This board meeting was rrrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaaaallllllyyyyy long. Starting at 5:30 and ending at around 10:20. Those of you there, feel free to add your own comments or link to your resources.
The board narrowed down the interim candidate list. The finalists are:
1. Francis Dumbaya
2. Patricia Henry
3. Jack Ford
4. Lisa Sobecki
5. Richard Brown
They met in executive session for 45 minutes or so.
Why not my name? See http://myersforschoolboard.com for my statement.
There was a lot of citizens making comments today.
The comments were about:
1. Scott HS
2. Graduation requirements
3. Military recruiters
4. Building plan minority inclusion
5. Student TARTA riders
Listen to the audio at:
http://toledopoliticians.com/5_29_2007_tps_board_meeting
Other issues:
1. Graduation - There was some hastyness in appearance about the graduation requirements. It was so quick that they did not have the actual resolution in hand when they started talking about it. There was some scurrying around to get the actual resolution printed up and presented to the board. There were many citizens asking the board to allow thier kids/relatives to graduate.
Board voted 4-0 to adopt the updated graduation policy which stated that only students can participate in commencement who pass the tests and meet the graduate curriculum requirements.
2. Interim member - The board said they will start to interview the finalists. Meeting on Friday at 8 am. Any bets on who they will choose?
3. Board voted to approve the treasurer to sell bonds at 5.5% interest to cover any deficit late next year.
4. Board voted funds to build an urban rain garden. I don't know how much and really don't care. I don't think the board should have approved this. Find a donor to sponsor it. What do you think about this?
5. Board approved a settlement on a lawsuit over demolition of Gunkle school.
It was really long!!!!
I can answer any questions that you may have.
I really appreciate you doing this, since it's impossible for me to attend the meetings being able to hear them gives me insight and information into the process that I would never be able to have. It has been a very eye opening experience for me at times. I know I've told you this in person, but wanted to publicly thank you for your dedication in providing the audio for us.
:-)
We don't remember days only moments...
a known politico and not someone with a business background. That way TPS can continue to have the same old same old results.
bill
what in the hell is an urban rain forest?
I mean garden?
I found this: http://www.urbanraingarden.ca/
I was listening to the recording - one thing that struck me last night was how disrespectfully the speakers were treated by Steve Steel. He is quite a condescending character. At 11:13 of the first half you can hear the interaction between a 30 year employee of the district and the new board President.
I was certainly unhappy to see that the situation is even worse than it has been with the new board president.
I encourage people (yes some of these meetings are very long) to attend a school board meeting. It is very difficult to describe the disrespect that the public encounters if they go to speak at the board meetings. It is quite clear that most of the board doesn't want to hear from the public.
And it really is something you have to see for yourself.
I also have questions about the two legal opinions presented at the beginning of the meeting. The two that said the board presidents' replacement, upon resignation, had to be by an election through a vote of the board. Who were these legal opinions from? If those opinions are correct, how can the board just go forward without an election for the presidents' position?
If you're here to tell me it's my fault - you're right. I meant to do it. It was alot of fun. That's why I have this happy smile on my face.
I noted the comment that it takes a politico - that is someone who relishes in conducting politics as they have been conducted - right or wrong. When considering how to vote on an issue, first I review my campaign promises of: fiscal accountability, transparent community engagement and academic achievement. Then I review my personal convictions and beliefs that are brought to the TPS Board table. If I am unable to find 2 others with those beliefs and convinctions, I still vote for what is right and in the best interest of the taxpayers and students. The public should be asking why is she voting that way? There must be real reason for taking a stand and simply not joining the majority to "get along". In this regard, it does not count as a lost vote but rather a public message that we must do things differently. Take the use of executive session last night. Sure on a technical term Board Members could be considered "employees". We are paid by statute $80.00 per meeting (not including committees) however in reality that certainly stretches the definition of "employee". This is a public appointment of a public official conducting the public's business. The public has a right to see those voted into office interacting and the probing methodogy necessary to consider the proper steps and candidates' attributes for filling this short term vacancy. That is why I voted no last evening to going into executive session. Friday we will interview those under consideration and again, I will take the stand the interviews should be conducted in public view.
...from under the cloak of secrecy, the Board blunders on.
I mean really, two already endorsed candidates, our former mayor "smilin Jack" and one name I recognize as a frequent writer to either The Toledo Journal or the Sojourner's Truth (which isn't necessarily bad).
Unless either (Dr.?)Francis Dumbaya or Patricia Henry gets the nod, it will be(political) business as usual....
SIGH.
To me, picking a known and endorsed candidate, giving them a distinct advantage, is both unconscionable and totally predictable. . .
Hooda Thunkit
can you post the resumes on this thread? They are very interesting.
My kids have been out of school for a few years, so I am out of the school loop, and admit that I'm not really informed about the requirements to be on the TPS school board. But of that list of names, it seems only Francis Dumbaya has any first hand experience in the education field (in a supervisory or leadership level). Isn't that a requirement? Ford has no such experience as far as I know (I'm not sure), and just being president of a PTA doesnt sound like much of a qualification to me.
I don't know, Bill... For any change a majority is needed. That takes a politico. Someone able to build consensus among, at least, 3 board members.
At the end of the day, this is a political job.
I don't know who I would personally want for the job--the only person on that list that I know a lot about is Ford--but whoever it is needs to be able to build a coalition or his/her vote is just going to be wasted.