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Why was there only "1" option???; What if the BOE said "NO"?
Topic Started: Jan 2 2006, 07:27 PM (1,939 Views)
fyi
Principal
Why was there only "1" option offered to the BOE? If the district was trying to convince the community that all options had been explored, why didn't they present all three options to the BOE? The option was vote "yes" on the LI. What alternative was the BOE given? There should always be a plan "b." What would have happened if the Boe said "no" to LPS?


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I didn't offer a solution to this financial mess because I wasn't asked.
Keep in mind how all of this came about......560 school districts in Michigan and somewhere around 520 are in financial crisis.....the Demographics Committee was formed to examine our district as a whole and report back to the BOE. Their reply was to go to a K-4 program. The proposal recommended to the BOE was not to look at a K-5 or K-6 or anything else....when we voted, it was to adopt the K-4 plan "ONLY"....you saw my vote.....at what time was I supposed to say what I wanted......what I wanted on the proposal was how I voted......now......what would I like to have seen....same $$$ savings but stay with the K-6 plan......you must remember, it wasn't an option......if I come out now and say this.....who's going to listen??????

Tom
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ktmom
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Principal
fyi
Jan 2 2006, 07:27 PM
Why was there only "1" option offered to the BOE? If the district was trying to convince the community that all options had been explored, why didn't they present all three options to the BOE? The option was vote "yes" on the LI. What alternative was the BOE given? There should always be a plan "b." What would have happened if the Boe said "no" to LPS?


Quote:
 

I didn't offer a solution to this financial mess because I wasn't asked.
Keep in mind how all of this came about......560 school districts in Michigan and somewhere around 520 are in financial crisis.....the Demographics Committee was formed to examine our district as a whole and report back to the BOE. Their reply was to go to a K-4 program. The proposal recommended to the BOE was not to look at a K-5 or K-6 or anything else....when we voted, it was to adopt the K-4 plan "ONLY"....you saw my vote.....at what time was I supposed to say what I wanted......what I wanted on the proposal was how I voted......now......what would I like to have seen....same $$$ savings but stay with the K-6 plan......you must remember, it wasn't an option......if I come out now and say this.....who's going to listen??????

Tom

The BOE could have asked the Committee to give them more data on the plan they proposed or come up with another plan which we know they looked at more than one.
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fyi
Principal
They could have. They should have.
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ForMySons
Principal
;) We had dinner with friends last week where the husband is the assistant super of another school district. Of course we discussed LI. He was shocked at the process (or lack of process) that was followed for developing and proposing the plan. He said it crucial to get community involvement up front. He was also suprised at how little money is being saved by closing 7 schools and by the lack of financial data available to support the initiative proposal.
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one_observer
Principal
Certainly does seem like a "my way or the highway choice". Remember, the BOE already knew what was going to be presented, they helped formulate and choose the "proposal". What a joke. I guess I still don't understand the punchline. Maybe that's yet to come. Time will tell.
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c3hull
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Principal
ForMySons
Jan 2 2006, 11:31 PM
;)  We had dinner with  friends last week where the husband is the assistant super of another school district.  Of course we discussed LI.  He was shocked at the process (or lack of process) that was followed for developing and proposing the plan.  He said it crucial to get community involvement up front.  He was also suprised at how little money is being saved by closing 7 schools and by the lack of financial data available to support the initiative proposal.

I got the same response from a retired S.I. that I know. When the L.I. was first announced I gave him a call. He said, "Oh my Gosh!" ...can't type the rest. This man had such an awesome record as a S.I. he ended up on Good Morning America for his FINANCIAL accomplishments. His words of wisdom were, "Follow the money! This plan makes NO SENSE...!"
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c3hull
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Principal
I posted this on another thread, but applies to this one too.

Here a few things I'd like to share that are in the BOE Bylaws.

Section BHA - Code of Ethics

Principle 1- The Ethic of Responsibility- To Elicit Trust

Board members are elected at large to represent the interests of all constituents. Board members always represent the general welfare and individual rights of all citizens in policy development.

The Board consults with the Superintendent to acquire essential data and information before developing policy or making decisions.


Principle 2- The Commitment to the Educational mission- Purposes and Goals

The Board of Education members, in establishing purposes and goals, will act in the best educational interest of individuals and the school community.


