That article was really hard to follow.

This is the problem with a small community. Everyone knows everyone else and all their buisness, whether its true or false.

Good Luck sorting out this mess!!!

I was able to follow the story, it's just that the circumstances are somewhat bizarre--and the Gazette has no control over that. Perhaps as the rest of the input and rebuttal comes to light, it will make more sense.

Yes the story was a little hard to follow, not due to the Gazette, but due to the bizarre actions of the District Office. Do you know that today, Thursday May 14, and tomorrow Evalene Townend is running....yes I said running, a board of people that she handpicked to choose two new principals of our schools! Why is she still running that board?! [Edited sentence for questionable presumption of wrongdoing] And why is the school board sitting by doing nothing? To quote Jeff Sweeney himself...."The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it is indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it is indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it is indifference." (Original author Ellie Wiesel, holocaust survivor). So if he really believes that, then why do his actions speak so much louder than his words? Tell me neighbors and friends....these are the people we trust to run our school board and our district?

Just out of curiousity, what should she be under investigation for? You never stated that in your post. Isn't Evalene Townend the Human Resource director for the district? I've always thought Human Resources are supposed to be involved in the hiring process or is there another way that you know? From your post, how does the quote from Jeff Sweeney tie into the rest of the post? I don't see the connection. Would you please explain it to me? Sorry for all the questions but I like to be well informed before I make any decisions.

Word of warning to all people. Just because it's written by a paper (no offense meant to the editors or reporters)or spoken from on individual to another, the information could be incorrect. If that "misinformation" gets repeated enough by enough people, it will be believed as fact.

I hope this is ok to provide a link to a yahoo news article I found rather enlightening. It shows exactly what I just stated and can happen anytime, anywhere.

The title of the article is "Irish student hoaxes world's media with fake quote" and was written by Shawn Pogatchnik, Associated Press Writer. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Irish-student-hoaxes-worlds-apf-15201451.h...

Just in case your not aware of it the audio that the gazette has is [name deleted for absence of proof of identity] impersonating a middle school teacher trying to defend her own actions. And to explain the Jeff Sweeney quote, he quoted Ellie Weisel on indifference. The school board already knows this information about [name deleted] and yet has stayed indifferent. The apathy of the school board is killing our district.

I would appreciate more info too on what you posted mammabird, I kind of get the gist of it, from past posts and stories on the Gazette, but it does seem like an awful lot is going on behind the scenes and the whole story hasnt come out.
I read the story of the hoax before, amazing. I dont think an email comes tru my inbox, that isnt some type of a hoax, or half truth, I rarely pass anything along these days..

While this article is disconcerting, it is important to remember that there is always a process that must be followed. Just because we have not heard of any action taken by the administration or the school board does not mean it is not going on. Due process must be followed.

I'm assuming that you have proof to back this up, mommabird? If so, I'd like to see it. If it's something you've heard and passed on then it's considered 'hear-say' (not the correct spelling) and not proof. If it's something you've read and passed on, I'd like to see the original article so that I can verify it. I'm just looking for verifiable proof. If it can't be proven then I and others won't believe it.

Teacher1234, why can't more think like that?

Let's see if we can hypothetically solve this mystery. Let's say you ran a business and the union leader your employees elected said some disparaging things about your leadership and organization. These things ended up in the paper and some folks around you got mad. Unbeknownst to you one of your managers decides on their own attack the credibility of both the newspaper and the union leader by lying and leaving two phone messages in which this manager disparages the union boss and makes fun of the guy who wrote the article all the while pretending to be a person or persons who you, the owner of the business let go some time before. Does this make sense? Attack the credibility of others by lying that you met with yourself and told yourself you were great while pretending to be someone else. Then, cement the deal by writing a missive intended to also attack the union boss and leave it in the union headquarters all the while pretending that you didn't write it and pretending you're someone else.
I hope this clears up what hypothetically may have happened here.

I agree it is the situation that is hard to follow.

The rumor mill was rampant today at the schools. This article spread like wildfire through the schools. I know of several teachers that hooked up speakers afterschool so they could listen to the messages. Many of them have a strong opinion about who this person is. If it is who they suspect...what an embarrassment to FUSD. It wouldn't surprise many of the teachers as they feel this particular person has been manipulative with her position.

That said there is more to the picture besides some rant on a phone message.

