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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2007 > October > 24 > Entry
Postcards from Macedonia (Church)
After tonight’s school board finance committee meeting I went over to Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on North Gettysburg Avenue for another candidate’s night featuring those competing for the school board.
For one thing, I was wondering who would show up.
Again, the event was a little short on challengers. Nancy Nerny and Shirley Crisp were not in attendance, but Sheila Taylor was, along with the four incumbents — Mario Gallin, Lee Massoud, Stacy Thompson and Jeff Mims.
I asked Taylor why she didn’t come to Monday’s DEC-sponsored and televised candidate’s night. She said she backed out because her dog is sick. The dog, she said, has cancer and she had to take it to Ohio State University for treatment.
The Q & A at Macedonia Church was mostly uneventful. But there were a few interesting moments.
For one thing, Taylor opened the program with this:
“I just want to clarify one thing first. The Dayton Daily News says I am Joe Lacey’s candidate. That is not true. I am my own candidate, a strong woman who makes my own decisions about what is best for the community as a whole.”
We spoke about this afterward. I compared the situation to the 2001 school board race. In that race, Gail Littlejohn was angry at the DDN editorial board because it kept calling her Mayor Mike Turner’s “ally.” Gail also insisted she had not endorsed Turner and considered her campaign wholly independent from Turner’s mayor run.
But Gail and Kids First did accept Turner’s endorsement, appeared in ads with him and campaigned with him too. Given all that, “ally” seemed fair.
I asked Taylor if she wasn’t splitting hairs. She has accepted Joe’s endorsement and permitted his campaign committee to buy ads promoting her. Certainly Taylor is correct that this does not mean she will support Joe on every issue. But she has allied herself with Joe’s general outlook on school issues, an outlook DDN’s editorial board has made it clear it doesn’t like.
On another issue, Taylor told the editorial board a few weeks ago that she voted against the district’s levy in May because she felt she could not afford it (Shirley Crisp voted no also. Nancy Nerny and all the incumbents voted yes.) Yet I noticed Tuesday she seemed to be proposing a lot of new spending.
In fact, at the end of the night I went over my notes. Taylor said she supported smaller class sizes, more adults in the classrooms, expanded special education services for more kids, free meals for all students, more counseling and social work services in schools, expanded pre-school and sports, music and extra-curricular activities that are open to all kids.
All those things together sound pretty expensive. In fact, the levy defeat forced larger classrooms, fewer adults in the classrooms, fewer counselors and deep extra-curricular cuts.
When I asked her about this, Taylor said the way to afford all these things was to keep more students, and therefore more money, in the district by persuading fleeing families to stick with Dayton schools instead of choosing charter schools and the suburbs. I said that sounded like a long term goal and not something that could be accomplished quickly. She responded that her proposals also were something of a long term wish list and that she did not mean to suggest all could be put in place quickly.
Speaking of charter schools, there also was a lot of talk at Macadeonia Church about them. And none of it was especially neighborly. All the candidates in attendance said charter schools were harming public schools.
This time, the comments that surprised me came from Lee Massoud.
Responding to a question about why charter schools are here in Dayton, Massoud said they are part of a wider privatization movement nationally that has targeted government spending on health care, social security and now education. She said it is no secret thtat there is profit in charter schools. Massoud said charter schools had “decimated much of the public education system.”
“Our tax dollars are funding other folks to better their personal positions,” she said. “As taxpayers we must be demanding of our legislators and demand accountabilty for our tax dollars.”
Those were strong words, especially since Massoud’s initial experience in education was as the chief financial officer for the ISUS Trade and Tech Prep High School, a charter school.
I asked her if she was thinking of ISUS when she said these things about charters. She said no, that ISUS was a true non-profit in her view and a fine program. In fact, Massoud just last week attended an event celebrating ISUS.
So how can Massoud speak out against charters while at the same time believe they can be a good thing?
She explained that in her view the key was accountabilty — that the state needed to hold charters accountable.
Permalink | Comments (64) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By James
October 31, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this
If someone is not a majority member on the board, it is impossible to get something “accomplished.” I’ve watched the continued taunting but my opinion is the current board has now acted in good faith in re smaller levies through the past years to operate their schools and bond levies to maintain them so the state taxpayers are paying most of the cost of new buildings, the current board has bought R&R with all its problems—nice that important people have somewhere nice and have supplies, and the current board plays racial games rather than serving all the people through the decades.By Steve
October 30, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
TOTM that’s cool, as Tupac used to say “I ain’t mad at ya” I know not if she(Ms Nerny) looked to Lacey for guidance or what but it seems to be political suicide at this juncture to ally one’s self wit Mr Lacey. We (the bloggers here) have gave him more than ample time to reply to our request and he has failed. I still find it repugnant that he would check the voter regs. to try and put you on the carpet. He really disappointed me in doing that and showed what he really is…A politician…what a shame. Well vote your vote and I’ll vote mine but rest assured in 2 years Mr Lacey won’t be recieving another vote from me.By Tired of this Mess
October 30, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Steve (and those Lacey supporters): Note that we still have no response from Lacey regarding my request for three accomplishments! I did not expect any because if you look as I finally did past all his hollering and finger pointing there is really little else there with this guy. Steve I do not know Ms. Nerney but I have not been impressed with her knowledge level in comparison to the other candidates (namely, those already in the office). I watched her on a recorded interview on DATV and her responses were very general, little substantive information. I respect your opinion, but I simply cannot support a person who would choose Lacey as a campaign guide. I have read enough to know Ms. Nerney is trying to back away from Lacey (looks like all his candidates are to some degree at this point) but I seriously have to question the intellect of anyone who would allow Lacey to publically promote their campaign without first checking the guy out. At worst I think Ms. Nerney is a Lacey supporter who now realizes that might not help her campaign, or at best she is very, very, very naive and I cannot support either condition as a board member. So NO vote for Nerney will come from my household.By Laura
October 29, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Old Prof: I agree about the job the principal has. There isn’t enough money on God’s Green Earth for me to be a principal. However, there are principals who seem able to get supplies for their teachers, treat their staff with respect and bring out the best in their staff. Teachers don’t mind going the extra mile for these leaders. Others, spend money in areas the teachers don’t agree with and thereby don’t have funds for supplies. They don’t do the things they are supposed to do and then blame it on the staff. They are not supportive of the staff, they disrespect them in front of other staff and students. They arbitrarily impose and enforce rules. The moral is so low it causes physical and emotional stress. I know the principals are under a lot of stress, but they are supposed to be the leaders of the school. If that is the way they lead, those are the results they will get.By steve
