I have long been curious about the apparently well-attended church services held Sundays at LHS. Does this church pay rent to cover the cost of heating/cooling, custodial services, lighting? Is this something we taxpayers are underwriting?
If our district is charging a user fee or rent for hosting these services, that is one thing. But if they are using them free-of-charge and the district covers the costs of building use, that is entirely another matter.
Robinson, it is reported, attends church in Lebanon: I hope it is not the church he attends that uses district facilities.
And can any person or organization ask to use our facilities after school hours and be treated the same as this church? Just curious.
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27 comments:
Leave our church alone. I thought you attend Board meeting in which they discuss the fees paid by orginaztion and groups to use the facilities. They just had fees increased approved by the Board 2 months ago to address utilization of School properties.
I hope you yourself attend church on Sunday.
The District has set usage fees. Non-profit groups, like churches, pay less than other people or groups. The rate figures in utilties and janitors. I think they might have raised rates a few dollars this years. Robinson attends one of the mainstream churches in lebanon, not at the HS.I won't say the name in case peoples wants tomake trouble for him there.I know people don't like his leadership style but we've always known him as a devout christian man who genuinely cares for people. If their is darkness in his heart we have not seen it.
Geesh... where did this come from? I happen to go to Valley Life Church which is held at the school for now.
1st of all Robinson does not go to this church.
2nd .. yes the church does pay the school to hold their services there.
3rd...Where is your negativity coming from? This church is a great positive place to come to.
How can you even question something like that?
Wow! I'm just in shock right now.
That was a low blow.
anonymous#2 -- Thank you for the positive approach you took with your post. I am glad to know fees are charged, and that the district may make a little money on the deal to cover building wear as well as immediate costs.
Thank you also for sharing that you have not seen any darkness in Robinson's heart, and that you believe he genuinely cares about people. I am glad to hear that and hope it's true, though I have not noticed that he seems to care about other people, but we all have different faces to our personalities.
Even if he is a good and caring person, I still think he needs to resign for all our sake, so this community has a chance of coming together.
Mary A. -- To ask the questions was not meant as a "blow." Thank you for the facts listed. I think my questions were fair. I have been wondering about this for some time, and I know of several others in town who have as well. I don't see it as negative to ask. You might wonder yourself if you didn't know. Having the correct information out here is helpful to us all, so thank you for providing it (as have several others now).
We are all perceved differntly by different people. Your friends might think you are a great person but your co workers might think you are bossy and pushy. It is hard to see a complete picture of anyone. I don't have kids in school anymore so I don't see that side of Jim. I think if Jim shoud resign then Mr.Alexander should to. He has done a good job of making a spectacle of Lebanon with suing his own school board and not even talking to other board members about it.
Anonymous 2 -- But wait! Robinson sued Alexander first! Remember? That's when the spectacle started!
All these blogs are smearing people by asking questions like did Rick Alexander graduate high school, is Robinson let his church use the high school for free.
How long before we start seeing things like does anyone know if so and so was ever charged with child molestation.
IE- if you had been wondering about it for so long why not just call someone at the high school. Or, look on the district's internet site. There is a link to facility rental under the departments/facility tab.
The same goes for all those other bloggers. Do some research before you ask questions these types of questions.
Valley Life Church doesn't have a home and rents the auditorium for Sunday services. The services are very well-attended, and if I remember correctly, the church is non-denominational (if that makes you feel better -- maybe, maybe not). The youth group also meets at the skating rink weekly. Valley Life Church is a group that split from Ames Creek Community Chapel in Sweet Home more than a year ago.
And no, I don't go to the church. I have friends and family who do. I understand your concern (especially since you didn't know if they were being charged for the space or not), but from what I gather they do pay to utilize the space.
IE:
1. Whatever the underlying issues in Lebanon are, they started long before Robinson sued Alexander.
2. Simply asserting that "s/he sued first!" is not even close to a defense. If you're going to go that route, we should at least compare the relative merits of the complaints.
You can do better.
Dennis -- I think it IS VERY relevant that Robinson started the lawsuit wars by suing a board member. I think it is evidence of his leadership style, e.g. "my way or I sue you." I mean, suing a BOARD member on the board you work for, only you seem to think that the board works for you. Would have been nice if no lawsuits had been filed and other ways to problem-solve had worked. That would have required Robinson to share power and collaborate, which I don't think has been his strong point.
