea.
The video tape record shows that in fact the remark Mr. Millman made
after Mr. Doan's 3-minute long list of items, was simply, "Joe, let's
take one thing at a time." At no time did Mr. Millman ever voice any
approval as Mr. Doan claims. And since the meeting ended before these
last two items ever came up again, of course there was never any
opposition voiced! As a footnote, it should be added, that months
before this June meeting, Mr. Doan had already entered school grounds
without any board knowledge or authority and dug holes in the asphalt
for "testing." Of course, none of this was revealed when Mr. Doan
briefly mentioned his plan to do more borings. I guess if we follow
Mr. Doan's lead, it's OK for anyone in or out of the Onteora district
to decide he or she can test whatever they want without any knowledge
or approval from the sitting 7-member board.
Now, as reported, in his latest affront to the Commissioner and to
school board authority, Mr. Doan has, on his own, dispatched a
personally signed "Letter of Intent" asking for a $3,000,000 federal
grant for power generators. In it Mr. Doan says "I understand that the
non-federal share of the project funding will be 25% of the total
project costs, and I certify that the 25% share will be available…"
How does Mr. Doan know that the 25% ($750,000 of the $3 million
request) will be available? This was never mentioned before the board
or public, and there is no such sum in the school district budget for
this year. I see no reason to think it'll be set aside in an
upcoming bare-bones school budget for next year. When the grantors
find out Mr. Doan was acting on his own, without the board's
authority, they'll most likely toss the application out. Once again
Mr. Doan's improper actions will have made the district a laughing
stock.
How could Mr. Doan, without board approval, have honestly certified
that the $750,000 district share "will be available"? This kind of
district commitment was never raised and never discussed. In fact the
whole thing was brought to the board as a fait accompli. Just as he
had no authority to spend any money or to direct contractors to
perform work in the district or to personally remove paving materials
from the Phoenicia School parking lot, he has no authority to commit
the district to have $750,000 available to meet the requirements of
his proposal.
Doan's latest self-serving antics point out the continued bad board
behavior of this renegade member. Unless he is reigned in, the
financial and legal jeopardy he places the district and its taxpayers
in will haunt us for many years.
Tobe Carey
Glenford
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Tobe, it was Nov.6'00 that Doan 's comments re: softball field were
first entered into minutes.....re: the letter.Way too long.Pretend the
English teacher told you to make the succession of events as short as
humanly possible while maintaining the story line..and ..remove all
personal opinion.I think people are able to arrive at their own
sensible conclusions and would prefer the info w/out the hyperbole.I
have such issues with this myself that I dare speak to it.Your brief
last letter to the ed is where I'm going.Straight factual no ury.love
m
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
uh, that was fury...something I'm entirely unfamiliar with.
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
And whether it should be used (I think not in this case), that would
be "reined in," though "reign" certainly fits the bill with Doan.
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Thanks Maureen and Carol...and others yet to come...I'll
drastically reduce size and "fury"....
Tobe
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
Maureen - I strongly suggested Neil wait on the timing of the letter
simply because many of us are very involved in helping these
candidates run and a coordination of those activities is important and
helpful. I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do but I think it is
great to have a plan and a method of campaigning.
As to your plan, I have spoke to some individuals confidentially and
others involved with us such as Tom and Marino. I haven't heard much
from anyone else on this so I am just trying to formulate a group
opinion. So far I haven't been able to understand the political
benefits of your plan but I'm certainly willing to listen.
Saw Mr. Doan in the West Shokan general store today making plans on
it's renovation I presume. But I'm NOT willing to listen to his plans.
Tobe - I'll join the choir on "It's Too Long, Baby". My suggestion is
to cut all the previous history and jump to the action of the current
situation...that is the $3M FEMA grant and the $750K district
obligation. I thought you explained that well but I would delete the
first half of the letter. Forget the borings (BORING!) and the
water...go for the money.
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
I've added a bit to the softball field saga...Details from the Feb. 11
meeting, where Chuck clearly says the plans are needed before the
field can be used.
I have posted this in Doan Deeds,so we can find it when needed.
Tobe
PS a short letter sample coming soon.
