Stacy Gray For Board Of Education

Since I have a category entitled, “The Latest Happenings” and due to the fact that I had people contact me today asking for a recap of last night’s board meeting, I felt obligated to report back to the readers of this blog.  I’ll start with an objective summary and follow up with my reflections for those interested.

Summary-

An interim Business Administrator was appointed to replace Mr. O’Neill who’s contract is finished at the end of this month.  The interim will fill in from Oct-Dec at $425 per diem and will then be replaced by a permanent BA in December.  I am almost positive this is accurate, as this was an addendum to the agenda and I did not have the exact information to refer to, only my notes from the superintendent’s recommendation during the meeting.  A Kindergarten teacher at Central is leaving at some point in October and they will not be replacing her, rather they will use her salary plus about $2,000 to create a new vice principal position to be shared between 3 of the elementary schools.  Her present students will be dispersed to various other current kindergarten classes.  A person for this position was not yet named.  Mr. Ross stated we have the money already budgeted so why not use it.  (really???? sorry-I had to)  Rachel Green was the only board member to vote NO!  Mr. Condo revisited the renaming of Spartan Stadium which was a follow up to a presentation and suggestion at last month’s meeting by 2 gentleman that were coached by Mr. Corbi and Mr. Hawkins.  (this has also been a topic of discussion for a while now)  The board decided to name it after both and still include Spartan Stadium in the name as well.  A rendering was passed around with color choices for the lettering to be affixed to the present concession stand.  They are also looking to purchase a plaque with the dedication and a monument (I believe recognizing 300 wins and/or other prominent people that stood out and had a positive impact in DTHS sports-again from notes and conversations of board members-not on the agenda)  The projected cost of each was approximately- $5,300, $3,200, and $600 I believe.  Please look for minutes that should be approved in October for exact figures.  Next was the public portion.  I asked the board to please strongly consider the impact on the children that will be displaced to other classes.  Then there was some banter between Mr. Ross and me.  I tried to ask him to clarify why he stated he wanted to stay in Deptford if afforded the opportunity and spoke of working on a Race to the Top grant at the last 2 meetings, but is currently on the website and letterhead of Monroe Twp. as their interim superintendent.  I could tell he was not happy with me as he interrupted me before I could even finish my question and I had to ask him to let me finish the question before he answers.  He said he was unaware and upset that Monroe Twp. had put that out there.  He also informed me that he does not make $750 a day and did not beg Deptford to keep him.  I told him that his salary on my blog says $500 a day and he said yes, after I changed it.  I told him I was flattered that he was reading my blog and explained to him that I was told by several various people from those in the education community to a newspaper reporter that he was making $750 a day.  However, I cannot find his current salary ANYWHERE!  It’s not in any board minutes (even though every other employee’s is) and it’s not online.  To be fair I retracted the $750 shortly after posting it and put it back to the last quoted amount I could find which was in the GCT in 2010 when he was first hired.  This amount is $500.  I also apologized to him if this was distressing to him in any way.  So, Mr. Ross, if you are reading this, I apologize if this information was incorrect or misleading.  I am an adult and if I am wrong, I have no problem apologizing…I am human and do make mistakes.  In the spirit of due diligence an OPRA request has been formally filed so I can accurately report on his current salary.  Please note, he never offered the correct amount last night.  As far as him “practically begging” for Deptford to be patient and see if he could get an extension…..perhaps I could have said convinced, persuaded…to me it’s all semantics and I told him that was my perception and opinion of what I witnessed.  For that, I can’t apologize as it was truthfully the way it came across to me.  He stated that he has not signed a contract yet with Monroe Twp. and would still be interested in staying with Deptford if his extension goes through.  I thanked him for clarifying and the banter continued.  It was going on and on so I told him I think we need to agree to disagree!  A teacher also asked for the board to reconsider not hiring a replacement for the kindergarten teacher.  She also felt it would be a tough transition for both students and parents and that we are already top heavy with administration.  Mr. Ross disagreed and said that with the drugs and pregnancy and other problems, we need more administrators.  No one on the board commented.  A report was given by the president of the Football Parents Club on the amount raised at the Adelphia Light the Stadium 2nd Anniversary fundraiser which was $4,000+ and she thanked everyone for their support.  Those are the most pertinent points I believe and that I can recall.

