Doesn't seem like it...
Just go away
Regarding the March 1 article about the Neshaminy school board planning to have a workshop to enhance communications between members: This did not at all come as a surprise to me after watching the board meetings. After seeing board member William O'Connor operate, there is no question that the Neshaminy board is having problems.
From the moment that O'Connor was sworn in, he has been one-sided in his thinking. O'Connor's Web site is incredible with all the anonymous comments. If someone has something to say, he or she should put their name on the comment. Why doesn't he just try to do the job he was elected to do?
I hope O'Connor quits the board, as he has threatened, as a favor to the public.
Stop the whining
I was disturbed after reading the March 6 editorial, “Dissing Democracy.”
Neshaminy school board member William O'Connor stated he cannot see himself serving on the board any longer if the board could not work together to solve serious issues. O'Connor has only been on the board for three months and he is already talking about leaving.
It is hard to believe this because the O'Connors have been loyal board attendees for years and should know the ins and outs of board meetings. If O'Connor is thinking of leaving, then he apparently has his own personal agenda and is frustrated.
O'Connor must stop whining and represent the entire Neshaminy community. He should not get upset when events don't go his way.
Here's the original editorial. I really like the last lines. Too bad the Emperor does not tolerate public discussion and revelation of information.
Dissing democracy
Russia held an election this week and it was amazing that a nation so sprawling and diverse produced such a huge plurality of votes for one presidential candidate. That democracy is suffocating under the boot of resurgent totalitarianism might have something to do with the margin of victory. Conflicting points of view simply aren't welcome.
With that in mind, we turn to the Neshaminy school board and its plan to hold a so-called retreat.
The board has some big helpings on its plate, including the possibility of closing schools, teacher contract negotiations and a multimillion dollar deficit. In the interest of forging a spirit of cooperation and at the administration's request, board members have agreed to a workshop/retreat in order to “get everyone in place,” according to Superintendent Paul Kadri.
Seems that there's been disagreement among members and, God forbid, behind-the-scenes conflict. This has strained the cohesiveness of the board, some members complain.
“I cannot see myself serving on this board any longer if this continues,” member William O'Connor fretted.
Pardon us if we don't share O'Connor's alarm. But isn't disagreement — even conflict — part of democracy?
We don't elect anybody with the expectation that he or she will fall into lockstep agreement with their elected colleagues. If so, they're not doing much independent or critical thinking. Nor are they serving their constituents well.
In fact, doesn't a diversity of ideas produce a variety of solutions from which to pick? And aren't debate and compromise key elements of good government?
Speaking of good government, we note that the “retreat” will be a closed-door affair at an undisclosed time and location. It's worrisome, though not surprising, that this passes muster with Pennsylvania's woeful open meetings law. The only way anyone will know if board members discuss business that ought to be discussed openly is if a member has the conscience to come forward. We hope that's the case.
Meanwhile, Neshaminy residents should hope that board members aren't cowed into acquiescence despite their gut feelings or against their better judgment. Indeed, we encourage members to be vocal — whether they agree or disagree with their colleagues.
Discussion is a good thing. Public discussion is even better.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
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8 comments:
Public discussion?
Well how is a dictat...er, uh president to lead, to persuade, to control the direction the board is taking?
Public discussion is just a messy distraction to getting the real work done.
True. Keep it up.
Ahhh! Secret meetings, not again. Are these similar to the executive sessions that Sandy Gibson held at her home. How nice her house is especially since she put that new addition on.Is it true that she never got a permit or paid school taxes on such addition? With her husband being an executive for Toll Brothers and she the school board president, didn't they realize (If the above is true) that they were cheating the children? (Will she have to pay the children back?) Was the old school board somehow a party to this by having private meetings in a house that was cheating the children? I wonder if the new location of alleged private meetings is at least paying the proper school tax? Question: What constitutes "a private meeting with an unknown topic?" If this were the truth, how would anyone know about it? I get it, some dimwit drove past a house one afternoon, saw some cars and speculated the rest. You know when old chubby cheeks from the Courier Times shows up at an agenda meeting that someone is trying hard to stir up some dirt. Perhaps Robin should get a grasp the meaning of the words "unethical and immoral" before she blindly uses them during a public meeting. She realizes she's on tape, doesn't she?
"Unethical and immoral" is the perfect way to describe the way these bozos are running the circus. If Gibson did it, it was wrong. If Hellmann did it, it was wrong. I don't care who did it when in the past. It's still wrong. SHAME ON YOU SCHOOL BOARD!!!
Sorry to disappoint you, but I won't quit the Neshaminy board. And perhaps as you now know, my "whining" was not over differences of opinions, but rather over a clandestine agreement made between our board president and our HR director regarding a recent job appointment. These actions are immoral and illegal. I was begged to keep this quiet until our infamous "retreat" could occur, where I and the other board members were to be given answers. Instead we received the runaround and silent treatment. Maybe some board members just wish this would go away and not have to deal with it, but I won't turn my back on unethical behavior. I would have hoped you, as the public, would expect nothing less.
Regarding the frequency that people post anonymously on my blog, I don't know why people won't at least identify themselves in some form, but that's the way they prefer it. I couldn't help but notice that up until my comment here, 2 out of 4 comments on your blog were anonymous. I'll bet when you start getting some more traffic, the percent of anonymous posters will increase.
Good luck with your blog.
Dear Mr. O'Connor
Thanks for your comment. The issues in your school district were only mentioned to show that the troubles that Morrisville is having are not unique to our own district, but are endemic to many others.
The articles were reprinted from the BCCT as they stood. This blog is definitely taking no stance on the issues confronting districts other than Morrisville.
Thank you for your best wishes. They are very much appreciated, and I also wish you well.
Thank you for clarifying. I didn't mean to come off being too defensive. You are correct - problems occur on every school board. Funny thing is that most board members start out with the right intentions, but then they become blinded by trying to be right and beating their opponents. In the end, they start acting in the manner they were once so critical of.
To all Morrisville residents - the only way things will get better is if YOU make them that way. Attend board meetings, get active in your PTO groups, support your board members BUT also hold them accountable. And keep voicing your opinion in places like this blog. Believe me - your school board members are reading.
Thank you for the reply. No, no defensiveness was taken. There's plenty of times where the written blog comes across differently than the same words spoken in conversation. It's better to clarify where necessary to ensure that the message is clearly received.
As far as your message about getting involved, that is clearly received and that motion is heartily seconded!
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