| Livonia Observer; January 5, 2005 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 5 2006, 02:04 PM (2,692 Views) | |
| fyi | Jan 5 2006, 02:04 PM Post #1 |
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Community group hires 'high-profile' attorney By Stephanie Casola Staff Writer Citizens for Livonia’s Future recently hired an attorney to assist in a potential recall of trustees on the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education, and other legal action. Mayer Morganroth will represent the Citizens for Livonia’s Future in an attempt to seek legal action and to pursue a recall of five school board members. They include board president Dan Lessard, and trustees Rob Freeman, Cynthia Markarian, Lynda Scheel and Kevin Whitehead. Joanne Morgan’s position is up for election in May, so she will not be part of the recall. And Tom Bailey cast the sole vote opposed to the plan. Morganroth’s clients include assisted suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian. “He’s a pretty high-profile attorney,” said Holly Burr, a member of Citizens for Livonia’s Future. She said Morganroth will look over recall petition language before it is submitted to Wayne County for approval. The grassroots organization is seeking community members who would be willing to circulate petitions in the school district, should those documents be approved by an elections commission. Burr said the group is receiving support. “I get e-mails daily through the Web site,” said Burr, who runs www.citizensforlivoniasfuture.com. People are giving money. They want to help with the recall.” Citizens for Livonia’s Future will host an open, community meeting from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at St. Mary’s Community Room, 18200 Merriman Road in Livonia. Originally published January 5, 2006 |
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| fyi | Jan 5 2006, 02:09 PM Post #2 |
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LETTERS SHARE YOUR OPINIONS Children learn by example I have taught first and second grade at Cooper Elementary for 10 years. Currently, my first-grade students are a diverse group of children. I am proud to be an educator at Cooper and I am passionate about the welfare and learning of my students. I am also protective and consider myself an advocate for my students. Cooper has many dedicated and hard working teachers who daily raise the bar and expect Cooper students to be successful learners. Recently, there seems to be a group who is fearful, negative and sometimes outright contemptuous toward Cooper Elementary. This is disheartening. I would like to clarify some misinformation and provide reassurance that the teachers at Cooper are competent, dedicated, and involved. Likewise, there are many involved parents at Cooper -- both in the PTA and as classroom volunteers. Although Cooper is located in Westland, it is a part of the LPS system whose students are taught by LPS educators. The "old" Cooper has been razed and new construction will be welcomed. However, in the 10 years I have taught "across the street" at Cooper (formerly Whittier), there have been at least six Cooper teachers who have been pregnant and have delivered healthy, beautiful babies. Our teachers are healthy, our students are healthy, and our community is healthy. I work hard in my classroom every day to teach and model to the youngest of our children to be respectful, considerate, and yes, sometimes, it necessitates to be tolerant of one another. Never, however, would I allow anyone or a group of my students to boo and mock other students in the classroom who might be sharing an idea or an opinion. I would not allow them to interrupt when another is speaking. And if they did, I would remind them that "It is that child's turn to talk and our turn to listen." Children learn by example. Children watch and listen more than adults realize. There are many days when I see a child positively demonstrating a teacher's mannerisms, quotes, and even teaching style. Moments that give me delight. Moments that give me a reason to smile. Cathlene Hedden Livonia Work for the good of all The "Rabble Rousers" who are now putting together a recall of five of the six school board members remind me of kids playing. "If you don't play what I want then I'm not going to play with you and I'm going home!" In the same way they are threatening the board members that either do what we want or you will be recalled! To quote: "We voted for these board members to represent us" and that is exactly what they are trying to do. When someone disagrees with this group then their homes are vandalized. Boy that really is showing our kids how to handle a disagreement isn't it? Where were most of these people when the schools needed parents to volunteer their time for some function that they needed help for? There have been many opportunities on the Livonia PTA Council's Web site to get involved with legislation in regards to state funding etc. -- very few got involved. The only thing that seems to matter to these parents is for the schools to be kept open no matter what else happens and for the elementary to stay K-6. This closing of schools is not a new thing in Livonia. In the past when Jefferson School was closed the kids were sent to McKinley School, when it was found that the grounds were contaminated at Cooper School the kids were also moved. The kids adjusted just fine. As for the transportation issue, how many kids walk to school anymore, a very small percentage? Parents drive their kids or they