PERSONNEL-related Perceptions (June-Nov. 2006)
Part 1 of 3:
FREEDOM DAY for those TEACHERS who have been under the stranglehold of this WISD Administration. ALSO, for the STUDENTS and THEIR PARENTS who have gone up AGAINST the administration. As you know, back in December the VIEW published PART of the PERCEPTIONS BY THE COMMUNITY. NOW, finally, you will be able to read the ENTIRE REPORT by Dr. Jim Van Overschelde as sent by email to the School Board and the Superintendent for "THEIR EYES ONLY" as authorized by the President of the School Board, Melissa Young.
First off, a little background on the report. Dr. Jim was just living his life here in town when he heard of a "school bond" meeting at City Hall hosted by than Mayor Steve Klepfer. The only thing is that ONLY the Mayor's friends had been notified - ASK him WHY??? The WORD got out though (doesn't the TRUTH always come out)in the community and there was a FULL HOUSE. Jim came away from the meeting wondering WHY so many people were NOT satisfied with this WISD Administration as regarding a BOND ISSUE. So, he started his in depth study to find out. When completed he shared it with Board Member Dave Williams who told Jim that this needs to get out into the community and you NEED TO RUN for a Board position. Jim decided to run and we all know that his was a BIG VICTORY over Basil Lombardo, who was President of the Board.
(ed. by CW)
DISCLAIMER: This is a summary of the perceptions of over 300 people that I talked with in our community. Perceptions are: "personally meaningful interpretations of sensations" and they can be relatively accurate, somewhat biased and distorted, or mostly/wholly inaccurate. (ed. by CW: I truly believe that when Gibson finshes its gathering of comments from the community it will show Dr. Jim to be VERY ACCURATE).
Board and Senior Administrators:
1. Marian - people in the community generally believe Marian is DISHONEST and SELF- SERVING now. I say now because many believe she did NOT start out this way - "She was a breath of fresh air when she first came here". Many people now "don't believe a word she says" because she is seen as having too many hidden agendas. She is thought to be self-serving in large part because of the NEPOTISM issue; which includes creating jobs for her "unqualified" and "uncertified" family members. She is also seen as "shooting the messenger". She doesn't want or won't allow OUR COMMUNITY to HELP. Some feel she has NO overall understanding of the curriculum and programs being taught in the district. People are concerned that Jan is a carbon-copy of Marian, also should NOT be trusted. The fact that Jan had NOT met with teachers on several campuses supported this view in some minds. Randall is MOST HIGHLY regarded CO member.
2. SCHOOL BOARD (SB) - in general, the SB is perceived as a "Yes, Ma'am" board. NO dissent or disagreement, NO going against Marian. Marian IS ALLOWED to set district goals, HIRE family, misdirect SB, and hide facts and the BOARD doesn't CHALLENGE this. Basil was seen as directly SUPPORTING this BEHAVIOR and most of the rest of SB were seen as GOOD intentioned BUT UNAWARE of what's GOING ON or INCOMPETENT. BOARD members rarely VISIT classrooms, teachers and don't ASK TEACHERS about THEIR NEEDS. David Junkin is MOST widely RESPECTED, followed by Dave Williams.
3. PRINCIPALS - People LOVE Tuck and Dee and think they are both HIGHLY QUALIFIED and DOING A GREAT JOB. People know almost nothing about Linda. MOST COMPLAINTS were about Dwain. People think Dwain is NOT QUALIFIED to be principal (eg.,asst principal contract NOT RENEWED but THAN HIRED as principal when NO ONE else was available at short notice). He has MORE interest in ATHLETICS than EDUCATION (eg., he changes grades for ATHLETES, ALLOWS double standards for ATHLETES and CHEERLEADERS). Teachers were IMPLICITLY or EXPLICITLY TOLD by him NOT to come to Linda Cottle's HEARING. (ED. by CW: I was told this by a good HONORABLE friend who is a teacher, has been in Dwain's office, than sent up to Dr. Strauss, STIPENDS TAKEN AWAY for NO particular reason. The action taken AGAINST Linda Cottle by the Superintendent and OK'ed by the BOARD was "MOST SHAMEFUL" for OUR COMMUNITY). His BASIC THEME is: DO AS I SAY OR YOU'RE OUT. Some teachers do feel supported by him, but many are STILL ANGRY about the Cottle situation - this indicates he doesn't SUPPORT HIS teachers ESPECIALLY if THEY CHALLENGE him. And, he WON'T HIRE TEACHRS that may CHALLENGE HIM.
