| January 11 Meeting at St. Marys; Thoughts, Questions | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 11 2006, 10:04 PM (2,166 Views) | |
| rooseveltmom | Jan 12 2006, 08:45 PM Post #16 |
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Principal
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>>>I am so very confused. At last nights meeting it was stated that board members make about $50 a meeting. And that it takes a special dedication to our community and it's children to meet the criteria of a board member. And I agree. However, what I find mind-boggleing, is what exactly is the motive of our board, if not money? >>>Our present board has dismissed hundreds of letters, thousands of e-mails, and countless objections from our community, WHY?? This is what I do not understand. WHY upheave an entire community? WHY destroy the property value of thousands? WHY vote against those who VOTED you in? >>>When the Mayor and the State Representive and hundrends of citizens display their dissapointment with credible research to dispute the plan. WHY did they still go thru with it? I do not think it was some type of ego-high. That does not make sense. Is there some kind of hidden agenda? I do not understand the board's agenda, I do not understand their stubborness, I do not understand the urgency to push such a drastic, ill thought, contreversial initative down our throats. >>>If anyone knows the answer please let me know. And please don't tell me it was to save less than 1% of the yearly budget. Something Shady IS comming our way. Leipa and Levesque, they make more than $50 a meeting, don't they? |
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| Livonia Voter | Jan 13 2006, 09:19 PM Post #17 |
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Principal
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Never underestimate the appeal of wielding power. Having control (and believing your superior enough to deserve it) quickly leads to the belief that you are right........all the time. Notice that the longer a Board Member has been in office, the greater thier support for legacy (in general). They don't listen, because they can't admit to themselves that they made a mistake. The real hidden motive though is Dr. Leipa. What does he want? Is he an academic trying to test his educational theories? Is he looking to make a name for himself? State Superintendant Leipa? |
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| Grant1 | Jan 13 2006, 10:20 PM Post #18 |
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We have just begun to fight!
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Leipa's background is in finance. He is not an educator or represenatative of the public. He is not representing the best interests of the children, families, or community. There is a hidden agenda, but nobody has been able to disclose it yet. Maybe it's in the offers he has received for the vacant school lands ( in the millions ). Maybe it's in the associations the LPS has long had with developers ( again in the millions ). Maybe it's a desire to seek a higher office through manipulation , deals, and coersion ( power corrupts absolutely as the saying goes ). Maybe it's all of the above? |
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| Livonia Voter | Jan 13 2006, 11:00 PM Post #19 |
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Principal
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If he is not an educator, then how could he possibly have been hired? Does anyone know when he took the job, and who recommended him? Possibly someone who is now getting a nice little land deal? |
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| rooseveltmom | Jan 14 2006, 12:32 AM Post #20 |
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Principal
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He is not an educator. I think it was mentioned somewhere amongst these post that he is a business man. I know Levesque worked for Plant Morane and graduated from Walsh. He was also voted in at a closed meeting in which there was only one sole vote against him Kristen Galka or something like that ( Mr. Bailey,, sound familiar),,,and also that an extensive lawsuit (posted as well on Freemans page) followed....with Galka...but just the same,,,not right..... http://rjfreeman.net/board/lawsuit.shtml |
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| c3hull | Jan 14 2006, 12:53 AM Post #21 |
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Principal
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Here is the page from the link posted above. It's a shame she didn't win her lawsuit! Update May 21, 2003 - Court dismisses suit against LPS board A Wayne County Circuit Court judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Kirsten Galka against the Livonia Board of Education... Read the article from the Livonia Observer. Case No. 02-241 964 CZ KIRSTEN M. GALKA, An Individual, Plaintiff, vs. LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD, A Public Body, Defendant. In a lawsuit against the Livonia Public Schools School Board, Kirsten Galka alleges that the school board violated the Open Meetings Act by 1. Improperly posting the notice of the Special Meeting of September 30. 2002; 2. Deliberating on, and deciding to install Dr. Randy Liepa as Superintendent of schools; and 3. Improperly controlling the content of the notice of the Special Meeting of September 30, 2002. In other words, Kirsten Galka is suing the school board. She alleges that the Special Meeting of September 30, 2002 was illegal because the notice for the special meeting was not valid. It was not properly 'signed', it did not state the ultimate purpose, and that the decision made to offer Dr. Randy Liepa a contract was made beforehand behind closed doors. For relief (the remedy, or what she expects for results), Kirsten Galka requests that: 1. The public notice and any actions taken in the special meeting be set aside; 2. The School Board be required to comply with the Open Meetings Act; and 3. Appropriate damages be awarded, as stipulated in the Open Meetings Act (punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00). In other words, Kirsten Galka is asking the court to say that the September 30, 2002 was illegal, should never have occurred, and that any votes taken in the meeting should be invalid. In response, the LPS School Board's attorney argues that: 1. There was no violation of the Open Meetings Act; and 2. The notice of special meeting was posted in full accordance with the LPS School Board Bylaws and practices. In other words, the School Board, through its attorneys, says that the the meeting notice was posted properly and that they did not violate the Open Meetings Act. For its relief, the School Board requests that Kirsten Galka's lawsuit be dismissed