OK, I think I should have been clearer in my previous comment:
IE, you seem to be making the assumption that Robinson's lawsuit was not warranted. It is, of course, fine if you believe that, but you should explain why (and claiming that it's because he sued two board members is not enough - he sued for breach of contract, after all).
While I did not read the legal documents involved, I did read the newspaper accounts, and it sure seemed like Robinson had a case.
IE, you are one person who is not qualify or even know what a school board member,s role and authority is. A school board member does not run the school. Again look at State laws and School policies. The School Board hires the Superintendent to run the school. Robinson sue Rick and Josh because they think they run the school. A clear violation of school policies, superintendent's contract and State laws. But then again you know nothing because you only know what people tell you. Educate yourself with how government function, how the school board members are suppose to function and then you might be able to write something more intellectual and challenging. Your writing and reasonings on issues is what Rick says all day long as he makes his round around town. Everyone knows that except for you I guess.
The reason why the case went away is because the majority of the Board saw that the District was getting sue and the best way to make it go away was to agree not over step policies. The Board are to make decisions and spend money on educating students not defending law suits. By the way Rick and Josh never ever participate in training, discussing before or after the law-suit because they were too weak to admit they did not know board policies. Mr Fisher challenge those two if they had read the board policies and they said no. You might find it on the board minutes. Josh told Fisher you are a better man than me for knowing the Board policies. But then again you are not inform enough to know that. You only hear what Rick says.
So IE? How do you feel about the teacher's contracts?
Anonymous #3 -- We clearly do not agree and you are, of course, free to continue to think me ignorant and uneducated on these matters.
I have stated before here that I do believe it is the job of the superintendent to run the schools, and it is the job of the board to hire and oversee someone who does a good job for the students, parents, teachers and community at large.
My contention is that there is so much controversy around Robinson's management style that I think we all need a fresh start. No, that will not solve all district problems. No, that will not solve all board problems, but one barrier to solution would be removed.
I would imagine Rick and Josh are not perfect board members. Fischer isn't either (Mr. "put finger in the air to see which way wind blows" before voting). Sherrie has a condescending manner that offends many. But, they were elected! They also don't have the potential to be as demoralizing to teachers and our community as the do not run the schools directly, and they don't make negative comments about the nature of this community.
You know...my posts will not be as legally-driven as some. I am a working parent with a goal here of providing a forum for consideration of a greater variety of views for positive change than I have seen on other blogs. We will not all agree on what form such change would take. My blog is more from the heart of a parent and long-term member of this community, a community that seems locked in a conflict with no end in sight.
Anonymous #4 -- Actually, it's not true that I only know what Rick says. I talk with people who attend board meetings, with people in our community who have both positive though mostly negative things to say about Fischer, Sprenger and Robinson and his crew, and the state of our schools. I read the local newspapers. I rarely talk to Rick.
I have had people in Albany make comments like, "Are you guys ever going to get rid of that superintendent over there?". We are known in some circles as the town where the superintendent sues his own board. I don't think that happens most places. Yes, you can blame the board if you want. I feel if Robinson had been more open to suggestions and collaboration with board members early on, the lawsuit wouldn't have happened. Obviously, this is just my opinion.
Anonymous #5 -- I don't have an opinion on the teacher contract. I haven't followed that. You may believe I should have read it and have an opinion, but I haven't. It would be interesting to hear what others have to say about the contract.
Mr. Fisher if you what to know how to spell his name. It shows how much you really pay attention to School Board issues.
I wasn't trying to imply you should have knowledge on teacher's contracts. Just wondering if you were opposed to the way most jobs in education have multi-year contracts? The job security might be one of the things that draws and keeps educators in the field.
RE Anon who corrected my spelling:
Well I always want to spell Sprenger as, "Springer," too. Next thing you know I'll spell diploma, "deploma."
Seriously, I do think it is important to spell names correctly, so thanks for the correction despite the slap.
RE multi-year contracts: You raise an interesting point. Do you think teachers would switch professions if they didn't have them? I am NOT suggesting we take away something teachers have: Many do amazingly good work despite being asked to do a nearly impossible job given changes in our society nationally in the last 30ish years. And job security is important.
But in most places of employement I know of the direct-service professionals have job security (downsizing/layoffs notwithstanding) unless they have poor performance and are put on a plan of assistance and then don't meet the goals of that plan.
Managers/top administrators, however, seem to be "at will" employees -- meaning they can be fired for any reason that isn't forbidden by law (things like discrimination due to race or gender). But I am not an attorney nor an HR person, just reflecting on years in the workplace.
