Here are the notes, it is rough, but I had an idea on how to make them interesting. I am trying a new feature in the notes and I call it Running Through My Mind (RTMM). Read about what was running through my mind during the meeting at various spots. You can find it by looking for the RTMM in the notes.
Meeting started at 5:31 pm
Arlington Elementary was honored by Ohio Department of Education (ODE). The first presentation was on this. Principal introduced staff and teachers, they were honored.
The Toledo Technology Academy was honored for being a School of Promise by the ODE. Some staff and parents representing the TTA were acknowledged. They were starting their car from next year. Everyone was thanked for their hard work.
RTMM: Two Toledo Police Officers came in around 5:41 and sat toward the front. How much does this cost? Huh? First in the last year or so. Since I did not see any ladies wielding little crochet purses, I did not know why any board member would feel threatened. Maybe there was cooper piping and other construction materials up front ;) .
Retirees were honored.
Reports from standing committees. HR new hires were honored and introduced.
5:45 Citizen comments
Ralf Treece - Past month one of main subjects reconstitution of Building For Success (building plan) committee. Recent attendance has been poor. Has not functioned and was supposed to report every quarter. Since last Feb, functions have been irrelevant. No one wants to continue if it is not important. Was told to talk only to the chair not the members the meeting was adjourned. Ralf wanted to leave copies of the paper for the admin and board to read at a later time. Time was up and the Toledo Police Officer came up and wanted to take the copies from Mr. Treece.
My note: Very strange. Maybe the officer thought Mr. Treece had cooper piping or something ;)
Parent of Arlington - Teachers care for learning. Principal kept everyone on their toes. She wished that everyone had a principal like their principal. It seemed like this parent was reading a statement.
Vicky Parcheck (sp?) - Arlington Parent - Staff and parents are like one big family. Gotten one of many goals. Full of pride. You can see it in the students as well as staff.
Mona Blakeman - Two children in Arlington. She was hesitant to enroll in Arlington. Became comfortable. Arlington is an effective school. Arlington has lots of parental involvement. I am a proud member of community and take an active role. In the past 4 years feels children are being educated.
Andrew Benichen (sp?)-VP of DeVeaux Student Government. Many positive things going on. New School building. Started in 1920s. Old building not equipped for wired world. Admin and faculty have done many things to make the district better. New system of walkie-talkies to keep in touch, before school year started the lockers were cleaned inside out. Studying and learning easy. Cross country and track team is winning lots of awards. Lot of diversity so no matter how you are there are ways to fit in. The teachers use a variety of activities to engage students.
5:57
Ian Pierson - Student body president of DeVeaux JR High. If the school was the best level of perfection it could. The teachers are great. Usual sports, have a number of groups, most active and involved TPS student body. Matured in the months at Dev. He believes it is the best Jr High in Toledo.
Larry Sykes, Where do you get your clothes? Really sharp.
Vince ??? - Parent of a student that goes to Dev. Came here to hear the positives. They prepare students for what they are going to face when they grow up. Will meet with teachers. When we meet, they listen. What to do to receive the best education. Had an excellent experience. Excelling beyond what I thought it would.
Nichole White - Arlington Parent - Student loves to be in school. Parents and teachers work well together to give students what they need. She cannot wait for her son to grow up and become a good person because of the school.
6:03 Claudia Cooper - Read an article in the journal, give her congrats for 2 winning lawsuit. Board do you want more of these or do you want to end it. Issue is two students at Grove Paterson. This school will have the best teachers and best curriculum. Curious many people talking about Grove Patterson are attorneys and professional people. Curious about why everyone is not concerned that every school is the best. All students deserve this. There is a lottery. Who is in charge and how does it work? How is it set up? What application process is?
Sykes saying something.
Ed Morrison - Parent of student at TTA. Private in US army-other child. He wants to thank staff, students and mentors to make this the best place to learn. Achieve highest level of education possible. Strives to make TTA the best place for learning. Wants to thank those who support it.
Jim Bransen - Parent of TTA student. Student loves it there. Thanks great staff. Owns a tool and die company works with engineers. How they hire, put parts and paperwork, looking for applicants to pick up and put parts together, not look at paperwork. They look for hands on people. This is what TTA is. It prepares them for the whole world. Son has said how much he learns.
