Thompson has already cut the school nurse's hours at the elementary schools here.

Sorry kids you can only get sick on Mon., Wed. and Friday this week!

So how much more can you cut the school nurse's hours from where it's already at?

Oh, you hurt yourself lil boy? Too bad, the nurse will not be in til next week so go back to class and suffer through it.

Thompson's lack of control, lack of accountability, lack of leadership, lack of understanding of long term goals will catch up to him.

He's funny as he's trying to visit local schools to tell parents how to vote on this referendum through last minute meetings.

Like parents here don't know how to vote on an issue?

It's like watching Elmer Fudd hunting for wabbits....Shhhhh.Thompson says..we're hunting wabbit voters..who don't know how to vote....waahhhbits.

We wabbits are smarter than we look Denny Duh Elmer Fudd Thompson, and we know how to vote on this short term solution.

Voter intimidation will not work either.

Sorry but we have not cut all the fate yet! I have not heard about cutting the pay of over paid administrators or, just out right cutting out some administrator positions!

One thing is missing in Thompsons following statement!

“If the financial situation gets worse, Thompson said, the district might have to declare a financial urgency like Dade County did. This would allow the district to modify its contracts with unions to enact pay cuts to employees”. The one thing missing is the renegotiation of administrator contracts, why is that? Looks like a threat to me! Again the upper crust threatening the lower half, if you don’t do this we will do this to you! If the referendum fails to pass the upper crust should lead the way and set the example by taking the first pay cuts! Will the upper crust be so bold!

That should have been fat!

I am glad to see this committee take Thompson and the board to task on several issues. They must have struck a nerve with Thompson by the way he reacted to their statements.

The one that sticks out to me is their recommendation on researching the insurance issue. The very thing this group is recommending is what the board instructed Thompson and the staff to accomplish this past summer but they failed to complete that task.

The other thing that strikes me with this report is that this committee does not feel that the administration is not looking beyond this year on how to balance the budget. They are correct. Thompson and the board are managing by crisis and not by sound planning. It's all about what we can do today and we will address the next issue when it becomes a problem.

Over all I think this group did a very good job with their over view and with their recommendations. We can only hope that Thompson and the board will listen for a change. Personally I am not going to hold my breath.

I noticed that statement also glassman. Sure looks like a threat to me. It would not surprise me at all to see Thompson try that move as a further way to break up the unions and pit the employees against one another.

This guy is by far the worst administrator that I have ever seen.

I am hoping Dr. Thompson does not announce option # 4 where he will personally slap a teacher each week unless the referendum passes. Wasn't he against it before he was for it?

swff, I was wondering on that insurance thing also. Deja vu all over again, right!

I hope they can accomplish all of this. Personally, I'm still waiting for the board to establish the goals for the superintendent which were contractually due in January '08.

Beetle thinks Elmer Fudd Thompson and his hunting friends...like the princies from Rockford who hunted for and hit the BULLSEYE to become principals in Collier County, should leave before anyone else shoots an eye out!
This hunting party should leave now.
Us wabbits are WEALLY MAD at the cuts and this forced vote to save whatever viable education is left in CCPS!

Notice that other counties around Florida have declared fiscal emergencies and cut teacher pay, and now Thompson is threatening to do the same here.

Notice that Thompson's pay is among the highest in the state, and he gave himself a raise in July.

Remember that State law mandates a salary of about $9,000 per year for school board members and they take over $30,000.

“I have always supported more oversight by civilians,” he said. “I think if it will provide a measure of comfort to the voters, I am all for it.”

Civilians??? That's what we are? As opposed to what you consider yourself, the Imperial Guard?

Sometimes one little word lets you see the real mentality.

;-)

Thompson just got a raise & probably so did his Dixie Chicks & he wants us to give him more money to spend as HE sees fit. I think not.

