I'm more shocked that there was an "inactive phase". What does that entail? Telling the media that "We're looking." while not really looking?
posted by MikeyA at 09:05 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
The board (with one no vote I believe) voted to make Mr. Foley the 'interim' Superintendant for 17 months. How do you look for a job candidate for a job that won't be available for a year and a half?
And what about Mr. Foley? It appears as though he's prepared at the board meetings - we did retain some students this year that I thought we'd lose through his labor, among others - but is he a candidate?
posted by katie82640 at 11:44 A.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
Katie, I agree. While I definitely think that other candidtes should be considered, I think he deserves a fair opportunity. He has actually been a pleasant surprise. His contract is through July 2007, not 17 months. Also, I have a question - why wasn't the interim treasurer on the list of applicants for treasurer? Anyone know? Or was this a set up all along for Dan Romano?
posted by Teacher at 01:22 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
Didn't know about that teacher. Interesting tho' isn't it?
posted by katie82640 at 01:26 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
Considering the importance of that position now yes. If Dan Romano gets it, which the word is he will, Dan Burns office will have no one as Gary Sautter's position was never filled. My guess is that they have someone ELSE in mind then he will hire his own assistant. Just my thoughts and I am not always right! Gotta go, my lunch break is over!
posted by Teacher at 01:40 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
Teacher - The interim treasurer did not want the job. In fact, I have heard he has already accepted another position closer to home. He lives outside Columbus and his wife is treasurer of a district in the area. As to Foley, careful what you see. I don't think his attitude is any different than his predecessor, just a different style. I had a meeting with him about a month ago with most of it just asking questions - his answers were interesting but of concern to me! I believe he still views the situation as fortress TPS against any critics (or in the words of some insiders - enemies) That said, everyone should get a fair shot. I want to see if Foley really stacks up against other strong candidates including those that come from other disciplines besides education.
MikeyA - I used the term active because after the 3 acting like children gang conspired to get Foley the interim job the search was pushed back because Foley was locked in to a contract until July 2007 - who wants to pay for two superintendents. The board did not put a clause in his contract that put him back at his old level when a new super was hired. Typical of this group of 3 board members!
posted by sflagg at 04:28 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
Yes it is very typical to be so cavalier with district money. I am tired of it.
I am sorry to hear that Mr. Foley wasn't cooperative with the Urban Coalition. I've read over the agenda of the coalition and it can do nothing but better the district if there was an active dialogue. I'd urge anyone concerned with the public school system or the economy in Toledo to wander over to tpsinfo.com and look around a little bit. It's a real eye opener.
posted by katie82640 at 05:30 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
I know sflagg I was just trying to be witty. I failed. LOL
My vote for Superintendant is Chris Myers because his website can do more for TPS then any Superintendant in the last 20 yrs.
posted by MikeyA at 10:30 P.M. EST on Tue Oct 31, 2006 #
It's ludicrous to search for a super when one (Foley) is already filling the position well enough. There are more than enough administrators; keep him in place and then re-shuffle below him. Better yet, kill off his old position and it all remains the same. It's not like these yuppie fucks do any real work each day, anyway. I saw some guys out on I75 just a few days ago, with flame wands and tar, fixing the road -- arguably, even for city workers, THEY were working ... while the desk-drivers in the TPS who push paper all day are just wasting their time and our money.
A search for a "real" super is only going to result in an even more highly paid version of Sanders, who will land here like a Matrix-esque hunter machine, eager to kill us off so it can get back to the businesses of turning citizens into Duracell batteries for more of its evil kind.
posted by GuestZero at 03:49 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
MikeyA – Sorry! I should have gotten the joke - it is difficult sometimes to get humor from just text without the smile and body language that goes with the humor.
