The Oley Valley School Board continues its voracious appetite to spend our tax dollars.
The latest adventure concerns lights for the $1,400,000 synthetic track.
The Property and Transportation Committee member Christopher M. Hannum put forth the idea to spend up to $225,000 for lighting. He says the impetus for the proposal will be the convenience to attend athletic events at night rather than during the day.
When the board was asked how they plan to pay for this wish-list item, Finance Committee member Ralph C. Richard inferred that tax dollars would not be used, but he refused to explain his comment. In other words, the board has no idea how they will pay for the lights.
The track started with almost the same promise of outside financing. A group would raise half the cost and the district would cover the rest. The initial advertised price started at $450,000, then ballooned to over $1,400,000. The result was the track supporters did not meet their commitment, so the taxpayers, as usual, paid for the bulk of the boondoggle.
As is the case with a liberal socialist school board, they are talking about constructing a stadium, as well. The price would be $250 per seat.
The track, the lights, and the stadium are not state mandated, nor do they have anything to do with education. As they did with the track, the board will tell the public that the decision on the lights is not final. Yet, already, they plan to spend thousands for bids.
The board complains the state does not send enough money to the district and therefore the state is responsible for the high property taxes.
The reality of the situation is that we have a school board who acts no better than the politicians in Harrisburg who gave themselves midnight pay increases, both waste money, one for financial gain, the other for an agenda.
The next school board meeting is Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at 7:00 PM in the Administration Boardroom. The community has the opportunity to voice their opinion about the board’s spending plans.
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384 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 384 of 384Thank you for that rant 1:01!
I am also glad to see you are willing to run under certain circumstances, which you are sure will never happen.
Politicians make promises like that all the time. More reason for you to step up to the plate and serve the community!
How do you know the last blogger isn't already serving the community? What made you jump to that conclusion?
What about yourself running? You say it is a rant I say it is the truth. I was perfectly calm writing the truth,what about you? You are the one that causes half the problems around this district with your never change the top just keep spending.
The pssa's should reflect all the money this district has spent if they would have spent it on education other than feel good items.
A $26 million budget and still the pssa scores are not basic across the grades in this school district.
What is going on with our money?
It is time for the whole board to get replaced and administrators too.
In the real world they would of been replaced years ago.
And yes I help out in the community and especially this district.
Why don't you help and maybe pack boxes for the service men and women on 6/22 in Topton. Look it up on the web. Enduring Freedom.
Do something useful with your life.
Hey by the way what happened to the Dr.? Hope to see him at the meetings this summer, he is on the board you know.
Time to come back from your long trip and see the folks that put you into office. Why they put you in I will never know. It must be the name. It cannot be the person.
They do not come to meetings but than they vote them back in anyway.
Sad isn't it???
...How do you know the last blogger isn't already serving the community? What made you jump to that conclusion?...
Their negative disposition.
...I was perfectly calm writing the truth,what about you? You are the one that causes half the problems around this district with your never change the top just keep spending...
I also and extremely calm, and at NO point did I defend the current situation and make any comments as to a desire to not have substantial changes made. I would love to set term limits (if legal, but since that is not an option I believe we must work with the cards that are dealt.
Believe it or not, I believe that the pssa results for Oley are pitiful, and I put the sad results squarely on the administration, the board and the teachers. I personally believe that curriculm, which is driven by the teachers contract (required qualifications, student teacher ratio, and required credit to graduate)is in a sad state of disarray.
Thank you for the last blog. It is nice to know someone other than us believe in the facts. I do not like what is going on here and I would love term limits.
The gov't across the country, state and local, federal everyone needs term limits.
Maybe the two blog ago person is one of the new members, that would be great!!!!!
Come join us for change!!!
"The pssa's should reflect all the money this district has spent if they would have spent it on education other than feel good items."
Well, that's an interesting point -- Oley actually pays LESS then the state average per student....and they do well overall. Again, sounds like a pretty good bargain to me.
Do you mean the Oley teachers are among the lower-paid teachers in the state?????
For 1:01 pm,
What do you consider basic math?
Here is what the state considers basic math for the 11th grade. Keep in mind that all students take the same test, from the learning support to the gifted.
M11.A.1
Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.
M11.A.1.1
Represent and/or use numbers in equivalent forms (e.g., integers, fractions, decimals, percents, square roots, exponents and scientific notation).
M11.A.1.1.1
Find the square root of an integer to the nearest tenth using either a calculator or estimation.
M11.A.1.1.2
Express numbers and/or simplify expressions using scientific notation (including numbers less than 1).
M11.A.1.1.3
Simplify square roots. (e.g., √24 = 2√6)
M11.A.1 Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.
M11.A.1.2
Apply number theory concepts to show relationships between real numbers in problem solving settings.
M11.A.1.2.1
Find the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) and/or the Least Common Multiple (LCM) for sets of monomials.
M11.A.1 Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.
M11.A.1.3
Estimate the value of an irrational number.
M11.A.1.3.1
Locate/identify irrational numbers at the approximate location on a number line.
M11.A.1.3.2
Compare and/or order any real numbers (rational and irrational may be mixed).
M11.A.2
Understand the meanings of operations, use operations and understand how they relate to each other.
M11.A.2.1
Apply ratio and/or proportion in problem-solving situations.
M11.A.2.1.1
Solve problems using operations with rational numbers including rates and percents (single and multi-step and multiple procedure operations) (e.g., distance, work and mixture problems, etc.).
M11.A.2.1.2
Solve problems using direct and inverse proportions.
M11.A.2.1.3
Identify and/or use proportional relationships in problem solving settings.
M11.A.2
Understand the meanings of operations, use operations and understand how they relate to each other.
M11.A.2.2
Use exponents, roots and/or absolute value to solve problems.
M11.A.2.2.1
Simplify/evaluate expressions involving positive and negative exponents, roots and/or absolute value (may contain all types of real numbers - exponents should not exceed power of 10).
M11.A.2.2.2
Simplify/evaluate expressions involving multiplying with exponents (e.g. x6 ∗ x7 = x13), powers of powers (e.g., (x6)7=x42) and powers of products (2x2)3=8x6 (positive exponents only).
M11.A.3
Compute accurately and fluently and make reasonable estimates.
M11.A.3.1
Apply the order of operations in computation and in problem-solving situations.
M11.A.3.1.1
Simplify/evaluate expressions using the order of operations to solve problems (any rational numbers may be used).
M11.A.3
Compute accurately and fluently and make reasonable estimates.
M11.A.3.2
Use estimation strategies in problem-solving situations.
M11.A.3.2.1
Use estimation to solve problems.
M11.B.2
Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.
M11.B.2.1
Use and/or compare measurements of angles.
M11.B.2.1.1
Measure and/or compare angles in degrees (up to 360°) (protractor must be provided or drawn).
M11.B.2
Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.
M11.B.2.2
Use and/or develop procedures to determine or describe measures of perimeter, circumference, area, surface area and/or volume. (May require conversions within the same system.)
M11.B.2.2.1
Calculate the surface area of prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids and/or spheres. Formulas are provided on the reference sheet.
M11.B.2.2.2
Calculate the volume of prisms, cylinders, cones, pyramids and/or spheres. Formulas are provided on the reference sheet.
M11.B.2.2.3
Estimate area, perimeter or circumference of an irregular figure.
M11.B.2.2.4
Find the measurement of a missing length given the perimeter, circumference, area or volume.
M11.B.2
Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.
M11.B.2.3
Describe how a change in one dimension of a figure (2 or 3 dimensional) affects other measurements of that figure.
M11.B.2.3.1
Describe how a change in the linear dimension of a figure affects its perimeter, circumference, area or volume.
•How does changing the length of the radius of a circle affect the circumference of the circle?
•How does changing the length of the edge of a cube affect the volume of the cube?
•How does changing the length of the base of a triangle affect the area of the triangle?
M11.C.1
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships.
M11.C.1.1
Identify and/or use parts of circles and segments associated with circles.
M11.C.1.1.1
Identify and/or use the properties of a radius, diameter and/or tangent of a circle (given numbers should be whole.)
M11.C.1.1.2
Identify and/or use the properties of arcs, semicircles, inscribed angles and/or central angles.
M11.C.1
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships.
M11.C.1.2
Recognize and/or apply properties of angles, triangles and quadrilaterals.
M11.C.1.2.1
Identify and/or use properties of triangles (e.g., medians, altitudes, angle bisectors, side/angle relationships, Triangle Inequality Theorem).
