What makes one fit or unfit for public office? I guess we should ask the ear, he seems to know what it takes or doesn’t take. Based on what he has written unless you have the personality and character as the current president, you fall short. I thought it would be interesting to look up a few defs. Leadership: the ability to guide, direct or influence. Character; set of qualities that make somebody distinctive, qualities of mind and feelings, positive qualities and reputation. Guess using the right words isn’t a part of leadership and character. But telling untruths, uncontrolled temper, following others, hiding in ditches and filming others; is that part of being in public service; Mr. Ear. Don’t think so. I believe if the citizens of Ellicott really knows the truth they would prefer the first person.
Didn’t this group of men that now sit on the school board promise to be open and transparent. I again sent each an email asking about the money they voted to give students and how that would be done, guess what NO response from any of them. Now; is that being a public servant?
Another oops; the computer maintenance fee. Is there a fee or not? Now for the new high school tech program another mx free. The Middle School only 52% paid the fee; but the Board/Superintendent/Principal allowed 48% of the Ipads go to families who either said “we will not pay” or “my kid doesn’t need a Ipad”. So here is another policy that this District leadership created and then said “we can’t enforce this policy it will make us look bad”. Now another policy for the High School, if you want a laptop we need $20.00. What happens when 50% doesn’t want to pay the fee? This is what I meant when I said this is an effort that was not “studied”, before it was implemented. Then there were the ones that said “I don’t want my kid to have a Ipad”. Just how is the District handling those kids? Then just a few days ago the Pontiff voiced his deep concern about our children getting attached to computers. Here are some quotes:
– Pope Francis told journalists “attachment” to computers is ‘bad for the soul’,
– Pontiff praised parents who only allow computer use in communal rooms. – Francis went on to criticize those who are ‘too attached to their computer’, which he said is ‘bad for the soul’ and amounted ‘a psychological illness’.
– ‘It makes you a slave to your computer,’ he added.
– He said that many parents trying to have a family meal felt like children were ‘in another world’ on their smart phones.
——My solution: I would have assigned the Ipads and laptop to every class room and then created a password and user account for each student attending that class. If the student needed a computer outside the classroom they would visit the computer labs.
Another concern is what happens to the District, if a child gets into trouble from bad use. Did the District get a release signed by the parent? I’m not against the use of computers (as the Ear continues to state) but issues should have been “studied” and worked out before jumping into the water.
Another topic: The state law that requires the District to publish the draft of next year’s budget and seek public comments. Have you seem any announcement that the draft is available ? I checked the District’s website and clicked on Financial Transparency and then proposed 2015-2016 budget. Once you get there you see this;
Salaries 0100 248,000 248,000
Employee Benefits 0200 66,000 66,000
Purchased Services 0300,0400, 0500 14,000 14,000
Supplies and Materials 0600 40,000 40,000
Other 0800, 0900 (196,000) (196,000)
Total Instructional Staff 172,000 – – – – – – 172,000
General Administration – Program 2300
Salaries 0100 135,000 135,000
Employee Benefits 0200 46,000 46,000
Purchased Services 0300,0400, 0500 55,000 55,000
Supplies and Materials 0600 12,000 12,000
Other 0800, 0900 3,000 3,000
Total School Administration 251,000 – – – – – – 251,000
School Administration – Program 2400
Salaries 0100 619,000 619,000
Employee Benefits 0200 156,000 156,000
Purchased Services 0300,0400, 0500 10,000 10,000
Supplies and Materials 0600 15,000 15,000
Total School Administration 800,000 – – – – – – 800,000
Now without the data that went into compiling these numbers and the District codes, does this make it possible for the “public” to make commits. Don’t think so! Now the other blogger call individuals that can’t make heads or tail of the posted budget, ignorant or A********%$. I’ll ask the board members a few questions from what the CFO posted for commits. I wonder if they really did want comments.
Now to all the Diners, we have a new Diner from Germany. To Frankfurt** thanks, but I have dealt with this person lying and name calling for years. But as Mr Timex once said, “his time is coming”. Is the Wine Lady still just outside of town? Have a glass for me, had some great time there.
Fayne
Integrity in Leadership
Ellicott's Potluck Cafe 