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Sunday, June 17, 2007
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66 comments:
there is a meeting of concerened parents set for June 21 to talk about ideas on how to deal with the many school problems. It's going to be an informal "RAP session.
GL Parent
Is this at the Heidel House...I haven't heard time or specific location?? Is it for anyone..please let us know. I am very upset with the fact that the first grade teacher Mrs. Borgardt is being forced to move into the fifth grade multi age position. Peg Zarnott is then being forced into the 1st grade room. Neither teacher wants to do this...so why are they making them? Mrs. B is such a great 1st grade teacher and really into challenging kids on reading and math...such a shame that this change is occuring. I talked to Marc Dosogne who made up some lie about how Mrs. Borgardt did better on some test and that is why they are having her move into this position. Well, there was no test. He said that is what Mr. Tracy said. Well, from what I see there is quite the "circle" up there consisting of Deb Kneser, Jan Hauer, Mr. Tracy just to name of few..and they have the school board kissing their butt or is it the other way around..who knows. All I know is that open enrollment is sounding better by the minute...I just don't know if I am ready to drive to Ripon everyday
Also, how sad that they are getting rid of the special education aides. When you want to get other students to come to our school it probably isn't a good idea to have no one there to help those children with special needs...it just makes me so angry! And while I am rambling..They talk about wanting this charter school so the kids are more involved with the community..since when has the school wanted any involvement with the community...they are the only school in the county that does not allow others in to offer services or groups (AODA, domestic abuse/healthy relationships). They have such a closed door policy...The only people they allow in are the women that come in and talk about art work...does anyone remember those ladies??
WHAT A JOKE
where is the new website? I am confused
GL Parent
Sorry melissa, I was advised not to say where this meeting is or time in fear that the school admin well send their people. maybe call D.morgan
GL Parent
I completely agree with you Melissa! There is a very definite "inner circle" (of which you can add Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Allen to that list) and if certain staff are not part of it, I have seen them basically attacked by the admin, Tracy in particular, because circle members "tattle" about things they don't like. It truly is a joke. I realize there are problems in every workplace, but I have NEVER seen anything like this. Tracy has done nothing but divide the staff, and now students and parents are finally starting to get wind of the lies and intimidations and see what things are really like. Unfortunately, the kids are the ones who ultimately suffer from all of this. Many parents and students are afraid to speak up or out, for fear of ramifications by administation, certain teachers, lack of scholarships, etc. What is it going to take for school board members to wake up and realize what is happening to the school?
the new website is chiefhighknocker.com
If they move Mrs. B that is just mean. There are small children expecting her to be their teacher next year.
What is up with this Tracy guy? Sounds like he's breeding the problem. Wish I knew where that meeting was. We leave our children with these people.
This switching of the teachers isn't a new thing. Lori Baccus did it when she was here. Peg and Deb Kneser were switched from 1st to 5th, so maybe everyone is just going back to where they belong. Mrs. Borgardt was switched then too because they only needed one 5th grade class that year. We as parents couldn't do anything about it then either so I wish you all luck this time around.
I think our biggest problem is our wimpy school board president. What a disgrace she has turned out to be.
It is definitely time for a change.
KH
KH-
I agree Lori Baccus did switch teachers around, but that was based on class size and need at a certain grade. She also listened to some input from her staff of who maybe wanted a grade change or preferred a certain grade. It was not a vindictive switch of flip flopping teachers just becuase she could have, as this switch is. Mrs. Zarnott stepped up and volunteered to teacher the 5/6 split, yet Tracy still switched them. I think most know who else is behind that switch.
I also agree, unfortunately, there's not much we as parents can do.
Correct observation about the school board president..
Please start this conversation on the new website too. People are missing out!!!
I can't believe so many of you are so negative about our school. There are so many great things happening, and some people just can't be positive! The ring leader of this all is someone who school choiced here into the district. If she can't keep her nose out of it, why doesn't she take her kids to Princeton? Then she can see if Princeton is better than GL. I know she will find that Princeton has problems too. GL is a great school, so start thinking positive, people!!
I hope to see alot of names running for the school board this year. With all of these complaints there better be a great turnout (unlike the years past). Some things are much easier to bitch about than actually do something about.
Sorry to see these negative comments about the way the school is being run. My kids were in other schools, and from what I've seen, Green Lake is run very well. It sounds like
this administration is just trying to get rid of negative, gossipiing disrespectful staff. I say good riddance to them and bring on some new people who actually want to really teach, along with some of the great teachers we do have at the school. I am also pleased that the administration is willing to try new things like the charter school, the Lake Studies class, the International Baccalureate. If we do
not try to do some new things, we might continue down the path of declining enrollment and budget cuts.
My understanding is that Ken, Jon and Deb are a much better team than the previous administration.
I do hope the school board pushes a referendum to increase
school spending. My kids love some of the extra's like the music and field trips, and some of the opportunities to participate that they couldn't have from the larger school we came from.
Hopefully, we can work together as a community to positively help the school move forward. That would be
better than the complaining we seem to have so much of.
To KH
If you think we have wimpy Board President,then you truly have no clue how hard she works for our school district. I've seen four Board Presidents and Wendy Schultz is probably the most hard working, honest, and fair School Board President we've had.
All of this "dictator" and "wimpy"
type comments have to be from people who haven't taken time to
get to know her. We are lucky to have someone who cares so much about our school like Wendy does.
I wonder if any of the people doing all of the complaining have any clue what it takes to do all of the work behind the scenes?
