JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
And the Beat "Down" Goes On
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/14/two-collier-school-board-members-may-have-put-accr/
It's been 21 months since the Collier County School Board was placed on warning status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; before the Hinshaw & Culbertson report and before the firing of Ray Baker.
Now we are witnessing the blame game...This board member blames that board member. What a shame. If they had spent the past 21 months actually doing what was recommended we wouldn't be in this position and thousands of kids wouldn't be facing the loss of scholarships. I fear they have done way too little - way too late.
The Naples Snooze is quick to blame Curatolo and Calabrese when in actuality it is their own lack of reporting that is more to blame. Curatolo has done more to try and inform the public and address this situation than any other board member, Carroll included. Calabrese just picked the wrong friends and when he realized just how much trouble his friends could get him into...he had a heart attack.
For months I begged the NDN staff to cover this issue. Instead they chose to sensationalize a report created by "friends of Abbott" and completely ignored the seriousness of the situation. Blame should also go to the parents who should have shown up in record numbers to demand accountability - even before Baker was fired. It's even more unfortunate our own Governor has chosen to ignore the situation as well. He has been too busy honeymooning and selling off Florida's' assets.
I have heard from professionals and education advocates from around the globe on this specific issue. Many people are watching, not just SACS. How close are we to loosing accreditation? VERY close. What will be the ramifications? SERIOUS. Could Malfeasance of Office charges be forthcoming? You Betcha!
It's been 21 months since the Collier County School Board was placed on warning status with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; before the Hinshaw & Culbertson report and before the firing of Ray Baker.
Now we are witnessing the blame game...This board member blames that board member. What a shame. If they had spent the past 21 months actually doing what was recommended we wouldn't be in this position and thousands of kids wouldn't be facing the loss of scholarships. I fear they have done way too little - way too late.
The Naples Snooze is quick to blame Curatolo and Calabrese when in actuality it is their own lack of reporting that is more to blame. Curatolo has done more to try and inform the public and address this situation than any other board member, Carroll included. Calabrese just picked the wrong friends and when he realized just how much trouble his friends could get him into...he had a heart attack.
For months I begged the NDN staff to cover this issue. Instead they chose to sensationalize a report created by "friends of Abbott" and completely ignored the seriousness of the situation. Blame should also go to the parents who should have shown up in record numbers to demand accountability - even before Baker was fired. It's even more unfortunate our own Governor has chosen to ignore the situation as well. He has been too busy honeymooning and selling off Florida's' assets.
I have heard from professionals and education advocates from around the globe on this specific issue. Many people are watching, not just SACS. How close are we to loosing accreditation? VERY close. What will be the ramifications? SERIOUS. Could Malfeasance of Office charges be forthcoming? You Betcha!
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Smoking Gun!
While the school employees, board members, parents and the community pick sides - a large festering issues remains...School Board ByLaws.
Mr Donovan has entered into two contracts representing CCPS which will certainly come back to "byte" our community.
Neola, Inc.
http://www.bytemeworld.com/docs/NEOLA%20Contract.pdf
Do yourself a favor community members and READ the new Bylaws - afterall you paid nearly $70,000 for them and are also paying to have them hosted on an external website.
The 2nd...the Ultimate Super - read it and weep!
http://wftx.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/pdf/superintendent%20contract.pdf
Mr Donovan has entered into two contracts representing CCPS which will certainly come back to "byte" our community.
Neola, Inc.
http://www.bytemeworld.com/docs/NEOLA%20Contract.pdf
Do yourself a favor community members and READ the new Bylaws - afterall you paid nearly $70,000 for them and are also paying to have them hosted on an external website.
The 2nd...the Ultimate Super - read it and weep!
http://wftx.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/pdf/superintendent%20contract.pdf
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Hate to say "I told you so"
The outsourcing of custodial staff is no surprise. It has been in the cards for a long time. I myself have been writing about it since August of 2007.
