This fall's B of E election

I  know Mr. Whitt,  he is a NO BS straight shooter. Would be a great addition to the board. Don't think he would mind being labeled a honest, hard working, blue collar taxpayer who cares deeply about his childerns education. He gets involved and knows he has to work with others to get solutions.

"So far, only three people have pulled petitions for the three seats up for election. No one, as of this date, has actually filed their signed petitions."

Wow, it looks like no one wants to be on the school board in Middletown.

I think it is out in the open but again Mr. Whitt  who works out at Berns and has been with them for a long time due to his talents and knowledge of that field is a smart quick thinking business man.  Times are tough even for the service vendors and watching the overhead is key for lasting in this economy.  Mr. Whitt understands this and the demands of the state.  I don't think he would mind talking to any of us and listen to ideas.  Hey Randy I never know if your a reporter or not, you bit somebodys head off for calling you that but you might want to track Mr. Whitt down and ask him a few questions.  That is if your not washing Johns car or getting his dry cleaning!  Brn nose.

Yesterday's Journal...

Middletown Schools board race features new candidates, 2 incumbents

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Schools Board of Education member Chris Fiora says he is “proud” of the progress Middletown City Schools has made and he wants to continue to be a part of the effort

“I’m real proud of the changes that we’ve made and the administration has made and proud of the results we’re achieving, and I wanted to do my part to help us continue on that same path,” he said.

Results to date......

In the recently released Ohio Department of Education’s state report cards, the district earned a continuous improvement rating and also showed signs of improvement in math and reading across the board.

AGAIN, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT (which is what is has been for how many years?) SHOWED "SIGNS" OF IMPROVEMENT IN MATH AND READING ACROSS THE BOARD......BUT NOT ENOUGH TO RAISE THE LEVEL. THIS COULD MEAN ANY NUMBER OF THINGS, IT IS SO VAGUE.

“That was 3 1/2 years of blood, sweat and tears just to be able to get everything in place and fortunately the district came through, and, I think, they did a great job last year. Next year should even be better,” he said.

THE "DISTRICT CAME THROUGH"....YOU SEE, THAT'S THE THING......YOU CAN TAKE A STALEMATE SITUATION WHERE YOU DIDN'T GO DOWN, BUT YOU DIDN'T GO UP EITHER AND CALL IT IMPROVEMENT. HOW? IN REALITY, YOU STAYED THE SAME OR, AT BEST, YOU DIDN'T MAKE ENOUGH PROGRESS TO POST ANY MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT. (Except for indicators...yes, I know, but how about graduation rates and any significant proficiency progress?)

Fiora, a 1976 graduate of Middletown High School, said also chose to run because he wanted to see the district improve its academic performance.

Mr. Fiora, if you graduated in 1976, you were at the end of the good years in this school system before it started it's tailspin into oblivion. You must be able to see the same things I see. You must admit this school district is a shadow of itself right now as to achievement/quality of education. Correct?

Incumbent Katie McNeil is seeking her fifth term on the board

McNeil, executive vice president of Miami Machine Corporation in Overpeck, said it has been an honor for her to serve the Middletown community for 16 years and the Butler Tech School District for 11 years as a public school board member.

“I choose to run again to continue the work of the Middletown City Board of Education in setting policy for the district; to help ensure fiscal responsibility in support of public schools; and to help provide leadership in the efforts to maintain and provide modern and safe school facilities,” she said.

McNeil, 58, said she is disappointed that more candidates have not stepped up to run for the board .

PERHAPS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO HELP YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT SMARTMAN?

“Campaign debate is good for a citizenry to help identify issues and concerns for public schools,” she said

Probably not a good idea to keep putting this lady in a school board seat. Have any of you heard anything relevant from her in her last two terms on the board? As time has gone by, she has become less effective it would seem. Seems "detached" when speaking to her. It would be nice to see her follow Sauter's lead. Time to give a newcomer a chance perhaps?