I agree with the other comment about people running for school board next time. We have lots of
people who are very happy to complain, but not too many people
willing to run for the board and
do that thankless job. I hate to admit that I would not want to do the job Wendy has to do in trying to lead our school. All she gets is people complaining, and what she probably needs is more people
asking how they could help. Think about it!
I completely agree with some of these recent comments. Some
teachers have been taking charge of the administration too long. It is about time that the current administration straightens out the bad teachers so our school gets better. Congrats to Mr. Bates and Mr. Tracy for having the guts to straighten out some of the teachers. We want great teachers in our district. We can't afford to have teachers that talk bad about our district working there. This is totally unprofessional and needs to be taken care of. The current administration is heading the school in the right direction academically and professionally! Keep up the great work!
There aren't many facts presented...just a lot of whining and complaining. It is time to start looking at the bright side that change is good and things will get better. We are headed in the right direction! Be positive and quit complaining.
I am so glad to see some of the positive, intelligent recent comments. What a refreshing relief to all of this silliness about secret meetings at the Heidel House, but don't tell anybody.
How stupid is that? Ooohhh...I'm
scared..... a secret meeting!
And all of this whining about the decision to change Mrs. Borgardt and Mrs. Zarnot. So what? If the principal and the administrator believe this is a better situation, that is their decision, not the teachers. It seems as though we have had too many years of some teachers believing they are in charge. Finally, we have some decent people at the top who have the courage to stand up and run the school again. And, they have a vision for holding people accountable, and insisting on repectful behavior. The only people this will really affect are the small handful of teachers who want to stand in the hallway or hang out in the copy room and gossip. So far, the people they have hired are ready to work and make the school better. Maybe we need to give them more credit that they are being thoughtful in their decisions as administrator and principal.
First off..it is helpful if people have a sign in name. If you feel so strongly about your postings, at least sign your name..we are all adults here (or at least I think we are). Second, in regards to Mrs. Borgardt and Mrs. Zarnott, I called up Wendy Schultz the other night and have to say she is very nice and listens well. I think that we have this idea that the board is not listening because they may not agree with us. I am still mad about the change and I think it has nothing to do with professionalism and all to do with manipulation because of personality conflicts. I would also challenge the school board to find out how many observations Mr. Tracy has done in her room. Such a big change for not actually seeing her teach. Third, those that think us complainers should run for school board..NEWS FLASH!!!! part of your job being on school board is to listen to parents, just because we are not happy doesn't mean we should be on the board...there are other skills required that some of us may not have..but that does not give you the right to tell us that we can not complain! You should be glad that there are parents that do care about the school. I also understand, after talking with Wendy, that there are some things the public may not know about which is frustrating. However, that means that there needs to be a great deal of trust in our board and administration. We do not have the trust. Although Mr. Tracy has been very pleasant to me on the phone and in person (he actually has wonderful values and is very strength based from what I have observed)I still am having a hard time seeing the school going towards a positive direction. I am curious to see actual numbers of schools our size that do as much switching of teachers and creating half-ass programs as Green Lake does. When I called Mr. Tracy about the multi-age program a few weeks ago, because I wanted my daughter to have Mrs. Baranowski but was unsure of the program, he still could not give me a straight answer. However, he did tell me to contact Deb Kneser, but shouldn't he have a good idea by now what the program is about?
Melissa Sonntag
I like this web site much better than the new one...this is much more user friendly!!!!
I like this website better than the new one, too.
Regarding the above postings about how positive and wonderful our school is with the current administration, what a bunch of CRAP! The same person obviously wrote most of the blogs, probably someone from the school. (gee, ya think?) The school is a frickin' MESS because of Tracy and Bates. To say that they are getting rid of the "negative, gossipping, disrespectful staff" is ludicrous. There have been many breeches of conduct on the part of e. jon tracy, he has his own agenda and is not concerned with what is right.
Tracy had the audacity to tell one (very wonderful) teacher I know that she was not allowed to speak to any of her former students, in the hallway, in the school, anywhere. What kind of a NAZI thing is that for a principal to do? This is an established teacher with an excellent record who cares very much about her pupils. Tracy is on a power trip. I think we should have his brain tested, his neurotransmitters are failing. The speech he gave at the '06 graduation ceremony should have been a clue to his bizarreness. Why Bates has allowed the entire school to be ripped apart is another question. Why Jan Hauer is still employed here is a super-good question, I resent that my taxes pay her salary.
It is obvious that our democracy has turned into a dictatorship, and we sure as hell better do something about it or the school will cease to exist in a few years.
Nice blogs Melissa, keep up the good work!
Refering to the "our kids deserve better" blog,- if this were a life or death experience I might read your blog with a little more seriousness, ("our democracy has turned into a dictatorship" let us not over react, my God!) but your over reaction and childish rhetoric merely makes your blog silly and almost funny if it weren't so pathetic and ignorant. Learn the real facts, take out the emotion and make your own judgement, not one based on heresay, inflamatory rhetoric and gossip. A thoughtful, well informed citizen is the best citizen, that is what makes a great democracy!
Hello all,
It would be great if everyone could use the same site; so this one or the new site created by the Chief?
Before I post anything serious, I would like to know if the principal should be referred to as "Tracy" or the "Hippie King?"
I'm thinking Hippie King.
Everybody Wang Chang tonight!
Oophs, sorry Wang Chung tonight!
