The Mobile Press Register is reporting:
The Baldwin County school system is again in search of a new superintendent after Donald Stinson turned down the job offer, citing "personal reasons at a critical time in my life." Stinson notified board the school board members by e-mail Monday afternoon.
Stinson currently serves as superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of Dectatur Township in Indianapolis. Dr. Alan Lee from Virginia was the other finalist for the position. In an prepared statement, School Board President Tracy Roberts said the search will continue.
"We respect the decision of Mr. Stinson who ultimately has to answer what is best for himself and his family. We will quickly move on to fill the superintendent's position. We will contact Dr. Alan Lee, an outstanding finalist. We plan to regroup and proceed as necessary," Roberts said.
"We will keep the community apprised of our progress. We have greatly appreciated the community's involvement in the process. The board continues to put an enormous amount of work into the search effort," she said.
Interm superintendent Janay Dawson has announced plans to retire at the end of this month.
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102 comments:
What a waste of time and resources, for all involved.
He flew to Alabama to be interviewed. The Baldwin County Board toured the Decatur campus,no?
Oh good lord! Was hoping to say, "Good riddance"
Anon June 8 1:32
Correct. The Alabama board had publicly stated that they paid for the candidates flights/housing (2 trips for Stinson) to Baldwin County and their board members' trip to Indianapolis and to Dr. Lee's district. Another example of why integrity is a "rare" trait. Actions do speak louder than words. There is probably more to come.
Since the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and make statements tonight during the hearing for the Rainy Day Fund, it might be good to publicly state that those dollars not be used to pay for the retiring administrators to be paid as consultants. There will not be a new superintendent to take care of such things.
Readers may view the Indianapolis Star (indystar.com) for some new statements:
He cited too many loose ends to tie up at his own Southwestside district to leave.
Stinson withdrew his name Monday evening via e-mail to Baldwin County School Board members and notified Decatur Township staff members on Tuesday, said spokesman Gary Pellico.
"I think he just decided that his mission is here," he said. "And he wanted to complete his mission."
The statements reported by the board president in Alabama and those reported here don't seem quite the same!!!! Not too unusual - there are many twists and turns.
The board president in Alabama said they were sent e-mails on Monday afternoon. How were Decatur staff members notified (e-mail?)?. Why wait until Tuesday to notify the district where you continue to work???? Too bad communication is part of the mission.
I told you he wouldn't leave! Big ego trip for him. He has his anything he wants rubber stamping schoolboard . Why would he go?
Guess he heard about all of the beaches being closed in Alabama due to oil spill. Too bad, as slick as he is he would have fit right in.
How sad that he is not leaving.He can continue to rape and pillage this township
This is great news. Now he can finish what he started. Instead of moaning and groaning, why not try to do something constructive and be a part of the solution for the education of the children.
Thanks for staying Mr. Stinson.
Yoda,
There has been very little moaning and groaning but MANY WILL CONTINUE TO INSIST THAT Stinson and the Board be accountable, ethical, and honest to the taxpayers for as long as they hold their positions in Decatur Township. Those are legitimate expectations for anyone who is a public employee. There will be no constructive solution until there are changes in the character of those so involved.
When Baldwin Schools does hire their new superintendent the contract will probably be made public and that will help people decide the true reason Stinson didn't go to Alabama.
The retirements of some six administrators this month from Decatur would be better understood if the retirement packages were public information. If and when those retirement packages become public knowledge there will be great astonishment.
anon 5:30 - I have been waiting for the board to accept the retirements so I can make the record request for retirement incentives. Tomorrow that request will go in.
The idea of checking Baldwin County's next Superintendent contract is and excellent one. Perhaps our many readers can keep an eye open for that information to appear on that district's website. They are far too open, by the way, to be compatible with Stinson.
Pat, thank you for your continued efforts. Mr. Stinson and his board have to be stopped. He does not plan to tie up any loose ends here; only continue raping and bankrupting this township all in the name of REINVENTION that is not working and never will. This board has blinders on and will continue to let him run rampant, laughing all the way to their catered dinners then the most boring task they have - to face the residents at the public meetings and act interested. How do any of these people sleep? Oh, I forgot, only 1 has a student left in the system, right? He can ride it one more year then not worry about his own being under educated. Stinson backed out because his silver tongue can only carry him so far and it wouldn't be long before he was run out of Alabama. P.S. The only reason the DC graduation rate went up is because the counselors catch the under achievers as soon as they turn 16 and talk them into quitting because they could never "catch up."
All Stinson did was took a trip at the expense of Baldwin County Taxpayers and had a good laugh.
