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Post by doctorwho on Aug 26, 2008 16:04:16 GMT -5
Those are the folks who's enrollment numbers were more on target than NIUs, right? Thank God the economy turned bad when it did, otherwise the CFO would have egg in their face. We can look past the CFO- the original prognostication of HS attendance for 2010 -forward was within 100 students - not done by CFO- but done by the parent/admin led ( Birkett ) -teams at the time of the freshman centers. They were dead on - whereas NIU was obviously in some smoke filled room when they did ours and the ones they did for St Charles. So we don't have to tie the real attendance numbers to CFO - they were researched and arrived at by our own team right here in 204 - who got it dead right. But we knew better because someone else told us - and we reinforced it with the split shift threat. btw - some people still have the minutes and recordings of many of those meetings, interesting stuff.
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 26, 2008 16:08:05 GMT -5
RE: CFO One of those 'options' called for less costly additions to NVHS, which it was designed for and other lower cost solutions to the MS overcrowding; even building a cheaper MS on the 25 acres of the BB property we already owned was one of those 'options'. When people look at their tax bill and the enrollment numbers, they can decide for themselves which direction they feel would have been best. Thanks for pointing this out, GM. Yep. I believe the engineers pointed out that additions to NV might give more classroom space but the issue, as always, becomes the common areas. The design of NV is not ideal for traffic patterns. The CFO also wanted to add on to WV, that would have been what, 8th or 9th addition. Makes for getting around a bit tricky but whatever. I believe they were pushing mega-schools and that would be just fine with them. Of course with the potential growth of this district, the rate it had been growing (NOBODY could have predicted the economy tanking) a 3rd high school was needed and is still needed, and the voters agreed. Again, just mentioning Steven Calcaterra's connection with the old CFO folk. Some people have no problem paying taxes for a quality education, others who are unhappy for any number of reasons can always justify arguing against taxes to pay for education. That is only my view of things. "Some people have no problem paying taxes for a quality education, others who are unhappy for any number of reasons can always justify arguing against taxes to pay for education. That is only my view of things. " Yep, and some people pay 'twice' for education now and will demand fiscal resposnsibility
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Post by gatormom on Aug 26, 2008 16:19:07 GMT -5
Yep, and some people pay 'twice' for education now and will demand fiscal resposnsibility I know plenty who pay for the education but have no children and demand the same thing. Again, just discussing Steven Calcaterra, his connections to the old CFO folk. I imagine the time to rehash the need for MV, the unnecessary waste, and the foolishness of the whole mess will come election time. We don't get a say in this one. Have to agree with EB, at least this group of candidates will be judged by qualifications and not a popularity contest or who has made the most decisions "we" don't like.
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 26, 2008 16:22:22 GMT -5
Yep, and some people pay 'twice' for education now and will demand fiscal resposnsibility I know plenty who pay for the education but have no children and demand the same thing. Again, just discussing Steven Calcaterra, his connections to the old CFO folk. I imagine the time to rehash the need for MV, the unnecessary waste, and the foolishness of the whole mess will come election time. We don't get a say in this one. Have to agree with EB, at least this group of candidates will be judged by qualifications and not a popularity contest or who has made the most decisions "we" don't like. yes, that time is a coming indeed. as far as Steve is concerned - missed too many engagements in the last go around for me also .....the commitment is all encompassing
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 26, 2008 18:36:14 GMT -5
Well, whoever is chosen, we know that, like eb said, the voters will have the final say in April. Some people seem to be fixated on the fact that the SB is choosing the candidate and act like it is going to be for the next 4 years. This will still be a nice way for the candidate to get his/her feet wet for most of the school year. Everyone will be able to see this candidate in action. I think that is a good thing. We don't get to "try out" many SB candidates.
