School Board Goes Too !!

$30,000 to search for a superintendent by an out of state agency ?!!! What is wrong with the people in this city ? I guess the school board will just add a levy request to the ballot to cover this expense. No big deal. The citizens of Middeltown are an unending supply of tax money. The economy is good and we can all afford it, not a problem.

Fiora may surprise some of you.

Paul Nagy wrote: Pacman,       Yes, I believe Mr. Fiora, Mr. Sauter and Ms. Andrews surprised us all last night. They stuck to their guns and insisted on a proactive search for a new Superintendent, rather than, a passive search by the Ohio School Board Associaiton.  They were determined to find someone who would successfully raise grade scores and bring a new image to our school system. Even though the discussion got quite personal they held their decorum and showed their first priority was the future of our students. I believe  history will show our school system changed dramatically for the better in this meeting and this was their finest hour.         Mr. Tyus, who disagreed with them, showed incredible leadership by insisting on respect for each other instead of personal attacks even though there was strong disagreement. It was his finest hour also. I learned a lot from him about leadership and decency in those moments. I salute their efforts in behalf of our students, school system and community.          Paul Nagy

Applauded ? For what ?? Spending $30,000 of tax payer money ?? What if they don't find a replacement the first time ? Do they spend another $30,000 to continue ? If you people "applaud" this type of spending then YOU should pay for it !! I for one am sick of the tax and spend of this city. There are other ways to search for a superintendent without playing the money game. Absolutely ridiculous !!

Pac- Fiora better be a "surprizen'" soon as he ain't done too much since he's been a sittin' in that school board seat, has he? Can't think of anything he's offered of any significance as to direction or change. Could be wrong. Anybody?

As for the method used for the super search. What method is used by the successful districts on a new super selection? How do some districts manage to make a great selection on a competent, get things done,upgrade the schools type of super when others (Middletown) seem to choose losers each and every time? Do the school board's do all the legwork on the selection, do they do it by hiring a company to recruit the selections or do they do the "stick it in the help wanted ads" and hope for a bite?

What no outrage about this:

Pacman wrote: What other way is there Hermes run an ad in the Middletown Journal Help Wanted Section?

I had the same feelings about Mr.Fiora after watching parts of meetings and following the press releases. However another friend of mine(very close to the situation) had the same comment as pacman, that Mr.Fiora was doing most of his activity quietly. Knowing Mr.Fiora somewhat, I would agree, as that approach being consistent with his personality.

Interim superintendent pay released

By Meagan Engle | Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 03:26 PM

Middletown City Schools will pay incoming Interim Superintendent Norris Brown $4,700 biweekly while he is with the district.

Brown has an open-ended contract, with the understanding he’ll be on board until a permanent superintendent is selected.

Brown’s pay includes Medicare, retirement and worker’s compensation.

$9400 a month ?!! Even with my motherinlaw being a teacher I have to argue that. Again,wasted tax payer money !! What is Brown going to do in the next month or so to garner that kind of a check ? Now I can see paying half of that,but not 9400 a month. Time for a change on the school board.

$4,700 bi-weekly = $122,200 annually !

tomahawk35- As I said before, if Price is the man for Newark, it won't take long for the people to react to his methods. Dr. Stevie will think he's back in Middletown as Newark folks are the spittin' image of this town. He won't have anymore success there than he did here.

Rocky Katie was ticked off because she did not get her way and felt that OSBA was the better and cheaper way to go.

Yep, $ 9500 per month is quite pricy.  Obvious, these board members are missing a critical cost-management skill.   You know – cost vs benefit analysis.  It would take all of 3 minutes to capture this in a business model and show this was not a good approach.  Oh, that’s right, we have business entrepreneurs on the committee who know all this, they let us know that last night.  Just how many of these individuals really perform at an executive level in a business.  I think we already know the answer.  

 

Just how effective, proactive, aggressive and self challenging will a retired double dipping pinch hitter perform in the position.  Sounds like a 9am-2pm position with golf scheduled after 3pm. 

 

I agree, not sure what these board members are thinking.  

 

Correct about Katie, she is a dominating individual.  She was more effective and there was a better board member balance with the Board Members we had 3 yrs ago.  Just look what that group executed, all new schools, and many other improvements.  The momentum is gone!  There is certainly an unfavorable dynamic with this group.  Doesn't appear they will be effective to deliver the results we need to realize. 

 

We require a board that approaches the situation as if we were in a crisis, not passive with petty disagreements.  You heard one member last night very clearly articulate she has a threshold for her time and commitment to the process.  I understand, although, maybe she is not the right person for this responsibility at this critical time to represent our schools.  

 

Again, as I said earlier, there exist a common theme between the City Council and Middletown School Board.