It's sad when teachers are represent by a union president that can be too aggressive. Many teachers have decided to stay out of the politics because of the abrasive way meetings have been held. This is a time more than ever that we need our union to be supported but when everyone is afraid to step up and participate, things don't get handled the best ways possible. (for me the eye opener was the FUTA social. not the plesant even I thought it would be)

We do have good leaders at the DO and in the Union.

Unfortunately they have now been tainted by the actions of one, maybe more.

From what I can see we have two things working against us right now:

- Some members of the DO that put their self interests before the common good of the district.
- Bad FUTA representation that is not willing to work with the DO which in turn has caused them to not want to work with our union, splitting hairs over little issues so that the bigger issues get put off.

We will have to wait and see where this all goes. Only time will tell.

PS. Only 13 more days until school gets out! Then what?

Union President too aggresive-----

When was the last vote taken to put her in that position? Anyone know the numbers?

JB

Your union president ran unopposed except for a last minute write in campaign, so if you want to blame anyone for what some people are saying is bad FUTA representation, then you can just blame yourselves. In my opinion, a union president needs to be aggressive, they need to be strong, they need to be able to challenge authority. That is what they do. As teachers, you should be treated with respect, professionalism and fairness. The district office should have to try to work with your union, not the other way around. They have failed to recognize the validity of your union at every turn, and are dismissive in their dealings with FUTA. What solid examples can anyone give of anyone at the DO trying to work fairly with FUTA when an issue came up that they did not agree on? The teacher's union has power in solidarity. Divisiveness will get you nowhere except in the district's pocket, and that seems like right where some of you want to be, but I can't for the life of me figure out why. Unions exist for the sole purpose of standing up for teacher's rights. You would not have the salary schedules and health and welfare benefits that you have now if aggressive people (who came many years before your current president) had not stood up for teacher's rights. All I can say is, figure out what side you are on - if you want your union to be better, get involved. Don't do it by bad mouthing your president.

It is interesting that the FUSD DO is finally showing the community what they are really made of. But those of us who have seen them in action are not surprised. The way they handle a simple news story is not unlike the way they do business. Lies, cover-ups, deception, they do it all. It is true that our union pres. has not been the poster person for HR, but in that same spirit, neither has our HR Superintendent. I don't in anyway condone what went on at our recent social, but honestly--it takes a Bully to bring one down.

FHSalum or anyone

this is the 2nd reference I've read to something happening at the social. What happened?

JB

June Bug, you took the question right out of my mouth--WHAT did happen at the social, doesnt sound good?!
and Samalama, some GOOD points, and interesting to hear the other side. Still, if it is in such a mess right now, it didnt get that way from just one side acting unprofessional and devisive. To run it into the ditch like this, you needed help from both sides.

Thank you Fillmore Native for your clarity of thought. Just like any relationship it takes two to make it succeed or fail. In response to Samalama, you are correct that if you don't like how things are being run then you should get involved. However I will say there is a difference between being aggressive and adversarial. A good leader knows when to take a stand, when to listen and when to take a step back. I don't think the FUTA President is a bad person. I believe she has had some error in judgement. Just like I don't believe the administration is out to stick it to the teachers. When money is involved, it can get very nasty. I just hope cooler heads will prevail and respect and diplomacy can return to what used to be a amicable working relationship.

I think all of society is coarser and less willing to negotiate and take the high road. What we need are more gentlemen like Bill Shaffer, and ladies like Dolores Day! And when ever you see a woman be aggressive, well, a man can do it, and be effective, a woman will always be viewed unfavorabley, I'm afraid. But I have to say, I've seen some very good, fair minded posts here lately, looking at more than one side. Is there hope yet for Society?? perhaps..

FN

You are refering to "polite society" which doesn't hardly exist anymore. I had two young boys accidently bump into me a few weeks ago and both apologized. I almost fell over on my own. I've had grown men almost knock me off my feet and not say a word, or let the door slam in my face. I make a point of saying thank you when a man does hold a door open for me. My pet peeve is language. I hear boys as young as 7 swearing in public. They think it's cool. Teenage and 20-somethings are the worst. They don't think twice about saying the F-word or anything else in front of a woman old enough to be their grandmother--again, grown men, too. It pollutes the air we breath. Men use to save this behaviour for the locker room or cigar lounge, not in the presence of a lady (also a dieing breed) or children. Now it's everywhere. I hate it.

Great point, FillmoreNative - if the union president was a man, I doubt that any of this "aggressive" talk would even have come up. She would be called powerful and forceful. At the social, President Marvel presented some district budget information. A member took exception to her inciting the members at the social, saying this was the first FUTA event she had been to. I think this is what people are referring to. The member who expressed dismay at President Marvel's sharing of the district budget info is married to a district administrator. I didn't think it was a big deal - President Marvel agreed that she would close the issue, the social went on as planned, people ate and drank and that was that.

