Tonight's board meeting was uneventful. It took until 9:20 PM to finish, almost 4 hrs. They were in executive session for 1.75 hrs.
There was the normal dissention and personal attacks from the normal characters and a lot of information.
Things discussed:
-The board approved a cell phone policy.
-The district talked about bids on updating their Web site. They got 9 back.
-The district said they will only invest in American banks preferablly locally.
-The district is still moving along on the Web streaming they had a demo at the last policy meeting. Hurray!
I will be posting the report maybe tonight or tomorrow.
In the meantime, you can hear the meeting at:
http://toledopoliticians.com/2_27_07_tps_school_board_meeting
While the meeting lasted almost 4 hrs, the audio is not that long. You may be able to hear it in time.
I heard the low bid was about 35k?
I can do it with a borrowed digital camcorder and a 14.99 a month SBC (now AT&T) website. (I know this because I have already DONE it).
Although, toward the end I was over a hundred bucks a month because of the file size. I am now being hosted by a very reasonable server for $5.00 a month.
I propose that I design the website, upload the documents, links and files for - gee, $25.00 a month?
I got here a couple of minutes late.
The meeting started off with the Ella Stewart academy presenting a musical number. The first was a song and the second was a jazz number.
They honored the city league girls teams.
Mr Ashford was honored for his support. Wondered who set the schedule hard to follow referring to the kids. Ashford said he had greetings from the City of Toledo. Said Zoo was the best as well as the library and parks, said that he wanted to say he supported the Toledo Public Schools. Was a partner in EDU for over 10 years. Went through his experience with the Toledo Public Schools. Said was here to let the district know about the city council initiatives. The first one was renaming Machine to Flute Rice Way. Acknowledged family. Mr Rice transformed Scott HS and demanded HQ education. The second initiative was renaming a street after Ella P Stewart. First licensed pharmacist and opened up the first pharmacy. First AA rep on the league of women voters. 11/14 passed a resolution naming part of Avondale to Ella P Stewart drive. Said the council was there to make sure the schools were a strong foundation for the city.
Deborah Barnett asked for comments.
Sykes thank for all done for children for TPS and YMCA.
Foley wanted to thank Mr. Rice for teaching.
Next was the district honored retirees.
Admin appointments were made.
Calls for citizens comments:
Tawana Boyd-Parents working at home it would be good to utilize a Web site where parents can check their child's grades. She said private schools utilize their Web site effectively and she encouraged the district to use their's correctly. She did not understand why the district did not have more options on their Web site.
Robert Torres - asked the admin to look into cost for ability for parents to check grades at home.
The next speaker said that the family fun night at Libbey was successful. Talked about the events and who attended. Said that everyone worked together to ensure success. The volunteers were great work. With any big business, you need leadership saddened that they did not pick Foley.
Tyrone Sturdivant - Asked question where they are regarding Toledo Plan and teaching program. Talked about saving dollars and their first duty is teaching and if they are not, you would save money. If consultants were to return to classroom, you could save money. When everyone ran for board it was a big topic but nothing gets done. If it is a plan that works we would know it. Have we researched it? How many consultants, how much would it save us? That would decrease amount to operate, could save money. That plan does not have value.
Sykes - Wanted to respond. He reminded Mr Sturdivant that the board brought in consultant and said the plan was addressed. You had an opportunity to talk so did Steven Flagg. Consultant found it was effective. There is no plan to look at it. Mr Sykes said it was not him to want to remove it.
Tyrone responded something.
Twila said she knew Flute Rice would want Scott returned to original greatness. AAPA wanted a moratorium on suspensions. 55 suspensions are unacceptable. Wanted school board to create a forum to address the disparity suspension policy meetings. Do not get their questions answered. Most children are headed to prison pipeline because the schools did not care. She wanted to get answers to questions. Her question was she wanted the board president to address community on 55k schools days of children suspended.
Barnett said she had to respond. Said Twila came to policy meeting.
Twila said she was not allowed to speak
Barnett emphasized she had submit the request in writing.
Twila said she did not receive other items she did put in writing. She questioned whether she would ever receive that response.
Steven Flagg - Privilege and honor being friend to Rice. True honor is living monuments on the lives he touched. Barn & Sykes where is the plan. Budget plans not received until May. This is not a way to be responsive and to implement a customer service plan. Present the plan as early as possible. At the end of Feb now and there is no discussion. Will end up driving more people away and will make it harder to address a levy. Barnett, your plan to submit question in writing is old fashioned. Said liked to have a conversation across the table. Not the way to implement a customer service plan. Shown unity in selecting super. Now get the job done.
Sykes - Mr. Flagg we have not moved forwarded for a year your colleague did not get anything done.
Flagg responded you always do this don't allow me to respond. You always wanted to get the last work.
Ms. Barnett stepped in and moved on.
