There is one piece of the Sand Ridge/PIE issue that I haven't seen mentioned: If Jay Jackson and his employees can get and stay on top of their paperwork requirements, the LCSD gets 15% of all money paid to this charter organization to educate district students and has no expenses for educating these students itself beyond minor administrative costs. So this is a potential money-making deal for the district.
Instead of focusing on how Sand Ridge will now receive 85% vs. the prior 80% of funds that funnel this way for educating students, I'm thinking that maybe a 15% rake-off by LCSD is excessive if legal paperwork pieces are completely in a timely manner and submitted as required so the district does not need to devote administrative time to bird-dogging this process.
There certainly seems to be bad blood between district administrators and Sand Ridge/PIE folks, and given Robinson's history of disrespecting others, I doubt his hands are clean. But it does sound like Jay Jackson and his crew need to find a way to get and stay atop state paperwork requirements.
Another small piece of PIE: I am recalling (I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong) Jay Jackson is paid $35,000 annually. So working for not-much-above minimum wage doesn't excuse not doing one's job, but good grief. Does he have a second job to support himself?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
What is "Rubber-Stamping"
Rubber-stamping is trusting that someone you respect is correct, and not examining issues yourself when you are elected as a board member to do just that.
Some Robinson lovers thought they were going to get another rubber stamper when they supported Debi in our most recent school board election, and are now upset that she appears to think for herself.
It seems every time Debi, who seems to be a bright and thoughtful woman though I've never spoken with her personally, deviates from the Robinson view (and she agrees with the Robinson crew often), nasty letters to the editor appear in the local paper because she is not the rubber-stamp some thought they elected.
I would bet money (and I never bet money) she gets hateful phone calls and emails from some folks as well. What a badgering she must deal with whenever she examines the evidence and happens to agree with Josh and Rick! My hat is off to her, though I personally voted for Kathy Benzo in that race.
So Debi is NOT a rubber-stamper. And those who wanted her to be one are having a fit.
Some Robinson lovers thought they were going to get another rubber stamper when they supported Debi in our most recent school board election, and are now upset that she appears to think for herself.
It seems every time Debi, who seems to be a bright and thoughtful woman though I've never spoken with her personally, deviates from the Robinson view (and she agrees with the Robinson crew often), nasty letters to the editor appear in the local paper because she is not the rubber-stamp some thought they elected.
I would bet money (and I never bet money) she gets hateful phone calls and emails from some folks as well. What a badgering she must deal with whenever she examines the evidence and happens to agree with Josh and Rick! My hat is off to her, though I personally voted for Kathy Benzo in that race.
So Debi is NOT a rubber-stamper. And those who wanted her to be one are having a fit.
Disrespect of "legal" advice
(This post started as a response to Dennis' question about my last post, and I'm not sure this answers his question but maybe it does.)
Since the majority of the board members distrust Robinson, it follows they will distrust his legal counsel. It seems the district's legal counsel has history of working with and seemingly-for Robinson, vs. for the elected school board which is responsible for governing our district. In addition, the "district" legal counsel's positions are proven wrong time and again in legal arenas. So, they seem to see their client as Robinson and not those governing the district, and they apparently give some bad advice -- some "illegal" advice.
With Robinson gone, and a quality legal firm hired that has no ties whatsoever to board members or to the district administration, I believe Rick, Josh and Debi would be more inclined to listen.
Attorneys work to represent their clients and help them attain their goals within the law: The current legal firm appears to be confused about who the client is -- the client is the district's governing body, not Jim Robinson.
Whenever the district, following this firm's advise, is challenged in court, it seems the district position is found "illegal."
Kim Fandino being told she couldn't communicate directly with board members was ruled "illegal" when challenged through the legal system. On the other hand, it might be the legal firm was not consulted on this matter, and Robinson did this "illegal" action on his own.
But surely they were consulted before the contracting out of custodians several years ago -- judged to be done "illegally" by the legal system.
We need a new administrative staff, and maybe we do need a clean slate of board members before healing can begin, but let's not forget to hire new legal counsel and please...not someone selected by LT and her/his merry band of "legal" experts.
Since the majority of the board members distrust Robinson, it follows they will distrust his legal counsel. It seems the district's legal counsel has history of working with and seemingly-for Robinson, vs. for the elected school board which is responsible for governing our district. In addition, the "district" legal counsel's positions are proven wrong time and again in legal arenas. So, they seem to see their client as Robinson and not those governing the district, and they apparently give some bad advice -- some "illegal" advice.
