Southern York County Life

cookie45 - 06 March 2010 08:17 AM

Ever hear the phrase “witch hunt”?

Around here??  NEVERRRRRRR!

cookie45 - 06 March 2010 08:17 AM

Ever hear the phrase “witch hunt”?

And it will be a great day for all when they are exposed as witches. I’m glad the board is finally standing up to the tyranny. “She” may have single-handedly increased those test scores but remember those test scores do not define a chid.

Invisible User - 05 March 2010 09:40 PM

we just had Middle States Accreditation there this week to check the very same thing?

The article was pretty ambiguous about what the investigation is concerning.  How do you know it’s the very same thing?

According to the article they are investigating administration and how they meet up with their job descriptions. That is also an integral part of what the Middle States Accreditation audit is about. It would seem to me that the board should have saved themselves 20 grand and taken time to speak with the middle states people. It would also save them a lot of explanation as to why go this route all of the sudden.

Sure looks like a witch hunt to me as well. The problem with witch hunts can be two fold…
1) the hunters don’t have a clue what a witch looks like
2) the hunters take out witches as well as good people

That seems to be the case here.

I am deeply saddened and concerned about the actions of the board.  More than likely, they have 1 or 2 target people in mind to investigate, yet all administrators are publicly being brought into this.  We have excellent administrators in the elementary schools, SEMS East, and the high school who are nothing but conscientious, hard-working, and concerned about the well-being of our children.  What good administrator, though, will want to stick around and be slung through the mud?  By implicating all administrators, you alienate all of them - especially those who do not deserve this scrutiny.  Our good adminstrators have no reason to stick around and endure the public humiliation of this investigation; they will simply go elsewhere where their efforts are actually appreciated.  I would urge all of you who have children in SESD and who appreciate the efforts of your administrators to call the School Board and let them know that and also to send those administrators a note letting them know that their hard work does not go unnoticed.

Well said there kdmom!

If everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing, then there is nothing to worry about. I, personally would like to see a new vision in our district- get things up to par. The students are worth it and so are the teachers who do a fantastic job everyday.  There are many who need “weeding” out.  Any other industry has to undergo these things at times too. We are all evaluated in a direct and non direct way. I like the choices of our new Board- it is a new era SESD! Let’s embrace change because change is good.  CHange is hard, but it is a necessary step to go forward.

This has nothing to do with a witch hunt. If some of the administrators would have done their jobs in the first place, we would not be going through this right now.  Furthermore, if our former school board would have listetend to the concerns of others and what has been taking place over the years (behind the scenes) then this investigation would never have had to happen.  I think our current school board has no choice but to handle it this way.  Unfortunately, you are correct in saying that there are good administrators who are being investigated as well.  However, if I were one one of the good ones, I’d have nothing to worry about.  $20,000 what’s that compared to what this district spends?  You people need to get a grip and a reality on how our district spends money...you have no idea of the waste over the last 5 years.  To me, this is money well spent because it’s going to make a BIG difference in SESD.

Yes, the good administrators - in the end - will be proven to be every bit as dedicated and valuable as we know they are.  However, when you are innocent and know you are, to be dragged through this process, have your integrity publicly questioned, and your trust in this district destroyed, why would you continue to stay here?  Could you got to work every day for the next 2-3 months with this kind of stress hanging over your head?  Would it be worth it when you can easily go elsewhere?  If the Board has issues with a specific person, then deal with that person, don’t ruin the reputation of others in the process.

However, when you are innocent and know you are, to be dragged through this process, have your integrity publicly questioned, and your trust in this district destroyed, why would you continue to stay here?  Could you got to work every day for the next 2-3 months with this kind of stress hanging over your head?  Would it be worth it when you can easily go elsewhere? 

Interesting you should ask those questions when there are plenty of teachers in this district especially at west who have to live under these same conditions and have been for a few years.  Finding a new job is not as easy as it sounds.  I think all the board wants to do is find a solution to the problems that have been plaguing us for so long.

If people could go anywhere “easily”. they would...believe me. SESD has it perks people, work close to home, good pay scale, nice students and a history if you’ve been around long enough. Truth be told, if the focus stays on students and their success, we wouldnt have these issues.  People seem to have their own agenda these days....When you work for the Board of Education in any state, you have to be ready to be questioned and kept to high standards.  Some of the things I hear from my own students (3 different buildings in our district) are appalling...staff carrying on cell phone conversations during elementary PE class, playing computer games on their phones, facebook contacts with students, cussing at students, accusing of things that are so ridiculous.  I take some of it in stride- 2 of my kids are teens, so their perspectives are sometimes inaccurate too.  Lets try and preserve the integrity of the real professionals and week out the admins who are incapable. Thank you

?