Pat, can you also request info on Don Stinson's new pay plan? We all know he didn't stay without the board approving money or more outlandish perks. After all, he collected severance and has never left. What will they do for an encore? He's called "Diamond Don" for a reason.
anon 7:34 -- that is on my radar, as well. Unless somebody else beats me to it and sends me a copy, I was going to ask for all admin contracts after June 30, when the current contracts expire.
Any other documents we should get?
Re 7:31 pm
Are you serious? The counselors? Are you talking about all TWO of them that exist at the high school for all 1600 students? I don't think so. While both great people, they cannot possibly reach every student that needs it. There is just not enough time. MAYBE...just maybe...even though there are so many nay sayers on this blog regarding the reinvention, maaaaybe it is starting to gradually work. Just a thought.
News from tonight's board meeting???
Oh Great, Stinson is staying !!!!!!
Why go to all the trouble of applying, interviewing, traveling, etc etc etc if you weren't going to take the job ????
It's not like any other variables here were going to change. I don't get it.
Anonymous said...Re 7:31 pm
Are you serious? The counselors? Are you talking about all TWO of them that exist at the high school for all 1600 students? I don't think so. While both great people, they cannot possibly reach every student that needs it. There is just not enough time. MAYBE...just maybe...even though there are so many nay sayers on this blog regarding the reinvention, maaaaybe it is starting to gradually work. Just a thought. June 8, 2010 9:13 PM
So you're saying the caseload is so great that the counselors don't have time to reach all the students who need to be talked into quitting?
I have actually talked to students and I know that this encouragement to quit happens on a regular basis. It's criminal.
I'll always wonder now...how many of the delegations from other districts that Stinson has escorted around were not here looking at our "outstanding programs" (not based on data!) but were actually possible employers?
It's this School Board that's the problem. You can gripe all you want about Stinson; Administration; on and on and on and on. BOTTOM LINE: THIS SCHOOL BOARD IS THE PROBLEM! Guess what; you elected them for another 4 years. Nothing can be done for a minimum of 2 years; NO one will beat Huffman so guess what; you'll STILL HAVE THIS SCHOOL BOARD FOR MANY YEARS TO COME! Stinsons no fool. He knows he has this board (ALL OF THEM) in his back pocket. In a minimum of 5 years he'll retire from the MSD Decatur Township School System as a millionaire. This board LET him! Why? At one time these people were great Decatur residents. All have ties to the school in many and various ways. What went wrong with these people? Is it REALLY true; FACTUAL; that Doug Greenwald is actually making money off of the MSD Decatur school system? I've heard rumours; is he really making money doing work on either the football field (Don Huffman Legacy Field) or the new construction (Cathy Wiseman Vanity and Ego Boost DCHS) ??????? Is it morally and ethically right for Dave Henson to get PAID for being on the School Board...AND being firechief? Does Judy Colins REALLY have a family member that works in the school system? How did that happen!? Rumour has it that they weren't even closely qualified for the job......
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE PEOPLE! What's even funnier is the fact that a majority of people....lets them get away with this conduct.
It's the Board, Stupid LOL!
I was unable to make last nights meeting. What happened? I am sure those of you who went are still trying to figure out what they agreed on and who they hired or cut. I always leave there with more questions than I started with.
FYI:
People may want to read about the national conference that begins today at DCHS on curriculum mapping. The site is curriculum designers.com and it lists Stinson, Sullivan, and Wiseman as lead facilitators.
This is a national, for-profit organization. Do they pay for use of the facility??? Are Stinson, Sullivan, Wiseman, and/or others paid for this. People are charged to atten this conference so this is a money-making group?? If the administrators are attending, are they paid by Decatur to attend????
Kudos to Stinson for sticking with Decatur to finish the job he started. Any superintendent can up and leave for the money. He is obviously committed to Decatur.
Does anyone know why their charter school closed?
Well, Stinson now has told the Press-Register the following. He must like communicating with Alabama!
BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- Baldwin County school board members
Donald Stinson
scrambled to regroup Tuesday after learning that their top candidate for the superintendent's post was no longer interested in the job.
Officials said Donald Stinson, superintendent for Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township in Indianapolis, e-mailed board members Monday afternoon to advise them he was withdrawing from the process.
"This was a very difficult decision for me," Stinson told the Press-Register in an e-mail late Tuesday. "The final decision for me had nothing to do with salary and benefits. Decatur did not offer me any additional salary or benefits."
Rather, Stinson wrote, "the decision comes down to evaluating my current position in Indiana and the Baldwin County position and I felt in my heart I still have work to do here at Decatur and in Indianapolis before I could leave. To walk out after 10 years as superintendent and the success we have had without bringing closure to some outstanding projects and issues became very difficult for me to handle."
