I'm working on a couple of other blog entries, but noticed a question posted by a commenter on an earlier entry.
Did anyone go to the spaghetti dinner? Did they keep school politics out of it so that it really was a celebration of Decatur Township, as advertised? Have fun ? Were there meatballs as an even earlier poster was hoping for?
Otherwise, anything else on your mind?
Posts
Mark Small posted a blog post
15 hours ago
45 comments:
Pat, why do you not show up to the decatur events?
anon 10:03 - fair question. I am still out and about and continue to attend all the meetings for organizations that I always have attended. But, you are correct in that I am not going to school board meetings - and would not have attended yesterday's spaghetti dinner even if I didn't have a prior commitment. As just one aside, Stinson was the guest speaker at the Democratic Club meeting this month - I did attend that meeting as it was my normal habit to do so.
The main reason is that I have some experience with Don Stinson and his people and I know some of the ways they operate. They would try to put the focus on me and pull it away from the facts I am putting out on this blog. They would simply say I was a bad person and therefore the government documents I disclosed here were worthless. Giving them a presence to point to is giving them too much. At the last board meeting Stinson evidently went off on the blog - which is as close to a corporal being he could get his hands on to call a boogeyman. So, for better or worse, that's my reasoning in a nutshell.
I think there has been some unexpected benefits -- so many others have stepped up to the plate to do what they can to pull this wagon. Whether it was calling friends in the effort to enlist willing candidates for school board, attending board meetings and perhaps speaking, or even wearing pink on Pink Friday -- each of these folks has become a leader in the effort to fix the problems in the administration and with the fiscal mismanagement of the school system.
We went to the spaghetti dinner and it was very nice. It is really too bad that people have to try and find the bad in something good that is being done in the community! Every since word of this dinner came out, several people on here started in with rumors and speculation on what was really behind this dinner instead of just believing that it was a good thing. No, it was not a gourmet dinner, but it was free to the community and it brought people together. I applaud those who I am sure worked very hard to do this for our kids and our community! I believe that you are still looking for negative comments about it when you ask the question in the way that you did. How about just asking "How was the spaghetti dinner?"
anon 10:58: I don't think she was trying to find something bad behind the dinner. I think you presume too much.
The dinner is questionable at a time when the budget is being micromanaged to the point of making bus drivers pay for repairs to their seats, to decreasing their hours to deny them benefits, to not paying the custodians for their lunch time. Overall, I do see a problem of hosting a community dinner when it costs money.
Without a doubt I believe the Stinson political machine brought this to bear thinking it will help smooth his reputation with the community. That he is doing something for them. I, and many others, can see past that.
Forget dinners and PR events. Let's have a face to face town hall style format whereby they answer our questions. Direct cost = nothing.
I agree with 2:29. Is there anyone out there who is not an employee who could start a petition to get a meeting?
anon 3:11 - it might not take a petition. Perhaps folks could call/email either Stinson (856-5265 is main number to central office, dstinson@msddecatur.k12.in.us )or the school board President, Dale Henson (856-8328, dhenson@msddecatur.k12.in.us )and request the forum. If they refused a couple of polite requests, then a petition could be the next step.
Just a suggestion.
Not sure whether this is a Stinson/school board or a teacher's union issue, but my observation as my children went through Decatur schools is that the elementary teachers and administrators were wonderful, dedicated teachers who kept me informed about my children's progress and genuinely cared about their success. Once they reached high school, teachers stopped communicating, and often seemed to be more interested in coaching sports than teaching classes and educating students.
Something else has to be done, calling Stinson who is obtuse and deeply drunk with greed to even listen to anyone. Stinson and Pals see the Taxpayer as a "NOBODY". But as a community, he will be forced to act under pressure to do something. Here how we can change our School district for a better future for our children:
1.Starting with newly elected School Board Members. They will TAKE ONLY recommendations from the community. THEY ALL NEED TO GO!
2.A new superintendent (non-teaching) with business management experience only. Salary at say something like $85,000 or less.
3. Only two assistant superintendents ONLY, both can have teaching experience. One can
operate as Chief financial Officer and one to assist in business operations such as: Schools,School employees,School Security,Bus Drivers, and maintenance. Salaries at $65,000
4.Eliminate wasteful spending on unnecessary employees in Central office such as:Press/Media spokesperson,School Administrators
,Secretaries,and business influences resulting in conflict of interests.
5.Reimbursement for Teachers and School Employees (non-Central Office) for lost wages.
I,AS A TAXPAYER,AM TIRED OF PAYING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING IN THIS TOWN! We, the residents in Decatur Township, can take back our schools as Parents, Teachers, and Taxpayers for WHAT WE PAY FOR AND WHAT WE GET OUT OF IT!
It's not a union issue. Or, at least, the union won't stand up to the high school.
High school teachers outnumber any other building and usually get their way, whether it's representation or bus schedules.
The only people who don't think that coaches have extra pull are coaches.
If Decatur (and the media) ever decides to put academics first, amazing things will happen.
