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By Janet Evans
Saturday, Oct 4 2008, 07:56 PM
Well, a friend of mine says, "In light of the country’s financial situation, a little education goes a long way."
And I agree!
Hopefully, you’ll find something of interest or usefulness on this site.
"Money Smart Week WisconsinSM is a public awareness initiative made for you. It began in 2006. It aims to build your financial knowledge so you can deal with your own money more quickly, confidently and shrewdly. Use this site to find classes and events near you. Most activities are free. They offer unbiased financial education. "
Click old Ben Franklin for a visit...
I’m hoping Gov. Doyle visits his site often!
H/T Scott T.
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Sep 19 2008, 07:05 AM
I know, gas prices had been rising.
But then they tapered off.
If it hadn’t been for the hurricanes, they probably would have kept falling.
When I saw United Airlines was going to double its fee for a second checked bag to $50…I was shocked. That’s each way!
You know, you can mail a decent sized box of clothing to just about any state for $15, insured. Maybe that’s the way to go. If you can plan ahead for a trip, just pack up the wardrobe you need fro your vacation, and ship it off to your destination.
Extra bags or ones that weigh too much can add
hundreds of dollars to the price of flying. Kitchen/Getty
Extra bags or ones that weigh too much can add hundreds of dollars to the price of flying.
United has already made $700 million from the additional fees they have imposed. So it's not "irrational" for them to want to hike their fees more. They'll do it until passengers stop bringing the extra baggage and paying the higher fees.
Skyrocketing fuel prices prompted that trend, but on Thursday there was already one sign that competition may push it back: Air Canada said it would stop charging for a second checked bag. It had not added a fee for the first checked bag.
So if you want to do all you can to try and keep your luggage to one suitcase, what should you do?
Suitcase savvy
Battle those new luggage fees by adapting your packing habits.
1. Use soft-sided luggage or duffle bags. Some hardshell suitcases weigh up to 15 pounds when empty.
2. Select luggage that has multiple compartments, allowing suits to stay wrinkle-free and be kept separate from shoes and toiletries.
3. Instead of packing coordinated outfits that can be worn just once, choose clothing that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.
4. Consider rolling jeans and T-shirts instead of folding them. This will save space and keep the clothes wrinkle-free.
5. Weigh your suitcase before leaving home. (Get on a scale with the bag, then without, then subtract.) If the bag is more than 50 pounds, remove a few items or use a second suitcase.
Checking a second bag is typically cheaper than the fee for overweight luggage.
Combat new airline luggage fees
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, May 13 2008, 11:51 AM
Daniel Lingen would like to wear his military uniform to his Bloomer High School graduation. Daniel, a Marine recruit, will have completed basic training before graduation takes place. School administration denied his request, insisting he wear the traditional cap and gown, just like all of his fellow classmates.
According to Charles Lingen, Daniel’s father, “He didn’t want any recognition. All he wanted to do was walk up on the stage with his uniform, accept his diploma and that’s it.
“He’s showing the respect to the school by wearing his top dress uniform,” said Charles Lingen.
High school principal Brent Ashland saw it a little differently.
“This is a high school graduation ceremony not a military graduation ceremony,” said Ashland. “We want to recognize all the students for their achievement in earning their high school diploma on a level playing field. As soon as you allow students to differentiate from that based upon what they do, what they wear, what they say, then you are essentially singling out individual students and that’s not the philosophy of a graduation ceremony.”
There is no District policy regarding attire for graduation.
At first I have to admit I was appalled that Lingen couldn't wear his uniform. Especially during a time of war. To me a uniform of those serving our country trumps the uniform of the graduation ceremony .
When I read the above comments of principal Brent Ashland, I was baffled. He wants to recognize all students on a "level playing field?" I guess there is no Valedictorian at Bloomer High School. No Honor Students either, wearing cords.
He says "as soon as you allow students to differentiate from that based upon what they do, what they wear, what they say, then you are singling out individual students and that's not the philosophy of a graduation ceremony." Ashland is a buffoon.
We don't want to show that students are different from each other, now do we.
They are all just a bunch of robots on the assembly line of life.
Except, Lingen is most likely headed off to Iraq, and he should be able to walk across the stage in his dress blues.
Read the story from the Bloomer Advance:
Administration Denies Senior’s Request To Wear USMC Uniform
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Apr 30 2008, 05:45 PM
"Richard Zeitlin, Director of the State Veterans Museum, says school students today have a poor understanding of American History.""Teaching American History … we've got to come up with a basic civic understanding of what we all have – what the citizens of the United States – have collectively experienced, that's what history is, so that we can think as a people."
The three-year, $940,000 project will connect historians and veterans with more than 150 history teachers from central Wisconsin and the Madison area, beginning in July.
