I continue to be surprised that anyone finds this blog, let alone READS it. But for those of you who do, and who wish to leave a comment, please feel free to do so.
Just remember that no comment will be published unless the writer has been mature enough to include his/her full name. No anonymous posts are allowed, and a first name alone is just as obtuse as no name at all.
Thanks for your understanding!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Early Observations
Just a few thoughts, as we begin a new calendar year . . .
It is obvious which of the new board members does their homework - and also who doesn't. This is an important job, and it does take work - no doubt about it.
Also, some comments have been made about the Recreation Program that bother me. Here's the thing: the changes that were made to the rec program were not done lightly, nor arbitrarily. Countless hours of research and meetings and study were done by at least 3 members of the former board (and probably more), along with more hours by the Treasurer and Superintendent. The decisions that were made were not made without a thorough look at both sides of the issue.
I understand that those not privy to all of the information we had at our disposal during the time of restructuring might not fully appreciate what was done or why. I am certain that either Cheryl or Paulette would be willing to more fully explain it to anyone who would ask.
It is true that Swanton's original Park & Rec program had morphed from its original core values into something unrecognizable, and that an entitlement mentality had overshadowed the purpose of the programs. But that doesn't mean we should just throw up our hands and say, "oh well - that's the way it's been done for years and so we can't change it, because that's just what people expect - if we try to change it, we won't get any cooperation".
Baloney!!
Here's a simple analogy: when Mrs. Smith first enters the classroom of Mrs. Jones who has left to have a baby, and the kids say, "but we ALWAYS did it like THIS", what will Mrs. Smith say? If she's a teacher worth her salt, she will keep the things that are appropriate and jettison those that aren't, regardless of the desires of the students. Right?
At the risk of repeating myself, let me state it again. NO other recreation program in the state of Ohio pays their coaches or directors like we used to do, with a school district tax levy. None. Nowhere. Nada. The programs are self-sufficient, running off of gate receipts, concessions and fees. The person in charge of the entire rec program, the Head Honcho, if you will, is likely to have a salary - but that's the ONLY person who does. Each particular sports director (Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Cheerleading, etc) is a volunteer, and usually a parent of a participating child, as are the coaches. Parents are expected to help out in their child's chosen sport.
Why did that become such a foreign concept here?? I don't know. But now that we have finally turned things around and are beginning to see positive results - the last thing we should consider is a return to the former, inappropriate policies, no matter who liked it that way.
I realize that being a director or a coach takes time and work. I did it for my own kids, when they were involved in rec program sports. That is what a parent DOES for their kids! It is a sacrifice of time and money, but that's part of what parenting is all about.
And I'm just enough of a hard-nose to say that, if we don't have any parents willing to step up to the plate without being paid, then that particular sport can be eliminated from our program until we get some parents who will gladly volunteer their time.
It is obvious which of the new board members does their homework - and also who doesn't. This is an important job, and it does take work - no doubt about it.
Also, some comments have been made about the Recreation Program that bother me. Here's the thing: the changes that were made to the rec program were not done lightly, nor arbitrarily. Countless hours of research and meetings and study were done by at least 3 members of the former board (and probably more), along with more hours by the Treasurer and Superintendent. The decisions that were made were not made without a thorough look at both sides of the issue.
I understand that those not privy to all of the information we had at our disposal during the time of restructuring might not fully appreciate what was done or why. I am certain that either Cheryl or Paulette would be willing to more fully explain it to anyone who would ask.
It is true that Swanton's original Park & Rec program had morphed from its original core values into something unrecognizable, and that an entitlement mentality had overshadowed the purpose of the programs. But that doesn't mean we should just throw up our hands and say, "oh well - that's the way it's been done for years and so we can't change it, because that's just what people expect - if we try to change it, we won't get any cooperation".
Baloney!!
Here's a simple analogy: when Mrs. Smith first enters the classroom of Mrs. Jones who has left to have a baby, and the kids say, "but we ALWAYS did it like THIS", what will Mrs. Smith say? If she's a teacher worth her salt, she will keep the things that are appropriate and jettison those that aren't, regardless of the desires of the students. Right?
