"SIMPLE MAN" lynyard skynyrd
Well attended the school board meeting . I see no one took up my offer to join me. Missed out on an interesting meeting.
Seems Mr. Bull would like to see every student in the district equipped with at laptop. He as well as I see this device replacing books in the near future. Starting this year I believe third as well as seventh graders will be so equipped. One board member Mr. Tackett questioned if the student home wasn't set up for wi-fi how will the student use this device? Also questions were asked who would be held responsible if it was lost or stolen?
In other news the board granted the resignation of Heritage Middle School Principal Tim Oden. Requests had to be turned in by July 10,2012 but the board released him from his contract. In his place Melissa DeAngelis will serve as Interim Middle School Principal. This along with Domenic Wlodyka to serve as Assistant Principal at Harvey High.
Simple man, that's Me at the public hearing asked Board President Reverend Kalb what amount of money would be generated by this 4mil levy in November. Right around $850,000.
I also asked where the amount asked for was arrived at. It was the lowest amount the board thought to ask for to get us to 2016,as well as in these economic times to ask residents for. Dr. Hanlons analogy was like the old oil filter commercial "pay me now or pay me a whole lot more later".
I asked him at the last meeting as well as this one if "Step" raises were given to Administrator, Certified and Non-Classified employees of the system. Dr.Hanlon said all wages and steps are frozen, although advancements for educational credits were given. I hope this clears up that debate. I for one believe if you payed to advance your education you should be payed for it.
Tonight was orientation night for parents and student it looked like a pretty good turn out.
posted by terminator1 @ 6:34 PM
35 Comments
35 Comments:
Last night was actually Meet The Raiders, where the fall sports teams are introduced. Also, some of us asked the same questions to the ADM about broken/stolen laptops, and they did not have an answer...as far as wi-fi, you can go to many places in the city ( McDonalds, Morley, even Veterans Park) for your free signal. As a middle school teacher, we were not expecting Mr. Oden to leave. He told me yesterday that we have about 20 new staff members in a building of 44 teachers due to people leaving the district and moving schools within the district.
Mr. Odens's leaving was a surprise to me also. The wi-fi in the city you mentioned really aren't great solutions. Ther one exception being Morley. For a business like McDonalds remember they are in business to supply food. Not free wi-fi. Sitting in Veterans Park in February might be a little chilly.
The only sure way to make the students responsible for the laptops.Meaning to make the parents responsible. Harsh I know.
What reason can you give for all these teachers leaving?
I for one can't believe that Hanlon would deliver such a calious, rude comment concerning the upcoming levy! Pay me now or pay me later. Later dude.
I agree, the parents should be responsible....but if they were, our test scores would be higher. I realize the park and Mcdonalds aren't great solutions, but I just wanted to say that there are options.
As for people leaving, many went to greener pastures with better test scores, parents, and students. Not to mention a district where the supt. supports the discipline decisions of the building principals. As a HHS grad, we have to make the parents somehow more responsible in this climate of entitlement. It wasn't like this in Painesville when I was raised here...
As an outsider, if I worked in a district with low test scores I would leave if I could since the new evaluation system that goes into effect next year ties your pay to your students performance on tests. Not sure if that is why these teachers are leaving or not.
7:04 Please, Dr. Hanlon was NEITHER calious or rude. He was explaining that the general thought was to ask for a little now instead of alot later. That was the reason for the Fram oil ad. analogy. To any of you have been following this site when ever I have addressed the Board President or Superintendent both have always answered in a polite and reasonable manner.
The city council meetings and the people who run them could take lessons from the school board.
2:03 I was once told that good people go to good places.
6:21 Everyone involved with the new evaluation system coming next year is sweating bullets. It's tough.
6:21...We've been presented with how the evaluation process works, and if you are a good teacher, you have nothing to worry about. The test scores are only one facet of the evaluation tool. If it were only about the evaluations, big urban districts and low performing districts would not have any decent teachers, as they would all bolt for greener pastures.
In my opinion, a big reason why people left are the climate of the buildings. A small percentage of students and parents are left to do as they please. Mr. Oden did a GREAT job at first, but then he received pressure from above. We will never be successful with test scores until we convince parts of the community that we are serious about education, and because of that certain behaviors will not be tolerated. We cannot move forward until discipIine and responsibility at home improves. I think it is as simple as that....
Excellent point. It seems the people at Jackson St. seem to be playing politics with some parents. Parents want a building administrator to be put in there place, or due to things like levies ect they may not be supportive. Remember the TV story about kids being late for their prom? Parents must be responsible for rules that are set down by the school.
I understand that Mr. Oden had a high suspension rate and it was frowned at by higher ups. Why deal with this. Go somewhere else. School's have one purpose that's to educate our young residents. If the parents of the students who are there to be educated don't stand behind people like Mr. Oden they leave and chances are you will get a passive person in there place?
Working in another district I can tell you why higher ups frown upon high suspension rates. Those numbers get reported to the state (suspension #'s, tardy #'s, absent #'s etc). When above a certain percentage, the district has to have a goal to address those issues AND they have to show improvement from year to year otherwise big ramifications.
Now it seems obvious that you should report numbers as is, make a goal to improve it and work towards improveing it. However I can tell you that there is GREAT pressure in every district to avoid suspensions at all costs in order to avoid the state's consequences.
4:32, I'm on the committee that developed the new eval system and I can tell you that even good teachers need to be worried.
9:12 a.m. . .
First of all, what are the consequences from the state? A letter? Another letter? Big deal. The only real consequence is that the information is public, and unfortunately PCLS doesn't want to address the real problems with real solutions in the district. Instead, they frown on suspensions support crazy parents who come in huffing and puffing about an issue. The teachers and principal draw a line, the kids cross it, the kids get punished, and the central office overturns it. Terrible for staff morale and sets a message to kids that they can do anything they like and a message to parents that if they bully the administration they'll get their way.
