Southern York County Life

Karl,

What extensive health problems do you have as a direct result of renovation?  Where are ALL the people who have these problems?  What problems are you predicting will surface in the future?  Perhaps clarity on your part would help.

Suggestions were made about buying out Dr. Shanks contract. Perhaps a better solution is to present evidence of her job performance, have it evaluated and then take action (as in any employment situation). If she is not doing an adequate job, then bring that to her attention officially. Let her attempt to correct mistakes and better her performance. Everyone employed in this world can be fired, no matter who they are or what contracts they have if work performance in not up to par. If she is doing ok then let it be known. Dr. Shank always has the option to resign without a buyout. Just something to think about.

Can we get back to what this post was originally about?  “Clearances?  Get your clearances and get in there?” I worked there for over a decade.  Don’t minimize my feelings by calling me a clucking hen!  And technically, a rooster might be more accurate.  Don’t close your eyes to these problems just because you can’t fathom it....there is tons of truth here.  I lived this. 

1.  I stood in the teacher mailbox room and watched teachers gasp as they pulled an envelope from admin out of their mailbox with their name typed on it.  FEARING that they were the next teacher to receive a bogus letter in their file or worse yet were going to be the next one to take a hit and be gone! 

2.  I stayed awake late at night on the phone with co-workers in tears, who were being targeted and didn’t know where to turn.

3.  I listened to the union reps warn members that the union was low on money because of the amount of grievances filed against Dr. Shank and that she was rubber stamping grievances through to arbitration, instead of trying to peacefully find resolution. 

4.  I listened to the pleas of the PTO who desperately wanted to bring back a program that Dr. Shank cut.  I remember the PTO asking for teachers who agreed to sign a petition and I remember vividly how one teacher after another looked at eachother, scared to death, to take a stand against this emotionless superintendent. 

5.  I watched as inexperienced principal after principal was put into place.  Only to have to add personnel to assist them in doing a job that the former experienced principals held without a problem. 

6.  I watched more-than-qualified people be passed over for promotions, because they would have butt-heads with Dr. Shank’s style of rule.  It’s so much easier to fill positions with in-experienced young people, who are so grateful to have a job, they wouldn’t bat an eye at what the Superintendent asked them to do. 

7.  I watched teachers retire with 30+++ years of service to this district without even so much as a public thank you by Dr. Shank.  “GOOD OLD TOMMY BOY, surely had the soft skills to realize THAT IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT DESERVES SOME RECOGNITION!” And you people wonder why teachers are losing their commitment to this district. 

8.  I remember sadly at the beginning of this school year, a high school student was tragically killed in a car accident.  Dr. Shank could offer no comment on this matter?  It was an embarrassment to the current teachers who felt like a simple, “this is a tragic day for SESD and our hearts go out to her parents” would have done wonders to heal the school and community.  Instead it sent a cold message of lack of emotion, yet again. 

These are real emotions I feel.  Not made up ones for effect on this forum.  Please...do you really think I would take the time to be on here, if I didn’t feel like a real injustice is being done to this district?

Jackalope,
Instead of taking my word for it, investigate for yourself as mentioned earlier.  See how many kids are suffering from asthma, headaches, fatigue, etc. only in school.  Check out the rates of sinus problems, allergy-type symptoms (such as itchy watery eyes and congestion) only in school.  Don’t tell me it is the cold and flu season either, because the symptoms persist throughout the entire school year. If you don’t want to ask the kids or the school nurses, ask the teachers.  They are sick as well.  The biggest problem is that most people do not know why they are sick and continue adding to their problems. 

If you have any more questions, you can PM cheryl&frank;(I think they posted earlier on this thread, if not check out others concerning SESD). I am positive that they will share their story and information with you.  They deal with this illness every day of their lives.  It is really sad.

Bravo Pooch!  Well said and many thanks to you for bringing first hand truth to speculation and rumor.

Instead of taking my word for it, investigate for yourself as mentioned earlier.  See how many kids are suffering from asthma, headaches, fatigue, etc. only in school.  Check out the rates of sinus problems, allergy-type symptoms (such as itchy watery eyes and congestion) only in school.

My kid is (was) one!  Took him out of school last year and wow what a difference lack of environmental irritants makes.  Once he hit the East building he was sick daily.  It sure is fun to be told on one hand by the school nurse to come pick up your child now, and then to get calls from an irate guidance counselor telling you that he has too many absent days because after all picking up your child after the nurse tells you to come get him is an”unexcused absence”.

GAH!  I think I am making myself stressed just thinking about it. 

Someone else mentioned, in relation to the 2nd graders at Stewartstown Elementary losing their teacher and being upset, what would the reaction be if a teacher left on maternity leave…
Well, my oldest son had the unfortunate luck of having pregnant teachers in kdg., first, and second grades.  I think it took all of about 10 minutes for him to adjust each time the maternity leave/substitute teacher switch happened.  Those kids may be a little sad, but it shouldn’t be blown out of proportion.  Teacher was transferred to another position, no big deal.

pooch - 06 January 2008 09:33 PM

Can we get back to what this post was originally about?  “Clearances?  Get your clearances and get in there?” I worked there for over a decade.  Don’t minimize my feelings by calling me a clucking hen!  And technically, a rooster might be more accurate.  Don’t close your eyes to these problems just because you can’t fathom it....there is tons of truth here.  I lived this. 

1.  I stood in the teacher mailbox room and watched teachers gasp as they pulled an envelope from admin out of their mailbox with their name typed on it.  FEARING that they were the next teacher to receive a bogus letter in their file or worse yet were going to be the next one to take a hit and be gone! 

2.  I stayed awake late at night on the phone with co-workers in tears, who were being targeted and didn’t know where to turn.

