It's Ja-Fo! Let the celebrations begin. Yippie Friggin Kye- Aye. - TOLEDO -- The Toledo Public Schools board of education has chosen its
newest member. Jack Ford is will take the place of board president Deborah
Barnett, who resigned. In a meeting on Tuesday, board members voted 3 to 1
for Ford. Board member Darlene Fisher cast the lone dissenting vote.
The board members worked from a short list of five candidates:
* Lisa Sobecki, chair of the TPS Parent Congress
* Patricia Henry
* Francis Dumbuya
* Richard Brown
* Jack Ford, Toledo's former mayor
Patricia Henry withdrew her name from consideration, and the four finalists
were interviewed by the board in public sessions. By law, the school board
had to wait ten days from that meeting before naming a new board member.
That freeze was over yesterday.
posted by billy to education at 7:36 A.M. EST
(54 Comments)
Comments ...
Unfortunately, that's likely not a big surprise.
But, I'd think we should hold back full judgment to see what good Mr. Ford can help accomplish.
-- Mike
(who lives in SE Michigan, but still wants Toledo and nearby NW Ohio to thrive; despite the politicians running it)
posted by miked918 at 07:40 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
Toledo and TPS need change. How will that come about if we simply juggle around the same people?
posted by billy at 08:50 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
I'm both not surprised and completely appalled.
posted by TheTalentedMrC at 08:54 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Maybe Carty can have a whack at that position in a few years.
Ridiculous.
posted by Ryan at 09:35 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Does anyone know of any school systems doing differently/better around the country?
What innovations/advancements are on the forefront?
Cheating has gotten tech savvy, but that's probably the wrong way.
posted by charlatan at 09:47 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Does anyone know of any school systems doing differently/better around the country?
Why not just look at school systems around the COUNTY? They're ALL doing better.
posted by billy at 10:13 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Why not just look at school systems around the COUNTY? They're ALL doing better.
Are there double blind studies to prove this? lol
Seems like schools are relatively the same across the country, give or take some financial prowess and some amenities.
posted by charlatan at 10:21 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Yeah, the vote by the board members went as expected.
The level of political inbreeding that exists in Toledo is staggering, and it's a major reason for the problems in the city and the school system.
Current mayor recommends a former mayor. The daily paper endorses the same candidate and practically threatens the other board members to vote for Ford. Status quo. Failure.
The Blade hasn't made a profit in over 20 years, but it somehow has the intelligence to know that a political retread is the right person to be on a public school board.
No one has done more than Carty to harm Toledo's image over the past 15 years, yet he somehow knows what's best for a public school board.
Photo from a Jun 1, 2007 Blade story:
The caption for the above photo said:
"Mayor Carty Finkbeiner meets with pupils from Riverside Elementary School in North Toledo, where he held a news conference to laud students for beautifying the grounds with gardens."
That's so nice and irrelevant to the students doing well in math, science, English, etc.
In that Blade story, Carty said of Ford:
"I think he is the absolute ideal person. He has been under pressure, not only as mayor, but on City Council and the state legislature."
Those are the reasons why Ford should NOT be on the board.
And how about back in the fall of 2005, when Carty and Ford were "friends" when they were running for mayor.
"Mr. Finkbeiner fought back, accusing Mr. Ford of making excuses, hiring political appointees, and having his own connection to Mr. Noe. Mr. Ford stuck by claims made by one of his supporters that Mr. Finkbeiner sought Mr. Noe's fund-raising skills."
"The Clean Campaign Committee, created to enforce the clean campaign pledge both candidates signed in September, ruled on Oct. 4 that the mayor's supporters had overreached in trying to connect Mr. Finkbeiner to Mr. Noe."
"When Mr. Ford mentioned the challenger's endorsement of an idea to offer homes near the airport to deaf people, a grim Mr. Finkbeiner stopped him, saying: "He's playing a political game right here on TV." "
"Mr. Ford said he was stuck with a $15 million deficit that took two years to recover from. He said that deficit was aggravated by Finkbeiner housing deals that left the city with debts adding up to $20 million over 20 years. Mr. Finkbeiner said the tax benefits of having people living downtown would more than pay for the city's costs."