Hey you guys,
Let's all go to the Board meeting tomorrow and show that ol'Hippie King that we aren't afraid of him or any of those whacked out ideas like improving the school so it doesn't close down next year. Hippies didn't scare us back in the 60's and 70's and we aren't afraid them now either. Even when they are elderly like the King. They don't frighten us because it's Green Lake and we know nothing lasts very long here especially hippies and school administrators.
Alright bud, that old gray haired friend of yours won't think he's such a smarty pants tomorrow when the article (Principal Under Fire) gets pubished and we hand out copies of our Anger Management Manual at the Board meeting. (The newspaper article should have been titled "Principles Under
Fire") because some of us do have ethics and standards and everyone knows that trying to change something in Green Lake is a violation of our way of life. I have no doubt that he was some how involved in Watergate, Iran-Contra and lots of other stuff. He's probably the guy that caused the Domino Theory to collapse back in '75 and the one that confused the president and the rest of us re: the Middle East conflict. (It's Iran not Iraq!) If Tracy knew how to spell we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be in jail in Grand Island or Rock Island or some place, and America would be a better place. Let's lay some smack on him. Don't let him get away with those casual clothes and working out in our fitness center. (He's not a resident.) Rise up! Defend our way of life!!!!!!!!! Fight the power!!
Good post Melissa. Guess you showed those Nattering Nabobs of Negativism. They won't mess with us now!
That's not my post! No way!!!!!
Way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bates and Dosogne calling the cops because a parent wanted to talk to him after the school board meeting tonight! Are you KIDDING me?! Just another example of how screwed up everything is up there...
I am reading this last entry
( June 27)to this blog regarding me calling the police. The writer talks about this "being an example of how screwed up the school is."
But as the one involved in this situation, I can say to the readers and the person who wrote this entry that this is an example of someone writing, not knowing all of the facts and jumping to a conclusion. This just makes readers of information like this get part of the picture when they see this and then more rumors get going. I would hope the writer of this particular entry would have the courage to call me at 294-6151. I would be glad to tell them or anyone who may want to call the truth about what happened late night following the board meeting rather than the version the writer portrays here.
I will be curious if the writer of this actually does call. Also I will be curious if after they call they are willing to retract what they wrote and tell the readers what actually took place.
I would also like to respond to Melissa's entry of June 18th, where she accuses me "making up some lie about Mrs. Borgardt doing better on some test". In fact, that is not what I said and again, would be glad to discuss this with Melissa or anyone else as to what I actually said was told to me about the switch being made between the 1st and 5th grade teaching assignments. Perhaps after Melissa hears again what I actually did say, she will be as quick to write a retraction to her first charge and be more thoughtful about what she writes before knowing the facts.
Marc Dosogne School Board Member.
Marc,
I appreciate your response and if I could go back and be more thoughtful in my words I would have. However, I do not feel that I was accusing you of saying this, because this is what you did say. In our conversation you said that you were under the impression that Mrs. Borgardt and Mrs. Zarnott had taken a test of some sort, of which you didn't know as to what kind of test, but there were strengths seen in Mrs. Borgardt that led her to take over the multi-age class.
From our conversation I gathered that this is what you were told or what you had understood took place.
I am now apologizing for the way I worded my blog entry. What I should have said is that possibly you were not told the whole truth and that you were just telling me what you knew or didn't know. In addition, one other thing I failed to mention in my previous blog is that you did say that you had faith in the Administration and trusted that they were making the switch for the right reasons. You also told me that if our conversation did not satisfy me, that I should contact Mr. Tracy and discuss this matter, which I failed to do.
Again, I apologize for my blog entry which was written out of anger and frustration. I still feel that the switch being made is being done out of dislike towards Mrs. Borgardt and Mrs. Zarnott, and if isn't, then it was handled very poorly by the way they were told and the aftermath of it.
However, if you feel that our conversation did not consist of this, I am open to hearing what your perception is.
Thanks,
Melissa Sonntag
Melissa,
I think your latest blog is another example of how you don't have the facts that you need to form an opinion based on reality.
Were you present at any conversation between the administration and either of those teachers? No, you weren't. Did you ever contact the principal by phone, in person, letter, or email, about those conversations between him and the teachers? No, you didn't. You are just passing on gossip and you need to get the facts, before you do any more damage to the reputation of the school. You have been on this blog without getting the data that you need for the things you have written, which were based on nothing. You have to stop with the "he said she said." Go to the source.
If you don't know this already, parents from other communities are reading this blog. I know of one parent from another community who was considering schoool choice in Green Lake. She has been reading the blogs and now considers us as the last place she would ever send a child for an education. Is that what you want ?
You told some of your school friends (months ago) that you were going go to the school and talk to the principal in person to get the truth; you didn't do that. From what I have been told by him, you have a 24 x 7 invitation to visit with him. So, what are you waiting for? Here's the number 294-6411. I think we need to try to get back to 98.6. Do you want to help?
Dang! Just when I thought I could spell and edit!! Sorry.
Dear 98.6,
Actually I am not writing gossip but factual information that is being told me from the school board. Are you implying that what Mrs. Borgardt says is happening is false? Someones perception is their reality. In addition, what I write I stand behind. Although I can sometimes let my frustration get the best of me, I have not made anything up.
In regards to your friend not wanting to send her children to Green Lake. Well, I am thinking about open enrollment next year and there are many parents that have young ones that already have told me there is no way their children will go to Green Lake...so the answer to your question is...I don't know..Do I wish our school would get better? Yes. But do I see that happening anytime soon? No.
