Citizen Requesting to Speak
The meeting began with a presentation by Deborah Wells about Core Knowledge and what it meant for the District to adopt E.D. Hirsch’s Core Knowledge Sequence. Wells compared Hirsch’s K-5 Science curriculum with the District’s newly approved science curriculum to see how easy integration would be. It turns out that most of the content is there, but the sequence would have to be radically altered.
Wells also informed the Board about the amount of money, planning time and professional development that would be needed if the Board decides to adopt the Core Knowledge Sequence. She expressed concern the Board was not respecting the teachers’ professional judgment and expertise. The Board had no comment regarding the presentation.
We’re Not Masters of the Plantation
So said Jim Roberts as the debate surrounding Core Knowledge heated up. On June 28, the Board voted to integrate the Core Knowledge Sequence into the existing curriculum. I guess I opened up a can of worms, though, when I asked a simple question - since the Board voted for integration, would my child follow the Core Knowledge sequence the day school begins? The Board hemmed and hawed - no one would say yes or no, so I asked if they even knew what they voted to do. As it turns out, they didn’t. Duryea thought it meant that Core Knowledge content would be integrated here and there, but the sequence wouldn’t be followed (that’s not what he wrote in the Eagle...). Christmann and Adams are ready to go all the way - right now.
“We are in charge,” said Adams, who believes that the newly approved science, social studies, art and phonics curricula were put together by “amateurs” (our teachers). He thanked Christmann for finding a curriculum with an “an organized, cohesive structure”. I guess the ones written by the teachers weren’t organized or cohesive...
Roberts, Smith and Watson seem to think that any new curriculum should be supported by the teachers. When Adams complained that they were being led from the bottom, Smith argued that teachers knew more about curriculum than the Board did. Adams’ reply? “I don’t think so.” Watson summed it up well - “That’s the problem right there.”
The Board voted to put any integration on hold until a Core Knowledge “trainer” could come and make a presentation to the teachers. A separate vote was taken to permit teachers to integrate Core Knowledge if they choose. The motion was defeated, with Duryea casting the deciding vote.
TEACHERS BEWARE!
This should be a concern to all the teachers in our district. Not to mention the parents. Our district spent thousands of dollars and countless hours developing an excellent curriculum based on PA standards. Standards that our children will be tested on. Our Board seems willing to throw it all out in favor of Core Knowledge, a conservative school reform movement- a near and dear to the hearts of Adams and Christmann.
Not only is the Board more then willing to waste the money already spent on developing our curriculum, but, they are way to eager to demean our teachers and insinuate that they know better then a bunch of “amateurs”. HOW INSULTING!
Does it hurt anyone to face others in a gang shower?
After reviewing the MS gym renovations which includes replacing communal showers with stalls Adams asked this question. Oh My!
We developed goals, but never looked at them.
There is, however, a bright spot. After seeing the arrogance on the part of some Board members, namely Adams and Christmann, Bob Watsons made a motion to have the board take a “Board self-assessment”. This assessment will be administrated by the PA School Board Association. This motion passed with Adams, Christmann and Courtney voting no. Courtney said something similar had been tried in the past, with a list of goals having been developed. She told them that these goals were never looked at again!
At least one board member, Watson, recognizes how dysfunctional our board has become!
A SECRET POLICY?
IN YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO SUBVERT CHAPTER 4 MANDATES, THE BOARD REFUSED TO ANSWER WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAD A POLICY (REQUIRED BY CHAPTER 4) THAT ASSURES PARENTS THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.
WHEN ASKED BY DEBORAH WELLS IF SUCH A POLICY EXISTED, THERE WAS DEAD SILENCE UNTIL BOARD PRESIDENT DAVID DURYEA JUMPED IN TO TELL WELLS THAT HER TIME TO SPEAK WAS OVER.
AT THIS POINT, THE AUDIENCE BROKE INTO SPONTANEOUS LAUGHTER AT THE ARROGANCE DISPLAYED BY DURYEA. EVERYONE FOUND IT MORE THAN AMUSING THAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, DURYEA ATTEMPED TO JUST TELL WELLS THAT HER TIME HAD RUN OUT.
I CAN'T FIGURE OUT IF DURYEA WOULD WANT TO LOOK SO FOOLISH.
WHEN I ASKED THE QUESTION AGAIN, DURYEA SAID CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TIME, BUT THE BOARD IS NOT REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS PUT TO THEM.