A news release from Baldwin County Public Schools spokesman Terry Wilhite said Stinson chose not to accept the job citing "personal reasons at a critical time in my life."
Stinson and Alan Lee of Washington County Schools in Abingdon, Va., were named finalists last month after a national search. Board members described both men as stellar candidates.
Wilhite said that the board would continue to work to find the best leader for the system.
Board President Tracy Roberts released a statement saying members "respect the decision of Mr. Stinson who ultimately has to answer what is best for himself and his family. We will quickly move on to fill the superintendent's position. We will contact Dr. Alan Lee, an outstanding finalist. We plan to regroup and proceed as necessary."
Roberts thanked the community for its involvement in the process, and vowed to keep the public informed of the progress. In his e-mail to board members, Stinson said, "Baldwin County is a very exciting school system that has great hope for the future. I appreciate the kindness, patience and fairness of the school board and especially Tracy Roberts and Angie Swiger during their visit to Indianapolis."
He wished the board well in its continued search. News reports from Decatur Township show Stinson draws a base salary of about $186,000 but will take a 15 percent cut next year to help meet budget shortfalls.
Stinson told the Press-Register that the board's offer was "fair and comparable to neighboring districts in Alabama." He said rumors circulating around Baldwin County that the package offered to him was worth $300,000 were false. He described local board members as "professional" and said the staff included quality individuals.
Board members hired search firm BWP & Associates LLC to conduct the search that is expected to cost the county about $30,000. Former Superintendent Faron Hollinger left the system at the end of December, more than a year before his contract expired in the midst of a financial crisis. Some describe the money crunch as the worst ever faced by the school system with declines in state and local revenue topping $61 million in a two-year period.
Stinson said: "To walk out after 10 years as superintendent and the success we have had without bringing closure to some outstanding projects and issues became very difficult for me to handle."
Hope he can bring closure to the budget and character problems. Hope he will define the successes. Hope all the people who have been "hurt" during the last 10 years have recovered.
Interesting - never heard that Baldwin offered $300,000 package but did hear (rumor?) that Stinson wanted $300,000 to go to Alabama????????????? It is a small world.
It is just wrong to lead any potential employer on like Stinson did. He held in there all through the process, others were eliminated because of him. What a thoughtless, selfish thing to do. He should have been committed to taking the job or never gone through the interviews. Silly me, I told everyone that he would take the job or he wouldn't have gone through the process. Again he proved me wrong, like when I said he wasn't very smart and then he padded his pension and had the school board buy him extra years of service. Slick, like the oil spill, he would've fit in well. I like that comment.
I bet Justin Dixon is pissed off. He was being considered for the job.
Some people have trouble telling the truth. The truth will come out.
The following was written by a person in Alabama: "Why would someone go as far as to apply for a job, interview for it with the hopes of having an offer made (of course knowing all the stipulations, salary, etc) and then decline it? Was he using Baldwin Co. to get a better deal in Indiana? What a waste of time. He should have performed all his research and due diligence (including really talking to his family and seriously weighing his options) prior to applying. It seems as if he did things backwards in my opinion. Oh well, on to the next!"
Don't think Stinson will be leaving for anywhere but Retirement City in the future!
Anybody have the school board members email address?
Anon 12:56
Since Stinson's e-mail is dstinson@msddecatur.k12.in you might try to use first name initial followed by last name followed by msddecatur.k12.in.us
For example: jcollins@msddecatur.k12.in.us
Let us know if this works!
Anon 12:56: Why would you want that? They're WAY above talking to or responding to someone like YOU LOL!
Anon 12:56: Why would you want that? They're WAY above talking to or responding to someone like YOU LOL!
Don Stinson is a pompous ass. Every one of the board members is making money over and above their per meeting rate from the township. I've heard the same about Greenwald and the stadium and know that Judy Collins' daughter is a custodian. Then there's the coach wannabe, Dixson. People are finally starting to question what is going on when kids tell you they were advised to quit and kids are switched almost every year from school to school to school, just to make numbers look better to the state. Decatur administration can only run so long. The new report card should reflect that. This blog is the most informative and real info we can get. Pat truly believes that this township and the quality of our kids educations should be MUCH better and she puts the tools in our hands to get everything back on track.f Everyone should be talking about this at ball games, social events, grocery lines, anywhere they can get an audience.
Do the retiring administrators return their take-home computers paid for by the corporation when they retire????? There should be several now that kids would really like???? There should be records for any corporation owned technology.
It is all about money....
If it is for personal reasons and or wanting to clean up loose ends why did he go through the process? Maybe 7:58 is on to something
The Baldwin County school system in Alabama have announced on FOX TV 10 out of Mobile that they will name Dr. Alan Lee as their new superintendent. Glad they had another candidate whom they liked. They are very fortunate to hire an excellent educator.
