You have got to be kidding. Beg Baker to come back and send this clown and his sidekicks packing.

Thompson said a reference check will be a key component
--------------
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does he mean the same kind of reference check they did with this "superintendent" -- NO reference check?

Or, does he mean if they have a history of teacher abuse -- like he does -- then, they're in like flint?

HA, HA, HA! Just keep laughing it up:

http://www.labbottsaysvisitrockford.b...

Next, he will outsource ESE! Then, it will be "contract" intepreters! The final straw? Elementary school teachers from India via webcam.

This is unreal.

As a Yogi might say, "deja vu all over again" boo boo.

Welcome to
C.C.P.S!

A.K.A. IL. Clownville, where custodians are working in Naples, "F" "L" but are really entirely from IL.

I'm going to be ill from this IL. Super and his new super duper custies and new princies, too.

Can we say VIOLATION of the SUNSHINE LAW?

Oh yeah, that is right Mr. New Super, you are not sure what the whole Sunshine Law is all about.

Really, it's okay Mr. Rocky from Rockford.

Now is your chance to learn about the law. It is simple and to the point, and one that you are violating on a daily basis as you chat with the future IL. crappy custies and pickled princies from Rockford....A.K.A. Roachford,IL.

We're going to build a new roach motel just for the new additions to Naples.

Welcome aboard everyone.

The new Super is also revising the employmjent application process at C.C.P.S., too.

Heard the new application is to-the-point and less complicated, too.

Compared to the old ten page infinity application, including questions of giving a blood type to teach, the new application is much more refined and easier for new applicants.

It has one question.....

ARE YOU FROM ROCKFORD?

Please check the yes or no box.

YOU ARE??????

CONGRATULATIONS new custies and princies!

Uuuuuuur YOU R NOT from IL.....maybe not Roachford, but close enough.

Now hurry up and send the rusty, crusty, funky custy resume my way so we can keep things running smoothly.

Super IL makes me ill just thinking of his pathetic practices,

Rockford Illinois in NOT in C(r)ook County, but it should be. Oh, we have the C(r)ook in OUR County NOW!
Teamsters...time to rise up and give him some grief.

EVERY Single board member needs to be replaced as soon as they can be replaced by the next election or perhaps even by the Governor.

Not surprised but this is OUTRAGEOUS. If you watch what is going on corruption wise in Illinois right now, guess this is nothing. Good news, Mr. Mudd. porno looks like a wholesome past-time for your employees compared to the obscene plot that sickens and is developing at the TAJ.

I'm speechless.

Thompson says: “We are not in the business to clean schools,” Thompson said. “We are in the business to educate children.”

You can't do it in an atmosphere filled with mistrust and contempt for staff.

What a nightmare, and thanks to the 3 stooges, we are paying dearly as tax payers! ... and pass the soap...eh, Thompson? dang, I almost said something that would surely have been removed by site staff! ^^%$&@@

As soon as I saw the headline of this article I knew without even reading it that the company mentioned had to have some connection to Thompson in Rockford. Big surprise, I was right.

Amazing. Thats all I can say. I keep thinking it can't get any more ridicules it does.

We as a community need to take control back of our school system as soon as possible. Remove each and evey school board member as soon as their seats are up for re-election. Then hopefully a new and enlightened board can conduct a proper and open search for a good superintendent.

Until this happens the situation in our schools will never improve.

So, by not being in the business to clean schools does that also mean we are not in the business to drive buses, cook food, answer the phone, supervise the playground and any of the other jobs that don't directly educate the child?

Appropriately enough, I believe there's a military term that might apply... SNAFU.

The more you learn, the more Thompson appears to stink.

Let's examine the beginning.

The hasty, costly dismissal of Baker resulting from a report completed by a ROCKFORD law firm, a firm Thompson himself recommended to Abbott after she told Thompson, and I quote, "... we don't know how to do an investigation." Lori Hoadley, remember, was Thompson's, "Sgt. Friday." That's the beginning, and it smells. Bad.

Then the 3am phone calls and trips to Rockford. Then Abbott's "change of heart." Then Donovan's "contract negotiations" slippage. Then the Rockford lackeys. Then more Rockford lackeys. Failed teacher raises. Contracts not renewed. The possible outsourcing of 250 local jobs to a ROCKFORD company... and, oh by the way, the AP grades were NOT CHANGED. This is why Baker was fired, right?

What, then, was the point?

How stupid do these people think we are? A 12-year-old special-ed student could connect these glaring dots.

This isn't about Baker. This isn't about AP classes. It's about the hostile takeover of a school district by a coy, manipulative, dubious shark from Rockford, and the downtrodden Collier minority he used to attain power... people who hated the unsaved Baker because he possessed the ability to form complete thoughts into a sentence. Because he didn't take orders from the paper-hanging bullies at NHS. Because he believed in the separation of church and state. Mostly they hated Baker because, after his lengthy career in Collier education, he knew people, including, yes, Nelson Faerber.

I've heard that the parents of NF's victim approved of the relationship. I've heard that they were paid off. All of this, of course, is conjecture, but assuming the parents knew and approved of the kid leaving school with NF... then what was Baker to do? A side point.

