Board Meeting October 20, 2005

[concerned]

With regard to the meeting tonight, I noted the following:

1. A nice review by all principals of their respective schools. We had a chance to meet the interim principal of Schwarting. The principal there is on Family leave. Dr. Wilson is filling in and has assisted the district with other positions over the past 7 years.

2. A presentation was given on learning and assessment. Many facts were shared. It will be posted on the web site.

3. The big announcement of the night was that Tom Dick resigned as President. Rich Mallow was appointed President for the remainder of this year. Rich Mallow read a statement explaining that Tom Dick served the board for many years. But, due to new career responsibilities, it is hard for him to give 100% and therefore he was stepping down.

4. Loretta invited interested candidates to fill the position to apply by Nov. 1. Dr. Richman will send out a press release as to how to do this.

5. A few general questions and answers from the community.

[Go Plainedge!]

There was quite a big turnout. I was glad to see that.

Thank you for sharing your information.

[elphaba65]

Thanks for giving an accurate summary of the meeting. I guess now is the time for all those who feel they have all the answers (and lots of free time) to apply.

[yruohk]

A parent involved with the wrestling team asked when the work would be completed to make it safe for the activities which will begin in 3 weeks. She pressed for answers as to why "they" were making it difficult for the group to get in and do the work themselves. She stated time was being given to make the room available only during hours that people worked. Rich-man asked who "they" were and she referred to him as being "their" boss and he should know. He wasn't very forthcoming in committing to satisfy this woman's request and was quite nasty in his interaction with her. And it was totally uncalled for. After the meeting, quite a few people remarked about Rich-man's response to the question posed him about the wrestling.

How rude! And it's a wonder people stay away or don't ask questions for fear they will be pounced upon.

[Go Plainedge!]

To a certain degree, I can understand the tone of his response. You have to dig deep to really understand this.

Here is a man that (im my opinion) doesn't socialize well with regular people. Now add the fact that he is constantly hit with negative comments, I can see why he has taken the position that he has.

Do I agree with this conduct? No. Additionally, that attendee started her question with a very rude edge. Perhaps she was frustrated with the replys she was getting in the past. However, in a public forum, it would have been to her benefit to approach the topic a little softer and show that she is better than the people sitting on that riser.

I don't want to sound like I'm defending Mr. Richman because I believe that he needs to improve his social skills.

[justfacts]

Go Plainedge!

So right you are! As adults in the Community we do have to realize that our basic task is to get the best results we can within the limits of the people, tools, devices and systems that are available to us.

To continue to berate the people in the link for not responding to us in the way we want then to do is non-productive. To try to use the same tools or system in the link in the same way that we know fails - is non-productive.

We, all of us, have to find that new way to achieve our common goal. It is the failure to reach that goal that has caused frustration on both sides.

The remarkable thing is that we are all together on what the goal is - give our children the best education we can within the means available to us.

It is time that we stop using methods to get to that goal that are not working. It is time to back off from what we have been doing and modify that system and the tools we use.

A better and fuller use of this Community wide Forum is one of the first steps we can take.

Let's set up a Thread, one that is not abused with snide remarks or swipes at each other, for the Community to use for making suggestions about what we want, and what we don't want, in the next budget.

I'm sure that the members of this Forum who want to reach the same goal as the rest of us, and who are close in involvement with Board meetings and activities, will faithfully pass on and use these suggestions in their interactions with the Board and the Administration.

[Go Plainedge!]

concerned said:

3. The big announcement of the night was that Tom Dick resigned as President. Rich Mallow was appointed President for the remainder of this year. Rich Mallow read a statement explaining that Tom Dick served the board for many years. But, due to new career responsibilities, it is hard for him to give 100% and therefore he was stepping down.

I would also like to add - Kudos to Ralph Raymond for formulating his own opinion and voting against the grain as it pertains to the appointment of Rich Mallow.

[concerned]

Go Plainedge-Did Ralph vote against Rich? If so, I missed it. I do recall he voted no against Loretta when she was up for VP candidate. With no offense intended towards Rich or Loretta, it is good to see that at least some board members will take a stance and not just go along with the majority.

[techie]

Concerned

As I recall from the meeting the other night, their was a hand not raised for all those in favor. I had not been living in the district when the "new" president was presiding and am not familiar with the way things were run before. So at this point it is not my place or right to comment.
I was enlightened to see a vote that was clearly not ALL one sided. Maybe this is a forshadowing of things to come.
When the minutes of the meeting are eventually posted, we may find out what was for, against, or obstained. (First we have to wait for the minutes since July)

Has anyone looked into the reporting from other School Board Meetings yet, to see how we may expand the recorded information for the benefit of the community without creating more work for the Secretary of the Board?
I still think, and I may be wrong again,... the best and easiest way so far is to record/Webcast the Board meetings.
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In reading my post I felt it may be misinterpreted by some so I wish to clarify "expand the record".
I think more taxpayers would be interested in hearing the Principal's Reports from the schools. This would give a better feel as to how the monies are benefiting the children. If taxpayers don't have children in the system now OR yet,... I think the release of information other than "take home" notices that they would not receive otherwise, would be a benefit to the Administration and the School Board for passing Budgets.

