Ann Wright - 10 Thornton Lane, Lee, NH 03861
Krista Butts - 17 Riverside Farm Drive, Lee, NH 03861
David Taylor - 16 Surrey Lane, Durham, NH 03824
The candidates' forum info is below:
Tuesday, February 16*, 7:00 p.m.
High School, Multi Purpose Room *Snow date Wednesday, 2/17/10
Watch cable channel 22 for reruns
This is your opportunity to meet, listen to and ask questions of participating district moderator and school board candidates.
Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!
Have questions for the candidates?
By noon 2/15, call 868-5100 x 20 or e-mail wdifruscio@orcsd.org
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So, let's post some comments on this election. If you are for the strategic plan or really any future looking plan in this district, it is important to look at prior voting records/opinions of these candidates. The particular voting records to this subject can be found in minutes from 11-04-2009 and 09-16-2009. Keep in mind that Ms. Wright and Butts are not current board members.
Other voting records -
Renewing Superintendent's Contract - 02-11-2009
Adding an elementary teacher in case of enrollment increases - 01-07-2009
Early retirement for teachers - 05-06-2009
2009-2010 School Board Goals - 06-03-2009
Let's election the two women to the board! I have been unimpressed with the last 6 years from Mr. Taylor. Especially his recent voting record and obstructionist attitude toward progress in our schools!
ReplyDeleteI say vote for the girls!
ReplyDeleteYou both say vote for the girls but you sound like you know nothing about them. So, tell me what they all stand for (and I mean all, including Mr. Taylor, too). From what I have heard and read about the three, they all are good candidates.
ReplyDeleteMr. Taylor is not an obstructionist. On the contrary, he consistently votes for the kids - first and foremost -- and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. He is a quiet, soft spoken man who may not always express his ideas all that well and comes across as negative.
I think all you nay sayers need to chill for a moment and ask yourself what do I want to see in a board member and take a fresh look at ALL the candidates. Don't just jump on this bandwagon or that one.
Just sayin!
I disagree with the previous post. Mr. Taylor has consistently voted against a strategic plan and has voted to increase custodial positions vs. using those funds to directly benefit the classrooms. In addition, we have witnessed him abide by some policies while neglecting or ignoring others. I am not a supporter of Mr. Taylor at all. He has been on this board for 12 years and needs to not get re elected. He has denounced this blog (in the last meeting) but started one himself over 10 years ago - google oyster river online or OROL. You should find it.
ReplyDeleteHe supported getting rid of public comments in the meetings as well - a basic right in this country!
Finally, we have witnessed him storm out on a school board meeting last year. Can he not keep his cool or work to debate his view points? Must he resort to just giving up? What message does that send to the kids?
All in all, he may have started out with good intentions and made good choices in the past however, looking at recent trends with his behavior, body language in meetings, and voting records, he is not one that is "all about the kids". He seems politically motivated, and obstructing good debating and constructive criticism of other board members and the public. In addition, he has NOT coached or mentored new(er) board members. If you notice, he will sometimes bring a binder of policies and choose to recite or reference them. I do not think any other board member has this binder. For me to change my mind, Mr. Taylor must start to reach out and mentor new board members and not ridicule them in public and private.
While the other two candidates are new, I am in the opinion of supporting change and progress and not just status quo. I think David is all about status quo and just sailing along with whatever the administration thinks. I want a school board member to challenge the administration with thoughtful comments.
Here is a link to Ann Wright's website...for the poster who wants this info:
ReplyDeletewww.Ann-Wright.net
Mr. Taylor has served for 12 years. That is a huge time investment. He helped bring the upgrades to the high school. That said, it seems that his last term has not been as productive as the two previous terms. I will be interested to hear the other two candidates.
ReplyDeleteIf they seem reasonable and excited about our schools then I think it is time for Mr. Taylor to pass the torch and let in some new energy. I think we need people who are excited and eager to be involved--similar to Mr. Taylor when he first ran 12 years ago.
Watch the candidate nights and decide for yourself. I believe the District night is the 16th--not sure if it is live but I am sure they will record it.
Good luck to all running--it is a thankless job but an important one!
Vote against anyone that voted to renew Colter's contract! The mustache must go.
ReplyDeleteThe Pickle Boy
theoneandonlypickleboy@gmail.com
For those who have lived in the district longer than 12 years, you will know that Mr. Taylor hasn't changed much. He is a reserved, quiet voice on the board who brings a lot of experience. Personally, I want someone, the elder statesman-like personality, to be there. Having someone with experience to share previous decisions and discussions is quite valuable.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, Mr. Taylor has supported adding good teachers to the schools. Because of that, my daughter knows that while every American has a right to say virtually whatever they want, they should use that time responsibly and constructively. Standing up a every board meeting chastising seven hardworking board members who trying to provide an excellent education to our children is not responsible and deserves the rebuke they get in public forums like this.
Saying the same thing, meeting after meeting, spewing lies and conjecture is definitely not an appropriate use of public comment time. If those people (one in particular) don't like paying their $12k plus in taxes per year, then:
ReplyDelete1. Why did he purchase a McMansion on Noble K. Peterson Drive - a road notorious for having expensive tax bills?
2. WHy move to a town that is notorious for having some of the highest tax bills in the state (not because of excess spending but because of a lack of industry and commercial properties).
3. Why move to New Hampshire? Our property taxes in every town are regressive, backward and rely too heavily on Joe Homeowner.
4. What in the *&^%*$! world did he think was going to happen? His tax bill would go away once he moved to Durham?
You should all wake up and smell the coffee folks. He certainly needs to. He has no one to blame but himself.
Did anyone watch the Candidate forum tonight? I'm afraid that David Taylor is on best behavior right before the election. That was NOT the same man who has been incredibly rude at Board meetings and who has been bullying other Board members for the past couple of years. Tonight he even said that he supported the strategic plan. This is laughable, since we all (that is, those of us who have been paying attention)saw him fight it tooth and nail last spring. I really hope that the voters have been watching the meetings and can see through the facade. It is time for a change. Ann Wright and Krista Butts are more than capable of carrying the torch.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the meetings. My concern is that voters who haven't been watching the meetings and paying attention for the last three years will just tune in to watch the Candidate Forum and see the "gentleman" Taylor on best behavior just before the election. He may have been a wonderful Board member in his earlier years, but I didn't live here then, so I never saw that. All that I know is what I have seen with my own eyes in his current term. He is condescending, dismissive, and divisive. He does not appear to have any interest in being a team member.
ReplyDelete