Sprague, (old google eyes) is she still a teacher as of today? If so, did she call in sick to run her campaign? I guess she puts her students first huh? Get your wallets, here we go! Expect outragous salary raises for teachers, at the taxpayers expense. More kids failing f-cat scores, who cares now we will get our money! Anyway, it's Thompson's fault, maybe Abbott fault then, how about Calabrese, could be Donovan, the parents are no good, but never the teachers fault! Yha, we won!

Gee Mr. Smith, low voter turn out? Maybe have the elections in January, February, or March. That is when the real taxpayers will be here to give you their opinion about this school board. Teachers should be thankful that the big money is upnorth now!

Paranoid ...rant much?
You always sound like the biggest idiot.

A true leader: "I thought it would be closer. People want what they want."

Hmmmmm . . .
---------

Now on to the real selection.

It's now evident, Mr. Paterno. The citizens of Collier County trust Julie Sprague to be instrumental in the education of their children!

Mr. Paterno, you'll convince few community-involved voters who are genuinely interested in the future education of our district's children that your business-based, NDN-endorsed (though experiencially-deficient) candidacy has the interests of Collier County STUDENTS at heart.

Perhaps your supporters believe that a "budget-based" School Board might support the local real-estate/business sector?

For those of us with more debt than equity, that might sound attactive.

"Yeah, reduce the CCPS budget! Make the teachers pay for their insurance! Reduce our family expenses so we can spend more money at . . . "

If that is the argument with which you "try to convince the people who voted for the 'other' candidate to vote for [you]," I suggest a business briefing.

Collier District is populated by ALL kinds of students and staffed with ALL kinds of people--not just those who belong to the the Naples Chamber of Commerce.

No offense, but why should a Collier voter cast his or her ballot for you?

What have you REALLY done to prove your support of EVERY Collier student or allegience with his or her parents--other than holding a corporately-sponsored position on a local advisory board?

It's time the concerned residents of Collier County said: "We're disgusted, and we won't take any more."

Collier County residents: Show your respect for education by permitting one of our OWN kiln-tested educators to benefit every one of our school community members.

Use your November ballot to place Julie Sprague on the Collier District School Board.

Use your vote to return respect to Collier education.

as along as abbott's out i'm happy. it's a start in the right direction to get the school system on the right track.

This is true. There could be some hope...

it's always 'baby steps' at first...

i'll bet ms. abbott feels like crap tonight. too bad..... the rest of them including king thompson should take note..... then again, maybe her losing puts the rest of them 'on notice'.

One gone, two more incompetent board members to go.

Are those two incompetent board members Carroll and Curatolo?

I'll bet Abbott regrets her votes now. She had the power and guessed wrong.

I was hoping chatty Kathy would be packing it in as well, oh well. At least Abbott departing was a healthy start to cleaning up the school board!

One down, more to go.

You would think this would send a message to the remaining that people aren't going to take this anymore.

Unfortunately, I think they are far too arrogant to get it. They will simply make the needed adjustments and push forward with Denny's agenda.

;-)

bye bye abbott, maybe you can run for the trash board, its time for change and now we will get it.

upnorth, the cost of education is nothing compared to the price for ignorance. How about letting the teachers spend time on education cihldren rather than teaching for a test (FCAT)?

Linda Abbott was unavailable for comment....

That is a first

Most people don't realize that it costs at least one and & a half times more to keep an inmate in prison than it does to educate a child, now tell me where are priorities!

Post#16 - unfortunately, that is what the state requires, not what is easier for the teachers to teach!
Post#3 - people who don't share your point of view are idiots? Another great teacher protected by tenure.
Post#4 - We are down south. I noticed you whine alot? If I stated that teachers in this county deserve 100 grand a year with 4 months off would would I be more understanding then?

Hopefully the rest of the school board realize that the voters are keeping any eye on them. Unless the school board gets down to doing the bussiness at hand by start doing what is good for the school and children they to will be voted out.

Upnorth.....your proctologist called....he found your head

Lot of very mean-spirited people here. Ever hear about gracious winners? Re: Abbott, I voted against her and against Curatolo also. They both had their time in the sun with board majorities and failed the citizens and students of CC on so many levels.

I also would guess that Abbott is probably relieved at getting out of this job. Can any of you imagine what it's like to be on the CC school board? No matter what you do, there will be vociferous bloggers against you. I really can't imagine why ANYONE would want this position. IMO, it considerably outweighs the good any electee believes they can truly accomplish.