I'd like to make a documentary on the whole thing. From NF's suicide to Thompson's relocation of Rockford to the gulf. All the nuts on both sides. All the petty politics. All the drama. I'm telling you, this thing has Sundance written all over it.

Highlight footage from the "Status of Superintendent" meeting alone would sell DVDs.

Any investors?

Re post #14 --

I think that movie has already been made. It's either this one:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077745/u...

Or this one:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056218/

Whatever...

This is just too funny.......in a sad sort of way.

The ultimate black comedy.

FUBAR might be a better title for that movie, Leftovers.

The coincidence between Thompson's claimed "idea" for custodial outsourcing came from his "friends" in Rockford not from any unique managerial talents that he has; after a custodial contract award to his friends in Rockford are we to expect an outsourcing of food services to the local Rockford Perkins or Burger King franchisee?

Hey Thompson...
Figure out what type of man hours it takes to clean and maintain the schools. Then, look at the custodial hours and see if they are congruent. If not, then make appropriate changes. Then have one of the custodians in charge of purchasing the chemicals and tools needed, while buying on volume discounts. In addition, every month have an evaluation to the cleanliness of the individual schools. This will isolate who, what or why the standards are not being met. Finally, take appropriate actions to correct the breakdown in the system.
If you outsource the work and they stick to the same requirements, then the companies could only be higher or raise it in the future. They will charge for their additional expenses incurred and any profits they need to secure.
You don't "have to be in the business of cleaning schools." Just an efficient thinker.
The companies are giving you an estimate because they know the system is not working efficiently and they will introduce a cost less than your budget.

We are going to see more and more of this type of thing. They bottom line, saving costs by outsourcing departments so they don't have to pay any benefits. We all could be next, no medical insurance, etc. I think all the tax pages in NDN the other day is painting a bigger picture of the problems here in paradise. Maybe I should apply for one of those 40 jobs that may come open with the County. That is unless they decide to outsource them too.

Thompson IS doing this, and he IS getting away with it, and the public will do NOTHING about it!

HA HA HA

Everyone seems to assume that the devolution of Naples into Rockford South is the consequence of a bad school board. I have little doubt that a strong school board could have prevented this takeover; however, I believe that Ms. Abbott and company have been manipulated.

I don't believe that the current board members are capable of the Machiavellianism we ascribe to them. I think, as in many of the events that have occurred in our town over the years, that there's a loosely organized group, the members of which no one in the public sector knows the names of, that is calling the plays from behind the pressbox. We used to call them the town fathers. I think there are not a few mothers among them now.

These informal decision-makers have done us and our children a terrible disservice that will work us woe for years to come. They may have ruined us beyond recall with their total commitment to Thompson.

Thompson at first seemed a metaphorical match with Mack the Knife. I think the better match is with General Jack the Ripper of _Dr. Strangelove_.

We are so effete! Our union is so powerless. The Group has dropped the bomb, and we are scattered in total disarray. Can anyone or anything save us?

I told my custodian that this was happening last week, although I couldn't verify it for him. My source insisted on anonymity. We all know in CCPS that we're all on the bubble, subject to being called into the Super's office at any time and put on notice. A letter of reprimand warrants a dismissal for the next offense.

He told me yesterday that his brother-in-law owns a cleaning business and went in to apply for the contract, but was turned away.

Probably said too much here, but I just don't care any more. Go ahead and fire me!

Every day there is some sort of decision with a major impact on our community being made waaaay too quickly. The rhetoric these days is about cutting costs that don't affect the classroom.
EVERY decision that is made within the district impacts the classroom in some way. Just last week teachers were notified that grant programs that allowed for tuition waivers for National Board Certification were cut by the state-in the name of keeping cuts out of the classroom. This was a classic example of political jargon-National Board applicants go through a grueling process that actually promotes and documents excellence in the classroom. All the ranting about quality teachers...how does cutting a program like that NOT impact the classroom?
I am a firm believer in taking a look at ways to cut our costs. There is tremendous waste. Sacrifices must be made. In these troubling times, I have already seen the community reach out to my school and support their teachers and their school to help bridge the gaps that form when cutbacks must be made.
That being said-I have a very difficult time accepting exorbitant salaries for high level administrators and million dollar artificial turf, while we are considering putting 250 of our friends and neighbors out of work! I guess I am among a dying breed of individuals that still sees those workers as 250 PEOPLE...with families (including the children we profess to be so concerned about). Will the economic impact of putting 250 people out of work be factored into the cost savings? How about the stress and devastation those PEOPLE will feel? That very much impacts our classrooms and adds an emotional burden to the children affected by this.
In addition, are we considering the safety and security of our children? The turnover rate in contracted cleaning companies is very high. That means a continual stream of strangers in and out of our classrooms which house expensive equipment, confidential documents and our most precious and irreplaceable resource-our children.
Dr. Thompson, et. al-please think very carefully before you act.

The Rockford crowd is just doing to Collier schools what Rumsfeld-Cheney started doing to the Pentagon during the Ford administration.

Of course the private contractors can do it for less. That's how you create a class of workers whose compensation is too low for "Americans" to accept.

