BREAKING NEWS: ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATION FOR WICOMICO COUNTY BEING DRAFTED RIGHT NOW
Legislators in Annapolis are diligently working on drafting a Bill TODAY in Annapolis for an elected school board for Wicomico County as I write this. Once presented, a public meeting will take place in the County for public consideration. For once we not only have the proper legislators in place, there's actually a strong possibility this will pass. For far too long John Fredericksen has been steamrolling citizens of the County with false information and it's high time he become accountable. Originally posted at 11:30 am on 1-27-15
There is no way anyone can try and thwart an elected school board.
Even die hard Democrats want an elected school board. Those politicians that stand-up and attempt to circumvent the elected school board effort will definitely be booted out of office by 90% of our populace.
Virtually every other local has an elected school board and it is high time for Wicomico to 'fall in line'!!!
Great!!! Now Wicomico can see how difficult it is to find qualified people to run. After the glitter wears off people will still get on here trashing everyone who is on the Board. Just like other county's with elected Boards, it won;t take long for State Central Committees to beg people to run and the Governor will need to appoint someone to fill a slot.
They need to be way more accountable. They do not need an elected school board will do that. It takes somone on the school board and the admisnistration to finally stand up and do the right thing.
As I understand, this elected school board will be 5 elected positions with 2 appointed positions. The 2 appointed positions will be appointed by the County Executive and not the governor. A step in the right direction.
As many of you know I have spent many years in the service of the public as a teacher and administrator (and am indeed not a champion or supporter of the recent wrangling and falsehoods) , and frankly, this is better news than most of you may realize. I will withhold further commentary, but should this become reality, it will be a very serious check in a system with no balances.
I believe most voters who have any sense of how the system works will vote against this change. And no, I'm not on welfare, not a teacher and didn't vote for Obama. Think of some other names to call.
Who is going to want to go through a campaign to serve on a school board? Careful what you wish for. We will end up with a bunch of politician want a be's like Laura Mitchell.
The real stumbling block was good ole Rudy Cane...who quickly departed Maryland to become a taxpayer in Florida and Arizona after leaving us all holding the bag. Conway was not a big help with the bill, but he signed onto it in 2011.
This is great news for our county and the future of public education. It's time for something different. What we have is clearly not working. One can blame the superintendent but there are so many others responsible for the failed system. Look at the appointed board. It's lead by a retired principal who should have never been appointed much less made board president. We need an elected board who will have students interest first and not some good ole boys back. Every department needs to be analyzed just like Culver is doing now. The elected school board needs to be asking some serious questions as there is a lot of disparity. I was recently talking to someone about their child's unique needs. The Office of Special Education tried to pull wool over their eyes by saying they were individualizing the needs for their child. Guess what? They were not and its sad because the director and supervisors in this department are not honoring the spirit of the IDEA at all. They want what's best for themselves and not children. If a child needs a special program or placement make it happen! Don't tell the family you can't because you don't have staffing or money. Be honest and have some integrity. We need new leadership all the way around and truly hire people for the jobs rather than promote friends much like was done when the Coordinator of Infants and Toddlers became a Supervisor. Never advertised but moved up. It's unfortunate for all children! This is only one example of why we need an elected school board. Let's bring back integrity for all children including children with special needs!
Anonymous said... Who is going to want to go through a campaign to serve on a school board? Careful what you wish for. We will end up with a bunch of politician want a be's like Laura Mitchell.
January 27, 2015 at 6:27 PM
That's exactly what I said. These people just don't get it.
Any supervisory board should hold accountable the boss they hired to run the organization. When they lack the will to do that, folks get tired of watching it and angry at the board's willingness to be subservient to its employee.
The Superintendent is hired by and reports to the Board. That won't change.
I've lived with both elected and appointed boards; both formats have some pluses and some minuses.
Stop and ask how many citizens actually attend all board meetings now. Could probably fit in a phone booth or a kayak.
Now count the noses of all the wanna-be politicians who have come out of the woodwork to run for other local political slots in the past couple years. If four of them managed to get elected you run the risk of getting a very, very different approach.
Plus, whether elected or appointed, the board has to comply with the dictates of the state and federal depts. of education. That won't change one bit.
So, without claiming the current setup is perfect, be careful what you wish for....you might get it!
First, let me please say I am quite flattered that you would call me to service should an elected board take place. Frankly, I am humbled, but wish to address a few things. First, as a former administrator I believe the last thing we need is another one on that board should it come to fruition. Mr. Willey has already shown that his oversight is convoluted and lacking. I personally do not want to be associated with that. Rather, I would be much more willing to quietly serve (pro bono) should Mr. Culver request my services. Joe knows my pseudonym (or nom de guerre) as well as how to connect us. Should that time come, I will be happy to serve.
Another election? Oh please why would we want to subject ourselves to that? The only ones that will run are idiot politicians looking for a spring board.
Anonymous said... Another election? Oh please why would we want to subject ourselves to that? The only ones that will run are idiot politicians looking for a spring board.
February 1, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Hey Dumb Dumb, it's not another election. It would be the same election that happens the same time the Governor gets elected. Sometimes people are to stupid to vote.
Way to go Culver and Council. It's needed to happen for years. Give the voters the chance to vote it up or down.
ReplyDeleteThis is way overdue.
ReplyDeleteSomeone needs to rein in the controls of the out of control BOE.
MO money, mo money for the teachers.
ReplyDeleteAnother good move by culver.
ReplyDeleteTwo good people FOR THE PEOPLE. thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteMost importantly, Norm Goneway isn't around to confuse the deal.
ReplyDeleteThe people have spoken - they want control back from the politicians!