Claudia Cooper - Toledo plan evalulator made 18 recommendations. How many are being addressed? It will be publicly stated will be here next month. Raised issues with selection process. Questioned selections of students in the Grove Patterson academy. If the Feb lottery did take place who was present to observe?
Next on agenda is motion to go into executive session for items of hiring a pending employee, pending litigation, preparing beginning negotiations with employees.
Sykes, stated concern of information being dispersed. At retreat Mrs. Fisher said she does not honor executive session and the information presented there. Sykes said that information there will be broached. Referred to the article in The Toledo Journal.
MY THOUGHT: Why does Barnett let Larry to continue to speak and make these accusations? Isn't she the keeper of the pledge. Seems like the pledge is a bunch of baloney because she refuses to call obvious violations out. Actions speak louder than words, and her lack of stopping Larry says a lot.
Torres - I would like to speak
Fisher you mistook what was spoken about on Saturday. I won't respond to your attacks.
Torres -If there is concern we can have it in public.
Barnett - we would like to call for the vote.
THE BOARD WAS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR 1 HR 40 MINUTES.
Came back had standing committee reports
Finance Committee - Larry Sykes said there was discussion pertaining to tax incentives. General funding on how to rate the system. Cost for programs and accounts. Increase in board service fund, legal litigation fees. Additional discussion related to OFSC.
Romano gave the OFSC update. Said there were discussion will not be having relationships with financial institutions across the water.
Torres building for success. Emphasized minority participation in building program.
Sykes clarified regard the19mil in Abbey bank. Sykes we don't know anyone over there not sure how stable economy was.
Fisher was this a board decision?
Romano Abbey bank met all requirements. They go with the one with the highest yield. Romano looked for paper backed by commercial paper based in US. The difference is minor between the foreign and the US banks.
Fisher does policy need to be decided before the board.
Sykes said there is no control over foreign banks. Banks here are regulated.
Darlene did not want ....something
Torres we wanted to diversity with local. You do need to support local entities. Some point you need to make a decision and corporate responsibility. Give reports on a monthly basis.
Romano I can assure that the decision to pick comes out of our office.
Policy committee cell phone policy, osba take care for us, wellness policy, video streaming.
Kilbride summary. Demonstration of video equipment streaming, cell phone policy, hearings did receive comments about additional research, new policies that came out.
Sykes had a concern about video streaming. I have some concern pertaining to how we can control. He said he was concerned that people could alter it in some way. He said it was know that previous video recordings were altered (looking over to me) There have been edits of other meetings. Wanted to know if a reputable person to control it. If there is any agency has their own reputable provide access for our session. Brief discussion for talking with WGTE may be something to look at. Have their own registrar, I think they do city council. Barnett discussed the cost before move forward we would submit a budget. Video in terms of records there was a discussion.
Fisher how does citizen requests work?
Barnett citizen can send an e-mail or letter. MY NOTE, SHE TOOK A STEP BACK FROM TELLING TWILA SHE NEEDED TO SUBMIT HER REQUESTS IN WRIITNG.
How would I know what meeting to attend? Fisher asked. If the citizens must submit their question at the committee meeting, which meeting would the citizen know she could get a response.
Barnett we have not had problems before.
Sykes we have a process at the school level.
Foley said there is a request form.
Barnett are you proposing a new policy?
Fisher saying I wanted clarification.
Barnett said we want to come up with a way.
Fisher we don't want to throw up any road blocks and want to have citizens come in.
Policy committee final reading on phone policy. Was read and voted on.
OFSC unable to meet but had a couple of resolutions - Fisher
Curriculum - moving how to expand capacity. Steel Aligning curriculum to standards. NO question in teachers mind what they should be covering.
Steel Understanding is this is ongoing and there are people being diligent. Aligning curriculum to report cards. Next year implementing standard based report cards.
Put out an RFP for pre assessments. Currently use ETS. Working at ability to achieve on state assessments. Another issue is a grant that allows team building at school level. Undergoing training at NYC to make sure they have good understanding and brought back at staff meeting. There are book studies that are starting to occur understanding research in education.
Torres a couple of questions you mentioned the ID of team leaders. Do you know who will be involved?
Steel mostly principals and teachers.
Kilbride explained.
Fisher will you develop pacing guides.
Steel yes, the issue is to make sure they are aligned with what is being taught at the state.
Fisher work on new report card, can I see it. What is the parental feedback.
Kilbride we did get positive feedback. Outlines the skills you child has mastered. Do a pre and post prep and would like to address problems quicker, thus more assessment. The goal would be to do all students - Fisher
Fisher in regards to program what are they from?
Kilbride the person is from the coke.
Fisher how are we paying?
Barnett we are doing committee work here, what is the purpose of the committee?
Fisher said she had one other question.
Barnett you could write the question down and put it on the committee.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS STRANGE, I THOUGHT FISHER WAS ON THE COMMITTEE.
Fisher on the book committee have a book club by board members. She wanted the board to read Failure is not an Option.