Look at the results in Iraq today. Blackwater goons, not the Marines, guarding the diplomats. Filipinos and Africans working the commissaries because "KP" is too expensive for American soldiers to perform. Halliburton spinoffs wiring the showers for our GIs. We're supposed to be happy only a dozen have been electrocuted?

Businesses do not promote communities, at least not as their first priority. Privatization schemes do not make any community stronger. Private prison managers and private school contractors like the ones scarfing up charter school contracts in ailing, impoverished districts offer a poor substitute for the application of civic will.

Our communities cannot be measured strictly by financial metrics.

Nobody likes high taxes. But why shouldn't our custodians enjoy a decent standard of life? I can promise you that I-75 will be even more crowded when the Knoxville outfit takes over. Because you know their employees will be packed into vans for the trip south from Fort Myers every day.

Is it not bad enough that the economy is going down the tubes and people are loosing there jobs and homes and now this clown wants to layoff the custodians that live in Naples to bring in an outside company that will not be putting the money back into our local economy. CC needs to put this guy out on his A#$. This is like putting Tony Soprano in control of our local government. Get this menace out of CC now. The residents in Naples need to speak out and be heard and not let this go on any further. We the people are the voice and we should demand that Thompson and his crew of thugs be removed from the CCSB. This is not about the good of our children it’s all about lining there pockets with as much money as possible then leave. The CCSB needs to be disassembled and we need to put the right people who care about our children and not how much money they can put in there pockets. Please someone tell me what good this guy has done for our schools since he has been in Naples.
IF THOMPSON IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT CUTTING COST HE SHOULD START WITH HIS SALARY.

Some of you idiots are amazing. The opportunity to save millions which could save teacher jobs or go back into the classroom and you still find some way to gripe. You just don't like Thompson and no matter what he does you will find a problem with it. Every person I have ever known that has worked in a managerial role does exactly what Thompson is doing. When you have a vendor that provides a quality product or service you will contact that same vendor at any new place of employment you move to. Some of you people need to get a clue with your Sunshine violations and conspiracy theories. As for the custodians that would lose their jobs, they have every right to apply to work with the contractor that would be brought in.

If you didn't see this one coming a mile away, get your eyes checked. My guess, the whole plan was on a piece of paper that was "lost" after a summer vacation to Rockford. This has been in the works since day one and I don't believe one word that says otherwise.

My only question - what will it take for the community to wake up, smell the coffee and say "Wait a minute!" to this type of bulldozing?

We do indeed need an exorcist. Probably Benedict himself would have a tough time with this one.

umleed would defend Thompson no matter what he does. This is OUTRAGEOUS!

We had good people in Admin, Eric Williams for example, but he had to bring in his high priced cronies from Rockford.

He "let go" a good principal, Mike Parrish, and replaced him with a crony from Rockford, and other openings just "appeared" simultaneously to allow 2 more from Rockford take positions that apparently no one here is qualified to fill. RIGHT!

Now, 250 custodians are being "let go" and SURPRISE, a Rockford company is first in line for the contract!

I have watched this community stand by and allow things like this for so long that I have lost faith in their desire or ability to stop it.

PROVE ME WRONG!

Goodsense:
Mike's replacement is from Lely High and a graduate of Barron Collier. I would agree with all else you said.

Mr. Thompson is probably getting a kick back from the company. He probably got one in Rockford, IL and is going to get one here as well. At the very least his residence will get cleaned for free.

It is amazing to think that he believes we the public can not see through this. When one person has too much authority they almost always abuse that authority. He knows that he can do whatever he wants to and there is nothing that anyone can do about it.

The problem is kick backs are hard to prove, and done very secrectly. The company or one of its administrators would write a check to Thompson or deposit funds in an account belonging to same.
Or there is probably a better way to do so that is harder to trace. Anyway there would have to be an investigation stimulated before it would be looked into.

Guess what people !
Next is HEALTH INSURANCE- GOOD BARGAINING CHIP !
Threaten to take it away or from what I heard make all employees PAY for health insurance just for themselves.Then pay more for extra benefits like DENTAL,DISABILITY,VISION,etc.etc.
Now employees pay for the "cafeteria" plan.
Projected: ALL EMPLOYEES pay for EVERYTHING.
OH? DON'T WANT THAT ???? WELL WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE AWAY ANY RAISES SO WE CAN PAY FOR THE HEALTH INSURANCE YOU ALREADY HAVE !!!
Not in the business of cleaning schools ? HELLO?HELLO? YES YOU ARE ! Just like you are in the business of keeping our schools safe !!!!
THIS HORRIBLE MAN NEEDS TO BE LET GO...ASAP

If it walks, looks, and sounds like a duck then it must be a duck.

Thompson has the authority to and does make decisions and or lend persuasion to the selection of vendors.

He hatched the plan to get rid of the 250 employees.

He most likely contacted the company in mention and had them walk the halls with him prior to the NDN article about releasing the employees.

He is from Rockford, IL.

He has brought in buddies from there.
The company in mention worked for him in Rockford, IL.

Every teacher I talk to is unhappy with him and his actions.

To think he is above reproach is a mistake. He just like any man can be corrupted by money.