"[Mayor Ford] said the loss of jobs to Arrowhead Industrial Park started "years ago" when the city agreed to provide water to the suburbs. Mr. Finkbeiner characterized Mr. Ford's responses as "excuse-making - something he's good at." "
So while Carty praises students for planting flowers, he recommends Ford for the school board. And how will these clowns like Carty and Ford, the rest of the school board, the TPS administration and teachers solve real problems like not allowing this to happen:
The above photo is from a May 30, 2007 Toledo Journal story. The TPS students were protesting TPS for not allowing them to walk with their classmates at graduation because they didn't pass all the OGTs. But they misspelled "proficiency."
The unwillingness to support change is the cause for this. Inept politicians being recycled for positions they're unqualified for, political wannabees, control freaks, and ego maniacs, along with the help of the media supports this breakdown.
Clearly Torres is a fraud. He ran as part of a group called "Three for Change" but apparently, Torres doesn't know what the definition of "change" is. Torres is one of the major reasons why Harner, a qualified outsider, didn't get hired for the TPS super, and why TPS got stuck with someone who has been with TPS for 30 years. And now Torres votes for Ford. But didn't Torres have some kind of past working or political relationship with Ford? If so, then his vote makes sense. The status quo. Torres will need replaced at his next election. But before Torres is booted, Larry Sykes is up for election this November, along with Ford's seat.
And so it goes for Toledo and TPS. Three-term Carty, Ford, Foley. It's amazing, yet it should no longer be surprising.
And I don't how someone gets serious consideration for the school board when he expresses his half-ass interest by scribbling on a teacher's application like Ford did.
Richard Brown III sent a cover letter and a two-page resume.
Lisa Sobecki also sent a cover letter and a two-page resume.
Francis Dumbuya sent a cover letter and a six-page resume. All three typed and printed their submissions.
From the Blade about the other three candidates:
Richard Brown III, a staff auditor for Toledo City Council overseeing the city's sewer overhaul project.
Francis Dumbuya, owner of Personnel, Achievement, and Professional Development LLC, a company in the Old West End that provides development in educational management.
Lisa Sobecki, president of the Ottawa River Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, chairman of the district's Parent Congress, and a member of the Point Place Educational Task Force.
Unless Dumbuya padded his resume, how was he not the most qualified of the four? Clearly, Dumbuya does not have the political machinations behind him like Ford does.
Part of Dumbuya's educational experience as listed on his resume:
* Ph.D., Educational Leadership/Educational Administration - The University of Toledo (12/2005)
* Dissertation Title: "The Effect of College Accessibility Programs on the Academic Success of Low-income, Under-prepared Students: A Meta-analysis of Selected Studies from 1984 - 2005."
* Master of Education, University of Toledo (08/2002)
Some of the skills listed on Dumbuya's resume:
Teaching/Course Development
* Taught in high school
* Taught and wrote the business curriculum for TPS's Adult and Continuing Education Program
* Taught the introductory courses in economics
* Co-developed and co-taught the undergraduate course in student leadership
* Assisted faculty in developing curriculum and course work for online students
* Provided critical design and content input during the revision of an online course
Dumbuya discusses his other skills, such as Grant Writing, Advising, Communication, and Leadership.
Dumbuya's conference presentations given at Ohio State University, Owens Community College, and Washington D.C.
* Promoting the Academic Success of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education: The University of Toledo Approach
* Valuing the Difference: Diversity 2000
* Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Success of Low Income Students
Dumbuya's professional memberships:
* Member, American Management Association
* President, Toledo Alliance of Black School Educators (Former)
* Member, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
* Member, American Educational Research Association
* Member, The Association for the Study of Higher Education
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Dumbuya has an interest in education.
posted by jr at 11:23 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
What a slap in the face to the candidates that took the time to submit resumes as we are TAUGHT IN SCHOOL! If he wasn't "Jack Ford" (and quite frankly, I have no idea why people are still swayed by this man)that mess of an application would have gone to the shredder.
This really is disheartening. What's Chris Meyers take on this - anyone know?
posted by Ryan at 11:50 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
wow jr. great post!
posted by upso at 11:58 A.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Is there anyone in Toledo who was surprised Ford was selected? If so they must be passing through town.
Politics Politics Politics. The three reasons Toledo will always be a small town operation.