Can I inject a moment of sanity to say that Dr. Stinson has had health problems this last year as well? Maybe, just maybe, when he was approached he felt okay, and then maybe, just perhaps, by the time the job rolled around, he didn't think moving was a good idea? Educators have lives too, people.
You know, you could just start a website and take over the school board like they did in Perry. Our schools are crap. But everyone feels better about themselves anyway. I suggest orange for signs. That and tons of money. Anyone can buy a school board these days.
A moment of sanity? Yeah, we could use that in this insane district.
But perhaps you meant of moment of compassion. Well, been there, done that. Graduation rates aren't quite accurate because low achievers are told to drop out? Elementary not performing well? Principals not allowed to get rid of bad teachers or discipline kids that make learning difficult for everyone else just because of statistics? Schools overcrowded? Poor kids looked down on by community? School board and administration don't share enough information with their constituents to justify having a PR guy? Nevermind, kids. Poor Stinson has been under the weather. Nevermind, kids. Poor Stinson has just been through a divorce.
If he's not well enough mentally or physically to change jobs and he's not well enough show his face reguarly in all the schools for years, then he needs to get out of the game. We need someone running on all thrusters to turn this district around, not finish the job of driving it off a cliff.
Anon 4:43 Hi Susan Adams! You look GREAT in that troll costume!
Greed is a VERY serious illness but there are people in remission. It requires lifestyle changes and like some other diseases it may not be curable but survivors may be able to find happiness and fulfillment.
He is NOT DR.stinson....the only health problem was his divorce....there simply was not enough money and he realized he would not be able to hve the CONTROL he has here.
Loose ends after 10 years?
Not just Stinson being greedy but lots of admin people being greedy there at Decatur. As for loose ends, Stinson will probably be getting a raise for staying and we will see who will be crying. He knew he wouldn't being making that kind of money at Baldwin before he ever agreed to go down for the interview. He is a very greedy person!
Why wasn't they more people to show up at the last Board meeting? We couldn't believe there was only three citizens who showed up.
Anon 12:53: LOL why didn't YOU show up LOL!
Typical DUHcatur attitude. All talk.
The reason no one showed up at the Board meeting is obvious. NO ONE CARES. Give it a break. Stinson and this School Board haven't done anything wrong! No wonder Stinson was considering leaving! Would YOU work under these conditions? Why don't you people quit stirring up trouble! GIVE IT A BREAK.
People don't show up to meeting because we don't when then are. When I do find out it's last minute and I have to plan for a sitter since I'm a single mom to 3.
anon 1:43 PM
Because I don't live in your district, but I would show up if I did.
ANON June 11,2010 2:46pm,
We are not PICKING on poor little ol' Stinson and the School Board. Whether or not anyone came to the meeting is probably due to their occupation, family, or personal matters not because of rumors or blogs,we are not a bunch of imbeciles.
Now on anther matter, since Decatur Schools is a public function rather than private, where it uses our tax dollars to run the school system. We the people are entitled to check and balances when we ask for information,questions and answers. It is all well know that Stinson and the School Administrators have been getting raises from the rubber stamping School Board, all the while laying off Teachers, Aids, and School Employees. The School board and Stinson are the problem NOT the Solution, period.
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!
The date for board meetings are posted on the district website. Occasionally they change the location so check often.
Bring your kids. Make the board see their most important constituents.
I don't come to board meetings because everytime I speak up, my kids are the ones to suffer whether it be in their class schedule or sports. I'd move, but my house isn't worth what I owe.
Why do we have to go to the board meetings to keep from being robbed of tax payers money. That should be a given. Some one needs to go in and clean house of these money grabbin people who just want to take and take from our kids. What is wrong with this picture. And, Susan Adams go back to where you came from!
Anon 2:43: You HAD your chance to clean house. Few weeks ago; election. You elected the same-old-same-old group. You have to live with it now for 4 more years. Give it up; quit crying and whining....you lost. Get used to it.
Does anyone know why our ENTIRE school board is going to the AASA Summer Leadership Institute the end of July? Why does the ENTIRE board and their spouses get to go to Washington DC for an AASA function?????? Why doesn't Stinson pay for it himself! He makes enough money! Wouldn't it be great to get a taxpayer funded vacation to the Hyatt Regency Washington (Washington DC) for a couple of weeks????????