With Robinson gone, and a quality legal firm hired that has no ties whatsoever to board members or to the district administration, I believe Rick, Josh and Debi would be more inclined to listen.
Attorneys work to represent their clients and help them attain their goals within the law: The current legal firm appears to be confused about who the client is -- the client is the district's governing body, not Jim Robinson.
Whenever the district, following this firm's advise, is challenged in court, it seems the district position is found "illegal."
Kim Fandino being told she couldn't communicate directly with board members was ruled "illegal" when challenged through the legal system. On the other hand, it might be the legal firm was not consulted on this matter, and Robinson did this "illegal" action on his own.
But surely they were consulted before the contracting out of custodians several years ago -- judged to be done "illegally" by the legal system.
We need a new administrative staff, and maybe we do need a clean slate of board members before healing can begin, but let's not forget to hire new legal counsel and please...not someone selected by LT and her/his merry band of "legal" experts.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
"2 cents"
"2 cents" had some interesting thoughts on the LT blog: Thank you to the anonymous reader who asks for views here, and to the anonymous who recently asked where I am, and my apologies for disappearing again from the Lebanon educational blog scene due to life demands. Again, I'd encourage any rational folks concerned about the Lebanon Community School District to create blogs dedicated to the topic if they are better at making time for blogs than I seem to be.
I think Rick, Josh and Debi were elected as change agents by a community that was tired of the Robinson Rubber Stamp crew. I see LT now calls them the "Terrible Trio," so I guess I will lower myself to her level for a moment and dub Sherrie and Chris "The New Robinson Rubber Stampers."
It's interesting that the Rubber Stampers are in the minority now, with some of their supporters calling for a recall. Let's see.. Where have we seen this before in the district!?
Now I have "lowering-myself-to-LT's-level" out of my system, I will drop the new nickname: It probably is unfair as surely there have been times Chris and Sherrie voted against Robinson's wishes, though it does seem they are among his loudest cheerleaders. LT's blog is destructive and divisive, so I agree with 2-cents there, and I want to avoid falling into that role myself.
My knee-jerk reaction is that I don't think it makes sense for all board members to resign, as "2 cents" suggests. But maybe I should ponder that option more. It's unlikely to happen, for one, and then who would replace them? Would the people who were INDEED true rubber-stampers, who Rick and Josh replaced on the board, come back to do Robinson's bidding, and maybe even reinstate his contract extension after all?
I think a fresh start with power to heal is more likely to come from a fresh crew in the DO rather than a fresh crew of board members. I think a new superintendent with new administrators behind her/him is more likely to prompt healing and moving forward than new board members Robinson then works to control, which would send us back to the same old merry-go-round.
I think Rick, Josh and Debi were elected as change agents by a community that was tired of the Robinson Rubber Stamp crew. I see LT now calls them the "Terrible Trio," so I guess I will lower myself to her level for a moment and dub Sherrie and Chris "The New Robinson Rubber Stampers."
It's interesting that the Rubber Stampers are in the minority now, with some of their supporters calling for a recall. Let's see.. Where have we seen this before in the district!?
Now I have "lowering-myself-to-LT's-level" out of my system, I will drop the new nickname: It probably is unfair as surely there have been times Chris and Sherrie voted against Robinson's wishes, though it does seem they are among his loudest cheerleaders. LT's blog is destructive and divisive, so I agree with 2-cents there, and I want to avoid falling into that role myself.
My knee-jerk reaction is that I don't think it makes sense for all board members to resign, as "2 cents" suggests. But maybe I should ponder that option more. It's unlikely to happen, for one, and then who would replace them? Would the people who were INDEED true rubber-stampers, who Rick and Josh replaced on the board, come back to do Robinson's bidding, and maybe even reinstate his contract extension after all?
I think a fresh start with power to heal is more likely to come from a fresh crew in the DO rather than a fresh crew of board members. I think a new superintendent with new administrators behind her/him is more likely to prompt healing and moving forward than new board members Robinson then works to control, which would send us back to the same old merry-go-round.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Hiring principals
It is admirable that public comment was sought in the recent principal-hiring processes around the district. However, many will not participate until and unless Robinson and his crew have moved on and a fresh, trustworthy superintendent is in charge. This is because there are parents who have worked for positive change for this district who believe they could harm the chances of a perfectly capable candidate by participating in the process and noting positive attributes of this or that candidate. In other words, those seen as in the "enemy camp" by Robinson's crew, might well give a candidate the mark of Cain by appearing to support them. Rather than risk doing that, there are parents abstaining from the process.
