I have so much to blog about but I will start with the meeting last night with Indiana Superintendent of schools Tony Bennett. This meeting was set up for the IPS school Board to speak with Dr. Bennett about the 6 schools that remain on the takeover list. Not all six schools will necesarily be "taken over" but all 6 will have intervention of some kind.
Tony Bennett rightly criticized the IPS school board in his opening comments. He used words such as "disheartened" and "frustrating" when he shared his feelings on the board waiting until August 8th to hold this meeting, just a few weeks away from his proposal to the state board. Dr. Bennett went into a few details about other school boards and how they reached out to him early on, and became integrated into this process. We did not.
The main points of the discussion were Dr. White saying the state should not count the 7th and 8th graders test scores at the community H.S.'s because they lowered the overall results of the high school students. If removed the high schools would have made it off probation. Tony Bennett countered with the argument that if Dr. White believed this to be the case, why is he waiting until this moment, the last minute, to appeal that formula. Why not bring this up 2 years ago or 6 years ago. Also there are 144 other community schools that follow the same criteria and they are not on the failing list.
The IPS Board members asked questions throughout the meeting. Some very good questions, and some....other questions. Near the end of the meeting I shared some thoughts. I thought the public should know that a few of the board members were interested in meeting with Dr. Bennett months ago. However the majority of the board wouldn't support it. I told Tony Bennett that should not be an excuse. I'm not sure how people took what I said, but I meant it should have not been an excuse for me to stop trying. Nothing prevented me from picking up the phone and calling Dr. Bennett myself. He is a very approachable person. But I didn't do it. I admitted last night that I was embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry.
That statement from me caused some issues. I was told I threw the other board members under the bus. I was told I was unprofessional. I was told I was an embarrassment. The fact is, none of that is true. I told the truth and they don't like it. Those board members made the decision to not meet with Dr. Bennett. I didn't make it for them, I just informed the public. I believe the public has a right to know. I also admitted that I was wrong as well.
So what now? Dr. White has appealed to the State Board regarding the 7th and 8th graders result. We should hear back from that in two weeks. Also the meeting that the state board will take a vote on our 6 years will be on August 29 and August 30 at 9am.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Summer lovin' had me a blast
So, I haven't blogged in a bit. There are a few reasons for that.
1) My life. I love the summer with my kiddos. And as it winds down to an end I feel panicky and I want to spend as much time doing fun things together. Two of my kids attend IPS and start school on August 8th. This week we spent a lot of time buying school supplies and trying on uniforms. And to save you time- NO ONE has white poster board in stock. Trust me, I've looked.
2) There have been a lot of ups and downs with the school board lately. I have been a little negative to blog about the good, and a little too frustrated to blog about the bad.
So what's going on?
Budget-The budget will be advertised tonight. My hope is that there will be a way for the public to view the budget this year, as we were promised. Last year was a nightmare. However the board received the budget in full at least a week ago, maybe it was two weeks ago. A definite improvement from last year.
First Day- School starts August 8th. Bus assignments are going out. Though I had a little hiccup with mine. I had a concern of my bus stop placements for my children. THey are 4 blocks apart from one another, and ten minutes apart in pick up time, which I can't be at both places. One stop is a long walk, and over a working railroad. I called in to talk to someone about my options, and I called transportation like any parent would at 226-4500. My first operator was rude and short with me, unwilling to really listen. When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was told he was on the phone. I stated I would wait. Then I was told he was in a meeting. Long story short I was hung up on. Twice. Eventually I found a great person in transportation who helped me.
State Takeover- Now we know, 6 schools remain on state takeover list. Now this doesn't mean that all 6 will be taken, but all six will have some intervention from the state. They will decide what schools will have what kind of intervention at their board meeting at the end of August. Months ago a few board members shared an interest with the rest of the board in meeting with Tony Bennett. That idea wasn't 100% supported and was put off until after the hearings. After several more weeks of trying to move this along I think we are finally getting somewhere. More to come.......
Board Retreat - The Board and Dr White along with Dr. Giles spent a good chunk of the weekend at the board retreat. This is a great time to catch up on updates. We discussed the Gambold Preparatory H.S. that will open in the fall of 2012, district lines for school board members that will need to change, Budget Reductions, lots of other topics, and this blog. Yep, this blog.
