Should Valparaiso schools go the way of most other school systems and elect their board?
Today's article in the Times suggests some public input meetings, and an interesting side note that teachers don't feel they can comment for fear of some kind of retribution, from whom? From administration?
Hearings to discuss the future of schools
BY BRIAN WILLIAMS
bwilliams@nwitimes.com
219.548.4348 | Sunday, September 21, 2008 |
The School Board on Tuesday released the final report of the community task force that met through the spring to consider future directions for Valparaiso Community Schools.
The report is available online and in hard copy at all city schools and the schools administration building. It is also at the Valparaiso Public Library, the Valparaiso University library, the Village Park Enrichment Center at Banta and City Hall.
"Neighborhood conversations" will be held at each of the elementary schools starting Oct. 1 at Parkview Elementary School. The School Board will present background information from the report and then solicit public reaction.
Each meeting is open to all residents, board President James Bernard said.
All meetings will start at 7 p.m. A further meeting also may be held at City Hall.
The task force's proposal for consideration by the School Board and administration calls for replacing three existing elementaries with two new sister schools, replacing the high school pool and updating its auditorium between 2009 and 2014 at an estimated cost of $65 million. In a second phase to 2020, two further sister schools would replace four remaining older elementaries at an unspecified cost.
Bernard said the board would be ready to discuss the substantive matters in the report and public reaction in early 2009.
School parent Christopher Pupillo urged the board to make sure the process is open to teachers' participation. Pupillo said almost two dozen teachers had told him they would not speak on the issue for fear of retribution. Pupillo said he didn't know if the fear was merely a matter of perception, but he said the community needs teachers' voices on the issue.
School Board member Mary Idstein said teachers could e-mail her comments, which she would hold in confidence.
For the report and a complete list of meeting dates, visit www.valpo.k12.in.us.
3 comments:
The mere fact that any teacher would even utter the words that they fear for their jobs should they speak out is enough to tell us the system is broke. Let's elect these positions and hold them accountable. 1 term is all they should have, perhaps 2 at the outside, but if they end up costing the tax payers more and more and are not accountable for their actions then we've just voted for Socialism and we'll have no one to blame but ourselves. Fear of retribution...doesn't happen when you know the public votes for you and the good old boys club isn't in charge.
Not so fast, I'm not sure I agree.
I think the city council and township trustee are at fault here. When was the last time they called in their appointees and laid down the "no new taxes" "we're in charge not you" law? Never
Probably time for the city council and township trustee to step up and stop passing the buck to a bunch of education appointees who are being talk down to by the Superintendant.
I compliment attorney Sarkisian for stepping out from under the "marching orders" of Benway. But this isn't Benway's fault either. His power only comes from the city council not exerting theirs.
Perception is better than reality though...great have them step up for once. Have them take a stand and tell their appointees enough is enough. The question was should valpo elect its school board...have them elected like the city counsel and you eliminate any trickle down animosity and fear.
Post a Comment