M11.C.1.2.2
Identify and/or use properties of quadrilaterals (e.g., parallel sides, diagonals, bisectors, congruent sides/angles and supplementary angles).
M11.C.1.2.3
Identify and/or use properties of isosceles and equilateral triangles
M11.C.1
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships.
M11.C.1.3
Use properties of congruence, correspondence and similarity in problem-solving settings involving two- and three- dimensional figures.
M11.C.1.3.1
Identify and/or use properties of congruent and similar polygons or solids.
M11.C.1
Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships.
M11.C.1.4
Solve problems involving right triangles using the Pythagorean Theorem.
M11.C.1.4.1
Find the measure of a side of a right triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem
M11.C.3
Locate points or describe relationships using the coordinate plane.
M11.C.3.1
Solve problems using analytic geometry.
M11.C.3.1.1
Calculate the distance and/or midpoint between 2 points on a number line or on a coordinate plane.
M11.C.3.1.2
Relate slope to perpendicularity and/or parallelism (limit to linear algebraic expressions)
M11.D.1
Demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relations and functions.
M11.D.1.1
Analyze and/or use patterns or relations.
M11.D.1.1.1
Analyze a set of data for the existence of a pattern and represent the pattern algebraically and/or graphically.
M11.D.1.1.2
Determine if a relation is a function given a set of points or a graph.
M11.D.1.1.3
Identify the domain, range or inverse of a relation (may be presented as ordered pairs or a table).
M11.D.2 Represent and/or analyze mathematical situations using numbers, symbols, words, tables and/or graphs.
M11.D.2.1
Write, solve and/or graph linear equations and inequalities using various methods.
M11.D.2.1.1
Solve compound inequalities and/or graph their solution sets on a number line (may include absolute value inequalities).
M11.D.2.1.2
Identify or graph functions, linear equations or linear inequalities on a coordinate plane.
M11.D.2.1.3
Write, solve and/or apply a linear equation (including problem situations).
M11.D.2.1.4
Write and/or solve systems of equations using graphing, substitution and/or elimination (limit systems to 2 equations).
M11.D.2.1.5
Solve quadratic equations using factoring.
M11.D.2
Represent and/or analyze mathematical situations using numbers, symbols, words, tables and/or graphs.
M11.D.2.2
Simplify expressions involving polynomials.
Reference: 2.8.11.S
M11.D.2.2.1
Add, subtract and/or multiply polynomial expressions (express answers in simplest form – nothing larger than a binomial multiplied by a trinomial).
M11.D.2.2.2
Factor algebraic expressions, including difference of squares and trinomials (trinomials limited to the form ax2+bx+c where a is not equal to 0).
M11.D.2.2.3
Simplify algebraic fractions.
M11.D.3
Analyze change in various contexts.
M11.D.3.1
Describe and/or determine change.
M11.D.3.1.1
Identify, describe and/or use constant or varying rates of change.
M11.D.3.1.2
Determine how a change in one variable relates to a change in a second variable (e.g., y=4/x, if x doubles, what happens to y?).
M11.D.3
Analyze change in various contexts.
M11.D.3.2
Compute and/or use the slope of a line.
M11.D.3.2.1
Apply the formula for the slope of a line to solve problems.
M11.D.3.2.2
Given the graph of the line, 2 points on the line, or the slope and a point on a line, write or identify the linear equation in point-slope, standard and/or slope-intercept form.
M11.D.3.2.3
Compute the slope and/or y-intercept represented by a linear equation or graph.
M11.D.4
Describe or use models to represent quantitative relationships.
M11.D.4.1
Interpret and/or use linear, quadratic and/or exponential functions and their equations, graphs or tables.
M11.D.4.1.1
Match the graph of a given function to its table or equation.
M11.E.1
Formulate or answer questions that can be addressed with data and/or organize, display, interpret or analyze data.
M11.E.1.1
Appropriately display and/or use data in problem-solving settings.
M11.E.1.1.1
Create and/or use appropriate graphical representations of data, including box-and-whisker plots, stem-and-leaf plots or scatter plots.
M11.E.1.1.2
Analyze data and/or answer questions based on displayed data (box-and-whisker plots, stem-and-leaf plots or scatter plots).
M11.E.2
Select and/or use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data.
M11.E.2.1
Use measures of central tendency to describe a set of data.
M11.E.2.1.1
Calculate or select the appropriate measure of central tendency (mean, mode or median) of a set of data given or represented on a table, line plot or stem-and-leaf plot.
M11.E.2.1.2
Calculate and/or interpret the range, quartiles and interquartile range of data.
M11.E.2.1.3
Describe how outliers affect measures of central tendency.
M11.E.3
Understand and/or apply basic concepts of probability or outcomes.
M11.E.3.1
Apply probability and/or odds to practical situations.
M11.E.3.1.1
Find probabilities for independent, dependent or compound events and represent as a fraction, decimal or percent).
M11.E.3.1.2
Find, convert and/or compare the probability and/or odds of a simple event.
M11.E.3
Understand and/or apply basic concepts of probability or outcomes.
M11.E.3.2
Apply counting techniques in problem-solving settings.
M11.E.3.2.1
Determine the number of permutations and/or combinations or apply the fundamental counting principle.
M11.E.4
Develop and/or evaluate inferences and predictions or draw conclusions based on data or data displays.
M11.E.4.1
Make predictions using data displays and probability.
M11.E.4.1.1
Estimate or calculate to make predictions based on a circle, line, bar graph or given situation.
M11.E.4.1.2
Use probability to predict outcomes.
M11.E.4
Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions or draw conclusions based on data or data displays.
M11.E.4.2
Analyze and/or interpret data on a scatter plot and/or use a scatter plot to make predictions.
M11.E.4.2.1
Draw, find and/or write an equation for a line of best fit for a scatter plot.
M11.E.4.2.2
Make predictions using the equations or graphs of best-fit lines of scatter plots.
Wow you keep yourself busy!
What is your point?
I have spoken to many of this years 11th graders and they think the basic standards are low and easy!
So you still think it is ok for over 1/2 of the juniors to fail and get below basic for math and reading may I stick that in!
I was told that the math and reading is so basic that every 11th grader should know at least half of the basic knowledge of this test.
The science pssa is another story in itself.
We here at lovely Oley do not teach all of the science that was on the test.
The science teachers have said for a long time that we need to teach earth science which is on the science pssa test.
The middle school teachers told the children not to care about the science pssa as it was a new test and if they did good on it, it would most likely be put into law for a every year test with math and reading.
So to sum this all up, teach the children at least the basic standard of our state, care for the children, keep them interested in coming to school, tutor them after school for free on your own time like any other good teacher in the past did.
Show the children you are concerned for them and want them to do good. You know that being nice and caring for a child that is having a hard time with school could actually help them want to come and learn.
Yes we know the learning support children take the test and how many do we have in a grade? Not as many as 1/2 in the class.
They are not tested as learning support they need to know the basics.
Good night.
It is accountability! I guess you do not like that word!
What do you think we should do, keep paying the big salaries and have 1/2 of a class be below basic in math and reading?
I do not think so!
We are a small school district with big salaries and alot of employers for a little over 2,000 children. Do your job folks or maybe it is time to look somewhere else to work. We want and expect the best. We pay big taxes for this district! We want to see the children be successful.
The whole story is the children are the ones that are going to be crushed if they are not educated.
Children get their values at home. This includes the idea that learning is important, and that if you don't try, YOU will be held responsible: not your teacher, or the administration or the governor.A parent who cares might even limit tv and game time or link it to success at school. I learned at school because my parents expected it and I worked to meet that expectation. What do your kids think you expect of them, besides whining and blaming everyone else?
My children are told all the time to try to do the best in all they do. They are doing the best and my husband and I could not be any more happier with our children.
They see other children even in good homes not doing good in school and it is the responsibility of all the teachers, administrators and parents to try harder.
When the children are at school 7+ hours a day it is the responsibility of the school to teach to the standards of this state.
If you do not like that call Harisburg.
You are the one keeping the children from learning by making these comments and not wanting change. Change can be good you know.
Children today have 2 parents working hard just so they have a roof over their heads, the school district needs to work just as hard.
So you think the standards are so low? Check out this site and see how many math questions YOU get correct. I bet many are "Below Basic". Have fun...and don't cheat!
http://www.basd.net/bahs/math/bahs_math_pssa_mcprac.htm
http://www.basd.net/bahs/math/
bahs_math_pssa_mcprac.htm
Your funny! Been there done that! Now it is up to the school's to do the same. I did very good in HS, got a terrific job as a purchasing agent making over $30,000 17 years ago.