Business is and will always be full of personal relationships. Kick backs are a part of business. Vendors and owners,managers, administrators,politicians, etc have always had a personal/financial relationship.

He is doing the same thing that politicians all through our country are doing. Telling the public the opposite of what is known to be reality and then expecting all to believe.

Well said leftovers!

Elnuestros....You are very articulate, and genuine.

Yes, Mike's replacement was a local.
But, how exactly did openings miraculously appear to allow 3 administrators to move down here from Rockford? That makes 3 locals who did not get a chance at advancement.

No qualified local candidates? THAT'S A LIE!

Those 3 new administrators were here for a tour at least 7 or 8 months ago. Hmm, approximately the same time the custodial contract was decided. Coincidence?

Will we allow our superintendent to openly lie to us? Apparently, we already have.

Like the block schedule enough to turn out in the hundreds at a board meeting to protest? OK, we'll keep it. LIE! The schedule being foisted on us next year is NOT the same!

Now, it's TWO HUNDRED FIFTY locals who will be thrown out. Will we allow it again?

Health insurance? Yes, I've heard that too!

NEXT?

Are we really the powerless wimps we appear to be?

WOW!

This is all reminiscent of old communist regimes where the leadership is in full control in an atmosphere of favoritism and privalege of those close to the leadership.

I hope the next school board candidates, running for office, run on a 'FIRE THOMPSON' platform, so we'll know exactly who we'll want to vote for. Getting rid of Thompson will be my main issue/priority in the next election for school board members!

Putting 250 people out of work, many whom have faithfully worked for the district for years, giving them notice, essentially at the last minute, that their substandard wages that they worked so hard for in order to support their families and children, many of whom attend Collier county schools, are about to evaporate, and, when asked about the situation, state that "I understand that there is some CONCERN, blah, blah...." These are not the thought patterns of a leader, but a conscience-less tyrant.

Consider what moral and ethical detours that Dr.Thompson has chosen to take to arrive at his present position. First, he had to ignore the most basic moral and ethical principle: Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. If he were a custodian, if things could be done more efficiently, would he not at least appreciate a chance to make them so? Second, Dr. Thompson has chosen to deceive the custodians and the public by concealing his plans for privatizing until the last minute. The local head of the Teamsters, for months, has asked about the state of things. Finally, when requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act, he received notice that the custodians' work is to be privatized. This, at the last minute, and without the chance for reconsideration or public input.

Parse Thompson's words carefully. When this issue recently came up in the media, he stated that he was "considering" privatizing custodial services. The commonly understood definition for "considering" is "thinking about," in other words, nowhere near having made a final decision. However, if one looks at the context, it becomes obvious that he deliberately chose the word "considering" to shield his actions from scrutiny. Thompson HAD been "considering" the issue for months at least, even receiving a February 11 bid from his friends at GCA. The truth is that he made the decision already. This is seen by the fact that the discussion has shifted to which private firm will get the job, not if one will get it. Now Dr. Thompson is saying that there will be a "level playing field" and that "the committee" will make the decision about which private firm to bring in. Really? Is it a "level playing field" if Dr. Thompson has his friends bid first, months before everyone else, even before announcing that he is "considering" privatizing custodial services? Is it a "level playing field" for the other companies if Thompson appears in a testimonial on GCA's website? And how about the "committee"? Are these people who operate independently without fear of making a rationally based decision, even if it goes against the preferences of the Superintendent? No! The "committee" is made up of people whom Thompson can fire at will. It is a rubber stamp, nothing more.

This disturbing pattern of skirting ethical and moral considerations and subsequent deception is obvious in Dr. Thompson. He cannot be trusted. We need a leader with a conscience.

We need a leader, period!

A leader should first and foremost build a consensus within his team.

Seen much of that here lately?

Regarding post #31;
"it's amazing he thinks the public cannot see through this"
I say he doesn't care if we can or not.
I also agree with the post that said he has a puppet master pulling the strings. He isn't sharp enough to pull this off all by himself.
What we really need to do is start putting intense pressure on the bored. As we have found, with enough pressure, they will make up a reason to fire someone.
There has to be a connection to Rockford from within the forces that be. City fathers, if you will. Follow the money, people, always follow the money!!
;-)

Once again NDN is seeking to create controversy where none need exist. (And, apparently many of you seem to be buying into it, based upon the blog traffic here today.)

GCA Services Group is a NATIONAL custodial service contractor that has operations in 35 states. Just because they worked for the Rockford (Illinois) School District does not mean that they are by any means influenced by Dr. Thompson, or are guaranteed to get the work. Rockford is one of hundreds of businesses and schools that GCA handles as part of their business, and Collier County would be just one more customer to them if they are successful in their bid for providing services.

I'm sure the initial contact of Dr. Thompson by GCA was simpmly a means of attempting to expand their busniess with someone they had worked with previously. (It's called "NETWORKING", and it happens all the time in the private sector.)

The School Board and Dr. Thompson appear to be going about this exactly the right way thus far. The article mentions a pre-bid meeting for 30 different contractors. That means that they should get some very competitive bids, and should be able to get the School District (and we the taxpayers) some bang for the buck.

