Second Round

Our first set of interviews for the open Treasurer's position in the district went really well, and our second round was held this past week.  As a side note, only two of the five candidates had the presence of mind to send a "thank you" note after the first interview . . . it was noticed by all of us, and a good reminder to everyone out there looking for a job:  Send A "Thank You" Note after the interview!!

Newly elected board member Shannon Crow was able to attend the second round of interviews, which was admirable.  Mr. McClure was still on vacation, and unable to come.  Michelle Tyson did not participate. 

Each of our 3 finalists had plusses and minuses for us to consider.  We should be able to have a strong candidate in the treasurer's slot before January 1st. 

Our next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, November 22nd. 

Treasurer Interviews

The Board has conducted the first round of interviews for our district treasurer's position.  Our hope is to have a top candidate in place by the first of next year, 2012. 

Last week we spoke with five individuals on two separate evenings.  Also invited to sit in were newly elected board members, Shannon Crow and Mike McClure.  Ms. Crow came, but Mr. McClure was out of town.  Michelle Tyson also did not attend - I do not know the reason.

Second interviews will now be scheduled.  We have several good candidates, and we are confident that a top-notch person will soon be added to our district family in Swanton.

Stay tuned!

Election Results

Okay!  Unless you happen to live under a rock, you know by now that our two newly elected school board members are Mike McClure and Shannon Crow.  They will be invited to participate in the interview process for the open treasurer position in our district.  Once that position is filled, the next major hiring decision of the board will be to seek a new superintendent after the first of the year.

In addition, Issue 2 has been decided - so now the teachers' union (SEA) and their OEA leader will cease their delaying tactics and let our district get back to business of contract negotiations. 

On a sad note, the Swanton library tax did not pass in Lucas County . . . probably because it is a new tax, although I have seen other jurisdictions where renewals did not pass, either.  With our economy in such a sorry state, I wonder how the school district emergency levy renewal will do this coming Spring . . . 

Fortunately, the total vote on the library was "YES"!  So that's the good news!

Hoopla, Indeed

So - were your children among those whose bags of goodies included candy with a sticker on the back that mentioned the teachers' contract??

If not, you don't know what I'm talking about . . .

During the Swanton "Halloween Hoopla" uptown this past Saturday, some people were dropping candy into kids' bags that had a sticker.  I don't have one in front of me right now, so I can't quote it verbatim - but it was something like:  "Did you know our teachers have been working without a contract since September 1?"  

In our children's candy bags. 

I am not making this up.

Here's the kicker:  the statement on the sticker is TRUE.  That's right - the statement is true . . . as far as it goes, anyway.

The fact is that our local teachers' union (SEA) leadership is working very closely with their state union (OEA) rep who is holding off on settling several of his clients' contracts while he waits for November 8th.  He is waiting to see if Issue 2 will pass or fail.

There were contract offers made by the district through our representatives before school began and after (right up until late October), but they were all rejected.  Nope - it was more important to the OEA rep to wait to see what happens with Issue 2, and unfortunately our SEA leaders have chosen to follow his lead.

If Your child received one of these candy bars (Kit Kat, I think . . . ) with a sticker, please share your opinion of that with a teacher or two.  They are only human, and you can't expect them to be mind-readers.  Let them know what you thought of their actions, instead of only sharing it with school board members.  Your message will carry much more weight coming directly from You.