At the risk of repeating myself, let me state it again. NO other recreation program in the state of Ohio pays their coaches or directors like we used to do, with a school district tax levy. None. Nowhere. Nada. The programs are self-sufficient, running off of gate receipts, concessions and fees. The person in charge of the entire rec program, the Head Honcho, if you will, is likely to have a salary - but that's the ONLY person who does. Each particular sports director (Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Football, Cheerleading, etc) is a volunteer, and usually a parent of a participating child, as are the coaches. Parents are expected to help out in their child's chosen sport.
Why did that become such a foreign concept here?? I don't know. But now that we have finally turned things around and are beginning to see positive results - the last thing we should consider is a return to the former, inappropriate policies, no matter who liked it that way.
I realize that being a director or a coach takes time and work. I did it for my own kids, when they were involved in rec program sports. That is what a parent DOES for their kids! It is a sacrifice of time and money, but that's part of what parenting is all about.
And I'm just enough of a hard-nose to say that, if we don't have any parents willing to step up to the plate without being paid, then that particular sport can be eliminated from our program until we get some parents who will gladly volunteer their time.
January 2010
Well! It's a new calendar year, and our three newly elected board members participated in their first regular school board meeting. I wonder what they thought?!
During the public comment portion of the meeting, school secretary Betse Schmitz thanked the Methodist Church for having donated so many coats to the elementary schools, along with matching hats and gloves for the children. It is amazing to me that parents let their kids leave home without a proper coat! It's one thing if you honestly can't afford one, but what about those whose children do have coats but don't wear them? I don't get it.
We then had an executive session with our attorney, to discuss employee employment and negotiations. We returned from that around 8:55 p.m.
The reports of the Treasurer were all discussed and passed, including the 2011 budget (per O.R.C. 5705.30) and the 2010/2011 tax budget (per O.R.C. 5705.28). These all need to be submitted by January 15th.
During the Superintendent's part of the meeting, we reappointed Kevin Young to a 7 year term on the Swanton Public Library Board, and allowed a continuance of our membership in the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund. Superintendent Paulette Baz then gave a quick update on the "Race to the Top" grant, which I wrote about in an earlier post.
The Board was asked to consider naming the Middle School Gym in honor of Bob Fisher, a former head boys basketball coach as well as former track and football coach. We had been given a list of Mr. Fisher's accomplishments at Swanton, which were impressive. A short discussion about the process of determining who was worthy of consideration for this honor was held, and then we voted unanimously to accept this recommendation. A dedication ceremony will be scheduled.
The Board accepted two personnel retirements, to be effective at the end of this school year. George and Judi Teague will both be retiring.
We decided to keep our regular meeting dates as the third Tuesday of each month, but conflicts were discovered in March and April. We therefore moved our meetings back one week in those months, so that our March meeting will be on the 23rd and the April meeting on the 27th. All regular board meetings will begin at 7 o'clock.
During the time allotted for board members to speak, Mona spoke first and then Mr. Ueberroth. We then adjourned - and it wasn't quite ten o'clock yet! woo-hoo!!
During the public comment portion of the meeting, school secretary Betse Schmitz thanked the Methodist Church for having donated so many coats to the elementary schools, along with matching hats and gloves for the children. It is amazing to me that parents let their kids leave home without a proper coat! It's one thing if you honestly can't afford one, but what about those whose children do have coats but don't wear them? I don't get it.
We then had an executive session with our attorney, to discuss employee employment and negotiations. We returned from that around 8:55 p.m.
The reports of the Treasurer were all discussed and passed, including the 2011 budget (per O.R.C. 5705.30) and the 2010/2011 tax budget (per O.R.C. 5705.28). These all need to be submitted by January 15th.
During the Superintendent's part of the meeting, we reappointed Kevin Young to a 7 year term on the Swanton Public Library Board, and allowed a continuance of our membership in the OSBA Legal Assistance Fund. Superintendent Paulette Baz then gave a quick update on the "Race to the Top" grant, which I wrote about in an earlier post.
The Board was asked to consider naming the Middle School Gym in honor of Bob Fisher, a former head boys basketball coach as well as former track and football coach. We had been given a list of Mr. Fisher's accomplishments at Swanton, which were impressive. A short discussion about the process of determining who was worthy of consideration for this honor was held, and then we voted unanimously to accept this recommendation. A dedication ceremony will be scheduled.
The Board accepted two personnel retirements, to be effective at the end of this school year. George and Judi Teague will both be retiring.
