Tuesday, October 4, 2011

"5" O 'CLOCK WORLD" vogues

Tonight was "Meet the Candidates Night". I believe it was a well-run presentation. Mr. Abney deserves our thanks, as well as time keeper Arlene Becks. "Wild Bill" would have been proud of your time keeping skills.

First, I must mention that board member Alyea Barajas was not present due to a death in her family.

That left the "5" of Ada Jones, Ross Grippi, Steve Costell, and incumbents Jeff Powers and James Dillard.

Questions from the audience were put on paper and put to the candidates. If a question was asked of one specific candidate, the others could also answer.

First off, all five candidates believed the city should pay for the SRO officer at Harvey and not the school system. I wonder what Heisley Park residents think of that?

Three members were for the repeal of S.B. 5; Mr. Dillard was undecided and Steve Costell was for the Bill.

No one running believes there are gangs operating at Harvey.

Mr. Powers believes finance would be the main problem facing the school system.
Mr. Grippi believes it is behavior issues along with wasted resources.
Mr. Costell believes there is little or no accountability in the system.
Mr. Dillard believes diversity and dealing with it in the schools.
Ms. Jones believes we need more programs for students such as R.O.T.C., Arts, and Music.

Mr. Grippi explained waste as building a $350,000 bus garage and then outsourcing the maintenance. The three top administrators at Harvey make over $300,000 combined. More teachers, less administrators and a class size of 18 students. If you attended, you got a good idea of where the candidates would like to take us.

No one was happy with our "continuous improvement" in state scores. Ms. Jones believes the scores were O.K. and thought that we were possibly misreading them.

I thought all candidates were well-spoken and I believe that Mr. Dillard could have been better prepared considering the time he has been on the school board.

When asked if there should be a change at the top of the administration Ms. Jones, Mr. Grippi, and Mr. Costell believe there should. Mr. Dillard, and Mr. Powers do not.

As a final question, a grade of the present administration was asked.
Powers C+
Grippi No grade but below average
Dillard B
Costell D
Jones C

A very informative evening and I believe the people that attended had many questions answered.

I would really like to hear from anyone else in attendence to see if your take is the same as mine or if there was something that I may have missed.

16 Comments:

At October 5, 2011 at 5:56 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I too was incredibly impressed with how well it was run last night. Unity in the Community did an excellent job. The only issue for concern for next week's is I believe that the turn out will be much greater, and they will need to move refreshments in to the hallway to make some extra room in the back for possible standing.

I left the meeting feeling very strongly that Mr. Costell is an excellent candidate. I'm still on the fence regarding Ada and Ross - my biggest concern being that Ross is a loose cannon and Ada just didn't quite seem to "get" it? They both gave some excellent responses, and have LOTS of enthusiasm. I'm just not quite convinced.

Mr. Dillard confirmed for me that he should no longer be on that board. He lacked passion, and at the end of everything there was no way he could give a "correct" answer. No matter what his response was, I found myself thinking "you've had 20-some years to do that...why HAVEN'T you???" And his agreement that there does not need to be change at the top was the nail in the coffin for me.

As for Jeff - he's running unopposed for his seat, correct? I'm still not quite sure how that works, but essentially he's a shoe in, and the other 5 (Ross, Ada, James, Steve, and Alyea) are running for 3 vacant seats? I appreciated that he came to the event though. It shows that he really does care.

 
At October 5, 2011 at 9:22 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Change at the top? How could Dillard and Powers suggest a change? They presently have the administration as the ones they employee?
People in the PCLS are presently in positions way over there heads.

 
At October 5, 2011 at 10:40 AM , Blogger Sandy Miller said...

Yes, I attended the meeting and an excellent report on the what was asked, answered and expected.
Also Derrick did a great job running the event and Arlene Beck's rocked the stop watch!

We, Mr. Mad Potter and myself, were familiar with 4 of the five candidates, Ms Jones was a new face.

And although we found Ms Jones trying to keep up with the insiders she brought new ideas to forum and did not just complain about test scores or what the problems were. She seemed eager to find solutions, creative solutions. She is present and eager to get the system turned around. She would sure shake up the present system.

Steve Costell was excellent and well prepared! He was calm, and carried the voice of concerned parents very well. In my opinion he deserves a seat on the board. He asked over and over; where is the responsibility from the administration for the what is going on with in the schools.

Ross Grippi too was excellent. He is someone who has been on the inside and now on the outside. He believes in raising the bar for students and staff. He has excellent ideas on where the system can cut back and believes more teachers should be on board to teach. He gave several instances i.e. math and science where this system has dropped the ball.