REFUSING TO ANSWER A QUESTION ABOUT A POLICY??? A POLICY THAT IS MANDATED UNDER STATE LAW!
AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, REFUSING TO TELL TAXPAYERS IF THEY HAVE A POLICY OR NOT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF ARROGANCE BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. NOT TO MENTION IT PROVES THAT THE BOARD MAY BE COMPLETELY GUILTY OF WHAT I BELIEVE IS NEGLIGENT BEHAVIOR-- VIOLATING STATE MANDATED PARENTAL RIGHTS!
THE BOARD IS GETTING CREATIVE IN VIOLATING PARENTS' RIGHTS AND SUBVERTING CHAPTER 4. THEY VOTED TO ASK FOR AN EXTENSION FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SENIOR PROJECT-- KNOWING FULL WELL THAT PARENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE COMMITTEE. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ON THE AGENDA DURING THE LAST MEETING SOMEHOW VANISHED (THIS ON THE HEELS OF ADAMS AND BONFIELD SAYING THAT IT WAS UNNECESSARY). AND THE DISTRICT GOALS DEVELOPED BY THE ADMINISTRATORS WERE THOROUGHLY TRASHED - BUT APPROVED.
WHY WOULD THE DISTRICT ENGAGE IN STRATEGIC PLANNING WITHOUT THE MANDATED PARENTAL INPUT? WHY WOULD THE BOARD REFUSE TO ANSWER A POLICY QUESTION? MORE LOCAL CONTROL BY 9...
OUR BOARD IS NOT ONLY COMPLETELY UNACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC, AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR REFUSAL TO SAY IF THEY HAVE THE STATE MANDATED POLICY TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN CHAPTER 4 PLANNING.
REMEMBER, OUR SOLICITOR, MR. KING, HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH OTHER DISTRICTS IN FIGHTING THE MANDATES IN CHAPTER 4 IN THE FORM OF RESOLUTIONS OBJECTING TO THESE MANDATES. THE STATE IS ON THE RECORD THAT IF DISTRICTS DON'T COMPLY WITH CHAPTER FOUR REQUIREMENTS, THEN THE DISTRICTS MAY FACE PUNITIVE DAMAGES!
IN MY OPINION, OUR DISTRICT DOESN'T WANT TO DRAFT A FORMAL RESOLUTION OBJECTING TO CHAPTER 4 BECAUSE THEY MAY FACE A LAWSUIT WITH THE STATE. SOOOO......OUR BOARD HAS CHOSEN TO SUBVERT CHAPTER 4 BY NOT ALLOWING PARENTAL OR COMMUNITY IMPUT IN ITS DEVELOPMENT!
NOW, LET'S SEE. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE BOARD SAID THE TEACHERS WERE AMATEURS AND HAVE MOVED TO OVERRIDE THE CURRICULUM THEY DEVELOPED. LAST NIGHT THEY TRASHED THE ADMINISTRATORS' GOALS, EVEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THEM. NOW, THEY ARE SUBVERTING PARENTS' STATE MANDATED RIGHTS TO BE A PART OF THE PLANNING OF ALL THESE THINGS.
ALSO LAST NIGHT, THE BOARD APPROVED THE HIRING OF A PART-TIME ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHER. IN THE PAST THE DISTRICT HAS USED SRU STAFF TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO THESE STUDENTS IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW.
THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE 1 HR. OF ENGLISH INSTRUCTION TO THESE STUDENTS. DR. BONFIELD, SUPERINTENDENT, SEEMED TO BE IGNORANT OF THESE REGULATIONS UNTIL THIS WEEK AND EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE UNIVERSITY DIDN'T GIVE THE DISTRICT ADVANCE NOTICE THAT THERE WOULD BE NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS COMING TO OUR DISTRICT.
I HAPPEN TO KNOW THAT LYNN FRANCISCO, COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, WAS INFORMED THIS SPRING THAT WE MAY HAVE THESE STUDENTS IN OUR DISTRICT THIS FALL!
THE INSENSITIVITY TO THOSE FROM OTHER CULTURES BY OUR BOARD AND ADMINISTRATORS IS WELL DOCUMENTED.
IN OTHER BOARD NEWS, I INFORMED THE BOARD THAT FOR OVER 2 YEARS, CITIZENS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE AUDIENCE COULD NOT HEAR THE PROCEEDINGS. I INFORMED THEM THAT THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON AND ASKED WHEN THEY WOULD HAVE US A PA SYSTEM.