GZ - If you mean by “already filling the position well enough” that he is occupying the seat at the top and that is the best we can get, then you may be right. Intially I had hope and especially when so many administrators left at the same time. But... If you think he is doing his job well, then I must disagree with you based upon my interactions with, and observations of, this individual over the last 11 years! His attitude is the same as the educational establishment that he has served in, with and now for over the last 29 years. You may be right about what comes from a super search, but a dynamic leader can make a world of difference. Having said that, it is likely the entrenched bureaucracy will isolate such a leader and easily kill off any excitement and enthusiasm a new super would bring to the job. I also believe there are far too many administrators in TPS with most having the mindset to protect the entrenched educational establishment at the expense of our community, children and future. TPS is a big economic engine that is a political football where everyone jockeys (I'm not talking about individual classroom teachers) to claim the benefits of the public largesse – that goes for those outside the system sucking up to get any scraps thrown their way. With such a large construction project there are a lot of big scraps and some will say and do anything for the “green”.
The option of not participating is to be an instrument in perpetuating this circle of descent. I can’t be a couch potato that gets his news from the Blade, other uninformed couch potatoes, has a biased and bellicose opinion without doing any homework or research, and either does not vote or goes out and votes because they recognize a name on the ballot. We get what we earn and thus deserve. I’ll participate even though I know the odds of any real success are low. Life is pretty dismal without any hope and when you lose any sense of idealism or belief that change for the better can actually happen.
posted by sflagg at 06:33 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
GZ I understand your frustration and it's not unwarranted nor deserving of being dismissed.
However I unfortunatly cannot agree with you (to an extent). The public needs a visible leader for the school system. I hate to use the term "cheerleader" but I will because that person can arouse confidence in the masses. Being that so much of our property values is based upon the school system we need a leader that can earn the trust of the people.
Now if you wanted to argue that the President of the school board could be that person then I would be more inclined to agree with you. And I'd also be more inclined to believe we need a change in that leadership ASAP.
posted by MikeyA at 08:37 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
We need a Superintendant with a little more 'Super' in him or her.
Mikeya - when you go to the meetings, you will see some very surprising things.
First Darlene Fisher is able to maintain her calm - not respond to constant baiting and theatrics. I don't know how she does it. I admire that about her. Robert Torres has stepped up to the plate lately and spoken out clearly about what is right and what makes sense.
I could not understand Mr. Sykes behavior at Monday's meeting. It was a stark constrast to his usual behavior. I was told that the Mr. Culp that spoke is on the Committee of the Whole and that Mr. Sykes respects this man.
That begs the question to me, if he behaves this way in front of a man that he respects, what does he think of the rest of his fellow board members and the public then?
If that is what caused him to reign in his behavior to the degree that he did - I would pray that Mr. Culp attend every school board meeting.
posted by katie82640 at 11:13 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
MikeyA - What exactly do you mean by your comments about the school board president and a need for leadership change? How can you lead when you are in a minority and the 3 for children group - Sykes, Barnett and Steel control the outcomes? Since these three have the majority, just who is responsible for leadership and who is blocking progress? The 3 for children block is about status quo - they put Foley in that position, they want a levy without scrutiny of the budget, etc. The board president and Torres stand for and have proven at board meetings and other events that they want accountability to the community. I'm confused by your remarks and would like to understand how you would justify your opinion if I understand where you are going here. Want to clarify for us.
posted by sflagg at 11:19 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
sflagg - I think that only if you would come to the board meetings or watch the video would you be able to comprehend the position that Darlene Fisher and Robert Torres is in.
Give people the benefit of the doubt here. It is terribly hard to understand such childish behavior from public school board members.
You don't expect this kind of behavior when you don't engage in it yourself. And I've been married three times - I've seen some very bad behavior out of men. But I wasn't prepared for what Larry Sykes can do.......and then to see a professional appearing lady such as Mrs. Barnett jump in and engage in the bashing and theatrical behavior - I just could NOT WRAP MY HEAD around it. Then Dr. Steel jumped in - do you not expect civilized behavior from someone with a Dr. in front of their name? I know I do.....that first meeting I went to and saw the Three Acting Like Children steamroll the board president and hijack the meeting - it was inconceivable.