If you care to talk further you can always feel free to call me or send me an email...you don't have to hide
I would like to say that this blog has been entertaining for the past few months, but I am officially signing off. I feel that you shouldn't write something if you can not sign your name. I am not going to put my energy into responding to people that have no identity. In addition, I have found that my honesty in my feelings towards the school is not leading me in the right direction. I also have found that people do not read your blog, but instead read pieces of it and run away with it.
Again, in response to 98.6 (is this a radion staion? I am confused) you mentioned that I base things on hear say..didn't you say that I told my "school friends" that I was going to call the principal and get the truth? Well, are you my school friend or did you just "hear that?" The only person up at the school that I talk to and have the most respect for is Mary Hunter. So, I am not sure who the other "school friends" are?
I will also say that if anyone questions anything I have said, please feel free to call me on it and discuss it. I truly enjoy hearing others point of view and sometimes I need that to rethink my views on things as well. My email is rothmelissa@hotmail.com
Signing Off,
Melissa Sonntag
Dear 98.6
Are you now the elected president of the blog?? What about all the anonymous writers who said things about the school? I wouldn't just target Melissa because she signs her name. She said she talked to Wendy and Mr. Tracy. And who cares if other parents read the blog. People can express their opinion. Trust me, GLHS's reputation has been bad way before this blog.
To 98.6 and friends,
I wouldn't be so concerned about Melissa's opinions. Again she can write what she wishes. Why are you checking up on what Melissa did; asking the principal if she called... that's weird. Who are her school friends? Hey 98.6, are you actually Mr. Tracy? I think the article in Ripon Commonwealth also advertised pretty well how the school is doing.
Blah blah blah!
blah, blah, blah... that's profound.
I live in a nearby community and I had never heard anything bad about the school until the extreme right wingers jumped on this blog and started making statements to the press that are pure fantasy. Yes, I know the administration, the BOE and the employees.
I can tell you that Melissa didn't do any of the stuff that she said she did. Basically she got in way over her head and got used and abused by the right wing conspiracy. They aren't out just to try to make some adjustments in employment, they want to take the school to redneckville which is where they are at mentally. I have to admit that the neo-conservatives are a little creative. The employees involved in the game they are playing are those that knew their conduct was in question or those who forgot to work for $50,000 a year (or more or less) and twelve weeks of vacation(or more.)
Where do you work? Who pays your insurance and retirement? Do you make as much as them? Do you get full time family coverage for working half a day? You guys are paying the freight for about 5-10 employees who cause problems, but you don't get it. How about the teachers who teach three periods a day and have three study halls and two prep periods. How do I know? Go to the office and get a copy of the master schedule for the past five years. Check it out. Divide a teacher's salary by 8 and you'll know what it is costing you per period to have a teacher sit in a study hall for 47 minutes each day. (Anywhere from $3,500 to $7,500 each year per teacher.) How many students are left in a study hall five minutes into the beginning of a period? Go check it out. The room will be dark or the teacher will be on the Internet or the phone with no one else in the room. Do you get $7,500 for that kind of work? No, and I don't either. The teacher's salaries are public record . Go to the office and get the information that you need. (Oh, by the way, did you get a 4.2% raise for breathing this year? No,I didn't think so, and neither did I, but some of these same people did. How is that fair to our best teachers?) Believe me, none of you guys have any idea of what you are supporting.
Discipline? Yeah, right! Ask the cry baby parents who went to see Mr. Tracy and bitched about no discipline in the school. Guess who? Yes, you've got it. The very people who are talkig to the press. Guess what happened when their children got disciplined? Right again! (Too much discipline. It's' a dictatorship.) Getting the idea?
If they keep this up, it could be a real problem re: making any progress in the school in terms of improvement which of course is the goal of the conservatives. (Don't change our school, we want to be just as backward as our neighboring districts.) So, really why not figure out what it takes to be outstanding and go there? If you don't know "their" answer, here it is: "That's hard work and it leads to uncertainty." That's what life is about; making intelligent changes based on data to get better at what you are doing. Is the curriculum at the school challenging right now outside of some high level math, English and science courses? Are we ready for the new century? Pa-lease!
Ok, check this out: high school art. Say, what??? You guys have every right to expect the same level of performance that Mrs. W. required from her students and that Mrs. O. continued this past year. So, ????????
So, write back with either some accurate data, some intelligent smack or stay off the blog if you want to blab about your opinion or what someone told you. What do you know that is based on your own "investigation" of reality? What evidence do you have other than "he said and she said"? You don't have any! Go to the school and hang out for a period of time. Walk around, look for outstanding teaching and positive role models for our students. Yes, you will find them at both ends of the building, but they are not the people who you have been talking to. They aren't the ones who take your teenagers out of study hall and cry about their contracts or preach to our elementary children about the evils of the administration, the BOE, and some of our kind and thoughful parents. Is this really happening? Check it out for yourself. How about those prep periods that our best teachers use for research and getting ready for the next class or the next day? What are others using their time for? Go look in the lounge, the printing room, the health office or the elementary hallways. You will see some of your friends there every day spreading poison and consuming the angry teachers time a.m. and p.m. Check it out for yourself before you get back on this blog.