take a bus. It has been greatly exaggerated that these kids will be on the buses for "hours." As parents it is our responsibility to lead our kids, if we show we are upset of course they will also be. We need to make these cuts; no one wanted this to happen. This is what Livonia has to do in order to to save our school system that we are so proud of. In closing why not give it a chance to work, who knows maybe we (Livonia Schools) will set an example to other schools districts in our area who are also having financial difficulties. We as parents need to be examples to our kids and show even though we disagree or might not like something, we can still work together for the good of us all. Cathie Dettore Livonia Why doubt staff now? Thank you for the (Dec. 22, 2005,) article, I am pleased that it has finally been mentioned how some people are being harassed. I grew up in Westland, attended Livonia schools, owned a house in Livonia for nine years, then bought the house I grew up in Westland. I have been very active in the three schools my two daughters have attended, PTA President, chair person on many committees and currently Reflections Chair for Livonia PTSA Council. I and many people have been hurt by the many comments that have been made regarding "Those people in Westland" and regarding Cooper Elementary, and Franklin High School. I have been watching the meetings from home and reading the articles. It has been hard to see how some parents are treating other people that do not agree with them. People are being harassed and bullied. Livonia and Westland residents in Livonia School District who pay Livonia school taxes are both strong communities and have so much to offer for their children. The Livonia School Board has been constantly under fire by a certain group of people and now they want a recall when only 6 percent of the district vote in the school board election. How many of these people asking for a recall vote for school board? There are members of the school board who have been on for over 10 years but now deserve a recall? I just hope and pray that everyone can work together on this and make this as easy as possible for all the students. Livonia school district has always been known to people as a school district I want my child to attend and a lot of this is for the dedicated staff at all the schools and buildings. This staff will continue to be dedicated and will continue to do what is best for each student. Why doubt them now? Cathy Reinke Westland Use our assets better During the last school election of 2005, Bill Fried and myself had plans, (and still do), to sell portions of school property and use the money to finance building neighborhood schools. But the 6 percent of registered voters returned the incumbents to office. If we keep our focus on the goal of providing the best environment for the education of our children, it is easy to make the decision to keep and build more neighborhood schools. Now it's all downhill from here: A portion would be sold with covenants requiring high-density, family-friendly housing that would match the housing in each neighborhood. This property is an asset that can be converted to more usable assets. If we open the process to include people from different backgrounds we can put this ill-conceived plan aside and build smaller schools using modular construction techniques that: incorporate the latest in energy efficiency, cost less to build, can be built in weeks, and taken apart then reassembled in a different neighborhood as the student population changes. These buildings could look like the "one-room school house," that is just south of the Board of Education building on Farmington Road. Teaching would have to be more flexible as to grade placement, and teachers would have to operate as a team teaching the entire school without an administrator. The school board must also change the elections to the November general election held every odd year. This will bring more taxpaying voters into the system and reinvigorate education in Livonia. Frank Kalinski Livonia Originally published January 5, 2006 |
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| parentsw/power | Jan 5 2006, 02:16 PM Post #3 |
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The BOE are suppose to work for the people of Livonia-all of it. We are recalling them because of several reasons. Cathy Reinke please visit the website and you will be caught up on why we are doing this. |
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| fyi | Jan 5 2006, 02:17 PM Post #4 |
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LETTERS Never heard racist remarks I am very outraged about comments made from Ms. Hedden. I have talked to many people and have attended many meetings. I have never heard anyone make racists comments about Cooper. We are concerned about our children's health. The hazardous site has not been tested since 1991 and no one from the LPS district seems to care enough about our children to investigate. Instead they are trying to publicly make everyone look like racists so the LPS system can look good. The lies need to stop! It is making our community look bad and ruining the image of our city. Susan Honjas Livonia |
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| parentsw/power | Jan 5 2006, 02:20 PM Post #5 |
