Vote NO to Proposed Policy Changes – Especially - General School Administration - Superintendent

I recently noticed a series of policy changes to be voted on at the November 2010 School Board Meeting.  Most of these changes effect board membership.  There is however, a change to School Superintendent; Policy Number 3:40. 

Please take a moment to review the the EMSD#63 Blogsite Post. 

For our mutual convenience, I have copied the original policy and the proposed policy after changes.  These documents were available through EMSD#63’s website but require work on your part.  Too bad EMSD#63 administrators didn’t think enough of their Board and Stakeholders, for the sake of transparency, to do this analysis for us.

Policy 3-40 - Current as of January 6, 2010

Policy 3-40 Proposed Change - November 2010 Board Meeting

My Side-by-Side Findings

Note: Original Policy – Unchanged Policy – Policy Change

Subheading #1: Duties and Authority

Paragraph #1:

Original

Proposed Modification

The Superintendent is the District’s executive officer and is responsible for the administration and management of the District schools in accordance with Board of Education policies and directives, and State and federal law.  The Superintendent is authorized to develop administrative procedures to implement Board of Education policy.

The Superintendent is the District’s executive officer and is responsible for the administration and management of the District schools in accordance with Board of Education policies and directives, and State and federal law.  The Superintendent is authorized to develop administrative procedures and take other action as needed to implement Board policy and otherwise fulfill his or her responsibilities.

Paragraph #2:

Original	Proposed Modification
The Superintendent may delegate to other District staff members the exercise of any powers and the discharge of any duties imposed upon the Superintendent by Board of Education policies or by Board vote.  The delegation of power or duty, however, shall not relieve the Superintendent of responsibility for the action that was delegated.	The Superintendent may delegate to other District staff members the exercise of any powers and the discharge of any duties imposed upon the Superintendent by Board of Education policies or by Board vote.  The delegation of power or duty, however, shall not relieve the Superintendent of responsibility for the action that was delegated.

Subheading #2: Qualifications and Appointment

Paragraph #1:

Original	Proposed Modification
The Superintendent shall have the experience and the skills necessary to work effectively with the Board of Education, District employees, students, and the community.  The Superintendent shall have a valid administrative certificate and superintendent’s endorsement issued by the State Certification Board.	The Superintendent must be of good character and of unquestionable morals and integrity.  The Superintendent shall have the experience and the skills necessary to work effectively with the Board of Education, District employees, students, and the community.  The Superintendent shall have a valid administrative certificate and superintendent’s endorsement issued by the State Certification Board.

Paragraph #2:

Original	Proposed Modification
When the office of the Superintendent becomes vacant, the Board of Education will conduct a search to find the most capable person for the position.  Qualified staff members who apply for the position will be considered for the vacancy.	This paragraph has been removed.

Subheading #3: Evaluation

Paragraph #1:

Original

Proposed Modification

The Board of Education will evaluate the Superintendent’s performance and effectiveness according to the terms contained in the Superintendent’s employment agreement.  A specific time should be designated for a formal evaluation session with all Board of Education members present.  The evaluation should include a discussion of professional strengths as well as performance areas needing improvement.

The Board will evaluate, at least annually, the Superintendent’s performance and effectiveness, using standards and objectives developed by the Superintendent and Board that are consistent with the Board’s policies and the Superintendent’s contract. A specific time should be designated for a formal evaluation session with all Board members present.  The evaluation should include a discussion of professional strengths as well as performance areas needing improvement.

Paragraph #2:

Original	Proposed Modification
No corresponding paragraph exists.	The Superintendent shall annually present evidence of professional growth through attendance at educational conferences, in-service training, or similar continuing education pursuits.

Subheading #5: Compensation and Benefits

Paragraph #1:

Original	Proposed Modification
The Board of Education and the Superintendent shall enter into a contract that conforms to this policy and State law.  The contract shall govern the employment relationship between the Board of Education and the Superintendent.	The Board of Education and the Superintendent shall enter into a contract that conforms to this policy and State law. The contract shall govern the employment relationship between the Board of Education and the Superintendent.  The terms of the Superintendent’s employment agreement, when in conflict with this policy, shall control.