I did it again...spelled employment wrong in the last comment. I have not figured out how to edit a comment once it's posted, and there is no-spell check for any of us in this comment box.
I, too, am just a parent. My spouse is a teacher and I attend most school board meetings.
If you have lived here long enough you will remember the last Superintendent had problems with the citizens, too. Do you think maybe it isn't the person, but the nature of the job to make some citizens unhappy. Very few bosses ever makes everyone happy. Especially the ones who work for them. I put to you that teacher's don't really work directly with the superintendent. They work for and with the principles of the schools they are assigned too. The administrators work with and for the superintendent and they like Mr. Robinson.
The blogger who compares Robinson with managers of other companies is incorrect in their comparison. A superintendant is like a CEO of a company, principles are the manager/supervisor. CEO's always have a board they have to answer too and they always have a contract (rather lucritive ones most of the time). If you truely believe you can attract anyone better without a contract and with the comparitive low pay we offer, you are really living in a dream world. Sometimes it is best to deal with what you have and try to make it better rather than spend all your efforts trying to get something done (like fireing Robinson) which will not bring about much results.
We live in a world where most people want results right now. We need to realize that some results take years to see. Our schools are getting better. We have only just graduated kids who have gone throughout High School with in the small school system. Our schools have had to deal with substantial cuts in budgets and all the problems that causes. Ours did very well compared to the others in Oregon. Portland had to ask the voters for more taxes to run their districts.
My last comment is - if teacher's need contracts to ensure their continued employment, then so do the administrators.
To the last anonyomous poster --
1. Some administrators probably do like Robinson. I know that some do not.
"Which ones? Name names or you aren't credible!," some will shout.
Asking all administrators who don't find Jim Robinson an effective, respectful boss to stand up and declare themselves is like asking someone to run into the face of machine-gun fire.
2. How does a CEO ever leave a company in mid-contract? Does it every happen without a lawsuit?
3. I did not suggest teachers/administrators not have contracts.
This is from Queenie. I wrote the anonymous entry about CEO's. I would have used this name from the start, but couldn't figure out the "IP" stuff you had to answer. Anyway, usually contracts are written to allow the CEO to leave if they want to without any punishment. But they don't HAVE to be written that way. The Ex-CEO's are usually not allowed to use any "company secrets" to enrich the new employer. But they don't HAVE to be written that way. If the company askes the CEO to leave they usually get some kind of compensation or they have to be bought out. None of the things in one of these contracts are written in stone. They are negotiated, but no CEO worth his salt would work for any company without some of these standard items. We could never get a decent superintendant to work here without the standard stuff.
Employment contracts are an agreement between the company (read this school board/Lebanon Community School District) and the person being hired. It is not the fault of ONLY the employee when they get a very nice rolling 3 year contract. The school board negotiates and/or approves the contract. Our school board is responsible for the contract which Robinson works under and if they are on the ball they can get rid of him without being sued or buying him out. They just have to set up the evaluation which happens under the contract and show what Robinson has done wrong. If he is so bad, then it should be easy. Granted it will take several years to get him out now(and he will probably retire before that), but we have elected every school board that has sat up there. If being elected makes such a difference, why are we in this spot now? Elected officials who are ignorant of how contracts work and the rules under which they work are dangerouse. They can make really big mistakes which will cost our district dearly. I repeat - nothing can be done about Robinson for this year and the next year or so without costing our districts hard earned taxes. But something can be done about the board and Robinson working together. I think Robinson is trying to do this. He reports to the board with information they ask for and tries to "go on with the work of the district". His lawsuit is over now. The idea of the second lawsuit being justified by the first is silly. Does "two wrongs don't make a right" come to mind? This latest suit is so wrong and will accomplish nothing except hurt the very thing Mr. Alexander is suppose to be protecting - our schools and the children who go there.
Yes, I agree there is probably some administrators who are unhappy with Robinson. I do think you are very wrong if you think that number is really large. The people who stood up in the school board meetings to speak for him were all administrators. I also believe that there are a lot more teachers who either like him or are neutral on the subject than you believe. They too wouldn't speak up because of the problems they would face among the other teachers for their feelings. Bottom line - all of this uproar affects everyone and could be avoided by working together to do the work of the school board and spending their energy setting up the next evaluation to show what is wrong with Mr. Robinson's leadership.
Good post.
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