Political affiliation, not qualification, is the criterion for governmental positions in Toledo. And of course-Who was your daddy.
posted by bill at 12:12 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
A couple of thoughts:
As someone who has met and spoken with Jack Ford at length, I found him to be a thoughtful, articulate person with Toledo's best interests at heart. I also think he will bring a unique ability as a consensus-maker to the Board.
That being said, the hand-scribbled application implies to me that this deal was sealed before Jack even threw his hat into the ring, and this is the sort of back-room politics that sickens me.
Most of us are in agreement that TPS needs fresh faces with new ideas. I question whether Jack Ford will bring any new ideas to the Board, or if he will help move TPS forward.
I am quite disappointed, though I can't say I am surprised. Maybe I should just shut up, suck up, and grab a piece of the political pie like those who play the game. At least then I'd be getting something out of the deal...
(full disclosue: historymike's house is in Washington Local, though some of his children have attended TPS in the past)
posted by historymike at 12:17 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
"That being said, the hand-scribbled application implies to me that this deal was sealed before Jack even threw his hat into the ring,.."
Agreed...as I said on my blog, I also think that Torres, whether intentionally or not, was influenced by Carty's support of Ford - afterall, he works for Carty, who is known for making sure his employees know of his opinions.
posted by MaggieThurber at 03:56 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
So Torres works for Carty, and Carty wanted Jack, so Torres gave Carty what the C-man wanted. It's a beautiful thing.
posted by jr at 05:05 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
I am not surprised at all. I had hoped, based on the merits of the candidates they would go for one with experience in K-12 education - but what do I know?
Someone told me recently that the same old cast of villians - OH! excuse me - I mean characters has been running Toledo into the ground - er, gee excuse me again - Toledo politics for some time.
I've met a couple of exceptions. I've also met a couple of people who thought they were exceptions but weren't. Overall I'd say that the local leaders, by and large, enjoy being able to do whatever they wish and the voters just put up with it so long as it's okey dokey with the Blade.
posted by katie82640 at 05:07 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
So Ford's chicken-scratch application that's posted above contained inaccurate information? Like what?
Ford's unprofessionalism in this matter sends a terrible message to the TPS students graduating this week.
I'm thinking that Ford's political cronyism mindset has him believing that he is entitled to this school board position. He's Jack Ford. End of story. He doesn't need to take time to craft a nice resume and letter. He probably also felt he was above the interviewing process.
posted by jr at 05:21 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
This seems like a sad situation now, but I think Jack will help get things back on track. He always seemed like a real go getter, didn't he? Once he gets started, there's no slowing this guy down. Gee, when he was Mayor of Toledo he was just getting ready to make his move, but then he wasn't voted back in. There are some things you just can't rush into. I think Jack has it all figured out. It really isn't necessary to make timly decisions. If you wait long enough most thing just take care of themselves. What else was he going to do anyway. He has no real marketable skills except for his remarkable penmanship of course, which by the way will come in handy for checking off boxes on his things to next week list. If he has any spare time maybe he can teach the other board members the proper way to twiddle their thumbs. He really good at it.
posted by AmericanPie at 05:51 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
This should be correct usage of the term Brain Drain.
posted by MikeyA at 06:31 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
jr - I believe he's got his own address wrong (he lives at 1935 not 1937)...and the phone number he listed isn't a working number, from what I was told. Those are the 'inaccuracies.'
posted by MaggieThurber at 06:44 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Attention, ToledoTalkers. Be sure to read Maggie's post about Robert Torres and his crazy TPS votes on her blog. That is all.
(keyword whoring for extra Google search punch in an effort to use the Net as a tool of angry voter activism; more keyword hijinks about Robert Torres and his crazy TPS votes here).
:-}
posted by historymike at 08:01 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
I"ve put this out before & didn't get a response, so here goes again - I admit that I am out of the loop with TPS or any schools because my kids have graduated several years ago (one is now a senior at UT). I have tried to find out what qualifications & jobs Jack Ford has or has held prior to being mayor, or a political "job". What jobs has he held that qualifies him for this appointment to TPS?
posted by starling02 at 08:45 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
Loaded question, Starling02.