October 29, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Man I am with Tired of this mess. Lacey you blew it. Enjoy your last 2 years cause you are a political loonatic. I too am appalled that you would go and check voter regs. to try and discredit someone in a public forum. What a loser, I too am waiting for the three positive things you have done. BTW tired of this mess your wrong about atleast one candidate Ms Nerney is an outstanding person whom I know personally and has taught for many years and given her time and resources freely. She may not have a doctorate or be a cpa but she has worked long in this district as a teacher and knows what needs to be changed so that your kid and mine get the education they so rightfully deserve.By Oldprof
October 29, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
I have no more ready access to numbers than anyone else here, tho’ I have asked more than one board member to put them out there for us. And if teachers’ requests for supplies are not being heard by administrators, then the board membership ought to hear about it—so make a phone call to a current (not former) board member—well, maybe in two weeks, when we’ll know who’s a lame duck and who isn’t—and if the first board member isn’t effective, try another. (BTW, has anyone else here wondered at the horrible work conditions of principals? Not the physical conditions, but the sheer range of responsibilities—chief officer, disciplinarian, manager, keymaster, and social worker? Not a job I’d ever want to have, regardless of pay. Maybe you’re not getting supplies because the principal’s workload is causing her/him to miss details.)By Laura
October 28, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
Eve- I wasn’t the one who initially said being a teacher in DPS “sucked”. For one thing- that isn’t my type of language. I was referring to the comment the other person wrote saying teachers wouldn’t get a raise, there wouldn’t be supplies, ect. Getting supplies has been all but impossible for years. I love the teaching part and absolutely love the kids. If you knew who I was and could talk to my students, present and past, you would find out they really like me and know I care about them. I’m also the one even students from other classes come to “visit” when they need some time out or someone to talk to. You know you’re “OK” when 8th grade boys will walk down the hall with their arm across your shoulder.By Eve
October 28, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
Laura, my question to you was not meant to be hostile and thank you for responding. There is certainly nothing crass about mentioning financial ramifications as one consideration for sticking with a job that has its ups and downs, and I consider it a plus to have my kids learning from teachers who can balance practicality with idealism. Your comment elsewhere that “being a DPS teacher sucks” was what prompted me to ask. You are aware, I’m sure, that there are about 200 laid off teachers as well as applicants who may or may not have been fortunate enough to be employed elsewhere who would love to take your place. I happen to be the parent of one of them and it was a great disappointment to her that she wasn’t able to return to DPS. I’m also the daughter of a teacher who said the heck with all this administrative hassle and quit teaching altogether so believe me I have seen it from both sides. I just hope, for your sake, and for the sake of your students, you don’t feel that negatively towards the job all the time.By Avoice
October 28, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Old Prof surely you jest? Perhaps you still are protecting someone? You are a college prof so I assume that you know the politics involved. In any event I remember contacting a former board member regarding copy paper. She assured me that the district had plenty and that the use should never be restricted. She told me to speak with my principal. I was then told by my principal to stop contacting board members regarding school issues as they were �too busy to bother with individual school issues.� She told me that no more paper was available for teacher use. She told me to write a grant or seek other sources for materials. We spent the rest of the year purchasing our own. I also know that there is a supply closet that has school supplies but I have been told by my secretary that there is none. I am sure that she enjoys the use of those materials. Percy and a few board members did visit our building. They were quickly escorted (by the Boss) to a few select rooms for �special� presentations. Never was there a discussion with the general staff. As a teacher you can be appointed by your building principal represent your school and attend a monthly meeting with the Superintendent. That is the �approved vehicle� for teacher inter-action with Ludlow. Guess which teachers are appointed to that function? If you have the guts to bring up an issue or need, Percy will have the recording secretary write-up the request or issue. That is as far as that goes. In fact, when Percy was e-mailed regarding specific questions regarding terra-nova test scores, lack of response from the school principal to repeated requests for materials etc… he did not even reply or have one of his secretaries forward to a knowledgeable party. Lets face it folks, these people are politicians. They are concerned with getting re-elected or moving on to their new job. Remember the tearful convocation message from James A. Williams, �Dayton is and will be our Home?� Ask the folks in Buffalo how that is going. Perhaps those parents at the school for the arts in Buffalo can tell you all about his concern for the well-being and future of Buffalo Public Schools? Plenty to read in the press about his work.By Anne
October 28, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
Old Prof, No - I am not implying any type of mind-meld. I DO think that it just might be a little bit easier for you to get numbers that are listed in public records than it is for most of us. Maybe you know someone who could get them really easily, who might even happen to be in the office where they might be requested without having to take a day off of work to get them? Just an idea. Further, I never have accused any of the board members of having political aspirations, or to want to work for the pay. Honestly, I think most pepole who serve on a board are trying to serve their district. Such a job, though, calls for real activisism in a district that is as encumbered with problems as is DPS. The members then need to know what is really going on in the classrooms, not just what the admins. tell them. So please answer one thing straight out - IF ludlow was really needed - fine - but supplying downtown with projectors, new computers, AND laptops? Really needed? And the 12 million dollar question - IF they really NEEDED ludlow - Why did they then have to purchase LUDLOW 2 ?! Now here - the board members should have put the brakes on - or at least they should have let the public know why this was so much more important than smaller class sizes, or music class. The bad feeelings about waste downtown made many people vote against the levy. Why give them more money when it is not looking like the kids will get it? Furthermore, why were so many teachers let go while the admins. downtown were slipped into title 1 spots… Dayton is slipping further and further. Sure we need the legislatures to fix funding, but shouldn’t those in power at least have to answer for how they spend the money they have?By Oldprof
October 28, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
