Another ticked off resident

Thank you for writing!

If you're just as ticked off as this writer is, DO NOT sit there fuming in silence. Take action.

From:
Subject: Morrisville School District
To: 00statbd@psupen.psu.edu
Cc: savethemorrisvilleschool@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, July 4, 2008

Good morning. I want to share my concerns about the Morrisville School District in Bucks County, and am seeking some guidance and direction. There are frightening things going on here with our current school board and the education of Morrisville children is at serious risk. The current school board is in a slash and burn mode, the primary focus being the reduction of taxes and the stripping of funds for programs and personnel. This mode will dramatically and negatively impact the progress this district has made in recent years.

I have watched them in action and it is clear that the majority of the board, led by a despotic president, truly want to run our school district into the ground. Who can intervene? Some of the things said by the President are truly disturbing, such as asking for the names and addresses of children who are in special education (fortunately, this was not provided to the board). And there have been allegations of racism against one board member. When I sit in some of these meetings, I am amazed at the discourse, I cannot believe the things that are said at these meetings, and the lack of concern for the education of our children, the disrespect by the president of our school personnel, the flippant and rude dismissal by the president of those who do not share his views, and the uncivilized, often undemocratic (secret meetings of board members?) manner of doing school board business in this borough. There is also a tone of, if not racism, at least classism, against the children and families who reside in apartments and rental properties, those parents who do not pay property taxes. Some of these children receive special education services.

What can be done? There is an attorney assigned to this board and present at the meetings; however, he was selected by the Board, and while he may keep the Board within the letter of the law, may not always be objective. There are a couple board members who fight hard and do their best to do the right thing for the district and all of the children, but they are the minority and are always voted down.

Someone from outside this district really needs to take a look - someone in an official capacity who can offer some objective guidance and advice to the citizens of this town who are truly committed to quality education for all of our children, and to ensure that this board is operating ethically and legally, and to assist with an assessment of whether or not this board is operating within the established codes of conduct for school boards. I am not sure who can play this role. Perhaps a public advocate or ombudsman? Your advice will be appreciated.