One item we discussed was the IPS School Board Open House. This was my idea, though at the retreat it was said something has been done like this before. I sent an email out a few months ago with an ideas for a way to invite and encourage our parents and community members to attend a meeting and see who their representatives are and see what we do. I was thinking we could set up before the 7pm meeting with food, and give people time to meet their board members. Only 2 board members responded to the email. I brought it up in person as well. I was ignored. Seriously, Jr. High kind of ignoring. Bold faced ignoring. (part of the bad) However, when brought up at the retreat Dr. White was very supportive and offered much assistance in the planning. (part of the good) So set your calendars for October 25Th at 6pm!!!!
My energy- I have felt quite drained the last month or so with the school board. I think because while school is going on I get such enjoyment out of visiting schools and seeing the students. During the summer, it is mostly just the adults in IPS that I have been seeing. I really look forward to getting back in the routine as far as a being board member goes. But sad to say good bye to summer as far as being a mom goes.
1) My life. I love the summer with my kiddos. And as it winds down to an end I feel panicky and I want to spend as much time doing fun things together. Two of my kids attend IPS and start school on August 8th. This week we spent a lot of time buying school supplies and trying on uniforms. And to save you time- NO ONE has white poster board in stock. Trust me, I've looked.
2) There have been a lot of ups and downs with the school board lately. I have been a little negative to blog about the good, and a little too frustrated to blog about the bad.
So what's going on?
Budget-The budget will be advertised tonight. My hope is that there will be a way for the public to view the budget this year, as we were promised. Last year was a nightmare. However the board received the budget in full at least a week ago, maybe it was two weeks ago. A definite improvement from last year.
First Day- School starts August 8th. Bus assignments are going out. Though I had a little hiccup with mine. I had a concern of my bus stop placements for my children. THey are 4 blocks apart from one another, and ten minutes apart in pick up time, which I can't be at both places. One stop is a long walk, and over a working railroad. I called in to talk to someone about my options, and I called transportation like any parent would at 226-4500. My first operator was rude and short with me, unwilling to really listen. When I asked to speak to a supervisor I was told he was on the phone. I stated I would wait. Then I was told he was in a meeting. Long story short I was hung up on. Twice. Eventually I found a great person in transportation who helped me.
State Takeover- Now we know, 6 schools remain on state takeover list. Now this doesn't mean that all 6 will be taken, but all six will have some intervention from the state. They will decide what schools will have what kind of intervention at their board meeting at the end of August. Months ago a few board members shared an interest with the rest of the board in meeting with Tony Bennett. That idea wasn't 100% supported and was put off until after the hearings. After several more weeks of trying to move this along I think we are finally getting somewhere. More to come.......
Board Retreat - The Board and Dr White along with Dr. Giles spent a good chunk of the weekend at the board retreat. This is a great time to catch up on updates. We discussed the Gambold Preparatory H.S. that will open in the fall of 2012, district lines for school board members that will need to change, Budget Reductions, lots of other topics, and this blog. Yep, this blog.
One item we discussed was the IPS School Board Open House. This was my idea, though at the retreat it was said something has been done like this before. I sent an email out a few months ago with an ideas for a way to invite and encourage our parents and community members to attend a meeting and see who their representatives are and see what we do. I was thinking we could set up before the 7pm meeting with food, and give people time to meet their board members. Only 2 board members responded to the email. I brought it up in person as well. I was ignored. Seriously, Jr. High kind of ignoring. Bold faced ignoring. (part of the bad) However, when brought up at the retreat Dr. White was very supportive and offered much assistance in the planning. (part of the good) So set your calendars for October 25Th at 6pm!!!!
My energy- I have felt quite drained the last month or so with the school board. I think because while school is going on I get such enjoyment out of visiting schools and seeing the students. During the summer, it is mostly just the adults in IPS that I have been seeing. I really look forward to getting back in the routine as far as a being board member goes. But sad to say good bye to summer as far as being a mom goes.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Some like it hot, somelike it not!
A few days ago the board met in a Design Overview meeting. At this meeting we discussed renovations at various schools. We are able to tour several of these newly renovated schools on August 3rd, traveling by bus. I suggested that we ride in a non-air-conditioned bus. This is just 5 days before school starts and 70% of our students will be riding on these buses. I am concerned for the safety of our students in this crazy heat. By riding the bus ourselves we can access if this is manageable, what steps need to be taken to make the ride more comfortable, and how hot does it really get. I barely got the entire thought out before a board member stated she would drive herself if we had to ride without A.C. I am not going to mention names, but 4 board members refused the idea.