Note: The original policy statement included “legal references, cross references, date of initial policy adoption and date of last revision.  The dates of initial policy adoption and revision are missing in the revision. 

Questions

Number	Question
1	Subheading #2: Qualifications and Appointment Paragraph #1: Who is to define what is “good character” or “unquestionable morals and integrity”?  Who’s moral standard shall we use?  Does this Board of Education have the moral or legal authority to perform this task?  I think not!  What happens to the board/employee relationship if the definition of these standards change?  Shall we have a gay Superintendent today but terminate her or him next year because the majority of the Board changes their definition of “good character” or “unquestionable morals and integrity”?  How will this policy protect their individual rights? Don’t even think of going there!
2	Subheading #2: Qualifications and Appointment Paragraph #2: If the Board of Education relinquishes it’s authority and responsibility to conduct a search for a new Superintendent, then who will? Is this Board of Education suggesting that some unelected outside agency  perform this duty?  If the Board of Education members believe themselves incapable or unwilling to perform their duty, they need to quit.  I reviewed their new proposed Policy # 2:20, “Powers and Duties of the Board of Education”.  The existing or proposed policy statements do not answer my question or relieve these Board Members of this important responsibility.
3	Subheading #3: Evaluation Paragraph #2: Since when does the Board of Education have the authority to demand of a Superintendent or any District employee, as part of his/her evaluation, present “evidence of professional growth”?  The examples provided in the policy: “attendance at educational conferences”, “in-service training or similar continuing education pursuits” are TAXPAYER PAID ACTIVITIES.  Shall we be sending our Superintendent to San Francisco, San Diego or Granada Spain again? This policy statement assures never-ending taxpayer-funded trips for these questionable activities even as funds are in short supply.  And what happens when the money runs out?  Will you still demand these activities or you ignore the policy or just change it again? Lastly, the only clear evidence of professional growth worth evaluating is “on the playing field”.  How has our district performed under the Superintendent’s leadership year-to-year?
4	Subheading #5: Compensation and Benefits Paragraph #1: Since when does the terms of the Superintendent’s employment agreement fall outside District Policy?  What term(s) could possibly be in the current Superintendent’s contract to require this policy statement?

Dear fellow taxpayer,  EMSD#63’s Board of Education needs to take this Policy change off the table at this time.  Further, changes for policies: # 2:20 “Board of Education” - “Powers and Duties of the School Board”, # 2:80 “Board of Education” - “Board member Oath and Conduct”, # 2:100 “Board of Education” - “Board Member Conflict of Interest”, # 2:110 “Board of Education” - “Qualifications, Term, and Duties of Board Officers” should also be removed, rewritten and maybe reconsidered at some future date.

In Search of an El Cid or Don Quixote or Superman…

Went internet surfing up in Wausau, Wisconsin this morning.  I now take a weekly peek at the Wausau Daily Herald.  Wausau Wisconsin is a great little town in the North-Central part of the state.  As you probably recall, Wausau recently hired EMSD#63’s retired Superintendent and part time District employee/consultant/mentor.  I’m following the educational goings-on up there because I want to determine how the Wausau School District fares under their newly hired leader.

Superintendent only as good as the Board.

I have often said the responsibility for the success or failure of any school district lies directly with the district’s school board.  If a board is unfocused and passive as I believe EMSD#63’s was during the Williams years, the result will likely be unsatisfactory.

What draws me to Wausau at this time is the chance to observe this same superintendent under three totally different Boards.

Before Dr. Williams became Superintendent of East Maine School District #63, she was Superintendent in Lawrence, Kansas and of course she’s now Superintendent Wausau School District.  Both prior School Boards had their opportunity to get the best out of this administrator.  In my opinion, both Boards blew it! 

So I will continue to train a weather eye in the direction of Wausau and will comment on that situation if needed.