Ethic, JOE IS WORKING! He doesn't have access to a school computer like you do! Kathy is a WINNER alright!

Now that Linda is gone it is time to get rid of Donovan! What a waste that man can be!!!!!!

Comment #1: Yes, Julie Sprague is still a teacher. She has been at work teaching her classes, and no, she is not taking time off. My daughter said that when asked by the students about the election, she told them she could not discuss it with them. It's always wise to find out facts before you spew your stupidity.

I want to know how many of us posters voted. I am shocked at how many people didn't vote. Especially considering how many opinions fly about all the school board stuff. I am personally offended by the lack of participation.
I always vote regardless because I will at least honor the countless men and women who have served to protect my right. Shame on all of you who didn't vote.

Once again the Naples Daily Enquirer manipulates the local election scene. Rick Mac would have crushed CurlyJello if the NDN recommended him. Nice campaign Rick, 10,000 locals chose you, 15,000 carpetbaggers chose CurlyJello. Wouldn't be great if Donovan quit and Rick Mac took his spot? Don't give up yet Rick. we need a local on the board

This election turned out just as I had thought it would. Abbot gone and Curotola still there. I also figured it would be hard for one of the candidates from district four to attain 50% +1 to win the election outright.

I thank all the candidates that were willing to put themselves out there to run for office. There were actually several good people running for these seats. Perhaps there will be a better time for them to run again in the future.

What I believe this election says is that people are not happy with the actions of the past 2-3 years and are demanding accountability. It is long past due for that to happen.

All I expect is a board that can act proffesional toward each other and are able to conduct the business of the school system in the best interests of the children. I also expect them to hold DrT and the entire administrative staff accountable to do their jobs propely.

The next two years or so will be very trying times with the economy and budget matters looming. Add to that the increased demands of the class size amendment and the ever changing FCAT requirments the road ahead will not be easy for whoever is elected.

Ethic - Curatolo at one point also was in the ruling majority. They did not properly use their power either. That's why I voted against her.

#37 speaking of not having a clue, How do you spell "restaurant"?

Abbott still has time to do damage to the school system before she leaves office! She will still be in office in September when it is time to vote to keep the custodians or kick them to the curb!

I voted. And, I believe that MacCluggage would have ousted Curatolo if he would not have sounded like a Thompson puppet. While we all want to clean house and start new with the school board, I think it is fair to say we don't want anybody that agrees with everything that Thompson says/does.

Oh, #31, ditto. I have a child in Sprague's class and know kids that have had her as a teacher. They like her. While I was not sure I want a current teacher on the board because of impartiality, I am starting to have a different opinion.

#34#37 If you worked for the district and MacCabbage was making statements supporting privatization ,I guess you would still vote for him. It was not what the NDN did to elect Curatola. It was the "Unions". The difference was 5,000 employees who got out the vote.

#42, glass, Abbott has her own reasons for being bitter and will as stated move to get rid of the custodians. It was her intention from the begining and so she will. However, its the last thing she will be able to do to working class folks.

good for you. Who will get you a contract? Do you intend to go in individually or except what the district gives up........

and since it seems you have a problem with Thompson. ie, a voice box for Thompson, I suppose you would rather be left to his mercies than support other employees in an attempt to bring some justice to our workplace....no disrespect intended

The people and the unions will no longer set back and take what ever the school board and, the people up in admin decide to dash out! 5,000 employees plus family members stood up and voted! School employees are voters and so are their family members and they forget that!

#50 ethic....the Teamster rep for this entire area gets paid no more than an average school teacher. He lives in a 1200 sq ft home and drives a 5 year old car. Not sure who you refer to. What do you think Thompson would give you out of the goodness of his heart? If you had a grevance that went as far as arbitration, do you have the $10,000 to give the arbitrator if you lose? If not, then I guess you should never get in trouble and pray your rights are never violated. No....for me and many others, its easier to pay twenty dollars a month to have an organization deal with management and get me some protections and a few dollars. I have discovered that most of the I don't need a union crowd just don't want to pay the dues.