The outpouring of emotions comes from a sense of loss for our long held community spirit. The idea you could work for a business over tens years and then one day be compelled to take a nearly 50% pay cut and lose all benefits just seems wrong. It goes against the basic “cracker” creed; work hard and you will be rewarded.
FYI - GCA Services janitors typically earn $5.30 an hour with no benefits. Most janitors are employed part-time and weekly pay averages about $106. GCA Services Group was founded in 2003 by investors and private equity firms. Their rapid rise to the top is do in part to buying up independent cleaning businesses. Today, five years later, their revenues exceed $450 million dollars.
I feel compelled to make a few comments regarding this decision.
#1 – For all the union bashers…careful what you wish for.
Many GCA Services employees belong to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – the Nation’s largest labor union with membership of about 1.8 million nationwide.
SEIU is involved in labor disputes with GCA Services in several States, including a highly publicized campaign in Houston, TX.
GCA employees have been on strike in many States over the past year
SEIU is actively campaigning in all right to work States, including Florida.
As always, documentation available at http://www.bytemeworld.com/schoolboard.htm
#2 – In defense of the Custodial Staff
Many of the individuals affected have been a familiar face to teachers and parents. In fact, they often are the ONLY familiar face. Many of the long term residents have seen the teachers and staff come and go in record numbers, but the janitor was always there – year after year…many for 10-20 years.
I actually attended one of the candlelight vigils. When one of the speakers went to address the crowd, they began with – I don’t speak Spanish…the resounding cry from the custodians, SPEAK ENGLISH, WE UNDERSTAND. Most do speak English, but when facing the loss of their livelihood revert to Spanish. Chances are pretty good new custodians from GCA will not be proficient in English either. I suggest if you have a problem with this please pick up the phone and call Literacy Volunteers of Collier County and volunteer to teach English.
#3 – If Rockford, IL is any indication…media personnel should be saving their money. The rest of you CCPS employees…better get that medical problem taken care of before the new insurance kicks in.
#4 – This really has nothing to do with anything, I just found it interesting…
GCA contract replaces cleaners with robots
Portland, OR-based facility services contractor GCA Services Group™ will integrate robotic scrubbers into maintenance programs, and has signed a national purchasing agreement with Intellibot™ Robotics, LLC.
Intellibot CEO Henry L. Hillman Jr. said autonomous floor scrubbers reduce labor costs by up to 85 percent, since no operator is involved.
http://www.cmmonline.com/article.asp?IndexID=6635765
The outpouring of emotions comes from a sense of loss for our long held community spirit. The idea you could work for a business over tens years and then one day be compelled to take a nearly 50% pay cut and lose all benefits just seems wrong. It goes against the basic “cracker” creed; work hard and you will be rewarded.
FYI - GCA Services janitors typically earn $5.30 an hour with no benefits. Most janitors are employed part-time and weekly pay averages about $106. GCA Services Group was founded in 2003 by investors and private equity firms. Their rapid rise to the top is do in part to buying up independent cleaning businesses. Today, five years later, their revenues exceed $450 million dollars.
I feel compelled to make a few comments regarding this decision.
#1 – For all the union bashers…careful what you wish for.
Many GCA Services employees belong to the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – the Nation’s largest labor union with membership of about 1.8 million nationwide.
SEIU is involved in labor disputes with GCA Services in several States, including a highly publicized campaign in Houston, TX.
GCA employees have been on strike in many States over the past year
SEIU is actively campaigning in all right to work States, including Florida.
As always, documentation available at http://www.bytemeworld.com/schoolboard.htm
#2 – In defense of the Custodial Staff
Many of the individuals affected have been a familiar face to teachers and parents. In fact, they often are the ONLY familiar face. Many of the long term residents have seen the teachers and staff come and go in record numbers, but the janitor was always there – year after year…many for 10-20 years.
I actually attended one of the candlelight vigils. When one of the speakers went to address the crowd, they began with – I don’t speak Spanish…the resounding cry from the custodians, SPEAK ENGLISH, WE UNDERSTAND. Most do speak English, but when facing the loss of their livelihood revert to Spanish. Chances are pretty good new custodians from GCA will not be proficient in English either. I suggest if you have a problem with this please pick up the phone and call Literacy Volunteers of Collier County and volunteer to teach English.