6:10 - Cathy Miller - Parent of TTA student - Had two students grad from Bowsher. If you have any way to replicate it figure it out. Can't say names. Son is freshman, principal sat down with student and worked with him. TTA is extraordinary, allows them to make up their work, get extra help. TTA is the number 1 school in NW Ohio. If you can manage it, do it again. Lots of things, and looks toward the future. Husband is engineer and knows that the students are the future engineers and leaders.
RTMM: By this time I was hoping some patriotic or inspirational music (like St. Elmo’s Fire) would play in the background and we would all stand up. I wanted to hug someone :)
Alissa Blanco - Arlington parent - Wonderful principal doing great and looking forward to a new year in School.
Alicia Murphy - No leader without followers. Only through leadership you will be followed. They trust the leader. To feel comfortable they need to feel admiration of leader. To develop relationship with community. When everyone on the team is there, because they choose to do so. From cohesion creativity begins to emerge. Leads to improvement and team to grow and succeed. Under dictator people do with leader wants. Coercion leads to compliance to go along. Results in stifled communication and decision-making. Over time becomes rigid. Always need to strive to be a trusted leader, part of creating look at level of trust. Encourage this board to follow effective leadership will benefit the city and the district.
Twila Paige - Urge all to read issues and views of crisis magazine. Losing the children often and a prison pipeline. 4 feeder systems into pipeline. 2001 while 90% where white and 21% male. It is not uncommon for teachers to have low expectations. Many suspensions have been tolerated. While I like to hear of all of the schools doing well, my goal is to get my people's children out of the pipeline.
6:20 Conclude Citizen comments.
PTA distributed 30 baskets to needy children.
TAAP - Hold remarks
TFT - Grove Paterson teachers and admin are many of the best. Have many others of the best. Mr. Sykes you referenced the need to have ID badges. Fully support that idea. Institute ID badges, happens for all employees and students work with leadership to make that happen. Last board members as of October there were 241 substitute teachers assigned. Compared to 393 a year ago. That is 150 fewer this year. Perplexed by this. During budget discussions admin did not want sub teacher ranks cuts. Has a serious effect on schools and teachers. When there is a shortage, negative effect on student learning. Find out what is going on. Effect not unusual to have 50-75 classes uncovered. Having many teachers denied opportunity to access professional dev conferences because there are no substitutes available. Restricts to take courses and update and maintain. Request a review of situation. Barnett: Foley can I ask for a report on that issue.
AFSME - Asked what plan was and I am waiting for an answer. Give staff raises. Mrs. Fisher what is the plan I read there may not be a plan. You have had lots of dedicated employees.
RTMM: Here we go again, the normal levy banter is coming. Huh, I wonder if we could put together some type of bumper music. It now seems to be a regular question during the meetings, maybe it should be a feature. It always starts with Larry asking Darlene about the levy, this time was someone else. Larry has to be coming soon.
Sykes as a board we have to know too. If there is a plan the entire board should know.
Fisher, I would be happy to involve you.
Fisher next report is from finance committee. Have 12 million deficit we need to start addressing. Timeline to address it by December wants to have a plan in place.
Sykes - Excuse me, Foley did you or did you not present a plan.
Foley - We have been pulling numbers together, but there was no plan in particular.
Sykes- We will have a new treasurer, what is reality?
Foley -- Unless new treasurer has a printing machine, we are still looking at same numbers.
A levy would clearly address that - Sykes
Foley - Clearly, we want employees to be competitive.
Sykes - A levy would have addressed the deficit.
Foley - It would help.
RTMM: Hmmm, I am sure a levy would address this, but what about spending habits?
Curriculum Committee: Steel - TPS received a major grant to develop performance-based compensation. Has a plan in 2000 alternative compensation system, considered as a model for alternative compensation. Money was put in to make sure it was fully funded. Increase performance of our children. There were 2 million dollars in order to implement a variety of programs. Toledo piloted it. Major grant to see continued reports to see monitoring and evaluation.
Barnett funds will be available to schools that have lots of children receiving reduced or free lunches.
Steel - 5 year grant. Money goes in first few years goal is they are replaced somehow. Arlington recognition schools will be evaluated on 4th grade and how each student does, how individual student improves. Goal to provide a continuous improvement of each child. Arlington is where we can see this building. Show schools are performing student by student. Completely implemented this year, value they are adding to students. Last thing most likely acted upon in Columbus, the Ohio Core, we are laughing and I won't make a political comment.