IMeversoHO

[Go Plainedge!]

concerned said:

Go Plainedge-Did Ralph vote against Rich? If so, I missed it. I do recall he voted no against Loretta when she was up for VP candidate. With no offense intended towards Rich or Loretta, it is good to see that at least some board members will take a stance and not just go along with the majority.

Yes, Ralph did vote the "Nay" for appointing Rich Mallow. I was simply glad that it wasn't unanimous and that someone stood up for what they believe in and didn't go along with the majority.

[elphaba65]

Let me understand this- The School Board has two new members this year, Doug who is on for his second year, Ralph who when he shows up for a meeting is late or Rich Mallow who has held the position of president in the past- and you think it's a good thing that Ralph voted against him? Rich was the most qualified to take the position, whether you like him or not.

[Go Plainedge!]

elphaba65 said:

Let me understand this- The School Board has two new members this year, Doug who is on for his second year, Ralph who when he shows up for a meeting is late or Rich Mallow who has held the position of president in the past- and you think it's a good thing that Ralph voted against him? Rich was the most qualified to take the position, whether you like him or not.

I think you did misunderstand me. I believe its great that it wasn't the typical unanimous vote that this board is famous for. I said I simply give Ralph Raymond credit for voting his mind, not what others are voting.

I have been to 5 meetings since the end of August. Ralph has been at everyone of them and never late. It's more than I can say about our current vice president.

As far as Mr. Mallow's qualifications are concerned - yes he may be qualified, but didn't he step down from being president? Why offer it to someone that didn't want it the first time around. But then again, who else is qualified? I guess Rich Mallow is the best choice.

[concerned]

Elphaba-I said the same thing as GoPlainedge "it is good to see that at least some board members will take a stance and not just go along with the majority." It has nothing to do with whether I personally think Rich is qualified. Clearly he has the background. It is just such a rare occasion to see the board members vote any way other than "yes".

[justfacts]

Go Plainedge!

It is apparent to many of us that elphaba65 did misunderstand you. The response was more defensive in nature and their personal dislike of Ralph Raymond showed up once again as in other posts by elphaba65.

If, and this is a big if, alphaba65 can step back a moment and understand the message that you and others have been trying to get across - that a monolithic board run by an autocratic "CEO" type of president - a board that in the main votes 7-0 on almost all actions - does not sit well with many members of the community - then maybe alphaba65 could begin to get insight into what you were saying.

As far as Ralph's purported lateness - I do remember that at the Auditorium meeting of last year it was the recent President of the Board who showed up late and, despite Mr. Mallow's request to join the rest of the Board on the podium, decided to stand in the back of the auditorium for the full meeting. Did that disqualify him from becoming president? No! Nor should Ralph be disqualified.

But I do disagree with you Go Plainedge!. There would be a better Candidate for president of this board. The duties of the president are to conduct the business meeting. This is usually done according to Robert's Rules of Order. Mr. Mallow, acting more like an authoritarian CEO than a Board president has already exhibited poor performance in conducting meetings which are satisfactory to a major portion of this community. He even characterized meetings conducted by him as "Jerry Springer Shows" - He's not really that terrible, he's just not as well suited for the position as he likes to think he is.

One candidate That would demonstrate to the Community that the Board was willing to stop doing business the old way and try a new way is to nominate Pat for the position. Community feedback on her reaffirms she has been deeply involved in Plainedge affairs and can run meetings well. With a copy of Robert's Rules at her side and support from the Board, I do believe that she would better conduct the School Board meetings in a manner that would be more acceptable to all.

And, it's about time that we male chauvinistic Board members let a woman run the show. This might also lead to some split votes on topics (because members would not refrain from presenting ideas contrary to the "CIO's" wishes) - and then a more universal acceptance of the final Board decisions.

What do you think Go Plainedge!?

[irishman]

Hey Lads, What's all this stuff & nonsense about this one or that one running the Board?

Don't any of you American blokes know anything about politics and meetings? Why even in the Pubs we know that the Officers of a board have a Vice-President to take over when the President can't be doing his duties![/b]

The School Board just elected (in August) a Board and its officers - didn't the bloke have a hint then (just a wee-bit of an idea?) that he couldn't last out the term?

But 'tis the Vice-President - and a lovely vice president she is at that - that should be taking charge. I for one am in favor of that.

Good cheer, m' dear - go give them a blast by enforcing the rules - show them how much better the fair sex can do the job! We'll even get the wee people to back you up!