At tonight's Board of Ed meeting, Dr. Fishbein updated us on the status of the referendum projects. As of last week, the final bids have been opened. We are currently still running at approx. $2 million under budget. (So-called "soft costs" still need to be calculated.) This leads me to share some info that I sent to a resident earlier today, in response to a question: what will the Board do with the leftover funds?
Once all the referendum projects are complete and closed out (ETA April 2013), the Board will basically have two options:
1. Spending unused referendum monies on projects "not specified in the referendum." If the projects are "within the scope" of the referendum, the BOE can decide to go ahead and do them. If they are not "within the scope," then the BOE would need voter approval first. For example, the BOE could repair an additional roof at BF, because the referendum included roofs at BF. But the BOE could not use the money to upgrade the library at RHS (without asking the voters), because the scope of the referendum did not include renovating the library at RHS.
2. Return the unused referendum monies to the taxpayer. This would most likely be done by applying the funds to the annual debt service portion of the taxes we collect, and would only provide tax relief in that given year. For example: every year, the tax revenue we receive includes a portion that is used to pay our debt service for all the outstanding bonds -- not just the most recent referendum -- on which we make payments. In the 2011-12 budget, that amount of debt service taxes is $3,173,000. In 2013 when any unused referendum money becomes available, the BOE will not be allowed to apply the funds to the outstanding principal, nor can the bonds be called (not until at least 2020).
Another bit of (helpful) information -- I believe the decision as to what do with unused referendum funds must be "all or nothing." For example, the Board would not be allowed to apply some to projects and some to debt service.
All this info was in response to a resident's question, which was as a candidate for re-election, which of the two options will I favor. My answer to that question was: I cannot in good conscience predict what I would favor in April 2013. It will depend on what is happening with the District's overall budget, education needs, and facilities needs at that time. A lot can happen in two years. There can also be different people on the BOE. I can say that if I'm there, I would be open to any option and I would want to have a robust public discussion, all of us in the community together. I'm sorry my answer wasn't one of the two choices, but it is my honest and sincere belief. I think it would be irresponsible for me to make a more pointed prediction now.
One last note: Dr. Fishbein noted that work on the GW Middle School addition will officially begin tomorrow, and work at Willard begins next week! The Ridge and Hawes additions are coming along great. Many other projects are completed or in-process. It has been so great to see these projects through, and to see the differences in our facilities. This work truly will benefit the children of Ridgewood and the community for generations.
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15 comments:
Laurie, I haven't seen any evidence that you or any of the other board members give a rat's ass about the public opinion so spare us that dog and pony show of "a robust public discussion, all of us in the community together" that you referred to. This board refused to respect the public vote on last year's budget, so your supposed enthusiasm about involving the public in this or any other decision is simply not credible. Anyone that attends the board meetings knows that none of you show any respect for the opinions offered during the public speaking portion of the meeting.
Thanks for your opinion, Anonymous. Since you may be new to this blog, I hope you will read some of my previous posts which have addressed this topic, particularly, "How can I 'ignore' the voters?" from May 10, 2010. Here's a link:
http://lauriegood.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-can-i-ignore-voters.html
I also had what one could call a "robust" discussion with other anonymous folks last week or the week before regarding public comments at Board meetings.
Thanks.
Laurie, I am not new to this town and whatever hype you're putting out on your blog, you and the board DID ignore the public vote. There is no valid excuse for that.
I have been to many BOE meetings over the years and particularly in the recent few years. I have come up to the podium and stated my name and address and made my remarks along with many other residents. When the public comment portion of the meeting is over, the public's comments are typically ignored or dismissed quickly and sometimes quite arrogantly. So many people, including students and sometimes faculty, come to these meetings to be involved and make their feelings and desires known only to be disrespected and ignored, just like our votes. So whatever spin you put on it Laurie, you and your colleagues have failed us. That's why you're seeing new candidates coming forward. It's gotten bad enough that people who have put their faith in the BOE have realized that their faith was misplaced.
And yes, I have chosen to comment anonymously, as most people do on blogs, so you should have considered that when you started this site. I don't see you calling out your "supporters" for commenting anonymously, although it is a bit odd that they would not want you to know who they are. Like many, I have made myself and my opinions known to you in person and to no avail so your poke at internet anonymity is kind of absurd and pointless.