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Post by eb204 on Aug 26, 2008 18:47:55 GMT -5
Well, whoever is chosen, we know that, like eb said, the voters will have the final say in April. Some people seem to be fixated on the fact that the SB is choosing the candidate and act like it is going to be for the next 4 years. This will still be a nice way for the candidate to get his/her feet wet for most of the school year. Everyone will be able to see this candidate in action. I think that is a good thing. We don't get to "try out" many SB candidates. Yes, and regardless of who is chosen, I hope that they are given a chance. Many seem to think that if a "puppet" is chosen, then they will indeed be that puppet. I would give them a chance to prove otherwise, but my feeling is that they won't be given that chance. They will then be "rubber stamped" as a puppet forever, regardless of whether or not it is deserved. Just like some things now...whatever the school board does, it doesn't meet with the approval of a few select people and they will be looking for anything and everything to "stick it" to this person. I give credit to all those who put their names in. If chosen, they deserve a chance. If we don't like it, vote them out in April. I read where someone said they would vote ST out if she were chosen. What if she ends up doing a good job and has a voice for this district? Does anyone really know anything about these candidates? No, we don't. But come April, we will know a lot more about those running. Then we can make a choice based on who or what we want to align ourselves with. Until then, we have to live with the choice the board makes and watch that person either succeed or fail or fall somewhere in between. Their performance should dictate whether or not they get voted in, not their name or supposed allegiance to any one group.
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Post by WeNeed3 on Aug 26, 2008 19:19:44 GMT -5
I read over on the blue board that ST attends the SB meetings alot. That, to me, means she does not have an agenda. Anyone that can attend more than one of those boring things has my vote! No, seriously, that signals to me that this is someone who genuinely cares about the district and isn't attending a school board meeting only when it suits them or concerns their area. I'm not saying this is the only characteristic necessary for a good candidate ...I'm sure there can be good candidates who didn't come to the last few meetings.... but it does tell me something about commitment toward the district.
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Post by Arch on Aug 26, 2008 22:17:38 GMT -5
Well, whoever is chosen, we know that, like eb said, the voters will have the final say in April. Some people seem to be fixated on the fact that the SB is choosing the candidate and act like it is going to be for the next 4 years. This will still be a nice way for the candidate to get his/her feet wet for most of the school year. Everyone will be able to see this candidate in action. I think that is a good thing. We don't get to "try out" many SB candidates. Yes, and regardless of who is chosen, I hope that they are given a chance. Many seem to think that if a "puppet" is chosen, then they will indeed be that puppet. I would give them a chance to prove otherwise, but my feeling is that they won't be given that chance. They will then be "rubber stamped" as a puppet forever, regardless of whether or not it is deserved. Just like some things now...whatever the school board does, it doesn't meet with the approval of a few select people and they will be looking for anything and everything to "stick it" to this person. I give credit to all those who put their names in. If chosen, they deserve a chance. If we don't like it, vote them out in April. I read where someone said they would vote ST out if she were chosen. What if she ends up doing a good job and has a voice for this district? Does anyone really know anything about these candidates? No, we don't. But come April, we will know a lot more about those running. Then we can make a choice based on who or what we want to align ourselves with. Until then, we have to live with the choice the board makes and watch that person either succeed or fail or fall somewhere in between. Their performance should dictate whether or not they get voted in, not their name or supposed allegiance to any one group.Kinds of makes one wonder why CFO was thrown out earlier ion the thread.. as if to 'taint' someone's name with a group affiliation. Whomever is picked will have every chance to prove themselves at any meeting that has a vote for anything. That chance will come with every vote that is cast and every word said or not said in the discussions prior. I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... You've been to meetings right? You've seen the members vote, right?