I worked very hard to get to that position. Nothing comes easy. The children need to be reminded of that. They need to work hard and the school district needs to work even harder.
I got to the position in the above blog with only one parents working full time. I had to do alot on my own. I started working at age 14, I had to do all of the house chores. It all makes you a stronger person. You appreciate all the things in life that other take for granted. Even today nothing comes easy. With the world we live in, we need to excel the children for they are the future.
If the test scores continue to be low the state will put our district on another warning. Do you want that? Do you want the state to take over our schools? Stop passing the buck and not wanting to hear the facts and join the people at the board meetings and fight for the children and their future.
I guess nobody here is willing share their scores...Below Basic perhaps? Strange...I thought the standards were soooo low!
1:45 you are babbling again! Find something else to say. I guess you like the status quo! I guess you like 1/2 of the junior class not able to score at least basic in math and reading. Ask the teachers in the HS and they will tell you that most of that material is covered in the A and B track math. What do you say about the low reading scores? I guess thats ok to. You are pitiful.
What is your score 1:45. You are way below normal basic values of life and learning. Have a nice day.
Hey Dale or Cappa is that you writing???? Are you back Dr. we missed you and your babbling!!!
How was your trip?
1:10 said
"If the test scores continue to be low the state will put our district on another warning. Do you want that? Do you want the state to take over our schools? Stop passing the buck and not wanting to hear the facts and join the people at the board meetings and fight for the children and their future."
Our test scores according to the state and feds are fine. What warning? What takeover? What facts?What people are you going to "join at the board meetings to fight for the children"? There is never anyone there including 1:10 and any other blogger who claims they know what's going on at meetings- except Al and Cindy and they see the world through warped glasses. Which of you can pass basic reasoning or writing tests?
...I guess nobody here is willing share their scores...Below Basic perhaps? Strange...I thought the standards were soooo low!...
The standards are too low. However, I took the the 50 questions and got a 38 out of 50. I do not know if I am 'below' expectations or not. I did learn that I no longer rember how to calculate 'slope' and 'radius', which accounted for half the one I got wrong.
If it based on percentages, then I got a 76%, which I believe is a 'D' at Oley.
Doesn't that prove that the standards are not too low? Students arent' being taught slope in order to forget it. I admire your willingness to post your score...I too would probably not get a 50/50
Why do you say that Al and Cindy see the world through warped glasses.
Is it because they DARE to question those who think they are beyond question, those who do break the rules, those who spend the taxpayers money at Red Lobster and the M&M Shop.
Why would asking that question be seeing through warped glasses?
Why would asking the board how they are going to protect a child from being hit, pushed, and bullied in the hallways be seeing the world through warped glasses.
Do I have to wait until my child ends up bleeding in the hospital or worse until something gets done, or will we all be seeing through warped glasses then?
Warped glasses, we do not know what we are talking about. Here you go again attacking the messenger. We really need you kind of people in this district like a hole in the head. We have been on a warning and a need for improvement from the state. I think it was in 02-03. Does that give you a good feeling? I said join us at a board meeting and maybe if new people with the same facts and concerns as the concerned citizens have would all join together, maybe change for the better would happen now and not when it is tooooo late.
I do not know how people like you can sleep at night?
Al has given all the facts that the school district gives to him. He gets his facts right from the boards mouths and the districts documents that are requested. Are you saying the district is not giving Al the correct information? Look out, that is a no-no.
Do not ask a question at a board meeting, you will be put on the black list.
Watch out, your children will be targeted at school with wrong grades and no awards. It has happend before, it can happen again. As long as the big guy and his board buddies are in running the show, your children can be recked. They are so grow up to picked on the children. They are nasty, no life people. It is a real shame they do not want to hear any concerns or questions from the public that pay the bills and that have children in the district trying to survive.
You have a warped brain. Not one person in their right mind is going to believe you. Al and Cindy get the facts from you the board and the district.
You cannot take that the facts are on this blog. You better get over it. The facts will continue to be written on this blog until we see the changes that will benefit all the children, not just a handful. Education must come first.
It's interesting how the same "facts" can be taken so many different ways. Especially when the facts are taken out of context.
We do not take numbers out of context!!!
We see the old medicine man and his musical side-kick are back on the war-path. Welcome home!
Don't forget to save enough time to slam tri county toyota. Do you make up new signs each time, or are you big into recycling the ones you've used for years?
Some of you bloggers are a real piece of work. You have one board member who actually pays any attention to what you have to say, at least to the extent that he occasionally reads your comments and responds to them. Ok, he doesn’t usually agree with most of what you say and he presents another side of the issues. So you revile (talk trash about) him on a personal level. You’d obviously rather be ignored than have a discussion and maybe change your mind, if that's even possible. Does that make you right, or smart?
wow 9:26, you are one clever doggie. Do you write an op-ed column for a comic book?
Hmmm, after all this debate about pssa tests and government education in general, did you see that a young man from California who is homeschooled "by his mother" won the National Spelling Bee?
Perhaps government school teachers should be getting education enrichment from a few homeschooling Moms.
Newsweek published its list of the 2007 top 1,300 U.S. schools. Nowhere can you find Oley. I bet a major portion of these schools don't spend the ransom we pay for education either.
The board member in question has done more damage than good being on this board. We had problems in the past with board members, but he takes the cake when it comes to nasty comments, using his video to scare off the public, making the public only have 3 minutes to ask important questions, writing stupid non-factual editorials in the paper. The list goes on and on and this board member should be off.
What we have said about him is the truth. He is well known in this valley, so you can ask every other citizen that has had a run-in with him.
Just look what he does during parades. He puts signs up in front of his house telling people not to go to tri-county toyota because he thinks they did something to him when he purchased a car from them. Then he tells us to get over it when it comes to important questions about the $26 million budget and the non-educational expenses that seems to be on a daily basis. Like dinnners, lunches, etc.
I pay taxes for education not to feed the so called big timers.
Well folks, this is goodby. We have sold our home and are moving out of state the end of June. Packing and preparations will take all of our time.
It's sad that the place where we grew up and loved has turned into something that we no longer recognize and will not be able to afford in the next several years. We are not against change if it is for good, but change for change-sake and unsatiable consumption at others' expense have destroyed a once idyllic community and state of place and mind.
To all of you who've been my friends and supporters while I served on the School Board a decade ago -- thank you and God bless you! It has been a pleasure knowing you fine individuals and free thinkers. We'll be seeing many of you, we hope, at our new location.
To all of you who hate the messengers of information and free speech with which you disagree -- well, be careful what you ask for. You might get it. These children who've been raised to think that they can have anything they want at everyone else's expense are going to be looking after your interests when you can't anymore. You haven't done them much good for all of your boasts -- just given them a false sense of entitlement. How will they cope if there is ever a major catastrophy in their lives? Saying no to children from time to time for unecessary "wants" that would harm others, and explaining why, helps to build character. Teaching children empathy for others through our "actions," and not just words, teaches them by example.
We are setting an example for our youth that older and/or less fortunate people just need to get out of their way if they stand in the way of their silly, unending wants. We are teaching them that everybody has a resposibility to pay for their cushy environments, even it if means bankrupting mom and dad, and the neighbors who don't owe them anything. What a sick state of society, and we have seen first hand that our school board is about 80% staffed by people with this mind set.
My younger sister once told her (at the time) 16 year old son that she knows he hated her then because she didn't always let him do what he wanted to do ... she was raising him to become a fine man someday, and if that meant he had to hate her at 16, then so be it. Childhoood alone wasn't the goal ... it was preparing him to be a strong and responsible person for all his life. That when he was 30, she hoped he would look back and thank her for not always letting him have his way. He is now 37, and he's often thanked her for being a good parent the hard way. His 16 & 13 year old daughters are being raised with the same values; and even though their mother suddenly passed away 8 years ago, they are well-adjusted, stronger individuals because of what they've weathered and a father who is raising them for a lifetime, not just a season.
Life is not for sissy's, but we're raising generations of kids that don't know that. A majority are being "TAUGHT" that the world is their oyster and all they have to do is rudely demand and insult those who they expect to pay their way, and it happens for them effortlessly. They are in for a very rude awakening, and what kind of strength of character have they ever gained by having everything go their way without effort, consequence or sacrifice.
But, that is no longer our concern here, and we are moving on. Rather than remembering those who've ruined the lifestyle, substance and general culture of the Oley Valley, we will remember the better days of our youth. And those are good memories.
