Durham resident Luci Gardner has asked that we post the following, which has also been submitted to Fosters:
Durham has a proverbial ‘baby being thrown out with the bathwater’ problem as plaintiff David Taylor seeks to invalidate the entire eleven member superintendent screening committee even though his complaint is against only two of the eleven, the community representative members selected by the School Board.
Although the other nine screening committee members, representing teachers, administrators, parents and students, were selected by some process not laid out by the Board and not complained of by Taylor, he still insists the entire committee and their candidate choices should be invalidated and the screening process started anew.
Further, although Taylor agrees the screening committee did a “good job” and that he would “have no problem if Dr. Morse was ultimately the superintendent”, he demands total invalidation, attempting to prove his point that “good results should not come from a bad process”.
But, demanding that the votes of the nine screening committee members who recommended Dr. Morse to the Board and were not even selected by the School Board simply to attempt to prove his point is throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
The reality is that it's *all* a problem:
ReplyDelete* David Taylor's current lawsuit is over-reaching just to prove a (possibly valid) point.
* The fact that the board would commit anything even remotely close to an RTK violation after the recent ruling is astounding to me.
* The fact that we have allowed our school district to become somewhere that "everyone gets a trophy" is just plain sad.
* The fact that many of us are terrified of sending our children to Oyster River High School for fear of them being completely under-represented for college admissions is horrible.
The fact is everyone is frustrated as hell, and I truly believe everyone's goals are the same (this blog/community, FORE, Dave Taylor, me, you, everyone): We all want the school district we were sold based on an excellent reputation instead of the one that we have. The problem is that we all want this fixed ASAP, and fast change (anywhere) is going to ruffle feathers and by its nature divides us. Somehow we need to get over this "infighting" and simply work together to fix this before we're all screwed.
-Dave Hamilton
No adults in the community actually realize what Oyster River is actually like. It will never be able to hold up to the standards of Hanover. The Dartmouth influence is just too strong. Why are people so dissapointed with the student performance? Oyster River was one of 3 schools to receive a silver medal by US news and world report. Each year Oyster River sends kids to some of the top universities in the country.
ReplyDeleteSo you wonder why test scores are dropping? It's because of parents complaining about paying taxes. The hostile environment created by the elderly population of durham, lee, and madbury has created a hostile environment in the school system. If anything, David Taylor has given the students at the high school a beacon of hope.
To OR: It is not the snapshot that people are having an issue with but the trend. It is irrefutable that the test scores have come down and that the "top" colleges or the diversity of them has also changed. You also claim that adults don't know about what OR is like. I take offense! There numerous accounts and facts that AP classes have gone away, that the guidance department in the high school doesn't challenge kids, and even the walkout last year. How entitled the students were that they walked out because the board didn't choose the high school principal WHO WASN'T EVEN PART OF THE DISTRICT!!!
ReplyDeleteYou then attack the parents complaining about high taxes and equate that to lower test scores? Are you serious? You must be kidding because the two have no correlation. You then disrespect elders by accusing them of creating the hostile environment. So...David Taylor is your "white knight". All he has done is take this rift in the community to the next level by attempting to stop the superintendent search and throw away a candidate that the teachers and administration both want. Explain why David is a high school student savior.
In fact it is quite clear that most adults from the community don't know what oyster river is like. It is a school that challenges students in all areas of life; not just academics. If you want to go to a top notch school, the resources to do this are available at ORHS.
ReplyDeleteAP classes were removed because no one was taking them. They were wasting money.
The walkout was a perfect example of what OR is trying to teach its students; adressing an issue through a respectful manner. The fact that the school board rejected the principal was insulting. The mere fact that they are allowed to vote on the principal is just a formality. In turning down the selected candidate, they showed a lack of respect for the faculty of ORHS. It is clear that they simply wanted to wait until they had their handpicked superintendent in place before selecting a principal.
And seriously???? disrespecting elders??? ORHS isn't a catholic boys school in the middle of pennsylvania. At ORHS, students are taught to communicate with adults as their equals. The school board drove out one of the finest educators this district has ever seen... Laura Rogers. Laura Rogers wasn't just an enforcer of rules, she was a friend. She connected with students who never even thought about going to college. She didn't just deal with your ever so precious AP scholars. The reason the school board drove her out, is because of the school boards ultra-conservative ulterior motives.