RTMM: Laughing at Taft for his legacy, you may have a point, but there is someone up on the board that called a previous Latina board member a Mexican and a crazy dog (not my words). That is a great legacy.
Goal is to raise standing in state. Supportive of academic achievement. One of concerns for this is improving the levels of improvement??? will see exactly, increase curriculum we are going to need to increase our expenditures. Financial issues have not been addressed. Mark Wagoner said we allocated 13 million for training and he said this is what we focus next year. If we make an education a priority we must fund $$ it. Will keep an eye on that.
Sykes - Served on that committee. Lack of diversity how to you go about recruiting. Look at University change the curriculum to where they will be going. Must understand culture, hopefully colleges of education will change this.
RTMM: Huh, UT already does this when I started the ed program in 95. They must be advanced or Larry is slow-one of the two ;)
Policy Torres - Committee met on 21st considered several policies. One use of facilities after reviewing committee is recommending no change. Policy on TPS Web site received info there is no policy to prevent district using streaming video, market, and demonstrate positive things tonight. Will go a long way, cost estimate of $200 per meeting for broadcast. We have internal assets and server. We have everything in place. Young people interested in serving that purpose. I would like to in the next month a concrete description of what that would entail and bring it to adoption to next board meeting. Encouraged by enthusiasm from schools.
Review of district policies that Mr. Sykes wanted to know where we are, we continue to do that. It is our purpose and nature, opportunity to do that with OSBA to revise all policies and revise on an annual basis and place it on a PDF format so everyone has access to it. There is currently grant money available for this. More of an administrative action. Will be entering into package with OSBA. You all know how thick that book is. Other policy use of cell phones and devices, received a letter from a parent on a cell phone called to question a rule. Rules that have been adopted, the district does not have a policy on cell phones but not a pager. Include cell phones on pager.
Sykes - We don't have a policy?
Foley - We have an administrative action.
RTMM: Huh, it seemed like they had a policy, at least it seemed to portray this. This is a big privacy issue they need to get one.
Torres - Last item public hearings and request to have hearings public. After discussing issue gave the policy back to the administration adhere to spirit of policy. Are opportunities in current policy to hear requests, if it is, it is gray. We have several things on the policy. Wanted to thank Mr. Ramirez no one has a uniform policy on hearings. We are looking to do that. Admin looking to give us a response.
Fisher - Streaming video brought forward in month of December? Bring a resolution forward. It is a good idea to show our students and embrace technology.
RTMM: Yes, if everyone would just realize this, it has tremendous benefits.
Romano – Regarding the review there is a timeframe to review policy - 6-9 month.
Foley - Review 6-9 months and will take a significant amount of time.
Sykes- Can I get a copy from OSBA of proposal. Want to know what we are offering and what the cost is?
Sykes - Streaming it concerns me and we don't rush into something without investigating it. What is our responsibility? The security aspect. Someone changed our Web site because they did not like it.
Marketing who are we marketing to.
RTMM: What is Larry talking about? I think I know, but maybe I don’t because I did not hear of hacking before. Maybe they did get hacked that is bad.
Sykes - 200$ per meeting we have had lot of ???? What is cost of and maintain equipment? Do we need to hire a professional? What are we going to do that markets. I don't like doing something because some one brought it. I want to know how often we will stream the meetings.
Torres - we would provide you with presentation that has fact. Details will be spelled out. Marketing in meeting, we ask ourselves do we have a marketing and pr in district. Question in mind with what the committee. Issues of legality get response. Involvement of youth, we would have our broadcast youth doing taping make information available through our server. Security state an opportunity an individual has taken, I don't see that as taking license. Other school districts they use that technology and even playing field. Questions you raise, I am happy to respond to. I don't want it to be overshadowed we can make a call as a board on our discussion.
Steel - Wanted to reiterate overall strategy of marketing district, what kind are we developing and how we can implement strategy.
Foley - we are marketing the district on a daily basis. We will tell on positive student retention. An example is thanksgiving parade, asking parents to volunteer in School. Evaluation is something they can spell out. Whatever the cost a marketing plan will cost and we will use whatever method possible.