Glassman....don't concern yourself with PIEFACE. The PIE is constantly implying that support service employees are not entitled to a pension, or "life time" employment. I wonder if he looks forward to a pension? I spoke to a school bus driver with 27 years behind the wheel. She is so concerned that the district administrators and board will look to rid themselves of people like her through outsourcing. She only needs a few more years to receive a pension that she has worked hard to obtain all these years. Pay no attention to PIE, his comments are meant to cause concern and pain.

and Glass, his union bashing is unwarranted. With imput from union members, the district transportation department has cut more than 3 million from its operation expenditures. Collaborative labor management experience was the key. Both sides of the operation have knowledge and understanding, when brought together can provide results. PIE is becoming outdated. Whomever PIE is, he is not collaborative, and workable solutions, not the knife is the best and fair path.

Glass, by the union and management working on solutions together, they saved as much in transportation as did the privatization of custodial services. Now, lets here PIE attack.......

I challenge the district to look beyond Rockford for help.

I picked up on the same thing you did, Glass:

"If the financial situation gets worse, Thompson said, the district might have to declare a financial urgency like Dade County did. This would allow the district to modify its contracts with unions to enact pay cuts to employees."

He has made it very clear that he does not support union based employees and this would give him exactly the reason to further demoralize the base staff.

PLEASE - vote for the amendment!!! I don't trust the board or admin. to make the best decisions with the budget. RE-READ this article carfully because the threats are there and we know at least 3 of the 4 active board members will support Thompson in his recommendations. The writing is on the wall, we have two more years before we can vote out Donovan, Carrol and Calabrese (assuming he is still on the board by then) and we may need to make a deal with the Devil until that time comes.

PIEFACE, if A state of financial urgency/ emergency is declared then every contract is up for grabs including Dr. Thompsons and yours and don’t you think that Curatolo, and witch ever new board member we get will jump on that! If you remember Curatolo voted against the hiring of Thompson, voted against paying him all that money, voted against the Dixie’s and paying them all that money!

Pieface you said: “How short your memory is. Recently at a publicly televised board meeting, I seem to remember the mention of cuts resulting in a savings of 9 million $ from the Taj”. I haven’t forgotten that, part of how that was achieved was by faring some people and cutting other peoples pay why’ll you administrators got FAT pay raises and cried out its in are contract! The right thing to of done was not to take a pay raise at all! Neither the school board nor Thompson has any plan beyond the referendum! Its hypocritical to fare people, cut pay then give your selves pay raises, and cry its in my contract!

Donovan - "The superintendent has been saying that Plan B will be this — that all non-state mandated programs will be subject to reduced funding or elimination. As he has stated to me, we are at the muscle. We have gotten through the fat and are down to the muscle”

It's a great act, isn't it? You don't even see Thompsons lips move when Donovan talks! How about we charge admission to The Circus each month (next showing 10/16) and raise revenues that way. Then we can see the ventriliquist act up live!

Steps are in the teacher contract up to a certain level, PIE. Explain how it's ok to cut those but not the administrator raises. That's essentially your message.

#9 GoodSense

Remember that State law mandates a salary of about $9,000 per year for school board members and they take over $30,000.

I can see why Donovan is saying that things will get really bad! He’s really thinking about how bad it will get for his pocketbook if he has live off a state mandated salary! Does the state have a mandated salary for appointed superentendents?

PIE, transportation is burdened with the priviledge and spoiled. There were over one thousand free riders. Every gated community and apartment complex gets service into their grounds. That does not happen in other counties. You bring the kids to the gate and they get the bus there. More time, fuel and accidents going into the priviledged domains. Bloated? perhaps...but definately not the workers at fault. Interesting how the district sdministrators talk about excess but those without voice pay for it...

frankly, the board and the administration will sell off all support employees, it doesn't mean its right. Poor leadership along the way brought us here as well as the budget. The 13.00 per hr bus driver or the 9.00hr food service person did not. Sell us off....what goes around will come around.

and PIE, you losing it....now Tuttle is lacking? You just within the last few days stated that Tuttle was good and the Teamsters needed to be more like him.....your armor is cracking PIE. Whats up?