As far as the teacher evaluation system goes.. . in most cases teachers don't need to be worried. However in PCLS they do. And it's not because of test scores, achievements, or progress. It's about the administrative "gotcha" culture toward teachers. The central office doesn't believe the teachers are competent (due to low test scores) and try to find anything wrong they can in a lesson. If they weren't good educators, they wouldn't be hired at places like Nordonia, Orange, and Copley. . . all EXCELLENT districts. These educators have five, ten, or fifteen years of experience and are getting hired in a terrible economic climate!
6:13 Do you want to put forward any ideas?
I don't understand the "gotcha" culture. Maybe you could explain.
Yes I have been told my many that the Jackson St. Bunch has many times over ruled a teacher or principal. Maybe the solution is to send those kids to Jackson St. and let them deal with the problem.
With this levy coming up I belive that it's going to be rough the first semster.
Should the community be concerned that another administrator is leaving the district? First Martin, then Oden, now an elementary principal? That's four in two years. How can there be any consistency?
One thing all these resignations have in common? The Super.
Which elementary school is loosing their principal????
Or maybe the assistant super. . .
Interesting comment left by you on the Newsless Herald site.
9:57 Interestingly it wasn't left by me? Maybe by another Cimaglio, or someone else.
If you want to know I am PWHP on the news-herald site. Another secret out of the bag. Really it would be nice if everyone expressing their views used there real names.
This district has waived fees for years. When we were in school and you lost a textbook or library book, your report card was held until it was paid for. Doesn't work like that now days. A) Parents don't have the money to pay. B) Most parents don't care what grade their kid got.
Can't see them making a kid or parent responsible anything.
OR perhaps that's what this levy will help out with. Heck, I don't even own a laptop.
Term, I'm sorry I don't see Hanlons answer as clearing things up. When I looked at the minutes, I saw the names of EXEMPT employees (NON UNION employees who create their own raies amounts)with steps and amounts after their names. What is this, what does this mean and why was it in the minutes? Something is amiss here.
I would not beleive Hanlons answer or the question was vague and he lied his way around it.
Annon, You seem so more aware of what's going on than I. Please I will save you a seat at the next Board meeting and you can clear this up. You don't seem to think I have the right questions to ask.
AND you are right.
11:29, you are right. All districts used to hold report cards when fees weren't paid. However that all changed about 5-6 years ago when it was found to be illegal by the ohio COURTS. Now, we have no way of holding the feet to the fire and making parents pay fines, or fees of any sort.
Ridiculous!
Sorry, you wont see me at a meeting. Because of my community involvement and I'd like to keep my job. Can someone justify why a full time AD is needed if they are in such bad financial shape? For many years the job was shared by the assistant principal. Now another position has been added. When the cuts come does anyone think that will be cut? Or more disposeable classified employees?
Annon There's one advantage I seem to have over you. No one cares if I keep my job, or even my status in the community. Please keep me informed as far as the AD I believe if you want to advance to a Principal you need to be only focused on that? I really don't have or know why just a guess.
Here is more food for thought. Didn't the business manager Ted Roseberry receive a generous raise? I don't remember the date he got a sizeable raise but I do remember he got one about 1-2 years after he began (to catch up). But now, Mr. Haffa from the Riverside district is taking over transportation duties? PCLS gives a big fat raise then takes away a large portion of his duties?
Anyone have answers or another take on this?
PS Since the new middle school has been built there have been 4 principals.
Ward, Ramos, Oden & deAnglis.
How could there be any consistency?
Neither the kids or the staff know which direction they are headed.
11:02 I remember that also it was a year or two ago. Administrator's pay has a higher than normal percentage when compared to other districts. Maybe he's do investagations for the district?
FYI all you school bashers. There is a place in your job description stating "thou shalt not bad mouth your district" and present a positive image. Not in those exact words but of the same meaning.
11:43 This job description you speak of does it also include dealing with rude disrespectful students? Abusive threating parents and an administration that seems to hang you out to dry every chance they can? I know people without high school diplomas that wouldn't put up with this crap.
These people deserve to be treated as professionals.
I don't think they signed up to the things I have mentioned above.
All job descriptions are on file. You should be able to go to the BOE and ask to see them. If not, the secretaries have copies in the buildings. They are broken down into all classifications for the classified.
I'd be more than happy to present a positive image if there was a positive image to present. From gangs to abusive parents to unruly kids and to boot and administrator that lets this go on and doesn't support teachers or building administrators. I'm not certain what rose colored glasses you are looking through 11:43, but this ain't East Cleveland. We are 30 miles east of there in wonderful Lake County surrounded by very solid districts. Let's raise our expectations to their level and not lower our expectations to East Cleveland's.
You are correct DW.
Somebody missed my sarcasm this time.
So where are the board members through these blog-conversations and the opinions on the NH site?
Oh, that's right, nothing can be done or no one held to task if the accusations are anonymous.
No where in our job description does it say we have to put up with the verbal abuse that comes everyday with our jobs. Nor does it say anything about the physical abuse. It's bad when you are the daily punching bag. Not to mention the kicking, spitting or biting.
But hey, it's a public school and public education what do you expect?
5:27 Are you telling me I shouldn't expect civility because its a public school?
How old are these kickers, spitters,or biters?
Concerned,
We have gone to the administration and they have done nothing. It's not protocol to go to the board, just like the board wouldn't come to us with an issue. They'd go through the central office and trickle down it would go.
Term,
All ages. You can expect civility, but the central office won't support it.
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