There is no way anyone can try and thwart an elected school board.
ReplyDeleteEven die hard Democrats want an elected school board. Those politicians that stand-up and attempt to circumvent the elected school board effort will definitely be booted out of office by 90% of our populace.
Virtually every other local has an elected school board and it is high time for Wicomico to 'fall in line'!!!
Ain't gonna happen. There is no way this gets passed by the voters.
ReplyDeleteAnd get rid of common core while we're at it!
ReplyDeleteExcellent.
ReplyDeleteGreat!!! Now Wicomico can see how difficult it is to find qualified people to run. After the glitter wears off people will still get on here trashing everyone who is on the Board. Just like other county's with elected Boards, it won;t take long for State Central Committees to beg people to run and the Governor will need to appoint someone to fill a slot.
ReplyDeleteThey need to be way more accountable. They do not need an elected school board will do that. It takes somone on the school board and the admisnistration to finally stand up and do the right thing.
ReplyDeletegood old boys school board is b.s.
ReplyDelete12:26 what rock have you been hiding under?
ReplyDeleteAs I understand, this elected school board will be 5 elected positions with 2 appointed positions. The 2 appointed positions will be appointed by the County Executive and not the governor. A step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteDear Readers,
ReplyDeleteAs many of you know I have spent many years in the service of the public as a teacher and administrator (and am indeed not a champion or supporter of the recent wrangling and falsehoods) , and frankly, this is better news than most of you may realize. I will withhold further commentary, but should this become reality, it will be a very serious check in a system with no balances.
Paladin
I believe most voters who have any sense of how the system works will vote against this change. And no, I'm not on welfare, not a teacher and didn't vote for Obama. Think of some other names to call.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first things we need to do is get rid of Freddie the Freeloader!
ReplyDeletePaladin for School board!
ReplyDeleteNeed to educate the voters on this because lies will be flying in favor of not passing this.
ReplyDeleteFredrickson can hang out with pollitt in the Nursing home.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness that Dr. Freddy will soon join Pollitt, Mackes and Beauchamp in the land of gone but not forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAnon1:50 can you please explain why people voting for a position instead of appointed is bad thing?
ReplyDelete4:22 -- Do you know if any of those bozos are now getting unemployment $$$?
ReplyDeleteWho is going to want to go through a campaign to serve on a school board?
ReplyDeleteCareful what you wish for. We will end up with a bunch of politician want a be's like Laura Mitchell.
The real stumbling block was good ole Rudy Cane...who quickly departed Maryland to become a taxpayer in Florida and Arizona after leaving us all holding the bag. Conway was not a big help with the bill, but he signed onto it in 2011.
ReplyDeleteThis is great news for our county and the future of public education. It's time for something different. What we have is clearly not working. One can blame the superintendent but there are so many others responsible for the failed system. Look at the appointed board. It's lead by a retired principal who should have never been appointed much less made board president. We need an elected board who will have students interest first and not some good ole boys back. Every department needs to be analyzed just like Culver is doing now. The elected school board needs to be asking some serious questions as there is a lot of disparity. I was recently talking to someone about their child's unique needs. The Office of Special Education tried to pull wool over their eyes by saying they were individualizing the needs for their child. Guess what? They were not and its sad because the director and supervisors in this department are not honoring the spirit of the IDEA at all. They want what's best for themselves and not children. If a child needs a special program or placement make it happen! Don't tell the family you can't because you don't have staffing or money. Be honest and have some integrity. We need new leadership all the way around and truly hire people for the jobs rather than promote friends much like was done when the Coordinator of Infants and Toddlers became a Supervisor. Never advertised but moved up. It's unfortunate for all children! This is only one example of why we need an elected school board. Let's bring back integrity for all children including children with special needs!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteWho is going to want to go through a campaign to serve on a school board?
Careful what you wish for. We will end up with a bunch of politician want a be's like Laura Mitchell.
January 27, 2015 at 6:27 PM
That's exactly what I said. These people just don't get it.
Any supervisory board should hold accountable the boss they hired to run the organization. When they lack the will to do that, folks get tired of watching it and angry at the board's willingness to be subservient to its employee.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe Superintendent is hired by and reports to the Board. That won't change.
I've lived with both elected and appointed boards; both formats have some pluses and some minuses.
Stop and ask how many citizens actually attend all board meetings now. Could probably fit in a phone booth or a kayak.
Now count the noses of all the wanna-be politicians who have come out of the woodwork to run for other local political slots in the past couple years. If four of them managed to get elected you run the risk of getting a very, very different approach.
Plus, whether elected or appointed, the board has to comply with the dictates of the state and federal depts. of education. That won't change one bit.
So, without claiming the current setup is perfect, be careful what you wish for....you might get it!
Dear 2:24,
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me please say I am quite flattered that you would call me to service should an elected board take place. Frankly, I am humbled, but wish to address a few things. First, as a former administrator I believe the last thing we need is another one on that board should it come to fruition. Mr. Willey has already shown that his oversight is convoluted and lacking. I personally do not want to be associated with that. Rather, I would be much more willing to quietly serve (pro bono) should Mr. Culver request my services. Joe knows my pseudonym (or nom de guerre) as well as how to connect us. Should that time come, I will be happy to serve.
Paladin
Another election? Oh please why would we want to subject ourselves to that? The only ones that will run are idiot politicians looking for a spring board.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAnother election? Oh please why would we want to subject ourselves to that? The only ones that will run are idiot politicians looking for a spring board.
February 1, 2015 at 12:18 PM
Hey Dumb Dumb, it's not another election. It would be the same election that happens the same time the Governor gets elected. Sometimes people are to stupid to vote.