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I agree, I have never heard any racist remarks from anyone. Are the BOE feeling the pressure now...is that they have their "limited" supporters speaking out and throwing the "racist" card out. Get a life people. Read the numerous research that these people have found. Their is proof that the LI is not in the best interest for our children. Even U of M education classes are teaching their students that multiple transitions are harmful to children. What is in it for the BOE for this to go through? |
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| fyi | Jan 5 2006, 02:27 PM Post #6 |
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excerpt from today's Livonia Observer: "Cooperation Key To Better Future" Education: Under the state constitution, education is primarily the responsibility of the state government. The passage of Proposal A, shifting the majority of school funding from local property taxes to the state sales tax, increased the state's role in funding education and the federal No Child Left Behind Act has increased the state's role in setting educational goals. While we value the important role of local school boards and administrators, we understand the need to set and maintain high educational standards. We have long supported state testing that helps school districts evaluate the effectiveness of their programs against national and state standards. But we also believe that the state and local school districts need to work together in creating a curriculum that is both challenging and varied enough to meet the different needs of students. While the state does not currently set a mandatory curriculum, it does provide an outline for districts to use. We support the recent proposals of Mike Flanagan, the state superintendent of public instruction, to increase the math and science requirements for graduation. The state is committed to funding schools first, but work is needed to keep the funding equitable without penalizing districts for providing a quality educational environment. We also need to keep funding consistent, even in difficult economic times when sales tax revenue declines. Originally published January 5, 2006 |
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| livoniarecall | Jan 5 2006, 02:51 PM Post #7 |
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When someone disagrees with this group then their homes are vandalized? Huh? Any reason that I couldn't say that I was mugged by a group of pro-LI fanatics, and that they left a horse's head in my bed? Bet they wouldn't print that. |
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| Grant1 | Jan 5 2006, 03:20 PM Post #8 |
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We have just begun to fight!
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We could make them an offer they can't refuse <_< |
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| anothermom | Jan 5 2006, 03:29 PM Post #9 |
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FYI and Parents w/Power- Interesting that you both read the letter to the editor from the Cooper teacher and got defensive about the "RACIST" issue. I re-read her letter three times and saw no mention of race or racism. If I'm reading a different version of her letter than you, please let me know. The writer said that there was a "diverse group of children" at Cooper. Why did you both jump to the conclusion that she was talking about race? I agree with you both that I have never heard anyone come out and say anything about race being an issue in the blending of school communities. BUT there has been much talk about concerns with the "socio-economic" differences/diversity of the neighborhoods (lots of action on that thread so we can't deny that the "talk" is there). |
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| parentsw/power | Jan 5 2006, 04:03 PM Post #10 |
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It's not a matter of being defensive, I'm just stating a fact that I believe race is not a part of this and it upsets me when people-in general-feel that this is a race issue. I'm not necessarily speaking in reference to the articles from the Observer about race...I'm was responding to the "race" issue in general. The LI is not a viable proposition for several issues. |
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| NFarquharson | Jan 5 2006, 04:36 PM Post #11 |
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While we have had discussions about socio-economic issues, as far as I am aware, no one had said anything against the students or teachers at Cooper. It is a simple fact that there are more students from families living in poverty attending Cooper and certain other schools in LPS, some of which are in Westland. No one ever said that makes them bad kids or bad parents. We simply said that children who live in poverty are more likely to face many other challenges and bring other problems with them to school each day. Is there a teacher who would disagree with that? Why in the world do we have the whole No Child Left Behind legislation in the first place? No one ever said anything at all about the teachers at Cooper. In fact, while there has been some talk about the teachers' union and the role they may have had in decisions, I have not heard a single negative word about any LPS teachers at any school. I would expect all teachers to be passionate about the welfare and learning of their students and am happy that Ms. Hedden feels that way. Ms. Hedden states, "Recently, there seems to be a group who is fearful, negative and sometimes outright contemptuous toward Cooper Elementary. This is disheartening." There are parents who are fearful of the possible effects on students