I want to remind everyone, these just aren't your kids on these buses, they are mine too. I have a fair skinned little red-head that gets heat exhaustion quicker than we can catch it. I want to see how bad it really will be. But 4 board members feel they are too good to be placed in that situation. The same situation they feel is ok to place your child, my child in on a daily basis. There is something that really gets me about the fact that none of the board members that refused have small children anymore. In fact, one has never had children. So I guess they have no real reason to care. To say the least, I'm a little hot about it. :)
I want to remind everyone, these just aren't your kids on these buses, they are mine too. I have a fair skinned little red-head that gets heat exhaustion quicker than we can catch it. I want to see how bad it really will be. But 4 board members feel they are too good to be placed in that situation. The same situation they feel is ok to place your child, my child in on a daily basis. There is something that really gets me about the fact that none of the board members that refused have small children anymore. In fact, one has never had children. So I guess they have no real reason to care. To say the least, I'm a little hot about it. :)
Monday, July 11, 2011
My time HAS come
Another blow.
Committee assignments came out today. We have 4 committees and a board member chairs each committee, this can not be the board president.
I asked to be given the opportunity to chair a committee. Any committee.
That request was denied. I have a few concerns with this.
1) In just over a year, there will be another School Board Election. If by chance all 4 board membes up for re-election lose, that leaves only three seasoned board members. Two of them, myself included, have been prevented from having any kind of leadership on the board. No experience chairing a committee or running a meeting. If the president of the board was really looking out for the best interest of the students, wouldn't they want ALL board members to be prepared???
2)What are they so afraid of? Seriously! What (or who) are they protecting?
3) This can't be what the people want. I don't hear the public screaming, "Great job IPS, keep doing everything the SAME!!!"
4) We are 7 elected officials and all need to represent the people. If it were meant to only have 4 opinions, then the board would have had only 4 members. Let us do our job.
So, here are the appointments from last year....
And this year.....
I just received this today. So, I decided to call the president of the board and ask why my request was denied.
I was told many reasons. It went something like this.....
There are only 4 chair positions. (Yes, but why must the same people chair every time????)
Your behavior and comments the other night were out of line and rude. (Remember, I told them to shove it next time they wanted to talk to be about being a team. I said this after it was evident the four of the went behind our backs and made all the decisions without including us.)
The others will do a better job. ( how do you know unless I get the opportunity)
Your time will come. (What????)
At this moment I assured the president that my time HAD come. It came when I was elected.
The president of the board isn't doing this for these reasons. I assure you. This is because I am not "with" them. This is because I vote against the Superintendent. This is because I speak my mind and they don't like it.
IPS hasn't been criticized this much by the public in years. Our schools are on take-over lists. And I assure you it isn't because of me. My time has come, and it is now.
Committee assignments came out today. We have 4 committees and a board member chairs each committee, this can not be the board president.
I asked to be given the opportunity to chair a committee. Any committee.
That request was denied. I have a few concerns with this.
1) In just over a year, there will be another School Board Election. If by chance all 4 board membes up for re-election lose, that leaves only three seasoned board members. Two of them, myself included, have been prevented from having any kind of leadership on the board. No experience chairing a committee or running a meeting. If the president of the board was really looking out for the best interest of the students, wouldn't they want ALL board members to be prepared???
2)What are they so afraid of? Seriously! What (or who) are they protecting?
3) This can't be what the people want. I don't hear the public screaming, "Great job IPS, keep doing everything the SAME!!!"
4) We are 7 elected officials and all need to represent the people. If it were meant to only have 4 opinions, then the board would have had only 4 members. Let us do our job.
So, here are the appointments from last year....
| EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE | RESOURCES COMMITTEE | |
| Chairperson - Commissioner Arnold | Chairperson - Commissioner Busch | |
| Commissioner Roof | Commissioner Brown | |
| Commissioner Zaphiriou | Commissioner Roof | |
| Ex Officio - President Gore | Ex Officio - President Gore | |
| LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE | POLICY COMMITTEE | |
| Chairperson - Commissioner Zaphiriou | Chairperson - Commissioner Brown | |
| Commissioner Adair-White | Commissioner Adair-White | |
| Commissioner Busch | Commissioner Arnold | |
| Ex Officio - President Gore | Ex Officio - President Gore |
And this year.....
| EDUCATIONAL COMMITTEE | RESOURCES COMMITTEE | |
| Chairperson - Commissioner Arnold | Chairperson - Commissioner Zaphiriou | |
| Commissioner Adair-White | Commissioner Gore | |
| Commissioner Zaphiriou | Commissioner Roof | |
| Ex Officio - President Busch | Ex Officio - President Busch | |
| LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE | POLICY COMMITTEE | |
| Chairperson - Commissioner Gore | Chairperson - Commissioner Brown | |
| Commissioner Arnold | Commissioner Adair-White | |
| Commissioner Brown | Commissioner Roof | |
| Ex Officio - President Busch | Ex Officio - President Busch |
I just received this today. So, I decided to call the president of the board and ask why my request was denied.
