"OH WHAT A NIGHT" four seasons
JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER 10/13/16 THURSDAY AT 7:30 PAINESVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Oh what a night hypnotizin' mesmerizing me
Well let's start my night off in Courtroom #1 at city hall for council's work session on PCA. This meeting turned into a big disappointment. First the power point presentation didn't quite work and it was down hill from there.
A couple of interesting comment's were made . First Painesville does not have anything to do with the PUCO Mr. McHugh mentioned that council was Painesville's PUCO.
The reason for the high electric bills was 'consumption' I learned how hot it was going back 15 years.
Even NEW homes in Painesville might not be efficient due to the builder not having the right size air-conditioner and heating unit for the house.
I guess the PCA is so high because Painesville hasn't raised there base rates since 1991 putting all increase in into the PCA?
Also it appears we have no clue what our electric department net profit is? We know the gross profit but not what we net after everything is paid for. Yes in this business net profit could change from month to month. As former city manager mentioned to me once "some month's we make money, some we don't".
Council asked many question's receiving vague answers. No one wanted to commit I guess.
PJM was blamed for a 190% increase in transmission costs.
And to finish the presentation will be put on the city website. Why I have no idea since no one seems to know the answers?
Mr. McHugh stated the PCA is evaluated once a year? Odd My PCA has gone up monthly.
AMP-OHIO contract's were never mentioned as the reason for increased electrical costs? Again carrying the water or better yet the electricity.
This along with the then administration buying enough power from outside sources to make the plant obsolete.
No questions from the audience were allowed? So I never got to ask what it cost's Painesville Power to produce a MWh. of power.
All and all they believe the administration is doing a wonderful job with out electric department.
Had enough, sorry until they get serious I'm out of here. Call your council people for your answer's.
So what's doing on the other side of town?
Oh the October BOE meeting at Harvey.
First off two administrator's did their best power point presentation on the positives of our system receiving 4F and 1B in our state report card.
Look I could have used these two when I brought my report card home to Dad! Never have I heard 4F so elegantly presented!
To be truthful we are making positive steps just not at the rate we need to be. It don't come easy.
Finance Director mentioned that by next year we have to renew a levy of 6.06 I believe.
During the non-agenda time Painesville resident Sandy Miller politely question some of what she has witnessed in the district.
First off like many she questioned Me. Shepherds last June commencement speech that lasted all of 40 seconds. You remember the "ain't got time for that" one. She then questioned the board about him receiving a raise. (I'm thinking there's no place for me to hide in this room). Followed by who approved his trip to Germany? Not one BOE spoke up. Being the start of the school year he should be here in Painesville not in Germany!
Not wanting here to feel alone I spoke if he wants to take a trip he should have gone to Arizona, New Mexico maybe Texas to learn how others have learned about high Hispanic student population in there districts were empowering students. By this time Mr. Shepherd had not said a word but he was red as a tomato! I was then informed by Mr. Tackett explained our low report card was NOT due to the high Hispanic population in our district. Well sorry that's been the story line for quite a while. I just watched a power point presentation with a red line that represented when the school district immigrant population exploded and graduation and test scores declined? Only one member of the board spoke positive of Mr. Shepherd's trip to Germany Ms. Remington said it was an honor that he was chosen to make the trip. Great what did he bring back for us and how does that trip help home values in Painesville?
Thanks Sandy for telling like it is.
Now as we left the building Mr. Shepherd came out behind us as Sandy said good night he immediately when into a tirade all the way to his car about how offended he was with her comments. ( guessing must have been the raise) First I thought he was just being funny but soon realized he was still red-faced and serious claiming he will never do any volunteering for this community again on and on all the way to his vehicle. I mentioned to Sandy "he can't talk to you that way!" although thinking back he spent more time on that conversation than his commencement speech! Sandy has sent an email to all BOE members of the incident.
To the employees of the district I feel sorry for you if your boss is this childish and unprofessional .You have my sympathy.
All in another day in the Ville'
posted by terminator1 @ 10:17 AM
26 Comments
26 Comments:
It sounds as though Johnny Shepard needs to go to the timeout chair, stay in from recess, serve an after school detention, and start acting like an adult. Shame on him.
We like our boss at BOE. Considering what was really said? A tirade? Perhaps its all in the interpretation, and really wasn't really exactly as stated. Another overblown view. AND NO, I don't drink the koolaid or have my head in the sand, I consider the messenger.
Volunteering is what they call it in that circle? At the school board meeting has a presentation been given on the trip to Germany? Might be a good way to dig himself and the board out of this mess. I am telling you ... my bet is they went to Germany to learn about immigrants and education. Just did a keyword search : http://graduateinstitute.ch/files/live/sites/iheid/files/sites/globalmigration/shared/Publications/GMPRS_N11_Hubschmann.pdf but it's all speculation until actual factual reports are furnished.