How about faculty meetings? Go to one, (they are open meetings) watch your heroes sit in the back and gossip, do their check books, refuse to pay attention to their colleagues, the administration, guest speakers, students, you name it! Yes, these are the same people who send "problem" students to Mr. Tracy for talking and being rude. Do you get it yet? You are paying for all of this nonsense and now you've been taken in by these same people. Pa-lease get the data.
So, here's the rest of the deal without mentioning any names: there are three angry sets of parents who married the now unemployed teachers and other employeees who no longer work at the school. They tried to intimidate Tracy. Didn't work. They went after Bates. Didn't work. Went after Wendy. Didn't work. Went after the rest of the BOE. Didn't work. Went to the comunity. Didn't work. Went to the press. Didn't work the first time. Complained to the Ripon paper that the first article was one-sided. Asked for a second article. Talked about discipline (too much, unfair, etc.) and the mural. Didn't work. So, pa-lease, do your research before you get on this blog or talk to a reporter.
I can tell you for a fact that Tracy, Bates, and every member of the BOE know what's going on. You elected them or hired them. You are paying their salaries and for their experience. Why is it that you won't make use of them? It isn't that you are afraid of the truth, is it? Got data? No, I didn't think so.
Amen to the last post. Finally someone that makes sense! Now maybe things can get back to 98.6.
Anonymous
How do you know Melissa didn't do what she said???
To Annonymous who wrote on July 7th. 6:44 PM
You have described some behaviors
that should be addressed to make our school better.
It appears we have had some situations that have been allowed to develop over the years at school, and are now being tackled by this administration, thank goodness.
If this was private industry, those behaviors would never be allowed to continue.
We just lost an ancredible teacher in Ann Brumley for our high school students. She set a high standard, demanded strong work from those in her class, and set the bar on what she belived students could achieve. What we need is more, not less Ann
Brumleys, to teach our kids.
If any of the "negative boo birds" would pick up the phone and talk to her, you will find that she loved the school, the students, and was very appreciative of the work being done by the administration. She didn't want to leave.... she felt she had to leave.... and why? Because of the disrespect and poor attitude shown by some of the employees which was allowed to develop over the years. Also, because these same people made fun of her strong work ethic and desire to help students reach for excellence. She also did not like the way these same staff used their paid time to stand in the hallway and whine to each other and dragging students and parents into their complaining
about the administration doing their job.
She was very supportive of the changes this administration is making and the environment they are trying to create, or the behavior and attitude probems they are trying to address. Yet, she never took any of this to students or parents, like some of the ones who you describe in your blog.
She never was the cause of the poison you describe, the gossip, the complaining, jumping on the cell phone or internet, or hanging out in the copy room where you are paid to whine.
She just did her job, and focused on helping students succeed.
I think our administration is trying to get more people on staff like her, and less people like what you described... and I hope they do that for our kids and our community.
I know there a good number of other people on the school staff who fall into the category of Mrs.
Brumley, and I am so grateful they are there for our students. They don't fall into the category of the poor behavior you have described.
But I know there are a handful that do behave as you have described, and they need to either change or find someplace that wants to pay them to act like that.
I do appreciate your suggestion that parents who are getting sucked in to the slanted versions
of what they are being told, or think they know, to walk through the entire school. At many different hours and in many different rooms.
There are so many good things about Green Lake School and we have some unique opportunities to
try new ideas that many other schools can only dream about.
No doubt mistakes will be made along the way as our administration leads the school forward. But that is true anywhere, and is the result of trying new things and making change. Thank goodness they are.
No one is perfect and that includes our administration. But they have had and still have a lot of issues at the school to address.
So for parents to openly attack them in the newspaper public forum is just poor and serves no effective purpose.
Epecially when in many cases, they have only some of the facts, or they have been poisoned by people who have a sense of entitlement to their job schdules that are not cost effective or meeting the needs of the whole school.
I hope they would spend more time
talking through the issues they have with the administration and come to resolution or understand that there could be many reasons why the changes need to be made, in the best interests of the whole school.
Imagine....if we can attract a few more staff like Ann Brumley and have a few less like what you have described, how great that would be for our kids and our community.
Thanks for your comments and shining a light on some things that go on, that some of the most vocal parents may not be aware of or haven't seen.
All school administrations are political. I'm sure Ripon has similar issues.
Good for you Melissa, you say what you truly think.
Teachers aren't babysitters and they aren't tasked with making our children learn and behave. That is our job. They are an avenue to teach what we cannot. I think this means that we have to be involved, check in at school, work with the teachers.
Don't forget - Ken is new to the picture. It will take time for his experience to affect the mood at the school. The top dog is the one who sets the wheels in motion.
He's a smart man - he'll get things done.
IT'S ABOUT OUR KIDS.
Not about which teachers we like and which ones like to gossip. If they can teach, that's what counts. You can either complain, or confront the issues head on. But I think everyone needs to remember - all of our kids know how to blog. The maturity factor might be a little lacking here. How are we teaching them to deal with concerns? I know I want my kids to pick their battles and treat other people with respect and ask questions.
There is a generally negative attitude in all of green lake - not just the schools. That's what really needs to change.
A community works together. It takes a village. Not to be cheesy, but who comes first? I'm not going to leave my children's educations strictly up to their assigned teachers. I'll be there as much as I can to make sure they're getting what they need (or at least keep in communication with the other parents that stop in ).