This part needs responding: Joe Lacey claims ” The administration writes their own budget and changes it at whim without any real policy direction from the board. The board does not approve a budget that the administration is held to.” (see his post below). These allegations are at best distortions. The administration and the board, since 2000, have followed all Ohio regulations regarding passing a budget and operating within its limits. What Joe seems to want is for the Board to go through every line item and approve each separately and without reference to administration recommendations. In this, Joe seeks to change the way that Ohio school, college, and university budgets have traditionally been set. Now tell me; what qualified applicant would want to work as a superintendent in any district where the board was planning to ignore recommendations and instead impose a budget-by-committee full of micromanagement from a professional bean counter? The mind-set is ludicrous and deserves to be exposed as such.By Anne
October 28, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this
Eve, your comment to Laura has got to be one of the most repulsive ones I have seen on this blog. When I spoke out about some things that I felt were going on that were not in the best interest of the children, it was suggested by some that I look elsewhere to teach. Most DPS teachers are in the district to help the children who really need the help. Those few who are brave enough to speak out are especially needed. The people who seem to have the least contact with the children also have the least problem with the conditions in the schools. We need the teachers to speak up or things will only get worse. By the way, Tired of the Mess, if you think Barb is a voice for anyone but herself, and if you doubt she is really a teacher, you have obviously not been reading these blogs!By Oldprof
October 28, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Anne: Please disabuse yourself of the notion that I have the ear of a board member for anything more than conversation—surely you don’t imply that there’s been some sort of mind-meld and that there’s substantive agreement on all issues? No, my preference would have been a retirement after two successful terms on the Board and leisurely plans for my own approaching retirement (probably we’ll emigrate, since STRS won’t be providing health insurance by then). I can assure you that there’s little chance I’ll still be in Dayton in another half-dozen years—so since the board members can’t be doing it for pay, and since moving up the political ladder is eliminated for this board member, what’s your third hypothesis in this case?By Oldprof
October 28, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Caroline, I did not say that teachers have everything they need (I bet you and I both know teachers who can’t differentiate between a need and a want, but that’s another issue). I noted that often the supplies have been available but that teacher morale is so poor from past neglect that the teachers don’t ask for them. I believe I can relate to that frame of mind because I also have spent my own money just to avoid the frustration of talking to deaf administrators.By Laura
October 27, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
No, Eve, I don’t dislike the job, what I dislike are the things that happen in the district that shouldn’t happen and don’t benefit kids or people working with the kids. There is too much money spent in areas that do not benefit the students. Teachers shouldn’t have to spend large quantities of their own money to provide eduation for the students. I know teachers in other districts who spend little if any of their own money for things in their classrooms. We certainly shouldn’t have to pay for copy paper, writing paper, folders, crayons, pencils, etc. Other districts do not expect their teachers to repeatedly and frequently attend inservices on their own time. Now lets look at another logical reason. It may not be a popular reason but it is reality. I have been teaching in DPS for almost 30 years. The way the law works in education, I would lose about half of my salary IF a school district would hire me. School districts are only required to pay teachers for 7 years of experience. Some districts will go as high as 10. In addition, I would have to begin paying 2.5% to social security as I have been grandfathered and am not required to pay for medicaid. In addition, I have a master’s degree (which I paid for myself) and although most districts want you to have a master’s they don’t want to hire anyone with it. Now, you can act like anyone who really cared about kids would leave but no one in their right mind would walk away with only a few years to retirement no matter how much they disliked their job. But, no, I don’t hate my job. I post on here because some people need to know the reality of how things really are. I haven’t seen anyone post on here to say that I and the other teachers who make comments on here are lying.By Caroline
October 27, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Oldprof, I’m not sure where you get the idea that DPS teachers have the supplies they need. What are your sources? Most teachers spend a large portion of their own check on supplies for their classroom. I bought pencils, paper (construction, lined, and copy), pens, markers, crayons, glue, highlighters, books, notebooks, soap, paper towels, Kleenex, cleaning supplies, food, etc.By Eve
October 27, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this
Laura, you seem to really dislike your job with the Dayton Public Schools. What is your motivation for staying in the district?By Tired of this Mess
October 27, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
Why does it not suprise me that Lacey would focus on WHO I am rather than WHAT I have to say. For the record Bell is my maiden name and yes, I am a registered Dayton voter. My intent was not to be elusive but I also fail to see why I must give my name and social security number on a public opinion site. My guess is Lacey wants to know who I am so he can then make up accusations and attack me like he does everyone else (trust me Mr. Lacey you wouldn’t want to take me on because I don’t have to play nice with you, I’d tell you EXACTLY what I think about you beginning with a recommendation for Prozac). Lacey YOU are the public figure (by choice), I sir, am not (by choice) so all you really need to know about me is I was a voter who put you into office and I will be a voter who works to remove you from office in two years! Although the fact you would run to check if I am a registered voter and then discount me when you thought I was not is just further proof to me that you are politicizing and are really more concerned with getting yourself elected and basking in finally feeling important vs giving a hoot about my kid or the others that attend DPS. It also does not suprise me that while you found time to try an figure out who I am you NEVER responded to my direct question to you. So, here goes again sir, please tell these bloggers in the two plus years you�ve been on the board what three concrete, visible things have you done or got done to improve the district for the children of Dayton? What has YOUR name on it sir, in two plus years what is a LACEY ACCOMPLISHMENT (I think this is a fair question since you spend so much time telling us what the Board has not done or does not do well, why not tell us what you have done sir and of course, complaining, suing your own board, misrepresenting the downtown building purchase and getting three unqaulified people to run for office are not viable answers)? Barb: My response to Lacey about my identity applies to you as well. For the record I am not a former board member nor have I ever been an elected politician. Believe it or not there are intelligent, analytical citizens out here who though we may not agree 100% with all DPS Board decisions are not fooled by Lacey’s shenanigans and are fed up enough to start being vocal about it. Barb, I apologize if you felt offended by my comments or failure to identify myself to your liking, but I really thought this was a place to express opinions and just because mine do not agree with yours or you do not know exactly who I am is no reason to start making false assumptions about me. Heck, I don’t know nor do I care who you are, but I am interested in what you and others have to say and I take it as just opinion. The only attachment I have to this district I have alreay stated and that is I have a child in a DPS school. Is that enough, or is it a Barb and Lacey requirement that I identify the school and my child’s name and social security number? And Barb for the record YOU have never identified the school you supposedly teach at, but again I NEVER would have insisted you do so because I don’t find it pertinent, nor am I skeptical or paranoid enough to make assumptions that perhaps you aren’t a teacher, maybe your one of Joey’s little friends. I’m busy so I likely won’t respond to further blogs because I have already seen and confimred my suspicians. But I will look to see if Joe ever responds to my direct question (my bet is he won’t or simply hasn’t done a thing to write about).Sincerely, A Registered VoterBy Laura
