Communications with the Board

[rinx]

You're right Techie. Shame on us.
Does anyone know if the BOE even had a lawyer check the contract out?
Who was BOE president when he was hired?

[Go Plainedge!]

Mary Karageorges signed the contract as BOE President

[thewildrover]

Neither my source, nor I, could find in the contract a clause that stated he could be removed for not attending any meeting.

There was only Paragraph 12, posted here word for word, with regards to “meetings”. I posted it to help clarify the question of whether there was actually wording in the contract with regards to the superintendents presence at any and all BOE meetings- the “contractual” issue stated in one of the BOE’s return emails to Phil.

The “contract” issue was raised in this thread when Phil wanted to know why the BOE couldn’t meet outside of the superintendent’s presence, and the BOE president answered, that in part , it was due to “contractual issues”.

To rehash the whys and what for’s of a contract, when it expires in 6 months and we can bid good-bye to the “contracted” borderlines on rhetoric, IMO.

Believe me, I acknowledge the fact that those who don’t learn from past mistakes are destined to repeat them.

The BOE president, and for the most part, the BOE that approved the contract are gone.

WE obviously have made our point that we think it’s a bad idea to include such a clause.

WE know that the current BOE members read this board.

The point was made.

To continue to bash is just not productive.

My point of view on the future of our District is a true gut feeling of optimism.

We know we are getting a new superintendent, one who was successful in her realm of raising scores, standards and expectations of our children. I have HOPE and OPTIMISM that she can continue that success in her new position. I will definitely give her a fair shot to prove herself. She has earned it, IMO.

WE also have a chance to continue to effect change on the BOE in the upcoming election.

The community stated loud and clear last year that change is what they wanted and the election of new BOE members proved that. There are 2 seats up this time around I believe.

Based on my interactions with the newly elected BOE members individually, granted, outside of the parameters set forth for them by the restrictive administration, they have been receptive, engaging and candid for the most part.

I choose to look forward. Not to the past and what was, but what could well be in Plainedge, with a new BOE and a new superintendent.

You have to admit, the possibilities are there for a great change in attitude, approach and outlook by the BOE and the new administrator.

I do not predict this will happen immediately, I believe there will be an adjustment period whereby a quasi-Stockholm Syndrome slowly dissipates from the remaining administrators.

Perhaps then the “Us vs. Them” mind set will have worn off.

We (the “Us”) will have to give the new team (“the Them”) a chance.

It’s only fair.

Wild’s humble opinion, of course.

[techie]

Wild One,

Your last post was very much to the point. I am in complete agreement about learning from the past and moving forward.

I think that we should still consider past actions that have happened that could null a contract and save a lot of money that could be better spent with the children of this district.

No matter what happens, we know, we will pay our taxes. BUT,... it should be going FIRST to the kids and their TOTAL education. This includes ALL Sports and Clubs. To go through what this district went through before while being lied to about funds available was a sham.
NO MONEY FOR STUDENT SPORTS AND CLUBS,....but,.... we got our increases in our salary. What a crock!

Hopefully the "new" Board will move forward, but we have to consider the mistakes from the past and use the carefully worded contracts in the districts best interest. There are many interpretations to JR's contract. Many have been broken before and would void his contract as it is written. What we need is an aggressive BOE to cancel his contract and not pay out the Benefits for the next 10 years.

Yes, I dwell on the mistakes of the past.

This is a problem that I have.
BUT,... I do so, so as not to make the SAME mistakes in the future.

IMHO

Techie
Brian Dowdell

[Go Plainedge!]

Wild:

I have the same wording in the copy of the contract that I hold. Again, it only mentions he has the option to attend and simply must be notified. But I agree.....who cares....good riddance to the stubborn man that wanted nothing to do with the community.

Being a visionary toward the future is great. However, if we don't look back we will never be able to grow and learn. I too remain optimistic that come this July (with two new Board members and a new Sup) we will be well on our way to greater and more positive changes. Changes that involve the community and, more importantly, have a positive impact on the children and their education.

Hopefully, the new contract will not be a one sided agreement but more of a fair and equitable arrangement for both parties involved.

[patriot2415]

All, these are great posts. I too hold all hope that P-Town will evolve into a true BOE/Administration/Community partnership. It is what we need to move forward.

As Wild said, we all know the BOE reads these posts. They know our feelings on the matter. All I'm looking for and what I have been looking for from my very first email to the BOE is for them to say the language exists in the current contract, and that it will not appear in any future contracts. If that happens, I will know we are well on our way, if not, I'll know it's business as usual....

[Go Plainedge!]

I'd like to add some suggestions based on the responses that you received....

Response from the BOE on 11/20:
The Board discussed in the Oct. work session how we can better reach the community. The discussion focused on seniors and adults who do not have children in our schools. We have hired a public relations firm, HJMT, to assist us in reviving a newsletter to send out to the entire community as well as press releases in our local papers. They will also be working on our budget newsletter and annual school calendar. We do not have the manpower in-house to address all these areas. This group has just started to work with us.

In terms of individuals or groups wishing to discuss events or concerns in the district, we feel that the 2 BOE meetings each month, 24 hour access via e-mail, telphone calls, and meetings on the field or in the supermarket gives people ample opportunity to voice concerns. If there is a specific issue that needs to be addressed by the entire board, any board member can ask to have it placed on the agenda for our next work session.

Even those with children in the schools need more information and reaching out to. Unfortunately, asking questions at the BOE meeting has (traditionally) not been an ideal environment. It can get hostile (from people asking questions and the people answering the questions). I suggest that questions that are emailed to the administration and BOE be posted to a well organized web page or even placed on the Thursday agenda for others to hear as well.

Response from the BOE on 11/26:
In answer to your questions,
1- The BOE can meet to discuss any issues. This is usually done at our work and business meetings. If pressing matters require attention outside of those meetings, the board can meet with certain stipulations as required by law and contracts. The meeting must be properly announced to the community so all interested parties can attend. Since it is a meeting of the board, Mrs. Kelley must record minutes. Dr. Richman, Dr. Rufo, Ms. P'Simer, Ms. Ripley will also be in attendance as these are all members of the board's work group.

We learned the real ruling here. DR. Richman only needs to be notified of the meeting . He is NOT required to attend. However, if two BOE members wish to meet "off line" then that is permitted without any red tape.

2- The PR firm was discussed a couple of months ago at our work session and the contract was then approved. This is a result of the board identifying that the majority of the community does not know all the great things happening in our schools. It will be paid for out of the budget. Money was already allocated for the newsletter, budget brochures, calendars. The balance of the money will come from the budget as we adjust our estimates from the beginning of the year to actual expenditures as the year progresses. As you know, the budget is a fluid document (just as in your home) and we can make line items adjustments as the costs are incurred as the year progresses.

Who finally realized that the community is hungry for information? This has been mentioned for years. Yes, the budget is fluid, but can not exceed what we voted on. Past years it has exceeded this with no explanation.

Ultimately, if done correctly, this new PR firm should be able to reach the masses. The school has the technology but I believe lacks the personnel to implement it correctly. From web casting or pod-casting the BOE meetings to email blasts and monthly newsletters, this is all something that is easy to execute.

[Go Plainedge!]

As a results of threatening remarks by a non-resident at a recent Board Meeting, Board Policy #1230 – Public Participation at Board Meetings - will be revised as follows: “Persons speaking at a Board meeting must be residents or employees of the District.
All speakers shall state their name and address if a resident, or position if an employee.”