While unique in many ways, "Life During Wartime" will pay special attention to the American experience during war, at home and abroad, from the Civil War to the present. It will also draw from the expertise of Wisconsin veterans and the resources of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs in bringing this experience to life. Read the article and hear audio on Wisconsin Radio Network
History Classes Could Get More Interesting å here
I think this is a great idea and students will most likely be very receptive. I'm just finding that most grants or programs are either in the Madison area or for MPS and not the suburbs. Why is it Franklin can't seem to be included in a program like this?
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Feb 8 2008, 11:00 PM
Franklin Public Schools
School Board Elections will take place
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
There are two (2) seats open on the Board
The order of the Candidates on the ballot will be, as follows:
#1 Linda Witkowski
#2 Dennis Butler
#3 David Works
#4 Edward Holpfer
Candidate Interviews in the Order They Were Conducted:
David Works Ã
Linda Witkowski Ã
Ed Holpfer Ã
Dennis Butler Ã
I'm sure you want to be an informed voter when you go to the polls to select the two candidates to fill the open seats on the Board.
These interviews will help you learn about the views of the candidates.
You will also get to post questions to the candidates.
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jan 23 2008, 10:06 PM
Well, let's just say there could have been a cat fight, if it had been taken outside....
And Sue Huhn would have won, even if she had been declawed!
I got home late tonight, so this is going to be short.
And basically, the meeting was uneventful, except for the two items I am going to tell you about, which are scandalous!
First, there was a Committee report regarding the meeting I attended on January 9th.
The Be Heard! report was given.
Sue Huhn began by speaking about the fact that we need to know where a building would go next time discussion of a new school being built was brought up.
The District doesn't own any land for a High School or Middle School (only for an elementary school).
Dr. Patz said we need to start looking 5, 10, 20 years down the road regarding land acquisition.
Continue investigations regarding land even though no referendum is in sight at this time.
Then, Mary Karolewicz piped up with her usual "We need to continue discussions with the community."
She talked about reports and forming focus groups.
Discussing options presented.
Alert the community that we want input.
What does the community see as future needs?
The community needs to have a part in it and a say about tax dollars.
She has talked to several other districts that have had success because they took their ideas to the community.
THIS IS WHEN "IT" HIT THE FAN......
Remember, we have been talking about the Be Heard! Committee Report (again).
That means we were hearing about community input about what went wrong with the referendum.
Remember?
This is when Sue Huhn.... Boldly announced "WE DID THAT!":
Let me repeat that....
Mary was going on, and on about how the District needs to get input from the community...
And Sue said: "WE DID THAT!"
You go girl!
Looks like Sue has been reading my blogs, because she then said "We can't be sweeping this under the carpet anymore."
The Board didn't listen!
As I was sitting there with a huge smile on my face.....
Mary came back (a look of disbelief and contempt on her face) with "You've only presented one story." (and she was upset)
Sue shot back with "Sometimes the community is not going to agree with us. We need to listen better!"
Well, I have to say, Jim Ward, was Darth Vader....and tonight, Sue Huhn was Wonder Woman!
___________________
On another issue...
It seems those "Goals" that the Board put out there...the ones I blogged about....
Well, they mentioned they expect the Administration to follow "zero-based’ budgeting methods.
Trouble is.... they just announced that's impossible to do!
That's right!
Seems the Board didn't have a clue as to what zero-based budgeting was when they implemented this goal.
You can't do this type of budgeting in a school district. It just won't work.....
They might have a new plan ironed out by the next Board meeting.
Gee...I wonder how many of the other goals were carefully thought out.
We'll have to keep a close eye on these goals.
I'm going to go read the book Comedy of Errors now.
Goodnight!
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jan 22 2008, 10:45 AM
That’s right, come and join in!
Show the School Board you are concerned about what they are doing.
Take advantage of THE 15 MINUTES we, as citizens of Franklin, are allowed to speak out in public and make a comment in front of this School Board.
It’s your only chance…they obviously won’t give us any other forum to ask questions about their past deeds regarding the referendum.
They won’t face us.
They just want to “Move on.”