During my surf in “Packer Country” I stumbled onto the following blog post. I have never let my schooling  interfere with my education. Mark Twain.  This must read post gives me a bit of hope that things mightl turn out well.  Maybe, just maybe, WSD’s Board will have the right kind of sustained informed public pressure to demand and receive the best Dr. Williams can give.

Back here in EMSD#63, we’ll just have to live with the same slavish Board till the next election.

Notice

We can’t wait for our next El Cid or Don Quixote or Superman… Looking for a few good EMSD#63 citizens to run for the School Board.  No experience required, although some common sense, curiosity, integrity and leadership would be an improvement. Membership on this Board could be the most important thing you can do to guarantee a good education for your child. Email me at this site for assistance!

I have no further comment on this subject at this time.

Let’s play a game – Part One

Do you like games?  How about match games or question and answer games? 

Well I like games.  Match games and question and answer games are two of my favorites.

I’ve developed a little Match and Q&A game for us to play together .  It’s called Who’s Responsible?

Here’s how the game works.  Over the next few months I’ll present information I have uncovered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or email conversations.  I will then ask, Who’s Responsible?  For each correct answer you receive one point.  At the end of the game, sometime early next year, you’ll be the winner.

Part One contains four warm-up questions and five Who’s Responsible questions.

So, get out a sheet of paper and a pencil or pen.  After you’ve answered all the questions proceed to the Answers Table.

Let’s begin!

Question #1: What organization do the people in these pictures belong to? 

Number	Picture
. Number . 1
. Number . 2
. Number . 3
. Number . 4
. Number . 5
. Number . 6
. Number . 7

I know, that was a trick question.  Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

Question #2: In picture number order, match the Board Member Name to the picture number.

Example: #1 = Joe Smith, #2 = Jane Doe, etc.

Names: Jane Wojtkiewicz, John Jekot, Walter Gluzkin, Janet Kaczkowski, Steven Levy, Tom Simmons, Sheila Urban.

More Questions

Question #3:	Who is the President of the Board?
Question #4:	Who are EMSD#63’s longest serving Board Members?
Question #5:	Which are the Board Member(s) who unquestioningly passed the 2010-2011 Budget?
Question #6:	Who are the Board Members who approved the 5 year Williams Contract?
Question #7:	Who are the Board Members who approved the non-transparent, 1 year, no-bid, no-written-contract, $108,000 Kathleen Williams employee/consulting/mentoring agreement?
Question #8:	Who are the Board Member(s) who do business with the District?
Question #9:	Who is the Board Member who received taxpayer funded pre-meeting dinners with Superintendent?

No cheating!

Answers Table

Answer #1:	EMSD#63 School Board
Answer #2:	#1, Walter Gluzkin; #2, Sheila Urban; #3, Steven Levy; #4, Jane Wojtkiewicz; #5, Tom Simmons; #6, John Jekot; #7, Kanet Kaczkowski
Answer #3:	#4, Jane Wojtkiewicz
Answer #4:	#3, Steven Levy (13 Years); #4, Jane Wojtkiewicz (13 Years); #6, John Jekot (11 Years)
Answer #5:	#1, Walter Gluzkin; #2, Sheila Urban; #3, Steven Levy; #4, Jane Wojtkiewicz; #5, Tom Simmons; #6, John Jekot; #7, Kanet Kaczkowski
Answer #6:	#3, Steven Levy; #4, Jane Wojtkiewicz; #6, John Jekot
Answer #7:	#1, Walter Gluzkin; #2, Sheila Urban; #3, Steven Levy; #4, Jane Wojtkiewicz; #5, Tom Simmons; #6, John Jekot; #7, Kanet Kaczkowski
Answer #8:	#1, Walter Gluzkin (WW Grainger); #5, Tom Simmons (A&B Bus); #6, John Jekot (Awards International)
Answer #9:	#4, Jane Wojtkiewicz

So, how did you do?  

The first question was a gimme.  The next three were warm-up questions designed to let you know who the characters are.  The last five questions preview some of the subjects to be discussed in detail over the next few months.