Here are the jobs I know about; whether that "qualifies" him for the Board is a matter of opinion (forgive me if I missed a job or two; it's late and I don't feel like doing any research):
** Social worker
** Substance abuse counselor/administrator
** Toledo city council
** Toledo city council President
** College instructor (UT, Owens, BGSU)
** Ohio State representative
** Toledo mayor
posted by historymike at 09:03 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
I hope American Pie was kidding with his comment. I can't imagine Ford being a go-getter, unless someone else does the heavy lifting for him. He has no qualifications for serving on the school board, unless political hack is the one. Dumbaya, for one, has outstanding qualifications. The school board caved to the Blade, obviously more worried about their reputation and trying to get reelected in November than doing the right thing. Ford should have been disqualified anyway for filling out a false application. Where I work, ethics is important. If I were found out to have filled out a false job application, I'd be fired. With the Toledo Public Schools, it's no big deal. Encouraged, apparently, over on Manhattan and Elm.
posted by toledojim at 09:23 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
So, coming in late on this, let me get this straight, you do NOT have to be a resident of the city of Toledo to hold a seat on the board of education? Because I know that for quite some time he has held his residence in BG. I remember my friend telling me how odd it was that they moved down there, downgraded their living arrangements, she was saying something about a debt problem. I honestly was half listening because I could have given a rats you know what about what JF was doing after losing his job as mayor.
If you do have to be a resident, I find it absolutely disgusting that this man can throw his hat in the ring knowing full well that he is lying about residency. And, I wonder if he could answer this question- if his full time residence was not in BG, then how could his daughter go to school down there?
Straighten me out if I have anything wrong here. I am still sleep deprived with an 8 week old baby.
My take on why Carty supported JF getting the job? Because if JF was appointed to the seat, he is pretty much guaranteed that nothing scandalous will come out in the short run about the real shape of TPS. He doesn't need anyone making Toledo more difficult to market, and that is exactly what Dumbya would have done by exposing the crap that's really going on in TPS.
posted by gotoledogo at 11:56 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
wow jr. great post!
Ouch!!! posted by upso at 12:58 P.M. EST on Tue Jun 05, 2007 #
------------------------------------------
I concur. While JR and I have disagreed and even flamed each other now and then in the past, this was sensational, and personally, IMHO, why this board was created in the firstplace.
The only thing I could possibly add to it -actually, emphasize, since he touched on it-is the insidious interference/total control of local things by John Robinson Block.(who doesn't even live here) I said before, and will continue to do so. This excuse for a newspaper-and the family of elitist vermin that have always operated it-are the primary reasons toledo was, is, and will continue to be, a dying town. They still owed their mumbling buddy for his spearheading their smoker ban nonsense in the state. This rag's influence is declining, but, unfortunately, still is firmly in control of most everything in Lucas County. Oh, well, Maybe he can teach a speech class on the side.
posted by Darkseid at 04:54 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
The difference between jr's posted resume of Francis Dumbaya and HistoryMike's of Ja-Fo makes me physically ill.
Im going to move out of this shithole.
posted by billy at 06:32 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Can someone phonetically spell out for me how to pronounce the name Dumbaya?
posted by billy at 06:46 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
I know that for quite some time he has held his residence in BG
I didn't realize that he moved down there but he does own a house in Toledo still.
Straighten me out if I have anything wrong here. I am still sleep deprived with an 8 week old baby.
CONGRATULATIONS!
posted by tm at 09:09 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Billy - dume bi ya (long I on the 'bi')
GoToledoGo - congrats on the baby! As for the residence, he still owns a house in the school district and I believe he's still registered to vote from that address ... hence, he meets state qualifications for a seat on the board. If he's not really living in that location, that's another matter entirely. And considering that the board made such an issue over Harner's children attending TPS, I wonder if Jack's daughter is attending a Toledo Public School (note - I have no issue with this, but was just pointing out the lack of consistency in positions).
posted by MaggieThurber at 09:12 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
I wonder if Jack's daughter is attending a Toledo Public School (note - I have no issue with this, but was just pointing out the lack of consistency in positions).
Where did his daughter attend school while Jack was mayor of Toledo? Did she attend TPS then?
(I don't necessarily have an issue if she doesn't happen to attend TPS right at the immediate moment - after all, he was just appointed to the school board...even if there was a requirement that board members' children attend TPS I don't think anyone would expect a switch so late in the school year. But I would be very curious to hear whether his daughter attended TPS while he was serving as Mayor...)
posted by mom2 at 11:26 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
"I wonder if Jack's daughter is attending a Toledo Public School ..."