Here is the agenda:
Regular Board of Education Meeting
Date: Wednesday - January 23, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
MEETING NOTICE
BOARD OF EDUCATION
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23, 2008
6:00 PM
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER
8255 WEST FOREST HILL AVENUE
AGENDA (Action items will result from the following):
1. Roll Call and Meeting Notice
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Recognition
a. Colleen Torres
b. Student Artists – Ben Franklin, Southwood Glen, Country Dale, Forest Park Middle School
4. Community Comment (per Board Policy, up to 15 minutes of resident comment is permitted)
5. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting, December 19, 2007
2. Regular Board of Education Meeting Closed Session, December 19, 2007
3. Special Board of Education Meeting, December 20, 2007
4. Special Board of Education Meeting, January 7, 2008
5. Special Board of Education Meeting, January 7, 2008
6. Special Board of Education Meeting, January 9, 2008
7. Special Board of Education Meeting Closed Session, January 9, 2008
b. Personnel Report
c. Invoices for Payment
d. Gifts
6. Committee Reports
a. Committee of the Whole – Debbie Larson
(Re: Meeting held on January 9, 2008)
1. Forest Park Middle School Music Department – Technology Integration
b. Community/Governmental Relations Committee – Sue Huhn
(Re: Meeting held on January 9, 2008)
1. Be Heard! Discussion
2. Communication Update
7. Superintendent’s Report
a. SWSA Report
b. Board Goals (Student Achievement)
8. Clerk’s Report – 2008 Election Notice and Candidate Ballot Positions
9. CESA Report – Mary Karolewicz
10. Treasurer’s Report
a. Bank Balances and Investments
b. Budget Condition Report
11. School Board Calendar
a. Monday January 28, 2008
Education and Community Center
8:00 PM Special Board of Education Meeting
b. Tuesday January 29, 2008
Education and Community Center
6:30 PM Committee of the Whole
c. Wednesday February 6, 2008
Education and Community Center
6:15 PM Committee of the Whole
6:30 PM Community Education/Recreation Committee
6:45 PM Curriculum Committee
7:15 PM Personnel & Policy Committee
d. Wednesday February 27, 2008
Education and Community Center
6:00 PM Regular Board of Education Meeting
12. School Board Announcements
13. Motion to Enter Closed Session to Discuss Employment, Promotion, Compensation and Administrative Performance Evaluation Data for Named District Employees Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(c) and Review of Negotiation Matters with Franklin Education Association Union (FEA) Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §111.70
14. Return to Open Session
15. Adjournment
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jan 16 2008, 08:00 AM
Wisconsin students in the news for something cool….
High School Students Discover Asteroid
Students Receive Asteroid Naming Rights
RACINE, Wis. -- Three high school students from Wisconsin were notified on Monday that a celestial body they discovered during a science project had been verified as an asteroid.
The students will be able to name the asteroid, temporarily identified as "2008 AZ28," in about four years, according to the Minor Planet Center in Cambridge, Mass., the international authority on known objects in the solar system.
Sophomores at Racine's Prairie School, Connor Leipold, Tim Pastika and Kyle Simpson made the discovery thanks to technology provided from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., which is also the alma mater of the science teacher, Andrew Vanden Heuvel, school spokeswoman Susan Paprcka said.
Read the article on WISN.com abc × here
Asteroid 2008 AZ28
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By Janet Evans
Monday, Jan 14 2008, 11:30 AM
By Janet Evans
Saturday, Jan 12 2008, 06:46 PM
I have been very critical in the past of the District's website. First, back in November when I was in a hurry to find an employees phone number and I was bombarded with dizzying photos, and an unorganized mess on the site.
Next, at the first Be Heard! meeting when I verbally criticized the site to Dr. Steve Patz, while Tanya Ruder, Communications Specialist, was also present. Since then, the site has improved somewhat. It is less cluttered and more organized and is being discussed at the Key Communicators Session.
I visited the website today and came across "Franklin Public School Goals."
I recall coming across this before, I believe in December, but in my haste, breezed through the page and didn't analyze it. Today I took my time. I am not sure of the date I last saw the page, nor when it was first posted. Why does something as important as this not have a date that it was created and posted? Board Policies have dates they are adopted.
Below is the first paragraph.
I encourage you to open the link, read the "Goals," and then continue reading my blog:
The Board of Education for the Franklin Public Schools has established the following goals for the District. The board recognizes that none of these goals will be completely achieved in the short term, but it intends to hold itself and the District’s administrative team accountable for significant progress in all of these areas.
_______________________
Okay.
Now that YOU have read the "goals" for the Board of Education of the Franklin Public Schools, here is my question and/or problem.
Since there is no date of publication or adoption of these goals I would like to know if these goals were created AFTER we so-called "Watchdogs" brought to light the issues regarding the Referendum and the deceit behind it?
Is this the Board's way of extending an olive branch to the citizens of Franklin, without publicly facing us in a forum and admitting they made a mistake?
We've heard them say "We need to move on."
That statement, made by Dr. Patz and many of the Board has not been an admission of wrong doing.
It has not been an admission of responsibility saying the Board totally went against the wishes of the community in their vote.
Under the first section in the "goals," is the following statement:
"The board demands evidence of accountability and consistency in all of our schools."
What about what WE demand?
What about what we, the citizens of Franklin demand from the Board we elected?
Have YOU who read the blogs about the School Board once emailed the Board or made a phone call yet to voice your opinion?
Will you do it NOW?
They have made it clear with their statement of "We need to move on" that they are not listening.