In the mean time, the next time you see one of your representative on the street, at church, or at the mall or wherever it seems appropriate, ask him/her about these subjects.  Ask about the contracts and the dinners on your tax dollar.  Don’t try to ask them at a Board Meeting, the Board doesn’t have to answer you.  Based on their rules, the Board doesn’t even have to listen to you.  In the mean time, let’s see what we can do about finding replacements. 

So let me help them along. 

Notice

Looking for a few good EMSD#63 citizens to run for the School Board.  No experience required, although some common sense, curiosity, integrity and leadership would be an improvement. Membership on this Board could be the most important thing you can do to guarantee a good education for your child. Email me at this site for assistance!

I have no further comment on this subject at this time.

President Wojtkiewicz, was Dr. Clay truly the best of the litter?

Madam President, was Dr. Clay truly the best of the litter or was your inability let go of Dr. Williams the reason behind your hiring decision?

I ask this question based on facts already delivered to me under FOIA.  I ask this question based on blog posts and comments written by Dr. Clay and from emails between Dr. Clay and myself.

Not long ago I wrote a blog post titled: What was the EMSD#63 Board Thinking?  When I wrote that piece I was still not sure of the Boards decision to support Dr. Clay’s style of leadership. His style being more open, direct and responsive than his predecessor.  If you’ve read my postings and comments, you’ll have seen the positive remarks I have made in that regard.  That said, I must return to the question. 

What is the EMSD#63 Board Thinking? 

Beside you Madam President, do any other members of the Board read what Dr. Clay writes?  Let me give you an example of the latest Dr. Clay authored email to flow over my transom.

Email - Transparency - from EMSD#63 Superintendent Dr. Scot Clay - 09-01-2010

The first thing I noticed was the absence of your email address.  The vast majority of Dr. Clay’s emails to me have included a “Cc: jwojtkiewicz@sd63board.org”. 

Madam President, I think you should read this email closely.  Remember, this is the guy you hired over 51 others.

Upon receipt of the letter, I invited several locally prominent stakeholders to tell me what they thought.  Let me share one of those responses with you.

“Dear Ken,

I think it's begging.

Quite frankly, if you and your blog and your agenda are so very transparent in a way that is uncomplimentary of your character, as Dr. Clay more than intimates, then why is he pridefully begging you off the case?  And doing so in a way that attempts to place you in a sort of catch-22; a private email, intended to remain private by express request, but suggesting you can't be trusted to honor his request while at the same time knowing, or he should know, the nature of your work IS to allow the public to view any and all District communications?

Again, quite frankly, if the District is a shining star of achievements with the amazing staff he is claiming, then he would not feel the need to spend one moment of his time refuting your accusations, nor addressing your complaints, nor begging you to back off.”

Lastly, someone needs to inform Superintendent Clay,who still thinks there were 100 candidates considered for the his position, that only 52 individuals submitted themselves for consideration.

Dr. Clay - 100 Candidates Considered

This is what the IASB actually said.  See page: 2 of 3.

IASB Presentation of Candidates - Apr. 15, 2010

Madam President, you’ve led this Board and District long enough. Besides, someone else on the Board deserves a chance to have those free (taxpayer-funded) pre-meeting dinners with the Superintendent.

So let me help you along. 

Notice

Looking for a few good EMSD#63 citizens to run for the School Board.  No experience required, although some common sense, curiosity, integrity and leadership would be an improvement. Membership on this Board could be the most important thing you can do to guarantee a good education for your child. Email me at this site for assistance!

I have no further comment on this subject at this time.

Thank you! - 2,000 Hits!

Dear Reader,

Butterly on Education recently passed the 2,000 hit mark.   Now for big bloggers, that’s nothing.  But for my very limited market and for the short time (since April 2010) since my return, that’s pretty good.  It means that you are interested in what goes on in EMSD#63 and it’s surrounding School Districts. 

Thank you again!  I’ll do the best I can to keep you informed, coming back and commenting.