Oh, June Bug, you and me both!!! JUST MAKES ME SICK to hear people talk like that and especially now with my gray hair and grandkids, have they no shame whatsoever??? I've asked a 20 something man in Target, to 'hey, can you please watch your language, there's kids around here'...not said angrily either, and he got in my face and was MORE abusive. Boy, if one of my sons ever did that, even grown, I'd have them by the ear and give them a good talking to!! As it is, my teenage son still gets corrected for walking in front of an adult, without an 'excuse me' and is reminded to open doors, help with packages, etc. I think this is where it starts! Just a few minutes here and there, to train your kids up, in the way they should go. You know, it's a shame those pesky 10 comandments got tossed, there's this one that's really great--"HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER" ---if a child is taught that, it is only the next logical step to honor your elders and everyone else too..

As I see it, we have many problems within the educational system of Fillmore (District Office, School Board and Community) mainly which center on responsibility, rust, "true" open communication and involvement. As someone said earlier, money causes problems, all parties must acknowledge that prior knowledge of cuts was forecasted - this has not occurred within the last month or months.

Comments:
District Office - I agree with comments of "Say What" in that the District has become "self-serving" but also arrogant in dealing with its employees and the public. Remember who you ultimately work for the Fillmore Community. What is the DO doing in these ecomonic times in sharing when cost cuts are necessary with its top heavy organization - salary or work-time reductions? Also, can an employee bring an issue to you without fear of retribution? Have you truly been open? The Superintendent is utlimately responsible for any actions of his staff (himself on down) and should take swift corrective action for their inappropriate manner/dealings with the employees and the public, or abuse of power.

School Board - Reminder, you were elected by the Community NOT the District Office. Listen, question and make/demand alternatives to what you are told then take action (remember there are students and employees impacted by your action or inaction). Kudos to Tony Prado for his actions and to the others - shame on you for not doing the above. More time should be allowed for public comments and questions without the DO running the show.

The DO head financial officer said in a recent public meeting "...these are rough figures...", but under these economic times why was he not told this unacceptable and to provide accurate figures with due haste? If anyone should have access to the true and accurate financials, it should be the DO financial officer.

Community - General populous and/or parent - get involved, listen and question what you hear or are told. It is your school, kids, job and community. Do not idly stand by - get involved by speaking out and voting!

In the first sentence, "rust" should have been "trust"

Corrected - As I see it, we have many problems within the educational system of Fillmore (District Office, School Board and Community) mainly which center on responsibility, trust, "true" open communication and involvement.

dont worry, the typos keep it interesting! And I think I'm the only one to post here, who has never had a pyto.

I disagree that the District has become self-serving. There are some very hardworkers in our administration. Jeff Sweney has been a breath of fresh air for this district.

However you are correct that true open communication and trust has been lost this year. Personality issues and pride from both sides need to be put aside so we can move forward.

Teacher1234 - There are hardworkers in the entire school-wide staff but to be fair, the burden of cost cutting must be shared at the district office level as well, that is partly what I meant by self-serving. Maybe self protection would be a better description of the DO's sharing in cost cutting.

Any change can seem like a "breath of fresh air"; however, certain members of the DO have caused the air to become stagnant thus possibly tarnishing Jeff Sweney. By stagnant, I reiterate previous statement "inappropriate manner/dealings with the employees and the public, or abuse of power".

By your moniker, you appear to be a teacher (math?), the issue of cost cutting is not just two sides (the DO and teachers)but multiple sides.

Yes, I am a teacher...not math. It was just an easy moniker to come up with. :) You are correct in the cost cutting must be shared by all. I appreciate you clarifying your response. There is a Board meeting tomorrow night at 6:00 at the district office for anyone in the community who would like to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. You are one or the other. There is no middle gorund I'm afraid.

Too bad the board meeting is on the same evening as the high school's Open House. Who controls the district calendar?

The district calendar is finalized by the board. It is also on the agenda for this evening. The Union has had very little say on the structure of next year's calendar, unlike past years.

If your question regarding the district calendar pertains to the scheduling of events, the Board meetings have been every other Tuesday for as long as I can remember. Unless I'm mistaken, the High School could have chosen a different night. If your question regarding the district calendar is referring to beginning and ending of school as well as holidays and breaks I would refer you to the district office for answers to those questions.