Sykes It is my understanding Darlene could not make 4 and should contact Kilbride.
Barnett Mr. Sykes, we have moved on.
Barnett sent out an RFP for TPS web site. Got 9 back, reviewing RFPs to submit top 3-4 as review for committee. As parent suggested earlier have parents interact. Focus group to talk about what to do with Web. Also reviewed customer service guide will talk about that more.
Foley looking for training for employees.
Barnett Also talked about partnerships with business leaders. Put together a preso to share what is going on. Met with Mayor finkbeiner. Wanted to thank Dave M for commercials on TV to promote those commercials.
Torres at an American Red Cross fundraiser, person talked about opportunity for foundation support. Will pass along recommendations.
Fisher regarding foundations, how can we expand the foundation. Web site be updated, what is budget?
Foley we did not have a budget and will see what comes out.
Fisher can I get a copy of preso?
Approval of meeting minutes.
Acceptance of contributions and other business items.
Super report:
TPS special Olympics BB team has advanced to regionals. Want to wish good luck to all of our team.
This Friday several elementary schools will have reading.
500 parents came to Libby community event.
TPS leading investment.
Sykes we had two young ladies honored by Marcy Kaptur in DC.
Treasurer report approval of investments
Torres applauded the admin and district on saving 3.5 million dollars.
The district had to separate the banking business out into three resolutions so they can get around the abstensions.
Barnett motioned to adjourn.
9:18 PM
I sent the following e-mail to the board and Mr. Sykes this evening. I will post the response (if I get one):
Mr. Sykes,
You insinuated at the board meeting yesterday that previous video/audio recordings have been altered and edited before being posted on the Internet and also mentioned about the lack of credibility these bring. I want you to clarify with me if you were referring to my recordings or not. This is not the first time I have heard this and I am wondering where you are coming from. I suspect you were referring to me because you even looked over at me when you made that allegation. If you are referring to me then I challenge you to prove this. Obviously it sounds like you have proof so I want you to specify where it occurred. Other than switching tapes or batteries the video and audio I put up is raw an unedited and I specify this. The only time I have removed something knowingly from an audio recording occurred during the 1/27 board retreat where a reporter said something that should not have been on tape about someone where that person works. That edit was noted. That one comment was removed but the rest of the file was in its raw form. I put high value in informing the citizens what goes on at the meetings and this means that they have the right to hear, unedited, what occurred so they can decide for themselves. I do not waiver from this belief.
I release all of my files from copyright, so anyone else can do what ever they want with the audio/video files; I have no control over that. But I do NOT allow edited files to take the place of the raw files on toledopoliticians.com, and I DO control the access to my files.
While the written notes are not a complete account since it is impossible for me to write everything down, the audio and video I put up is pristine and if you are referring to me then you need to prove it or not say it again; it is just that simple.
By-the-way, if you streamed the meetings it would be harder for people to copy and edit what is being said because it is streamed. While it is not impossible to make a personal copy, it is much harder because the client computer only plays what is being sent and the file is not saved. I really encourage you to pursue the streaming because it would be a progressive public service that does not cost much money. I believe the district has said at a meeting it only costs around 2k a year. You could even use some of the newly appropriated board development funds to pay for it.
Also, each meeting averages 140 downloads over a period of 3-4 months after the meeting. Within the first 24 hours there are around 60 people who download it. I take great pride in providing those 60 people the opportunity to hear the meetings in the first 24 hrs and the other 80 over the longer period of time. The audio recorder only cost me 41 dollars and being able to bring around 140 more people into the process is priceless in my opinion. 140 people is almost like a whole another filled board room. It would be great for the district to invest the 41 dollars to digitally record the meetings and provide the files as a download because you CAN do that NOW without an upgraded Web site. I bought my recorder at http://www.ecost.com/. They have many great deals especially in their bargain countdown and clearance items.
I look forward to your response.
Chris
I heard there were extra curricular activities after the board meeting yesterday regarding a specific board member. Perhaps those people would like to elaborate - You know who you are.
Who are you referring to?
Tawana Boyd-Parents working at home it would be good to utilize a Web site where parents can check their child's grades. She said private schools utilize their Web site effectively and she encouraged the district to use their's correctly. She did not understand why the district did not have more options on their Web site.
I have friends who live in Kansas and they have a website they can go to that lists all the homework and project assignments for their kids that they can check out. Makes it much easier to keep track of things since you can't always rely on your child to give you an accurate accounting of what they need to do.
Something like that would be awesome to have around here.
would have edited video?
Chris you said this:"He said it was know that previous video recordings were altered (looking over to me)"
The only public audio/video have been provided by the two of us. And we both have the original files - which would obviously provide the proof they were not edited. So say otherwise publicly would be a very serious step to take.
So, I don't know what he could have meant? Maybe he means that people are editing - like some of the youtube stuff? Making jokes about it. I don't understand that comment. I missed it on the audio.