And while you're at it Laurie, someone made a very significant comment asking the BOE to form a committee and a procedure to deal with incidents of abuse to our students by teachers on the March 31st thread about merit pay for teachers. I've seen too many incidents of abuse happen in the elementary school, middle school and high school levels over the years. (Of course, even one incident is too many.) The parents and students that I know of were treated horribly by their school administrators and the teachers, often repeat offenders, have gotten away with it without penalty. I'd like to know how you plan on responding to this unchecked disgrace to our school system and the families it serves.
I can only respond to that comment regarding alleged incidents of abuse in the way I'm required by law, which is to encourage you, or the poster, to pursue the issue with the building principals and superintendent. If the particular issue is not resolved after that, then it may come to the Board. Also, the BOE and BOE members are prohibited from discussing teacher or staff actions except as formally brought before the Board after following the chain of command. I realize this is not the answer that you want to hear, and it may sound like passing the buck, but the law is the law and employees have many protections regarding their right to privacy, due process, etc.
Respectfully, I'm not going to keep arguing with you about ignoring or not ignoring the public vote. We disagree on this topic. Thanks.
Laurie, the abuses referred to were presented to the respective principals, as stated, and in at least two cases that I know of, the superintendent as well, along with irrefutable evidence. The teachers involved were not disciplined in any way. So it does seem like you are attempting to pass the buck here. You were asked to respond to what the board is willing to do once these avenues are exhausted with no results.
So, the bottom line is, are you willing to support having a committee of the BOE that will address these issues, particularly in disciplining or firing the offending faculty members when abuse has been proven? Do you think you can accomplish anything on this most important topic with the board as it stands?
I know of two habitually abusive teachers that are still working in Ridgewood schools, still abusing, in spite of complaints made and proof offered to the principals of the schools involved. If anything, these bullies are empowered by the administration's reluctance to deal with their actions.
This is an extremely serious issue. I hope you can agree. I would like to know specifically what you plan to do about it. In the meantime, children are suffering with no recourse while their parents have been threatened into submission by the people that are supposed to be helping them.
As I mentioned, it is against the law for Board members to discuss employees or their performance outside of a very formal setting which includes prior notification in writing to the employee being discussed, along with strict rules regarding discussion of students by name. These issues must be pursued through the superintendent. If the parent feels their issue has not been satisfactorily addressed by the principal or superintendent, then they need to write to the Board president.
I am willing to do everything that I'm allowed to do. You are right that it's a serious issue...so serious that the process and steps must be followed even more strictly. Believe me, issues are escalated to the Board and they are dealt with, but they follow the laws re: confidentiality, privacy and due process, so a person may not know the details if they were not a party to the situation.
Blah blah blah blah Laurie and more of the same. The bottom line is once again, WHAT ARE YOU AND THE BOARD WILLING AND ABLE TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS ONCE IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND SUPERINTENDENT HAVE BEEN INEFFECTIVE? What can you offer these families that would give them a reason to come forward with the intimate details of these circumstances?
We're talking about severely traumatized children with parents who have endured hostility and veiled threats to keep them and their complaints from going any further. How about some sensitivity and a realistic approach to these issues? These people have been emotionally exhausted and feel defeated in their ability to protect their child in school and get some justice. How do you plan to deal with that? How will you go about helping them and disciplining or firing teachers that are proven abusers? How will you get the word out there to the community that you are willing and able to help these people and deal with these abusive teachers? How can you defend not having already done this? If you tell me that you have been unaware that these things happen, I would say then that you have no business serving on the board.
I strongly encourage any parent of a severely traumatized child that feels the principal and superintendent have not responded appropriately to write a letter directly to the Board of Education members. I can offer those families my full attention and sensitivity as a member of the Board. As you may have seen me write before, I am not allowed to speak on behalf of the Board, nor am I allowed to predict or promise anything on behalf of the Board. That's the law. I also cannot say anything that might possibly result in the identification of the student or staff.
I'm sorry, but I don't know how many different ways to tell you this. I hear your frustration and I understand that you are concerned.