Linda, you are the best. I hope you will have many happy times in your new location. I was sure glad I got to know you and your husband. God bless you two always. Pray for us who are still here. We need it.
Farewell, Linda. Your absence will be noticed by all those who care and still have a heart. A short list? No, not really. But it's a short list that can tally those who care, have a heart, and have the courage to be involved, like you were. Probably, we all mean well, but you actually took the big step forward to show your strength, imagination, know-how, style, and CLASS. When it comes to Board members with class, that's a very short list.
Thanks, again, for all the time you gave to our community and it's deserving children!
God bless you and yours!
Sincerely,
An Oley parent and grandparent showing appreciation to you, Linda!
What happens in Oley, STAYS in Oley.
And if it's really good, you through a big tarp over it!
Pollen season is over, what are the covers about?
What's with the tarp? A circus came to town, and they forgot the rest of the tent poles?
Maybe a traveling evangelist is making a guest appearance at the tent event on Main Street!
What is up with the tarps?
Is there something interesting under them?
Just another Main Street cover up???
Life on Main Street is not that of your typical country village! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo! It's much different. Changes are always under wraps!
A tarpaulin is said to be used to protect covered items from moisture. What moisture is in question? A little rain? Or, a stream of tears from the eyes of elderly citizens being taxed out of their homes by tax and spend school boards?
I think it's for protection from the stream of tears coming from those of us who laugh so hard we have to cry when we read all the "intelligent" postings on here! Lordy, Lordy!
not worth the time to comment
..stream of tears from laughing??? You win. That IS what it's all about. If we can't laugh at FUNNY sights, it's all over! Laugh it up, because somebody is always providing new things to humor the crowd!
Don't forget...
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!
And, it beats the Heck out of a mis-diagnosis.
And Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
Can't take a joke about a silly tarp? Yet, in the past, felt comfortable, nay, justified to smirk at senior citizens-in person...face to face...at a public meeting...answering a question as to exactly where the rising tax money is supposed to come from when you're on a fixed income. That was/is no laughing matter. Board members that feel comfortable with laughing in the faces of the senior citizens that worked all their lives to live AND stay in their own homes....????? You don't belong in charge of anything.
That is right!! Good-bye Cappa
pick up your marching sticks
i feel a song coming on
It looks like this blog has run out of gas.
There's no such thing as running out of gas on this blog. Do the math, smartie. Every time a blogger lays it on the line and clearly states any of the many rude, arrogant, and unprofessional acts committed by certain board members, a hush falls over the crowd. Care to know why? Because people have a peculiar respect for insanity. When a prominent figure, such as a board member in a small town, acts like a "nut" in public, How many people do you think are going to be associated with this board member? The natural thing to do around crazy people is to give them their own way, and hope they are satisfied and leave YOU alone.
No mystery here.
Wear sandals in winter time, or a heavy coat in July, talk out of turn at meetings, make juvenile faces... All ways of trying to get attention focused upon yourself. No problem with this when it's an everyday Joe. But when it's someone who's playing a part in the well being of our youth and also reaching for YOUR checkbook...look out.
Look out is right!! He is nuts and the sad truth is he was in practice in this valley for a long time and most likely you had to visit him. I am sorry for anyone who actually had to associate with him years ago and I feel sorry for us who are dealing with this nut today.
The people in this district made another big error putting this nut back into office to play around with a $26 million budget and our childrens lives and education.
We are in for more hard times and wierd times for sure with him on the board for another 4 years.
far not for
Did anyone on the blog attend the graduation ceremony last night? Other than the valectorian's address (which was superb), the theme of all the others speeches was essentially "don't worry, be happy."
Whoever awarded Mr. Zackon his doctorate never heard him speak .... or should I say ... "read a speech" -- which he flubbed over and over.
In the private sector, a special events person would have been fired for choosing and/or being one of the official speakers. What a boring and hackneyed bunch of rubbish.
No wonder the kids experience such educational and cultural shock when they leave the valley. They learn that what was foisted on them as "knowledgeable leadership" was just a bunch of dazzle 'em with the footwork, smoke and mirror con artists. What a sham ... and what a shame for the students and taxpayers under their leadership.
Excellent article in the last issue of "The Weekly Standard" on the increasing failure of public education. Upshot is that we are waiting for one federal politician to suggest that we drop public education from the taxpayer domain. SAT sample test is asking some questions from a feminist perspective. Re-norming the tests every so often also helps make it look like the public students are getting smarter. Home schoolers are doing better than public school on standardized tests.
HE NEEDS TO GO! HE HAS PUT OUR DISTRICT ON THE MAP OF BEING STUPID. NO LONGER WILL THIS BE TOLERATED. WHAT DID ALL THE FAMILIES THINK OF HIM! AT THE FIFTH GRADE AWARDS HE HAD TO KEEP LOOKING AT THE PRINCIPAL BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SAY THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE STUDENTS THAT GOT AWARDS. HE EVEN SAID MY CHILDS LAST NAME WRONG. BUT WHAT ELSE IS NEW. HE IS A LAUGHING STOCK! AND WE THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING HIS SALARY. THANKS TO THE BOARD THAT GAVE HIM ANOTHER 5 YEAR DEAL. FOR WHAT??????? I HEARD HECKMAN DID NOT SPEAK WELL AND MARKLEY WAS A LAUGH. GOD BLESS ANDREW WHO WAS THE BEST SPEAKER!
Some of the graduates last night actually can run this district way better than what we have in these clowns. The salaries would not be over the top either.
Over the edge is more like it. They are not worthy of 1 cent. Zackon has to go. He needs to go back to school and have some of these fine students teach him how to speak and deal with life and issues and people.
Seeing the top 3 last night was wonderful. We do have great students in this district and they do not come from the administration.
SO the superintendant is supposed to know how to pronounce the name of every chid in the district? Or just your child.
I for one thought the ceremony was wonderful......Although many in here would complain even if Jesus were giving the speeches.
With a name that has Dr. in the front and that makes over $130,000 yes he should know how to say all the children's names.
Yes the graduation was wonderful because of the children not because of you and the other so called adults that we have running this district.
Are you saying that being religious is not cool. I know for a fact that Andrew who spoke last night is a very religious young man who has a bright future ahead of him. You should be thanking his family for letting you have the honor of having all their children in this district. They are a great family. You should not even speak about Jesus in any form that is not sacred.
Zackon needs to go to school to learn how to speak to the public with his high ranking position there is no excuse for poor speeches.
Our last name is not hard to say if you really look at it and remember it does not have ch in it. Hello!!!
I'm sorry to disagree with some of the previous postings but most of the people I talked to did not like Andrew's speech. This is nothing against Andrew; he is an excellent student. However, graduation speeches should be encouraging not lecturing about how living a normal, happy life is not good enough. However, I will agree with you that Dr. Zackon needs to work on his speaking skills although his papers were blowing around on the podium.
I for one was glad Andrew wrote that wonderful speech. He is #1 for a reason. I am glad you believe that Zackon needs to work on his speaking skills. Andrew speaks from his heart and what he believes in. He will do great in the future.
Out of gas - perhaps it's because we cannot afford it - pretty hard to figure that one out!
NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!
The king(aka Dr. Zackon) admits at Budget Committee Meeting that the TAXPAYERS paid for today's luncheon for the employees, albeit meager!
For some reason the taxpayers were not invited. Didn't bother the business manager either.
Our new business manager thinks it is AOK to have the taxpayers pay for her lunch.
The king also admitted that the check to Red Lobster for $300, was again for secretary's day gifts.
Did you receive your thank you card?
He also pointed out that the administration took a collection for the secretaries, and there is paperwork to back up that they put in the $300. If that's the case, then why didn't they just take the money over to Red Lobster and get the gifts. Why even go through the school books? But we all know the answer to that one, don't we.
There was also the $127.++ check for the M&M shop. Must have missed my order.
The king also admits that the taxpayers paid for this lunch too! This lunch went to the same group that the dinner at the Sheraton was for. The curriculum auditors - you know - that dinner that we suspected the grant money was used for, but were told that the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation actually paid for, on a quick CTB phone call.
We must have needed to impress these folks!
IMAGINE THAT - WE PAY FOR LUNCH BUT AREN'T INVITED!
This practice goes on and on and on. Just what other little items are we paying for that are not for the children?
This has been going on for years and years - and the Oleyites are paying for it.