Best regards,

Kenneth Butterly

EMSD#63 needs to reschedule 2010-2011 Budget vote Update – Sep. 3, 2010…

I have just been informed by EMSD#63 Superintendent Dr. Scott Clay that the final version of the SY 2010-2011 School District Budget will not be presented to EMSD#63 Board Members and public until later this afternoon, tonight or tomorrow.

Email - Request Copy Final Budget 2010-2011

EMSD#63 Board should have received this report last week.  Now it will have slightly more than 48 hours to review the significant changes referenced in Dr. Clay’s email.

There is no need to rush!

The EMSD#63 School Board Members have a responsibility to read and possibly question the changes and the impact these changes will have to EMSD#63’s original plan.  That takes time.  And there is time.  This process does not have to be completed until October.

Do the right thing Jane, reschedule the vote!

Update – Aug. 31, 2010

I just received the following email from Dr. Clay regarding the “Final Budget.”

Email - To Dr. Clay Requesting Copy of Final Budget

So I went to the site as suggested.  This is the type of garbage that passes in EMSD#63 as the “Final Budget.”

EMSD#63 - FY11 Tentative Budget to Final Budget Changes

EMSD#63 Budget for FY11 State Budget Form

I have since sent the following email to the EMSD#63 Board.

Email - Reschedule Budget

How does anyone know what these changes mean to the District’s Plan without the context of a complete and comparable Budget Report?   

This kind of FLIMFLAM is unacceptable.  The PUBLIC and BOARD need to see a comparable report to determine the impact of these changes.

No Rush Required.

Madam Board President, 847-729-7468, jwojtkiewicz@sd63board.org; Mr. Jekot, 847-965-3485, jjekot@sd63board.org; Mr. Gluzkin, 847-965-3485, wgluzkin@sd63board.org; Ms. Kaczkowski, 847-965-3485, jkaczkowski@sd63board.org; Mr. Levy, 847-729-2772, slevy@sd63board.org; Mr. Simmons, 847-729-0219, tsimmons@sd63board.org and Ms. Urba, 847-825-0487, surban@sd63board.org, there is more than enough time to perform the budget process correctly. 

The Budget process is not an elementary school project where you get extra points and a star for getting the project done early. 

Ms. Wojtkiewicz, you are the President of our School Board.  You wanted the job.  Your Board is Responsible for this budget under Board Policy 2:20 Governance - Powers and Duties of the Board of Education Point #3 , not Dr. Clay!  Finally, you work for us, not for the District’s Administration.

Do the right thing Jane, reschedule the vote!

Update – Sep. 3, 2010

Well EMSD#63’s Board went ahead and passed the 115 page 2010-2011 Budget; a document Board members had only received scant hours before.  One would have thought these Board Members were Congressmen. From Dr. Clay’s blog site came this announcement.

Dr. Clay's Blogsite Announces 2010-2011 Budget Passage

And here’s the Budget they passed.

EMSD#63 2010-2011 Budget Passed 09-01-2010

I will be discussing this subject in a series of posting over the next few months.

Presto, they’re back…

So glad to see that our EMSD#63 School Board Members had not gone underground after all.  Seems it was a glitch in the software.

Welcome back Board Members!

EMSD#63 School Board has gone underground…

It appears that East Maine School District #63’s (EMSD#63) Board Members have removed their pictures, phone numbers and email address from the district website and have replaced it with this login. 

Access Denied: You must login to access that page SchoolCMS Login Username:* Password:*

I’m not sure why they would choose to remove themselves from the site, except this faint-hearted act does make it more difficult for taxpayers, constituents or stakeholders to express their views.  So as a public service, I am displaying EMSD#63’s Board President and Vice President names and email addresses on this post.

EMSD#63 School Board Leaders

Name	Title	Email Address
Ms. Wojtkiewicz	President	jwojtkiewicz@sd63board.org
Mr. Jekot	VP	jjekot@sd63board.org

Maybe some of you can shame our feckless board into returning this vital information to the district’s website.