DURYEA WOULD NOT RESPOND.
FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT THE BOARD DOES NOT WANT THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING THAY ARE INVOLVED WITH.
THE BOARD DID BRING IN A PA A YEAR OR SO AGO, BUT NEVER BROUGHT IT BACK. I GUESS THEY FIGURED WE HEARD TOO WELL THE LIES AND DECEIT. I WILL CONTINUE TO INTERRUPT THE MEETINGS WHENEVER I CAN'T HEAR. WE WILL SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET A PA THEN!
OUR CLUELESS DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM, DR. SPINELLA, DISCUSSED ALL OF ADAMS' AND CHRISTMANN'S FAVORITE ISSUES: CORE KNOWLEDGE, GRADE INFLATION, AND MANDATORY HOMEWORK.
A CORE KNOWLEDGE TRAINER (AT A COST OF $1200) WILL SPEAK TO TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND THE BOARD ON SEPTEMBER 20. NO SESSIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR PARENTS .
SPINELLA WILL COMPARE IOWA TEST SCORES WITH STUDENTS' GRADES ON A BUILDING BY BUILDING BASIS.
ADAMS WANTS TO USE STUDENTS' SCORES AS A WAY TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS.
I GUESS IT'S TIME TO TEACH TO THE TEST...
SPINELLA, ON THE PHONE AGAIN, SURVEYED OTHER DISTRICTS TO SEE WHAT THEIR HOMEWORK MANDATES WERE (I GUESS CONSULTING THE RESEARCH OR PARENTS WASN'T CONSIDERED). HE PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING MANDATORY HOMEWORK TIMES EVERY NIGHT FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL: 1-2 (30 MINUTES), 3 (45 MINUTES), 4-8 (1 HR.), 9-12 (NO MORE THAN 2 HRS.).
ROBERTS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE SHORTER PERIODS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WOULD REQUIRE MORE HOMEWORK. I GUESS PARENTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE LACK OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME. IT SEEMS THAT THE BOARD DOESN'T WANT THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE ANY SAY ABOUT THINGS THAT AFFECT THEIR HOMELIFE -MANDATORY HOMEWORK OR THE NEW ATTENDANCE POLICIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
9-20-99
AGENDA ITEM #23
BURIED IN A LONG LIST OF ITEMS TO BE PRESENTED FOR ACTION WAS ITEM # 23 WHICH READS: "APPROVE ADOPTING CHANGES TO SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES TO ALIGN WITH CHAPTER 4 REGULATIONS."
WELL, WELL, WELL. SEEMS THAT AFTER BEING INFORMED BY DEBORAH WELLS AND MYSELF LAST BOARD MEETING THAT THE BOARD WAS OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CH. 4 AND THE REQUIREMENTS TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN (WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON) THEY HAVE RECONSIDERED THEIR EVIL WAYS! CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND INFO.
AFTER A HASTY CONSULTATION WITH SOLICITOR KING, SUPERINTENDENT BONFIELD IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE BOARD ADOPT POLICIES TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH CHAPTER 4. I DON'T KNOW. SEEMS LIKE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.
CORE KNOWLEDGE EXPERT SPEAKS
LAST NIGHT THE BOARD HEARD FROM A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EVER MYSTERIOUS CORE KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION. CORE KNOWLEDGE IS NEEDED, HE SAID, BECAUSE "STUDENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE WELL ENOUGH TO VALUE IT." SINCE STUDENTS ARE SO CULTURALLY DEPRIVED (AN INTERESTING CONCEPT LEADING STRAIGHT TO ARTHUR JENSEN'S NOTORIOUS IQ RESEARCH...), THEY NEED A "NATIONAL CURRICULUM" - ONE, I GUESS, THAT TEACHERS DON'T CONTROL.
TEACHERS SHOULDN'T CONTROL THE CURRICULUM BECAUSE ELEMENTARY TEACHERS, ACCORDING TO THE SPEAKER, "DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ROME, THE VIKINGS, OR CANADA" - ALL PART OF THE 3RD GRADE CURRICULUM. THANK GOODNESS HIRSCH CAN SHOW THOSE POOR TEACHERS THE LIGHT.