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Post by eb204 on Aug 26, 2008 22:53:11 GMT -5
Yes, and regardless of who is chosen, I hope that they are given a chance. Many seem to think that if a "puppet" is chosen, then they will indeed be that puppet. I would give them a chance to prove otherwise, but my feeling is that they won't be given that chance. They will then be "rubber stamped" as a puppet forever, regardless of whether or not it is deserved. Just like some things now...whatever the school board does, it doesn't meet with the approval of a few select people and they will be looking for anything and everything to "stick it" to this person. I give credit to all those who put their names in. If chosen, they deserve a chance. If we don't like it, vote them out in April. I read where someone said they would vote ST out if she were chosen. What if she ends up doing a good job and has a voice for this district? Does anyone really know anything about these candidates? No, we don't. But come April, we will know a lot more about those running. Then we can make a choice based on who or what we want to align ourselves with. Until then, we have to live with the choice the board makes and watch that person either succeed or fail or fall somewhere in between. Their performance should dictate whether or not they get voted in, not their name or supposed allegiance to any one group.Kinds of makes one wonder why CFO was thrown out earlier ion the thread.. as if to 'taint' someone's name with a group affiliation. Whomever is picked will have every chance to prove themselves at any meeting that has a vote for anything. That chance will come with every vote that is cast and every word said or not said in the discussions prior. I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... You've been to meetings right? You've seen the members vote, right? Wasn't me that threw out the CFO comments, but I think as we get to choose in the April elections, that information will be important. But since this is not an election, but an appointment by the current school board who has been publicly scathed at just about every turn, whoever is chosen will be highly criticized. I feel this way because of some of the comments on the blue board. It's becoming very clear who the blue board supports and who they don't and that's fine. But because of that, I don't think certain people will get a fair shake if chosen. Perhaps it only my opinion, but is it my opinion whether you agree with it or not. And my opinion comes from the responses I've read on blue. One person even mentioned that "if ST is chosen, I won't be voting for her in April". Ok....Why? How can someone make a blanket decision like that for any candidate? Do they even know these candidates, or in this case, ST? Since some people on blue have expressed an opinion about MD let's use her as an example. I know very little about this person, but if she is chosen, will I be watching what she does between now and April? Sure, I will. But to make up one's mind before the person even sits down at a meeting is prejudiced and clearly not keeping an open mind, IMO. If I like what I see and how she responds, then maybe I'd vote for her. However, if I don't, I'm not going to vote for her. But to go out and make a blanket statement such as "if MD gets chosen, I won't vote for her in April" is prejudiced and clearly not keeping an open mind, IMO. If one doesn't keep an open mind about this appointment, then I don't think that appointee will be given a fair chance. Again, my opinion. You don't have to agree. One thing I've seen here on this board is that people aren't bashing one person or another or praising one or another. It has been a discussion of the candidates, or at least a portion of thes list thus far. Bottom line is - it doesn't matter what WE say. WE don't get to choose yet. Our turn will come in April. And if these candidates choose to run again in April, yes, I'd like to know what their affiliation is or what their agenda or platform my be. I think that will be more important when we get to choose the candidates and it is good information to have.
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Post by Arch on Aug 26, 2008 23:52:37 GMT -5
EB,
If someone feels that way about a particular candidate, are they not allowed to whether you agree with it or not? They spoke for themselves, not for anyone else. The candidate still has every chance to prove themselves to the district even if one person out there doesn't like them for whatever reason.
As for your 'blue board' references, I will take them as a compliment because I allow people to express their opinions as openly and honestly as they see fit. In my opinion, that's the whole point of a board in the first place; to not tell people what they need to think or how they need to act but instead to allow them the freedom of expression of their opinions and feelings regardless of what they might be.
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Post by gatormom on Aug 27, 2008 6:43:42 GMT -5
EB, If someone feels that way about a particular candidate, are they not allowed to whether you agree with it or not? They spoke for themselves, not for anyone else. The candidate still has every chance to prove themselves to the district even if one person out there doesn't like them for whatever reason. As for your 'blue board' references, I will take them as a compliment because I allow people to express their opinions as openly and honestly as they see fit. In my opinion, that's the whole point of a board in the first place; to not tell people what they need to think or how they need to act but instead to allow them the freedom of expression of their opinions and feelings regardless of what they might be. No different here. You regularly express your opinions and whether others agree or not, you still express them. I brought up CFO, you discussed CFO. Ultimately, this particular decision is not in the voter's hands. Still nice to remember and put into perspective those who have thrown their hat in the ring. Come next year, a whole group of people will be under the microscope and for a lot longer.
