Comments on: Dearborn School Supt. Says ‘Task Ahead Not Easy’

By: Happy Here

Happy Here — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:27:26 +0000

If your school sent home a note explaining what would happen prior to this week, that information was based on speculation and hopes because changes to staffing were made as late as Thursday morning.

PTA, in many schools, is a glorified sorority … not a place that is welcoming to most parents. As employees of the taxpayers, I feel that a note home is not too much to ask.

By: Donna Hay

Donna Hay — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:32:59 +0000

Happy – I do realize that people are busy but even if they don’t have access to cable or the newspapers there is always the PTA in their local schools. I know the kids in my neighborhood have been bringing home rumors for weeks now. If you go on the school website you can watch the school board meetings and some of the special meetings that were held. In fact channel 7 has had a few pieces on the school system. My grandson’s math teacher has been rehired so that’s a plus and my granddaughter is switching classes but they know who the teacher will be. My g/daughter brought home a note from school explaining what was going to be happening and when, I just assumed that all the schools did this.

There is always the public library where people can go to read papers and use the internet.

By: Happy Here

Happy Here — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:59:13 +0000

Donna Hay – people are busy, people are struggling in other parts of their lives … we don’t have Comcast, so don’t get the Dearborn station, I am fortunate to be able to afford the paper, but many of my neighbors are not able to afford that right now, and the website doesn’t explain the specifics of what is happening at each school. As much as I agree with you that people should try to be more informed, I really believe that it’s the responsibility of the school to send a note home.

On another note, my child’s class will be dissolved at the end of today … no official word on who his new teacher will be because the district is still juggling the teachers around. How is this fair to the kids?

By: Donna Hay

Donna Hay — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:45:11 +0000

If people have any interest in their children at all they know what is happening in the schools. It’s been in the paper, TV and on the web-site.

By: Happy Here

Happy Here — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:20:45 +0000

If Whiston really wants to get the word out … here’s a thought, send a note home with the kids! Most parents are sadly unaware that all this is happening.

By: Confused

Confused — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:51:32 +0000

Jim,
Whiston GAVE the money to the Foundation, and the Foundation gave it to their Director. Yes, the Foundation paid the Director but with the money Whiston gave the Foundation. Don’t be fooled by the spin. District funds paid the Director.

By: Alley Cat

Alley Cat — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:29:28 +0000

Jim it is 70, 000 with the 20,000 bonus given recently and it is a two deal. Waste not want not.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:04:05 +0000

I think Whiston was trying to play off all the finger pointing by using a bunch of quotes relevant to the situation. Perhaps the district’s PR guy gave some bad advice or did his usual mediocre job of writing. Agreed, not a strong opinion. However, everybody (administration and employees) in the schools need to make sure they are paying attention to the kids and not spending all their time wrapped up in finding someone to blame. Remember, despite all that is going on, their job is to educate kids. I would like to blame someone for this as well but I find it hard to throw Whiston under the bus when the state cut $12 million in October.

I don’t think Dearborn is in this alone. I saw on the news the other night Southgate is going through the same thing, as is a bunch of other districts.

As far as the Foundation guy, I was at one of the meetings where Whiston explained the cost. $50,000 (not $70,000) this year and no promise for next year. The guy is paid by the Foundation not the district, no benefits. If the Foundation guy doesn’t bring in more money than the Foundation has collected in previous years the district doesn’t give the Foundation the additional 50 g’s. The Foundation throws around that million dollar figure a lot but that has come over many years. The Foundation board evaluates the director not the district. As far as the other job goes I have no idea if that is true or not it appears others on this site know more.

By: JP Dearborn

JP Dearborn — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:21:47 +0000

Does anyone know which teachers are being laid off, and which teachers are going where? The people I have asked at the schools say the plans have not been finalized.

We need to know more about what is going on with that Education Foundation, from what is printed above. Can ‘rick’ provide any details?

By: rick

rick — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:53:07 +0000

Confused you are so right on with your statement — I hope little Brian hasn’t sold out to Mossolam and his boys as Mossolam has privately told people.