Your turn Smartman. Tell me what an sob I am for picking on your school board members and your school district.

Fair enough Smartman. Thought I'd get you started on a Monday morning and send that blood pressure a little higher if I could.

Got a comment to make about the following statements.....

"40 years is a long time and changes will not happen overnight"

BUT IT'S BEEN 40 YEARS! WHATTA YA MEAN IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT? IF IT AIN'T HAPPENED IN 40 YEARS, WHAT HAS THE EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME? SHOULDN'T TAKE 40 YEARS JUST TO ARRIVE AT WHERE WE ARE NOW, SHOULD IT?

"I have been asked on many occasions to run for school board. I choose not to. Since my wife is a teacher in the district I do not want the finger of conflict of interest being pointed at me or refered to as a puppet for the teachers union"

I THINK THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ON COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD, PAST AND PRESENT, AS TO CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN THIS TOWN HAS COME AND GONE AND APPEAR TO BE OVERLOOKED. THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE CONFLICT OF INTEREST HAS BEEN EXPOSED AND WAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT, ESPECIALLY WITH COUNCIL. THE IDEA OF BEING A PUPPET FOR THE TEACHER'S UNION IS MUTE. EVERYONE KNOWS THE TEACHER'S UNION CONTROLS ALL IT ENCOMPASSES. IT HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO GO UNCHECKED AND HAS GOTTEN TOO POWERFUL IN INFLUENCE NOWADAYS. THEY HAVE INTIMIDATED THE SCHOOL BOARDS AND THE POLITICIANS OVER THE YEARS. I BELIEVE YOU WOULD MAKE A GOOD CANDIDATE AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RUN. YOU CARE VERY MUCH AND IT SHOWS.

"I believe that the board should be made up of parents that have children in the system and that care about the childs education"

SO, IN YOUR OPINION, PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO KIDS OR HAVE KIDS THAT ARE OUT OF THE SYSTEM HAVE NO BUSINESS RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD? ONCE YOUR KID IS OUT, YOU ARE OUT AS TO CONSIDERATION HUH? IMO, VERY EXCLUSIONAL AND NARROW MINDED THINKING TO ELIMINATE ANYONE OUTSIDE THE DOMAIN OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY. THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS. IF YOU HAVE ONLY PEOPLE WITH ONLY SCHOOL COMMUNITY TIES, YOU GET THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY TUNNEL VISION IN DIRECTION. AND, YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE KID'S EDUCATION? MERCY.

"Parents that know the value of an education and what it takes to succeed in college and beyond"

PARENTS ARE THE ONLY ONES QUALIFIED HUH?

SO, PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, BUT HAVE HAD NO CHILDREN, OR THEIR KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE KID NEEDS TO LEARN TO COMPETE AND SUCCEED IN THE WORKING WORLD? YA GOTTA BE KIDDING ME SMARTMAN. SURELY YOU DON'T ACTUALLY PROFESS TO BELIEVE THAT, DO YOU? ANYONE.....KIDS OR NO KIDS, KNOW IN A SHORT TIME IN THE WORKING WORLD WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE.

"There you have it. If my support of the schools bothers you, Oh Well"

NO, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME. WE NEED PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE. YOUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, KATIE MCNEIL SAID IT IN THIS ARTICLE.....DEBATE IS WELCOMED. IT TAKES DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TO CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER. I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE TIME WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD/SUPERINTENDENT/OTHER SCHOOL PERSONNEL INCLUDE ALL OF THE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THE CLOSEKNIT "FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOLS".

"I will continue to be their cheerleader"

GOOD FOR YOU. THEY NEED ALL THE SUPPORT THEY CAN MUSTER.

"Your turn Vet. Time to vomit some more negativity"

NICELY WORDED AND VERY EFFECTIVE WITH THE VOMIT AND NEGATIVITY USED IN ONE SENTENCE. YA DONE GOOD.