Teachers:
1. Internal and external opinion.
2. Teachers LIED to - FIX SALARIES of incoming teachers THIS YEAR and MORE experienced teachers NEXT YEAR. (ed. by CW: I was told my teacher friend that this was done). This is not done. Several years ago teachers were told that they needed to give up 8 planning periods per semester, BUT ONLY for that year. It is several years later and they STILL ARE REQUIRED to do so. (ed. by CW: Kind of makes you THINK of WHO is WATCHING THE HEN HOUSE - that being THE SCHOOL BOARD)
3. ALL emails MONITORED - ATMOSPHERE of DISTRUST of teachers by Marian. (ed. by CW: Well, I guess IF the CEO at HP can get away with it BUT SHE was CAUGHT).
4. Teachers ASKED to CHANGE student's grades - CHARGED with INSUBORDINATION when THEY won't. Linda Cottle situation REALLY ANGERED a lot of people (eg., grade change, teachers TOLD NOT to go to HEARING; BOARD, NOT supporting TEACHER)!!!
5. LOSS of Doc Richards often cited too AS EVIDENCE that teachers ARE NOT SUPPORTED.
6. Teachers that might CHALLENGE Dwain ARE NOT HIRED in favor of new, inexperienced (pliable)teachers.
7. Teachers AFRAID to SPEAK NEGATIVELY, (or even OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT) for FEAR of LOSS OF JOB, RETALIATION AGAINST their CHILDREN in the DISTRICT, ect. MESSENGER SHOT. (ed. by CW: Are WE really sure this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and NOT CUBA).
8. People FIRED/CONTRACT NOT RENEWED if THEY CHALLENGE Marian or Dwain.
9. NOT paid WELL - LOWEST, or 2nd lowest in surrounding area.
10. $ for CLASSROOM SUPPLIES drastically CUT (was $350/class at Bowen, now fraction of that) and NOW teachers have to ASK PTOs or PAY OUT OF POCKET for BASIC SUPPLIES, BUT ATHLETES get a NEW TRACK and $250,000 in STIPENDS.
ll. MINIMAL ACADEMIC STIPENDS - especially compared to ATHLETICS. (ed. by CW: I believe in the last SB meeting it did show that Academic stipends were FINALLY ahead of athletics. Board Member Junkin was working on this).
12. MINIMAL PROFESSIONAL development $ But Marian can JET to RESORTS for CONFERENCES.
(ed. by CW: As I have told some SB members that she is ONLY THE CEO, YOU the SB is HER BOSS and SHE REPORTS TO YOU NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND).
13. FULL-TIME teachers in HS and JH NEGATIVELY affected by HIGH # of part-time teachers/FULL-TIME COACHES (more "other" assignments, covering missed classes, et). Feel they are UNFAIRLY TREATED by comparison. PAID LESS than COACHES even though THEY have 1/2 as many classes/students. (ed. by CW: And, the nerve of this "JOCK STRAP" group at the one meeting giving Dr. Jim a HARD TIME - WHO NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE TO WHOM).
14. DON'T PAY teachers for RESIDUAL VACATION when THEY LEAVE.
15. Teachers ARE ONLY given 1-YEAR CONTRACT, while ADMIN gets MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS.
(ed. by CW: SWEET DEAL if you can get it pass the SB, which HAS BEEN DONE).
16. FULL-TIME teachers have LESS PLANNING TIME than Teacher/COACHES. (ed. by CW: WHY?)
4.