and that they be awarded its costs and attorney fees. In its defense, the School Board states that "(t)his action is groundless, frivolous, vexatious, not grounded in fact, and not warranted by existing law; it is a violation of MCR 2.114, and filed wholly for the improper purpose of harassment." What This All Means If Kirsten Galka's lawsuit is successful, the special meeting September 30, 2002 would be deemed invalid and the resolution to draft a contract for Dr. Randy Liepa would become null. The subsequent signing of that contract would probably also be considered null. The board members, presumably including Kirsten Galka herself, would be fined $1,000.00 for a violation of the Open Meetings Act. In the end, the School Board will again vote on offering Dr. Randy Liepa a contract for the Superintendent position and the end result would be the same. If the School Board is successful in defending itself, the results of the special meeting and subsequent hiring of Dr. Randy Liepa as Superintendent will stand. Kirsten Galka, at the discretion of the judge, will be required to pay the costs and attorney fees of the School Board in defending itself. |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 14 2006, 01:03 AM Post #22 |
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Principal
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Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting from Hillsdale College, a master's in educational administration from Wayne State University and a doctorate in educational administration from Michigan State University. Background: Accountant for the Plante and Moran accounting firm before starting his career in education; (finance) administrator with Wayne-Westland schools. From article: Livonia School Board Botches Search http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?arch...&lastName=Liepa |
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| c3hull | Jan 14 2006, 01:12 AM Post #23 |
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Principal
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We all wonder what could be the motive of the BOE to pass such a ludicrous plan??? We can only speculate. Some people think there may be property development projects planned for the future. It is ironic how some of the schools in "prime" locations are being closed. I imagine if Taylor closes, which is located off of Levan between 6 & 7 mile, what if the BOE leveled Dickinson and Taylor. That would be a HUGE piece of land between Newburgh and Levan, and between 6 and 7 mile. WOW!!! How many MILLIONS would that be worth??? It doesn't make sense not to have a school in the entire NW corner of Livonia. But when you think of the $ the property is worth, it makes sense why schools in "prime" areas are being closed. This is only specutlation, but it is the only thing that does make sense to people I have talked to. |
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| CKlockner | Jan 14 2006, 08:13 AM Post #24 |
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Principal
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Please,send this letter to the board members. Send it to the Observer. You have voiced our frustrations perfectly. Why, Why Why. I know we all have spent many sleepless nights repeating these words to ourselves. And have gotten no answer. It makes no sense. |
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| Lisa | Jan 15 2006, 07:17 PM Post #25 |
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Principal
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I have been wondering to myself, friends, family, the BOE, anyone who would listen....WHY are they closing all elementary schools in NW Livonia? :angry: It makes NO SENSE. When everyone was speculating before the initial announcement, those of us who live in NW Livonia thought they may close Taylor OR Tyler. Not BOTH. It makes no sense and is incredibly unfair to the residents in this area. Although I want to say, I KNOW the entire community is affected by this horrible plan and I feel for everyone............... this is a sad time for our city. |
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| Iliveon-Levandownbytheriver | Jan 15 2006, 07:47 PM Post #26 |
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Principal
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Someone else had made the comment about them not keeping a school in this part of town becuase it is prime real estate. It does make you wonder why they would close both schools. It doesnt make sense to me. But then again...the whole LI makes no sense either! |
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| downwiththeschoolboard | Jan 15 2006, 08:27 PM Post #27 |
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5th Grade
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I still don't understand what legal grounds we as a community have. No one has addressed that on a posting yet. We can sue all we want, but unless there is something illegal, isn't it a waste of time and money? I hope the attorney knows what he is doing--if we could overthrow the government here in Livonia that would be great. That's pretty heavy that the Mayor is on our side? What did he say? |
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| Lisa | Jan 15 2006, 09:20 PM Post #28 |
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Principal
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I am hoping that there will be another community meeting soon with Mayer Morganroth present. I want to hear the same answers regarding what legal standing we have, and I want to hear it from a trial attorney. Maybe next time he can attend. He would be very welcomed wouldn't he?! |
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| Tyler_Parent | Jan 15 2006, 09:33 PM Post #29 |
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Principal
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I would imagine that you'll have to rely on whomever retained him to relay his advise. Even if he were willing to attend such a meeting, it would be at an hourly rate, portal to portal. |
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| Livonia Voter | Jan 15 2006, 09:39 PM Post #30 |
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Principal
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Welcome to the wonderfull world of "rule by the elites". They don't listen, because they are the "professionals", and they have "experience". Therefore, our opinion is just a petty distraction. These clowns won't actually believe that we are serious, until they have lost. Even then they'll bemoan the "mean spirited" "special interests". They may not have to listen to us, but they sure well listen to our votes! |
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3:38 AM Jul 11