We decided to keep our regular meeting dates as the third Tuesday of each month, but conflicts were discovered in March and April. We therefore moved our meetings back one week in those months, so that our March meeting will be on the 23rd and the April meeting on the 27th. All regular board meetings will begin at 7 o'clock.
During the time allotted for board members to speak, Mona spoke first and then Mr. Ueberroth. We then adjourned - and it wasn't quite ten o'clock yet! woo-hoo!!
2010 Organizational Meeting
The annual organizational meeting of the Swanton school board was held January 12th. All public entities are required by state law to hold an organizational meeting prior to January 15th, so that is why this meeting was 'off' of our normal schedule.
There are several housekeeping items that are a matter of routine at these things, such as authorizing the Treasurer and Superintendent to accept all donations to the school district on our behalf; secure bonds (O.R.C. 3313.25); authorize the Superintendent to employ temporary personnel as needed in emergency situations (O.R.C. 3319.10); etc. etc. It is the same list of items every year.
Another point of business regards Superintendent Committee appointments. For this year, I volunteered to be on the Audit Committee, the Insurance Committee, and will also be a liaison to other area public entities (such as the townships). The Negotiations Committee will include Mr. Ueberroth and Michelle Tyson, both new school board members. (I wanted to be on this one as well, but only two board members may do so at a time so as not to violate Sunshine Laws of the state, and those two spoke up before I could. . . . maybe I can be an alternate for one of them, should that become necessary.) The Recreation Committee will include Kris Oberheim and Michelle Tyson (new members), and Mona will continue in her capacity as OSBA liaison, with Mr. Ueberroth as her alternate. Mr. Ueberroth will be a liaison to the Village, and other board members will fill that capacity in the various district groups to which they belong.
We appointed our legal counsel for calendar year 2010 with Cooper-Walinski, Ennis, Roberts and Fisher, and Squire, Sanders and Dempsey LLC. We will primarily use the services of Cooper-Walinski. This is a quality firm located right here in Toledo, and our attorney there - Margaret Lockhart - is well qualified in school law (which is a different animal than other areas of law!). I am very glad to have her on our team. If you are interested in her credentials, please go to the Cooper-Walinski website for more information (http://www.cooperwalinski.com).
But the best thing that we accomplished at the organizational meeting was to incorporate a moment of silence into our regular meetings, right after the pledge of allegiance. I am so thankful to have this! It can only bring good to our meetings.
There are several housekeeping items that are a matter of routine at these things, such as authorizing the Treasurer and Superintendent to accept all donations to the school district on our behalf; secure bonds (O.R.C. 3313.25); authorize the Superintendent to employ temporary personnel as needed in emergency situations (O.R.C. 3319.10); etc. etc. It is the same list of items every year.
Another point of business regards Superintendent Committee appointments. For this year, I volunteered to be on the Audit Committee, the Insurance Committee, and will also be a liaison to other area public entities (such as the townships). The Negotiations Committee will include Mr. Ueberroth and Michelle Tyson, both new school board members. (I wanted to be on this one as well, but only two board members may do so at a time so as not to violate Sunshine Laws of the state, and those two spoke up before I could. . . . maybe I can be an alternate for one of them, should that become necessary.) The Recreation Committee will include Kris Oberheim and Michelle Tyson (new members), and Mona will continue in her capacity as OSBA liaison, with Mr. Ueberroth as her alternate. Mr. Ueberroth will be a liaison to the Village, and other board members will fill that capacity in the various district groups to which they belong.
We appointed our legal counsel for calendar year 2010 with Cooper-Walinski, Ennis, Roberts and Fisher, and Squire, Sanders and Dempsey LLC. We will primarily use the services of Cooper-Walinski. This is a quality firm located right here in Toledo, and our attorney there - Margaret Lockhart - is well qualified in school law (which is a different animal than other areas of law!). I am very glad to have her on our team. If you are interested in her credentials, please go to the Cooper-Walinski website for more information (http://www.cooperwalinski.com).
But the best thing that we accomplished at the organizational meeting was to incorporate a moment of silence into our regular meetings, right after the pledge of allegiance. I am so thankful to have this! It can only bring good to our meetings.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
District Website
If you get a minute, check out the new look of the official school district website. You can find it here:
http://www.swanton.k12.oh.us/
http://www.swanton.k12.oh.us/
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