Fisher – Any updates on retention and recruitment?
Steel - No
Fisher – confused - Was there a breech of security on our Web site? Asking the administration.
Sykes – promptly responds -Anytime someone commandeers our Web site and puts misspelled words, it constitutes a breech. If someone puts a logo on a Web site that is theft.
RTMM: OMG, I think Larry is referring to my site http://www.tpssearch.com . I am pretty sure. He seems to not have a clue on Web issues because there was no hacking and anyone can buy a domain name. Why did he think I hacked the site? Does he use the Web? Huh, confirms suspicion now that it seems to be one board member that had problems, was Larry the only one to direct the administration to have a lawyer write me a letter? Huh, my comment on one board member taking out personal vendettas, using the district seems to be true. Huh, I remember the TV stations using the logo, they must be thieves too. Maybe I will make a public records request to see if they had agreements, Larry would not just pick on me right? I wish the district had their own site or page then this would not be an issue, no good deed goes unpunished---oops pay attention.
Fisher - Will there be discussion on upgrade Web site will there be a cost on that? We have a Web site we maintained several years. It could be the same person responsible for district.
Romano - Video streaming is part of something bigger marketing plan.
RTMM: It is so great to hear them now talk about using the Web sites and part of the discussion.
Torres - We could review other district’s Web site.
RTMM: Hey the board is talking about something, quit thinking about the Web sites and ideas - take notes.
Barnett - agenda meeting was help of community input. We have an authority to generate an agenda. We work together as a board. ???
Fisher-Public input could be at agenda meetings.
Sykes - I am confused, super is employed by district to run it. Fact that district has a committee to provide an agenda for what?
Fisher - for many things.
Sykes - Why would we have another meeting?
Torres - Meeting to review, although subject matter can be reviewed.
Fisher - Before move on approval of minutes we need to hear from facilities.
Romano - Met driving purpose is to be on time and on target with master plan. Bids for approval do site work at Chase. They are proactively working on security issue at job site. Have conversations with Ohio Facilities Commission on what can be done. Security police and several coordinated efforts going on (referred to a press conference held regarding the issue).
Larry Sykes - Problem with thefts is throughout the country. Neighborhood and CDCs are having problems.
Romano – There have been several offers from the community to help on security issue. My note: It is good they did not volunteer to help out with a Web site.
Fisher - Do we feel Robinson project will be open on time?
Romano - Possibly second week of Jan.
Fisher - Treas search timeline is on schedule as well.
Super search on Proact. Super search community input is coming to an end should contact Proact before 30th.
Fisher - This time will move for approval of meeting minutes.
709 Meeting minutes approved.
Superintendent Report:
Foley - gifts and contributions
There were other policy items that were voted on.
Foley - Marketing district is constantly going on. At parent teacher conferences, win by 10 volunteering 10 hours. Encouraged and remind the board to work with community to support school. Participant in Holiday parade. Kolbecker school donated 1k of food. Staff at the district office supported program. Also gave information on Partners in Ed and mentoring program. Entering in with community leaders match ongoing relationship, using data, and marketing. Expand reach of community. Invited board to Old News Boys dinner coming up. Supports scholarships. Old News Boys paper sale on Friday.
7:17 Fisher said she would like to volunteer 10hrs.
Foley said you will need an application.
Griscom - Treasurer activity.
Fisher - Wanted policy review so that each board member has its own spending account.
Barnett -??
Torres - So noted
Sykes - What is your statement?
Fisher repeated. Keep a running tally of each board member to make sure.
Griscom – We keep a balance, not based on individual board members.
Sykes - We don't have this already set up?
RTMM: Larry is such a diva. Why is his expense reimbursements so much more than other board members? It would be great to create accounts to limit spending.
Other treasurer policy issues.
Fisher other comments -
Sykes executive session?
Barnett- motion to go into ex session to discuss employment of employee.
On the way out to the executive session, Larry Sykes asks the police officer to tell Kate Boyd she cannot sit in the front row because it is for employees even though Kate is taping the public meeting and there were no employees on that side. Kate said show me the policy, the police officer went back and talked to Larry, Larry seemed to get angry, then the officer put on her coat.
Came back 15 minutes later.
Motion to adjourn.
Torres, thank Ottawa River for veterans event. Sense of patriotic duty and way of life.