Why must everyone (including NDN) make every little decision Dr. Thompson makes into a federal case? There is no controvery here, so don't make it one.

Check out their website and see exactly what they do.

http://www.gcaservices.com/

Collier County Public Schools would hardly be their biggest, most important customer, just as Rockford Public Schools isn't now. And, I'm sure that once the bidder list is released to the public, we will find other companies on that list just as large as GCA.

Whether you choose to believe it or not, this company's "link" to Dr. Thompson is purely coincidental, simply being that they were the private service company that Rockford used to maintain their schools.

There is no conspiracy or controversy here.

This is like being upnorth! Total corruption?
Even though I believe the custodians did this to themselves, I hope the bids are fair? I guess we will see soon enough. Just remember, Thompson was given this power by our board.

Re post #42 "There is no controvery here, so don't make it one."
-------

With all due respect to you, I think there IS a controversy here -- and I may be wrong, but this is what I believe:

Dennis Thompson has no written August 2007 required application on file in the admin center.

That is in violation of school district policy and procedures.

Without a written application, he can't be fired for making false and fraudulent statements on an application about his alleged degrees, work history, etc.

It seems to me that he is pretending a "personal relationship" he has with Linda Abbott means he does not need to file an application at this moment (or, perhaps, ever).

However -- others in this town, disgree, and disagree strongly.

The "others" are the ones who would FIRE HIM in a SECOND if anything on that application was false.

These people include insurance companies, banks, etc.

And, I am guessing they have already informed him: until you write a REQUIRED, CURRENT, UPDATED, COMPLETE application LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS REQUIRED TO DO, you have NO LEGAL AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH ANYONE YOU DON'T KNOW.

Thus, everyone Thompson hires has to be from:

Rockford.

That's why we have "familiar faces" from ockford now being principals.

That's why we now have a company from Rockford with an "advantage" now being considered for hire to do custodial work.

That's why more than 60 new, successful teachers, not tenured, had to be let go, because Thompson cannot LEGALLY enter into a contract with them.

That's why Thompson is demanding people REAPPLY for their jobs.

Now, I am NOT a lawyer. I DO NOT KNOW if I am correct here. I am guessing.

But, that is my guess: Thompson has been informed by some POWERFUL people in this town that he file a written application, and Thompson has refused to do so.

Thus, everyone hired has a "personal" contract with Thompson - and Thompson worked in Rockford so everyone hired is now from Rockford.

That is a pretty BIG CONTROVERSY in my book.

However, again, I do not know if I am correct, and no one has told me this.

But, I am connecting the dots here based on my layman's knowledge of contract law.

And, my professional knowledge of the importance of the REQQUIRED, CURRENT application -- which Thompson has not written nor filed in August 2007 as far as I know.

PS Enjoy my parody blog -- and the video at the bottom:

http://www.labbottsaysvisitrockford.b...

wethepeople34102 -

First, you obviously have no clue about how a RFP (Request For Proposal) works. What the School Board and Dr. Thompson are doing is entirely proper and above board.

The article plainly states that what GCA submitted in February was an "estimate", not a "bid". (And, yes, there is a difference. A considerable one, in fact.) I'm certain that the "estimate" helped to sway Dr. Thompson's "consideration" of privitizing custodial services. But, it by no means guarantees that GCA is going to be doing the work.

The article also plainly states that there was a pre-bid meeting held for 30 different contractors. Since this is public money being spent, the results of the bidding will be available to be viewed. Any collusion will be readily apparent, particularly if the apparent low bidder is significantly lower than everyone else.

Second, the decision to privitize and not to privitize custodial services for the School District falls entirely within Dr. Thompson's authority and responsibility as Superintendent of Schools. No public input is required or necessary, because that's not how the system is set up. We only get to do that for the School Board (who, incidentally, still has to approve whatever deal Dr. Thompson may eventually work out for private custodial services).

I find it highly ironic that, as much as everyone complains about how apparently fiscally irresponsible the School Board and Dr. Thompson are, when they try to do something that will save the School District money they still get hammered for it.

It is unfortunate that as many as 250 people could lose their jobs in these uncertain economic times? Absolutely. But, these days, no one is immune from that possibility as long as the economy keeps slipping.

Make up your minds, people. You can't have it both ways.

The conspiracy or controversy is being created by a clever or not so clever few. They will get what they want. They will get the trial they are asking for, because I don't think there is any possibility of Abbott and Donovan ever voting to settle, especially given the public sentiment. For Abbott, it would be fatal, an admission of guilt, whether she's guilty or not, and I think she knows it. I don't know about Calabrese. If Carroll and Curatolo vote to settle, he'll be the swing vote. Most people don't think Baker should get a dime, and I believe that sentiment has been driven home. Since yesterday's editorial, I think the writing's on the wall. Any one of those three would be chastised, ruined if they were to settle. It also doesn't matter what you read on these blogs. The public is outraged. I agree with the Naples Daily News on this but for different reasons. The trial should go forward. I think it's a slam dunk and it will. I also think when all is said and done, Baker won't get a dime. Then the Faerber trial will begin. Actually, it will be best for all concerned to have this go forward, even if it is more costly to the taxpayers.

flcertifiedteacher - I still fail to see how your ramblings relate one thing to the other.