3.  I listened to the union reps warn members that the union was low on money because of the amount of grievances filed against Dr. Shank and that she was rubber stamping grievances through to arbitration, instead of trying to peacefully find resolution. 

4.  I listened to the pleas of the PTO who desperately wanted to bring back a program that Dr. Shank cut.  I remember the PTO asking for teachers who agreed to sign a petition and I remember vividly how one teacher after another looked at eachother, scared to death, to take a stand against this emotionless superintendent. 

5.  I watched as inexperienced principal after principal was put into place.  Only to have to add personnel to assist them in doing a job that the former experienced principals held without a problem. 

6.  I watched more-than-qualified people be passed over for promotions, because they would have butt-heads with Dr. Shank’s style of rule.  It’s so much easier to fill positions with in-experienced young people, who are so grateful to have a job, they wouldn’t bat an eye at what the Superintendent asked them to do. 

7.  I watched teachers retire with 30+++ years of service to this district without even so much as a public thank you by Dr. Shank.  “GOOD OLD TOMMY BOY, surely had the soft skills to realize THAT IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT DESERVES SOME RECOGNITION!” And you people wonder why teachers are losing their commitment to this district. 

8.  I remember sadly at the beginning of this school year, a high school student was tragically killed in a car accident.  Dr. Shank could offer no comment on this matter?  It was an embarrassment to the current teachers who felt like a simple, “this is a tragic day for SESD and our hearts go out to her parents” would have done wonders to heal the school and community.  Instead it sent a cold message of lack of emotion, yet again. 

These are real emotions I feel.  Not made up ones for effect on this forum.  Please...do you really think I would take the time to be on here, if I didn’t feel like a real injustice is being done to this district?

Pooch,

Thank you!  You are the first and only one to add a first hand teacher account of his feelings that cites specific examples of the problems at SESD.  It is not often that one post sways my opinion 180 degrees, but you have just about done that here.  I am surely going to look at this from a different viewpoint from here on.

Thanks for your heartfelt honesty,
Mark

Although I have no nostalgia for the old days (Stewartstown Elementary’s Sowers was a disaster under McShane), Shank sounds like she’s trying to fix a clock with a sledge hammer. 

We see that in the corporate world too; people who look good on their resume, but have no people skills and alienate so many people they are eventually shown the door.

WOW!  as was said, didn’t realize how many issues there were STILL going on-i also attended up through my 10th grade year and my mother pulled me out immediately after a situation and i was homeschooled.  i moved out of the district having my own children for a bit but came back because i remembered how much i loved stewartstown.  my son is a current student and i have just started to get more involved in the meetings etc. and i just can’t believe of the misery!! 
Pooch, all very well said, congrats on moving on but sorry for what you went through.  thank you for your input.  i think as parents, its not that we want to hear “bashing” but need to be made aware even if done by an inside source. THANK YOU.

Mark - you may want to check out the information. I talked to current teachers and this is what I found. For instance - only 1 grievance went to arbitration and that was when Tom McShane was superintendent, Dr. Shank took the time to personally met with the family of the student, Dr. Shank does not have the authority to send a grievances to arbitration, the program was not “cut” - it was delayed in starting due the late buses, retirees were publicly recognized, etc.......

Maybe we should change to a county run system where there is continuity across the entire area, that’s what you all want right (for the sake of the children)?

Dragon, if you are referring to the program the fawn PTO wanted reinstated, it was cut.  I was personally involved with this situation.  Once it was reinstated there was a delay due to working out the bus situation.

For the life of me, I wish I could understand why we listen to personnel who have left the district?  Does anyone think they might be here just to ‘stir the pot’ again and again?  It was started on another thread and was closed by the site.  It is not constructive.  It does not help anyone, in fact it is a very negative force that we need to get beyond.  People who leave are not happy, that’s why they leave.  For some reason the people who have left this time, feel they have an axe to grind and just won’t go and let the rest of us to keep going.  SESD is now operating in the 21st century.  We aren’t all related any more.  Teachers don’t live in the district.  When teachers go to school, they are there for a job, not to visit with friends, show videos, or use the same lesson plans they have used for year after year.  Teachers need to be held accountable and so many weren’t for so very long.  It isn’t an option any more.  There are so many federal and state laws to be followed now, the school and all that goes on inside cannot be the same.
I hope that all community members, who read and write here, take everything with eyes wide open.  I wish that those who are not a part of the system or community would go on with their lives and leave what they chose to leave behind.  Use your time for those new jobs were you are so very happy.  You are using energies your new students should be getting.  South Eastern will be fine.  No, we are fine and will continue to get better.

I certainly hope people continue not to just shut up and leave.  The fact that people care is why they speak up.  The teachers and administrators that are only concerned about the money will do just that like you want - walk out the door and never look back.  However, Dish, there are times in life that you must take a stand for what is right and I think that is what you might be noticing. Silence is not always the answer.

Pooch put some time and energy into giving the community information.  Most people don’t put that much effort into ‘stirring the pot’.  Furthermore, to create the specific incidents that Pooch wrote about, would take more time than anyone can afford.  You could read and hear the passion in the writing. 
Dish-why would say that teachers have not been held accountable in the past?  This can’t be true.  Why do we continue to hear throughout the threads that in the past teachers at SESD are not worthy of their paychecks, but now with the new accountability system we have in place at the district, the teachers are great. 
Also, federal and state laws are nothing new.  NCLB act was initiated in the 1960’s as the secondary and primary reading act.(Something like that) Yes, NCLB has been updated since then, but your writing implies that the new direction of the current administration is so innovative that the Master’s-prepared professionals that resigned couldn’t handle their assignments.
Maybe someone you are talking to about education is trying to brainwash people into believing what they want them to believe about education and the direction of the district.