Softball field dates:
1. Some unknown date the topic surfaces and Doan says it'll cost
about $2500 with all free labor from community.
2. July 9th: Doan says he wants to put it on the agenda for August
20th meeting...at $10,000 cost.
3. August 20th...postponed topic until Sept. 10.
4. Sept 10...Doan requests $10,000...says he will do the plans for
free....$10,000 cost said to include fences and backstop, materials,
labor, engineering...Chuck says make it $15,000 just in case...Doan
agrees.
5. December 3rd. Asks for $10,000 more for fencing and backstop
(sound like familiar items??)
6. January 14th... when he initiates a conversation about the
project, Meg counters by recalling the stages...now budget is
up to $25,000. Meg asks if Joe has done the plans...Joe says yes, he
has the plans.
7. January 28th...Joe DiGiovanni says add $10,000 more for bleachers
and team benches. (I guess the fans and teams could always sit on the
ground!) Chuck raises issue of SED involvement since costs are so high
now...Doan requested that Chuck call SED to find out what they say
about the field. Doan says loud and clear that he will sign and put
his engineering seal on the plans if SED requires the plans to be
submitted.
8. February 11th… quoted from the minutes - "Business administrator
Chuck Snyder confirmed that the State Education department does
require plans and specifications. Mr. Snyder further recommends that
said plans and specifications be completed as soon as possible, with a
copy filed at the School before students begin playing on the field."
9. February 25th…Doan denies saying he would make the plans! Meg reads
the approved (7-0 vote) minutes of January 28th meeting where Doan
says he'll sign and seal the plans if State Ed requires them.
I count at least two times he said he would do them, and one time when
he said he had them done...before his denial. And the record is clear
that he knew on Feb. 11th that State Ed required the plans…so he had
time to do the plans and prevent any delay of use of the field…
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
One more posting about the softball field...add to the top of your
list, the following:
1. November 6, 2000…The topic surfaces and Doan says it'll cost
about $2500 for the backstop with all the rest provided by free labor
available from community. Says he will need to extend right field, do
some grading, and take down a few trees to make it meet MHAL specs.
Does anyone know if this November configuration is what was eventually
used, or did the field get moved to a different configuration when it
was actually done? The question remains whether or not the field is
up to MHAL specs.
-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002
well sorry not to abandon this as fast as some might like but I want
to respond to your remarks,Jim.For one thing I would appreciate being
able to represent myself on this and not have you talk to Board
members w/out any real take on the facts. Everything is not a
political event. My interest in the politics is VERY minor and frankly
I'm not entirely sure that these political machinations do anything
other than provide us with entertainment and occasional fortunate
timing.My interest in this is not political. It is legal. Even if Mr.
Doan is not reelected , the issue is still valid . We have seven board
members with seven different versions of appropriate board
behavior.Not good.I make this argument for clarification and not to
convince. I'll back away from the petition altho I have my doubts
about that decision.Thanks.
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
Take two on the letter...shorter, no? Down to 336 words...
Comments?
I've stripped it away as suggested...
Maureen, I think all your reserach work would be helpful as a series
of letters and then as a campaign publication...into poeople's
hands... the point you make is I think the same point I'm trying to
make in this latest letter...
We need to have several fact and position papers for people this
year...
It's March First everybody...Less than three months to go...we need to
raise money and advertise for the benefit...any designs for ads, or
ideas happening?
What's happening with the Special Ed community presentation with
Kathy...Is that booked??
Info for prospective candidates for the board...
Prospective School Board Member Workshop March 21, 2002
Ulster BOCES Conferenbce Center Rte 32 New Paltz
Excellent chance to hear some details of what's expected.
To the Editor:
The February 27, 2002 Kingston Freeman headline reads "Onteora's
trustee's grant application worries board." The article makes it clear
that Onteora Board of Education member Joe Doan has once more acted
improperly and without any legal authority.
State Education Commissioner Richard Mills has said, "Unless the
board of education has taken official action to designate an
individual member as the representative of the board for a particular
purpose, an individual board member has no authority to act for the
board." This point has been made on several occasions by board
members, by members of the public, and by the district's attorney.
Now, without board authority, Mr. Doan has certified that Onteora
"will" have $750,000 for his latest proposal.