This is the real reason why Stinson did not take the job in Alabama. Back in early February, Baldwin Schools had an opening for Superintendent since the previous Superintendent who had left December '09. Sometime around February-March Stinson started looking for a new job since he was feeling the tremendous heat from the Decatur Township Taxpayers and Channel six news about the misuse of Decatur School's funds, knowing that his pals on the School Board were facing reelection in May looking as if they were aready going lose, therefore by having new Board Members coming in would indeed find illegal wrongdoing by himself, the School Board, Jeff Baer, Candance Baer, Susan Adams, and Gary Pellico resulting in a State and Federal investigation. while in his desperation by planning to get far far away as possible from his big mess he and his pals made along the way found out his pals did not get voted out, He wiped sweat from his brow and decide that now he no longer needed to leave, also in mind knowing that he would not have the same high authority to run things in Alabama as he has been in Decatur. feeling great by not having all that "stress" on his shoulders and back, treated his buddies and himself to a trip payed out of pocket by the Baldwin Taxpayers "who are already in financial trouble" to Alabama, whom the Baldwin School Board not knowing while deciding on who would get the position that Stinson had already made up his mind on election night not to take the job. This was all a BIG JOKE to him, what a waste time and money. He not only ripped off Decatur while still doing so and in the future, he got a chance to rip off others. sad.....so sad.
6:24PM You hit the nail right on the head!! This was exactly what I have been thinking.He now thinks all of the heat is off.
We can't let up! We need to keep asking for answers and public imformation.
This is so unbelievable! We are going to have to pay for our children to play sports but the entire schoolboard can go to Washington DC all expenses paid?
How much do you think that will cost?Probably enough for our kids to participate in sports for free.
These trips are nothing but drunken vacations at our kids expense!
June 14, 2010 2:48 PM
Why are you slamming people about having HAD a chance to make a change? Did you follow everyone into the voting booth to see how they voted? I personally voted for change, but we didn't get it. Now, we have to live with it. Some of the people on this blog need to be careful when making broad, finger-pointing statements. I'm stick of reading it and I think I'll just quit reading. Thanks!
I attended almost every meeting and asked questions at the beginning of the meeting but guess what? I received no answers to my questions. Why even sign your name and ask questions and for that matter why even bother to go. It's a waste of my time if they aren't going to to adress the questions that I ask. Guess what people....we will no longer have security personnel after 3pm and we will still have kids in school and kids on busses. One can only hope that nothing disastrous happens and comes back to bite the school board in the butt.
The School Board and Stinson are being highly arrogant by not responding to the Citizens questions.
If they are not going to answer our questions then we are going to have to start looking deeper into what they are trying to hide. It must be something that can get them thrown in prison for a long time, but what? One of them is the monkey that says "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", but when they are about to be indicted by the Grand Jury if and when that comes, we will see.
The Baldwin County school system in Alabama has announced that Dr. Alan Lee has been named and has accepted the superintendent's position. The school system may be posting Lee's contract tomorrow so everyone will soon know exactly why Stinson did not go to Alabama.
If and when everyone sees written facts on the retirement benefits for Jeff Baer, Candy Baer, Gary Pellico, Pat Jones, and Janet Larch, then more little secrets will be known.
How sad that Susan Adams and Jeff Baer fired one of the best and best qualified security officers this Township has ever had. Susan Adams has had an agenda against him for a long time and has tried to get him fired before.Then they had the nerve to tell him that he may not get the vacation pay he has earned because the township could not afford it. We can afford to send the schoolboard to D.C.. We can afford to pay up to $180,000
for insurance for both Baers,Larch,Pellico for the next ten years. We can afford catered dinners for the schoolboard before every meeting, but we can't afford to pay his vacation pay. I think the labor board will have something to say about that!
This man has had major life threatening health problems for the last few years and still does.
Radiation and chemo. are very expensive. Where do you think he will be able to get insurance? Nowhere!
The very idea that the admin. retirees who are moving on to other jobs where they will have insurance are going to recieve $18,000 a year in their retirement packages to keep because they won't need health insurance makes me sick.
I pray that there are no catastrophic events with our students from 3 till 11 when school is dismissing or when the busses are out at night.
Thank You Kieth for a job very well done and always going above and beyond the call of duty.
You will be missed!
If you ask where the money is coming from to send everyone on this trip they will say a "grant" or "money we saved" (like they explained being able to send people to Utah for curriculum mapping last summer)
Are they going to curriculum mapping in Utah this summer????
LOL, you people have no heat or a case. Mr. Stinson and all the administrators you have mentioned have not done anything illegal or crooked. Most of you need to get a life and find something useful to do with yourselves. There are not always evil things going on, just because you don't know every last detail. There are no black helicopters flying over Decatur township.
Mr. Stinson asked for a 20% cut in pay this year and the board only gave him 15%. Don't see a raise in that.
This is actually better than reading the National Enquirer because it is less believable than the stories about Sasquatch and Elvis appearing in a Walmart in upstate New York.