If the parents appreciate the academic improvement offered to their children by this administrative team, they should tell the Board members.  The Board members, as the article pointed out, have very limited experience and it appears little knowledge of what this team has done for the district. 
Have we forgotten that in the fall, SESD was recognized as one of the Top 50 most improved districts in the area of academic growth in the State of PA? 
Stewartstown is scoring above 90% proficient in reading and math, with Fawn and Delta close behind.  Let’s remember that West was on the PA State warning list in 05/06 when the current principal was hired by Mr. McShane.  Each year those children have been provided with improved academic instruction.  If you don’t believe me, just look at the data.  The teachers who are groaning about “tests aren’t everything,” are probably the same ones who have found higher expectations and accountability to be a challenge.
The high school has one of the hardest working high school principals in the county, and he has also supported his staff as they have increased the AP and dual enrollment course offerings.  My guess is that the Middle States evaluation will be very positive about what is happening in the district.  The improvements in the district have been a TEAM effort.  The LEADER of the TEAM is the Superintendent.  Most districts that are seeing the results for students that are coming out of SESD would be giving all the administrators, INCLUDING the Superintendent, kudos for a job well-done.  Shouldn’t academic growth for all students be the Board’s top priority?
When you start undermining the administrators, as one stated, they will leave or will lose their effectiveness.  A Board that voices support for performance accountability, and then turns around and empowers these same teachers like the ones mentioned earlier who are not there for the right reasons, has now negated their stated mission.  Could this in actuality be a calculated witch hunt?  Could it be because a small group of teachers are claiming “low morale” - a common tune when they are held accountable and don’t get THEIR way?
There was good movement toward improving the Kennard-Dale reputation, which has now been tarnished in York County by the public actions of this Board.

I will tell you what this about.This about conforming into the socialist leadership in washington and harrisburg.This is a way to make sure they are properly indoctrinating our children.Do you parents know and understand what these left wing lunatics are teaching your children?I think you better get some lesson plans and understand exactly what they are teaching your children because it is not what we learned when we were children.I know I am pulling my children out of public school and hiring a private tutor to make sure my child does not grow up and support a communist/progressive/socialist agenda.

Shawn - 06 March 2010 11:37 PM

If the parents appreciate the academic improvement offered to their children by this administrative team, they should tell the Board members.  The Board members, as the article pointed out, have very limited experience and it appears little knowledge of what this team has done for the district. 
Have we forgotten that in the fall, SESD was recognized as one of the Top 50 most improved districts in the area of academic growth in the State of PA? 
Stewartstown is scoring above 90% proficient in reading and math, with Fawn and Delta close behind.  Let’s remember that West was on the PA State warning list in 05/06 when the current principal was hired by Mr. McShane.  Each year those children have been provided with improved academic instruction.  If you don’t believe me, just look at the data.  The teachers who are groaning about “tests aren’t everything,” are probably the same ones who have found higher expectations and accountability to be a challenge.
The high school has one of the hardest working high school principals in the county, and he has also supported his staff as they have increased the AP and dual enrollment course offerings.  My guess is that the Middle States evaluation will be very positive about what is happening in the district.  The improvements in the district have been a TEAM effort.  The LEADER of the TEAM is the Superintendent.  Most districts that are seeing the results for students that are coming out of SESD would be giving all the administrators, INCLUDING the Superintendent, kudos for a job well-done.  Shouldn’t academic growth for all students be the Board’s top priority?
When you start undermining the administrators, as one stated, they will leave or will lose their effectiveness.  A Board that voices support for performance accountability, and then turns around and empowers these same teachers like the ones mentioned earlier who are not there for the right reasons, has now negated their stated mission.  Could this in actuality be a calculated witch hunt?  Could it be because a small group of teachers are claiming “low morale” - a common tune when they are held accountable and don’t get THEIR way?
There was good movement toward improving the Kennard-Dale reputation, which has now been tarnished in York County by the public actions of this Board.

AMEN Shawn, you have hit your points perfectly.  It is time for the silent majority to speak out, speak up, and start voicing their opinions.  Speak up and attend school board meetings, talk to neighbors and friends.  Enough is enough!