Want to know the "word on the street"? Just READ THIS BLOG! Many people have given up going to Board meeting and writing letters that are ignore--I know I have. What are the only outlets left: 1. this blog 2. voting.
The voters spoke recently and there indeed was a mandate for change. Is the Board listening? Given JoAnn and Jennifer's curt and dismissive responses during this meeting, I think not! Todd sums up the problem succinctly. Skip forward in the video to: 29:30. It is well worth your time!!!!!
This is a response to Jennifer Rief's comment (somewhat paraphrased) that "people need to write letters to the Board and show up at appropriate meetings."
Really?
Let me recount my own personal experiences: in the last three years, by my own count I have written SEVEN letters to the Board. I have never received even a SINGLE response.
I have shown up at meetings and made public comments on any number of occasions. Again by my own count, I have in my files eight written statements; but I also, at times, make my comments off-the-cuff, so the actual number of times I have spoken before the Board is higher. In all those times, I've gotten a response from members of the Board exactly twice.
(One of those times, I might add, was the Chair promising me I would get a response to one of my letters. That was two years ago; I'm still waiting.)
So, Jennifer, what's the magic number? If I write eight letters, will people suddenly start paying attention? If I make a comment at every meeting, will members of the Board start following up with me to address my concerns? Just let me know what I have to do to get you to respond; I'm willing to do it.
Or is it, as seems more likely, that your statement was really an attempt at deflecting blame from where it truly belongs? Didn't we elect you and the rest of the members of the Board to represent us, the public? Then why should you place the onus on the public to show up at meetings and write letters to hold our school administrators accountable? Isn't that the very definition of the Board's job?
I realize I've asked a lot of questions here, questions that you may need to take time to answer. But in the meantime, I'll offer an answer to a question you asked: why is there a disconnect between what is heard on the street and what the Board hears?
The answer is simple, really: most people have figured out that you don't really care what they say. Maybe not you personally; but the institution as a whole has decided that the public needs to be held at arm's length. And most people, when dealing with an entity that never responds to letters, never follows up with answers to questions, and spends their tax dollars on anything it wants to, even though they have rejected that spending...well, they give up.
People have stopped talking to you. They're now talking on this blog, in Foster's, and over at the Durham Town Council chambers. Sometimes, they even get answers from these other sources. You may not like these answers, but if you're unwilling to engage in the conversation, how do you expect to reach these people?
So, if you really want to know why you're not hearing what everyone else is saying, maybe you all should try listening for a change. And after you've listened for awhile, maybe you should try entering into the conversation.
If you can find a way to do this, and do it in a respectful way that allows even your critics to feel that they have been heard, you'll have gone more than halfway toward putting to rest the conflict that has enveloped this District the last several years. That would benefit our teachers, our kids, and the broader community tremendously.
Well stated. In addition. The postcard referred to in the clip at 24:36, arrived the DAY OF the deliberative session. Thus providing a true lack of notice for many. Also, I searched the minutes regarding the board vote on approving funds for the failed TIP. While there was a presentation to the board as evidenced in the June 3rd, 2009 minutes. I can not find a vote by the board for such approval. It was my understanding from watching board meetings on this topic that board approval did not occur, and was not neeeded due to the amount appropriated. If there is evidence to the contrary please provide this evidence. Lastly, the say that the "word on the street" does not match what the board hears is simply due to the extensive disconnect the board has from the public. It is well known that the board is not responsive, cares only to protect the administration, and if you do speak you risk attack. I have watched citizen after citizen who speak with fact based information, be attacked. Who would want to open their life up to this attack? It is why most who write on this Blog refuse to use their name. We fear retribution against our reputation, against our children, against those we associate with. You can deny this retribution exists, but I simply need to read this Blog to know it does.
I want to applaud Todd for his presentation. Durham should be proud to have such an articulate, thoughtful, intelligent leader. I simply wish the ORCSD district had the same level of leadership.
I received the postcard notice for that meeting the day AFTER the meeting. I think that this was a strategic move by the central office and it should never happen again. Thank you Henry for bringing it up at the meeting.
Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable? He had to deliver bad news--REALLY bad news--to people who didn't want to hear it. I belive Todd does an excellent job for the Town of Durham, but it must pain him greatly to have to go to the School Board and tell them how badly they--and our administrators--are failing. He should get combat pay for that!
Todd didn't "feel comfortable"? Todd looked like a leader doing his job. And he did it more graciously than I could imagine anyone else doing it. I hope that they listened, because ignoring his message would be a huge mistake.
Todd Selig should be the prototype used when hiring new leaders in this community. He possesses a low keyed manor, but isn't afraid of the tough decisions.
Want to know the "word on the street"? Just READ THIS BLOG! Many people have given up going to Board meeting and writing letters that are ignore--I know I have. What are the only outlets left:
ReplyDelete1. this blog
2. voting.