After listening to Steve Costell and Ross Grippi,
it did make me wonder why we lay off teachers and aids who directly impact students only to hire more administration who make choices to build $350,000 bus garages. Aren't the schools there to teach children?

Mr Powers...... we gave a passing grade but he would like to keep the present administration employed. He has kids in the system but he did not come with many solutions to so many problems. He does not seem to think outside the box to solve problems.

Mr Dillard......... oh Mr. Dillard, I was very disappointed. You did not answer one question you were asked. My suggestion to you, bow out now. You have been on the school board long enough, how about we let some young ideas filter through. You would be awesome on an advisory board. You have served the system well but when is it time to step down?

It was troubling to hear 45% of our students are Hispanic and not see anyone from the Hispanic community on the panel.

Test scores, teen pregnancy, 18% drop in graduation; clearly the new board has it's work cut out for it.

The dynamics of who sits on the board and who runs the system are pretty skewed and not in proportion to school population.

Glad we attended.
Wish more from a city with a population of 17-18,000 cannot even fill six rows of chairs. Hope next Tuesday, Meet the Candidate night for council is better attended, and the voting booth!

 
At October 5, 2011 at 5:20 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

A new state evaluation system is going to show that Painesville City is in the bottom 20 or so school districts in the entire state - that is out of about 610 districts. They will be in such poor company as Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron, etc.

These candidates should have rated the present administration as an F - and the teachers are also a large part to blame.

 
At October 5, 2011 at 6:17 PM , Anonymous TERM>> said...

5:20 Something you should think about. Soldiers don't loss battles Generals do.
Yes blame teachers , one thing I learned last night was it seems teachers are not secure enough in their jobs to openly critize the boad or administration on what the problems they face.
They also have families to feed and bills to pay. Why should they risk their careers to expose a wrong in the district when you consider the apathy in this community?
Three things I learned last night first Steve Ciostell will tell you what he thinks possibly take a hit, but not take the easy way out and go along with the pack. He's committed. He has children in the system to be concerned about, same goes with Mr. Powers he invested his child into the system, and Mr. Grippi? It's nice to have someone around who knows where the bodies are buried. $350,000 school bus garge, really?
Myself I blame teachers way behind board members, administrators and parents.

 
At October 5, 2011 at 6:41 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are we really getting a $350,000 bus garage? If so this is a very poor use of money! Mr. Beeler must be rolling over in his grave!
I see every day what it is like when we take children to school and pick them up. I get to take children to their classrooms etc. There needs to be more teachers and teacher's aides in the building. Presently I am paying $6000 to rebuild a child that missed some critical learning steps. How many others are in this boat but can't have the rebuilding. We need safe schools that are open and wanting of children. We need buildings that are open after 3:10 P.M. We need teachers that return calls or e-mails, we need administration that cares about Painesville- not that it is only a job! We need to improve the test scores and that can only be done by lower class sizes, good teachers, many enriching programs, and administration that cares! We do not need YELLING and cold staff! I've experienced both of these the first week of school. Got yelled at several times by teachers and found support staff that didn't care to help we the parents and people that pay their salaries!
Someone asked about the teachers- yes, they are scared to rock any boat for fear of their job!
I hope that we can get some new blood that really will do what they say!!!!!!!

 
At October 5, 2011 at 6:49 PM , Anonymous TERM>> said...

6:41 I believe we already have the garage. People such as yourself must attend board meetings and hold people's feet to the fire.
Waste? Ask about the granite stone from India?

 
At October 5, 2011 at 6:51 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Seems odd a current board-president wouldn't answer a questionaire from the the News-Herald? Over confident or just wants out?

 
At October 5, 2011 at 8:32 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was there and filled out my own Report Card.
Derrick Abney "A+" He started the evening off with a prayer. Asked some students to help out with the Pledge of Allegence and help collect questions. He kept the Candidates on task. Great job.
Arlene Becks "B+". Arlene don't need no microphone!
Ross Grippi "A" His performance was a pleasant surprise.
Steve Costell "B" I would have given him an A but I was confused by his support of Issue 2.
Jeff Powers "C" Currently our most open minded Board Member.
Ada Jones "D" Sorry, She talked a lot but I'm not sure what she said???
James Dillard "F" He came across as hesitant, tired and defeated.
Alyea Barajas "I" for Incomplete.
It was a great audience. Planning to attend next week.

 
At October 6, 2011 at 4:21 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

article in the News Herald

http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2011/10/05/news/doc4e8cbcbe813eb409333537.txt?viewmode=fullstory

 
At October 6, 2011 at 12:43 PM , Anonymous NO More said...