October 26, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
Old Prof: You have got to be kidding about contacting a board member! Do you have any idea what most principals would do to a teacher who contacted a board member about insufficient anything?? When Dr. Mack or a board member are expected in a building, teachers are usually “alerted” and often told what to say. If you have ever been present in a building when some of these people are “touring” the building you would most likely notice that the principal guides the tour to the teachers/classrooms they want the visitors to see. If there is a class that is out of control, they will go the other way or go down that hall at a time when the class won’t be there. If there is a teacher the principal doesn’t want them to talk to (because they are too outspoken) they will quickly poke their heads in and go on. If the board members or Dr. Mack really want to find out what is going on in a building, they would show up unannounced and insist on touring the building on their own. They would be surprised at what they might learn. This is not paranoia speaking- it’s many years of experience and observation.By Barb
October 26, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Self importance might be the key. Oldprof unfortunately or maybe fortunately I do not have a school board members ear at all times. I also think you might be reading to much of the press about how classrooms have the things they need. I don’t remember asking anything about cell phones. Once again instead of believing what you are told you are welcome to be a participant in my classroom although I know too often you have made it clear that you did that in the past, so are your judgments made in the past also. Enough waste of time. Scott did you do an article or was there a press release somewhere about Orville Wright having a behavior specialist or peer mediation? I thought I read something about that but when I speak to people at OW they don’t seem to know about it. Another question that keeps running through my mind is why do people spend so much to be at a lowing paying job such as the school board? I understand people who think they are going to make a change and do it low keyed but for people that are willing to put so much effort into this looking to move up a political ladder or in someway benefit themselves down the road. I can not imagine these people are completely altruistic. That does not mean they will not have a positive impact but I think it would be nice to have the honesty of why they are running.By Olfprof
October 26, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Barb—did you say I was important? Wow, how did you draw that conclusion? I’m just a drummer in the trenches of education like you—tho’ my students get to me at a more advanced age, and with the benefit (or deficit) of prior education. I, too, work in an underfunded school in a byzantine system of education; I too have spent my own money on my students, had to cope with short supplies and inadequate technology. So my views are no more important that yours. Of the specifics you ask me, I can only note that, about 7 years ago, one board member suspected the district was spending too much on cell phones, and managed to cut back most of that expense. From what I hear, the supplies you don’t have often are available, but I perceive that in many cases teacher morale has been wrecked by prior decades of poor management and conditions, and they don’t report the need because they’re convinced it will do no good. There’s no easy local answers to many of your problems; perhaps a friendly phone call to the school board member of your choice will reveal if they really are concerned about your situation and capable of effecting solutions.By Mrs. Baker
October 26, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Lots of interesting info here. I have a high school student in DPS schools and I am DONE with this school board. Anyone with any connection to the Kid’s First crew will not get my vote. My motto is if you have been on the board for the past 5 years no vote from us. They havent done their job. I dont care whose fault it is. The current board is trying to lay low enough to squeek through and continue on. If thats not the case, they need to start saying something to contrary. We are in desperate times and ANYTHING will be better than what we have now. How much worse can it get? I wish we had a better crop of choices but we have to deal with the hand we have. Mr. Lacey came to my door 2 years ago, looked me in the eye and said he wanted to make a change. I voted for him. I am willing to give him a little more rope but if he doesnt start producing some real results soon he too will get cut off. I am starting to question his motives and real intentions.By anne
October 25, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Theresa - Are you speaking for the teachers at PK? Someone who is trying to meet the needs of 30 children in one room is almost always glad and extremely grateful for an extra pair of hands. Do you realize that the DPS teachers have crowded rooms where 3 or 4 kids are completely out of control at best, there are 3-4 children who barely read, refuse to make any effort, and have parents who could not care less? In addition there are always about 3 children who are extremely bright and need someone to work with them to keep them moving, and there are any number of those who, if given the extra help, might be able to really do well. One teacher cannot keep the children safe from the few bullies whom the admins refuse to put out(we must educate ALL children - even if a few children disrupt the other well-behaved children time all day)and still manage to give each of the other children the individual attention that each child really deserves. Talk to a few more people who are really in the classrooms with the children before you want to lock out those who are willing to help out. These children need the help,esp. with the class sizes and the awful idea of putting 2 grade levels in one room.By Barb
October 25, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Thanks Joe although Tired of the mess never claimed to be a voter in Dayton it does make you question the honesty and integrity of the people who are blogging and if their motives are open and honest. I know as a registered voter I tend to vote for people with little to hide. Again I would encourage past board members to be honest about who they are. Even with the DEC program there were at least 2 past board members asking questions yet not indicating they had sat on the board. Things that make you want to go hummmmmm?By Theresa
October 25, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
PK Parent, As a veteran teacher at PK, I understand that you are not a PARENT of any students at this elementary school, and that you have been allowed to have “free run” of the school. I applaud Mrs. Croker for taking control of the situation. I always questioned why you were allowed in the school with Mr. Graham anyway, when your children had gone on to other schools. A “citizen” without children at an elementary school should be watched unconditionally. For those of us with children, this would be an uncomfortable threat to our kids. For those who ARE PK parents, please come and visit us anytime that you wish. Our doors will be wide open to our parents!By Joe Lacey
October 25, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
There is no Gladys Bell in the Montgomery County voter file at http://www.mcohio.org/revize/montgomery/boe/voterinformation/voterreg_lookup.cfm. If Tired of this Mess is Gladys Bell as she says she is then she’s not registered to vote in Dayton.By Barb
October 25, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