Just another note about teachers - like it or not, they are underpaid. If their jobs weren't valuable, we'd all home school are kids. They just need to be held responsible for their time. And I am pretty sure that if I had to spend 9 months out of the year teaching and dealing with 20 kids everyday, I would need the summer off. But seriously, these are people with Liberal Arts degrees (if they have them) and a teaching certificate. They aren't PHDs. Help 'em out. They have our kids for 8 hours a day.
Do you realize were you live?? We are so concerned about he said she said and what teachers are good and what are bad. Have you watched the news lately and seen how many other schools struggle with gang problems, shootings, students bringing weapons to school and other types of violence? Not to mention overcrowding, illiteracy and not meeting there AYP on standardize tests. Be happy that this is not happening in Green Lake.
All this bickering about who's good and who's not "supposedly" doing their job. Have you ever worked anywhere before? No matter where you are there will be people who go above and beyond their call of duty and those who don't. There will always be the ones who gossip and the ones who steer clear of it. It's life and unfortunately it happens. It also happens in every classroom with the students. (Even in Green Lake.)
We can't have every teacher be the same. Do you think every student learns the same way? We need people who are unique to teach our children. You may think they are lazy and incompetent but the students may really learn from their style of teaching. How can we label teachers as great. Is there a score sheet for that?
I'm not putting any of you down for what you have written, except for the comment a few back about what the teachers salaries are. Does anyone ask you what you make for your job? Then why should you be so concerned about what some of the teachers make, whether they are supervising study hall or not. (Go check out how much a starting teacher makes, why would someone become a teacher with that salary? I really don't think that people become teachers because they make such a huge salary!) Guess who made that decision to put them in the study hall? You're right, that would be the administration. You have a right to be upset but let's not start blaming teachers (guess who hired them?) Many of you make great points but just remember, it's not always greener on the other side.
I understand why parents are concerned for so many of the teachers at the school and for the students. Parents have a right to ask questions to the administration, school board and teachers. THEY ALSO NEED TO HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. It seems to me, if they would have their questions answered we wouldn't be putting our two cents worth in on this blog!
As a former GL student I know that things were not perfect when I attend and I'm sure they're not now. But then again, what is perfect and how do we measure that????
4mer Laker
To Melissa (who said she signed off), or whoever asked the question about how I knew about the things Melissa says she knows about the school: do you actually know how to contact someone when you have a question that you want answered? Here's a hint: go visit that person, call that person, send an email or a letter to that person. You will get an answer and it will be the truth. Then you won't have to gossip and invent your lost reality day after day after day.
I read the over the edge posts by Melissa and wondered, how does she know Mr. Tracy? I didn't think she did, so I went to visit him to ask him how he knew her considering all of the smack she way trying to lay on him. (You know, like she's in his office every day discussing all of this nonsense with him.) Here's what I got from him: they have spoken one time in 24 months for less than five minutes. Of course, it was about (what else)multi-age. Who cares about that worn out topic? It is just another way for people that wish they would have gone to college and their friends who actually graduated from schools like Iwo Jima Junior College (but forgot to learn anything there) to attack a world that is leaving them behind. They should probably work for General Motors, the company that time forgot. (In case you didn't know it, the same organization that killed the battery powered car, just got passed by Toyota.) So, how is that related to the school? Keep thinking and acting like the nasty people who need to get a life in our community (or those in the union and management at GM), and the country will be in the same place that some of our schools are headed: so low, you can't see them in the competition for excellence.
Let me repeat: don't get back on this blog until you have at least one fact that is connected to reality.
I wish someone else would get on here and help me deal with the wannabe, the has been, and the never was people. Perhaps, some of those silly people like "Kool" or the brothers of "Sister Rose" will come back on the blog if they actually know anything. (If not, they can stay off, too.)
Now this is getting good.
Are these admin guys in their offices all summer?
Maybe we could all hang out and drink some beer.
I agree, the posts are getting rather interesting. Want to have some fun? Print out all 26 pages of the postings. Wow! It's really freaky to read all those comments. Some really wild opinions of what's happening on Mill Street.
After all this, I'm pretty sure the administrators would be good for at least two or three beers. Maybe they'll buy.
Hey, I just read that comment about the beer. I'm good with that.
Ok, if 98.6 wasn't a radio station, then what does that mean?
To the anonymous who sounds like 98.6... the multiage discussion was an important topic for parents. Who are you referring to "not going to college"??? Again, you are not the blog god. You do not have the right to tell anyone to stay off the blog!!!!
98.6 may refer to the "normal" or average body temperature of human beings. It probably is the location of a radio station somewhere as well. I'm gusessing the reference means return to normal.
To the anonymous post ripping on Melissa, you're the one would should shut your trap. Melissa has valid points that she has brought up and what gives you the right to cut her down. Once again, she is looking for answers. It sounds like you must be Tracy's secretary because you know soooo much about everything!!
Melissa don't log off, get back on!!!
And for you, Mr./Mrs. know it all, quit being a hater.
4mer Laker
Who are you Mr. Anonymous to say that community members are "nasty people who need to get a life???" Get over yourself. Obviously you are as liberal as liberal gets and a jack ass at that (no pun intended). As a college student myself I'm sure that my comments will mean little to you because, well, I don't have my degree YET, but I will enlighten you anyway.
You want some facts? WELL HERE YOU GO....