Are you saying that because Dr. Thompson has no job application on file at the Administration Center that he is guilty of collusion with the cleaning contractor mentioned in the article?

Wow! What if post #45 is correct? Or even partially correct?

Re post #49 - I wonder the same thing myself...

Post#47- She blames Thompson, for her not having a job? Some info... All pest control is now done by a private company..because the custodians were not cleaning properly! Some schools are now privatized for A/C. There are many problems with the A/C units in the district and the a/c dept can not handle them! They privitized many painting jobs at the schools, because the painting dept can not handle them! Now the custodians? They were privitizing jobs BEFORE Thompson got here! Unions really don't have any power in a RIGHT TO WORK STATE!
Wait....next will be the maintenance dept

Gatorhater, go back and read this article again. Thompson has been in contact with GCA since at least October. All the while, the custodians have been asking about this and have been stonewalled. Only after filing a Freedom of Information Act request, was the truth let out.

All fair and above board, eh?

I guess that shows not only Thompson's character, but yours as well.

Wait a minute, how long have you been posting here?

I've got a GREAT idea!

Why not privatize the administration?

I'll bet we could get a lot better for a lot less, and have some accountability to boot.

Yes Gator, I believe that's exactly what flcertifiedteacher is trying to say. I would love to know exactly how you manged to find out that Dr. Thompson hasn't a written application on file.

It is unfortunate that 250 locals could possibly loose their jobs. However, if there is a substantial savings, and a quantifiable benefit to the district by privatizing these services, I can't see legitimate reason for this conundrum.

However, if it is proven that there were illegal/illegitimate dealings involved here, then some form of punishment, perhaps including criminal proceedings. However, such dramatics need only be considered IF it can be proven that the process was above the table.

Re pospt #54 -- I would love to know exactly how you manged to find out that Dr. Thompson hasn't a written application on file.
------

Show it to me.

Can you?

It's a public record (if the record exists).

Where is it?

That's how I know -- it's missing.

And, I also know: he's got 3 years worth of negative press from 2004-2007, both sides of the political aisle, on a local, state and national level, from education experts, parent and community groups, none of which was ever reported in this newspaper; much of which is linked on my parody blog.

Did he remember to include all this negative press on his application?

I'm waiting to see it...

And, I still haven't seen it.

Have YOU?

I find it ironic that the same people who bashed Baker (not a fan of his) for his old boy network and business conspiracies with local companies, now support Thompson's new boy network and cry no Thompson conspiracies.
The Baker regime used the same RFP procedures in place today, so if there are no conspiracies now, there could be none then. If you still believe there was corruption under Baker, than you have to believe in the possibility of corruption under Thompson.

Fine, Thompson has been communicating with GCA since October. But, can you prove that his decision to privitize custodial services has made that far back?

If people look hard enough, they can find controversy in anything. I'm willing to bet that if NDN hadn't singled out GCA, this would be a non-issue (or, since you and many of your cohorts can't seem to not make an issue out of everything, it would less of an issue than it is).

What is happening here happens commonly in the private sector. In construction, for example, general contrators have "favorite" subcontractors whom they worked with in the past, that they ask to bid every job, and who seek them out to see when the next contract is up for bid. Does this mean these "favorites" get all the work? Absolutely not! It's just a means of cultivating and growing business relationships.

Was Dr. Thompson's decision to privitize custodial services swayed by the estimate from GCA? Perhaps. Was he considering privitizing custodial services before he got the estimate? It sounds like he was, but that he wasn't necessarily leaning that way. That happens all the time in the private sector, too. Again, in construction, sometimes you will get an estimate from a company that will make you consider doing something other than what you had planned on originally, be it for smoother operations, for a cost savings, for a time savings, etc.

As far as whether or not the custodians were being stonewalled, you can make an arguement either way. Could it be that the reason the Teamsters' FOIA request wasn't initially answered was because there was nothing to give them regarding the inquiry as a decision hadn't been made yet?

Take it from someone who has to make personnel decisions regularly. If people think (or know) that their jobs are in jeopardy, the last thing on their minds is their job and doing what they are getting paid for. When their minds drift to other things, quality and production suffer. (In some instances, it even becomes a serious safety issue.)

If the quality of the job being done by the custodial staff is what prompted the thought process towards privitizing this service, do we really want the quailty dropping even further by giving them something else to think about (especially when it hasn't even been decided that it's happening for sure)?

As for character debates, let's not go there, shall we? After the way the school teachers in this community have behaved over the last several months, they don't have much room to be talking about character.

flcertifiedteacher - Have you ever included anything other than purely factual, purely positive information and references in your own job applications? Or, did you include "negative press? as well, to make sure your application was truly balanced?

PS BTW, if he DID "remember" to include his negative press on the REQUIRED by MISSING August 2007 application --

about such matters as teacher abuse, denying black kids federal money, etc --

he would ACTUALLY never have been eligible as a new hire in ANY public school district.