Thank Kilbride for work she did assisting Toledo pride event
Finally river east holiday design,
Adjournment
posted by chrismyers at 12:33 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
oops misspelled copper above, sorry it is late.
The raw audio file can be found at: here (27 MB WMA file) It is a WMA should be able to play on Mac or PC. Hey it sounds much better this time. My battery was dying and I stopped it at executive session. There was not much beyond it so you are not missing anything. I think I finally have the hang of this thing. A smaller file will be available later.
posted by chrismyers at 12:47 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
A very small 6.9 MB file can be downloaded here. It is an MP4, and being it is so compressed the audio quality is not so good.
posted by chrismyers at 01:08 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Larry's showing his degree of education again. A-hem. Placing an unauthorized logo onto your website is merely copyright violation. Although illegal, it's not theft at all.
For the record, NBC 24 can report news items that happen to show logos as a matter of well-established "fair use". You were, of course, joking then, Mr Myers. :^P
Mr Myers reported: “Two Toledo Police Officers came in around 5:41 and sat toward the front. How much does this cost?”
Police officers reporting as security guards are generally "projecting" (as in "working on a security project"). They generally receive over $20/hr, but I'm sure these rates are negotiable in ways I'm not privy to. They might also be on pure overtime and are not actually projecting, meaning they are being paid roughly $28+/hr (depending on individual levels of pay). So, 2 cops sitting in on an hour of a public meeting probably costs around 50 bucks.
Mr Myers reported: “New School building. Started in 1920s. Old [DeVeaux] building not equipped for wired world.”
Oddly enough, there's been a recent invention called wireless networking. Larry might have heard of it, too, with his vast educational background, keen intellect, and strict attention to current events.
{rolling on floor}
BTW, I read just today that within the top 100 populous school systems in the nation, the graduation rate is 70%. So, you'll have to excuse me whilst I guffaw further about all this cheerleading for such great, great principals and schools in Toledo.
Mr Myers reported: “Foley - We have been pulling numbers together, but there was no plan in particular.”
Yeah, why would he bother? The Sykes Faction will just lobby for a levy and use every dirty trick in their little scumbook to shame Fisher or Torres into supporting it. Then the Sanders-esque Good Times will arrive -- a time of money flowing like milk and honey. This time, however, the levy's got to be rather large, since that fucking witch Frannie is waitin' to take a clear $11M chunk out of it.
Mr Myers reported: “Sykes - [...] a plan [...] a levy [...] a levy [....]”
I reckon Larry's got somethin' on his mind and it's beatin' to get out of 'im somethin' fierce. Whatever could IT be?
Mr Myers reported: “[government grant to study performance-based compensation for teachers]”
How strange. Managers in the private sector have to arrive at such plans as a matter of course. Yet, a school system needs gov't grant money to arrive at one.
{snaps fingers}
Hey, I know! Let's put business executives (like from, say, banks) on the school board where they can put to use their common experience of working with performance-based compensation plans at their places of employment.
So, all we need now is a few BOE members who are ... business executives, from ... er ... banks, maybe. Er ... uh. {silence}
posted by GuestZero at 02:48 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Found that article:
"Students Dropping Out of High School Reaches Epidemic Levels"
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2667532&page=1
Nov. 20, 2006
posted by GuestZero at 03:18 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Mr Myers reported: “New School building. Started in 1920s. Old [DeVeaux] building not equipped for wired world.”
Oddly enough, there's been a recent invention called wireless networking. Larry might have heard of it, too, with his vast educational background, keen intellect, and strict attention to current events.
Oddly enough, I work in a school built in the 1920s and it has all of the latest technology. I always smile when I hear this.
posted by chrismyers at 06:47 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
From GZ’s posted link:
why do they drop out? Eli Thomasson, 16, of Georgia, explains why he wanted to drop out of school earlier this year.
"I was just tired of school, you know. I didn't like it. I had made my mind up that I wasn't going to school anymore," Thomasson said.
His mother, Donna Thomasson,….. I didn't really see how I could force him to go because you can't force them to learn if they don't want to."
What the F**k?
posted by Offshore at 08:01 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
We are now in the fourth month, if I am not mistaken, of having parents and students speak from just one or two featured schools. I know that teachers have been asking individuals to speak (this has come to me from two individuals asked to speak). It would appear this is not a spontaneous show of support but one that is planned and coordinated. Who might want to plan such events?