The average support employee now realizes what the administration wants to do. After awhile, the threats don't mean much.......just do it.

The school board and the administration shouldn't be afraid of public criticism? Wrong!

Citizens shouldn't be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their citizens.

The citizens' message: do what the majority of us want, now.

One member of the committee is Mr. James Van Fleet. He is not mentioned in this article yet his eloquent letter to the NDN editor should be included in this argument.

Let's not allow umleed, joespizza, radionews, cornandbeans, pie, or gatorhater to swamp us Commenters on this one.

and PIE.....you recently called me sadistic for taking a position that support employees should begin looking for security. Move unvested pensions into their one time option, look at future employment possibilities etc. You now say companies are lining up to take support careers. You are the sadistic one. I maintain that the employees need to be alert and prepare for what may or may not come.......to do less would be foolish. Funny....you are so detached from the support workers, its amazing you know anything about them.

PIE, you know very well that selling off tenured support employees is wrong. You know that starting again with a private company will be cheaper employee wise because they can save money by hiring at a lower rate, same for benefits. I have said it before, labor and management worked together. If the budget is catastrophic, that is one thing. For you to take a positon that transportation or food service should go because they do poor work is wrong.

and, the custodians had little leadership or oversight. They reported to the Principals. Each school ran their operation differently. It was chaos. Do the research...private transportation companies do not do it better, cheaper perhaps. Cheaper because they dump all the tenured experienced employees. There is something self serving about your position. Its nbot concern for tax dollars and if your concern was for the children, you would see the wisdom in keeping tenured experienced employees. and yes, I have been in schools.

The teachers union is like every other. Different views and agendas. But then you know that...

off to the gym PIE, got to do my 4-5 miles and other things.....its good, helps keep healthy and in perspective....I recommend you try it. While running, think about the little guy, feel compassion....you'll find it uplifting....

Thompson has no base here. Even the "blue ribbon" committee is critical of his leadership. Did he expect them and the NDN to become his sycophants like Abbott and Donovan?
His foundation is not cracking -- it was never there.
As he continues to fly into the face of the wind,
it seems he is either not very smart (which no one should believe for a minute) or he is trying to get fired. That makes more sense since he has a golden parachute retirement deal not unlike Baker's. Has he purchased a home yet in this buyer's market economy? Or is he still renting?

Hey, Pie. It's way too late for you to read the complete insurance proposal now. The custodians' survival for whom it was proposed is moot.

If you wanna know, humble yourself and ask a Teamster.

PIE, how can anyone talk to those who deny....or claim no knowledge? Benchmark?....listen, I am certain that a younger person coulddo your job for less. That doesn't make it better or right. I am giving up on concerning myself with the threats....call it benchmarking or anything else. And PIE, you know I am not part of the Teamster leadership....stop the smoke.

and PIE, truly and honestly, howwouldyou and your family be feeling with now if someone above was benchmarking you? Looking at hiring someone who, in this market would do your job for 25%less. How would the thought of having to move, or give up your dreams effect you and yours? I already know the answer.....this administration does not want to work with labor. Perhaps they did at first, interest based bargaining if you may recall. That came to an abrupt end, and not of the unions choosing. We have been doing our part...

PIE, whoever you are....you are scared I think. You will follow the company line whether you buy it or not.

Lets benchmark PIE. Better yet, lets benchmark those who drove the district into this abyss. and PIE, I have not given up, no one is giving up. Simply understanding the lack of any loyalty from the administration towards its workers. Given up caring about the intended intimidations etc etc. i am simply one of those employees saught up in the intimidations and inuendo....not a leader, just a voice.

# 39 pieface

You are missing the point. The teamsters never gave the complete proposal to the CCPS. Sorry to disillusion you, but according to the document log.