On February 25th, Mr. Doan announced that he had submitted a "Letter
of Intent" on behalf of the Onteora Central School District asking for
a $3,000,000 federal grant. In the application, Mr. Doan declared
himself to be the "Applicant's Agent." This self-declaration by Mr.
Doan is in clear violation of the law as quoted in the Commissioner's
statement. By signing the letter, Mr. Doan also asserted, "I
understand that the non-federal share of the project funding will be
25% of the total project costs, and I certify that the 25% share will
be available in the forms allowed by HMGP."
As the Freeman article says, the application "…could put taxpayers at
risk of paying $750,000 in costs towards implementing a hazard
mitigation program." This risk was never mentioned by Mr. Doan, and
never discussed before he submitted the "Letter of Intent." Why
didn't Mr. Doan show the "Letter of Intent" to the board and bring a
motion for approval at the January 28th meeting, when he said he had
the application in hand? Or, why didn't Mr. Doan ask the board to
authorize the "Letter of Intent" at the February 11th public meeting
with himself written in as Onteora's "Agent?"
Mr. Doan continues to show his contempt for proper board procedures
and the State Education Law.
Tobe Carey
Glenford
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
Maureen.....
I thinkyou have a lot of valid points, and I agree that Joe probably
broke some laws. Are they the kind you get fined for, or the kind you
get arrested for? I'm not sure if there is really a punishment for
what he did, but it was clearly wrong. In the end its going to be
hard to get these facts out without seeming petty. I know people who
wont even read an article or letter about the board because they
think the whole thing is disgusting. All they want is to stop the
fighting.
I do think I'll wait a bit to make formal statements, although I'm
very excited to get going. I think I'l wait until after we have the
next SOS meeting.
Tobe....I love the shortened letter. Looks great.
I asked an illustrator friend of mine, Diana Bryan to design an
ad/poster for the Benefit. She needs like 2 weeks notice, but I am
probably going to tell her to go ahead and start. She's amazing!!!
Music is all lined up. I want to get Tom R. to give me a call about
his son playing, but otherwise, Justin and I will play a few
songs...then a break...then the Pontiacs....Should be fun.
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
That will be great to have Diana design the ad. I love her work.
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
Bennett moving still on for 9:30 tomorrow as scheduled?
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
Great, Neil...sounds totally under control...What about funds needed
for ads, flyers, whatever?
I bet Dennis would love to sit in also (not to speak for
him...but...)Most of the rest of us are good at "audience!"
People are starting to come up to us and ask hiow they can help in the
upcomign election...
Wonder if we should start with some small ads in W Times with a phone
number/email and asking for help ???
Tobe
-- Anonymous, March 01, 2002
9:30 it is. Be there or be a common geometric shape.
-- Anonymous, March 02, 2002
Good turnout at Bennett today. Thanks to all who helped out. I think
the kids will be thrilled on Monday.
Don't forget to check out The Case of the
Insubordinate Superintendent for some welcome comic relief and
the realization that we aren't the only ones with wacky Board members.
-- Anonymous, March 02, 2002
Laurie Cassel thanked me today and said that she especially felt our
efforts were genuine and that made her feel good. She understood,
especially with Meg and Tom's presence, that our help was sincere and
she appreciated it. Thanks to everyone who helped out. We made a great
impression.
-- Anonymous, March 02, 2002
I noticed in the Phoenicia Times they did an editorial regarding the
upcoming election. I was disappointed that they dismissed Marino in
hand and supported a clean slate of all new board members. I hope
that we get better support from them in the future. They did not seem
to be aware of any of the new candidates. Is Kathy definitely running?
I haven't seen her petition yet.
-- Anonymous, March 03, 2002
Dennis...Yep. Kathy is running. Her Petition is circulating as is
Marino's. I have heard the same sentiment expressed in the Phoenicia
Times from a lot of people. It should be interesting to see what
they think of the slate.
As to yesterday's move...I'm glad our efforts were appreciated. We
did a TON of moving, and all I can say is thank God for Advil. That
was no easy move. I pity the workmen who would have had to do it
alone had we not shown up.
-- Anonymous, March 03, 2002
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