There is certainly nothing wrong with this approach. Although I really wished they tackled their problems like they do their attempts at PR.
This approach would probably be effective if it was reported upon in the Blade or on local television, but that is not the case. So all of these TPS officials and union representatives sit around the table up front and smile to themselves as this "planned parade to the podium" proceeds. Perhaps these “planned parades” makes all of them feel better about the jobs they are doing.
No outlet for anyone to see these parents and students speak in praise of their schools (I don't mean to be extremely cynical as I do believe there are students in TPS that are getting a good education for a number of reasons).
Perhaps Mr. Sykes and the rest of the board can now see how taping the meetings could be of benefit to them. Perhaps they should thank Ms. Boyd for taping their meetings and making them available for a broader audience. More importantly maybe they can now see a public relations benefit for implementing Mr. Myers' streaming idea.
Hey TPS board members and administrators reading these posts - there is a reason to stream your videos: it gives you a means to promulgate your message to a larger audience!
I've been harping about the use of technology at TPS for a long time now. I've made numerous suggestions to improve the TPS web site and make it more informative and interactive. We have explained to TPS many times about how this vehicle could be used to improve the support of their schools – including suggestions. Now Myers has come along and is making additional suggestions that would really help this district. Why are TPS officials so slow to grasp a good idea and then implement it with enthusiasm and continuing support?
What do we hear from a board member who has been on the board since 1997: he is worried about someone hacking the TPS web site because someone "stole" a logo for use on another site? (Anyone can do it, right click and then save image as - and they do not have to "hack" the site.) Does this board member understand technology use? I am certain of one thing; he seems intent to fight the idea of streaming board minutes simply because Fisher and Torres support it.
I just pointed out for this board member to see that there is a positive public relations reason for web casting the meetings. But I know this reason comes from one of those dissidents and therefore it just can't be a good idea/reason for proceeding with making board meetings available to more citizens. (Heavy dose of sarcasm today brought on by watching the performance of our elected school board members this past evening.)
posted by sflagg at 08:17 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
From the TPS website, I thought this was the logo because it appears at the top of every web page.
posted by jr at 11:58 A.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
sflagg - when you write about kate having a run-in with Sykes are you saying that this was last night or are you referring to the one of a few months ago?
posted by corky at 12:15 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Corky - it was not me that wrote about Katie's run in - it came from Chris' report of the meeting. But it did happen last evening. It was not a direct confrontation - still Sykes was the cause. I would prefer that Katie describe the events first hand.
posted by sflagg at 12:23 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
I can't help wondering if they are attending a different Arlington from what you've stated was said.
:-)
posted by psyche777 at 01:42 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Jr - the logo that I believe is being referred to is that for "The Power of Learning"
posted by sflagg at 01:44 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Sorry about the mix-up sflagg. I'm interested in reading Kate's description of the confrontation.
BTW, I attended TPS schools in the 80s. We live outside of Toledo now, but some of our elected Board of Education officials behave with outright hostility to anyone who is interested in providing feedback or an alternate perspective to them. It is something that I would not have believed had I not witnessed the hostility myself.
posted by corky at 02:46 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Mr Flagg, what are your thoughts about the possibility that a certain BOE faction will try to convert this streaming push into just another PR stunt? If they manage to pack picked cheerleaders into each meeting, they will succeed in lulling the public into another Sanders-esque era of complacency.
At any rate, it was good to hear that Boyd, Cooper and Page were right there while the cheerleading was going on. Now, if only we could get teachers to stand up in such meetings and issue all the complaints that I hear weekly from the TPS grade-school teacher whom I currently know. Don't the TPS teachers have a rant website that we could read?
posted by GuestZero at 03:22 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
GZ - anything is possible with this group of people. I'm surprised that they did not already think about using the streaming video for PR purposes - but they seem more focused on attacking any idea that comes from the "dissident faction" of our community. They obviously now know that this idea could be turned to their benefit. But don't worry, the sword cuts both ways.