Pieface, you say the proposal was incomplete, and that the logs show that, what’s to keep anyone from forging the log to make it show what they want it to show, or remove a form to make it appear as the proposal was sent incomplete! The answer is anyone at any time up in the admin center could have changed anything that they wanted to make it appear that the proposal was incomplete! Prove that this could not have happened! People lie, forge, cheat, still, omit things in this world everyday to get what they want, or get things to turnout the way they want it! Not saying that took place here!

I will be voting no one the referendum. The way I see it the ones that stand to lose the most are the school board members and the administrators up in the taj!

I'd like PIE vto come talk to the lady driver with 27 years on a collier school bus. Tell her about benchmarking and how they can replace her before retirement with a younger starting pay person. Come look her in the eye... hide at your desk someplace spueing, no conscience PIE

Look, Thompson and most of the board are egomaniacs. If they didn't come up with a good idea to bail out collier, but someone else did, they will NOT take the idea into consideration. God FORBID they take advice or ask for HELP.

They really, the lot of them, make me sick to my stomach.

PIE: thank you for FINALLY admitting that maybe, just maybe, the teachers are the most important people at a school District aside from the children. Unfortunately, the graph goes like this...
superindendent 1
Taj workers 2
principals 3
parents 4
teachers 5
assistants 6
and finally...children...DEAD LAST AROUND HERE. I have said it so many times...is a super REALLY needed? Are all of the "education specialists" at the Taj really needed? I taught them a thing or two while having been a TSA. I left there after six months. I saw what they were like. Kids last...I returned to the classroom immediately.

PLEASE HELP OUR KIDS!

MORE OF THE SAME...MCCAIN. why are you wanting more of the same, Pie? WHY?

PIE: "they taught prioritization" Who gets to teach us prioritization? Geez. Even the NDN spellchecker underlines that in red. I, too, have the whole proposal. You should, too, since you apparently are part of the regime.

Maybe the envelope "fell behind your desk" like the Bushies who want cover for their ineptness say. Of course, it's pretty inept to let something that important to so many people, so many families, so much at stake fall behind your desk. You had a responsibility charged to you by your bosses, the school board, to solicit bids. You didn't. You are no one to prioritize anyone or any list about anything.

People are suffering. Families are suffering. Kids are suffering. You blame others, but it is _you_ who are at fault.

And I say, "go to," to those who have the chief goal of feeding 250 hard-working employees to the hounds (hounds led by Secretary Paulson) so you can "save money."

I would not give you a dime for the referendum nor a dime for another insurance proposal. That should have been done before the vote to fire everyone. Go bankrupt, you FCAT/ Bush-lovers. Go down in flames.

The Eighth Bolgia awaits the likes of you. I think you ought to be with the Friars.

Pieface prove that the logs didn’t get forged (doctored), or that someone with motive didn’t remove and important part of the proposal! You say that copies were made, I say so what! Anyone can take one form out of set of documents and copy the rest and still say that the proposal was incomplete! Prove this didn’t happen and I’ll drop it! As long as you can’t prove it I will keep pounding away on this subject! Thing is you cant prove it unless you out who did it!

Again prove it didn't happen!

PIEFACE, the lady with 27 years has been part of the solution. She is making sacrifices as is most of transportation. You will be part of the solution? HA HA...you mention, MPS, benchmarking, no unions down here, custodians standing around the halls, no life time jobs etc etc. Your solution is the knife. The average busdriver and attendant wage has been cut 20%. How is that benchmark? Know any administrator who has made that sacrifice? You are not aware of what is being accomplished on the ground, nor do I expect you would care.

I for one will vote no for referendum in november!throwing more money away and no acoounatbility.The money spent for the football fields could have not been spent and then transfered out of the general funds if the referendum passed in november. Again sports before education!

