Toledo Public Schools needs to retool its negotiations with William Harner. We are at the point where the credibility of TPS is clearly on the line. And, as much as I admire the extensive work of Larry Sykes at LMHA, at TPS, at the Metroparks, it is past time for Sykes to take a break and catch up on some peace and quiet.
I know Sykes has the heart of a lion but enough is enough. Larry, you have meant more to the community in your cumulative effort than just about anyone else in the past 25 years. Your served the schools, on the city parks board, Metroparks, minority banking
Ford found a way to politely agree with many of us and what we have believed for a long time!
"...And, you made a difference in the lives of so many in helping them get cars, boats and homes. You
I would not have expected it out of Jack Ford. He's a quiet fellow and this is a great piece.
I've spent the last couple of days wondering if anyone had the courage to tell the truth and be a hero for the kids in this situation.
See, the truth of the matter is that while the budget, buildings, administration and teachers all matter a great deal - they're just tools to serve the interest of our kids. And that's to educate them to ready them to become adults.
And they absolutely, completely blindly trust us. They don't have one doubt in their mind that we are going to get things done for them.
I'm having a hard time since this started last week looking at the kids in my life - their optimistic wide eyed innocence. They just trust us to do whatever it is that has to be done - because they believe that we love them. And that everything will be ok - they trust us to make it ok.
And it's starting to look like these small people are the end concern at the end of a long, long list of what should be ancillary issues. And they should be the first priority. They should be cherished.
I'm just praying that the people who are in the positions who can do the things that need to be done at this point in time, will have the courage.
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.
Jack Ford: "As a former legislator, I can tell you that Columbus is watching what goes on here in Toledo. This will be grist for intervention if the noise from Toledo continues to bounce around the state."
Hmmmm....
Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter (African proverb)
Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter (African proverb)
there is conversation all the way to Columbus right now. And teachers in other districts are asking how this will affect their contract negotiations and their residency requirements.
They're also very damn worried about this 'me too' environment we created.
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.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS04/705030...
Steve Steel, Toledo School Board Member has said this: "As we consider making a commitment to leadership of this district, I would expect a reciprocal commitment from that leader," Mr. Steel said."Part of a commitment to a district is not just cerebral and intellectual, it's tangible, it's where you live, it's where you choose to invest in property."
I guess I can see what's got people all riled up in Ohio - this is a different approach for sure.
I don't know how everybody else feels, but what will happen to teachers that live on farms? Or in neighboring cities? If this is how it is going to be and there is no flexibility on this from our school board - I just don't think the teachers who don't live in Toledo will like having to relocate or find new jobs.
Don't get me wrong - I can clearly see the reason behind it. The Mayor wants residents in the city - so he is showing support for this inflexibility, the board is probably well aware of how many teachers kids would add to our attendance number - I'm just not sure that everybody is happy this precedent is being set in Toledo this week.
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.
...in the approach to residency. You can't say that a superintendent must be vested in the district by living in it and then say that all other employees are exempt from such criteria. Further, you can't say a superintendent can live anywhere and then require those he supervises to live in the district.
Either they all need to live in the district or they all can live anywhere they want. But it's hypocritical to have a double standard, imho.
And if residency is going to be expected of the superintendent, I expect to see the same no-compromise approach to residency for teachers and administrators in their next union contracts.
It wouldn't really affect the teachers who do live in the district - maybe that IS all of them or nearly all of them? I don't really know how many teachers will be affected by the residency requirement?
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.
1112 teachers live outside of the district.
$33,360,000.00 in money that could possibly be spent in Toledo. That is the minimum at $30,000 per year times 1112 teachers.
If step two is to try to put these teachers, their salaries and home purchases within the Toledo school district - it makes fiscal sense.
Maybe this isn't about hiring a new Superintendent at all then. Which might make sense out of the ridiculous lack of negotiations with him (for SIX weeks) after they voted 5-0 to enter into negotiations.
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.
Should have bought a cheap condo within city, called it the primary residence (throw in a desk, bar, big screen, and air hockey). Purchase HOME in Ottawa Hills and titled it under a living trust. Send daughter to Slyvania schools to complete advanced coursework and pay extra dollars in the short-term for out of district. Offset short term expenses by countering with a sign on bonus or increase in performance bonus.
Fulfills stupid mandate. Should have been a done deal.
I know that 60% of administrators live outside of Toledo. Don't have those numbers yet.
Add the numbers. TPS is the largest employer of people in Toledo. I think they even beat out Chrysler.
This is public money going to every community but mine.
A lot of money involved, talk about a boom town!!
Not "Go West Young Man" but "Move into the City of Toledo TPS Employees."
I like your name and your thoughts go along with your name!
Pro Medica after merger 11,000
Chrysler 3548
UT 5079
TPS 4730
Who cares if it has to do with "the education of our children." Seriously. Who cares?
I hate all these kitsch emotional euphemisms like "War on Terror," "Support the troops," and "Our childrens education."
Education is important, so is the support for our armed forces, for that matter. But the problem with these phrases is that when people (like you) use them, and somebody disagrees with you, you pull out the "OH?! So you're AGAINST giving our children the best education possible?"
Now, you didn't actually say that -- and I'm not suggesting you did or that you even suggested it -- but that's what so often happens with these things.
"TPS is the largest employer of people in Toledo."
UT is the largest employer, followed by Chrysler, then the Promedica system, IIRC.
"This is public money going to every community but mine."
You're making an assumption that all money earned by teachers living outside the city limits, which is false. The largest mall in the region is inside Toledo, as is Westgate, Monroe St., and the Reynolds corridor. On top of that, TPS teachers living outside the city are taxed by the city but do not use city services other than roads (and the road improvements in the city are paid for with roughly %50 state and federal grants). Why is it a bad thing that they live outside city limits again?
"$33,360,000.00 in money that could possibly be spent in Toledo. That is the minimum at $30,000 per year times 1112 teachers."
That's assuming they spend $0 in the city right now, which is extremely unlikely.
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"When I say your dumb name, please stand up briefly, but then quickly drop to your knees and forsake all others before me." -Ignignokt
There's a city full of walls you can post complaints at