Principle 3- Commitment to be Responsible

The Board causes policy to be developed and adopted based upon the best knowledge and research available. Each Board member adheres to and supports adopted policies until altered.

The Board acts on policy matters only after seeking and receiving pertinent information; receiving the Superintendent's recommendation; and following full discussion by the Board of Education.
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Grant1
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We have just begun to fight!
one_observer
Jan 3 2006, 12:41 AM
Certainly does seem like a "my way or the highway choice". Remember, the BOE already knew what was going to be presented, they helped formulate and choose the "proposal". What a joke. I guess I still don't understand the punchline. Maybe that's yet to come. Time will tell.

We are writing the punchline as we go...it looks a lot like a recall petition and we will have the last laugh!
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Grant1
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We have just begun to fight!
c3hull
Jan 3 2006, 01:48 AM
I posted this on another thread, but applies to this one too.

Here a few things I'd like to share that are in the BOE Bylaws.

Section BHA - Code of Ethics

Principle 1- The Ethic of Responsibility- To Elicit Trust

Board members are elected at large to represent the interests of all constituents. Board members always represent the general welfare and individual rights of all citizens in policy development.

The Board consults with the Superintendent to acquire essential data and information before developing policy or making decisions.


Principle 2- The Commitment to the Educational mission- Purposes and Goals

The Board of Education members, in establishing purposes and goals, will act in the best educational interest of individuals and the school community.


Principle 3- Commitment to be Responsible

The Board causes policy to be developed and adopted based upon the best knowledge and research available. Each Board member adheres to and supports adopted policies until altered.

The Board acts on policy matters only after seeking and receiving pertinent information; receiving the Superintendent's recommendation; and following full discussion by the Board of Education.

Don't forget this important one from thier own policy

"Avoid being placed in a position of conflict of interest"

I still can't stop laughing when I think of Lessards face when he and the others who particpated on the LI committee were asked to recuse themselves from voting on the LI since they had violated this policy - can you see that deer in the headlights?

And don't stir the can!
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grantmom
Principal
I really have nothing new to add...just that three months after they announced the LI, I'm still amazed,baffaled (sp), angry, I could go on and on....that the BOE can sit back and not see that participating on the committee was unethical and that all the time and effort parents put into researching the K-4 model and it's down falls, fell on deaf ears. Oh it makes me angry. :angry:
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Want2move
Principal
I just think the BOE feels as though the usual trend of community apathy would allow this to pass with minimal resistance. They seemed to be shocked with the monster they created. I've seen many people in positions of authority cling to a failing idea just because their ego(s) refuse to let them admit they made a mistake.

They only proposed the one plan because that’s the plan they had pre-determined was going to be the one they would pass. If other School administrators are as baffled as we are, then this obviously has value to THEM for some reason. The obvious lack of a “check and balance” system has allowed them to do this.

I'm as guilty as anyone of not paying close attention to the BOE workings, since up until now; I thought we were in good hands. I’m paying for that mistake now it seems. I for one am going to pay much closer attention to who's on the board, and what they are doing.

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Rose
Principal
As others have said, the BOE is now in way over their heads. To turn back now would make them look uncapable....which I feel they are anyway. Just think how long this thing has actually been going on, probably well over a year now. The ball has been rolling.....and it is just not going to stop.
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fyi
Principal
Rose
Jan 3 2006, 09:58 AM
As others have said, the BOE is now in way over their heads. To turn back now would make them look uncapable....which I feel they are anyway. Just think how long this thing has actually been going on, probably well over a year now. The ball has been rolling.....and it is just not going to stop.

I could respect the current BOE if they turned this thing around. If they based their decision on the lack of community support, they could gain the trust of the community again. I'm sure we wouldn't be the first district to do something like this. Forget about your pride BOE! Do the right thing!

And by the way, what have they got to lose? They already look incapable!
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Elisa
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Principal
I read about a BOE for a district up north that did reverse a decision. They stated that certain board members were "intimidated" by union reps. So there is precedence.
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Grant1
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We have just begun to fight!
Elisa
Jan 3 2006, 01:41 PM
I read about a BOE for a district up north that did reverse a decision.  They stated that certain board members were "intimidated" by union reps.  So there is precedence.

Oh No No No No...I just couldn't imagine anyone on the board or part of the LI committee was ever intimidated by anyone regarding this ;)
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