The voters spoke recently and there indeed was a mandate for change. Is the Board listening? Given JoAnn and Jennifer's curt and dismissive responses during this meeting, I think not! Todd sums up the problem succinctly. Skip forward in the video to: 29:30. It is well worth your time!!!!!
This is a response to Jennifer Rief's comment (somewhat paraphrased) that "people need to write letters to the Board and show up at appropriate meetings."
ReplyDeleteReally?
Let me recount my own personal experiences: in the last three years, by my own count I have written SEVEN letters to the Board. I have never received even a SINGLE response.
I have shown up at meetings and made public comments on any number of occasions. Again by my own count, I have in my files eight written statements; but I also, at times, make my comments off-the-cuff, so the actual number of times I have spoken before the Board is higher. In all those times, I've gotten a response from members of the Board exactly twice.
(One of those times, I might add, was the Chair promising me I would get a response to one of my letters. That was two years ago; I'm still waiting.)
So, Jennifer, what's the magic number? If I write eight letters, will people suddenly start paying attention? If I make a comment at every meeting, will members of the Board start following up with me to address my concerns? Just let me know what I have to do to get you to respond; I'm willing to do it.
Or is it, as seems more likely, that your statement was really an attempt at deflecting blame from where it truly belongs? Didn't we elect you and the rest of the members of the Board to represent us, the public? Then why should you place the onus on the public to show up at meetings and write letters to hold our school administrators accountable? Isn't that the very definition of the Board's job?
I realize I've asked a lot of questions here, questions that you may need to take time to answer. But in the meantime, I'll offer an answer to a question you asked: why is there a disconnect between what is heard on the street and what the Board hears?
The answer is simple, really: most people have figured out that you don't really care what they say. Maybe not you personally; but the institution as a whole has decided that the public needs to be held at arm's length. And most people, when dealing with an entity that never responds to letters, never follows up with answers to questions, and spends their tax dollars on anything it wants to, even though they have rejected that spending...well, they give up.
People have stopped talking to you. They're now talking on this blog, in Foster's, and over at the Durham Town Council chambers. Sometimes, they even get answers from these other sources. You may not like these answers, but if you're unwilling to engage in the conversation, how do you expect to reach these people?
So, if you really want to know why you're not hearing what everyone else is saying, maybe you all should try listening for a change. And after you've listened for awhile, maybe you should try entering into the conversation.
If you can find a way to do this, and do it in a respectful way that allows even your critics to feel that they have been heard, you'll have gone more than halfway toward putting to rest the conflict that has enveloped this District the last several years. That would benefit our teachers, our kids, and the broader community tremendously.
Well stated. In addition. The postcard referred to in the clip at 24:36, arrived the DAY OF the deliberative session. Thus providing a true lack of notice for many.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I searched the minutes regarding the board vote on approving funds for the failed TIP. While there was a presentation to the board as evidenced in the June 3rd, 2009 minutes. I can not find a vote by the board for such approval. It was my understanding from watching board meetings on this topic that board approval did not occur, and was not neeeded due to the amount appropriated. If there is evidence to the contrary please provide this evidence.
Lastly, the say that the "word on the street" does not match what the board hears is simply due to the extensive disconnect the board has from the public. It is well known that the board is not responsive, cares only to protect the administration, and if you do speak you risk attack. I have watched citizen after citizen who speak with fact based information, be attacked. Who would want to open their life up to this attack? It is why most who write on this Blog refuse to use their name. We fear retribution against our reputation, against our children, against those we associate with. You can deny this retribution exists, but I simply need to read this Blog to know it does.
I want to applaud Todd for his presentation. Durham should be proud to have such an articulate, thoughtful, intelligent leader. I simply wish the ORCSD district had the same level of leadership.
I received the postcard notice for that meeting the day AFTER the meeting. I think that this was a strategic move by the central office and it should never happen again. Thank you Henry for bringing it up at the meeting.
ReplyDeleteCould we clone Todd and send him to college for educational leadership?
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime?
Irregardless of how you feel on the issue, did anyone else get a sense that Todd didn't really feel comfortable with being there in that situation?
ReplyDeleteJust throwing it out.
(I don't need to hear from the crazies - only thoughtful, well-versed comments plaese)
Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable? He had to deliver bad news--REALLY bad news--to people who didn't want to hear it.
ReplyDeleteI belive Todd does an excellent job for the Town of Durham, but it must pain him greatly to have to go to the School Board and tell them how badly they--and our administrators--are failing. He should get combat pay for that!
Todd didn't "feel comfortable"? Todd looked like a leader doing his job. And he did it more graciously than I could imagine anyone else doing it. I hope that they listened, because ignoring his message would be a huge mistake.
ReplyDeleteTodd Selig should be the prototype used when hiring new leaders in this community. He possesses a low keyed manor, but isn't afraid of the tough decisions.
ReplyDelete