Perhaps had we not been spending money on our employees lunches and dinners, we could have our FOOTBALL TEAM, OUR TRACK, ETC., ETC., WITHOUT RAISING TAXES!!!!!!!
Now, let me get this straight. We PAY the auditors to do their job, and we also wine and dine them?
Where I come from, the customer is entertained -- not the supplier.
THE AUDITING GROUP should not even be socializing with the people they're auditing -- it creates the wrong impression. And then we are PAYING for all these little extras. It looks like they're trying to soften up the auditors not to be so hard on them. But, then what else is new with this bunch of bozos. They play with the most crooked set of rules I ever saw.
Dear school board and administration:
SWEET DREAMS - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
And another thing!
Whenever I took out my secretary for secretaries day or bought her a Christmas gift, I didn't put it on an expense account charged to my customers.
Yeah, show us the documentation at the next meeting, Zackon! That'll be the day.
If there's smoke, there's fire. And for all the smoke coming out of the administration, it really makes me wonder what they're hiding and are so defensive about. And then they're entertaining auditors with our taxes. Give me a break!
King - person with inflated opinion of himself with the ability to spend all the taxpayers money on his whims - three guesses!
"pup·pet n. A small figure of a person or animal, having a cloth body and hollow head, designed to be fitted over and manipulated by the hand" or King. - three guesses, and the first 8 don't count!
Education Standards: Test Put Image Ahead of Performance is the headline in today’s issue of USA.
Well it is official, the educrats have been gaming the state tests aka. dumbing them down, so that students get better grades. The inflated results are fooling parents into believing their child is being educated.
This is according to a soon to be released intensive study of No Child Left Behind by experts.
OCC has been demanding educational accountability since our inception, yet the detractors claim we are looking at the issue with warped vision. According to the them, they know what is best for education; they think pouring $1,600,000 or more into a synthetic “track” is good policy?
The inability of the school board and their supporters to prioritize tax dollars is the reason why property taxes continue rise faster than family’s incomes and force them from their homes.
The track is nothing more than pork barrel, public relations playing to the shallow view that appearances are more important than performance.
The board politicians pandering the idea that the convenience of watching athletic events at night is more important than the future of the children is bordering on malfeasance.
Well said! Many agree with every word you wrote, Al. Thank you, and keep up the vigilence.
That sure was a nice article on the Oley track in this morning's paper. Will all of you be there tonight at 6:00 for the groundbreaking ceremony?
Correct writings from Al. Thanks!
Well Zackon finally comes clean and tells the public that pays his salary that he is eating our money toooo!
Wow this is a true disgrace and he needs to leave.
When my husband has to give his secretary a gift for secretaries week, it comes right out of his own wallet.
What the Heck do you think you are doing Zackon?
If you do not leave now you will be taken out soon.
The people that pay the taxes in this district are not going to put up with reckless spending anymore.
What order do we run this district.
1. Salaries
2. Dinning
3. Track
4. Benefits
5. Education
Well that is just great, education is at the bottom.
Thank God for the few teachers that care for the students.
This administration cannot speak, cannot run this district in the way it needs to be run for all the children.
Education must come first not last.
Not taken out, just forced out from the publics cry for justice for all the people and children of this district.
Kings
Krooks
&
Krazies
Welcome to Oley....
This is starting to get really sad. Do you people have a job or work outside during the summer? You need to find something to do; maybe you could run for school board that might take up some of the time you currently use for complaining. The point I'm trying to make is stop complaining and do something: work, garden, or run for school board. You're starting to sound like you worked for Pravda.
"Do you people have a job..."
The same question could be asked of you. It would be nice to hear how much you pay for your "education".
"That sure was a nice article on the Oley track in this morning's paper. Will all of you be there tonight at 6:00 for the groundbreaking ceremony?"
Come and see the "feel gooders" celebrate the symbol of their selfishness. As they break ground, they should bury the myth that they care about the children's future.
Dear Oley student: You do not have a clue of what is going on in this district. What have you contributed to the success or failures of this school district? Are you going to run for board and are you currently going to board meetings? I do not think so!
Tell your parents or whoever you are living with in this district to start getting involved like we have been doing. The facts on this blog are from this district.
We have major problems and yes even if you do not like it they must be told to the public.
One day we will see major changes in public education and who runs it and I cannot wait to see the pro-board faces when the current board and administration get the boot.
I hope it will happen soon but I will not hold my breath.
Thank God my children have the smarts to know what is going on here and are actually smarter than the administration and they could run this school for a 1/4 of the current salaries and do a great job at it.
They do not lie! Cannot say the same to the members and administration.
They keep putting their foot in their mouths. They keep putting our tax dollars in their stomach by buying food and charging it to us.
They are a true disgrace and must be removed.
The children are at risk.
Think about us all you want. How about you working a summer job if you are home from college or better yet volunteer your time packing boxes for the service men and women overseas on June 22 the packing will start.
God Bless the real patriots of this great country.
They fight for our freedom and we will never let them down.
This board will never shut us up or bring us down. We are way stronger than them. WE DO NOT LIE!!!!
5:57 you also don't make a whole lot of sense, ramble, and end up saying nothing. You must be a veteran blogger. While your kids are running the district, you could have them think for you too.They'd have to do a better job than you do.
Some of you should have come to the groundbreaking, not for the ceremony but to see people with a positive attitude who actually work to accomplish something. They don't expend all their energy and efforts trying to tear down the work of others while doing nothing themselves.
TO THE OLEY STUDENT:
You, dear Oley student, have got what we old ladies used to call:
REAL BRASS
Want that in plain English?
You've got a lot of nerve spouting off at, or to, the very people that have paved the free education highway for you. Without so much as a THANK YOU! Yes, I really mean that.
How about if you let a little time pass before you shower us with your unqualified judgement? Get a few miles of experience on the highway of life. That is OUR way of saying "get a life."
Although it's interesting to think that there's a youngster interested in posting his or her feelings on this blog, it's doubtful that you actually are a young person, or a student. Did you mean to state that you once attended Oley school, or do you actually attend the school currently? If so, there's time for you to present your little letters to your English teacher. If they are to be taken as a serious addition to this blog, have your teacher spruce them up a bit, okay? If you question that comment, and can't wait until next year to check your work with your English/grammar teacher, plenty of folks will be happy to point out your weaknesses in English, grammar, sentence structure, and most importantly:
RESPECT
You need help with the educational aspect, and you need a real lesson about respect.
I'm a SENIOR citizen, and a lot of my "so called extra cash" is not mine at all. It's yours. Please, make the money that I worked very hard to earn....count for something.
At first, I was not going to respond to your comments. But, while gardening, I had enough time to ponder the comments you've put into print, and decided that this is what free speech is all about. My husband died fighting for our right to free speech, so I do feel justified in utilizing this gift. I no longer work, but I do a lot of volunteer work in our community, if that makes you feel better.
As for running for school board? If my health was a bit better, I might consider that suggestion. How's YOUR health? I believe you only have to be 18 years old and an Oley resident to qualify to run. Correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, maybe a table full of 18 year old Oley graduates would be just what the doctor ordered. After all, you're apparently up to date on all that needs to be dealt with while running a great school.
With love and respect,
Nana
Thanks to all of you who prayed for Linda to sell her house and leave town. Maybe you could pray for Al to start a commune somewhere else and you could join him. Just don't drink the lemonade.
to Nana, with respect, that 18 year old will be working the next 50 years to pay 90% of your medicare costs and, by now, probably all of your social security benefits. So how about thanking him? I do.
8:43...
You must be the "mother". The origin of your child's rude nature is no longer in question.
You have no idea how much "Nana" contributed to social security, do you? Actually, you have no idea, at all, what Nana contributed to anything. I won't hold that against you. After all, how could you know?
Frankly, I'm glad I didn't raise any children like you, or your son.
My children are my life. I will try my best not to be a burdon to them, or to cause them any shame. I'll pray that you are able to honor your son the same way.
Best of luck to you.
next 50 years???
Don't be so simple. Social Security won't last 50 years. Socialism, maybe. But not Social Security. When the 18 year old boy is 68, I bet the last thing on his mind will be his rude letter to people like Nana.
"Some of you should have come to the groundbreaking, not for the ceremony but to see people with a positive attitude who actually work to accomplish something."
Typical babble from those who would rather see the children fail and force families from their homes just to feed their ego. You are offensive and disgusting.
"Thanks to all of you who prayed for Linda to sell her house and leave town. Maybe you could pray for Al to start a commune somewhere else and you could join him. Just don't drink the lemonade."