HOW HAVE OUR TEACHERS RESPONDED TO THE CORE
KNOWLEDGE SEQUENCE? THE SPEAKER DESCRIBED THEM AS "ANXIOUS AND NERVOUS." HE WARNED THAT IF TEACHERS AREN'T BEHIND CORE KNOWLEDGE, THEN THERE COULD BE "OPPOSITION" OR EVEN "RESENTMENT" - BUT NOT TO WORRY - LOTS OF TRAINING WILL "OVERCOME THEIR FEAR OF CHANGE." IN TIME, CORE KNOWLEDGE "WILL SELL ITSELF." AND THE TEACHERS THOUGHT 2300 SUB DAYS TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM LAST YEAR WAS A LOT OF WORK...
ANY INCREASE IN TEST SCORES, ADAMS ASKED? WELL, NO, BECAUSE STANDARDIZED TESTS "ASSESS SKILLS, NOT CONTENT." I GUESS NO ONE IS AWARE OF THE STATE'S PLANS FOR THE PSSA...
WHERE SHOULD THE DISTRICT GO? SPINELLA RECOMMENDED ADOPTING CORE KNOWLEDGE FOR READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS AND THEN HAVE THE DISTRICT "WEAN" THEMSELVES INTO OTHER AREAS (AN INTERESTING IMAGE). SINCE THE BOARD HAS ALREADY ADOPTED THE CORE KNOWLEDGE SEQUENCE, I GUESS THEY'LL HAVE TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS NEXT MONDAY NIGHT.
ONE WORLD MULTICULTURAL CROCK?
WHEN ASKED BY A PARENT WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CRITICISM OF CORE KNOWLEDGE, THE SPEAKER SAID THAT SOME CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EMPHASIS ON WORLD RELIGIONS, COMPLAINING "HOW DARE YOU TEACH A GODLESS, PAGAN RELIGION IN SCHOOL WHEN WE CAN'T MENTION JESUS CHRIST!"(SOUND FAMILIAR?) HOW THEN DOES CORE KNOWLEDGE FIT INTO A DISTRICT WHERE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY CRITICAL OF TIBETAN MONKS VISITING SLIPPERY ROCK, A PARENT WANTED TO KNOW. "I DON'T THINK IT'S CONNECTED AT ALL," WAS THE REPLY.
HOOTIE HOOT!!! AND TO THINK THE PUSH FOR CORE KNOWLEDGE IS COMING FROM ADAMS AND CHRISTMANN. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT?
CORE KNOWLEDGE WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT, THE SPEAKER ASSURED THE AUDIENCE. THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED NOW IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH YOU'LL BE INVOLVED IF CORE KNOWLEGE IS ADOPTED.
BUMMER.
BOARD SELF-ASSESSMENT UNDERWAY
WATSON PASSED OUT THE PSBA BOARD SELF-ASSESSMENT AND ASKED BOARD MEMBERS TO RETURN COMPLETED SURVEYS NEXT WEEK. WONDER HOW THOSE RESULTS WILL BE USED?
9-27-99
IN THE SOCIAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.....
DR. EDWIN P. CHRISTMANN WANTS TO KNOW WHY THE HIGH SCHOOL PSSA SCORES DROPPED LAST YEAR AND HAS REQUESTED ALL AVAILABLE ACADEMIC INFORMATION ON THE 35 STUDENTS WHO HAD "INCOMPLETES" ON THE PSSA. ADAMS IS CONCERNED THAT STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT SCORE WELL ARE BEING DISCOURAGED FROM TAKING THE TEST (AND THAT WOULD BRING THE SCORES DOWN??). ADAMS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO USE THAT INFORMATION TO EVALUATE ADMINISTRATORS.
CHRISTMANN ASKED FOR THE GRADE POINT AVERAGE, STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES, GRADES AND IQ SCORES FOR THOSE 35 STUDENTS. ATTORNEY BRETH EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT RELEASING SUCH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND SAID HE WOULD LOOK INTO IT.
CHAPTER 4, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT IN JAN. 99, CLEARLY SAYS THAT "CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE STATE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM." THE ONLY REASON A CHILD CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PSSA IS IF PARENTS "FIND THE ASSESSMENTS IN CONFLICT WITH THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS".
WHY WOULD DR. CHRISTMANN WANT ACADEMIC INFORMATION ON CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE RELIGIOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE PSSA? IS HE LOOKING FOR A CORRELATION BETWEEN IQ AND RELIGION? WHEN ASKED BY BOARD MEMBER SMITH IF IT IS "CUSTOMARY AND ORDINARY" INFORMATION TO REQUEST, CHRISTMANN OFFERED TO SHOW HIM HIS VITA. I'M SURE EDWIN P. CHRISTMANN HAS A VERY NICE VITA, BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH REQUESTING IQ SCORES FROM THOSE WHO HAVE OPTED OUT OF THE STATE ASSESMENT FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS?