Well Laurie, why don't you just speak for yourself then. Why don't you tell us what YOU think the board could do about this and how YOU are going to address this with the other members. Isn't that why we vote for certain people, because they have a plan and pledge to address the issues we see as important.
This has been ignored for way too long Laurie and I assure you there are children in this district that are dreading going to school tomorrow because they have to face an abusive teacher. There are too many children that take the long range effects of this type of abuse with them long after they leave our schools. Friends have told me that their children were deeply traumatized just watching a classmate endure this day to day. Can you imagine how the abused child and his or her parents feel?
If I had the time and expertise to serve on the BOE, this would be a huge priority for me. What I'd like to know is what YOU think you can do about it and to what capacity the board COULD be effective here. If I sound frustrated it is because you are skirting around my questions.
Please understand. There are certainly topics on which I share my personal opinion. BUT when the topic at hand involves an individual or group of employees' actions or a student's or students' actions, I am not allowed by law to speak with you -- or anyone -- about it. Only as part of a meeting or hearing that follows very explicit rules regarding advance notice to the individuals, etc. You can keep making statements about traumatized students and abuse...if you were serving on the BOE, you would have far, far less freedom of speech on this, and you would be subject to legal action.
As I said before, there are issues that have come before the Board in private, as they must, and we have addressed them. There is a chain of command and it doesn't stop with the superintendent, so I would urge any parent to follow the process until they get a resolution.
Laurie There is no law that prohibits you, as a board member, from answering the general questions that were asked. The public has the right to know what the BOE can do in these situations and the BOE should publicize this. Traumatized children and their parents do not know what options are left after they have been worn down by the "chain of command" you speak of.
The situations I've heard of portray an administrative staff and superintendent who purposely give these parents a reason to stop seeking justice and action in these situations. Many clearly don't know that there are any options after the principal and superintendent. They are made to feel isolated and alone in their problems when in reality, the same teachers get away with the same types of abuse year after year. I can say this with confidence because I know for a fact that there are teachers who have kept their jobs after repeated abuses, whether physical, verbal or emotional, year after year. I know of a substitute teacher that smacked a fourth grade girl in the face in the presence of the entire class and is still working in our schools after the child reported it to the principal and the parents pursued it. I know parents who have been worn out or intimidated into submission on these issues. If they knew there was recourse beyond the principal and superintendent, at least some would have gone forward.
There is no law that prohibits the BOE from making general policy known to parents regarding further recourse in these matters. It is vital that this be done. If there is a way to stop this, what excuse could you possibly have for not reaching out to the public?
Plenty of effort has been made to educate parents and students about how to handle student to student bullying, but no effort whatsoever has been made regarding teacher to student bullying. Stop making excuses. Honestly, I don't know how any of you can sleep at night.
(Laurie, I am resending this because for some reason, you have overlooked posting it.)
Laurie There is no law that prohibits you, as a board member, from answering the general questions that were asked. The public has the right to know what the BOE can do in these situations and the BOE should publicize this. Traumatized children and their parents do not know what options are left after they have been worn down by the "chain of command" you speak of.
The situations I've heard of portray an administrative staff and superintendent who purposely give these parents a reason to stop seeking justice and action in these situations. Many clearly don't know that there are any options after the principal and superintendent. They are made to feel isolated and alone in their problems when in reality, the same teachers get away with the same types of abuse year after year. I can say this with confidence because I know for a fact that there are teachers who have kept their jobs after repeated abuses, whether physical, verbal or emotional, year after year. I know of a substitute teacher that smacked a fourth grade girl in the face in the presence of the entire class and is still working in our schools after the child reported it to the principal and the parents pursued it. I know parents who have been worn out or intimidated into submission on these issues. If they knew there was recourse beyond the principal and superintendent, at least some would have gone forward.
There is no law that prohibits the BOE from making general policy known to parents regarding further recourse in these matters. It is vital that this be done. If there is a way to stop this, what excuse could you possibly have for not reaching out to the public?
Plenty of effort has been made to educate parents and students about how to handle student to student bullying, but no effort whatsoever has been made regarding teacher to student bullying. Stop making excuses. Honestly, I don't know how any of you can sleep at night.