Perhaps we can get Chris to start a TPSTeacherRant.com site and then point teachers to it. You are not the only one that gets an earful from a teacher or teachers. I think there are a whole lot of unhappy campers.
posted by sflagg at 04:10 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Corky - hostile is actually probably an understatement of the situation. Some participate in outright character assassination. Some of it is public, but most of it goes on "behind your back" so to speak.
posted by sflagg at 04:14 P.M. EST on Wed Nov 29, 2006 #
Hiya - I've been out of pocket. Weather proofing the house, oldest son and his family moved this weekend. Not fun.
The situation caught me by surprise again :-)
I saw a security guard talking w/Larry Sykes at his seat. (around the time the board broke for executive session). She went toward the exits and I didn't think anything of it till she came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder.
She said 'Come outside with me please.'. I asked her what she wanted. She said she would 'talk to me about it outside'. She looked uncomfortable and my internal alarm went off.
I said, 'No - you can talk to me here. What do you want'. She motioned at the camera and said she wanted to talk to me about the seat I was sitting in, the sign on it (marked for employees) and the camera.
I just kind of laughed and said - you go back and tell him that I said I have read the districts' policy and there is nothing to allow for segregated seating. She said, "You have to understand, I work for the man". I said yes I do understand and I felt badly for the position she's in. She said well I'm not doing this and walked away.
Then I saw Larry Sykes talking to her back by the left rear exit in an - ahem - animated fashion. She walked away from him and reappeared a while later carrying a water bottle and wearing her coat.
Whatever he wanted her to do to me, she wasn't with the program. And I was thankful to her.
posted by katie82640 at 08:31 P.M. EST on Sun Dec 03, 2006 #
This question is begging me to ask it.
Who is paying for this security officer to do Larry's bidding, is it Larry, or is it the taxpayer?
If it's the taxpayer, then why is Larry delegating authority to her? My understanding is that the security officer is present to maintain semblance of calm, but if Larry is dispatching this officer to tend to Larry's personal agendas on TPS taxpayer's dime, then Larry should be held accountable for using "TPS property" for his own use.
If it's Larry paying for this crack security officer, I have to ask, "why?" I find it hard to fathom that someone of Larry's standing in the banking industry has no need for security during his employ, but needs it during a school board meeting.
Larry truly is a punk little girl.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:59 P.M. EST on Mon Dec 04, 2006 #
Kate,
I can't help but ask if this is the same seat or area that you always sit in when you go to the board meetings since you mentioned something about a sign being on the seat. If so, then you know it was nothing more than a set up. And I agree, if this security officer is being paid for by taxpayer money to follow Mr. Syke's "orders" even if those orders don't follow the rules, then the money for this security officer needs to come directly from Mr. Sykes pocket and not the taxpayers, but you know we'll never get a true answer to that question. I'm glad you stood your ground, and I'm glad that the security officer realized what she was being told to do was wrong. It's just too bad we couldn't get info about her so that we could talk to her and get proof of Mr. Sykes true intentions. I just get angrier and angrier every time I hear of the stunts that he pulls and get away with on both community members and other board members. Someone needs to stand up to this a$$hat and put him in his place, which is MUCH lower than he truly believes!
posted by ThoughtsOnTPS at 05:29 P.M. EST on Mon Dec 04, 2006 #
Thoughts - yes. It is the same seat and/or area that I typically sit in.
posted by katie82640 at 09:18 P.M. EST on Mon Dec 04, 2006 #
I have a question as well. I have noticed that Mr. Sykes has flashed me the finger and quite a bit of disturbing behavior and then he has done two things:
1. He said publicly that HE doesn't feel safe going to his car. Uh - I don't feel safe going to MY car. I never approached this guy - he has menaced me.
2. Who is he on his cell phone with? He paces around - points his finger at me and talks on his phone. Is he running up some large lawyer bill on OUR tab? If so - how do we find out?!
posted by katie82640 at 09:20 P.M. EST on Mon Dec 04, 2006 #
Let me point out that there were three individuals on duty for security at the board meeting where Katie was "put on the spot". There was the regular TPS security guard and two, that's right, two off duty Toledo police officers. There were perhaps 40 - 50 people present (not including TPS personnel). That is one security person for every 15 people. And of course we the taxpayers are paying for this.