Anon 5:17: But until the election, a petition for a town hall meeting or repeated requests for a meeting (with cc to media) is a good place to start. What do you mean by reimbursements for lost wages?
The "lost wages" are the percentage pay cuts and having not received a pay raises taken from this year and the last few years that I heard about due to extreme financial mess from the Stinson Administration.
anon 5:41 - why, in this economy, would there have been any raises the last coupleof years?
A town hall needs
A. mediator
B. location
C. date, time
D. focus
Suggestions?
I keep seeing people post about the bus drivers paying for seat repairs. What are they paying for?
From what I found they can't do that.
http://www.in.gov/dol/2345.htm
Can an employer fine an employee and take it out of his or her paycheck?
No. An employer is not permitted under Indiana law to fine an employee and deduct the amount from his/her pay.
When can my employer make deductions from my paycheck?
Indiana law requires three conditions to be met in order for a wage deduction to be valid. First, the agreement for the deduction must be in writing, signed by the employee, by its terms revocable at any time by the employee upon written notice, and agreed to in writing by the employer. Second, a copy of the deduction agreement must be delivered to the employer within ten days of its execution. Third, only certain categories of deductions are allowed, including: premiums on an insurance policy; contributions to a charitable organization; purchase price of bonds, securities or stock of the employing company; labor union dues; purchase price of merchandise sold by the employer to the employee; amount of loan made to the employee by the employer; contributions of the employee to a hospital service or medical expense plan; and payment to an employee's direct deposit account.
anon 6:58 -- thanks for your patience, and please keep posting this information until the bus drivers get a letter rescinding the previous letter that threatened to make them pay for any damage to their bus.
I would be good if the bus drivers print out this information and keep it with them on paydays.
Can someone post the letter the drivers got?
I agree with the prior post. I'd like to see the original letter posted here. We need facts, and simply cannot rely on heresay.
Pat, can you post the letter?
anon 8:21 - if somebody gets me a copy of the letter, I promise to redact any personal identifiers and will post the rest.
Contact me at hadenoughindy@gmail.com to make arrangements.
Anon 5:17
Since you have decided to think these are the pays for the top scale, it sounds like the scale for the teachers would be $35,000 at tops..... Boy are you shorting us in the profession!
Think again....I didn't spend this much money and time as a professional to get these 1980 salaries.
And to have someone in charge of a school that has no knowledge of education is just a poor thought. You're thinking of your taxes and not the kids.
i don't think any of those in charge have education on there minds just GREED
To 4:33 ditto
There were only three of these letters handed out to certain busdrivers.They were written by Brenda Catania. These drivers are scared to death to give them to anyone because she will have it narrowed down to those three.
Anon 11:22:
Then it's a lie or exageration. Sorry; until facts are presented then it's a lie. I'm going to have to side with Administration on this one until there's proof. Just like the School Board meetings; no one comes. All talk and no action.
Anon 11:22 is right. This is all talk and no action. On May 4th you'll see Henson, Wiseman and Collins elected to the School Board. Nothing will change. Decatur residents have always been about the drama. All talk and no action.
Anon 1:04 and Anon 1:28
You may think you are helping but you are not! I for one would not risk losing my job for this blog. Calling them a liar for chosing such option is down right wrong. People are coming around quit attacking them!
Sorry; I don't believe that 3 bus drivers got a letter saying they would have to pay for damage to seats on their busses. At first it was implied that the entire transportation department got this letter. Now it's only 3 drivers. Whats to believe unless we see the "letter"? Sorry...it's nothing more than fanning the flames. I think it's an exageration or a lie; probably a lie to get the pot stirred up.
Several bloggers addressed the "concern" that bus drivers were given a letter stating that they were responsible for repair of damaged bus seats and in particular the concern that the bus drivers could lose hard earned pay. If there was no letter one can understand even further the need to deal with facts. If there was a letter the bus drivers have received, through the blog, substantiated legal reference that pay cannot be deducted. The "fear" excuse to not send the letter to Pat for substantiation is both thankless and will cause not to believe any unsubstantiated calls for help.
I'm guessing the earlier posts today calling bus drivers liars who are trying to stir the pot were written by someone at CO. An employee would understand how every word has to be carefully chosen. Two drivers were terminated for speaking up in the past few years. This is a serious issue, but the purpose of the blog is to distribute factual information so residents can realize what their kids' school board is doing with money intended for education. Why shouldn't we expect our kids to receive the same education as Plainfield, Avon and Center Grove? Don Stinson and his board are traveling all over the country on our dimes, building their "vision" and padding their pockets. Bet Stinson and Baer don't drive through the township and look at the number of homes that are sitting empty because families lost them. Now they're putting Webster up to begging everyone for "mo money" in the form of a one time referendum. Think how many more homes would be empty in the next year or so due to foreclosure. It's time to take back our schools and clean house starting at the top!
Why can't people from the CO post here? We have facts to back up our statements; you obviously don't. There were NOT two bus drivers fired for speaking up. There were no letters that went out stating that drivers had to pay for bus damage. Get the facts straight before you stir up trouble.
anon 10:36 - Anyone is free to leave a comment here.