Will you attend the next School Board meeting on January 23rd?
If you are not letting the Board know your feelings, are you saying you are happy with what they did?
With how they conducted themselves with the referendum?
Are we who are working to bring you this information doing something you value?
If these goals are "IT;" if the Board is going to brush everything under the rug and "MOVE ON; if my own personal request for an explanation from some of the Board members is going to be the WHITE WASH I have been handed because there has not been a larger response from YOU, the community....
Then maybe that is what YOU want....
I truly hope not....
________________________
Below are the phone numbers and email addresses of the Board.
Below are the links, one more time, to all of the emails and correspondence I posted regarding the Board.
____________________________
President Dave Szychlinski 414-761-3950
szychlid@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2010
Vice President Jim Ward 414-423-6264
wardj@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2009
Treasurer Sue Huhn 414-423-0009
huhns@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2008
Clerk Debbie Larson 414-761-8993
larsond@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2010
Mary Karolewicz 414-529-5195
karolewm@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2009
Jeff Traylor 414-761-7092
traylorj@franklin.k12.wi.us Term expires April 2010
Dr. Steve Patz, Superintendent
patzs@franklin.k12.wi.us
Links to all Open Records Request Emails and Other Correspondence
Email 1 Open Records Request
Emails 2, 3, 4
Emails 5,6, 7
Emails 8,9,10,11,12,13
Emails 14,15,16,17
Emails 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Emails 24,25, 26, 27,28 ,29
Emails 30, 31, 32 ,33 ,34
Emails 35-39
Emails 40-44
Emails 45-49
Emails 51-52
Emails 50-54
School Board Committee Report Part 2
School Board Community Governmental Relations Report
Emails between Dr.Ward & Janet Evans 12/29/07
Be Heard! #3-Communications Specialist??
Answer...A River In Egypt - Scott Bauer Update
Let the "Source" BE HEARD!
Updated** Can Our School Board VP Be Trusted?
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jan 10 2008, 07:05 PM
Last night at the Franklin School Board Committee of The Whole meeting I had the pleasure of being able to listen to a presentation by students from the Forest Park Middle School Music Department. They introduced to us, Technology Integration through a program called SmartMusic. The Music Department received this program through a Grant from The Franklin Educational Foundation.
SmartMusic is an interactive music practice system that includes accompaniments, exercises, and recording/burning functionality for students to archive and listen to their own work. Designed for woodwinds, brass, strings, and vocals, the system includes accompaniments for some 30,000 compositions and provides feedback on student performance as they play along. The system also allows educators to guide student practice and provides tools for assignments and grading.
Music Teacher, Cheryl Miracle, introduced us to six Jazz students, Axel Xiong, Sam Rivedal, Christine Stein, Bianca Kue, Julia Bustle, and Lauren Mather.
Axel manned the program first, and set it up with the piece Evensong (Lehman). He performed a vocal, with a microphone that was plugged directly into the program, singing as the program showed the notes on the screen. He was allowed to change the tempo of the song as he went along and did a very nice job. This was light years away from the days when we stood there with the teacher pounding away on the piano for us as we sang.
Sam, toted his tuba to the front, explaining that he had to sit on a large book because the tuba is so large. And it was! He plugged into the program and played Offenbach’s Marines Hymn, flawlessly. He actually played twice. The first time he played unaccompanied because the program was being set up. You could tell his excitement about this program, because when he was hooked up and playing while being accompanied by music and a beat from the program, his whole demeanor changed and it brought him up a level from good to excellent.
Next Christine, Bianca, Julia and Lauren played to You’re a Grand Old Flag (Cohan). Christine plugged in her flute while the other girls played along with their saxophones. The program shows, while the student is playing, red and green notes so the student can see if they are making mistakes and try to improve. We were not seeing any red notes on these practiced pieces.
Bianca also played You’re a Grand Old Flag on her Tenor Sax, also with no mistakes and Julia did a performance of Yankee Doodle (Cohan) on the Alto Sax.
Since these practiced performances were done so well, Ms. Miracle wanted to show us what would happen when a student was just learning a piece, so Lauren plugged in and played the Can-Can (Offenbach). She did have red notes pop up during her performance. The program will give the student how many notes were incorrect and a percentage rate.
I have to say, music class has come long way with technology, and we were told this isn’t even up-to-date technology. These students can use this program at home to practice, send information to their teachers, performances can be burned to CD. Music can be composed and transposed. You are allowed to see how your single instrument will sound with a backup band. It’s great!
My youngest child was at FPMS 1994-96 and there was nothing technologically available when he was in band. While he learned music and appreciation for the art, I think he would have appreciated it so much more with a program like this. These students are very fortunate to have the SmartMusic program available to them. I hope they are able to keep updating the programs in the future.