Tired I blame the current board for the mess of the schools. I have been in the school system as a parent and then a teacher, many years later. I have been in the system for over 21 years. You do not say do you have children in the system, work in the system, volunteer in the system? I know you would be more than welcome to judge for yourself. If you think you are tired of this mess imagine how hard it is to go into this mess everyday, give over 100% and watch people who are not helping, people in usless jobs who come into the room with check lists but never discuss the product you are working with. This board only seems to talk about helping children. In the last 3 years I have seen one present board member in the school. My children have seen none in their schools. My question how do you decide from downtown without seeing what is actually happening? I am not talking about a walk through where you smile and know all there is to know. The thing I think Nancy Nearny can bring to the table is the ability to relate what is really going on inside the schools, not what the last book told her. I would assume all board members have to learn the ins and outs of being a board member so we should not vote just because they are already there. I agree it does say alot about the state of affairs downtown if people vote just to get the present board out but I don’t think it is hate and anger. I think it is distrust of what presently goes on. I don’t trust a group who can not even admit to any mistakes when so many have been made. I would be more trusting of people who put children first, rolled up their sleeves and said let’s fix the mistakes we have made. If you have not spent time in the school please email me and spend time in my classroom. I do a lot of educating and can tell you for a fact a lot of what the superintendent and board worry about do not make a difference. You are welcome to see for yourself.By Avoice
October 25, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with a Dayton Teacher. I never saw any money increase for student instruction in my classroom under Gails’ watch. I did see two nice office buildings downtown purchased. I did see Elmo projectors, white boards, new computers, working plumbing fixtures, secure buildings and cherry wood furniture for office staff in Ludlow, not for students. I did see monthly travel figures in the thousands of dollars for downtown. I did see custodians scrambling for toilet paper at the end of the year because there was not any in several elementary buildings. I did see toilet paper, soap and hand towels at Ludlow. I did see high five and low six figure administrators hired while my classroom size increased and I had to buy all of my consumables. I did see coaches, that were paid for by title money, sitting in their offices writing plans and strategies for instruction that had nothing to do with quality urban teaching. I did see class sizes in some buildings in the middle teens while at other buildings the same grade level classes would be thirty. I saw this and more by visiting buildings and talking with teachers, parents and students. I would not have seen this if I just talked with Percy, Gail and Jill. My experience with the past board president showed an absolute disregard for the “little people” (teachers) on her watch. Her refusal to acknowledge teachers at convocations and her silence when repeatedly asked to speak on teachers accomplishments speaks volumes. I am sure that her corporate training will serve her well at her new position. Finally, I am sure that Scott will speak to the issues raised by a Dayton Teacher. If I remember correctly, Scott did spend some time years ago at a DPS elementary school with a 6th grade teacher. Maybe Scott will check some of a Dayton Teachers’ facts at the level that really matter? Check at the buildings with students, teachers, and parents. (After all we work and live their.) Do not always believe press releases and media relations people. These people are not working with or for kids, they have their own agenda. Perhaps it is time to go back again Scott and really see if “A New Day” has dawned. Ask follow-up questions; do not always accept what Jill, Gail and Percy tell you. Dig a little and find out if Kids are truly first or is it first at Ludlow and the kids are second?By Tired of this Mess
October 25, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Barb, I replied to your statement “Doesn�t it say something to the present board if people begin to back Joe Lacey and his choices just to upset the board that we now have?” and I thought my response was comprehensive. Your later post went off on a tangent about something totally different (you work in the schools as a parent and teacher). While I applaud your obvious commitment, I did not feel it related to your original blog and really needed no comment from me. I will say however, that you appear to be blaming current board members for your perceptions about past board members and I find this shortsighted. I trust you are going to do what you feel is right for you just as I am going to do what I feel is right for me and my family. I don’t like everything going on in the schools but I refuse to make things worse by trying to send a message to the wrong people. So, no I didn’t ignore you Barb I just felt you went in a differnet direction that had nothing to do with your original argument and I didn’t choose to go with you. Signed, Gladys BellBy Donna
October 25, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
PK Parent, are you a PARENT of child who is currently at this school? If so, then you have every right to be there whenever you choose. Is the staff trying to keep you from taking part in your children’s activities? All of the schools’ parent resources have lost much because of the “cuts,” but no parent should be discouraged from participating in their students’ educational experiences.By Laura
October 25, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
The math and reading coaches were supposed to be paid for with grant money so it should not be an issue with the amount of money spent in the classroom. I agree with the other teachers who have posted here that we have not seen any money spent in the classroom. In most schools teachers can’t get the copy paper they need, or any other kinds of supplies. Sometimes, even getting additional textbooks is next to impossible. As to the poster who mentioned the appearance of the new buildings; that they looked like prisons, well, the insides are going to look that way also since they “new” rules are that we aren’t supposed to put up educational posters, etc. That is because they know they are supposed to provide those kinds of things and they never have and they never will. I can remember in the past being criticized for not having enough up on the walls, and now they want me to throw them away.By Caroline
October 25, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Joe Lacey is the person who has been trying to change the way things are being done downtown. This leads to animosity from those who want things to stay the same so that they can keep their cushy jobs.By Joe Lacey
October 25, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Curious, my work and lunch hours are flexible and I live close to where I work. If you have a problem with my performance as an assistant treasurer you should contact the Treasurer at 225-4010.By Calvin
October 25, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Maybe Lucky is the reason the DPS still is spending on sports and an athletic director. Who’s related to who here? Cut programs but not high school sports? Let’s see the three things list of what the current school board has done RIGHT without the hoopla. Example that doesn’t fly is classroom spending went UP. Time for a change. Any change is better than more years of this pretend school.By Barb
October 25, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