With all that is going on in this election, and all that has gone on with the school board, it looks to me as though the thing we are supposed to be fighting FOR has got lost in politics. I do NOT like the way that our children are being used as political pawns in this race. We have people running for their own agenda's, AND WHO HAS SPOKE OF THE CHILDREN? Nobody. Is this a sign of things to come? When you have people running for school board just to vote on giving raises and getting rid of those that are blocking the raises (now don't get me wrong, the Teachers most certainly do deserve it and have earned it, and I would not vote for anybody who is in favor of outsourcing custodians because that is against the best interests of our children and their parents anyway), the children are being OVERLOOKED. Who has a plan for their education? ANYBODY??? Or is it all about money and power? In case you all forgot, CHILDREN FIRST. When I see somebody do that, that is who i'll support. Does nobody care about education? The children? Funny, no candidate has spoke of the ESE cuts, is there a candidate who actually wants to see children with special needs get the help they need? I'm really disappointed. I couldn't wait to see the existing school board gone because nobody was acting in the interests of the STUDENTS. Now it looks like they will be replaced with 'more of the same' anyway. Agenda-driven and self-centered. Can somebody point me to an article where a candidate actually supports STUDENTS above all else?

That's a vision. Thompson going one on one with every employee.

Talk about divide and conquer.

Is it just me or does it seem that the current school board works for Thompson?

Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

;-)

I too wanted to vote for MacCluggage but his answers sure made him look too much like he could be a Thompson puppet.

I believe that he is a very nice man with the best of intentions but he was not able to make his stances clear with me.

I don't really care that much for Curotoa myself but I don't have to like her if she will do the job that is needed. Right now what is needed is a board that will make good policy decisions and then hold Thompson and the staff accountable for completing those goals.

I hope that is what we get when all these elections are over with.

It's time that the school board makes Thompson understand that he works for them. To use a military term he needs to be asked if he is "tracking" that concept. Now that we are on the verge of having a 3-2 vote against everything he brings up, maybe he will finally get it and resign and take the chicks with him.

Post#53

So then I can assume that in Nov. you will be voting for Julie Sprague?

I'm guessing a teacher is about as close as you are going to get to having a board member with the students best interest in mind.

I have to agree ethic. I think a number of these candidates had some very good points.

I do think that we did take a big step yesterday to making some needed changes.

What I do worry about is that Abbot still has almost three months left to serve on the board. I am concerned about what damage she can do in that time. Let's hope it's minimal.

I would have voted for Joe Paterno, but who would coach the Penn State football team?

#54 ethic101; the unions did not do this alone, the general public who has been fed up for some time was a big help in this matter! The point that I was trying to make is that when you read about 5,000 employees you also have to remember that most of those employees have spouses that vote, and also have extended family members that vote! So that 5,000 number could more then double in voting power! One last thing the teamsters never told anyone who to vote for! Mrs. Sprague is in no union hip pocket!

JULIE IN NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Penn State needs Joe for the Fall Football Season.....

HA HA HA

upnorth: What do you look like? I'm sure it's not all that attractive since you are so quick to judge other people.

FYI Upnorthbaby: A teacher cannont be on the board. She has put teaching aside in hopes to make CCPS a better place for children. Perhaps you should try and help out before spewing your hatred.

I feel you're bi-polar. Some blogs are nasty like these while other blogs of yours are pro teachers. You're crazy!

those that still support abbott are truly blind. I KNOW for a fact her main concern is not the children and their successes. Her main concern is religion and appearances.

I am relieved she is out. I hope the people that are coming in will work WITH THompson (even though I can't stand him), so that the children can benefit. It's been hell in CCPS for the past few years. I'm happy I don't work there anymore.

#54..ethic, I believe the unions did dictate the outcome. They phone banked, spoke to community organizations, signed up new voters, etc etc. It was huge....as far as union money. I am republican, the Teamsters support Obama. That in itself will not cause me to drop the only help I have as an employee of this district.

Bagpiper you are right that the unions dictated this election! Unions are proactive in matters like this. Also as you said they had people phone banking, registered new voters and so no. One thing you didn’t mention was the fact that they brought things to light that the board and Thompson didn’t want out until it was too late to do anything about, like privatizing the custodians, and other deals.

I read that Thompson was on channel 20 tonight about the budget. I don’t have Comcast so no way for me to know what he has said!

Curlyjello needed a "campaign manager" to help her get re-elected? Incredible! What does that say about our high society school board. Only in Naples. Why does she remind me of Hillary?

upnorth spent a LOT of time sitting in the corner at school as a child.
That's where the bitterness and lack of common sense comes from.

FraeshFace:
I always admire your posts.
Honest and to the point. Good job.

ty indigo. I'm just venting on here :) LOL