What I heard was Ford's daughter is in the Bowling Green school district, but Ford did say that in the past, she has also attended TPS. Ford also said he would consider having her attend TPS in the fall.
posted by jr at 11:40 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Ford also said he would consider having her attend TPS in the fall.
His appointment to the board is up in November, correct? Unless he was planning to seek re-election, I'd say perhaps that isn't necessary. (just in my personal opinion) Only because moving a kid back and forth between schools is going to be disruptive to her life.
If he's only going to be on the board for the first 3 months of the year, I don't think it should be necessary to disrupt his daughter's live to give the appearance of propriety for 3 months. (Keeping fingers crossed that his comment doesn't mean he's planning on running for the Board as a permanent position...)
Anyone know if Dumbaya is planning to run in November? The Board may not have wanted to appoint him, but that doesn't mean that the people wouldn't elect him. I'd say that the fact that the current board didn't want him is probably a good sign. lol
posted by mom2 at 11:48 A.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
"Unless he was planning to seek re-election, I'd say perhaps that isn't necessary."
Final paragraph from a Jun 5, 2007 WUPW story:
"Ford is looking forward to fixing short-term challenges within the next seven months. When asked if he was planning to consider staying on the board long-term, he expressed that anything is possible."
Ford is trying this board thing out for Ford. If he feels it's a good gig for him, then he'll run for the seat in November.
posted by jr at 12:03 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
After the Dr. Harner episode, I believe that if the administration and board has to live in the Toledo Public School district, then this must now be a district rule.
It isn't acceptable to have some rules for different groups in the same district - so I look to see it be a rule for the administration and teachers as well going forward.
The school board members are required to reside in the TPS district, not merely own property that they don't know the address to.
Merriam Webster provides this definition of discriminating: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit.
And we all know that government cannot be engaged in the business of discriminating. I wonder how the teachers will take this new wrinkle?
posted by katie82640 at 12:05 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Oh - postscipt. Robert Torres made the argument recently that the board members were 'employees' of the district rather than public officials.
That is why they didn't have to hold a vote to replace Deborah Barnett as the board president. Steve Steel just took the position as an 'employee' (the board voted to ok this - with the exception of Mrs. Fisher who seemed to think that the rules that apply to elected public officials apply to school board members).
Since the board (self-proclaimed) and administration are 'employees' of the district - how could the residency requirement NOT apply to the teachers now?
Somebody's not thinking about the unintended consequences of their actions.
posted by katie82640 at 12:09 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
What I heard was Ford's daughter is in the Bowling Green school district
Ok, so if she's in BGHS, doesnt her parent have to be a resident of BG??
Where does the man live???
posted by billy at 01:34 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Actually, I don't care where his daughter goes to school. What bothers me is that it wasn't an issue with his appointment like it was an issue with the Superintendent. Shame on the Board for their double standard.
And while these board members may technically be employees of the district, they are so much more in that they are elected officials who work for us. The only reason they've used the 'employee of the district' label is to avoid conducting business in the public light or to limit public comment about their actions.
However, if his daughter qualifies for enrollment in BG which means she lives in the district, it does raise the issue of where he really lives. Wonder if his residency for her enrollment is BG while his residency for voting is Toledo? I don't think you can have two legal residences, can you?
posted by MaggieThurber at 02:07 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Actually, I don't care where his daughter goes to school. What bothers me is that it wasn't an issue with his appointment like it was an issue with the Superintendent. Shame on the Board for their double standard.
I don't necessarily think it was a double standard - if she already goes to BGHS, no one would have expected her to change schools by the end of this year. (I'm guessing if Harner had been hired and his daughter were going to enroll in TPS next year, she probably still would have finished out the year in her current school.
BUT, it could be an issue if he pursues re-election and his daughter continues to go to BGHS.
However, if his daughter qualifies for enrollment in BG which means she lives in the district, it does raise the issue of where he really lives. Wonder if his residency for her enrollment is BG while his residency for voting is Toledo? I don't think you can have two legal residences, can you?