IN THE "THIS IS CURIOUS DEPARTMENT"...
PERSONNEL ITEMS PASSED WITHOUT MUCH COMMENT (ASIDE FROM ADAMS' ESL BASHING) UNTIL THE BOARD REACHED (G) "APPROVE THE HIRING OF MENTOR TEACHERS" (12 MENTORS, 12 TEACHERS), AND (H)(1) "APPROVE ADDITIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SUBSTITUTE LISTS (ELIZABETH STUTZ, ELIZABETH PETERSEN, JOHN WEAVER, JR., GAIL ROBINSON, LISA HULIHAN, AND CHRISTINE FLYNN).
WHEN THE LAST ITEM WAS INTRODUCED, ADAMS SCRAMBLED ACROSS THE ROOM, AGENDA IN HAND AND CONFERRED WITH ROBERTS AND SMITH (SO MUCH FOR THE SUNSHINE ACT). VOILA! ROBERTS CALLED FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL AND STOPPED THE PUBLIC MEETING. AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, THE BOARD EMERGED AND VOTED TO TABLE BOTH ITEMS. WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?
IT IS CLEAR THAT THE BOARD HAS SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT SOMEONE ON THE ABOVE LIST FOR NEW SUBS. SERIOUS ENOUGH CONCERNS THAT THEY SPENT SOME 80 MINUTES DISCUSSING IT.
IN THE NO RESPECT FOR TEACHERS DEPARTMENT...
THE LONDON FIELD TRIP FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL ART CLASS, PROPOSED BY TEACHER BRANDI ELFORD, DIED ON THE FLOOR. AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING, ADAMS CRITICIZED MS. ELFORD'S PROPOSAL CLAIMING THAT NOW THAT ELFORD WAS A UNION MEMBER, SHE WAS TRYING TO "STICK US WITH A FREE TRIP". DURING LAST NIGHT'S MEETING WHEN TIME CAME TO VOTE ON APPROVING THE TRIP, ADAMS SAID, "NO ONE MAKE A MOTION. THAT'D BE REAL NICE." SURE ENOUGH, NO MOTION WAS MADE. THAT'LL SHOW THE UNION...
"THEY ARE FORCING YOU TO HAVE PARENTS INVOLVED"
SAID BONFIELD TO THE BOARD IN RESPONSE TO CHAPTER FOUR REQUIREMENTS TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN STRATEGIC PLANNING. I REMIND YOU THAT IT WAS MYSELF AND ANOTHER DISTRICT PARENT WHO REMINDED THE BOARD ( CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND ) THAT THEY WERE IN VIOLATION OF STATE LAW.
THE BOARD APPROVED THE FIRST READING OF THE NEW POLICIES TO ALIGN WITH CHAPTER 4 REGULATIONS. COURTNEY DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT PARENTS WOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO REVIEW THE CURRICULUM ONCE A SEMESTER AND NO PHOTOCOPYING WOULD BE PERMITTED.
IN OTHER CHAPTER 4 NEWS, PDE GRANTED A TWO YEAR EXCEPTION FOR THE CULMINATING PROJECT ( THE PROJECT WAS DEVELOPED IN VIOLATION OF REGULATIONS, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT INVOLVE PARENTS) IT MUST BE IN PLACE BY THE 2002-2003 SCHOOL YEAR.
DURYEA CONTINUES TO DISPLAY RUDENESS TO THE PUBLIC!
A PARENT ASKED THE BOARD FOR PERMISSION TO DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION THROUGH THE SCHOOLS REGARDING A DANCE SPONSORED BY THE SR YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.
WHEN THIS REQUEST WAS DENIED, BOARD CANDIDATE GREG ANGERETT SPOKE UP, "I DON'T UNDERSTAND-" BUT WAS INTERRUPTED BY PRESIDENT DURYEA, "THIS ISN'T OPEN TO YOU - SORRY. YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP.." OF COURSE THIS WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT SINCE THE SIGN UP SHEET WAS IN DR. DURYEA'S HANDS.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN - TOWN FORUM NEEDED!