The parents of Axel, Sam, Christine, Bianca, Julia and Lauren should be very proud of the fine job they did performing at the meeting last night. They are outstanding music students and an asset to Forest Park Middle School and the City of Franklin. Cheryl Miracle is doing a nice job with the music program and the technology available to her.
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jan 10 2008, 10:22 AM
I reported on the Be Heard! Discussion portion of the
COMMUNITY/GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE meeting last night.
I want to discuss the reactions after Dr. Steve Patz gave his list of six points regarding the Be Heard! sessions and then move on the final agenda item of the evening.
After Dr. Patz announced his #6 item of the need to Move Forward in the district, he gave a few ideas/points on how he felt we could do that.
Those points were:
By putting a plan together and taking a look at future needs
Looking into a land purchase
Address the master plan of the city
What might we need in 20 years?
Again, look to the future
Go through the buildings...keep the cart ahead of th horse
It might take two years to get a building built
Look at trends
Look at the student population
Look at space needs...are they growing?
Here is something that dumbfounded me.....
Dr. Patz said, and I quote
"We never talked about redistricting. We never talked about another referendum."
What?
Did I hear that correctly?
Yes, I did.
Now at the last regular Board meeting I was at, Dave Szychlinski stated that there would not be talk of a referendum for a while, so I'm okay with that.
But, "We never talked about redistricting?"
Well, I guess it depends on the definition of what "we" is. (If I can borrow that tactic from a past President of ours.)
I distinctly heard Dr. Patz "mention" redistricting at the first Be Heard! meeting.
There is redistricting talk in an email of Dr. Ward's.
There was unofficial redistricting talk between Dr. Ward and Scott Bauer.
I guess the "we" must mean officially as a Board around the table.
I guess "we" as the public need some clarification on that statement.
School Districts "redistrict" all the time. It's a school fact of life.
I'll move on ....
Next, Mary Karolewicz said people still needed more information regarding the referendum. Many people didn't make meetings, or didn't call Board members. How do you address busy families? Busy community members? Things can get lost.
Dr. Patz said we do need to get information out. Not everyone uses a computer. Not everone reads the newspaper. People are busy. We need to utilize the parent teacher conferences, athletic events, be visable to answer questions. Venue is important.
Mary Karolewicz said this is not limited to referendum issues. All things in the district and the budget are important. We can't lose site of why we sit in these chairs. We're here for academic success too.
This is where I can just link you to her emails she sent because she started talking about the environment and advocates, and....well, it's all in here .
Dr. Patz said people want to cut taxes. They don't want taxes to rise. People will support us if we show people need. We need to show evidence.
Sue Huhn said there has to be a constant look at the Communication Plan. The Internal and the External Plan. We need to move forward. Don't repeat history. Learn a lesson from past referendums.
Patz said not to forget to reach out to the community for financial donations. The community wants to be involved.
_________________
Next we moved on the the final agenda item...the Communications Update.
Tanya Ruder had done an internet survery regarding the website. I beleive she said 221 people replied to the survey. Most of those who replied had children.
Tanya said the most disturbing issue to her was that people felt they did not receive information frequently enough.
She said perhaps in the future the district could try more tri-fold flyers, Points or Pride, continue Be Heard Sessions (they are not just regarding a referendum), Key Communicators Sessions (the website will be discussed next Wednesday). She said "we are not a perfect district."
Sue Huhn asked if there was a way to determine if the people who said they didn't get enough information were the people without children. Tanya said she could, but not easily.
Dr. Patz said there were other venues to use for surveys. Again, we need more communication.
Sue Huhn mentioned Voice Poll.
The meeting was adjourned.
__________________________
My last comments are observations of the meeting:
The first part of this meeting was The Committee of the Whole.
Our students were present.
Jeff Traylor strolls in wearing shabby jeans and looking like he just rolled off the couch.
We want students to look decent at school.
You are elected officials.
At a formal meeting , can't you dress appropriately?
I was embarrassed for Traylor.
Debbie Larson, who was on the Communications Committee, barely said one word.
She basically called the meeting to order.
Like the last meeting I was at, she sat there and scowled.
Traylor never spoke.
Can they speak?
Do they contribute?
Are they the silent minority or what? I'm just asking.
_________________________
I'll have one more report and it will be about the Committee of the Whole.
This one will be for the students.
What all of this is about in the first place....
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By Janet Evans
Wednesday, Jan 9 2008, 10:18 PM
I attended the School Board meeting tonight.
I want to inform you about the COMMUNITY/GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE meeting, which started very late, and kept citizens waiting out in the hall a very long time. I particularly want to inform you about the Be Heard! Discussion, item #2 on the agenda.
I want to say, I thought from Dr. Patz’s remarks at the actual Be Heard! sessions that discussion regarding the sessions was going to be more publicly announced. I found out about it by reading tonight’s agenda. I do not have children in the schools. If I would not have checked the agenda, where would I have heard about this discussion? Even if I had children in school I don't think I would have heard about it.