PIEFACE, .... do nothing? When was the last labor management meeting? When was the last insurance committee meeting? Yes, I think yo u are scared. To be so cold and uncaring is not normal. You want to talk to a 27 year employee about benchmarking? Take orders ok, don't even try to convince me its only business.... I, like you do not control the agenda. My agenda involves colooking at compassionate solutions, read yours, no unions down here, benchmarking, no job for life, etc etc........I am really surprized at you....

and PIE, the only thing you are doing is pushing for the replacement of loyal employees. Would you like to stay with your employer? How would it feel to be benchmarked? You are talking about people....and the shame is....the little people are assisting at their sites with the budget.....while the top just sharpens their knifes. Scaring people, what is an RFP? another one out there perhaps?

and to speak of scare....most of management is scared as well. The fear does npt limit itselfto laborers, look around. Are you certain you are safe?

and another thing, had the administration been honest when it was asked whether a study was taking place regarding custodial services, the union could have had opportunity to look at solutions. The administration claimed no knowledge while GCA was measuring every facility and school....no PIE, adm wants no imput then or now. It is funny you blame the Teamsters for not taking the high road.

Pieface you still haven’t answered my question to prove me wrong! Prove that what I said is WRONG!!

I see in another article that Thompson is going to be in Immokalee to speak to parents about the referendum and to take questions from the audience at 6 o’clock on Tuesday! People should picket the meeting!

PIE, on a personal level, you did not get to me for me. I am getting near the end of my days with the district. A simple matter of age and plans. You do get to me in principle where district employees are concerned. If according to you, Baker poorly ran the district, why go after poor bus drivers and food service people? Where were the remainder of the administration when all this poor management was taking place? No, there is enough blame to share with many. PIE Iam curious, you stated "no unions down here ", are you a native southerner? HA HE HE...you are toooo funny

and, with all your 35 years experience in these type matters, I would have thought that the unions would be willing to collaborate with the district to find solutions. Alternatives are few. Employee survival is important for all.

35 years! Gee, PIE, you're old. Your priorities are not ordered correctly for someone getting close to the grave. Getting close to judgment? You drink a lot? Hope _somebody_ kisses your shoulder.

The Pan always sneeringly calls the Kettle black.

You ask: "You would blame the suffering of America's families and children on who? Me? Dr. Thompson?" Not quite. Not all America, just Naples' custodians' families and their children and grandchildren. But that's enough. One's enough.

Who is making sure kids do learn the basic hygienics of hand-washing, covering nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, carrying tissues or handkerchief? Who, besides you, is checking schools to see that they have soap in their bathrooms. Like you, I know many Public Schools that DON’T have soap regularly in the bathroom dispensers. How can we prevent germs, mold, and microbes from spreading--and teach hygiene if the schools themselves don’t comply by keeping carpets, walls, desks and air clean?

I do predict that you're gonna fry when you die. You didn't read far enough nor closely enough about hell. The friars are in Chaucer's Summoner's Prologue.

If you can read without the assistance of alcohol, look up Pope Innocent III's attack on Cathar heretics.

Aren't you a kissing-Cathar? Lots of us think you are.

You like to play hardball? Well: No block schedule? No ESE teachers? No raises for anybody outside of administration? No custodians?

Then no referendum. No Teamster's healthcare plan. No more people to fire (except you).

We are the teachers, the kids, the parents. And we say you don't deserve to be the apportioner of our billion dollar school school budget. We try to play nice. But sometimes there's nothing to do but let the alligators have their share of outlanders.

NDY:

Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself. Enough is enough.

Never thought I'd vote against the referendum, but... remember when it was first proposed and Dr. T. crossed his arms, tapped his foot, and said he didn't think he'd support it because the union was already so critical of how money was being spent (and because it was the union's idea!), that he didn't think he'd want to make decisions on more money? Then someone obviously advised him to rethink that one, and he did a 180?

Fine. I'm ready to go down with the sinking ship.

Cutting off his nose to spite his face. It's sick.

From what I read the referendum idea came from a parent and was presented through one board member, I will post the link in a minute. Parent could have been a union member. Don't know that. Don't think it was DT though.

