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Post by JWH on Apr 9, 2008 15:33:08 GMT -5
My last ten months as superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 have been exciting, especially the activities surrounding the construction of our new high school, Metea Valley High School.
Most recently, and as many of you are aware, a small, passionate group of district residents decided to pursue legal action against Indian Prairie to try to force the district to build Metea Valley on the Brach-Brodie land. I call this group small because by their own account they number 200 - 300 members and our district has approximately 18,300 families and 55,000 homes. Because the papers have been filed by lawyers and out of a general reluctance to fan the flames of a media debate, I have been reluctant to share my commentary on the matter. Until now.
Part of this small group's campaign against the district is a very vocal attempt to spread misinformation. As such, I'll be bringing you accurate information based on facts.
Let's start with this fact: Indian Prairie is an outstanding school district. There is much to celebrate in our schools. Students throughout Indian Prairie excel in every area. Our athletes bring home state championship trophies, our music students earn Grammy awards, and across the district, 92 percent of our students met or exceeded standards on state tests. This year alone we had 23 finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program, hundreds of students qualifying for state competitions, with dozens of those talented students advancing to nationals. And the year isn't over.
This success is due to hard working students and a very engaged parent community that cares greatly about children. It is also due to a dedicated staff that is deeply committed to your child's success.
I'd like to take this opportunity to re-focus on what the 2006 referendum was all about -- maintaining the high quality education that you have come to expect from District 204. Our third high school, Metea Valley, will provide students with the academic and extra-curricular opportunities they deserve.
Please know that we understand how important our third high school and seventh middle school are to the 29,000 students of District 204. We will keep working on behalf of you and your children to continue the success of District 204.
I would like to thank the many parents who over the past few weeks have expressed their strong support for the district. Your continued support is appreciated.
Stephen Daeschner Superintendent
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Post by JWH on Apr 9, 2008 15:33:40 GMT -5
Too bad they didn't start speaking up against Nfud a few weeks ago.
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Post by bborbust on Apr 9, 2008 16:12:08 GMT -5
Too bad he didn't give any facts.
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Post by gatormom on Apr 9, 2008 16:25:07 GMT -5
Too bad he didn't give any facts. Yes he did, he identified NSFOC as a small group of passionate D204 residents who are engaged in a very vocal campaign to spread misinformation. That is pretty factual.
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Post by eb204 on Apr 9, 2008 16:30:21 GMT -5
Too bad he didn't give any facts. It sound like this will be an ongoing communication giving facts in small bits at a time. This is because NFUD will need some time to pick them apart one by one and put their own spin on it. I'm sure he doesn't want to go too fast for those folks. After all, they've told him to slow down. Sorry. Maybe that was too fast. I said they've.........told.........him..........to...........slow...........down.
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sushi
Master Member
Posts: 767
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Post by sushi on Apr 9, 2008 16:37:53 GMT -5
I think they should come back and defend themselves. This silence does no good, neither does telling the truth about nimcompoops. We already knew that part.
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Post by gatordog on Apr 9, 2008 17:22:40 GMT -5
Too bad they didn't start speaking up against Nfud a few weeks ago. jwh, I understand your feelings here. I wonder, maybe there was a reason for the delay. Here is a theory. First thing any lawyer will tell you when your are involved in a legal matter is, "Shut your mouth. I will do all your talking. Anything you say can only hurt you in a legal sense." Maybe this interval gave the SD time to consult with their lawyers. And maybe they are just now to the point where they are extremely confident from a legal perspective that SD has an iron-clad case against this (apparently) frivolous lawsuit. I will interpret this delay in response as a necessary evil. Necessary to make sure Admin doesnt say something that could hurt them against the lawsuit. I see this as a positive....maybe Dr D has now been told by the SD lawyers "yes, we are extremely confident. You can take off your muzzle when speaking of this lawsuit." I think this may be the beginning-of-the-end of NSFOC
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Post by eb204 on Apr 9, 2008 17:27:34 GMT -5
Too bad they didn't start speaking up against Nfud a few weeks ago. jwh, I understand your feelings here. I wonder, maybe there was a reason for the delay. Here is a theory. First thing any lawyer will tell you when your are involved in a legal matter is, "Shut your mouth. I will do all your talking. Anything you say can only hurt you in a legal sense." Maybe this interval gave the SD time to consult with their lawyers. And maybe they are just now to the point where they are extremely confident from a legal perspective that SD has an iron-clad case against this (apparently) frivolous lawsuit. I will interpret this delay in response as a necessary evil. Necessary to make sure Admin doesnt say something that could hurt them against the lawsuit. I see this as a positive....maybe Dr D has now been told by the SD lawyers "yes, we are extremely confident. You can take off your muzzle when speaking of this lawsuit." I think this may be the beginning-of-the-end of NSFOC I sure hope you are right. I'm so tired of their scare tactics.