I know some of the posters on this blog are past board members. Others have a stake in this board. I wonder why the past board members make their comments without letting the public know who they are. It would seem as if you would be more honest about your comments if you have and are in the public eye. I guess this might be some of my distrust for the current and past board. Isn’t it time you came out of the woodwork? Tired I notice you now have no comment for me. It was pointed out my comments about Luckie were unclear. He came to a school carnival. Our parents signed up to work but many did not fulfill their obligation. We made an announcement we needed help for the booths. Mr. Luckie chose to go out and play basketball instead of helping. The firefighters were there with their truck on display and they offered to help so the kids had fun. I always was aggravated when Mr. Luckie, a board member at that time, had his chance to show that he was behind the students he showed his pleasure came first. I only comment on this as a parent in the DPS district but those are the things parents never forget. I would also venture a guess if everyone were honest with who they are we would see a lot of people posting their blog at work.By Joe Lacey
October 25, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
a Dayton teacher, the claim that classroom spending went up are from the Treasurer’s computations. The rise was like somewhere around 15 or 20 percent if I remember correctly, a number that people would have noticed in the classroom. If you use the figures from the annual report that is audited by the state, the percentage spent on classroom instruction did not increase under Littlejohn, it actually went down a little. The treasurer hasn’t reconciled the two that I know of but I suspect that a big part of the difference is that the treasurer included the many hired math and literacy coaches as classroom instruction in his calculations.By Joe Lacey
October 25, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Tired of this Mess calls me a nutcase calls three board candidates my hand picked girls and then claims to want a serious discussion of issues. If you’re on this blog to spew lies and hatred you can’t be taken seriously.By curious
October 25, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
In reading these blogs over the last few days, an observation I have made is that Joe Lacey’s comments are often posted during the business day hours - when he’s supposedly working as a Montgomery County employee. Are county employees encouraged, or even permitted, to engage in political activity during their work hours and, apparently, from their work sites?By null
October 25, 2007 6:29 AM | Link to this
to dps teacher, we have had a space in rm 206 since the 90’s even before that the cec was in the cyber cafe and we were moved to 206 since then our space kept getting smaller by the years to the point all we had was one desk filecabnet ,locker and the old stairway plus allowed to use the room for meetings. From what I understand now the cec has to place a requestin to use A room for the monthly meetings so maybe the cec is an outdated concept since we have NO real influence on what happens in the building. and the cec by-laws aren’t being observed. such as adium ABAA which states that the school is to provide any materials the cec needs to opperate.By Steve
October 25, 2007 6:03 AM | Link to this
Mr Lacey your doing it again. We’re not playing dodge ball anymore. Just answer the questions that folks have asked here.By dirk sniggler
October 25, 2007 5:53 AM | Link to this
I see a lot of the Dayton status quo corporocratic bureaucrat types attacking Joe Lacy like he’s the anti-Christ. I guess when someone threatens the feasibility of gigantic Miller-Valentine contracts on the backs of taxpayers, this is how they are treated. Also, most of the new school buildings look a lot more like prisons than schools. I guess Dayton Public are preparing their students for their most likely future it appears.By pk parent
October 25, 2007 5:43 AM | Link to this
to, PK connection. I agree to bringing back the parent room. but as long as you ane not certified (according to Title One persons) you are not allowed in room 206. Mrs. Croker had made allot of changes including alleinating the CEC. Which we the councel had been looking forward to working with Mrs. Croker, but trying to talk to her about our situation and rm 206 and getting no where. now I understand that a district employee is chairperson. And I thought that the chairperson was to be a parent so their wouldn’t be a conflict of interst. That is what I understood, maybe they held their elections for the cec. so by now you have a feeling who I am, don’t care! I dedcated all my spare time to PK, Students, and Staff even when I didn’t have to. Even after treatment I would still come in to work on programs, such as Staff Appreciation day, and or the perfect attendance contest. that I would of like to have done this year. But, I couldn’t deal with the politics or the a*s kissing. So I am glad I quit, because my heart is quitting on me now and having a heart attack infront of the students and staff, wouldn’t of been really good for morale, since it is already in the dumper.So be an organ Doner and let you family know what your wishes are in the event something was to happen “god forbid”.By Tired of this Mess
October 25, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Lacey: You know the challenges I have with you? Well, I’ll list them for you: 1.) you don’t attack issues, you attack PEOPLE, 2.)you don’t bring solutions to the table, you focus on perceived PROBLEMS, 3.) you don’t demonstrate very good teamwork skills and appear not to get along well with others (you attack your board colleagues at will and I’ve now heard you’ve fallen out with the Democratic Party), and finally 4.)you RARELY MENTION KIDS. All this combines to make me question your real motives and all I keep coming up with is you want control, you want to be a big man in town and you’ve tried many avenues that didn’t work (previous board runs, state rep runs, county treasurer run, etc.) until you finally got on the board on a negative platform and you’ve continued feeding into that negativity daily for two years. So I’m going to give you one question to respond to sir: In the two plus years you’ve been on the board name me three concrete, visible things YOU have done or got done to improve the district for the children of Dayton? What has YOUR name on it sir, in two plus years what is a LACEY ACCOMPLISHMENT?By a Dayton teacher
October 25, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
Mr. Elliot - there are a couple of statements you have made as if they are incontravertable facts. I disagree with those statements and do not accept them as facts. One statement was in partial agreement with Ms. Belcher’s column praising tje Gail littlejohn regime in which you both said that under their watch more money went to classrooms. As a classroom teacher, I am wondering how that can be true? I have received no supply funds during Ms. Littlejohn’s watch. Perhaps the money funneled to the classrooms included the salaries of those who didn’t even show up in the classrooms: those noxious coach positions. Perhaps it was the purchase of new elementary reading textbooks that had a phonic component and new math textbook series that aligned to the math standards of Ohio. I can’t imagine that the purchase of basic textbooks would have been a new funnel of money to the classrooms. This may be a small point to you, Scott and Ellen, but as a teacher who spends money daily on her classroom, I resent being told that Ms. Littlejohn’s board had a high priority of spending money in the classroom. I didn’t see that money for my classroom. Your second statement of opinion as fact was in your column today. You said that the defeat of the levy forced larger class sizes. There is no question that class sizes are larger today. However, many classroom teachers are of the belief that if DPS had actually CUT administrative positions, cut the new & extra intervention specialist (i.e. old coach) positions, and evened out the classes among DPS buildings (by shutting down registration in the classes/buildings which were already at contract limit and sending those students to building which were not full) we might actually not have overflows and split classes. Scott, please be very careful not to believe the administrative hype without at least checking sources at the school level. You might be suprised the difference between what is being communicated as fact by the district and what is in reality happening in schools.By Laura
October 24, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