This is just what we are talking about as one of the major problems with the District and the purpose of this Committee….Communication. Perhaps this is not the official Be Heard! meeting. I don’t know. It’s a mystery to me. If not, why would there be another one? I can think of a few people that will be angry that they might not have known this was going to be discussed tonight.
Tanya Ruder, Communication's Specialist, began the discussion by stating that the Be Heard! information is on the District website. She said it “is not verbatim.” That she made changes to “make it more understandable.” I have to say, I said this back in my report on the Be Heard! sessions when I called Tanya’s repost “glorified.” I don’t believe she should be making changes to what was written at the sessions. But so be it.
Dr. Patz spoke next referring to a Memo that he must have sent to the Board. I wished there were copies of this, at least of his points he was making, as I had to do a lot of writing.
Dr. Patz pointed out five key areas, from what I will call a plethora of areas that were discussed at the Be Heard! sessions, that he felt the District needs to address. These are not quoted.:
1. The Board needs to listen to the Community.
The Community felt they were lied to.
2. Make sure the Board shares information with the Community.
It was felt there was a hidden agenda.
The “location” is a very important issue.
Also the issue of the Middle School.
3. Inform the citizens of the cost to taxpayers. People are concerned.
4. What is the money spent on building. Give the operational costs.
5. Share information with the public sooner.
Time that information was out there was too short.
Some citizens were not informed.
While Dr. Patz did elaborate a bit more on these points, is this, after three Be Heard! sessions, what everything came down to?
I have respect for Dr. Patz. I like him. I think he actually does listen to citizens. But something just seems to be missing here.
I think Dr. Patz also has to listen to his employer, the Board.
That might be why Dr. Patz added a number six that he said he felt should be there.
One that was not on the list discussed at the Be Heard! sessions.
One that I have heard him say before.
One that I have seen in emails I have received from Board members, and heard in telephone conversations.
The trouble is, the Board may be anxious for number six.
But, I think some in the community are not finished with part of the past yet and would still like some response from the Board to matters that have been brought forward.
So, here is Dr. Patz's #6.............
6. We need to move on.
Okay. We need to move on.
How do we move on if we still feel we haven’t been heard?
It sure would be nice to have an informal, group meeting where citizens could face the Board and have them respond to the questions that have arisen regarding the VoteYes flyers.
It sure would be nice to have the Board respond to questions about the Senior assembly.
It sure would be nice to have the Board acknowledge SOMETHING.
No….they want to move on.
They want us to forget.
Don’t forget.
Don’t let the Board make you forget what THEY did.
I will speak about other areas of the meeting on another blog.
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By Janet Evans
Friday, Jan 4 2008, 05:10 PM
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Below are the final emails of relevance to the referendum or Dr. Szakacs.
I'm sure if an Open Records Request was done for the months prior to April, other important information could be gathered.
The information we have read concerning the disregard of Board Members to follow the wishes of the community are very disturbing.
Several acts were committed that were against Board policy.
You, of course, must form your own conclusions about the Board and, what appears to be, their unethical behavior.
If you voted YES to the Referendum, these 50 plus emails and information from Scott Bauer and the bloggers may make you scrutinize the Board and their agenda.
There is a possibility there may be recalls of one or more School Board members.
We have an election for two new School Board members coming up.
We have important decisions to make.
___________________
#50
From: Jim Ward
To: "szakacb@franklin.k12.wi.us".internet.FPS_DOMAIN
Date: 04/20/07 3:29 PM
Subject: RE: Meeting
Hi, Bill
Did you get the job around the Twin Cities? Good Luck!Jim
>>>"Bill Szakacs" szakacb@franklin.k12.wi.us 4/20/07 11:55 AM>>>
Hello -
I just wanted you to know that I will not be at the recognition meeting on the 25th of April. I will be out of the District attending to personal business. Thank you, Bill
________________________
#51
>>>""Bill Szakacs" szakacsb@franklin.k12.wi.us 04/23/07 8:45 AM >>>
Hi, Jim,I'm a finalist for three superintendent positions in the midwest. I should know where I'm going within the next two or three weeks. Two are in Minnesota and one in Iowa. Also, interest is growing for a job in Colorado. Have a great week, Bill
_______________________
#52
From: Jim Ward
To: "szakacsb@franklin.k12.wi.us".internet.FPS_DOMAIN
Date: 04/23/07 10:33 AM
Subject: Re: Meeting
The Minnesota job sounded promising. I know they have been calling for references.
Where in Colorado? It's a nice state.
Jim
________________________
#53
From: Jim Ward
To: bauers@franklin.k12.wi.us
Date: 04/27/07 9:22AM
Subject: Inquiry
Scott,
Do you know a gentleman by the name of [blocked by district] (I think it's [blocked by district] - or something that sounds like it)?