When I first heard of Mr. Shepherd's hissy-fit, I chuckled to myself. The Super needs a timeout.
Then I started to get annoyed and angry. Citizens came on their own time to voice concerns and questions about the behavior and policy of our school system. They did it in an open forum.
Mr. Shepherd declined to respond until after the meeting in the parking lot! He "immediately went into a tirade" He "serious claimed he will never do any volunteering for the community again". He was rude. He was red-faced.
He also, missed a great opportunity to explain his position on the speech, the raise, the trip, the 4F's ect...
Let's face it many voters in our City look for reasons not to vote for a school levy. On Monday night, John Shepherd gave the citizens several reasons not to support our schools. The BOE needs to tell our Superintendent to stand up in an open meeting with cameras running and face the tough uncomfortable questions.
8:33 Good advise
5:53 Well it still leaves me wondering if the board sanctioned his trip to Germany or he just told them? Questioning who works for who? No one mentioned approval at the meeting?
5:19 I'm glad you like your boss. That said interpretation? Really I was standing there I know what I witnessed, were you? I had no cross to burn with him only wanted to hear answers. But then I guess if your happy with 4F's and a B O.K. says a lot. One question do you live in the city?
Plain Dealer article October 24, 2011
Three out of every 10 Hispanic students are enrolled in English-as-a-second-language lessons, said Ruth Haines, a supervisor in the district.
School officials have cut budget and staff in the last 18 months, but the department that assists English-language learners is untouched.
"We have to meet the needs of our students," said assistant superintendent Denise Ward. "We have no other choice."
During large meetings, schools provide parents with headsets for real-time translation. Any written communication sent to parents is bilingual.
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/10/painesvilles_hispanic_communit.html
5:19 am, I am glad you are happy at your job at the BOE. He could have addressed so many items at the meeting in a public setting; no he waited to ambush two residents in the parking lot. He was very upset and IMO a bit out of control. There were two of us who witnessed this. I have to ask if you live in the city and pay taxes to the Painesville City Schools.
When asked about the trip to Germany, as I had seen nothing on the school website or read anything in the Painesville Pride or even here on the blog. The only board member who seemed to know about the trip was Mrs. Remington. The trip did not have board approval, I questioned a trip over seas at the same time PCS opened. I asked how his trip serviced the school system and/or students. He sat there red faced. Yes, as tax payer and resident I had the audacity to question him. He makes a pretty good salary, again IMO.
His commencement speech was appalling.
The main reason I attended the board meeting; I wanted to hear about the State Report Card and our outrageous failing grades. "F" across the board, except in "Making Progress"; we were given a "B". When you compare PCS with the other schools in Lake County we are dead last and have been for quite a few years. After doing quite a bit of research and working in and around the Cleveland area (also struggling) there are success stories. I wish Mr Shepard would have attended a conference on how to move our system forward, maybe he did, we don't know! We do pay a public relations person at the school board so I do question what that dept. is doing too. I will not award this school system my vote for a tax levy renewal or addition, coming in 2018. Failing grades for an entire system do warrant a pay raise to the Mr Shepard. Simple math: One ineffective superintendent + one ineffective school board = a failing school system. And No One has answers.
I hope one of the boards reading assignments might be: "The Emperors New Clothes" because that is what the meeting felt like. What we are told and what we see are very different. I do support the teachers and staff. I question the administration.
These practices suppress housing values, community cohesiveness and most important the value of this city.
I did not want to be adversarial I just wondered when families with school age children might consider moving to Painesville.
I also wonder how many employed by the school system actually live in the city of Painesville. Everybody is happy as long as we keep footing the bill for this. Do any employees have their children in the city school system.
Students who do go on to college, do they return to the city or just move on? How can you sustain a school system without support from a community and since we apparently are so transient how do we entice families to stay and put down a stake in the community. Until there is community involvement with the schools I think we will continue to be in trouble.
5:12 do you ever question your boss? I bet not.
If grades etc turn around I would consider voting for the levy but not as it currently stands.
Sorry I see this as a witch hunt by Term and Potter on a very fine educator that works tireless for his students. You two should just get out of Painesville!
HH student..... when and if you apply for college the school system you currently attend will impact your admittance. You need to expect more from this school system. It is not a witch hunt, it is asking for accountability from a system my family has supported for 32 years. If we no longer question the accountability of an elected body who spends tax payer money we are lost. It's called debate. You defend a man who sat speechless at the head of the table and instead choose to verbally ambush two people in a dark parking lot. As an educated individual he should have the ability to have the discussion. If you can't negotiate you don't deserve a seat at the table.