No, I don't believe that a person can have 2 legal residences. The only scenario I can think of which would remain legal (shifty, but still probably legal) is that Jack Ford claims Toledo as his legal residence, and his wife claims BG.
posted by mom2 at 02:36 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
...now if he only knew his actual address in toledo... he was waaaay off on that application!
posted by gotoledogo at 04:36 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
mom2 - please be careful about the use of the word "re-election" ... he hasn't been elected to be able to use the term re-elect.
The only reason I bring this up is because Larry Sykes, after being appointed, put 're-elect' on his yard signs for his first election - and got called on the carpet for not knowing that he hadn't been elected once...
posted by MaggieThurber at 04:39 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
I do know at least one of his kids attended Gesu, and while he was mayor.
posted by historymike at 05:19 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
Ryan, thanks for asking what my take was. I posted on my Web site http://myersforschoolboard.com, as well as made public, my belief the board should appoint an interim person for the position. It is good Mr. Ford made it clear that he would serve the position as interim and I applaud the board for making this a big factor in the decision. Mr. Ford's poor application looks really bad, especially since the district just got done telling parents "tough luck" on being able to participate in graduation because they did not follow the standards set by the State. Standards are standards, whether they are requirements for graduation or following what the board asks for application to the position; this can't be ignored. It was good that Darlene stood for some standards in the application process. Mr. Ford is the current board member now and the board must move forward (hopefully). I hope Mr. Ford is a positive influence on Larry Sykes and I hope he'll make good decisions. With all of the people fed up with the board, I was disappointed in the number of applications submitted. Regardless, the need for new faces/ideas on the board is more apparent than ever and Mr. Ford won’t change this fact. It is too bad we did not get a new face this time, but hey in November it is your turn to make the decision. I am sure YOU will make the right one ;) If you want to help me out, consider donating on my Web site and ask others to support me.
Thanks, Chris
posted by chrismyers at 10:31 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
BTW you can view a copy of my resume at:
http://myersforschoolboard.com/resume
posted by chrismyers at 11:09 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 06, 2007 #
"mom2 - please be careful about the use of the word "re-election" ... he hasn't been elected to be able to use the term re-elect.
The only reason I bring this up is because Larry Sykes,...." Maggie
{Stiffens up and falls over on the floor}
posted by katie82640 at 09:52 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 07, 2007 #
From Jack Ford's latest "My Warped View" column in the Sojourner's Truth:
"Speaking of fools, who are the nut brains who called WSPD and said that I should not be appointed to the school board because I knew too many folks in Columbus and just had too much experience to be effective?"
This from a man who exhibits extreme unprofessionalism by applying for the vacant school board seat by scribbling inaccurate information on a teacher's application.
Calling Jack Ford a "nut brain" would be giving Ford too much credit.
In his column, Jack gives his qualifications for taking the school board seat. Here are a couple gems:
"Released up to 100 city workers to help TPS students get ready for proficiency tests"
What's that mean "released up to?" Were these city workers volunteering their time, or were they on the taxpayer-funded clock when they tutored the kids?
Another of Jack's so-called qualifications:
"Led, as minority leader in 1998, the first charge to limit the spread of charter schools"
Translation: Jack opposes school-choice. Jack is anti-education, which makes him a perfect choice for the TPS board. Jack is opposed to parents striving to get the best education available for their kids.
Jack also mentioned some of his plans. One I agree with, although it's more of a fantasy when it concerns the U.S. public school system:
"A focus on math and science"
That'll be the day.
posted by jr at 01:29 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 08, 2007 #
The 'nut brains' who called WSPD were correct. J-Fo has too much POLITICAL-CRONY experience to be effective in reforming the clearly deficient TPS Board and overall school system. He'll just blurt a sleepy "yesss" when prompted by Sykes, as long as the result involves more taxation, more spending, and more avoiding responsibility by teachers, administrators and the Board itself.
posted by GuestZero at 08:44 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 08, 2007 #
You know, I'm not sure - but I think that these folks really believe that this is all just going to go away?
It is possible they think so b/c they've pulled so much stuff and the Toledo voters have just put up with it - but I have been out there. I've been talking to people, this one is not going to go away. And we're looking at a massive shakeup over the next two elections in Toledo.