Sorry -- didn't mean to overlook your comment...every once in a while Blogger flags comments as spam (usually my own for some reason!) and I forget to check that folder every now and then. I will respond to your comments when I can.
The policy and process that parents should follow – and that the Board and administration must follow – for complaints about teachers is found in the Board Policy Manual, located on the District Website (homepage, far left). It is Regulation R9310, and it includes details about the recourse beyond the superintendent for issues that are not resolved to the parents’ satisfaction. I am pasting the text here:
R 9130 PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES
All complaints and grievances addressed to the Board of Education, Board members individually, school officials, or district staff members shall be referred to the Superintendent for consideration in accordance with the following procedures:
B. Complaints Regarding a Teaching Staff Member Other Than Administrator
1. First Level
a. The complainant will be directed to address the matter to the staff member.
b. The staff member will be directed to discuss the matter directly with the complainant and to make every reasonable effort to explain the difficulty
and/or take appropriate action in accordance with district regulations and within his or her authority and district regulations.
c. The staff member will report the matter, and whatever action may have been taken to resolve the matter, to the Principal.
2. Second Level
a. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the first level, the complainant may discuss the matter with the Principal.
b. The Principal will take all reasonable and prudent steps to resolve the complaint or to explain to the complainant why the matter cannot be resolved as the complainant wishes.
3. Third Level
a. If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved at the second level, the complainant may, within ten working days of his or her meeting with the Principal, submit to the Superintendent a request for a conference.
b. Within ten working days of receiving the complaint, the Superintendent or his/her designee may, at his/her discretion, schedule a conference, at a mutually convenient time, and attempt to resolve the matter informally.
c. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall provide the complainant with a copy of his/her decision in writing.
4. Fourth Level
a. A complaint that is not resolved in conference with the Superintendent or that seeks a remedy beyond the Superintendent’s jurisdiction may be appealed to the Board of Education.
b. The complainant may, within ten working days of his or her receipt of the Superintendent's written disposition, submit a written request for a hearing
before the Board. The request will include a copy of the Superintendent's disposition at Level 3.
c. The Board, or a subcommittee thereof, may, within its sole discretion, conduct an informal hearing, in which the complainant will present his or her complaint. The Board may, on the petition of the complainant, permit the examination of witnesses. The Board may permit the teaching staff member who is the subject of the complaint to testify in his or her own behalf.
Should the Board elect not to hold a hearing, they may respond to the complaint in writing.
d. The Board shall, within ten working days of the hearing, or subsequent to the next Board meeting, whichever is later, advise the complainant in writing of the Board's disposition of the complainant.
e. The complainant will be advised that the Board's decision may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education.
5. Reasonable efforts will be made to expedite a complaint that arises at the end of the school year so that the matter can be resolved before the end of the school year.
As to your wish for me to discuss more about what I or the Board might do in situations involving teacher behavior, here (below) is an interesting story about the difficulties school districts face due to FERPA, the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act which regulates what administrators and teachers are allowed to say in public regarding incidents that involve students. While the examples in the story pertain to student discipline issues, the same rules apply since the incidents you refer to also involved students. I have been advised that Board members cannot speak about hypotheticals if there could be any possibility of a reader making a connection to an actual incident and an actual student. Also, I’m supposed to remain neutral until such time that a specific incident comes before the Board. It’s frustrating but all I can continue to say to you as a Board member is that I will do everything I can to follow the policy and respond to any issue that comes to the BOE. I do not want to misspeak.
Here is a link to the full article: http://itemonline.com/local/x636372118/FERPA-has-school-district-stuck
And here is the beginning of the story…
FERPA has school district stuck: Federal guidelines making it hard for HISD to address discipline issues
Huntsville’s school superintendent is between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
He can’t publicly address persistent rumors about specific disciplinary incidents this semester — from code of conduct violations to felonies — reported by teachers, can’t disclose what steps teachers and administrators took to address the issues, can’t even reassure parents that their students are safe at school by describing the measures in place to improve and address discipline in the schools.
Why? FERPA. The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment, which prohibits schools and universities that accept federal funding from releasing information from a students’ educational records — other than directory information — to unauthorized persons....
With all due respect, I think I have said all I can on this issue and we are both repeating ourselves at this point.
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