OR
ReplyDeleteYou are right to point out that ORHS provides graduates with the tools to do well in college. My oldest son is doing well at college because of the education he received at ORHS. I can't speak to test scores, but blaming citizens, many of them on fixed incomes, for questioning above average costs per pupil for lower test scores is incoherent and mean spirited.
With regards to Laura Rogers' departure, I am not sure to which board you speak of. Laura's letter of resignation was tendered in January when Portalupi, Reif, Brackett, Wright, Butts, Kach, and O'Quinn were on the board. The two newest board members, one of them my wife, had not filed paperwork to run for office. Those are the facts.
This board is non partisan. If you have proof that they have a "ultra-conservative ulterior motives" then by all means bring it to light. Otherwise I believe more substantive discussion would be productive.
Finally in the Board Policy manual there is no mention of voting for high school principal as a " formality." See attached Policy GCC-R below for the purposes of clarification. If you read this differently, please correct my error.
OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
Policy Code: GCC-R
Date of Adoption: April 14, 1981
Dates of Revision: October 16, 1996; April 7, 1999
Page 1 of 5
PERSONNEL -- RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
Building Principals
The board will determine its level of involvement prior to the beginning of a search. The following are procedures for the recruitment and election of principals in the Oyster River Cooperative School District.
1. The assistant superintendent will advertise available position(s) with state employment offices, selected colleges and universities, the district office and local school buildings, and in selected national, state and regional print and/or electronic media, when appropriate, within two weeks of a verified vacancy.
2. The superintendent, assistant superintendent, and representative(s) of the board will screen applications, advise those from whom references and placement papers are requested, and identify candidates to be invited for interviews.
3.
Interviews will be scheduled as follows:*
a.
Building committee
b.
Parent/community committee (including student representative(s) for high
school principal recruitment only)
c.
Leadership Team of central office administration/district principals (less superintendent)
d.
Superintendent, with a representative of the board
4. An on-site visitation committee will observe final candidates in their school community, whenever practicable. Composition of a site visitation committee will be determined by the superintendent or his/her designee, in consultation with the board.
* Candidates interviewed at levels 3a-c above will not necessarily be referred to levels 3d.
OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
Policy Code: GCC-R
Date of Adoption: April 14, 1981
Dates of Revision: October 16, 1996; April 7, 1999
Page 2 of 5
PERSONNEL -- RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION (continued)
5. The school board will:
a. Interview the finalist candidates. It is expected that there will be at least two finalists unless there are extenuating circumstances.
b.
Receive verbal report(s) of the administrative committee, building committee, parent/community committee and student committee, as appropriate.
c.
Deliberate the report(s) with the superintendent.
6. The superintendent of schools will nominate a candidate for and will provide the board with backup rationale supporting the nomination. Such information will be provided prior to the meeting.
7. The school board will elect or reject the nominated candidate.
OR
ReplyDeleteYou are right to point out that ORHS provides graduates with the tools to do well in college. My oldest son is doing well at college because of the education he received at ORHS. I can't speak to test scores, but blaming citizens, many of them on fixed incomes, for questioning above average costs per pupil for lower test scores is incoherent and mean spirited.
With regards to Laura Rogers' departure, I am not sure to which board you speak of. Laura's letter of resignation was tendered in January when Portalupi, Reif, Brackett, Wright, Butts, Kach, and O'Quinn were on the board. The two newest board members, one of them my wife, had not filed paperwork to run for office. Those are the facts.
This board is non partisan. If you have proof that they have a "ultra-conservative ulterior motives" then by all means bring it to light. Otherwise I believe more substantive discussion would be productive.
Finally in the Board Policy manual there is no mention of voting for high school principal as a " formality." See attached Policy GCC-R below for the purposes of clarification. If you read this differently, please correct my error.
OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
Policy Code: GCC-R
Date of Adoption: April 14, 1981
Dates of Revision: October 16, 1996; April 7, 1999
Page 1 of 5
PERSONNEL -- RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION
Building Principals
The board will determine its level of involvement prior to the beginning of a search. The following are procedures for the recruitment and election of principals in the Oyster River Cooperative School District.
1. The assistant superintendent will advertise available position(s) with state employment offices, selected colleges and universities, the district office and local school buildings, and in selected national, state and regional print and/or electronic media, when appropriate, within two weeks of a verified vacancy.
2. The superintendent, assistant superintendent, and representative(s) of the board will screen applications, advise those from whom references and placement papers are requested, and identify candidates to be invited for interviews.
3.
Interviews will be scheduled as follows:*
a.
Building committee
b.
Parent/community committee (including student representative(s) for high
school principal recruitment only)
c.
Leadership Team of central office administration/district principals (less superintendent)
d.
Superintendent, with a representative of the board
4. An on-site visitation committee will observe final candidates in their school community, whenever practicable. Composition of a site visitation committee will be determined by the superintendent or his/her designee, in consultation with the board.
* Candidates interviewed at levels 3a-c above will not necessarily be referred to levels 3d.
OYSTER RIVER COOPERATIVE SCHOOL BOARD
Policy Code: GCC-R
Date of Adoption: April 14, 1981
Dates of Revision: October 16, 1996; April 7, 1999
Page 2 of 5
PERSONNEL -- RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION (continued)
5. The school board will:
a. Interview the finalist candidates. It is expected that there will be at least two finalists unless there are extenuating circumstances.
b.
Receive verbal report(s) of the administrative committee, building committee, parent/community committee and student committee, as appropriate.
c.
Deliberate the report(s) with the superintendent.
6. The superintendent of schools will nominate a candidate for and will provide the board with backup rationale supporting the nomination. Such information will be provided prior to the meeting.
7. The school board will elect or reject the nominated candidate.
Thank you Mike for your comment and fact checking.
ReplyDeleteTo OR: would you then argue that Mr. Allen was a poor choice? The board also elected him. You have also summed up in many many words that you have failed to understand the issues here. It is perfectly fine to stand up for what you believe in. It's another to latch onto a mob mentality and create your own reality from assumption. You do not know the entire story and rely on one sided rhetoric from factions in the community. I suggest you utilize the tools you reference at ORHS and find out all the facts rather than rely on heresy. Instead of fact checking, you allowed an angry parent complaining about taxes (no offense Mike) to prove you wrong and completely discredit any points you may be trying to make.
First to Dave Hamilton,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are right we all want an excellent school district however I would disagree with you on the point that we do not have one. It saddens me to hear that you and if what you said is true, many others are afraid of sending their children to the Oyster River High School. I can tell you as a senior in the school right now it is an excellent place to learn. The teachers are amazing and provide us with an excellent education as well as prepare us for our future. Right now I feel completely capable of dealing with whatever I decide to do next year (probably college).
Next to Mr. Lane / StopDavidTaylor,
I agree with you that the board should not “rubber stamp” a nomination from the superintendent. That is not how our democracy was designed and the board should make their own decision on every nomination put forth to them. The problems with the decision were:
A) No explanation as to why the candidate was turned down was ever given.
and
B) The blatant disrespect and disregard shown to students by specific board members when they were simply trying to use their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT of freedom of assembly.
“Would you then argue that Mr. Allen was a poor choice? The board also elected him.” Not at all I would like to point out however that we are extremely lucky this situation worked out as well as it did. I think Mr. Allen is doing and will continue doing an excellent job at ORHS but as well as this worked out it could have also been extremely terrible for our school. What if someone was hired who was completely incompetent? This board turned down an excellent principle that was just recently hired at Hanover High School, a school we are often compared to and measured against. If Mr. Campbell is good enough for our biggest “academic rival” why is he not good enough for us?
To StopDavidTaylor
I would love to see the data that shows test scores have dramatically dropped. As far as I know (and I could be wrong of course) it is simply the raising of standards to an impossible level thanks to NCLB that have caused our school/district to become “in need of improvement”. Last I heard we were still at a similar level as years past (around 93-94% I believe).
Thanks
A Student