You don't really think a Hispanic on the board?
Let me say like the rest of this town, state and country - when one comes on board, next will be 2, then 3. Same as people are concerned for them to be politicians. We, Legal Americans are becoming the minority and I don't like that at all. With 45% Hispanic, all English speaking students will be speaking Spanish.
Just how many ELL kids still cant speak English as long as that program has been in place? And how many Hispanic students that speak perfect English are in that program? That is one place to cut, waste of money as it is not working. And why are Hispanic kids allowed to speak Spanisn in class when they can speak ENglish? To me it is unsafe as teachers cant understand what they are saying not to mention it is Rude too.
As for outsource of bus maintanence, I thought Diesel Pro has been doing that for many years. Are you saying the district should hire a mechanic? I don't see that as a safe option.

 
At October 6, 2011 at 2:20 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rankings and Evaluations:
1. Steve Costello - He sold me from the begin with the statement "We have to hold people accountable and responsible". He also gave the current leadership a "D" for a grade. Steve seems to be a process driven strategical thinker. I do not think he will be afraid to challenge Hanlon...which is a must!!!!

2. Alsea Barajas - Although not present, I would rank her second based some of the feedback I have heard from others. I plan to speak with her directly before making a final judgment.
3. Steve Costello - Sold me on his honesty of the number one challenge our district is facing, financing. Spoke directly of the potential need for a levy....it took courage to be honest when he could have taken the easy political way out...."discipline"
4. Ada - Although she had rambling and scattered responses, she would not be afraid to challenge the current administrative leadership....Hanlon
5. Grippi - I cannot get past his record of unacceptable behavior. Ross is a loose cannon which was evident when Ada visibly flustered him during their "debate". For the record, my money was on Ada. I cannot get past his contradictions, i.e. "we need more teachers and less administration"....but later stated he was on a committee that identified the need for more administration...can't have it both ways Ross. Ok a $300K garage was built....Ross stated we should have included the maintenance service in the agreement.....where did he think the year over year cost would come from....at the same time we need more teachers? Ross is exactly the type of person we have had on the board for years...short sighted with a shot gun approach.
6. Dillard - Ramble, ramble, ramble....can you repeat the question....ramble, ramble ramble....can you repeat the question? Hanlon's puppet must go!!!!!!

If I could have asked the candidates one question it would have been: Will YOU have the courage to remove the anchor that has set this school system back years?

Answer: Hanlon MUST GO!!!!!!!

 
At October 6, 2011 at 4:26 PM , Anonymous TERM>> said...

2:20 Please get back after you ask these candidates your "Hanlon" question. Something tells me Alsea Barajas might slip in your ranking? Guess you will have to ask.
Sorry I didn't see it the same way way you did. I've known Ross most of my life and yes he' old-school well so am I. We expect to little from our young residents and I see administrators thinking building a personal resume is more important then more teachers. Ms. Jones needs to do a little more homework the position of the system compared to others stinks! I guess if you want to spend your time and resources compared to Lorian, Ashtabula, East Cleveland we're improving , but far to slow and not always in the right direction.
It;s hard for present board members to critize the administration, most known these people for quite some time.
My No.1 reason for voting for Grippi. A well know person in the community said "I don't care who you vote for, just don't let Grippi on the board" Sold me right on the spot. Grippi I believe will make your question happen.

 
At October 6, 2011 at 4:55 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I did not say I would vote for Ada because I would not. She just happened to rank forth in my pole.

If Alsea is pro Hanlon I will personally lobby against her....as well as any other candidate. Hanlon, as well as Dillard, are at the root of our problems. Seems like we agree on this point and should rally together to turn up the heat.

We can agreed to disagree on the status of Grippi. I believe he will absolutely put the pressure on Hanlon but question his ability to do much more effectively.

Ramble, ramble, ramble.....can you repeat the question? Unbelieveable we let this go on for so long!!!!

 
At October 7, 2011 at 8:39 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Quote of the year:

"Ramble, ramble, ramble.....can you repeat the question"?

James Dillard

 
At October 10, 2011 at 4:54 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mr. Term-
I worked for this group for over
30+years! I know the ins and outs more that you will ever know. I understand the state scores and we are truly in the bottom! That's why I asked the question about getting a new $350,000 bus garage as I knew what was there and I knew I had not be informed of any new buildings. I don't need to attend meetings as I know what's happening! I am shocked about the high teen pregnancy number and I would love to know why and who! I don't believe it is totally a need for love.

 

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