After 400 days – Finally a little transparency…. (Ongoing)

It has been over 400 days since Dr. Kathleen Williams was engaged to perform post-superintendent services to this district. I have written about this story at some length numerously. Despite the many opportunities for former Superintendent Kathleen Williams, current Superintendent Scott Clay, Board President Jane Wojtkiewicz, or newly found "Voice of the Board” Steven Levy to openly and clearly discuss EMSD#63’s hush-hush Williams engagement decision, no one has came forward with an “official” story, until now.

So why is that you ask?

I’ll tell you why we didn’t officially hear about the $900 per day verbal agreement for employee/consulting/tutoring services for over 400 days; they didn’t want us to know.  Period!  

This Board and Administration, under Williams/Clay/Wojtkiewicz have always had a direct line to, and a working relationship with the local papers, and in the past have never withheld even the most non-essential information from “stakeholders” – when it suited their purpose.  Even today, I can remember the article that appeared in the Pioneer Press touting the athletic prowess of former Superintendent Williams and her completion of a local triathlon. 

District 63's Williams climbs her mountain, reaches life-long goal

Aug 12, 2004; JENNIFER JOHNSON ... East Maine School District 63 Superintendent Kathleen Williams spent one Sunday last month working toward a personal goal of completing the first triathlon of her life. Williams, 54, swam, biked and jogged her way to the finish line in the Reebok Women's Triathlon which drew approximately 2,400 women to downtown Naperville. "It was one of those mountains in life I am happy to have achieved," Williams said. The triathlon consisted of a half-mile swim, followed by a 14.5 mile ...”

Yet they couldn’t see the reason or find the time to tell us this $87k+ story - until now.

We would still be unaware of this agreement except for Dr. Clay’s mistake.  It was only while talking to Superintendent Clay about another subject that local reporter Tom Robb of the Journal & Topics stumbled upon the hitherto unknown agreement.

Journal-Topics - District 63 Brings Back Williams---At $900 A Day

Only after this article appeared was any “outsider” aware of Williams return. 

So much for EMSD#63 transparency!

EMSD#63’s  Board and Administration, first under Williams/Wojtkiewicz and now under Clay/Wojtkiewicz could have spoken on this subject at any time.  They did not!

But why now?

It appears to me that the reason was obvious.  They weren’t controlling the message.  Some pesky blogger was.

Since Spring I have been writing about this subject in the following posts: When is enough, enough?, A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part One, A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part Two, A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part Two – Update, A Rudyard Kipling approach to (FOIA) requests – Part Three, Is Dr. Williams a consultant to EMSD#63 or not?, Williams is gone. It appears the School Board has gotten the message!,  Woops – You mean she’s not gone? and Kathleen Williams – Superintendent, Wausau School District!

And then there are the emails and FOIA’s.

06-10-2010 - Williams Still Working Emails

And the unnecessary $7,504 attorney fee.

FOIA #100505-001 - Consulting Agreement and Support Documents

SH&P Bill - Invoice #27992

And the question of FOIA/attorney policy.

Question to Dr. Clay on FOIA Policy

And who advised employee/consultant/mentor Dr. Williams to send hundreds of emails totaling 1,314 pages to District EMSD#63 attorney's, Scariano, Himes and Petrarca for review, in response to FOIA #100505-001?

Responsibility

Or who made the initial call to the Scariano, Himes and Petrarca.

Call to Attorneys

And then we have EMSD#63’s long time Board Member  Mr. Steven Levy proposing the addition of two budget line items to track the costs of FOIA requests to the district, followed by the Board’s intention to publish those costs as part of each Board Minutes starting in August.   What’s this!  It’s like Blogo blaming the Feds for increasing his financial expenses. There would be little or no need for FOIA requests or the existence of this blog if transparency existed in East Maine School District #63. 