First to Mario: I’m sorry it came to the point of you having to air your family issues but at least it clears up some rumors. I applaud your decision to do what was best regardless of what anyone else thought. Having been in a very similar situation myself, no one else knows what you are dealing with unless they’ve been there too. To Steve, I’m glad to see you make your own decisions when voting and don’t blindly follow the union’s recommendations. It is sad that so many people feel they have to do whatever the union tells them to do. I just wish more people were intelligent and responsible when they voted.By Barb
October 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Tired, I only base my opinions on what I have seen happen to DPS in the years since my first child enrolled and my last child graduated. I was a supporter of the Kids First team and then I watched as I felt Littlejohn was only concerned about building a reputation for herself. I thought when Issacs took over that she was well intentioned and now I question that. I was the parent running the carnival when the board members were present and when an announcement was made that we need extra parents to help Clayton Luckie went out to play basketball, the Harrison Township Firemen helped knowing they would have to leave if they got a call. My children will tell you that there has been so much unfairness in the schools and that Administration seems to care very little for them. I was the parent involved who had books put into year round school when they did not come in time and downtown said we would have to do without. This was all before I worked in the schools and saw the mess for myself so I like to think my opinion is valuable, perhaps not as valuable as yours though. I certainly am nowhere close to being as important as Old Prof. I am only a voter in Dayton, a teacher in the school system and a parent who sent all three of her children to DPS and was involved everyday of their school life so please excuse me for thinking my points are valid. I am the one buying things for my students, calling parents, breaking up fights and having overloaded classrooms and I am very angry when I go downtown and see the waste. That is what I would like the present board to own up to and then tell me how they are going to fix it. You will forgive me for thinking my vote counts when there are people like you to tell me how wrong I am.By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Steve if people are not telling the truth about what I’m saying or doing to help this district, I’m going to correct the record. You may call that “he said they said crap” but I’m not going to sit back and accept criticism for for pointing out some of the real problems that this district is facing and that the board should be acting on.By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
I meant to write, if Mario is irritated that I point out her taking her child out of DPS then Mario’s irritation is very selective as she didn�t seem to have a problem with Tired of this Mess bringing up the same issue in relation to Ms. Taylor.By Steve
October 24, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Boy you work for 3 days and folks go off the deep end. After reading all that’s been said I will say first that being a member of a union I have voted numerous times against the democratic slate. As a responsible voter I cannot be cow towed into voting for anyone or thing just because the union admin or democratic party thinks I should. Secondly I challenge Joe Lacey to stop the childish he said they said crap and discuss real issues facing this district and tell me how he and the board intends to correct the problems. Finally to all the candidates both incumbent and challenging get your head out of your butts and say what you support and don’t support and give me the reasons why! I firmly believe in what Barb has said, if you’ve screwed up admit it. If you think you’ve done good then flaunt it! This is your chance to convince me and others of your ablilities and commitment. I will be anxiously awaiting your post. On another note I wrote the Honorable Clayton Luckie last friday and have yet to even recieve a note from one of his flunkie staff members so I am thinking he’s a one term man if you folks know what I mean. I am a constituent and he has yet to even acknowlege my letter or concerns. I realize this is just the begining of a long painful road but hopefully by the time my 7yr old graduates H.S. we’ll have this funding mess righted.By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
I have never judged anyone for choosing to send their children to a school other than DPS. If Tired of this Mess thinks it’s relevant to single out Sheila Taylor on this issue then she should have all the facts. If she is irritated that I point this out then her irritation is very selective as she didn’t seem to have a problem with Tired of this Mess bringing up the same issue in relation to Ms. Taylor.By Tired of this mes
October 24, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
Barb, I can’t speak for the board but I can tell you what it says to me if as you put it:”people back Lacey just to spite the board.” It says to me 1.) we are in a sad state as a city IF people feel the only way to address misgivings about the current board is to follow a nutcase and some handpicked challengers who are unqualified, 2.) someone who would do this obviously doesn’t care about children and is letting their own personal hate and anger cloud their judgement, and 3.) some people just want to be mad regardless of logic they just want to be mad. Barb, I have watched this mess for awhile now and here’s what I see: 1.) too many people against the board are just regurgitating what Lacey says and despite how many times others prove his info or accusations incorrect his followers hang onto it anyway, 2.) most of the crap complained about the board happened during the first run of the Kids First group and that was SIX YEARS AGO! Today there is really only two people left from that era (Issaacs and Mario) so why are you blaming board members who didn’t even make the decisions your complaining about, and 3.)maybe you are not being honest about your own issues and the nutcase is playing on that fact. I really am tired of this mess because the way I see it Barb, if Lacey cared about my kid he would have recruited qualified people to run for the board and I might have welcomed some changes, but instead he just got some girls who would let him be the big guy he really wants to be and they don’t know a darn thing about being on a board with this level of responsibility. So, I’m not fooled and I feel sorry for you that perhaps you are.By PK connection
October 24, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
In respond to this I to have a PK connection and I would love to see our parents back. Many of them feel unwelcomed and it’s sad. I would love to see all of you back and have less of these unnecessary changes we seem to have. Hello, I used to ba a parent at Patterson Kennedy School, a volunteer in the Parent Room. Now since Mr. Graham has retired we No longer have a Parent Room since the new Principal has come. I would like to know why she doesn�t allow one???? We parents need each other and need our Room Back.. Please respond. We didn�t ask for money to run the room, we supplied coffee for the parents and teachers and other staff.. Please give us our room back..By mario
October 24, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