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Post by JWH on Aug 27, 2008 7:04:54 GMT -5
Kinds of makes one wonder why CFO was thrown out earlier ion the thread.. as if to 'taint' someone's name with a group affiliation. Whomever is picked will have every chance to prove themselves at any meeting that has a vote for anything. That chance will come with every vote that is cast and every word said or not said in the discussions prior. I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... You've been to meetings right? You've seen the members vote, right? Wasn't me that threw out the CFO comments, but I think as we get to choose in the April elections, that information will be important. But since this is not an election, but an appointment by the current school board who has been publicly scathed at just about every turn, whoever is chosen will be highly criticized. I feel this way because of some of the comments on the blue board. It's becoming very clear who the blue board supports and who they don't and that's fine. But because of that, I don't think certain people will get a fair shake if chosen. Perhaps it only my opinion, but is it my opinion whether you agree with it or not. And my opinion comes from the responses I've read on blue. One person even mentioned that "if ST is chosen, I won't be voting for her in April". Ok....Why? How can someone make a blanket decision like that for any candidate? Do they even know these candidates, or in this case, ST? Since some people on blue have expressed an opinion about MD let's use her as an example. I know very little about this person, but if she is chosen, will I be watching what she does between now and April? Sure, I will. But to make up one's mind before the person even sits down at a meeting is prejudiced and clearly not keeping an open mind, IMO. If I like what I see and how she responds, then maybe I'd vote for her. However, if I don't, I'm not going to vote for her. But to go out and make a blanket statement such as "if MD gets chosen, I won't vote for her in April" is prejudiced and clearly not keeping an open mind, IMO. If one doesn't keep an open mind about this appointment, then I don't think that appointee will be given a fair chance. Again, my opinion. You don't have to agree. One thing I've seen here on this board is that people aren't bashing one person or another or praising one or another. It has been a discussion of the candidates, or at least a portion of thes list thus far. Bottom line is - it doesn't matter what WE say. WE don't get to choose yet. Our turn will come in April. And if these candidates choose to run again in April, yes, I'd like to know what their affiliation is or what their agenda or platform my be. I think that will be more important when we get to choose the candidates and it is good information to have. Well said EB. I hope people aren't so quick to start the witch hunt. Whomever is lucky (?) enough to be appointed by the board better have a thick skin.
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Post by eb204 on Aug 27, 2008 7:12:48 GMT -5
EB, If someone feels that way about a particular candidate, are they not allowed to whether you agree with it or not? They spoke for themselves, not for anyone else. The candidate still has every chance to prove themselves to the district even if one person out there doesn't like them for whatever reason. As for your 'blue board' references, I will take them as a compliment because I allow people to express their opinions as openly and honestly as they see fit. In my opinion, that's the whole point of a board in the first place; to not tell people what they need to think or how they need to act but instead to allow them the freedom of expression of their opinions and feelings regardless of what they might be. You made the comment "I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... ". I answered it. MY opinion is that come won't be given a chance unless. No one has to agree with it, just as I don't have to agree with someone else's opinion. Very simple. If you want to twist this, go ahead. But if someone gets elected that people on blue board don't "approve of", they will be criticized for blinking at the wrong time. You know it and I know it so let's not pretend that it won't happen. There's plenty of freedom of expression here, too and I rather enjoy the way it's done here. We, too, don't tell people how to think or what to feel. But with a much more welcoming and engaging community. Even your comments are welcomed here. But again, that's just my opinion.