To the HH student (as a former HH student of not toooooo long ago) - It's fantastic that you support your school system and believe it's not all doom and gloom. During my time at Harvey, we saw many tired administrators, who were overworked...though certainly not overpaid. Perhaps there are indeed redeeming qualities about the Super. I don't know since I did "just get out of Painesville" as fast as I could because there were few professional opportunities after high school graduation.
Before you decide to chase community members out of your town, who are actually giving of their time and energy to show up to meetings and then critically analyze what they heard, perhaps you need to attend a few meetings, make your own voice heard. At this point we don't know if you are or not since you won't post your name. I'm also curious as to how you define "very fine educator". I went on to become a teacher and I have to say...the metrics Harvey High School is putting out about graduation is simply embarrassing. Use the Google and get outside your thinking box.
I agree with 8:33, the next move must be made by our elected Board of Education members. Dr Shepherd can't dodge questions and concerns at a public BOE meeting and then go into a unprofessional childlike tirade in the parking lot. The Board must insist he apologize and then be forthcoming in his answers to the citizen's questions. Stand tall John, defend your position. Or retire and let someone else pull our schools out of last place.
Thinking about this remember Mr. Bull? What happened to that guy. Seemed to be the only one with any credibility?
Seems he has taken his talent's to Madison?
9:54 is this another that they chased out?
One correction there is no Dr. in front of Shepherd. Maybe getting that degree would have positive outcome for the district? No let's go to Europe!
Bull left because MR.Shepherd cut his salary.
Clearly the trip to Germany was for personal gain, not district. Padding the resume? The trip was all about me, me, me.
People sure seem to be more interested in the Mr Shepard than in the power plant nonsense.
Wonder why?
5:19 Many of us like a boss when the boss is either away on vacation or doesn't really care what we do since he isn't doing his job either.
9:54
You like him because he is a fine educator? Really? Does an educator actually have to educate?
From the looks of the test scores for the District, that is not happening now. You might want to rethink your position.
BTW, he is an administrator and not really an educator. There is a difference.
If I remember correctly, Mr. Tackett mentioned at a meeting four or five months ago that Mr. Shepard was going for Dale Carnegie training. That money was well spent.
6:38 Well let's hope that money wasn't spent to give 40 second commencement speech's. How-to trips to Europe as well as no need to be around with 4F's and a B!
6:20 There sure is and we got administrator's up the you know what around
here.
5:03 Well at least let us know what you learned?
Jim no one knows . No one it is a very confusing situation and presently the city in sitting on top of a volcano!
Things won't be understood until Mr. McHugh comes clean with the facts.
Interesting fact;
In the year 2000 51% of our electric power was generated by coal. In 2016 it's down to 29% by the end f the decade expect 20% See a pattern?
Seems like a lot of travel, seminars and travel but very little teaching.
I have been informed Mr. Shepherd has written Mrs. Miller an apology and she has accepted it.
When are people going to realize that Shepard is no good for our district. He plays the game by getting involved in the community to rally the people behind him and say how nice he is while he shows less interest in his professional responsibilies. With our district having F ratings, he should be tirelessly working to get it right. Instead he jets around to all of these committees. He should not be involved in anything until this school system is at an acceptable level or resign and make room for someone who will be devoted to fixing this problem. The employees are quality educators for the most part. They just need support from the top. He is really a disgrace to Painesville and his focus does not encompass the entire student population. Mr. Shepard, please leave so that we can fix this district with a true leader, not someone who throws tantrums when called on the carpet.
12:30 Recently a parent expressed concern to me for she had found out Mr. Shepherd 'tweets' to numerous students at Harvey. Really in that part of his job?
In this day of social media, and it is encouraged in schools now (what is the districts policy of cell phone use in school?) if you cant beat them, join them. I also dont feel the Super is the problem. If you want to point fingers, point at the school administrators also the board is the one to go along with this. Remember we have a sole member that was against the current Super and wanted the PPL from the high school. Can everyone get along for the sake of the district?
5:05 No one believes replacing the current superintendent would solve the problems. Only if he would spend more time with the district and less on himself and whoever he volunteers with. The schools are job #1. That should be his whole focus. Tweeting students, really?
Yes he the BOE, teachers, parent's and student's need to correct this. No one in the Rhineland will help we have to help ourselves.
Can't see Mr. Hobart tweeting me back in the day. He knew what were his responsibility's and who counted on him.
You sound like one of the principal from the high school supporters. Upset with the choice made. What did you expect, Mr Shepherd speaks fluent Spanish. And all ELL people in the district are protected because they can speak Spanish to translate also. Shame on those non-Spanish speaking peoples unions for not stepping up to protect the jobs of those that only speak English.
1:07 Well another way of looking at this has the ELL people improved our grade? Maybe we should strive for all F's at least we would be consistent!
So if the argument is that these people haven't improved the situation why employ them? Union's are pretty much useless.
Mr. Shepherd claims people visit our district to learn? Maybe how not to do things?
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