Rockford might have been stuck with him for another term, because they may have not been able to do a search for whatever reason, or maybe they ascribed his failings to the fact that was his FIRST superintendet job.

But is THIS PERSON REALLY the kind of person THIS district wants as a NEW hire? A "superintendent" who comes with a TRUCKLOAD of negative press from COAST TO COAST from EVERY side of the political aisle, from EVERY kind of local, state and national parent, community and education group?

That's why I believe: there's no written August 2007 application from this guy.

If he wrote one, he would have already been fired from his fraudulent omissions on it.

So -- he doesn't write one.

And, there is none.

That's my opinion.

Thompson thinks he is "above" the "law" in this school district.

But the town's Money Powers That Be -- and who DO comply with REAL LAW --
do not agree with him.

That is my opinion.

Ian_Curtis - A good deal of the corruption and mismanagement of Ray Baker has been proven and is now public knowledge. Please, if you would, provide the same type of proof of corruption and mismanagement that have occurred under Dr. Thompson.

flcertifiedteacher - Have you ever included anything other than purely factual, purely positive information and references in your own job applications? Or, did you include "negative press? as well, to make sure your application was truly balanced?
------

I am a Florida certified teacher. So, first of all:
I never applied for a superintendent job.

A superintendent is the PUBLIC FACE and LEADER of a public school district.

His PRESS as a SUPERINTENDENT is part of his PORTFOLIO -- and is REQUIRED MATERIAL INFORMATION.

Do you want the whole country to know you hired a jerk who abuses teachers?

Apparently, yes, says Linda Abbott.

flcertifiedteacher - I must admit, you do certainly spin a good conspiracy theory. You do, of course, have solid proof to back up your ramblings, right? It's not just pure conjecture concocted to support your own low opinion of Dr. Thompson and how he has allegedly pursecuted you?

You're making claims of denying federal education funding to a recognized minority group. That sounds like an awfully litigious claim to be making without hard proof.

PS That's one reason why I made a parody blog -- Linda Abbott deserves all the online attention I can give her:

http://www.labbottsaysvisitrockford.b...

SBM Maintenance Co. started in Downer's Grove, IL and was taken over by GCA Services Group. A link to the Rockford Board of Education recorded minutes from 2004 reveals the board interviewed several companies bidding for the custodial services. SBM, at that time indicated they paid their night custodians $8.25 and lead custodians $8.75 with NO benefits. Is there a link between SBM and Mr. Thompson? Google Rockford, IL outsourcing custodians for the PDF/Acrobat file.

Re post #62 - Here's ONE of MANY NEGATIVE NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT THAT:

http://www.studentsfirst.us/printer/a...

Gator;
It's true in construction a contractor may favor 1 sub over another, but it is that contractors money, not public funds. When you bid a government job you have the usual mountain of regulations that you must follow.
I am not so naive as to think that perhaps a favored sub wasn't given some inside info on what price he had to meet, but you sure as hell better not get caught.
Plus, depending on what type of government job, (City, county, state ,federal,) you have to able to prove the numbers. Maybe construction isn't the best example to use.
;-)

Gator:

I never said there was any then or now. You are making that claim. I am not defending Baker, I could care less that he is gone except for the bad replacement. All I said was the same procedures that are in place now were in place then. Therefore, if there was some corruption then, the possibility is there now. You claimed there can be no corruption because Thompson and the Board are following the district procedure. You cannot have it both ways. If the procedure prevents corruption as you claimed than there could have been no corruption before.

this has to stop! How are people allowing this? As a teacher I cannot storm in there and create chaos, but YOU CAN! I may be a tax payer, but I'd be fired immediately.

Optipess - Whether it is private money or public money, you have to be able to prove the numbers. The only difference is that the numbers are public information when public money is involved, whereas with private money that's not the case.

Collusion, which is not as common as people like to think it is, is very difficult to prove. And, it occurs more between bidding subcontractors than between subcontractor and the company letting the contract (particularly in a public sector arena). \

Even with a specifically defined RFP, the bidding subcontractors will still apply their own interpretation of the scope of work to their final bid proposal. That's where the bidding process becomes important. And, even if a "favored" subcontractor were given a "target number", that's no guarantee that they will get the job because someone without that information could still come in legitimately lower.

Collusion is a good conspiracy theory, especially for people who are looking for one. I just don't see that happening here.

This guy scares me. He's like Bush on crack. Next we'll have the military in here for pencils as weapons. This guy needs to be told to chill a little. Yes, he was hired suspiciously. yes, he's stirred the pot. Yes, he's hiring clones of himself. Yes, rockford is a pit hole where you can find much better teachers from here rather than there. Yes, he's a scary mofo, but I still was hoping he could help the kids. Instead, he's helping all of his friends from IL.

Food for thought;
I found it interesting. Go back to the front page, and under related, click on the Dixie Chick article, then go to the last post. It is from Sept 23, apparently written by a Rockford resident.
Perhaps a descendant of Nostradomus???

Ian_Curtis - Your argument is sound, but the Baker administration and the Thompson administration are mutually exclusive. One has nothing to do with the other, and assuming that one (Thompson) is something or isn't something else just because the other one (Baker) was or wasn't, is naive and shortsighted.