CITIZENS FOR SAFE SCHOOLS ( CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO SAFE SCHOOLS ) REPRESENTATIVE, KATHERINE GARDNER, EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT MANUAL. SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHEN TEACHERS WERE SUPPOSED TO PHYSICALLY INTERVENE WITH A STUDENT, AND WONDERED WHY PARENTS AND STUDENTS WERE NOT INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE MANUAL. SMITH SUGGESTED HAVING A TOWN FORUM TO REVIEW THE PLAN. GOOD IDEA - I HOPE THE REST OF THE BOARD AGREES.
AND OF INTEREST - THE BOARD TABLED THE ITEM, " APPROVE SALARIES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1999, FOR ADMINISTRATORS, MANAGERS, AND CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARIES FOR THE 1999-2000 SCHOOL YEAR." WONDER WHY?? COULD IT BE THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW THE IQ SCORES OF RELIGIOUS OBJECTORS TO THE STATE ASSESEMENT FIRST?
WHERE'S CORE KNOWLEDGE?
11:00 AND CHRISTMANN ASKS, "WHERE'S CORE KNOWLEDGE?" AND DURYEA ASKED IF HE WANTED IT ON THE AGENDA. THE BOARD PASSED A MOTION TO INTEGRATE THE CORE KNOWLEDGE SEQUENCE INTO THE CURRICULUM AND THEN DECIDED TO WAIT TO ON INTEGRATION UNTIL THE SPEAKER CAME. WELL, THE SPEAKER HAS COME AND GONE. GOOD QUESTION, CHRISTMANN - WHERE IS CORE KNOWLEDGE???
OK, NOW, THE SPEAKER SAID THAT OUR STUDENTS DIDN'T "UNDERSTAND THEIR CULTURE ENOUGH TO VALUE IT" AND THAT THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT CORE KNOWLEDGE.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR OTHERS, BUT, MY CHILD VALUES HER CULTURE AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN.
PERHAPS NEXT BOARD MEETING WE WILL FIND OUT IF THE BOARD THINKS OUR OTHER STUDENTS VALUE THEIR CULTURE OR NOT. COULD THEY THINK THAT OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE REALLY CULTURALLY ILLITERATE? IF THE DISTRICT ADOPTS CORE KNOWLEDGE WE WILL HAVE OUR ANSWER.
DATELINE 10-19-99
TEST SCORES AND TEACHER PERFORMANCE
CURRICULUM DIRECTOR, DENNIS SPINELLA, REPORTED THE 1998-1999 TEST RESULTS FOR THE ITBS AND THE PSSA. ITBS WERE BROKEN DOWN BY BUILDING BUT ADAMS WANTED TO SEE THE SCORES BROKEN DOWN BY CLASSROOM IN ORDER TO TELL THE GOOD TEACHERS FROM THE BAD. THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM, ACCORDING TO ADAMS, IN HOLDING INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR TEST SCORES. TEACHERS WHO DO BETTER, HE REASONED, MIGHT DESERVE TO BE PAID MORE.
IN RELATED NEWS, THE BOARD VOTED TO APPROVE SENDING THE SUPERINTENDENT TO A PA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION ON "PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS". DR. BONFIELD EXPLAINED THAT SOME BOARD MEMBERS WERE EMPHATIC ABOUT TYING PERFORMANCE TO PAY, AND SINCE NEGOTIATIONS ARE COMING UP SOON, HE THOUGHT HE SHOULD GET MORE INFORMATION ON THIS.
CHAPTER 4 AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
THE SECOND READING OF THE NEW POLICIES TO ALIGN WITH CHAPTER 4 WILL OCCUR NEXT MEETING. THE POLICIES REGARDING REVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND EXEMPTION FROM INSTRUCTION SURE AREN'T PARENT OR STUDENT FRIENDLY. PARENTS CAN ONLY REVIEW THE CURRICULUM ONCE EVERY 9 WEEKS. IF PARENTS FIND ANYTHING OBJECTIONABLE, STUDENTS CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM INSTRUCTION, BUT TEACHERS ARE PROHIBITED FROM TELLING THE CHILD IT IS TIME TO LEAVE THE CLASSROOM. THE CHILD MUST MAKE THAT REQUEST (THAT'S BOUND TO WORK WELL IN KINDERGARTEN...). PARENTS, NOT TEACHERS, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIGURING OUT WHAT THE CHILD WILL DO WHILE OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. COULD THE DISTRICT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PARENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS?
ADAMS DOESN'T LIKE ANY OF THE POLICIES AND WANTED TO HAVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE SOLICITOR KING TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION OPPOSING CHAPTER 4. AFTER ALL, 30 OTHER DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS.