Email to Dr. Clay - Mr. Steven Levy Comment -Two Teachers

As a response to this decision I have included the following request on each FOIA submission: “Also, please provide the date, employee name, employee title, hourly rate, and actual time spent providing facts for this FOIA request.”  To this I receive the following answer: “The FOIA does not require us to answer questions or create documents.  However, we will be including the total hours expended and the staff cost for the month on the board action at each monthly meeting.”  How does the EMSD#63 intend to calculate these costs?  Maybe their just going to make the numbers up like they do their budgets.

Just another example of Clay/Wojtkiewicz leadership!

Just my opinion of course!

It’s true, you just can’t fix stupid!

I recently received and posted these comments to four of my fifty-four blog posts. I would like for you to take a moment to read them. They represent the darker side of the blogosphere, cowardly vile trash; this time, under the cover of anonymity. These specific comments cannot be ignored.

Recent Comments

Post Name: Dr. Clay states that he wishes to meet in private…

Anonymous said... “you sir are obviously a coward who would shake in his shoes at the very thought of speaking face to face with dr clay, you hide behind a stupid blog. If I had a problem with something you were doing I would be at your front door. The problem with people of your ilk is that you get one or two people blowing smoke up your ass and telling you what you are doing is great, but the other 99% could give 2 shits about you or what you are doing. get a clue move on and stop harrassing people who really are doing important and worthwhile work. August 15, 2010 3:12 PM”

 

Post Name: Dr. Clay is back!

Anonymous said... “You are damn lucky to have a man that has dedicated his life to kids and education. Why don't all you idiots on this blog use your time in a more useful manner like playing with razor blades. Mrs Buttersworth does not have the guts to meet Dr Clay face to face and instead hides on the internet like the coward he truly is. He will make up some long winded excuse why it would do no good but you and I all know the truth he is as yellow as the poop in his undies. August 17, 2010 9:25 AM”

 

Post Name: Spain is a great place for a vacation. Hope our lucky administrators had good ones - Update

Anonymous said... “I have seen many people like Mrs. Buttersworth who spend their lives fantasizing that they are doing something for the public good when in reality everyone looks at them like the joke they are. They dream that they are MAKING a difference when all they are really making is an ass of themselves. You need to get back on your meds Mrs Buttersworth. August 15, 2010 11:23 AM”

 

Post Name: I apologize!

Anonymous said... “I'm not sure what your "initial track" was intended to be, but after reading your recent posts, I hope you have something better to do than to continue to disseminate these ridiculous, trumped up allegations over nothing. If you are so concerned with the operation of the school districts in your area, then you should let the administrators do their jobs and stop wasting their time reacting to your muck-raking rumors and innuendo. August 13, 2010 10:35 AM”

Two things.

1. I am am an advocate for anonymity in blog comments.
2. I keep my post on this blog site civil, rational and targeted. I have used only district-generated emails or FOIA rendered facts to support my positions. Dr. Clay’s unexpected involvement at this site and his firm but courteous comments, were welcome and appreciated.

Those four comments offer none of that. They are crude and barren. The words say more about the empty vessels from which they originated, than the subjects discussed. In this case, they say more about the Williams/Clay supporters than I could have ever said on my own.  Further, the use of ridicule is always the tool used by nuckledraggers in their attempts to smear reason and reality.

I have been called, multiple times within those comments, a “coward”, yet I’m the one who’s full name appears is on the banner and posts. I am the one placing himself on the line and to his credit, so is Dr. Clay. It’s a shame he is represented so undeservedly and shamefully by this supporter(s).

Apparently, the author or authors know little of my actual relationship with this district. Had they had done their homework, they would have known that I have spoken face-to-face and toe-to-toe with Dr. Clay several times at public gatherings; including one held at Stevenson while he was Principal. Bravery has never been a prerequisite for discussions with Clay. If you call, he will answer. I just choose not to call!

I have expressed on this site more than once, the reasons why I choose not to meet ANY School District official behind closed doors. Had those writers actually read my posts, they would have understood that my unwillingness to meet any District Administrator in a non-public venue protects all concerned.

Now, for those wishing to “take on” their local school district I have an observation to share with you. East Maine School District #63, with it’s Board and sycophant cliques, is not representative of all school districts.