Just what god do you pray to that runs people out of town and hope they die?
"You have no idea how much "Nana" contributed to social security, do you? Actually, you have no idea, at all, what Nana contributed to anything. I won't hold that against you. After all, how could you know? "
actually I have a good idea: once you subtract out the value of disability insurance and survivor benefits from your contributions to soc.sec, you end up spending all of your contributions in 2-3 years. So anyone collecting for more than 3 years is living on the money collected from their children, neighbors, etc.
Just what god do you pray to that runs people out of town and hope they die?
10:30 PM, June 07, 2007
actually, linda sent out a note thanking people for praying for her house to sell. Apparently God personally intervened to dig up a buyer. I just reinterpreted and reinforced her thanks.Your interpretation of my 'humor' is twisted and perverse. You need to see a shrink.
"Come and see the "feel gooders" celebrate the symbol of their selfishness."
what exactly is a "feel gooder" in the context that the term is used over and over on this site? It seems to be different from the usual use in the rest of the slogan slinging world.
5;57 SAID
Dear Oley student: You do not have a clue of what is going on in this district. What have you contributed to the success or failures of this school district? Are you going to run for board and are you currently going to board meetings? I do not think so!
What have you done? Do you currently go to board meetings? Since you're clueless yourself and a nonparticipant, you shouldn't throw stones at ANYONE?
Actually NANA is the one who was rude to the schoolboy and owes him an apology. In addition, he was right.
Wow! It's rude to tell the schoolboy that he's got crummy letter writing talents? Okay, if it's not rude, then what is it? Too honest?
Sorry guys, I think Nana was right on the money.
to those of you criticising Dr Z's speechifying, maybe you should publish the last speech you were asked to write and deliver and we could critique your marvelous efforts. What? Nobody ever actually wanted to hear your opinion? Big surprise!
I thought he did a credible job for the occasion and I couldn't do any better so I can't criticize him any more than you should.
Criticizing Dr. Zackon is senseless. He doesn't teach our children! If they like him, then what's the difference? Oh, that's right. $130,000!
To 10:23 PM
No, you are "offensive and disgusting" and I raise you one stoopid.
To the Oley Student blogger:
It's very rude to address anyone as:
"You people...."
At least you could learn that, and remember it. Tell your mother, too.
Stoopid?
... better look that one up.
Krystal Ball said...
8:43...
You must be the "mother". The origin of your child's rude nature is no longer in question.
Don't look now but
you must be using a bowling ball.
Some of the graduates last night actually can run this district way better than what we have in these clowns. The salaries would not be over the top either.
6:58 PM, June 06, 2007
You know this based on their achievements running......what? You can make this judgment based on your expertise in doing....what?Everyone's job is easy from the outside when you know next to nothing about what is really involved.
You bloggers are like a pack of mangy mutts barking at a lynx from a safe distance because you can't do anything yourselves.
How do I know this? I did a study on your type and published the results in the renowned "Journal of Scientific and Social Improbable Results". Read all about yourselves on page 68.
Dr. Zackon made a statement about the $300 check to Red Lobster, saying that gift cards were bought for the secretaries for Secretary's Day.
He also made the statement that the administrators collected money for this $300.
My question - why was this transaction even run through the school district financial account, when it was not a school transaction?
Is the administration in the habit of running other types of transactions through the school financial accounts?
"actually, linda sent out a note thanking people for praying for her house to sell. Apparently God personally intervened to dig up a buyer. I just reinterpreted and reinforced her thanks.Your interpretation of my 'humor' is twisted and perverse. You need to see a shrink."
Someone apparently knows that I posted a thank you "on my church's" e-mail prayer letter to those who've prayed about our house situation, and to update them on the outcome.
Comments like the above make us realize we've stayed here much too long. It's difficult to digest such unkindness and lack of respect even for sincere prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior. Barry and I thank Him that He has provided for us to get away from here.
"Some of you should have come to the groundbreaking, not for the ceremony but to see people with a positive attitude who actually work to accomplish something. They don't expend all their energy and efforts trying to tear down the work of others while doing nothing themselves.
7:16 PM, June 07, 2007"
Yeah - they worked real hard stomping their feet and demanding and are working so hard raising money for the track that the taxpayers are paying the bill for the track.
Now that's an accomplishment!
Who wants to see Heckman and Zackon patting themselves on the back for pulling another one over on the taxpayers?
"So anyone collecting for more than 3 years is living on the money collected from their children, neighbors, etc."
This fuzzy math confirms the lousy PSSA test scores of the 11th graders.
This is a selfish person probably feeding from the system and sucking it dry.
"How do I know this? I did a study on your type and published the results in the renowned "Journal of Scientific and Social Improbable Results"."
If you liberal elitists know so much then how do you account for your failure in educating our children.
That answer is on page 69, "How To Be Full of Baloney and Be Paid for It".
"Will all of you be there tonight at 6:00 for the groundbreaking ceremony?"
Sorry, I could not make the party because I was working at my second job. So was my husband. It must be nice to have time off to play.
That's right, 11:12pm, we must not criticize Dr. Zackon. Why should anyone criticize the CEO of a company that is not producing the quality product they were hired to produce? Of course he doesn't teach our children (thank goodness) but he is directly responsible for hiring those who do. He has surrounded himself with mediocre administrators, each one hired on his recommendation. Why don't you ask some teachers what they think of his leadership skills?
The track is equivalent to a botox treatment for the vain and superficial. Paris Hilton should be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
"The track is equivalent to a botox treatment for the vain and superficial. Paris Hilton should be invited to the ribbon cutting ceremonies."
So that Oley does not appear to be chauvinist...the track acts as a toupee hiding the baron education in the district.
It's spelled "barren" :)
Ground breaking: That is funny I noticed everyone with a shovel not being able to even stick the shovel into the ground 1/4 inch.
Ground to hard like their hard heads.
Good day!!
Hey :) tell us your name? Are you chicken? Now which person last night are you going to say we are picking on? They all looked like hard headed clowns at the circus. I feel terrible for the residents near the track. They are going to have tons of garbage tossed by their yards, lights will be on at the track all hours of the night for track meets. I am sure they did not see this coming and are now stuck in this mess living near the fields. Some of them are elderly who cannot move to another location at this point in their lives and who will want to buy their houses anyway? Loud noice, garbage, lights, NO THANKS!!!
GOD BLESS AND HELP THE PEOPLE ON ROSE VIRGINIA AND SURROUNDING STREETS!!!
Just what god do you pray to that runs people out of town and hope they die?
10:30 PM, June 07, 2007
Whether they know it or not, the one who prays maliciously for people to die worships Satan. Jesus doesn't even hear those prayers --yet alone answer them.
Where God is no longer welcome, Satan is only too willing to fill the space. Schools have thrown out God and look what has happened since.
My neighbors and I are wondering which is more useless, Paris Hilton, the school board or the track. Mr. Jacobs should have one of his polls.
"Mr. Jacobs should have one of his polls."
Why? That would be more useless than the reports on the Paris Hilton story.
To the Oley Student: Hold your head up high, and continue to speak your mind. I may not agree with what you say, but can be proud of your willingness to speak.
Your generation has been cheated! The two or three generations before you ruined this great town, state and country. That is evident in there comments.
I hope you and your peers go out and fix the mess that was left to you. That includes societies failed attempt at public education, the belief in welfare and entitlement (Welfare, ssi and medicare) and overall belief that life is not wonderful.
I hope you and your peers promise your children, and provide your children with the american dream: which is to offer more than recieved. It has been a long time since that has been the attitude of the people.
The current rulers are more interested in ME, not us, or we the people.
I don't support track, but if we had 40 years ago (which we did) I believe it to be our obligation to offer it and then sum, or we FAILED as a society in pursuing the american dream.
PS: Please bring god back to the center of everything, and we won't have half the problems we do today!
To all the board supporters:
Do you feel it is okay for Dr. Zackon and the administrators to use the school district checking account as their personal banking tool?
Why should Dr. Zackon have the school district issue a check for $300 to Red Lobster for secretaries' gift cards, even though the money was supposedly replaced by their collection.
This doesn't sound quite kosher to me. That would be like employees of companies having the company write the check for the gifts and having the employees then reimburse the company.
Doesn't appear that this is a sound business financial practice that should be followed.
How do we know that the taxpayers are not paying for employees' needs and desires through the school district?
My, oh my! Stay away from the computer for less that a week, and look at all the excitement! And someone is always saying this blog is running out of gas? Ha! There's enough fuel in the past several blogs to fire up many an upset taxpayer.