So don't be surprised when people with normal behavior have a hard time understanding the abnormal conduct of those three.....
posted by katie82640 at 11:23 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
Uh the position Darlene Fisher and Robert Torres ARE in.
posted by katie82640 at 11:24 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
Katie, I was just asking a question and exploring the rationale for the comments. I don't expect others to understand, but this forum is another way to discuss and educate. Your points are well taken and act as an explanation for why this can be perpetuated.
posted by sflagg at 01:06 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
sflagg ~ I was talking about Sykes when I was discussing a change of leadership.
posted by MikeyA at 02:02 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
MikeyA - thanks for clarifying. I got confused because you used the title President of the school board and that is Darlene Fisher. I can completely agree with your comment now - thank you.
posted by sflagg at 02:17 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
Sorry that was my fault on the confusion. I should have clarified more.
posted by MikeyA at 02:23 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
It would be really easy for people, who haven't seen the show, to lump the whole board together.
But there are two separate factions. And one is the majority containing the 'old' remaining board members who, along with Eugene Sanders, drove the district to a loss of fully one-fifth of the students, multiple school closings, teacher layoffs (no adminstration positions were lost to my knowledge) and a 19 muh muh muh million dollar deficit. Can you say million boys and girls? I knew that you could :-)
Oh yeah - and who did one of these 'old' board members nominate to be the board president in January so she would have to face the public with these announcements? You guessed it - Darlene Fisher. Lamb to the slaughter.
I'm telling you - this is a show you have got to see to believe.
posted by katie82640 at 09:38 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 01, 2006 #
Sorry for the "Silver" name. It's Steel. Chalk that up to a personal brainfart.
The comments I've received from you all are particularly polite, so perhaps we're roundin' on the nub of my gist.
In the fevered universe that inhabits my brain, I have several formulated scenarios ready to use when the external situation calls for one. One scenario is titled:
"Re-aligning Problem Employee With New Order"
I have every intention of using this scenario upon Foley. Largely it involves Fisher sitting Foley down in at a conference table and telling him the following:
"Mr Foley, instead of spending huge amounts of cash for a disconnected elitist -- like Sanders was -- to lead this school system, we're going to keep you on as Superintendent instead. However, this requires certain changes to be made on your part. The old coalition on the Board has been discredited and the public is now watching us closely -- specifically, watching our behavior, how we spend money, and how we produce educated children in the system. Under such an environment, political games, protections and all manner of prior self-serving methods must be discarded. This means that in order to retain your job, you must be open with the public at all times, and that you must justify your actions to the same. The old way of simply taxing and spending will not work any further. You will note the angry faces on the frankly poor Toledoans who show up to each and every Board meeting. They don't have the money to spare anymore.
So ... Mr Foley, if you can't transform yourself into this new leader under an open, accountable and frankly dutiful regime, then we'll eventually have to terminate your employment and you'll have to look for a school system that still tolerates repressive or reclusive rule. Since you're here now, you're employment represents an investment, and we want to save that investment since it can pay off. But we can and will dump bad investments in this new social order.
Thank you for coming. Think it over. I'll leave you to your duties."
I voted for Fisher et al so that these sort of conversations would take place. Will they?
posted by GuestZero at 03:17 A.M. EST on Thu Nov 02, 2006 #
GZ - great! problem is that Darlene and Robert only have two votes, so even if she says it, it doesn't mean she can carry through...the option is to keep careful track of things, continue to bring them to public so that the other TALC will have no choice but to support Fisher and Torres if it gets to the point of 'dumping a bad investment.' Hopefully, the results of such a conversation is that they'll be celebrating success rather than firing failure...
posted by MaggieThurber at 08:45 A.M. EST on Thu Nov 02, 2006 #
GZ - in an ideal world where people have open minds and agree about accountability, I would agree with you about Foley. As I stated earlier, I doubt he could do what you suggest. I would however agree to it if I thought that the votes were there to fire him if he did not perform. The TALC group can't even agree on measurable goals for the district. Do you thing they could agree on measurable standards for Foley? So, I believe the process should continue. But I do appreciate your suggestion and believe I understand what you believe could be accomplished.
posted by sflagg at 11:15 A.M. EST on Thu Nov 02, 2006 #
When we have two more new school board members next year - this is the kind that thing that WILL be possible.
Two people who are interested in education and bettering the district through hard work and cooperation.
And GZ is right. When you can't set those basic guidelines for an employee because of bad behavior on behalf of the board that employs him - Mrs. Fisher really has her hands full.
posted by katie82640 at 03:53 P.M. EST on Thu Nov 02, 2006 #
Syndicate ToledoTalk