I was told many reasons. It went something like this.....
There are only 4 chair positions. (Yes, but why must the same people chair every time????)
Your behavior and comments the other night were out of line and rude. (Remember, I told them to shove it next time they wanted to talk to be about being a team. I said this after it was evident the four of the went behind our backs and made all the decisions without including us.)
The others will do a better job. ( how do you know unless I get the opportunity)
Your time will come. (What????)
At this moment I assured the president that my time HAD come. It came when I was elected.
The president of the board isn't doing this for these reasons. I assure you. This is because I am not "with" them. This is because I vote against the Superintendent. This is because I speak my mind and they don't like it.
IPS hasn't been criticized this much by the public in years. Our schools are on take-over lists. And I assure you it isn't because of me. My time has come, and it is now.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Broken Board
Yes, I am finally saying it out loud.
A year ago I started this journey of serving on the IPS school board. I knew there were problems and I knew there would be some roadblocks. I assumed there would be personality differences. But I had no idea the board was broken. You may wonder, what does that mean? Well, there are 7 elected officials. Five serving districts and two at large. Each Board member represents those persons in their district. (They are suppose to listen and represent their constituents.) Three of the longest serving board members ran unopposed in their last elections.
It is no secret that the board is usually split. Sometimes 5-2 sometimes 4-3. The same four ALWAYS being on the same side, the side of the Superintendent. In fact, one board member has said that they will NEVER vote against the Super. And those that do are met with criticism, insult, and are excluded. I am not talking about a Jr. High kind of exclusion, I could care less about being someone's friend. But we have been excluded from emails, conversations, and important information is not being shared.
Most recently I saw how dysfunctional this board is. These 4 board members hijacked the process of electing officers of the board. Two members, on the other side of the split, showed interest in holding the president and vice president spot. Those 4 wouldn't allow that. The same members are just rotating the positions and not allowing anyone new to sit in these seats.
Here is a list of the officers from past several years. It's like Groundhog Day.
2011-2012 President Busch, Vice Brown.
2010-2011 President Gore, Vice Zaphiriou.
2009-2010 President Brown, Vice Gore.
2008-2009 President Busch, Vice Zaphiriou.
2007-2008 President Busch, Vice Zaphirou.
2006-2007 President Campbell, Vice Busch.
2005-2006 President Brown, Vice Campbell.
The public is NOT being represented by this board. Those 4 board members are silencing the other three, in effect, silencing the public we represent. At a time when the public is begging for change and IPS has 7 failing schools, one would think we would think outside the box and try new leadership on the board. This is simply another year lost. I apologize to the people of this city and I fear for our children.
A year ago I started this journey of serving on the IPS school board. I knew there were problems and I knew there would be some roadblocks. I assumed there would be personality differences. But I had no idea the board was broken. You may wonder, what does that mean? Well, there are 7 elected officials. Five serving districts and two at large. Each Board member represents those persons in their district. (They are suppose to listen and represent their constituents.) Three of the longest serving board members ran unopposed in their last elections.
It is no secret that the board is usually split. Sometimes 5-2 sometimes 4-3. The same four ALWAYS being on the same side, the side of the Superintendent. In fact, one board member has said that they will NEVER vote against the Super. And those that do are met with criticism, insult, and are excluded. I am not talking about a Jr. High kind of exclusion, I could care less about being someone's friend. But we have been excluded from emails, conversations, and important information is not being shared.
Most recently I saw how dysfunctional this board is. These 4 board members hijacked the process of electing officers of the board. Two members, on the other side of the split, showed interest in holding the president and vice president spot. Those 4 wouldn't allow that. The same members are just rotating the positions and not allowing anyone new to sit in these seats.
Here is a list of the officers from past several years. It's like Groundhog Day.
2011-2012 President Busch, Vice Brown.
2010-2011 President Gore, Vice Zaphiriou.
2009-2010 President Brown, Vice Gore.
2008-2009 President Busch, Vice Zaphiriou.
2007-2008 President Busch, Vice Zaphirou.
2006-2007 President Campbell, Vice Busch.
2005-2006 President Brown, Vice Campbell.
The public is NOT being represented by this board. Those 4 board members are silencing the other three, in effect, silencing the public we represent. At a time when the public is begging for change and IPS has 7 failing schools, one would think we would think outside the box and try new leadership on the board. This is simply another year lost. I apologize to the people of this city and I fear for our children.
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