#3 – If Rockford, IL is any indication…media personnel should be saving their money. The rest of you CCPS employees…better get that medical problem taken care of before the new insurance kicks in.
#4 – This really has nothing to do with anything, I just found it interesting…
GCA contract replaces cleaners with robots
Portland, OR-based facility services contractor GCA Services Group™ will integrate robotic scrubbers into maintenance programs, and has signed a national purchasing agreement with Intellibot™ Robotics, LLC.
Intellibot CEO Henry L. Hillman Jr. said autonomous floor scrubbers reduce labor costs by up to 85 percent, since no operator is involved.
http://www.cmmonline.com/article.asp?IndexID=6635765
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
He Said She Said - Who Cares?!
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/sep/16/state-attorneys-office-no-evidence-collier-school-/
According to my correspondence, the local State Attorney's office has no jurisdiction over this. So why are they still investigating and why the nasty comments?
Mon. 8/6/2007 11:48am
Dear XXXXXX,
The Office of the Chief Inspector General received a copy of your August 5, 2007 email.
I see that you are also copying the Commissioner of Education. By communicating with the Department of Education (DOE), you are contacting the appropriate state agency that may have jurisdiction over your concerns. We will refer this additional correspondence to the DOE Inspector General for review and action deemed appropriate for any issues that may fall under that office's jurisdiction. According to the DOE website, that office may be reached directly by email at John.Franco@fldoe.org.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. In the event that you have any further questions, please contact the Inspector General's office for the Department of Education directly at (850) 245-0403.
Sincerely,
Heidi Huelskoetter
Investigations Manager
Office of the Chief Inspector General
It's interesting to note the final sentence in this "memo."
"While any private party may have the right to file a lawsuit in court, such action does not in itself affect our review of the merits, or lack thereof, of a potential criminal investigation or prosecution."
Another lesson for Collier citizens...CYA - Cover your a** which Russell just did with this memo.
Do yourself a favor Collier and actually read it - they only cover what has already been released as part of the deposition.
This memo means nothing in the grand scheme of things and is just another example of the NDN creating spin where there is none.
According to my correspondence, the local State Attorney's office has no jurisdiction over this. So why are they still investigating and why the nasty comments?
Mon. 8/6/2007 11:48am
Dear XXXXXX,
The Office of the Chief Inspector General received a copy of your August 5, 2007 email.
I see that you are also copying the Commissioner of Education. By communicating with the Department of Education (DOE), you are contacting the appropriate state agency that may have jurisdiction over your concerns. We will refer this additional correspondence to the DOE Inspector General for review and action deemed appropriate for any issues that may fall under that office's jurisdiction. According to the DOE website, that office may be reached directly by email at John.Franco@fldoe.org.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. In the event that you have any further questions, please contact the Inspector General's office for the Department of Education directly at (850) 245-0403.
Sincerely,
Heidi Huelskoetter
Investigations Manager
Office of the Chief Inspector General
It's interesting to note the final sentence in this "memo."
"While any private party may have the right to file a lawsuit in court, such action does not in itself affect our review of the merits, or lack thereof, of a potential criminal investigation or prosecution."
Another lesson for Collier citizens...CYA - Cover your a** which Russell just did with this memo.
Do yourself a favor Collier and actually read it - they only cover what has already been released as part of the deposition.
This memo means nothing in the grand scheme of things and is just another example of the NDN creating spin where there is none.
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Future of Collier Public Schools
http://www.11alive.com/video/default.aspx?aid=98542
We can only hope Gov. Crist provides the same quick action as Gov. Perdue who immediately removed 4 school board members and called on the new board to address SACS concerns regarding the "transfer of power" from elected board to an appointed Superintendent.
Collier County has been on warning status since April of 2007.