For those who may not know the full story, and I guess that includes Joe, my husband and I did have guardianship of a child who came to us when he was in 6th grade. (Friday he graduates from basic training in Fort Benning, GA). He went to Fairview Middle School. During that time I was elected to the board for my first term. When it came time for Curtis to go to high school he and I visited every school. I talked with families that I knew and respected, who had children who were doing very well in school. The common elements were that they had strong family support, their children had been raised from birth with a vision of excellence, and they had strong church family ties. Neither my husband or I have family here, Curtis had come to us at 11, and we had no church affiliation. I was not happy in 2000 with what DPS could offer a family like ours. I chose Chaminade after going to their open house and being so impressed with their curriculum, activities, and level of parent and student participation. Having gone to Catholic schools from elementary through college, I knew what to expect in terms of the focus of the school and believe we made the right choice for us. I then took on the challenge of putting the spotlight on DPS high school offerings. As a direct result of my experience, we now have the Academic Magnet Program, renewed support for the International Baccalaureate Program at Meadowdale and I was a charter member of the committee that developed DECA. Equally important, we now have an annual High School Fair which showcases all our high schools and high school offerings in one spot for our parents� and students� convenience. Currently, my husband and I have guardianship of Curtis�s 13 year old brother and we plan to send him to Thurgood Marshall next year. I am a little irritated by Joe�s post, once again there is a throwaway line that sounds negative, but without any background or other information. That does not help people truly understand the issues, which are much more complex than they appear on the surface.By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Oldprof, my outlook on issues such as fiscal policy, the building program and respect for open meeting laws was not addressed by the editorial board. The administration writes their own budget and changes it at whim without any real policy direction from the board. The board does not approve a budget that the administration is held to. The board needs to have a more meaningful role in the fiscal policy decisions of the district. The building program policy has been to fight to demolish any historical school building without regard for the wishes of the neighborhoods or the facts that renovated buildings can be cost effective and provide all the state of the art amenities to DPS students. More historic buildings could be saved. Ellen Belcher did mention my efforts fighting open meeting law abuse by the board. She said that its hard for her to be critical of my efforts but what she wrote about it sure looked critical.By Tired of this Mess
October 24, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Well Scott, your clarification of Ms. Taylor’s excuses just cost her my hubby’s vote too! Let’s face it she CHOSE to avoid the camera and from what I’m hearing I don’t blame her because she doesn’t know the issues and can only repeat what Joe has told her for so long. Now you (Elliot) say she is running away from Joe, poor dear…..now who’s gonna tell her what to say? Yeah, this is such a mess and I blame LACEY for it! He’s going for absolute power and it’s already corrupted his thinking. Lacey, we’ll wait the 2 years to vote you out of office, but right now we’ll work to ensure you don’t get any of these unqualified, public avoiders into office!By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Tired of this Mess, if you want to criticize someone for not sending their kid to DPS, then look at Mario’s record. Of course the difference is she waited until after she was elected to pull her child out of DPS.By Barb
October 24, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
Doesn’t it say something to the present board if people begin to back Joe Lacey and his choices just to upset the board that we now have? Perhaps it is time for them to admit to their mistakes and talk about how they will change them instead of planting their feet in the sand and making people go anywhere else to change what is going on.By dps teacher
October 24, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
Debra, the Parent liaison or parent rooms are no longer a priority for the district due to the budget cuts. The parent liaisons have been cut or absorbed. If they were paras, they are now either gone or working in classrooms. If they were teachers, they are most likely a parent resource liaison for multiple buildings, I know ours’ covers 5. Parent resource rooms are Title funded and I am sure your principal had nothing to do with its closure.By Oldprof
October 24, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Regarding Lee Massoud’s comments—Scott, back on October 6 when the article ran about William Peterson and his wife losing their positions at Colin Powell and the other charter schools, I posted a query—what was Peterson’s salary, total, for all four of those schools? Noting that he was an old football teammate of John Husted, it seems to me that following the money (state funds through four charter schools into the Peterson’s bank account and back to Husted via campaign donations) could be a sort of Woodwardian opportunity for a young reporter.By Oldprof
October 24, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
It’s rather difficult to express disagreement with someone’s “outlook on issues” if the major points that the person has made for the past two years have been negatives about others’ efforts. Joe, what IS your outlook on issues? You harp on and on about $20 million spent (but conveniently NOT mentioning projected savings), you falsely accuse the administration of not keeping to the budget, you claimed that you planned to examine the district’s books but haven’t reported findings, and you demean your fellow board members’ efforts. That’s a lot of accusation, but so far the last time I recall you making any substantive affirmative statements was in a letter to DDN back around 2002—at which time I thought you made some sense. Perhaps you’d like to review your own old letter and recall how to advance your own agenda rather than attacking others’. Oh, and by the way—your knowledge of parliamentary procedure is sadly ill-informed, and worse, you’re the board’s parliamentarian—have you got any estimates about how much you’re costing the district by requiring a full text transcript of board meetings rather than a set of minutes that follow Robert’s Rules of Order, which is what the law of Ohio requires?By Joe Lacey
October 24, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
The DDN editorial board never said it didn’t like my outlook on issues. Their editorial just called me names. They didn’t mention one issue facing the district where they disagree with me.By Scott Elliott
October 24, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Most of the incumbents also were at the AFL-CIO meeting prior to the DEC candidates night. When I asked Taylor about missing the DEC event, she started out saying that she that she had to stay longer at the union event for reasons she didn’t explain. Then she said, “but if you want to know the truth …” and explained that her dog had been ill, she had been staying up late and she was anticipating a trip to OSU for treatment. Regarding her own children, Taylor said at the DDN endorement interview that when it was time for her daughter (now age 26) to attend school, the girl’s father was adamant that she go to Catholic schools as he had done. She said her daughter went to Holy Angeles and Carroll. Taylor spoke highly of those schools and the experience her daughter had there.By debra cunningham
October 24, 2007 7:09 AM | Link to this
Hello, I used to ba a parent at Patterson Kennedy School, a volunteer in the Parent Room. Now since Mr. Graham has retired we No longer have a Parent Room since the new Principal has come. I would like to know why she doesn’t allow one???? We parents need each other and need our Room Back.. Please respond. We didn’t ask for money to run the room, we supplied coffee for the parents and teachers and other staff.. Please give us our room back..By Tired of this Mess
October 24, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this
Scott, my husband is a union worker and informed me Taylor was at a union endorsement meeting with other candidates at 5pm yesterday and stayed for hours. The DEC event started at 7pm I believe, so it looks like she chose what to attend and what not to attend last night. My heart goes out to her dog and to the people naive enough to fall for this excuse. My gut tells me she did not want a videotape playing over and over showing just what the DDN said, she thinks the union and Democrat endorsements are enough to get her into a position she’s not ready for so she avoided the camera. I also heard she sent her own kid to a non DPS school. Now she wants to set policy for MY DPS kid? I say NO! NO! NO! though my union member hubby might vote for her cause they told him to (go figure).