TWO NEW COMMITTEES ARE IN THE WORKS. THE FIRST IS AN INTERMEDIATE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE. A FACILITATOR WILL BE HIRED TO HELP A COMMITTEE OF BOARD MEMBERS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TIE IN THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN WITH THE OLD. ADAMS IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHO WOULD BE ON THE COMMITTEE. REMEMBER, THOUGH, CHAPTER 4 GIVES -EVERY PARENT THE RIGHT TO BE INVOLVED IN STRATEGIC PLANNING.
THE SECOND COMMITTEE IS A COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ROBERTS FELT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA, EVEN IF THERE WAS NO CHAPTER 4. WE'RE BEHIND THE TIMES, HE SAID. WATSON ALSO SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY IN EDUCATION. SMITH WANTED TO SEE GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMITTEE.
GEE, PARENT AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. WHERE HAVE I HEARD THIS BEFORE???
CORE KNOWLEDGE IS STILL ALIVE- BARELY
NEXT MEETING, THE BOARD WILL VOTE TO APPROVE SENDING SPINELLA, WATSON, CHRISTMANN AND 2 TEACHERS TO THE CORE KNOWLEDGE CONFERENCE IN MARCH. SMITH WANTS TO TAKE A BUSLOAD OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND BOARD MEMBERS TO VISIT A CORE KNOWLEGE SCHOOL.
SPINELLA SHARED THE RESULTS OF A TEACHER SURVEY REGARDING CORE KNOWLEDGE. 90 DISTRICT TEACHERS RESPONSED TO 5 QUESTIONS AND PROVIDED COMMENTS. 36 TEACHERS DON'T WANT TO ABANDON CORE KNOWLEDGE. 57 TEACHERS THINK IT SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CURRICULUM, BUT NOT FORMALLY ADOPTED. ADAMS SAYS THEY'RE AFRAID OF ACCOUNTABILITY. YOUNGMANN SAYS THEY'RE AFRAID OF THE WORK. CHRISTMANN SAYS IT'S NOT REALLY UP TO THEM (ONLY A FEW TEACHERS DEVELOPED THE CURRICULUM ANYWAY) - IT'S THE BOARD'S DECISION.
MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS
AT THE NEXT BUSINESS MEETING, THE BOARD WILL VOTE TO APPROVE THE LIST OF MENTOR TEACHERS FOR THE 99-00 SCHOOL YEAR. BONFIELD ASSURED COURTNEY THAT THE LIST HAD BEEN ALTERED SINCE LAST TIME.
THE BOARD WILL VOTE ON APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A BOMB-SNIFFING DOG. THE DOG WILL BE JOINTLY OWNED BY 6 OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. APPARENTLY IT WAS HARD LAST YEAR TO FIND HUMAN VOLUNTEERS WILLING TO SEARCH THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOMBS.
IN SECURITY RELATED NEWS, CHRISTMANN SAID HE'D BEEN IN THE HIGH SCHOOL RECENTLY AND WAS ABLE TO WALK THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING WITHOUT ANYONE CHALLENGING HIS PRESENCE. HE WAS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS ON THE DOOR TELLING VISITORS TO REGISTER AT THE OFFICE. BONFIELD ASSURED HIM THAT TEACHERS WERE ASSIGNED TO MONITOR THE HALLS.
A PARENT ASKED WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT YEAR WHEN THERE WERE TWO FIRST GRADES AT HAR-MER AND NO AVAILABLE SPACE. WELL, THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE RENOVATIONS ARE STILL GOING ON (AND ON AND ON AND ON...). ADAMS HAD MORE DRAWINGS FOR STEEL BUILDINGS. COURTNEY, YOUNGMANN, ADAMS, CESSAR AND BONFIELD VISITED A STEEL BUILDING. OTHERS PLAN TO VISIT BC3 TO SEE THEIR BUILDINGS. SOMEHOW IN THE MIDST OF THAT DISCUSSION ROBERTS TOLD ADAMS TO GO EAT ... PRUNES. IF THEY WAIT MUCH LONGER, WINTER'S GOING TO SET IN AND NO CONSTRUCTION WILL BE POSSIBLE...
LINKS PHONE NUMBERS PRIVACY VIOLATIONS SAFETY UPDATE BOARD SCHEDULE
THIS JUST IN! MESSAGE BOARD