In the future I will continue to post even the most obnoxious of comments. And I know after this series of comments, you will easily recognize them for what they are. Their authors are empty, sometimes cowardly, highly irrational and vile trash.

Their kind of input is rubbish.

I apologize!

Dear reader, I realize that I have been on a tangent for the last couple of months.  Seems like everything is EMSD#63, Williams or Clay this or EMSD#63, Williams or Clay that.

I apologize for this prolonged adventure but I wanted to see just how far Dr. Clay was willing to go or how long the board or district’s attorneys would let him talk.  The level of written freewheeling public conversation with a school superintendent is rare and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity for as long as it lasted. 

My intention is to return to my initial track as quickly as possible.

In the mean time, I can only ask you to stick with me to see where the Williams contract and Clay hiring stories take us. You never know, there may even be a surprise ending.

Wouldn’t be the first time!

Kathleen Williams – Superintendent, Wausau School District!

The Wausau, Wisconsin School District picked former East Maine School District #63 Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Williams as their new Superintendent.  It was a tight three-way race but our Kathleen won the day.  Read article Wausau Daily Herald. 

Makes me feel like the father of the bride who remarks to the groom after the wedding of his expensive and unmanageable daughter, “now she’s your problem.” 

Wausau, we have two more “daughters” (senior EMSD#63 administrators) to marry off.  Do you know anyone who might be interested?  Will throw in a matched set of four used non-working school board members to sweeten the deal!

To the citizens of Wausau Wisconsin and Dr. Williams, we thank you.  Good luck and goodbye! 

Send your donation to Dr. Clay - today!

Alms for the poor!   Alms for the poor!

Seems EMSD#63 is so poor that it can’t afford an accounting system that produces an traditional End-Of-Year General Ledger Summary Report.  $80,000+ on a consulting contract for Williams but we can’t afford decent accounting and budgeting software!

I’ve been trying to convince East Maine School District #63’s FOIA Administrator Lynn Glickman to provide me copy of an official report under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that includes a source, title, date and page numbers.  EMSD#63 officials do not seem to understand that official reports, even if they are ad-hoc reports like the one displayed below, need four items that: 1.) describe the source of the report, 2.) describe the report itself, 3.) show when the report was created and 4.) allow for collation should the printed report fall to the floor.

FOIA - 100721-001 - Need Title Date and Page Numbers

FOIA Request by Butterly.100721-001

Now this isn’t the first time I’ve had this problem with EMSD#63 returning an “official” report without critical titling information.

Tentative+Budget+Printout.070710.Db

This tentative budget, the one the public is allowed to see prior to the passing of the Official Budget in September is, professionally speaking, worthless.  Mr. Bein made it clear at the 07/07/2010 Board Meeting that the 2010-11 budget numbers will change based on revenue availability.  This is not unexpected. 

However, as Mr. Bein stated in a Dr. Clay email to me 0n 08/04/2010, It (the tentative budget) “does not reflect final year end revenue and expense amounts as the year was not over and had not been through the accounting close process.”

The Amended Budget items (apples) reflect the full year (12 month) budget period.  The Realized Ytd (oranges) reflects an number less than full year.  Bottom line, we’re talking apples and oranges! 

The budget can not be tested for prior year budgeting accuracy. In short, we can not determine how accurate last years budget was.  That test is vital in determining the knowledge and judgment of the budgeter and the reasonableness of the new budget.

The situation we are in did not have to exist. There was enough time to do things right.  There is still enough time reissue a revised tentative budget and make the September 2010 deadline should the Board and Administration wished to do so.

Our Board Leadership is Budget Ignorant.

Not one School Board member recognized or objected to this worthless and inaccurate report when it was presented on 07/07/2010.  Placing title, date and page information on official reports are what professionals do.  Are all our board members country bumpkins?

Board President Jane Wojtkiewicz needs to fix this situation now to restore public confidence in EMSD#63’s Budgeting Process!

Twelve months of work and this is what we get?