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Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
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Post by Arwen on Apr 9, 2008 17:28:57 GMT -5
I'm sure the NSFOCers will have only nasty things to say about Dr. D's response, but I am happy that the SB/Administration seems to have realized that some PR work is necessary. I hope there is more to come.
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Post by JWH on Apr 9, 2008 18:11:29 GMT -5
I'm sure the NSFOCers will have only nasty things to say about Dr. D's response, but I am happy that the SB/Administration seems to have realized that some PR work is necessary. I hope there is more to come. Just go to the blue board for the ravenous spite and comments about his message. I'm sure a lot of the silence was due to the lawsuits. Hopefully we move forward like I've expected.
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Post by gandalf on Apr 9, 2008 18:43:15 GMT -5
Too bad he didn't give any facts. Sure he did , he backhandedly said that those who have been supportive recently ( of AME-MWGEN) - support the district - whereas any of us who disagree with the site but have worked for this district in many capacities for 10 -20 years are obviously not supportive of the district. Not only members of NSFOC are against the AME-MWGEN site - the division is not that simple. I have a news flash - not every person who supports AME-MWGEN is supportive of the district as a whole, and not every person who does not support AME-MWGEN is non supportive of 204 as a whole. Might not be popular- but it is how I feel about the note. I would rather have seen him rail on nsfoc than base district support on the events of this site. Some of those against the site also care about children. I'll put this comment right next to the booster club pres explaining how the new boundaries will bring in more money... almost 20 years of support for this district all wiped away by a site selection...nice
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Post by JWH on Apr 9, 2008 19:35:42 GMT -5
Too bad he didn't give any facts. I have a news flash - not every person who supports AME-MWGEN is supportive of the district as a whole, and not every person who does not support AME-MWGEN is non supportive of 204 as a whole. ...nice I agree with your news flash as relates to the Watts area. But I don't for other areas. It's unfortunate/suspect that most who are unsupportive of the Eola site do not have children planned to attend there. I think Daeschner is trying to make the best of the situation he inherited from Howie.
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Post by eb204 on Apr 9, 2008 19:39:19 GMT -5
I'm sure the NSFOCers will have only nasty things to say about Dr. D's response, but I am happy that the SB/Administration seems to have realized that some PR work is necessary. I hope there is more to come. Just go to the blue board for the ravenous spite and comments about his message. I'm sure a lot of the silence was due to the lawsuits. Hopefully we move forward like I've expected. The blue board is spinning everything in his letter. It is sickening to look at. But, then again, when something is going down the toilet, it has a tendency to spin doesn't, it? Again, not too pleasant to look at either.
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Post by 3woodgal on Apr 9, 2008 20:38:07 GMT -5
Sounds to me like this is a letter being sent because something is about to happen. Hmmmmm....what could it be? When is closing set for on land? Maybe SB is realizing that they need to put on the brakes. I don't know about this.
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Arwen
Master Member
Posts: 933
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Post by Arwen on Apr 9, 2008 20:40:46 GMT -5
Sounds to me like this is a letter being sent because something is about to happen. Hmmmmm....what could it be? When is closing set for on land? Maybe SB is realizing that they need to put on the brakes. I don't know about this. FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD FUD
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