Interesting what I heard last week from DT himself: It is my job to come up with a solution and it is the referendum. Paraphrasing, but there was no mention of the board, parent or union.

Pieman, lizzy, glassy,freshface, when it comes down to the nitty gritty, Thompson is missing the boat...he's on his own island chain smoking and hoping another ship (i.e another out-of-state job) will come and take him away from CCPS.
So after he finishes his cigarette along with all of his princies from Rockford and his buddies in administration of schools here, he'll bury his head in the sand and hide for a while until he leaves.

He will not be here much longer!
He's on his way out with Withers.

WHISPERING WITHERS didn't know what he was doing either.
It was obvious from the settlements!

From my previous post above:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/a...

even more interesting:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/a...

The newspaper may not be reporting fully. But this is interesting based on the current situation and recent posts.

In order to know for sure Parents and Taxpayers need to get more involved. I will keep bringing this up. Board meetings are a start. The admin does not want us to get involved. That is why Pieface keeps posting. More intimidation in my opinion. Enough is enough.

The school board should not let withers out of his contract. Thats the easy way out for withers and something smells fishy. All of a sudden he has a job opportunity in tampa, Too bad! Face the music and lets get some answers to the 3 a.m. phone call. The students demand better. Donovan states "we all should resign if we lose accredidation" and withers is let off the hook. The students will be the losers.Lets hold these clowns accountable for what they have done,which is nothing! Again I say pick a day for parents to pull their kids out of school and call the national media in to gain national attention to these clowns.Bring outside media in!

The referendum needs to pass. And not because of threats.

Here is the situation:

We have a pool of money in a given year - 1 billion +/- (yes 1 billion dollars)

Part of that is for Capital (new schools and such) and rest for Operating expenses - Have not dug enough to find out specifics of percentage either way (AGAIN BACK TO PUBLIC GETTING INVOLVED)

We don't need as much in Capital at this point due to reduced/declining enrollment.

Need to move budgeted dollars from Capital to Operating.

Vote for referendum and help determine where the funds go within the Operating budget. We have some time to determine that. Need to work together and stay involved.

I guess we are not alone (copied from NDN 9/26 on Lee County Schools):

Editor, Daily News:

Cutbacks are unavoidable for teachers!

In this time of economic crisis, that is what the leadership of the Lee County School Board wants all to believe. However, one board member, Robert Chilmonik, has alerted the public that this is not true.

In repeated votes against the budget and in voting against land acquisitions for schools that are not presently needed, he has shown that there is money available that could be used to prevent these cuts. Unfortunately, the rest of the board members ignore his observations, because they are more concerned with protecting the money for builders and developers who pay for their election campaigns.

It was also pointed out that the district had the ability to transfer money from capital to operating budgets, but the superintendent and other board members would not take advantage of that opportunity either.

It is clear there is money to maintain salaries and avoid personnel cuts, but other priorities seem more important to this present leadership. Education of children and maintaining staff should be of the highest priority.

One can wonder why this has been ignored and why Chilmonik, who seems to have the key, is always criticized for being right?

John E. Traube, Cape Coral

Pie, your esteem for DT's intelligence is misplaced. If he were even middle of his class at West Point, he could have figured out that firing all our custodians was a dumb idea. Your and his taxpayer-supplied salaries provide you with a fine lifestyle in Naples. You forget that "the pleasures of the rich are bought with the tears of the poor." The Man is not deaf to the cries of the poor.

What's in store for you latter-day high-priests of CCPS who practice the osculum infame?

PIE< the blog is a bit strange. Why is broken dispensers not in the realm of Plant Operator? Why do you make it seem that custodians supervised themselves? Where was management? In Martin County Florida, they privatized transportation services in 2002. All employees with 3 years or more remained county employees under the supervision of the vender. Those employees remained with the county until they retired or resigned. The vendor agreed to pay to the county the dollar value of these salaries and benefits to include FRS contributions. RFP's can be written to reflect many things. No attempt was made to do this for custodians. By the way, Martin Co took back the operation at the end of the two years.

bag, where is flcertified? I think it is possible they have changed their blog handle. Vesparent sounds like them. Blog and then put your name on it? AKA AKA....hope those were bogus threats against Gator...