Oh, by the way, ISTEP scores are out and the township improved. Hope this doesn't destroy any of your arguments and whining.
If you truly believe that Pat cares about your kids or the township, see the paragraph above reference the National Enquirer.
In order to give you something useful, send your emails for the board to Becky Broadhacker and she will ensure that they get them. That is only if you feel she is trustworthy and not a pawn of some immense conspiracy.
Give me a break, you people are unbelievable. Oh, sorry, I think I already said that.
Yoda, you should stop defending your friends and co-workers in the Central Office. We know you are involved in this problem too. You must remember no one is above the law......and that includes you. We know you are getting some kick backs...WE KNOW. It will all come out soon or later. Time is on our side....just wait Yoda. You make this all sound like a joke, The joke will be on you.
Now maybe some of the scores for I-Step are up from the fall testing however, compare last year scores to this years scores and most of the grades are down..
High School-9th and 10th
Math-Down
English-Down
Middle School-7th
Math-Down
8th
English-Down
Stephen Decatur
3rd.Gr.
Math-Up
English-Up
4th Gr.
Math-Down
English-Down
Lynwood
3rd Grade
Math-Down
English-Down
4th Grade
Math-Down
English-Down
Middle School
7th Grade
Math-Down
8Th Grade
Math-Down
English-Down
Valley Mills
3rd and 4th
Math-Up
English_Up
West Newton
3rd
Math-Down
English-Down
4TH
Math-UP
English-UP
Don't let them put their spin on ISTEP scores. You can view them yourself on DOE website.Why have test scores gone down this year compared to last year for most grades?
2 reasons-
Literacy Collaborative and Everyday Math. And next year all of the untrained Valley Mills teachers will be required to teach Literacy Collaborative. Brilliant Central Office !!!!!!!
YODA,
We know you are packing your pockets with tax payer money. You will get yours someday.
ANON 12:13 AM, it is obvious that you know nothing. I am not an employee of the township.
To the other drones that have commented on my recent post, I know it is not a joke. I don't always agree with what the administration does but I do feel that they are truly trying to do the right things that will help educate our children. I doesn't really matter what I say, you will always try to put a negative spin on it just like you have been programmed to do by HEI.
Again I will say that HEI has had many opportunities to get school board members elected the past 10 years. Every time she and her minions try, they are voted down because they do not bring to the table what the township wants. This blog as it relates to the township school system is nothing but an irritant, a minor one at that. How about really getting involved and do something constructive instead of trying to rationalize in your mind that you are doing something effective with this blog. If that makes me a troll so be it. I would rather be a troll than a person that always thinks those in positions of power are out to get me or are doing something wrong or illegal. Just because it is not what you want them to do does not make it wrong, no matter what HEI, Pat or whatever you want to call her says.
I am glad I have a life and do not depend upon this blog for my excitement in life.
Yoda, if you had a life you wouldn't be on here all of the time!
Yoda, I think this blog is the only excitement in your dull biased life.
Speaking of life....and of its negligible irritants.....Yoda went thru the hurdle of creating an account specifically to respond to this blog. The idea of Yoda admonishing others is.....well...amusing.
And speaking of Life....Not only do I have a few issues.... I've got an entire lifetime subscription.
Alright Yoda, you should change your name to Adolf. Adolf Hitler once said and I quote "The Bigger the lie, the more people will believe it". Say what you want, it's a free Country, we type how we feel about our school systems. You believe in a "Do nothing school system. Have faith in the ones who inherit power through lies and deceit and destroy the weakish ones for whom they are owed truth and honesty." Had Enough Indy was created for anyone who believes in better Government for the People. The Government whether its Township ,City, State, or Federal, we are paying for it. We must hold them accountable for what they do. The School Board is Suppose to answer the questions when ask by the People, whether its true or not, they should not disrespected the Parents, Taxpayers, and Voters for any reason given. You are one obtuse minded individual....sorry to say that, but its true.
IF one or more board members and/or administrators are going to the AASA conference in Washington, DC this is outrageous!!! Grant monies are taxpayer dollars just like any other monies spent in public education. There is no requirement that these monies be spent on conference attendance unless the grant recipient decides that this is how the money is to be spent. Schools across this state and across the country have made the determination NOT to spend any monies on out of state travel. This needs to be investigated - how many schools in Indiana are sending people to this Washington, DC conference where the cost including registration, hotel, travel, and meals will be at least $1000 per attendee??????? The need for responsible decision making is great in Decatur Township. If questions like this cause this administration to be uneasy - so be it.
