up1031-124-00

Board Update Oct. 31, 2000

Before the vote was taken on the teachers contract two citizens spoke. The first wanted to know about Core Knowledge. Is there a problem with the exisiting curriculum? Are test scores down? Isn't it the teachers' job to develop curriculum? Why are we going to do Core Knowledge? she asks.

Adams, of course, spoke up, continuing to manufacture an educational crisis in our district. Our children aren't being taught the basics and the current curriculum is repetitive ( at least I think that's what he said, you could barely hear him- an interesting strategy). And test scores, Adams continued, well they go up and down depending on who takes the test (more pearls of wisdom...) Duryea responded that the speaker should hold her questions until the 20th (presumably when the new Super is here) or maybe Dec. He also said that the district will be preparing something about Core Knowledge for the public. But the decision about Core Knowledge seems to have been made - without any parental input and despite opposition from the teachers. After all, Adams rules and the rest of the Board lets him!

Next, in an unusual twist, Greg Angerett, had signed up to speak as a citizen. He started by saying that for the last 18 yrs. of his adult life he has been a union member. He agreed that there were a lot of quality teachers in the district and congratulated Mr. Makarevich for the fine job his staff did in teaching the three r's (As reflected in the fine 6th grade writing scores on the PSSA ....NOT). He then went on to say that he wished his other 2 children (1 in elem. and the other in the HS) had had the same. Hmmm. He then thanked the union for getting the public involved and congratulated the PTO's for their strong participation in getting the parents involvement. He then thanked the Union for showing restraint, and stated that he was disappointed in the strength of 170 and the weakness of 9.

It wasn't fair, we were tricked

Before the vote was taken on the new contract, an irate Bill Adams had a lot to say. He claimed that at the last negoitition session that he, Christmann and Youngman were hoodwinked by the mediator, Watson, Smith and Duryea into thinking the meeting was over. Apparently, Adams, Christmann and Youngman left the bargaining table, while the others continued to meet. Adams claimed that it was a trick by the union to keep those most sympathetic to the teachers at the table and to make those who weren't sympathetic think the meeting was over and leave. Duryea, Smith and Watson said that they knew the meeting wasn't over and that he should have known this also. Watson went so far to say that "Mr. Adams" was just too eager to "find the door" and have the teachers strike.

In the end, (as expected) Adams, Christmann, Youngman and Angerett voted no to the new contract. So we have a new five year contract, and probably five years of hard feelings too. If you thought Adams wanted to destroy public education before, just wait and see. Core Knowledge, mandatory homework, and grade inflation were just a start. Adams, along with Christmann and Youngman are no friends of the teachers. Keep an eye on Investor's Business Daily to see what their next scheme will be....

Just My Opinion

Ok, let's see. Adams voted no because he thinks teachers are incompetent. Christmann voted no because he just plain doesn't have respect for teachers. I have no idea why Youngman and Angerett voted no.

Duryea and Smith voted yes because they were afraid they would lose business if there was a strike. Watson and Thompson voted yes because it was the right thing to do. Geisler voted yes because his biggest fear is being linked with the gruesome foursome.

See ya at the voting booth this spring!

Update 11-20-00

SPEAKING UP FOR THE CHILDREN

Two speakers, in the "Public to Be Heard" category, addressed the issue of school-owned instruments. The condition of the French horns is pitiful and virtually unplayable, and something must be done. A dented and bent horn was passed around for the Board's perusal.

One of the speakers was Rebecca Sopher, music teacher at Moraine (I guess she counts as a member of the Public to Be Heard...) She explained that her annual budget of $840 just doesn't go far enough. She itemized how most of that money had been spent (a Music stand carrier - $350, Piano tuning - $150, Choral music - $150) and informed the board that the books and records (78s or lps???) she has to use have a 1980 copyright date. New French horns are urgently needed, and they aren't cheap.

It's good to see a teacher standing up for the children, especially when they know they are setting themselves up for the inevitable abuse heaped on them by certain members of the Board (And just why are these French horns in such bad shape? was the inevitable accusatory question. Uh, maybe 'coz they're high school hand-me-downs???). Ms. Sopher made her case well. Any reasonable Board would immediately look into how to provide the teachers and students with the needed equipment. Want to lay odds on what this Board will do?

DELAY, DELAY, DELAY

Cuteri Architects were there to answer questions about the supposed renovations at Har-Mer and the Middle School. Yes, the District has already sold bonds on the project. Yes, bids have already come in for Har-Mer (over budget) and the Middle School. Yes, this project has been before the Board for years. (See Updates, 10-25-00, 1-17-00, 2-24-00,2-21-00) And just when will renovations get underway?

Well, Har-Mer has to be be re-bid, with revised plans and another Act 34 public hearing. After all, the Har-Mer project is just full of unnecessary fluff (should hve seen Angerett's face when he heard the shrubs were cut from the budget :) ) Remember back in Oct of 1999 the board assured us Har-Mer wouldn't be short-changed!!! You know architects. They want to stick the district with all manner of things that won't bring up test scores. Heck, Cuteri put in a fire sprinker system for Har-Mer. What was he thinking??? Doesn't he know that Harrisville doesn't follow the BOCA code? Har-Mer? Sprinklers? Consultant and former acting superintendent Ahlum assured the Board that all buildings in the District can be evacuated in a matter of minutes (well, that's it for the sprinkler system...).