A: IF that's actually a current student blogging on here, I'd be curious to know if his or her parents approve of their interest in this sort of local news items.
B. I love sea food. May I be included in the next feast? I've got over $4,500 worth of reasons to feel like I should at least get an after dinner mint and a fancy tooth-pick. And next year, I bet I have even more reasons to justify an invitation.
C. God bless LB and her husband. Next time any bloggers care to bash someone like LB, perhaps they should walk a mile in her shoes first. THEN they have a right to be a critic.
D. Why, oh why, do a handful of bloggers think that they are truly anonymous? They may as well list their entire address, and, their relationship to current and past staff. (example- Hi bloggers- I'm 9 feet tall and walk like a tired vulture, see you at the polls)(2nd example--Hi bloggers- I'd really be convincing as a blogger---if I could SING my thoughts)(3rd example-Hi YOU bloggers. My mom/dad is/are the best thing since sliced bread)
E. Here's a thought. How about two Boards? An adult Board AND a Student Board. Kind of like student council, but the issues would have to be exactly the same ones as we have with the current board, and at least one meeting per month would be with both Boards meeting together. You want our kids to grow up and get used to life in the adult world? There is a great place to start.
Thank you 2:56. Right on!
Only one suggestion to your final point about kids having their own school board. The requirement would be that they also pay taxes towards the budget they create. That would be a real eye-opener.
Pay towards their taxes? Great idea. Does anyone have a figure or rough estimate as to how many high school kids work a real job...(not for their family--no favoritism type of job???)Just wondering.
"This board will never shut us up or bring us down. We are way stronger than them."
...and I suppose that is why they are on the board, and you are simply stuck here complaining??
"That is OUR way of saying "get a life."
It sounds to me as if the Oley student is well on his/her way of having a life. What about you?
"there's time for you to present your little letters to your English teacher. If they are to be taken as a serious addition to this blog, have your teacher spruce them up a bit, okay?"
You actually have an Oley student taking the time to express opinions on here, and this is the demeaning tone in which you address him/her? You may think that the student's letters need to be spruced up by an English teacher, but your blog could use a little sprucing up by a shrink.
...and on that note.... Have a great new day! :) :) ;)
Oley student or a board member impersonating, again.
Oley Student said...
"The point I'm trying to make is stop complaining and do something: work, garden, or run for school board. You're starting to sound like you worked for Pravda."
2:33 PM, June 07, 2007
This is a sad exhibit of how poorly the students are educated about our form of government. In a Constitutional Republic, every citizen is allowed and encouraged to have a role in the "people's government" and enjoys the right to an original thought and freedom of speech. There aren't enough government seats for EVERYONE to run for office!!! The government is supposed to be operating at the behest of the people ... not the other way around.
If this kid would know anything about various forms of government, he would know that Pravda squelches public opinion and is the antithesis of the free speech that is happening on this blog.
So much for government education in America.
hey 1:37 am
"...it sounds like the Oley student is well on his/her way to having a life????"
Well, I just read the past several posts and I'd have to agree with those who feel this student needs a bit of discipline concerning the acceptable way to speak to his/her elders. I saw no respect in the student's blogs. In our family, we don't expect perfection, but we don't tolerate ignorance or disrespect to anyone, no matter the age. It's very hard to envision a parent being proud of a smart mouth kid that knows a little about some things and nothing about others.
God bless the student for caring enough to share his/her thoughts. And God bless those that get in his/her path as they attempt to become a successful and caring adult.
God bless our entire community, especially the children. We've acquired a real mess from our parents and grandparent's generations....and although we're really trying to straighten things out, we've inadvertantly passed along just as much grief to our children to deal with in the future. If not more.
These are the times that we're supposed to help each other, not work against each other.
Please don't blame my grandparents and parents for the mess we have. The mess began about 1962 when the social engineers, psychologists and politicians took over education. Thank the globalists who've gutted our economy and way of life. That's where the blame should go.
No offense, but back in grandma's day, they actually believed it was okay to stop working at 65. Then, we figured out how to keep them alive and kicking until 100.
Blame the doctors.
Blame the workers that have (or had) crazy healthcare coverage and $2.00 prescriptions. When something is as cheap as 2 bucks, idiots go get prescriptions filled for everything, even if they don't need it. Maybe not your grandparents, but plenty of others abused these systems. Now, to get medical care, you only need to learn one one thing.
Spanish.
And unless you teach your children to be flulent in Spanish, YOU have left them a mess.
"Please don't blame my grandparents and parents for the mess we have. The mess began about 1962 when the social engineers, psychologists and politicians took over education."
That sounds great but lets face it. Someone (collectively) elected (and re-elected them multiple times)and allowed these things to happen.
The fact is that when we are employed and making ends meet, we go into cruise control mode and stay in it until crisis time.
There is plenty of blame to pass around.
It is not the teachers union fault for their poor performance, it is the voters for allowing the politicians to pass the laws and policies that allowed the problems to start.
"Someone (collectively) elected (and re-elected them multiple times)and allowed these things to happen.
"
The pool of good school board candidates in Oley is non-existent. We should merge with another district just to have a chance at competent people.
The comments on this posting seem to have gone off on subjects not directly related to the lights and track.
Looking the other way and using diversionary talk will not make this go away.
First the track, then the artificial turf, now the lights, next the stadium.
Are all of the activities going to be shifted to a night schedule?
It does not take a genius to figure out where this is going.
Can you say FOOTBALL??????
While the board is spending money like water, why haven't they considered the POOL, or maybe they have and that will be the next surprise.
Does anybody remember that a pool was proposed with the original design for the elementary school??
Hopefully this post will get the discussion back on track (get the pun?).
Back on track? That reminds me.....I'd like to know when the new track will be available for the use of non-school aged residents..
...aka taxpayers? I have every intention of getting my money's worth out of this monumental investment in OUR future.
For those who are concerned about our school and the community but don't have the time, interest, or capability of reading and contributing to this blog.....how about starting a weekly meeting AT the track, while enjoying it's sheer beauty? Or, maybe, a few get togethers a week. After all, it's OURS, right? Great place to get together and chew the fat, so to speak. Meet your neighbors!
We can all wear our new shirts...
..."Hi, I'm Anonymous!!!!"
.... too much in common with the board?
questionable check runs
addiction to high priced restaurants
unreasonable demands
refusal to grant people access to things they've got a right to know
great amounts of time and energy spent on hiding the truth
questionable use of lens and shutter mechanism
addiction to money & power... at the local level...which is where it all starts....
..be aware telephone calls may be monitored....
This is the paranoid and terse greeting the citizens and the students receive when they call the Oley Valley School District.
Instead of a friendly and warm reception, they are put on notice.
At this rate, taxpayers may be frisked before they can attend board meetings or school functions.
Apparently, in the district's mind, too many people are asking too many questions.
When people, such as those running our school, don't trust anyone....they are not comfortable with their own actions.
I called several other school districts and not one of them indicated the call was being monitored.
First, I would like to apologize for the rude tone of my previous post. I did not mean to be offensive and I apologize. Second, to answer the question posed by several people: Yes I am a current Oley student. I would like to clarify what I said in my previous post. What I meant to say was that with the exception of LB there have been few attempts by anti-board people to run for office. Therefore, instead of complaining, you should organize and have one or two of your group run for school board. This would be much more effective than blogging. In addition, you should refrain from attacks on individual school board members. It is very unprofessional and does not create a favorable image of your group.
Good post, student blogger. Thanks for the clarification.
You might also suggest to the school board that they, too, have acted very unprofessional at times. Although nobody is perfect, there's not one adult that does not realize that it takes almost zero effort to be polite while they are seated at the board room table.
Feel free to attend any school board meeting that suits your schedule. Maybe your youthful presence would encourage even the most arrogant board member to set a better example than they have in the past. This is something that every attendee has witnessed and we'd all like to put that sort of behavior behind us.
Again, thank you for your input.
Best of luck to all Oley students!
5:22 very nice and true blog. We should get alot of students to come and see the circus. I for one have brought my older daughter to a few meetings and the board still acted nasty towards us. They should always be nice to the people that pay the bills in this district. They hate us for asking questions and for asking them to be fiscally responsible. Education must come first. We have 2 students that come every month to review with the board what is going on in the three school buildings and during their time at the meetings the board is the same nasty bunch they always are. They do not care if students are present or not.