Mr. Baker has been shown to be guilty of many things. Thus far, Mr. Thompson has been assumed to be guilty of many things without any one offering any substantial proof of anything.

The only thing Mr. Thompson is actually guilty of thus far is being Mr. Baker's replacement. Everything else has been thrust upon him by people who wish him to be guilty of something that will justify their perhaps-mistaken opinions of him.

"Mrs. Hammond (Rockford school board)stated that it has been brought to her attention that when dealing with negotiations, Dr. Thompson has been very arrogant, intimidating, disrespectful and used foul language." Great role model. Must think he's still in the military. It's his way or the highway.

I agree collusion is hard to prove. Usually the only way to prove it is from some bitter employee.
Do we have any of those around here?
;-)

Re my post #64 --

If anyone is interested in reading MORE of the NEGATIVE PRESS ABOUT DENNIS THOMPSON FROM NATIONAL, STATE and LOCAL SOURCES, check out the following short, interactive 8 polls on the left side of my parody blog, specifically:

Poll #3 of 8
Poll #4 of 8
Poll #5 of 8

Then, try Poll #6 of 8

Feel free to vote in these polls!

Here's the URL, once more, since NONE of the ABOVE NEGATIVE PRESS was EVER MENTIONED in this newspaper PRIOR to Thompson being hired as "superintendent" here:

http://www.labbottsaysvisitrockford.b...

Are there any other school districts in Florida who have privatized their custodians?

Thank God I am retiring from CCPS on Friday, May 30th at 3 PM after 35 years of service. This is absolutely the worse mess I have seen in my 35 years here! This Board and these Rockford people must GO! How do these people sleep at night when they know how much they are disliked?! Bottom line is THEY DON'T CARE! They are not dedicated to Collier County! They are " short termers" and will move on in about 3 years and cause CHAOS somewhere else.

For some of the intellectually challenged folks here, GCA is based in Ohio, they are NOT a Rockford company. It is absolutely irrelevant when Thompson contacted them. Any good manager would look at the budget and use their past experiences and ideas to see where money can be saved. Thompson would be remiss in his job if he didn't do this but you Thompson haters will never care. For those of you with reading comprehension problems, the 250 janitors being laid have every opportunity to apply with the contractor that gets the contract. I would bet that the overwhelming majority of those that apply would get hired due to their knowledge of the schools. Some of you people really need to get a clue and realize that the way things were done has gotten this district into a mess and new people, ideas and ways of doing things need to be injected into this district.

GatorHater07:

Thanks for responding. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. The district can ask for estimates/bids in an attempt to cut costs. In fact, they owe it to the taxpayers. Additionally, Thompson can (should) consider GCA, especially since he has found them satisfactory in the past. It is good that other companies are in the running as well, assuming that each one gets a fair shake. Finally, Thompson, as superintendent, can privatize the custodial services without any public input whatsoever.

The question is not whether he CAN do all of the above, but rather SHOULD he, and if he does, HOW?

If substantial savings can be had by making custodial services more efficient, every effort should be made to make them so. Those currently delivering the services should get the first crack at it. If they fail, so be it, privatize. Thompson SHOULD give them a chance, but he has not. He is treating these people and their families as commodities, to be traded like shares in a stock market. It is HOW he is going about it that is the problem. Do you think it is okay to treat people as disposable items? Would you like to be given a chance to correct any deficiencies in your job performance or is it okay just to can you?

The irony here is that Thompson is guaranteed by contract the niceties he is not affording these people. If he does not resign, or refuse to come to work, or get convicted of a felony, the only way to get rid of him is to give him written notice of deficiencies and then six months to correct them. If he fails to do so, he can legally be terminated "with cause." Otherwise he can sue for breach of contract, just like Baker is, and win. You do not seem to have much of a problem with terminating 250 people without recourse to cut costs. How about cutting costs elsehwere? Would you also suggest that we look at the salaries of all employees and reduce those that are in the "affluent" category? Wouldn't that be in the best interests of "the children" in these "uncertain economic times" where no one is "immune" from losing their jobs? Most taxpayers would think so. So let's do it. Let's look at the salaries and cap them at the bottom of the "affluent" category which is right around $140,000 per year. Is that okay? But wait, there's a hitch, Thompson actually has written into his contract that his salary may not be reduced "without his written consent."

The other "how" problem is that he does not say what he means. He intentionally choses language that deceives. He was not "considering" privatizing, he had already made the decision to have a private company perform custodial services, just like in Rockford. The only question he is answering now, if we can take what he says at face value, is which company. That is clear. His language misleads and this is neither moral nor ethical.

wethepeople,

What deficiencies need to be corrected with the custodial service and how would you go about it?

wethepeople34102 - If the current custodial staff is not meeting acceptable standards, why should they be given yet another opportunity to do something which they have thus far proven unable to do?

I asked the question before and no one answered it, so I'll you again now: Can you prove when Dr. Thompson has made the decision to privitize custodial services?

wethepeople34102 - Here's another question for you: You're suggesting that Dr. Thompson take a 50% salary cut to show "finscal responsibility". Would you take a 50% salary cut so that your colleagues could keep their jobs?