I haven't met one person who isn't mad as hell at how our local government handles our business and looks after our interests.
posted by katie82640 at 08:57 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 08, 2007 #
Back on January 3, 2007, Jack Ford wrote the following in his column for "The Sojourner's Truth":
“Maybe we are getting close to the time of bringing the two city school districts together. The split, accomplished long ago, was born out of discriminatory intent. Maybe the looming fiscal crisis will be reason enough to revisit the dual system in Toledo.”
To this day, Jack Ford has never responded to repeated requests for clarification of his statement
Now, the question is: Will he make his allegation of "two city school districts.....born out of discriminatory intent" an issue in his new capacity? And if so, what are his thoughts about the fact that there are parts of the City of Toledo that lie within six different school districts?
Furthermore, now that Jack Ford is a member of the Board of Education for Toledo City Public Schools, he has an obligation and responsibility to clarify his remarks and allegations of discriminatory intent.
Public accountability, Jack, public accountability.
posted by RolandHansen at 09:58 A.M. EST on Sun Jun 10, 2007 #
voters have just put up with it - but I have been out there. I've been talking to people, this one is not going to go away. And we're looking at a massive shakeup over the next two elections in Toledo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boy, that would be great, but I'm never going to hold my breath on that one. You may recall, you couldn't get more anger out there floating around than after the council unanimously (due to fear of the Blocks)voted in the first total smoker ban, yet the voters all listened to the same paper and re-elected EVERY incumbent in the election shortly after that. Sorry, ain't never gonna happen. I've always said-incumbency is 98% of being re-elected. Half of them don't even bother to campaign.
posted by Darkseid at 12:24 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 10, 2007 #
Best example of that is Sweet Marcy. Her first few terms, she was on the news at least one night a week. Now, you never hear a word about her until a few weeks before the election, sh's just on the news a few times for something, and that's about it. Wins by a landslide every time, even though she's been totally worthless for years.
posted by Darkseid at 03:05 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 10, 2007 #
I assume you're talking about Kaptur, D. She's in office as the "endorsed Democrat" and that did 90% of the work. The other 10% involved what you recognized ... her incumbency kicked in. With incumbency, you never have to say you're sorry; instead, all you have to do is show up.
Like many voters across America, the people of the local Congressional district use Democracy to avoid Democracy. Vote for the winner and you won't have to stand or any verbal abuse at work or something. Vote for the sure thing and you're safe from the terror of political analysis for a few more years. Whew!
posted by GuestZero at 05:08 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 10, 2007 #
«To this day, Jack Ford has never responded to repeated requests for clarification of his statement[.]»
Roland, was he asked to clarify said controversial statement in front of the TPS Board, in standing for appointment to that august body?
Or was he soft-pedaled and glad-handed, in line with this sloppy teacher's application?
posted by GuestZero at 05:13 P.M. EST on Sun Jun 10, 2007 #
GuestZero asked: Roland, was he asked to clarify said controversial statement in front of the TPS Board, in standing for appointment to that august body?
Roland Hansen response: In that I was not in attendance at any of the meetings between the TPS Board and Jack Ford, I do not know the answer to your query.
posted by RolandHansen at 09:13 P.M. EST on Mon Jun 11, 2007 #
As far as I can see - local politicians (with a few stellar exceptions) just do whatever they want, violate any rule that gets in their way and nothing is ever done about it.
I'm still not clear on how it is that all the recent events transpired on the school board and nobody does anything about it? It's no wonder they act like they can do whatever they want and never be held accountable - THEY NEVER ARE!!
First - the outgoing board member/president Deborah Barnett. Since this is a publicly elected office - the rules say a board vote is required to replace her. Steel and Torres made an argument that they do NOT need to vote because they are 'employees' rather than elected officials.
And then making Torres the Vice President - Roberts Rules of Order say that the Board President does not make a nomination - yet Steven Steel nominated Robert Torres for VP of the board. Torres was then not allowed a vote on his own nomination - yet he voted yes.
Then we have the ongoing, locally imposed gag order for the public when speaking before the board. They have decided that employee names 'cannot be mentioned'. Have they never heard of the First Amendment? By definition these board meetings are open to the public - these ARE public meetings and public speech is protected by the First Amendment.
posted by katie82640 at 01:49 P.M. EST on Wed Jun 13, 2007 #