PIE - thank you for clarifying re #21. Your ardent support of current administration probably colored the way I've read some of your comments. I apologize if I misread.

PIEFACE, bag has a point. The custodians had no central management. Each school ran the operation differently. Some schools were operating efficiently, others were not. Each school had their own standards and work rules. Facility's management did not direct the workforce...it was an ineffective chain of command.

PIE, I know, I do read and my eyes do see. i also believe that the adin and the unions can sit and talk about ways to help. I would hope that labor would sooner help then loose members, it just seems logical to me. It would not hurt to look at it.

Vesparent - I agree with your #77, but for a different reason...

I say, vote yes on the referendum so we can see if the board and Thompson walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

If we win the right to transfer the funds then no more major cuts, right? Hold them accountable for what they are promising and see what happens. I hold no great hopes for the right moves from this administration (board et al), they have not given me anything to trust in yet.

PIE - yes, everyone needs to "roll up their sleeves and get involved", it should be that way even when we aren't in crisis mode.

However, until the adversarial relationship that the board and Thompson has forged with the rest of the staff improves, people will be in combat mode. I speak for myself and others I work with who are in our schools on a daily basis. I have mixed feelings on the outsourcing of the custodians. But it wasn't the first issue to divide the workforce and community and it isn't bound to be the last. At least at the rate things are going around here.

and PIE, the sharing must include administrators, or there would be no credibility to the idea. Knives will bring knives and more hostility will ensue, time and energy wasted. I prsonally, would rather endure a freeze before watching more desparate people fall from the ship

whisper - I do not believe that Ves is Flcert.

Both Flcert. and Gatorhater have been mysteriously absent from this conversation. I certainly hope it isn't for being banned by NDN.

Teach, I have seen Gator a few times on other blogs, I think he is still around

Good to know, Bag. I'm surprised he hasn't been around, this is right up his alley. ;-) I hope he's doing what we all need to do every once in awhile - give the boards a break.

#90 - I agree. An across the board freeze on spending would be an easier pill to swallow than cutting from the bottom some more.

Pieface you blame the custodians for every thing that was wrong in the schools, but fail to share any of the blame with just outright bad management from the top! I spent many years in the military and have found that a squad, platoon, battalion are only as effective as their leaders! Right now no one at the top is leading, they are blaming the ones at the bottom for there bad management skills and bad to no leader ship at the top! The buck starts at the top!

Teach, it would seem that shared sacficie for awhile would be the best choice. It would be difficult to expect the three unions to make the first move...As leader, Dr Thompson should make the first move, he is the leader. It would show reconciliation and allow cool heads to excercise leadership and wisdom. If it goes no where, at least it was attempted. it is the best best direction to take for all

RE: Post 80 (Pie)

Parents need to get "involved" and understand the workings of the Board/Superintendent. Also "involved" in current and future School issues. Like referendum, New Board member vote, potential loss of accreditation and curriculum modifications. I think you know what I meant.

I probably would not even be getting “involved” if my spouse and I did not volunteer for our schools. My spouse spends about 40 to 50 hours volunteering (some of that time is working at home on various projects or at after school functions). Volunteering and school functions are where we see the issues that go above the school itself. Also a lot of our friends volunteer.

A repost of gatorhaters post which it believe to be correct.

Even if the referendum were to find its way onto the ballot in November, these funds wouldn't be available for TWO YEARS ('09-'10 school year). How does that do any good for anyone now?
We would still have to re-live this whole situation over when the teachers complain about their lack of a "proper" raise again next year when the budget situation is even worse, before these funds become available for the year after.
This is a political "band-aid", at best, simply to appease the masses. Nothing more. It would provide no immediate relief or benefit whatsoever.
#11 Posted by GatorHater07 on April 4, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with the money part only of one to two years!

