Week of June 24, 2001

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Answers

I've sent this letter to the Woodstock Times:

"While initially indicating approval of it, Onteora Trustee Joseph Doan later sought to torpedo the proposition to replace aging, mold- infested modular units at Bennett School with suitable replacements. While he claims that his goal was to make sure "everyone in the district is aware," he somehow neglected to put up his signs opposing the proposition in many areas of the Town of Olive, where most of the Bennett School students reside. Why were the families of the students who would have been most affected by a "no" vote on the proposition not made aware of this trustee's negative campaign on the issue? Why was he not serving the best interests of our children, as mandated by the New York State School Boards Association guidelines?"

One person mentioned seeing one up near Phoenicia School. I wonder if that was in some way an effort by Doan to play one school against another?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Alert: The special meeting of the board of ed has been changed to Wednesday night at 7PM at the high school...watch for exec session and an attempt to rush things through for a choice of board replacement for Vanacore by Friday night. Spread the word...they're hoping NO ONE comes. Tobe

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

As a late reply to Carol's inquiry, the list of applicants had swelled to about 25 and there were about 10-15 of our own applicants. These are mostly people who have little to no interest to be on the board although some have said "if chosen they would serve" or "hey, that would be cool".

Thanks again Carol for keeping this list up to date. I suggest we make the board a monthly list instead of weekly. Any comments or thoughts?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Carol,

The modulars Mr Doan sought not to renew the lease with were the newer, rented modulars (sometimes called the transportable). they were NOT the older more permanent, moldy ones. If you have the opportunity to change your letter you may wish to do so. Mr. Doan's deal would have forced the district into redistricting which I believe is his ultimate goal.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Letter went out already. And since Joe didn't put his signs here in Olivebridge, how was I to know? ;)

I think weekly is more reasonable than monthly, we still have enough traffic on it to make it worth changing every week. I can update it every Sunday when I change the STAND board, if you'd like.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2001

Freeman on Wednesday's executive session

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

The judge (Connor) removed the temporary stay, and the board is free to act as they see fit. Please come to the meeting tomorrow night (WED) at high school at 7PM..I guess they will try to hurry through any interviews. People who's applications were submitted after the June 15th "deadline" especially need to come forth and say they did not submit on that date because they were told (or knew) that a stay was in place. Millman and the boys MAY try to only accept those sent in by the 15th...They need to be stopped at every turn. They're playing hardball and we can expect them to ram someone (guess who??) down the district's throat unless we rise up strongly (even even then they'll probably follow Doan's lead and act as they see fit.)

Please trun out and dermand an interview if you have applied...make them stretch it out till after July 1st when Fred is off the board.

Anyone else want to apply? Seems to me they need to open the process again since the previous date was under a stay and they have made no new process announcements.

Tobe

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Just got a call from Millman saying the exec session tomorrow night will be to discuss the appointment of a board member... Surprise! He also said they will dismiss a lot of the applicants (without interviews) since they don't know "a school board from their elbow". He recorded my converstaion with him (after telling me he was going to record it.)

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

this is a tremendous disappointment and so obvioulsly a spiteful act...but we need to keep in mind, that change takes time, and we are truly no worse off than we would have been had vanacore not resigned in the first place thank you all for your continued support...

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Carol,

It would be very helpful if you could change the weekly date on this bbs. I have been swamped lately. Thanks. See you all tomorrow night at the board meeting.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

We need to have a list of incisive questions to be asked of board candidates (if they allow questions!) that bring out he truth of their position vis a vis Shaw, Hal Rowe, etc. Any thoughts are welcome. Tobe & Meg 657-2914

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001

Today's Freeman on tonight's meeting. There is a snotty online letter from Barbara Clare already.

In other area Board of Ed news, you may want to keep an eye on coverage of the Rhinebeck board, there is a bit of a tempest over Julian Smyth's valedictorian speech. From what I've seen of it, it was a hard-hitting speech on the choices we face as a world, and what the consequences could be. It did not sit well with some in the audience. I've known Julian since he was a little kid, he's bright and thoughtful and I suspect he posed some very real questions rather than fluff.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2001