First of all, the article that Aaron Becker wrote in the Ripon paper was COMPLETELY inaccurate (I'm talking about the first one). Those parents and members of the community did not go to the heidel house to "bash" the administration, although I'm sure they could have exchanged stories for hours. They went there to simply talk about what to do next to change what has been happening to this school. The teachers did NOT con these parents and children into attending this meeting - in fact A LOT of the teachers did not KNOW about the meeting! Mr. Robinson gave Becker false information about that meeting and made it sound like it was a "secret" meeting where the parents were going to come up with the ultimate way to get rid of Tracy, Bates, etc. When in reality it was a place where parents got information about what happens at board meetings, when the next meeting was to occur, etc. It was simply informational. Also, the people at the meeting insisted that they did not want to do soundoff columns in the paper or go to the media at all about this issue. They wanted to keep it as professional and quiet as possible in order to not look like "cry-babies." Mr. Robinson obviously heard all of that while he was at the meeting but of course chose not to tell Aaron Becker any of that. The group at the meeting also insisted of hearing individual first hand experiences from parents who have had issues with the administration and those that were stories from second hand sources were told to not be vocal because it was not first hand factual information. Again, Aaron Becker was not told any this to put in the paper now was he?
Secondly, you speak as though you know about EVERYTHING up at GLHS. Wow, you must be important up there... or you are just the creepy guy/girl moping around the halls eaves dropping on other people's conversations. Very cool...very cool. As far as GLHS being "so low, you can't see them in the competition for excellence," I do agree with you there. Although I'm sure you already knew that teachers were told to lower their standards of students and told to make it easier in certain classes so that more A's would be given out. Yet, like I said, you knew that right? (Hopefully you can sense my sarcasm). Yeah everyone else reading this out there - pure fact - Mr. Krahn was cut to part time because in part he would not lower his grading standard for students. Who asked him to lower it? Mr. Tracy did!!! Wow... really sounds like this school is heading in a good, strong academic direction, especially when they cut teachers who refuse to lower their expectations of students. These are really the type of people we need in charge of teaching our children.
Thirdly, I hear all this talk about Mrs. Brumley and what a shame it is to lose her as a teacher... what about Mrs. Neuenfeldt??? With out a doubt, as a former student of both teachers, I can say that I learned more from Mrs. Neuenfeldt about not only literature and writing, but about life, ethics, and morals! What a passionate, loving, trustworthy, honest, caring, and intelligent individual.... and how has the administration treated her? She sends Tracy an email from her school email expressing her concern about the multiage class AS A PARENT and Tracy reprimands her for it? Tracy gets upset with her for simply questioning him? You say that we need to go to the source and talk with the "problem," whether it be Tracy or whoever, yet even questioning him means he will retaliate somehow. Yeah, I'd really go and talk to Tracy about my questions if I knew I would be targeted somehow....
All school districts go through changes within schools throughout the years. Yet, don't you think that when tweleve employees are either "let go" or resign that there is something else going on here?
Did you ever think that maybe people in the copyroom, health room, hall ways, etc. may just be talking about something other than the administration? I mean, wow, isn't it crazy to think that people have lives OTHER than talking about the school?
And as far as teachers getting students involved....let's be realistic, of all the teachers I have spoken to, (and yes, that is a lot), they have all said the exact same thing to me. When students complain to them about the administration all they say to them is "tell your parents." No bad-mouthing or bashing the administration with the students, instead just simply "tell your parents." Maybe that is why parents are becomming upset NOW - because they are actually hearing about what is going on. Some students are treated more strictly than others. Some students are disciplined more harshly than others for the same (or similar) issues. (Maybe this is the reason why Tracy is a dictator to some and lacking discipline to others).
Last time I checked a dictator has a "my way or no way" type of attitude. I don't have to tell you that a lot of what I've just written is a great example of Tracy having that quality.
So, Mr. God of the Blog, my advice is to get over yourself. Stop being the creepy guy spying on everyone up at school (okay, so that isn't fact but it is a speculation and since you claim to know oh so much what else can I speculate?), stop speaking this gibberish of the right wing conspiracy... this is not a political debate and I think it is safe to say that not only conservative parents have a problem with Mr. Tracy.
-graduate of Green Lake High
Neuenfeldt and Brumley are both very good teachers. However, Dana Neuenfeldt did not get in trouble for sending an email about multi-age. I'm sure she is at home right now; call her and ask her and then get back on the blog with her answer.
No, not Green Lake School down so low, just schools that won't change. It will happen to every school that keeps operating like it's 1950. Things have not changed that much in many American schools in the last 50 years. That is why we can't maintain our lofty economic status much longer. Just like companies that won't change don't stay in business very long. I don't think anyone wants to see any more of the products that we use every day made in China, but that is what is happening right now.
Krahn cut because he wouldn't lower his standards? No, I don't think so. I'm sure that would be grounds for another one of Gary's unfounded complaints or a law suit and front page news across the country. Interest in the content that he teaches has decreased, so the school did not need a full time tech teacher. I think the numbers of students in his classes speak to that subject. Call him and ask how many students he has on the average in his classes or go to school and get that information.
Melissa? As soon as she wants, she can have every question that she has answered. That would mean face to face contact. So, tell her how it's done.
I would advise you to hold your own anger until you have spent more time in the school. Certainly there are more teachers that are glad that the ones that have departed are gone than those that feel badly. I don't know about 12 employees leaving, but certainly at least half that many. You are corrct, when that happens, something is wrong, really wrong. So, other than Brumley and Linse, it's good that those people are gone. Now things will start to get better.
Perhaps you should attempt to get the rest of the information that you need to form an opinion. I'm sure that is what your English teachers taught you in high school. Get both sides of the story and see if you still think the same way. So, where can you go to get the rest of the facts?