PIE: Lots of parents, students, teachers and community members are involved--and they are utterly ignored. It was the clearly expressed will of nearly everyone (with a handful of not notable exceptions) that the high schools were to keep the same schedule as last year, that the DROP employees not be forced to retire, that ESE employees not be reduced, that the new reading program and extra "coaches" not be put in place, that the insurance proposals would be sought, and that the custodians and the support personnel not be fired.

Is this the way to invite community participation? And wouldn't it be a capital expenditure of far greater value than $35,000 two-way tv's, $3 million dollar football fields, and $15.5 million dollar gym facilities to have vandal-proof soap dispensers installed? I guess that CCPS wants to support those favored corporations with tax dollars.

Prioritize.

Glass, so your idea is to do nothing?

Know, not at all, to do nothing would be irresponsible! But still the fact remains that we will not see any effect, if this referendum passes for least two years! Also the statement Thompson made the other day did nothing more than tick people off! People took it as threat! Talk like that just angers people more and more! If Thompson wants the referendum to pass he should stop making inflammatory remarks to the media! As, a matter of fact he should not speak to the media at all if he wants this referendum to pass, hire a good P R person! Thompson could have spoke in this article and never brought in the ward union to get his point across, but yet he did! Every time Thompson puts (union and referendum) in the same paragraph he is only angering more people!

Most people can’t make that 3pm time schedule that the school board has their meeting set at! Also a lot of people don’t come to the school board meeting, but view it at home! Some record it and view it later.

so then I guess having the unions sit together with the administration is hopeless? If that is so, then I have to say I could do a better job of helping....and I am a small fish..........

sorry PIE, it feels to me like Thompson has no desire to talk or think about collaboration. He is the leader. Where are ego's getting things muddy? Can't help but think the order ofthe day is to privatize everyone, regardless of all else.

and you will not see a blog where I attack Thompson's or his assistants salaries. The calamity did not start with his arrival true. My problem is, be big, look past the attacks made on him et al. Look at the everyday employee who really likes and needs their job. Reach out, make it happen. If he thinks all employees are attacking him, he needs to think again. Put the ball in the unions court and see what happens, it won't cost anything...

#106 and 107.
The 3pm time does make it difficult for most. You would think that if the board really did want to hear from the public they would consider another timeframe. Or stagger every other meeting to a night, or even Saturday meeting. Most young kids get off the bus at ~3pm.
I don't think a thousand people need to attend the meetings. Would not hurt, but not realistic. The small sampling of citizens at the meetings I attended represented the majority quite well. However, more is better and adjusting meeting times would help. If in fact a 1000 people at the meeting would get the board to listen, maybe that should be our goal.

PIE, my approach? What is my approach? Solution sooner rather than later? On one hand you sound soewhat open minded, on the next closed. What are you saying?

#106 Posted by PIEFACE

not a direct quote but "10% voter turnout, check and mate!".

Bag, Read post 80, 97 then 101. I see what you are saying. I think PIE's approach changes depending on the awareness and determination of the blogger.

It would be nice if input from the public was listened to more often than every two years (10% from mimibucks comment).

Nov. 4th this year. Then 2010. There are many that do care, but are afraid. They don't want to even post. Teachers included. If a parent or teacher wants to contribute to this subject I will back you up. Your opinion counts.

Thanks

wow piper, you do have PIE on the defence! can't even agree with him! oops did i miss by a percentage point? want to go back to the CCPS budget? maybe thats why Collier is in this mess!
you had to use a calculator to figure 10%?

come on, the Board won this one but no more money for CCPS! like ya never transfered funds from Capitol before. how is the District gonna pay the Morgage? did the voters approve all the loans taken out by CCPS? who is the Collier County School Board INC? where did the increase to Maintinance come from? just for giggles how about quoting a