FREEDOM DAY for those TEACHERS who have been under the stranglehold of this WISD Administration. ALSO, for the STUDENTS and THEIR PARENTS who have gone up AGAINST the administration. As you know, back in December the VIEW published PART of the PERCEPTIONS BY THE COMMUNITY. NOW, finally, you will be able to read the ENTIRE REPORT by Dr. Jim Van Overschelde as sent by email to the School Board and the Superintendent for "THEIR EYES ONLY" as authorized by the President of the School Board, Melissa Young.
First off, a little background on the report. Dr. Jim was just living his life here in town when he heard of a "school bond" meeting at City Hall hosted by than Mayor Steve Klepfer. The only thing is that ONLY the Mayor's friends had been notified - ASK him WHY??? The WORD got out though (doesn't the TRUTH always come out)in the community and there was a FULL HOUSE. Jim came away from the meeting wondering WHY so many people were NOT satisfied with this WISD Administration as regarding a BOND ISSUE. So, he started his in depth study to find out. When completed he shared it with Board Member Dave Williams who told Jim that this needs to get out into the community and you NEED TO RUN for a Board position. Jim decided to run and we all know that his was a BIG VICTORY over Basil Lombardo, who was President of the Board.
(ed. by CW)
DISCLAIMER: This is a summary of the perceptions of over 300 people that I talked with in our community. Perceptions are: "personally meaningful interpretations of sensations" and they can be relatively accurate, somewhat biased and distorted, or mostly/wholly inaccurate. (ed. by CW: I truly believe that when Gibson finshes its gathering of comments from the community it will show Dr. Jim to be VERY ACCURATE).
Board and Senior Administrators:
1. Marian - people in the community generally believe Marian is DISHONEST and SELF- SERVING now. I say now because many believe she did NOT start out this way - "She was a breath of fresh air when she first came here". Many people now "don't believe a word she says" because she is seen as having too many hidden agendas. She is thought to be self-serving in large part because of the NEPOTISM issue; which includes creating jobs for her "unqualified" and "uncertified" family members. She is also seen as "shooting the messenger". She doesn't want or won't allow OUR COMMUNITY to HELP. Some feel she has NO overall understanding of the curriculum and programs being taught in the district. People are concerned that Jan is a carbon-copy of Marian, also should NOT be trusted. The fact that Jan had NOT met with teachers on several campuses supported this view in some minds. Randall is MOST HIGHLY regarded CO member.
2. SCHOOL BOARD (SB) - in general, the SB is perceived as a "Yes, Ma'am" board. NO dissent or disagreement, NO going against Marian. Marian IS ALLOWED to set district goals, HIRE family, misdirect SB, and hide facts and the BOARD doesn't CHALLENGE this. Basil was seen as directly SUPPORTING this BEHAVIOR and most of the rest of SB were seen as GOOD intentioned BUT UNAWARE of what's GOING ON or INCOMPETENT. BOARD members rarely VISIT classrooms, teachers and don't ASK TEACHERS about THEIR NEEDS. David Junkin is MOST widely RESPECTED, followed by Dave Williams.
3. PRINCIPALS - People LOVE Tuck and Dee and think they are both HIGHLY QUALIFIED and DOING A GREAT JOB. People know almost nothing about Linda. MOST COMPLAINTS were about Dwain. People think Dwain is NOT QUALIFIED to be principal (eg.,asst principal contract NOT RENEWED but THAN HIRED as principal when NO ONE else was available at short notice). He has MORE interest in ATHLETICS than EDUCATION (eg., he changes grades for ATHLETES, ALLOWS double standards for ATHLETES and CHEERLEADERS). Teachers were IMPLICITLY or EXPLICITLY TOLD by him NOT to come to Linda Cottle's HEARING. (ED. by CW: I was told this by a good HONORABLE friend who is a teacher, has been in Dwain's office, than sent up to Dr. Strauss, STIPENDS TAKEN AWAY for NO particular reason. The action taken AGAINST Linda Cottle by the Superintendent and OK'ed by the BOARD was "MOST SHAMEFUL" for OUR COMMUNITY). His BASIC THEME is: DO AS I SAY OR YOU'RE OUT. Some teachers do feel supported by him, but many are STILL ANGRY about the Cottle situation - this indicates he doesn't SUPPORT HIS teachers ESPECIALLY if THEY CHALLENGE him. And, he WON'T HIRE TEACHRS that may CHALLENGE HIM.