QUESTIONS AND REFLECTIONS~

This is my journaling part:  First, it’s really been bugging me that the president of the board doesn’t really speak much at the meetings.  For the most part Mr. Ross or the board solicitor or BA usually address questions and concerns.  Maybe it’s just his personality, I don’t know him well enough to say.  He is kind when he calls on me during public session but I would really like to see him take control of the meetings and show a more active role as a leader.  It’s just odd to me.  In my experience attending board meetings in various districts it is usually the president that takes the reigns and runs the meetings.  Maybe it’s because he is new to the role?  It’s just been on my mind and each time I go, I expect him to step up a little more.  Maybe one of you insightful readers can offer some wisdom!  Sigh….

More importantly, I can promise you…I would NEVER vote YES to split up a class of 5 year olds 2 months into kindergarten to hire another administrator.  In my opinion it is not in the best interest of the students or parents.  I am not aware of, nor can I imagine an emergent situation at Central, Good Intent, Lake Tract/Shady Lane (not sure which of the 2 was the third school) that requires the need to hire a vice principal at the expense of those children!!!  Only 1 board member voted NO….WHAT ARE THEY THINKING????  Kindergarten is a difficult transition in and of itself for some children.  As a teacher I can tell you that in October those children are still learning routines and procedures.  I see NO BENEFIT TO THE KIDS with this decision.  I am still trying to process this one. President Wilson, if you are reading….WHY????  I don’t get it…is it lack of experience or the disconnect from not having small children in a while????  I can only shake my head….very disappointing!!!!  I imagine a lot of contentious community members at the next few meetings and rightfully so!  In addition, this teacher leaving is presumably at the top or near the top of the salary guide so if they hired a first year teacher to replace her, they’d most likely actually save money.  I feel like they just keep shelling out more and more money.

Speaking of Central…there was no follow up mentioned about the bus situation so I can’t say if that has been resolved.  I really thought after the last meeting with parents reporting their 4-5 year olds were on the bus for almost an hour and one child being put on the wrong bus, I thought there would be an update.  Maybe they followed up privately but as a community member I’d have liked to hear the follow up and/or corrective measures taken.  Mr. Laute, who volunteered to address this issue at the last meeting, left after executive session.  Maybe he will be able to update at the next meeting.  I think some of those football monuments could wait and use that money to put towards the requested aides on those buses.

My Spidey senses tell me there’s an ulterior motive as to why they are rushing to rename the stadium now and planning to do it at Homecoming on Nov. 2.   They aren’t even sure the plaques or lettering will be ready by then.  Perhaps they realize how strongly some feel about this and how hard some have fought for it.  The incumbents would sure look like heroes- 4 days before the election.  I have no problem with the name change.  I did not have the privilege to know Mr. Hawkins but have heard great things.  I was a cheerleader when Corbi was a coach and he coached my husband.  My husband has very fond memories and says, “Corbi made you a man!”  I just find the rush of it all to happen before election time a bit convenient.  Kudos to my opponents for a smooth move :)

As for the interim BA…well- all that was given was his name.  My thoughts were…why don’t they just have the assistant BA fill in for the next 2 months???  She just did that for the month of August while the current interim BA was not there….I think vacation but not sure??!!  They could give her a smaller stipend instead of the $16,000+ for another interim.  It just didn’t jive.  So, I came home and googled his name and almost fell off the couch.  He just finished (at the end of August)…wait for it….at MONROE TWP.  We kind of just swapped administrators, except we are paying them, him!  It’s a small world I guess!  Well, that’s all for now…please comment, follow the blog via email and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!  The positive feedback thus far has been tremendous and fantastic and I am truly grateful for all of your support.  Be the change you want to see in the world :)