The beating up of taxpayers continues. They riffed Harvey, A. Cook, Meerman, and the AD. They hired Corbin for Harvey's position, they hired Harris for Jeff Baer's position, they hired Rather as a consultant for athletics, they recalled Anna Cook, they hired Candace as a consultant, they hired Pat Jones as a consultant, they hired Rather as a consultant, and they hired Pellico as a consultant. They hired Strube for Larch's position. This in addition to what they gave Pellico, Candace, Rather, and Jones for retirement!!!!!!! Either Stinson and the Board don't get it OR they have hidden money some place OR ??????. Unbelievable!!
anon 3:31 -- are you serious?? consultants?? 10 days ago I asked for the retirement packages for all those folks. Not received them yet....
Now, I'll have to ask for the contracts. Looks like another misuse of the pension system.
HEI
Yes, this is serious. Dave Rather has been very "open" about what he is doing - athletics. The others have stated less detail about their "consulting." It will be interesting to learn how many days they are working per week or year for a "very nice" $sum!!!! The retirement package for Candace should be "different" than the others who were hired as administrators before VEBA came about but she will probably get the same as the others.
I believe it is a violation of public employees retirement fund to already have a plan to come back to work for the same employer before you retire.
The following is quoted from the Indiana Teacher Retirement Fund website under frequently asked questions:
"Indiana law reflects existing federal law which prohibits retirements in which a member has a formal or informal agreement with an employer to become re-employed in a position after retirement. Members are required to have a bona fide separation of service in order to be entitled to a benefit from a tax qualified pension plan such as PERF."
Stinson and the Board are playing the game. They don't consider "consultants" the same as "employees" so they think that they do not pay TRF on the consultants and maybe they think they will avoid Social Security. Again, wish there were some attorney advice on this or a statement from Teacher Retirement Fund person. Now that the PERF and TRF have been combined maybe there will be some monitoring of these kinds of "rip-offs". Just cannot understand how "creative" these greedy people are again and again.
For whatever reasons,it sure does appear to have been extremely imperative for certain members of the school system to receive and be guaranteed of their retirement at this time. I wonder why.
For whatever reason, Phil Webster has not told us if he is teaching and/or coachiing for Decatur next school year. Odd since he is one who believes in open communication??????? Since he is retired he would be a consultant????
I am teaching and coaching next year. I teach 3 Law Education Classes that have approximately 32 students in each class. I did agree to retire and be hired back as a part time consultant or teacher at 50 percent of my full time salary. I do receive all of the fringe benefits of any other teacher in Decatur Township Schools. This arrangement allowed the administration to hire another teacher and keep me as a teacher and coach. I do not know if you think that I am a good teacher and coach but I believe that I am and because of my experience I have a lot of ideas that would enhace our journey toward excellence. I will willingly share any information about my situation with anyone who might be interested. I have nothing to hide . I think that it is unfortunate that many good older teachers have decided to retire because they have so much to share with our young people who can benefit from just being around these fine role models.
Phil,
Thank you for sharing this information. This is the type of "openness" that many would like. This is great communication. This is not whether or not you are a good teacher - you are. This is about whether there may be other very good educators who do not want to retire but are "pressured" to do so. Again, thank you for sharing.
The Press Register in Alabama has announced that the Baldwin County Schools' new superintendent will be paid $175,000 per year and has a 3 year contract. The "rumor" that Stinson didn't go to Alabama because they were $100,000 per year less than he wanted must be true. Of course, he makes more than $275,000 per year in Decatur. Probably was a "personal reason" he had to turn them down after they spent thousands to interview him - typical of his ego and the costs to others.
So, Phil Webster, you are earning full retirement and benefits PLUS half teacher pay at the top of the pay scale for teaching 1 class three times a day PLUS getting paid to coach? SWEET DEAL!
It is a very sweet deal and it is a deal only available to certain people no matter how good the teacher is. It is not right and it should be available to all or none! The Indiana legislature needs to address this because the locals won't handle this "loophole."
The following information is now public knowledge regarding the Baldwin County job:
The Baldwin school board released details of Lee's contract Monday.
"Lee came to south Alabama on Friday night. He met with board President Tracy Roberts and board attorney Scotty Lewis on Saturday and signed the contract to lead the system, which serves 27,000 students.
"Then I began looking for a place to live," Lee said in a telephone interview Monday.
He said he will lease a house in Daphne until he can find a place to buy.
I'm really looking forward to getting down and going to work," incoming superintendent Alan Lee said. "You've got a great system now, but it can always be better."
"I'm really looking forward to getting down and going to work," he said. "You've got a great system now, but it can always be better."
Lee's contract stipulates that he must obtain the appropriate certification to act as a school superintendent in accordance with Alabama laws. Failing to do so before Feb. 1 could result in termination, according to the agreement.