I've been going to board meetings for almost 12 years now. I have never seen anyone get violent at these meetings. I have seen people get frustrated and emotional (usually a parent that has come to wits end). I have never heard anyone threaten anyone, but I have seen Mr. Sykes provoke one citizen after another. Apparently the bully needs this added security for his protection - only in his mind. I am simply astonished at such poor behavior and believe this is just a way for Larry to make it look like he is threatened as opposed to his behavior where he intimidates and bullies!
posted by sflagg at 08:13 A.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
katie -- wow! Sykes never ceases to amaze me. I know that you video tape the meetings -- have you ever been able to get his "finger flying" on tape?
posted by corky at 08:26 A.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
I can't remember which one, corky, but I have seen Larry's fat head "lean" on his left middle finger and use it to tap his cheek while sneaking peeks at the camera.
The video is on Kate's site, which is where I viewed this certain taped meeting a couple of months ago.
Larry is every bit of 5 years old, and what 5/3rd sees in this as a quality employee is beyond me. Makes me wonder what he has on someone to maintain his employment, because it certainly isn't "professionalism" or "ability".
posted by BrianInFlorida at 04:52 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
I don't doubt you Brian or Katie one bit. I'm just aghast at his arrogance.
I think that he reacts to the videotaping and you Katie in the way that he does because it serves as a mirror and a timecapsule. Keep up the good work.
posted by corky at 10:32 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
Yeah Corky....there are quite a few finger episodes. It took me four or five meetings until somebody mentioned it to me. I had to go back and look at the tapes, but he's got a very busy finger :-)
That and if you look at the way he conducted himself - with regard to myself - in the first two to three months, well it's just scary.
posted by katie82640 at 10:38 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
Sflagg - honestly I can see why somebody might feel like they needed security at the meetings, but it shouldn't be Larry Sykes. He's exhibited very threatening and intimidating behavior. And on the occasion that he spoke to me - I felt menaced.
posted by katie82640 at 10:40 P.M. EST on Tue Dec 05, 2006 #
"Thoughts - yes. It is the same seat and/or area that I typically sit in"
And out of the blue this section of seats said it was for employees only at this last meeting? Tells me it was nothing more than a set up to try and cause a conflict. Makes you wonder how many other people were set up that have been put through the wringer by Mr. Sykes, doesn't it? I know and understand that he only has one year left til he's gone, but is there honestly nothing that can be done to get him off the board before then? I don't understand the politics of all of this, but with every job there is always a way of removing a person if they are not doing their job or are hindering the progress of the company, which is exactly what Mr. Sykes is doing! I cannot believe that we have no recourse except to sit back and watch this man put innocent people through hell and back until he either quits willingly or doesn't get voted back in, it just makes no sense at all to me.
posted by ThoughtsOnTPS at 12:20 P.M. EST on Wed Dec 06, 2006 #
...is there honestly nothing that can be done to get him off the board..
Short of Sykes breaking the law, even then a court would have to decide to remove him, there are no recall procedures for school board members in Ohio.
Now while Sykes term expires at the end of 2007, nothing says he can't run for another term.
Just a little food for thought.
posted by sflagg at 02:13 P.M. EST on Wed Dec 06, 2006 #
You have got to be kidding me. Sykes would run? Y'think?
Hmmm....actually it would be a good thing maybe if he did. It would make for an awfully easy race for his opponent.
posted by katie82640 at 10:56 P.M. EST on Wed Dec 06, 2006 #
Sykes has more than enough political and social clout to conduct a close race. I'm very worried that he and Barnett will retain their seats with little effort. I don't know about all of you, but public disclosure of their terrible Board leadership is the order of the day. However, cue the recent cheerleading -- so it makes sense that they are doing what they can to pack their public exposure with Toledo's now standard set of pointless positives in order to set the bias and lull the public back into complete complacency. Then, they can go back to running the TPS as a levy-processor for themselves, their cronies, the literal army of TPS administrators, and their banks (Sykes and Barnett are both VPs of local banks).
posted by GuestZero at 04:27 A.M. EST on Thu Dec 07, 2006 #
Syndicate ToledoTalk
will be a vote in December. There was lots of discussion on this. Larry Sykes said someone hacked into the TPS server and changed the look because they did not like it. When Fisher asked the administration if this actually happened, they did not know how to respond. Larry said someone stole the TPS logo and put it on their site and he considered that person a thief. (He must be talking about NBC 24-shame on them :) ).