Teachers:
1. Internal and external opinion.
2. Teachers LIED to - FIX SALARIES of incoming teachers THIS YEAR and MORE experienced teachers NEXT YEAR. (ed. by CW: I was told my teacher friend that this was done). This is not done. Several years ago teachers were told that they needed to give up 8 planning periods per semester, BUT ONLY for that year. It is several years later and they STILL ARE REQUIRED to do so. (ed. by CW: Kind of makes you THINK of WHO is WATCHING THE HEN HOUSE - that being THE SCHOOL BOARD)
3. ALL emails MONITORED - ATMOSPHERE of DISTRUST of teachers by Marian. (ed. by CW: Well, I guess IF the CEO at HP can get away with it BUT SHE was CAUGHT).
4. Teachers ASKED to CHANGE student's grades - CHARGED with INSUBORDINATION when THEY won't. Linda Cottle situation REALLY ANGERED a lot of people (eg., grade change, teachers TOLD NOT to go to HEARING; BOARD, NOT supporting TEACHER)!!!
5. LOSS of Doc Richards often cited too AS EVIDENCE that teachers ARE NOT SUPPORTED.
6. Teachers that might CHALLENGE Dwain ARE NOT HIRED in favor of new, inexperienced (pliable)teachers.
7. Teachers AFRAID to SPEAK NEGATIVELY, (or even OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT) for FEAR of LOSS OF JOB, RETALIATION AGAINST their CHILDREN in the DISTRICT, ect. MESSENGER SHOT. (ed. by CW: Are WE really sure this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and NOT CUBA).
8. People FIRED/CONTRACT NOT RENEWED if THEY CHALLENGE Marian or Dwain.
9. NOT paid WELL - LOWEST, or 2nd lowest in surrounding area.
10. $ for CLASSROOM SUPPLIES drastically CUT (was $350/class at Bowen, now fraction of that) and NOW teachers have to ASK PTOs or PAY OUT OF POCKET for BASIC SUPPLIES, BUT ATHLETES get a NEW TRACK and $250,000 in STIPENDS.
ll. MINIMAL ACADEMIC STIPENDS - especially compared to ATHLETICS. (ed. by CW: I believe in the last SB meeting it did show that Academic stipends were FINALLY ahead of athletics. Board Member Junkin was working on this).
12. MINIMAL PROFESSIONAL development $ But Marian can JET to RESORTS for CONFERENCES.
(ed. by CW: As I have told some SB members that she is ONLY THE CEO, YOU the SB is HER BOSS and SHE REPORTS TO YOU NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND).
13. FULL-TIME teachers in HS and JH NEGATIVELY affected by HIGH # of part-time teachers/FULL-TIME COACHES (more "other" assignments, covering missed classes, et). Feel they are UNFAIRLY TREATED by comparison. PAID LESS than COACHES even though THEY have 1/2 as many classes/students. (ed. by CW: And, the nerve of this "JOCK STRAP" group at the one meeting giving Dr. Jim a HARD TIME - WHO NEEDS TO APOLOGIZE TO WHOM).
14. DON'T PAY teachers for RESIDUAL VACATION when THEY LEAVE.
15. Teachers ARE ONLY given 1-YEAR CONTRACT, while ADMIN gets MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS.
(ed. by CW: SWEET DEAL if you can get it pass the SB, which HAS BEEN DONE).
16. FULL-TIME teachers have LESS PLANNING TIME than Teacher/COACHES. (ed. by CW: WHY?)
4.
posted by cw at 12:30 PM
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