How much the District's insurance rates would go down with a sprinkler system? How much money might be saved? And what if a fire did happen? Wouldn't sprinklers help save the building itself? When there was a small fire at the Middle School a few years back, they were lucky to be able to hold some classes at the university across the street. Where could Har-Mer students go to attend classes? But I forget. This is Slippery Rock. Architects bad. Board good. Local board control determines the future of our schools (Remember when the architects asked for parent input on what the remodeled schools should look like? What were they thinking?)

But on to the Middle School. Last night, the Board was supposed to vote to award the contracts to the low bidders for the Middle School Project. The Board's renowned architectural experts (Adams and Youngman) decided that if the fat could be cut at Har-Mer, why not cut the fat at the Middle School, too? After all, the hundreds of thousands we've already spent, well that doesn't amount to anything really, Adams said. Why if we put up a steel frame insulated building.....Or maybe if we hire a new architect...And so the scintillating debate continued. Brad Smith made a motion to table the whole issue, a motion that was quickly (and gleefully) seconded by the esteemed Mr. Adams.

What's going on here? No, I don't think Smith has become a member of the slash and burn, anti-public education coalition on the Board. Duryea was out last night (and why would he miss an important vote like this?), so any vote taken about construction would have led to a predictable 4-4 tie, and no motion would have passed. When in doubt, do nothing. So Har-Mer's fate is undecided. No contracts have been awarded for Middle School renovations. Just keep repeating the same mantra...delay, delay, delay. This works for adopting new policies, new curricula, teacher contracts, hirings and firings...I guess we can delay everything except death, taxes, and hearing those damn quotes about camels, tents, and hands in neighbor's pockets. When IS the next election?????

COMMUNISTS IN THE ROCK????

Turns out that the poster on the message board might be right about a communist right here in the Slippery Rock Area School District. According to Adams, people have suggested that Adams Manufacturing move to China, so the illustrious industrialist on the Board decided to do a little bit of research. Those wiley Chinese - they'll build a building and dormitory for the company - for free. Workers make 35 cents an hour (slightly more then his workers make now?). The catch is that a 'Commie' leader has to be paid $10,000 per year, but they'll shoot anybody who gives the Manufacturing business a hard time. And did you know that the Red Chinese can educate a child for a mere $250 a year? And, according to Adams, their students end up speaking better English than children in the US (plus they wear such cute uniforms...). There was a general consensus from Board members that Adams Manufacturing should take this golden opportunity and relocate as soon as possible.

DEAD BRAIN CELLS IS DEAD BRAIN CELLS

Also, according to Adams, he has been in contact with a doctor who is bopping rats in the head with the same force as a soccer ball to the head of little children. Turns out that this doctor has learned from all these rat whacking tests that these rats' brains stop growing. Adams is convinced that this proves that heading a soccer ball is "eating away at children's intellectual abilites".

Adams then went on to say he would rather have his kid drinking beer than playing soccer.

The Board stopped short of implementing sports called Varsity Beer Drinking and Junior Varsity Beer Drinking (drinking lite beer I guess). Must have been too expensive.

BEATON BAFFLED?

Poker-Face of the Year Award goes to the District's new superintendent, Lee Beaton. Rat brains, Communist China, construction delays, vehement objections to outside funding through grants...what is going through her mind? It was hard to tell, but she sure got a taste of the partisan politics that are the Slippery Rock School Board. I've seen the Superintendents come and go, each aging way before their time. For Dr. Beaton's sake, I sure hope she had sense enough just to rent. I don't know, but there was something in her eyes that made me think maybe she knows just what she's in for....

Board Update 12-4-00

Well, the board has a new president, but he dosen't know it yet. Last night our board elected Dr. Watson as the new president. Dr. Watson however was absent. Eddie Christmann was elected vice president. If Watson choses to not accept, Christmann will become president. Last year Watson declined to be president, let's hope he sees the problems of a Christmann presidency and accepts.

Where is Duryea? Has he quit? Lets hope so. He was absent once again last night. Word has it that he has resigned, although he hasn't officially given the board his resignation. Regular readers of this page know that I feel that it has been his lack of leadership that has hendered this district. I know, ya'll thought it was Adams. Hopefully he is gone and Watson will provide the measured guidance we have been lacking.

Speaking of lack of leadership, renovations at both the MS and Har-Mer are on hold (duh! the board has been bumbling with this since 1997). Both projects will now have to be rebid because of our boards ineptness. Our children will suffer. But as most of us know this is not about the children, it's about personal political agendas. Stay tuned.

In the where does the new superintendant think she is department

Dr. Beaton announced that she is accepting applications from parents, business persons and community people to serve on the Act 48 Commitee. This commitee is required by law and involves how our district will implement staff development. The recommendations were due to the state Sept. 30.. We are a little late. We are late because our board dosn't want to give this kind of power to anyone but themselves- you know- local control. Remember, they haven't formed a stratigic planning commitee either. Although required by law, our board chose to ignore the law to prevent parents from being involved.

Dr. Beaton also informed the board that she will be presenting to the board, this summer, a plan to work more with the University. Very funny. Seems she thinks this is a good idea. Of course she dosn't know the history of resentment by our board/community toward SRU. We will see.