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Post by doctorwho on Aug 27, 2008 8:22:11 GMT -5
EB, If someone feels that way about a particular candidate, are they not allowed to whether you agree with it or not? They spoke for themselves, not for anyone else. The candidate still has every chance to prove themselves to the district even if one person out there doesn't like them for whatever reason. As for your 'blue board' references, I will take them as a compliment because I allow people to express their opinions as openly and honestly as they see fit. In my opinion, that's the whole point of a board in the first place; to not tell people what they need to think or how they need to act but instead to allow them the freedom of expression of their opinions and feelings regardless of what they might be. You made the comment "I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... ". I answered it. MY opinion is that come won't be given a chance unless. No one has to agree with it, just as I don't have to agree with someone else's opinion. Very simple. If you want to twist this, go ahead. But if someone gets elected that people on blue board don't "approve of", they will be criticized for blinking at the wrong time. You know it and I know it so let's not pretend that it won't happen. There's plenty of freedom of expression here, too and I rather enjoy the way it's done here. We, too, don't tell people how to think or what to feel. But with a much more welcoming and engaging community. Even your comments are welcomed here. But again, that's just my opinion. "But if someone gets elected that people on blue board don't "approve of", they will be criticized for blinking at the wrong time. You know it and I know it so let's not pretend that it won't happen. There's plenty of freedom of expression here, too and I rather enjoy the way it's done here. We, too, don't tell people how to think or what to feel. But with a much more welcoming and engaging community." And if the 'more welcoming' community gets wind of an NFUD (endearing term I guess) community member in the mix- or even put on the board - it would not emulate exactly what you are criticizing about blue ? Let's not pretend that wouldn't happen either - since we're all being honest. There are some on both boards that will be critical of people from certain groups regardless - each for what they feel are valid reasons.
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Post by eb204 on Aug 27, 2008 8:59:39 GMT -5
You made the comment "I'm not certain how you think they won't be given a chance... ". I answered it. MY opinion is that come won't be given a chance unless. No one has to agree with it, just as I don't have to agree with someone else's opinion. Very simple. If you want to twist this, go ahead. But if someone gets elected that people on blue board don't "approve of", they will be criticized for blinking at the wrong time. You know it and I know it so let's not pretend that it won't happen. There's plenty of freedom of expression here, too and I rather enjoy the way it's done here. We, too, don't tell people how to think or what to feel. But with a much more welcoming and engaging community. Even your comments are welcomed here. But again, that's just my opinion. "But if someone gets elected that people on blue board don't "approve of", they will be criticized for blinking at the wrong time. You know it and I know it so let's not pretend that it won't happen. There's plenty of freedom of expression here, too and I rather enjoy the way it's done here. We, too, don't tell people how to think or what to feel. But with a much more welcoming and engaging community." And if the 'more welcoming' community gets wind of an NFUD (endearing term I guess) community member in the mix- or even put on the board - it would not emulate exactly what you are criticizing about blue ? Let's not pretend that wouldn't happen either - since we're all being honest. There are some on both boards that will be critical of people from certain groups regardless - each for what they feel are valid reasons. Other than one CFO comment, I don't see anyone here making any criticisms. And in fact, that comment wasn't necessarily a criticism, just a statement of that person's affiliation that I will find usefull in April if that candidate decides to run. Useful, but not judgemental, in my case. I don't speak for others here. Perhaps they feel more strongly than I do. But since I've only been here 3 years, and don't know some history behind some candidates, it is helpful to know for the future and I will cast my votes accordingly. As I've stated before, it does us no good right now as we don't get to choose. I really don't know why this is even being played out on these forums as it doesn't matter what OUR opinion is. Come April, it will and I'm sure it will be more vindictive then - for both side, yes. Again, I speak for myself, but I'm choosing to see for myself and to watch and listen to the appointee first before making judgements. I do have some opinions on some candidates, but I'm waiting to see how they perform if chosen. It seems there are some that are quick to criticize and not listen to/watch their performance at all. Their minds are made up. Perhaps you don't agree and see it much differently. I can't or won't try to convince you otherwise. I see a difference in the way these "conversations" on the two boards are being played out. Perhaps you don't. We'll have to agree to disagree.
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