I guess they cannot help the way they act and treat the fellow man. :)
A board members daughter will be one of the two that come to the meetings next school year to review the three school buildings activities. I wonder what she will think of the board during her time there. Maybe her parent will have enough and call for order. Maybe she will tell her parent how nasty the board is and that he should get off.
"In addition, you should refrain from attacks on individual school board members. It is very unprofessional and does not create a favorable image of your group."
The public has every right to know about the actions of board members. Any attempt to prevent such information is censorship. The image of the Oley School Board is of their own making. We are the laughing stock of the other school districts.
Okay, how about if the "spectators" act as professional as the "board"?
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance
Thomas Jefferson
To Oley Student:
"...with the exception of LB there have been few attempts by anti-board people to run for office."
I'm not sure I know what you mean by "anti-board people". Do you mean someone who is against prolific spending and ever increasing taxes that especially put a burden on senior citizens? I would not call that anti-board, more like pro-taxpayer. There are few people, if any, who are against the board as a whole. However, we will continue to oppose those board members who do not have the interests of the taxpayers as well as striving for a quality educational system as their top priorities.
There have been a number of "pro-taxpayer" or as you say, "anti-board people" who have not only run for school board but served on the board, including me. What we got for their trouble, time and effort was ridicule. What the present board puts up with as far as name-calling pales in comparison to what LB, RH, DM, or BF put up with when they served on the board. After all, they were referred to (and still are) as "the dark side".
To RS:
You are a dedicated citizen/parent/taxpayer/caring adult. The citizens of the this area, whose children attend or attended Oley School, are thanking you for your time, concern, and continued input. (YOU are entitled to a dinner or two at RED LOBSTER)
Your observations as to how LB and other board members were treated are not being ignored by those interested in the cold facts. My family is new to this area and heard "through the grapevine" that the Oley Board members of years gone by, went through numerous "uncomfortable" moments, both at board meetings, and in their private lives...which were invaded by not only rude citizens, but bordered on the actions of THUGS. Shame on those who became involved in such idiotic behavior. Perhaps it is those incidents which allow for little patience when current board members act and speak with a total lack of respect for the taxpayers...young and old alike....and then have their family members toot their own horns as to what great people they really are. That sort of action makes it very hard to even want to attend meetings, let alone voice any opinions or ask questions. My family noted, with disgust, how the meetings were conducted when it looked like ALL of Oley was coming to check out what was going on. Sadly, we quickly realized that the auditorium was mainly filled with TEACHERS...coming because they were instructed to do so. Seeing police cars on patrol at such meetings was not reassuring, it was alarming.
Really, is it any wonder that there is no big list of candidates for school board?
RS, LB, etc...thanks, again, for your input, and your service.
LB and RS you are the best. We are sure glad we had some number of years with you both on the board. Who knows how bad it would of been back then for the children if you were not on the board. This current board is not doing much of anything for the children. Only a handful of children are getting what they need and that is not education it is a new track etc.
What is going on with the weighted courses when it comes to the grading system? What is this new committee doing for my child and her grades she earned? Why does it take a committee to figure out a no-brainer solution? You earn the grade you get the grade. You put the weighted grade on the report card and that is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The smart children get zapped all the time!!!!! Stop the nonsense once and for all!!! I do not care what other schools are doing with their weighted courses, my child is in the Oley school system. Do what is right for a change.
No response, figures!!
Life goes on! The school district does not talk about the issues on hand. They now want to monitor our calls when we call the district buildings. They want to record our phone conversations and for what reason? The people that are running this district need to explain this new monitoring the phone calls is all about. Other schools that I have called this past week do not have monitoring on their phone systems. What is up?
Monitoring calls is one more way to intimidate the people who support the system and simply want to know what's going on with their money and children's well being.
As to weighted grades.... way back when, we called that grading on a curve. The only teachers who resorted to that were the bad ones because everyone would have failed. Not an indication of stupid kids, moreso proof of lousey teaching.
Same thing today, just different methods.
It never ends.
We agree. Marking tests on the old "curve" method was only popular with the students. That is, the lazy students that realized they could study less and still pass. Shame on the teachers that thought up that one. And shame on the decades of parents that allowed it, and did nothing to correct that situation.
Monitoring phone calls. Do you mean like when you make a call to make a payment on utilities, etc., and a pre-recorded voice states that the call may be monitored for quality and content? Or, the more interesting version: Please be aware that your call may be recorded for training purposes? Training purposes? Quality? Content? Is that the sort of call to which you're referring?
Maybe a better choice would be this one:
Thank you for calling the Oley School District. Your telephone call may be recorded, or traced, at our disgression. We realize that many parents/grandparents/taxpayers are questioning the administration and school board regarding their actual performance of running this school system.....and we don't like that. All we want is a good portion of your paycheck. Once you understand that, and the fact that your child's overall performance will be graded as WE see fit, everything will be fine, and you may continue with your conversation.
Up early 5:34 and I love your blog.
For the weighted courses I am talking about, they are advanced placement courses. My daughter works very hard to get an A in those classes and because they are college courses they have a weight to them. My child gets a high B or and A without the weight. The weight is given for honor courses that she takes also. If you are a child that wants to take college courses and they are a weighted course by the school the child should get the weighted grade on the report card. This is not good for GPA and class rank. We have honor society students that drop to lower math once they are in the honor society. There has to be standards for being in the honor society. My child does not take the easy way out as she wants to be prepared for college and the future. If she takes the weighted course, she gets the weighted grade period.
Weighted grades and a curve are not even close to the same thing.
Weighted grades reward students for taking more difficult courses.
The weighted grade is counted towards gpa and class rank.
Thanks for the clarifcation on the "weighted grade." MY ignorance -- sorry to have made wrong assumptions.
weighted grades? I understand the concept, and agree. However, the AP classes are geared towards college prep.
If a smart individual opt to pursue a non-college profession, and prefers to enter the ranks of the union trades, or enlisted military (not the route of officer), or if a young lady opts to pursue a profession such as cosmotology, wouldn't they be penalized by pursuing vocational education classes (vo-tech), because they are not AP, even though they are the appropriate courses for them to take to properly pursue the career abjectives.
In essence, a straight A vo-tech child should have as much of an opportunity for #1 class ranking as every other child. Carpentry (engineering) is every bit as difficult as AP Biology.
Therefore, it is not as 'simple' as you may think. It is only simple when you look at it from a single perspective.
That does not mean that weighting classes is not a good idea, but they should be weighted based on the overall curriculum that the child takes, not weighting based on the thought of a future college degree.
How about if we worry less about "weighting" grades, and worry first about the kids that can't read?
overall curriculium would be exactly what my daughter is taking all 7 periods of AP and CP and Honors courses!!! 1 period is orchestra. There is nothing wrong with vo-tech and I think it is a very good choice for children. The problem with all this ranking is when you are put into the NHS you should be required to stay in the A track courses. You have to have standards and policies for somethings you know!! You want a free for all. And for your info, there is a child ranked in the top 10 that goes to vo-tech.
The big cheese needs to worry about ALL the children that are graduating not being able to read, write and understand basic math. It is a sin and the school district and community are failing these children. Hey how about some retired current board members come and tutor some children so they can learn to read and live a successful life. I think we need more volunteers that take the time to help the children in this district. We have enough people in this district that most likely want to help but are told they are not needed. I am one of them. When your child goes to middle school the volunteering for that class stops. I would love to help any children in any grade. Call me sometime and tell me that it would be great for people like me to come and help. I done volunteering before I can do it again. I makes you feel great when you can help a child with school work. Teachers should want to stay after school and tutor children also.
If teachers stay after school to tutor kids they must, by law, be paid overtime.
Not to worry, all you need to do is watch the driveway at the close of the day...
Greetings to all school district employees:
DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PSER'S RETIREMENT MONEY IS?
BETTER CHECK WITH YOUR PSER'S REP TO SEE WHERE YOUR 2005-2006 RETIREMENT STATEMENT IS?
HARRISBURG ISSUE OR OLEY VALLEY ISSUE?
RUMOR HAS IT THAT ALL THE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY RECEIVED THEIR 2005-2006 STATEMENTS LAST YEAR. WHY DIDN'T OLEY VALLEY?
Don't tell us the employees donated all of that money to a worthy cause...again????
Meeting Highlights - June 13,2007
Board raises taxes for the ninth consecutive year. This represents a 72% increase since 1998.
District discusses the $23,000 "Curriculum Audit". They want to implement the plan at an unknown cost with no accountability should they not meet objectives.
The superintendent reveals phone calls will be recorded. The district greeting says they would be monitored.
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