He had called me prior to San Francisco wanting to discuss the referendum and some ideas he had. I indicated that I was leaving for San Fran and to be in touch when I returned. He left a message on my answering machine at home with only the first two digits of his phone number [blocked by district] I was going to call him and perhaps suggest that we all meet but I don't know his last name. [blocked by district] any ideas? If not, I can just wait for him to call back!
Jim
____________________
#54
From: Jim Ward
To: bauers@franklin.k12.wi.us
Date: 04/27/07 8:52 AM
Subject: Re: Committee Selections
Either way is fine. You just tell me what you prefer - I don't need to speak. Just handing the diploma will be plenty.
Whatever you are most comfortable with.
Thanks!
Jim
p.s. - from the news article...my actual quote was "I did not know the agenda or what actually transpired at the high school assembly until I asked [blocked by district]. You and I were at a meeting together. I wish they would have at least gotten the quote right - and, as you know from the e-mails, Bill and Jennifer approved the information that went to the schools from the YES committee - and distribution was never discussed with me. But, like a kidney stone, this too shall pass. I am now excited for this year. I was dreading it but I think you will be very good!
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By Janet Evans
Thursday, Jan 3 2008, 12:40 AM
#50
>>>[blocked by district] 04/04/07 4:00 PM >>> Dr. Szakacs:
I just wanted to drop you a short note as to why I voted "No" on yesterday's referendums.
My partner and I moved to Franklin from New Berlin over two years ago. We chose Franklin for its affordability, location, an strong school program.
We do not have any children, nor will we ever have any children go through the school district. Quite honestly, children terrify me. I do understand though that great school facilities do lead to better education tools, retention of staff, better classroom performance, and ultimately retained and improved property values. I understand these connections, and appreciate the school district taking a proactive approach to addressing future space concerns.
I have anticipated with the strong growth in Franklin, that we would be at some point, most likely sooner than later, have a request for a new building project.
What concerns me is that as a citizen of the district, first found out about the proposed plan for the first time via a mailing from the district about three weeks ago. In talking with my neighbors, who do have children in the schools, they stated that they have been receiving a steady stream of information via emails and letters home about the referendum for the last 2-3 months. I wish that there would have been more effort made to let me know what was going on , and how I could get more information on the process and of the proposed plans from the start.
I am not opposed to spending several million dollars to upgrade and improve our facilities. But I have reservations about doing so with so little information in such a limited time frame. Before voting "Yes" to such a request, there are several items that I would like to know more about, such as:
Location: I need to have a general idea where we are looking to build. To simply say, we have identified and are in talks with several property owners is not sufficient.
Plans and Drawings: I do not know how we can put a price tag on a construction project when we have not even seen and conceptual plans and layout, nor even know what facilities will be included.
Wants vs. Needs: Schools today ask for so much when it comes to facilities. I do not have a problem with that....you do not know what you can get until you ask! But with the planned YMCA on the eastern edge of town, and the proposed Fine Arts Center in town, as well as new or soon to be improved performance facilities in Greendale and South Milwaukee, how much duplication of these art and gym facilities will have in such a close area? What planning or discussion has there been to determine if we will have a need for all this gym and performance space, or will we just be creating glut of donation driven and tax supported facilities? In what ways can these entities work together to best utilize availability of space an costs for everyone?
Alternatives: If building new is the best way to go, that is Ok. But again, I have not hard any reasoning against additions and total remodels to our current facilities, or why these would not be cost effective. Why not build a new larger middle school for 6-8 , and then add on to, gut and revamp the high school? What are the alternative plans, and why are they inferior to the proposed plan"
I appreciate that the district is taking a proactive approach to meet the space needs of the district. I also understand the longer we wait, the more the improvements will cost. But before I vote "yes" to $77 million referendum, I will need to see more concrete planning, understand how we come to the cost, know what has been considered, understand why this plan will be the best plan, and finally, have the school district reach out to me as a non-parent resident in order to keep me informed and to get my buy-in from the start.
I appreciate your time, and look forward to the continued success of the Franklin School District.
Sincerely,
[blocked by district]
Franklin, WI 53132
____________________________________
#51
From: Sue Huhn
To: [blocked by district].internet.FPS_DOMAIN
04/07/07 3:27 PM
Subject": Why I Voted No
CC: bauers@franklin.k12.wi.us
Thank you for your comments.
I appreciate that you understand the importance of the schools in our community.
I am one of two Board members who opposed the referendum put forth to the public. My opposition was base don several factors the primary factor being that educational data does not support having one large middle school. While I know the space needs are great in our district, I could not put aside what I considered a bad educational decision for space.