Among other points of the contract, Lee will receive 12 sick days, no fewer than 15 days of vacation and two personal days annually.
The board can also buy out the contract, paying Lee his salary and benefits for the period of time remaining on the deal, reduced by any salary that he receives from another job during the contract term.
The board appointed Lee, 62, to the post at a special meeting June 15.
Board member Bob Wills cast the lone vote against Lee's appointment last week. Wills and board member Elmer McDaniel then voted against allowing Roberts to negotiate the contract, but that measure passed with five votes in favor.
Wills and McDaniel later said they voted against the contract because the offer was too high.
In Abington, Va., Lee worked his way from janitor and bus driver for Washington County schools all the way to superintendent, a position he held for 11 years, he told Baldwin school board members during interviews. His salary with the 7,500-student system was $146,000.
Faron Hollinger left as Baldwin superintendent in December after eight years in the post; he still had more than a year remaining on his contract. At the time of his departure, Hollinger's annual salary was $147,125."
Lee's salary is $175,000 per year.
Don't think it would take a genius to figure out why Stinson didn't go to Alabama!! Stinson receives more sick days, more vacation days, more personal days, annuities, a car, and more money at Decatur.
He's a true and dedicated professional. Truly dedicated to lining his pockets with the money we've set aside for the education of our children. The trip to Alabama was driven by his fear that his chumps on the school board would be voted out of office. When they weren't, he breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began playing the Baldwin County school board against our local school board to wring the biggest cash incentive added to his contract. Our boy Diamond Don at his best.
A bit off topic...
I overheard a snippet from a conversation between two women at Marsh. One woman had said her son had just graduated from Decatur and is going to IU in the fall, and she's thankful that she no longer has to deal with this stupid school system.
Two weeks ago,I had a visit from a salesman offering to sell me new windows. I asked the man if he had seen the no solicitation sign posted, and informed him I wasn't interested. The young woman next door--a 2008 graduate of Decatur-- had heard my brief exchange with the salesman and asked me what solicitation meant....
@Anon June 22, 2010 1:02 PM
Well,there is a professional class in the U.S. that has no problem fleecing anyone and everyone. They feel they're entitled. Think of what's happening at Decatur as a microcosm of what's happening nationally. It's The Princess Syndrome--this inflated sense of entitlement. It does appear the staff of Decatur is even more cliquish than the students they're paid to teach. You'd think adults would outgrow such puerile pursuits....
BTW,I think this Mr.Lee will be very successful in Alabama. I bet he has an interesting and well rounded perspective WRT running a school system. Had Stinson left for Alabama....There's no doubt in my mind Decatur's school board would've probably sought out Gus Sayer for superintendent.
I hope this is the last we hear of the Baldwin job. It has no bearing on anything anymore. By the way, once again, they sought him, not the other way around.
We must have quite a few Decatur graduates on this blog considering the grammar and the language usage if the story of the person not knowing what solicitors means has any bearing.
Yoda,
Please contact the Baldwin board and ask if they sought Stinson. They did not seek Stinson. They sought through a private firm, BWP, the best candidates for their job opening - period. Ask them. Again, Stinson has mislead followers like you. Check it out!!! The Baldwin job is only important because it again is an example of how others are treated by this most kind person.
Any idea why Decatur has NO money and are still spending? It appears that Lynwood is getting a new HVAC system as the old one was completly torn out and sitting in the dumpster. Also I sure hope the big metal swings that they are cutting down are getting used somewhere else. With the extra lot by lynwood they would like to turn into a bus turn around. Which I think is a great idea and think that was the reason for the land all along. However, you do not add this at a time when there is NO MONEY!!!!!!!!!!
The school admin keeps spending because that's how the juice game is played. The more construction, maintenance and supply "contracts" they let out, the more kickbacks from vendors they get under the table.
So...it would be okay if Stinson bought drugs from a drug dealer as long as the drug dealer approached him and not the other way around?
I'm glad Yoda's not running this blog so he can't dictate what we talk about.
I can't believe you made the to drug dealing. That makes about as much sense as most of the lame arguments here.LOL. I am glad I don't dictate what is discussed here either. That would be going against what this country is all about. I seem to understand that more than most of you. Just because someone does something you do not like or looks at you the wrong way or doesn't jump when you whine does not mean they should resign or run for the hills because they hurt you little feelings.
I don't need to contact Baldwin county, it has nothing to do with anything now. Get on with it. As I said before, if you folks want to change the system, get somebody to run that can be elected. Since you haven't been able to do that since HEI was booted out, it seems that the township does not want what you are selling. Until you do that, this moaning and groaning will not solve anything except maybe make you feel better about yourselves.
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