Hey, Don, hope you didn't choke on your cake when you wrote this one.
Any specials at Squealers today?
"Why can't people from the CO post here? We have facts to back up our statements; you obviously don't. There were NOT two bus drivers fired for speaking up. There were no letters that went out stating that drivers had to pay for bus damage. Get the facts straight before you stir up trouble.
March 25, 2010 10:36 AM"
Anon 10:36 said: Why can't people from the CO post here? We have facts to back up our statements; you obviously don't. There were NOT two bus drivers fired for speaking up. There were no letters that went out stating that drivers had to pay for bus damage. Get the facts straight before you stir up trouble.
Who are we supposed to get the facts from? The school board and admin refuse to answer direct questions from people who ask in person at school board meetings. The admin only answers emails from teachers when they feel like it.
Put up or shut up. :-)
The School Board and Administration ARE answering questions. You're just trying to stir up trouble and obviously have an agenda.
Anon 3:35
Agreed.
Question: Board and Administration, without riffing teachers how are you going to balance the budget?????????????????
Note: Every Indiana school has been asked this same question - see community checklist on the Indiana Department of Education website.
I am sorry that the drivers concerned in getting the letters about seats are so scared of losing their jobs. However, this is a reality of what could happen in this township of fear. Why doesn't someone ask Brenda Catania [Asst. Trans. Director] about this since she is the one who wrote them?
The two former drivers who were fired are: Wally Blessing and Greg Highbaugh. I believe one of them wrote a letter complaining about unfair treatment of drivers and the other one delivered the letter to Stinson. Blessing was on a panel the drivers had picked to represent them at another time when hours were reduced for drivers.Stinson and Blessing didn't care too much for each other because Blessing had the audacity to question Stinson about some of his statements.
Highbaugh had just won the state drivers rodeo contest and was to go to Vegas I believe to compete in national contest when he was fired. The Twp still paid for Highbaugh and his wife to go to Vegas to compete.He won for Decatur but at the time wasn't employed by Decatur.
Just because some drivers are afraid of losing jobs, this doesn't mean they are lying. The drivers being fired for speaking up certainly is not a lie.
Blessing still lives in the Twp. and is now driving for Wayne Twp.
Anon 10:36-- Can't wait to see your spin on these facts with names. All you have to do now is get the paperwork on seat repair from your Asst. Trans. Dir. I heard this was an itemized list of cost of repairs probably made out by Head Mechanic and then Catania wrote at bottom driver would be held responsible for costs should this ever happen again. Why don't you check your facts and ask your people in charge to see paperwork?
Why would this administration waste money to send a non-employee and his wife to Vegas? Prestige for Twp. maybe? Since this was a non-employee shouldn't the award have gone to a person who was employed by a school district somewhere?
Looks like drivers PUT UP!!!
Hey Anon 10:36, You will send the paperwork from your people in Transportation about the seat repair to Pat to post when you get it won't you?
You know one thing I have discovered about schoolbusdrivers over the years is that they are a different breed from most Twp. employees.Almost all of them live in Twp,are taxpayers,voters,know everyone and most of all are extremely truthful and open. They are very loyal when treated right. When they are pushed too far they have no problem stating how they feel about it to anyone who will listen.They are not liars. From everything I have seen so far all of their complaints are justified.....
GO DECATUR TWP. DRIVERS!!!!
I FOR ONE AM BEHIND YOU!!!
Wally Blessing and Greg Highbaugh were not fired for "speaking out". It was for reasons that can't be discussed. And there was NO MEMO about paying for ripped seats! Once again...someone has an agenda and is trying to "stir the pot".
Besides Steve Rink having campaign material out on his table, I thought it went very well. I didn't eat the spaghetti.
Steve Rink is worthless. Is it true he hired some of his family members (now or in the past)?
anon 11:32 - You went over the line here. I've deleted your post, redacted your accusation and below is the rest of your comment:
Mar 26- 4:31pm
Gary, Gary, Gary,How would you know what happened to Highbaugh or Blessing? ------- You were a lawsuit waiting to happen. Oh, excuse me, you still are a lawsuit waiting to happen. Don't you know it is against the law to refuse to disclose all public records requested by public???
Wally and Greg were of course NOT fired for speaking up for themselves. CO found a different reason to put on the pink slip, but it was EXACTLY those reasons that they were let go. If you stir the pot too much in Decatur Twp, you are replaced. Just do your job, follow every order you are given, don't EVER complain or question things, and you will be fine. LOL, perhaps bus drivers get along so well with the children they are in charge of because THEY THEMSELVES ARE TREATED LIKE CHILDREN BY THIS ADMINISTRATION.
Wally and Greg were absolutely fired for speaking up about the unfair treatment of drivers. The administration can put what ever spin they want on the situation, but the fact is they were fired for having the guts to speak up. Good job guys. Wake up and stand up fellow drivers. You may be next.
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