The other reason I did not support the referendum is because the Board did not follow the data that told us what the community would support. Both our Citizen's Long Range Planning Committee and the community survey we had conducted by Dr. Peltier of UW-Whitewater said build a second middle school and renovate the existing middle school and high school. I have learned in all my years on the Board and two failed referenda in the early 90's, that as a Board we should listen to the public, or have really good data to support why we didn't.
I also no longer have children in our schools. I did raise the concern that not enough information was being sent to the community outside of the schools. More should have gone out to the community. I was not involved in the campaign, so I cannot really address that question. I do know that information was scheduled to go with the city's newsletter, but the city rejected the piece and that opportunity was missed.
I have a few comments on the issues you discussed below.
Location: we do not own any land that would be big enough for a new high school. We did not want to release a list of sites while negotiating with land owners. If you were a land owner and people thought your site was best, you might want to raise the price.
Plans and drawings: We had plans done for a previous referendum which failed. We were called to task for spending the money before the referendum was approved. We have not had plans or drawings done since that time, but have passed two referenda.
Wants vs needs: I don't think we can share facilities for phy ed for fine arts with other entities. The gym space is for phy ed classes. Currently we only have one gym as the high school and we have phy ed being taught in hallways and any other available apace we can find.
We need fine arts education space, currently our music and other fine arts programs do not have the appropriate space the need. These spaces were the number one non-curricular item our community survey indicated people would support. They came ion high than athletic. I know there are people trying to build a private fine arts center, but i believe the high school needs to have it's own auditorium that can be used during the day for educational purposes, assemblies, etc.
I believe students need a performance space of their own and our schools are the center of activity for the community.
The Brookfield High Schools have had issues recently with their use of Sharon Lynne Wislon Center. As the center has become more popular, the high schools have had to move their events based on the center's schedule and the price for them to use the center has gone up significantly. I don't think it is a good situation and I would not want to repeat it there. I asked the Franklin Cultural Arts group years ago if they did a study on whether there wold be enough activities to support an art center beyond what the schools might use, but was told they didn't have funds to do a study.
Alternatives: If building new is the best way to go, that is Ok. But again, I have not heard any reasoning against additions and total remodels to our current facilities, or why these would not be cost effective. Why not build a new larger middle school for 6-8, and then add on to, gut and revamp the high school?
Sue Huhn
________________________________________________
#52
From: [blocked by district]
To: "Sue Huhn" huhns@franklin.k12.wi.is
Date: 04/09/07
RE: Why I voted No
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I know your duties to the board are in addition to everything else you do, so I appreciate you taking the time to acknowledge my email...thank you!
I also appreciate you responses to my questions. The answers you provided are mostly what I expected to hear, and do for the most part, do make sense.These are the answerers and information I was hoping to hear prior to the vote.
The suggestion that we add to and renovate the existing facilities, and build and additional middle school makes a lot of sense to me, and would be a solution I wold eagerly support. The high school is somewhat centrally located as it is, and to find that much land in a similarly situated area would not be easy, nor affordable. Plus, I like the idea of have two "neighborhood" middle schools. It seems to me that having two middle schools wold help ease the progression for the students move from grad school into the high school experience. In addition, I assume the land requirements for the middle school are less, hopefully giving eh district a few more and affordable options for location.
Again I appreciate your time and commitment to the school district. I look froward to the next proposal and hopefully having more information to consider the proposal before the next yes vote.
[blocked by district]
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By Janet Evans
Tuesday, Jan 1 2008, 09:36 PM
#45
From: Mary Karolew
To: [blocked by district].internet.FPS_DOMAIN
Date 04/11/07 6:55 PM
Subject: RE: FYI - Geothermal story FDL
Stay tuned. I believe that we will probably choose a new Supt. before we tackle another referendum. I personally would like to survey the VOTERS who participated in this election. That is what I was advised to do by a former supt. who helped pass 7 of 9 referendums in his former district, but we'll have to see what Mrs. Huhn and Scott Bauer et al have in mind. I also think that if we pursue another referendum, we would be wise to do massive number focus groups and discuss multiple topics besides just 6-8 middle school issues, like raising student achievement expectations, how best to approach teaching kids in the 21st Century, do we keep comprehensive education or emphasize college prep, how design of schools affect student achievement, etc...
By the way, I apologize to you and any supporters out there for making a mess of this. The stories I could tell you if I could...Thanks for putting in time. I know that you are very busy and do not like to waste your time but hopefully all is not lost. It will be interesting what the new supt. will bring.
Mary
_________________________________
#46
From: Sue Huhn
to: "szakacsb@franklin.k12.wi.us".internet.FPS_DOMAIN
Date: 04/16/07 12:18 PM
Subject: Re: FWD: Note regarding the Yes flyers
Bill,
Do not do anything unless you have spoken to Mark Olsen. He did not thin | |