when construction begins at the toxic waste site accross the street. Why shouldn't people be concerned about the possibility of airborne contaminants when the dust is stirred up? Why wouldn't we want reassurance that the children will be safe? Should we be satisfied with six uneventful pregnancies as a measure of what might happen once contruction begins across from the school. This makes absolutely no sense. She goes on to say, "I would like to clarify some misinformation and provide reassurance that the teachers at Cooper are competent, dedicated, and involved. Likewise, there are many involved parents at Cooper -- both in the PTA and as classroom volunteers." No one has said otherwise to the best of my knowledge. I have attended all but one board meeting and every parent meeting since the LI was announced and have yet to hear any such misinformation. Where exactly did this teacher hear this misinformation about the teachers and parents? I am glad that this teacher does not allow her students to boo and mock other students in the classroom who might be sharing an idea or an opinion. I am glad she does not allow them to interrupt when another is speaking. I don't think any of us would disagree with that. But imagine a different kind of classroom. What if the students were faced with a teacher who would not directly talk to them or answer their questions? The student is curious about something and nervously speaks out loud in a group format, asking questions about something he does not understand. The teacher just sits and stares at him, perhaps taking notes on occasion. This is repeated several times for many days in a row. More and more students are raising their hands and asking questions. Some have gone home and spent hours researching and planning what they will say and the questions they will ask their teacher. All along the teacher remains mute, blatently refusing to answer any questions. How long do you beleive such a teacher could maintain order in the classroom? Is this how a teacher should model approprate behavior in a classroom? No back and forth exchange of ideas is allowed. It is illegal for me to answer your questions. Students may speak for 3 minutes or write questions on little cards. The teacher might decide to answer some of the questions with the same answers that she has repeated several times. The child asks, "if I have 2 apples in a basket and 3 oranges in another and I combine them, how many pieces of fruit do I have?" The teacher answers, "You will have the right amount of fruit. Do not worry about it. There will be enough for everyone." How long will it take an otherwise well-behaved child to tire of this and decide that this teacher is not interested in him or what he wants and needs. How long before he starts screaming in a fit of rage or temper tantrum? How long for an adult? How dare our school board treat us like this! Is it any wonder that a portion of the parents who are so frustrated by this treatment and concerned about their children will decide that the rude treatment ought to be returned? I agree that people may have yelled out inappropriate things at times in some meetings. But parents will do whatever they can to protect their children. We are frustrated and feel betrayed by those who are supposed to be making decisions that are in the interst of our children. We beleive that this plan is not in their best interest and that there is a better way to cut money from the LPS budget while maintaining our current grade configuration. We have done our homework. We know what is best for our children. And the board sits and stares off into space as we beg them to listen to us. Shame on them. Any teacher or board member who behaves in this way ought to be removed from their position. |
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| edforall | Jan 5 2006, 05:02 PM Post #12 |
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Were you worried about the Cooper school site all of this time? How about the children that went to school at that site? Don't even give me the answer that we care about all children in the school. Did you or didn't ANY OF YOU DO ANYTHING to stop children from going to the Cooper school site before this LI? Just answer Yes or No. No need for any dialogue. |
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| angrymom | Jan 5 2006, 05:24 PM Post #13 |
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Yes I do worry about all Children especially the ones in that school! I remember hearing back in the 90's how they had to close the old Cooper. I did not know until recently,when everyone started talking about the LI, that they had moved the school across the street so I could not stop children from going there because I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE NEW COOPER UNTIL THE PAST FEW MONTHS! Something needs to be done now to see if these kids are safe because some side effects may not show up for years down the road when it will be to late. |
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| fyi | Jan 5 2006, 05:25 PM Post #14 |
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That letter is an edited version of her speech to the BOE. Her speech to the BOE suggested what we responded to---not her letter. They are similiar, but not the same. |
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| angrymom | Jan 5 2006, 05:35 PM Post #15 |
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Thank you. I forgot to mention that part. |
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