Some may see this as paranoid, but it is a real fear to some parents, and I can see their point. It is nice that Steve Kelley works to involve parents and the community now. The problem is, it won't work because there is too much water under the bridge, too much distrust, too many attempts to intimidate and silence teachers with opposing viewpoints, and too much condescension to parents with concerns.
Kelley is probably trying to save his own future in Lebanon by taking steps to involve community in ways that might have been successful years ago, before so much negative history was made. (Is it sad or what that LCSD needs a legal ruling to tell Robinson he can't order staff to talk only to their bosses about concerns or questions and not to exercise their constitutional right to free speech by talking with elected school board members?). Good grief, Charlie Brown.
Some may see this as paranoid, but it is a real fear to some parents, and I can see their point. It is nice that Steve Kelley works to involve parents and the community now. The problem is, it won't work because there is too much water under the bridge, too much distrust, too many attempts to intimidate and silence teachers with opposing viewpoints, and too much condescension to parents with concerns.
Kelley is probably trying to save his own future in Lebanon by taking steps to involve community in ways that might have been successful years ago, before so much negative history was made. (Is it sad or what that LCSD needs a legal ruling to tell Robinson he can't order staff to talk only to their bosses about concerns or questions and not to exercise their constitutional right to free speech by talking with elected school board members?). Good grief, Charlie Brown.
Monday, April 14, 2008
On substitute teachers
Every once in awhile I hear of a substitute who actually does a better job in the classroom than the regular teacher. Here's an example: A high-level math teacher at Lebanon High School recently didn't want/know how/care to explain a concept that many students in the class weren't grasping, yet the teacher elected to just "move on" to stay on a teaching timeline rather than back up and explore different options for explaining said concept. Fortunately the teacher was absent soon thereafter, and the substitute happened to know math and how to teach it. The sub backs up and takes time to explain this apparent hole in our students' prior math learning, until these bright students grasped the concept! Success!
Then there was another recent sub who lacked knowledge of a speciality subject area where the sub was assigned. This sub just let the class hang out and talk the entire period, wasting valuable educational time. If a subject is too specialized for regular subs to follow a lesson plan (do teachers at the high school level do lesson plans?), say maybe band, choir, French, Spanish.... couldn't there be a quality DVD on hand that would enrich the students? A play in French? A concert by a famous choir or symphony orchestra? I'd say a substitute teacher should be able to teach (or at least play a teaching DVD), or we are not only wasting our students' limited educational hours but paying way too much for a sitter.
Then there was another recent sub who lacked knowledge of a speciality subject area where the sub was assigned. This sub just let the class hang out and talk the entire period, wasting valuable educational time. If a subject is too specialized for regular subs to follow a lesson plan (do teachers at the high school level do lesson plans?), say maybe band, choir, French, Spanish.... couldn't there be a quality DVD on hand that would enrich the students? A play in French? A concert by a famous choir or symphony orchestra? I'd say a substitute teacher should be able to teach (or at least play a teaching DVD), or we are not only wasting our students' limited educational hours but paying way too much for a sitter.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Out of touch
Apologies to those who have missed this blog. I have over-committed in all domains of my life, so haven't blogged or read the other educational blogs in some time. I would like to be back on track soon, but am not sure this will happen in the near future.
Of course I was very pleased to see the board vote not to renew Jim Robinson's contract, yet it doesn't seem he'll be gone anytime soon. I fear he will hang around and work to support school board candidates at the next election who would initiate another vote to renew his contract if they are elected.
And to the person who asked if I wasn't blogging because of comments by Dennis...Heck no! I disagree with Dennis about most things local yet there is something about him I like: He's passionate about his views and will state them in no uncertain terms, and seems to really want a better educational system for Lebanon's youth even though he's wrong about the best ways to get there!
And as for LT, who last I heard was anonymous and I respect his/her right to remain that way, I just have been too busy to read her/his rants of late, and I suspect they haven't changed much.
Of course I was very pleased to see the board vote not to renew Jim Robinson's contract, yet it doesn't seem he'll be gone anytime soon. I fear he will hang around and work to support school board candidates at the next election who would initiate another vote to renew his contract if they are elected.
And to the person who asked if I wasn't blogging because of comments by Dennis...Heck no! I disagree with Dennis about most things local yet there is something about him I like: He's passionate about his views and will state them in no uncertain terms, and seems to really want a better educational system for Lebanon's youth even though he's wrong about the best ways to get there!
And as for LT, who last I heard was anonymous and I respect his/her right to remain that way, I just have been too busy to read her/his rants of late, and I suspect they haven't changed much.
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