It was an interesting meeting. A fuller draft report will follow.
Get the audio at: http://toledopoliticians.com/6_26_07_toledo_public_school_board_meeting
The Scoop:
The board was much calmer today, well 4 out of 5 members. Oddly polite at the meeting tonight. Ford looked sick. He talked really quiet and it was hard to hear what he said most of the meeting. But his behavior was normal Ford.
The board implemented a really odd citizen comment policy. Any citizen with business before the board can talk before the meeting. Any citizen with something to say not dealing with the business before the board talks at the end.
The board approved a budget with 8.7 million dollar surplus from this past year. There were some questions. They want to get citizen input, although after the budget was approved. The budget was produced using 0 based budgeting. Seemed odd the questions. The board could have shown more leadership, but if they saved so much money with the 0 based budgeting imagine what they would do if they used a program similar to ideas for TPS. The admin should be applauded for this effort, but imagine how much more they could do.
The Unions seemed to be fighting. Teacher union questioned why there were no admin positions cut, but having two added. Principal's union saying the teacher union is destroying a chance at the levy.
District gave a long budget presentation.
After Darlene's questioning, the board lowered spending to beginning of last year levels regarding the board travel fund. It dropped from 27 to 15K. Ford even suggested board members use their campaign money for training. Too bad they did not lower it more.
Ford questioned some MOUs signed by the Super (sounds familiar). Asked the super if they could hire as the year goes along. I believe referring to teachers. Seemed strange he seemed to be advocating he wanted some more teachers hired.
Renamed 2 schools, Cherry to Rosa Parks and the old Gunkle school to Samuel Jones School at Gunkle Park. Strange they did not have a public hearing or anything. Robert Torres seemed surprised at the result, and wondered about naming a school after Oscar Bunch or
Judge Flores.
I have attached a very rough draft of the notes. It is a rough draft.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| tps226meeting.rtf | 21.07 KB |
I know I tell you this almost every time but I really do appreciate you taking the time to do this so we can listen to the audio and read your summary of the meetings.
And I thought I had my hands full. Looks like you enjoy a challenge too.. Kudoos for doing more than the rest of em by a mile.