At a time when all parties involved, from stakeholders to staff, should be working together to accomplish this goal - Superintendent Thompson seems determined to split us apart. From the schedule changes to the custodians, he just keeps drawing a line in the sand.
There is no reason for rash decisions. The only thing the School Board and Dr. Thompson should be focused on is securing accreditation. After 16 months they still haven't done so. If they were responsible they would be gathering support for this Novembers' ballot to move funds to provide temporary budget relief. All votes or discussions that even hint of divide and conquer should be tabled until accreditation is secured.
Should we lose accreditation there will be many parties with pie on their face, if the gators don't get them first.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Collier County - You've Been Punked!
Not sure why I can’t let this go. Maybe it’s the thousands of students who won’t be able to attend college, get scholarships or military appointments. Maybe it’s the loss of federal grants and programs to the district. Maybe it’s the loss of dedicated teachers and staff.
Here’s the bottom line…The Collier County School Board received a FAILING grade on a report issued in April of 2007 from the Region Accreditation Association (SACS.) One of the chief criticisms was the micro-managing of the district by the school board. Essentially the report indicated the voting majority of the School Board was inhibiting the success of the district by not working WITH the superintendent to accomplish goals. The report gave the Superintendent, teachers, and staff a PASSING grade.
Now here comes the Bait and Switch…
Certain School Board members got miffed and decided to create an inflammatory report to redirect blame to the Superintendent. They ensured the report received extensive media coverage and the SACS report was buried.
Follow the bouncing ball folks...Board gets bad report card...floods media with inflammatory report to throw them off from the real one...stomps their feet and cries foul until we (the citizens) let Mommy (Dr. Thompson) come in and change their grade.
Problem is, certain Board members didn’t do their homework and relied on the flawed advice of alleged “community” members with an agenda who had been jockeying for their cause in CCPS for over a decade.
First lesson for living in FL, especially Collier, “Choose your friends wisely.”
Are you ready to be punked? The SACS committee really doesn’t care who is super, who is on the board, etc…they care about what gets done…including the board working WITH the super…even though it’s not the same super reviewed in the report.
If you think firing Thompson is the answer, better take a look at his contract. Even if he is relieved as super…we have to employ him somewhere else at the same salary.
http://wftx.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/pdf/superintendent%20contract.pdf
In Bytemeworld he would be demoted to custodial staff – it would be the best $240k + this district ever spent!
On the upside, Donovan promised in the NDN to resign if we lost SACS accreditation.
Here’s the bottom line…The Collier County School Board received a FAILING grade on a report issued in April of 2007 from the Region Accreditation Association (SACS.) One of the chief criticisms was the micro-managing of the district by the school board. Essentially the report indicated the voting majority of the School Board was inhibiting the success of the district by not working WITH the superintendent to accomplish goals. The report gave the Superintendent, teachers, and staff a PASSING grade.
Now here comes the Bait and Switch…
Certain School Board members got miffed and decided to create an inflammatory report to redirect blame to the Superintendent. They ensured the report received extensive media coverage and the SACS report was buried.
Follow the bouncing ball folks...Board gets bad report card...floods media with inflammatory report to throw them off from the real one...stomps their feet and cries foul until we (the citizens) let Mommy (Dr. Thompson) come in and change their grade.
Problem is, certain Board members didn’t do their homework and relied on the flawed advice of alleged “community” members with an agenda who had been jockeying for their cause in CCPS for over a decade.
First lesson for living in FL, especially Collier, “Choose your friends wisely.”
Are you ready to be punked? The SACS committee really doesn’t care who is super, who is on the board, etc…they care about what gets done…including the board working WITH the super…even though it’s not the same super reviewed in the report.
If you think firing Thompson is the answer, better take a look at his contract. Even if he is relieved as super…we have to employ him somewhere else at the same salary.
http://wftx.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/pdf/superintendent%20contract.pdf
In Bytemeworld he would be demoted to custodial staff – it would be the best $240k + this district ever spent!
On the upside, Donovan promised in the NDN to resign if we lost SACS accreditation.
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