Dallmann --- gone
Grenon --- gone
Dott --- gone
Yasick --- gone
Boutwell --- gone
March --- gone (retired)
Lueck --- gone
Deyo --- gone (retired)
Schofield --- gone
CESA people (special ed. directior and school social worker) --- gone
Ziemke --- gone
Matuszeski --- gone
McShane --- gone
Hutchins --- gone
O'Laughlin --- gone
(whoops, I guess there was more than 12).
I am actually quite close with Mrs. Neuenfeldt and have talked with her many times, but thank you for the suggestion. I may have been mistaken about the content of the email...maybe it was about after school childcare programs being stuck in the cafeteria. My bad. =)
Some pretty bitter words coming from you, Mr. Rock on! about all of these employees. I guess Green Lake has been on the rocks because of them and now that they're gone - yay, all better! Is that right? You must have been horrified having them at GLHS. Again, I hope my sarcasm is noted.
Why did the BOE lump all of the resignations into one motion? Perhaps to save time from reading each and every individual one? Maybe so it did not look as bad? I won't make accusations there...
There are certainly MORE people that are saddened to see the employees listed above gone than there are people glad about it. You seem pretty happy yourself that this list is gone... I wonder why that is. Such a shame...
Don't worry. My engish teachers taught me well. 99% on my last paper if you're wondering. =)
I am sure you are thinking there is room to improve...I'll try and do better next time.
-former grad of green lake
"My engish teachers taught me well. 99% on my last paper if you're wondering"
That's the funniest thing I've read all month....
Hey Rock On-
I would love to get information on how many students actually signed up for Mr. Krahn's or any other teacher's classes. However, that information seems to be unavailable. At least it was when some teachers asked so they could be prepared for fall classes. Jan Hauer was told not to release that information to them. Hmmm.
How sad that you think things will improve because almost 20 staff members were released, retired, or chose to leave. People are choosing to leave for a reason, and it is certainly not because of disrespect and poor attitude of the majority of their colleagues. Maybe if you ask the people who are choosing to leave (other than members of the chosen circle) and ask why they are leaving, you would have accurate facts and information to get both sides of the story.
whoops, missed the "L" in english. Must have been typing too fast. =) My bad again!
I agree with the person that referenced to anonymous sounding like a secretary at the school. Lots of info but still little facts really coming from the blogger. I would have thought Mr. Tracy would have kept his conversation with Melissa or any other parent confidential.
In regards to Mr. Krahn, it was my understanding he did have lower numbers so his class schedule decreased but could he have been offered study halls to keep him full time???
To the person who listed all of the changes. Maybe it would be more helpful if it is listed why these staff are leaving. Not sure of all of them, but here's the ones I know about.
Dallmann --- gone- moved to another job
Grenon --- gone- movved to a new opportunity
Dott --- gone- re-organization of special ed. dept.
Yasick --- gone- re-organization of special ed.dept.
Boutwell --- gone- re-organization of special ed. dept.
March --- gone (retired)
Lueck --- gone- Budget cut
Deyo --- gone (retired)
Schofield --- gone-replaced with more cost effective CESA service
CESA people (special ed. directior and school social worker) --- gone
repaced by more cost effective set-up
Ziemke --- gone- moved to a job closer to her fiance- will be getting married.
Matuszeski --- gone- budget cut
McShane --- gone-going back to school for higher education.
Hutchins --- gone-not sure why
O'Laughlin --- gone- not sure why
Some of the reasons listed may be due to the issues at the school. New opportunities and different jobs can be triggered by negative feelings at your current work environment. Most us will not know the real reason for all of the turnover but it does seem high in a small district.
I thought this information on the upcoming listening sessions that have been set by the School Board might be of interest to some people who use or read the blog who would like a public opportunity to share thoughts or ask school reated questions to School Board members.
Marc Dosogne
School Board Listening Session....
On Thursday evening, July 12th at 6pm, members of the Green Lake School Board will be gathering at Playground Park to conduct a Listening Session. This is an opportunity for residents to share various issues and creative ideas they feel will improve the school. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and make yourself comfortable in this informal setting--lemonade will be provided. Should the weather be questionable--meet at the school library.
Since the beginning of the school year, the board has provided a number of listening sessions at different locations within the community, giving people an opportunity to share their ideas and concerns. Additionally, they have hosted various educational offerings to the district in an effort to promote a clearer understanding of school issues both locally and statewide.
In these next weeks, the board will hold listening sessions that target specific audiences -- recent alumni, parents of students, and other community members -- in an effort to gather opinions related to the high school graduation requirements. Local input and what the community values in our students' high school "experience" -- combined with state and college requirements are all valuable pieces to a larger puzzle that the board needs to consider when determining what we offer and what skills our young people will need to be successful in the 21st century.
On Monday evening, July 16th at 6pm in the school library, Board members Marc Dosogne and Wendy Schultz will be hoping to meet with interested parents who wish to contribute their suggestions about graduation requirements. This session is open to all parents of Green Lake students.
On Tuesday, July 24th, Board members Jodine Deppisch and Jane Piernot will be talking to recent alumni about the same topic.
On Wednesday, July 25th, Board members Harley Reabe, Celest King and Gordy Farrell will hold a listening session for other community members who would like to weigh in on the conversation.
Watch the newspaper for further details or call the school if you have any questions.
The Board thanks you in advance for your interest and participation!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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