Disqus - Latest Comments for ateachertoo

Re: Details of racino’s East Greenbush gaming proposal released

ateachertoo — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:46:39 -0000

yes, because exit 8 is the SECOND exit from 787. about.... 30 seconds when you consider that exit 7 is practically ON the bridge over the river. Good luck with your delusions.

Re: New York City Schools will be open Thursday, field trips canceled | 7online.com

ateachertoo — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:13:10 -0000

I've always said when the day comes where ONE NYC teacher dies on the road trying to get to school in the morning when all the burbs are closed THAT will be the day people start to revolt!

Re: New York City Schools will be open Thursday, field trips canceled | 7online.com

ateachertoo — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 08:11:18 -0000

ya know, thats an EXCELLENT idea! Many schools run summer breakfast and lunch programs that kids come to JUST to eat, without school being in session. Why NOT move those services into the communities?

Re: Last of the Mohicans - Guest room with asymetric beds

ateachertoo — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 16:02:36 -0000

When I visited this hotel in 1997 it was exclusively religious it seemed so I go with poster #1.

Re: Rue La La: Up to 30% off Coach

ateachertoo — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:48:15 -0000

also a current customer and dont see any coach.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

ateachertoo — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:25:55 -0000

LOLOL
WIth a child entering BCMS this year, I am glad you are a retiree :) You obviously don't read very well.

The quick lesson I have learned from working with difficult administrators.... If you dont like how something works, work with others to change it or leave for a place that isn't so offensive to you.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

ateachertoo — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:00:17 -0000

Everyone is focused on the fat comment and the paper doll... do you know what the other "poor judgement" issues are?

Where does the PRESUMPTION that they didnt read her rebuttle come from? Comments seem to suggest she sent it via email. Such statements should be delivered in writing/hard copy.
As an untenured and unprotected teacher they do not have to have any reason, proof, or rationale. Dr. Waltz created this public situation, not the board.

If she objects to the particular phrasing of her letter, that could have been handled in house without putting her issues in the public sphere. I wouldnt be surprised if one of the particular, apparently "well informed" posters is Dr. Waltz herself.

If posters are resentful that they did not feed their morbid fascination with this issue by attending the board meeting, then again, they need to know that School Boards are prohibited from discussing Personnel matters in the public forum. Yes, they have each made their own decision before they have come to the table together for the vote. Thats exactly what effective school boards DO.

In all seriousness... considering that the first delivery of her non renewal letter was procedurely incorrect, nothing prevented Dr. Waltz from choosing to resign her position before the second letter, saving herself the alleged tarnish on her reputation for being described as innapropriate. Most school districts OFFER resignation as an option to teachers they are not renewing.

If every member ayed why should the chair ask for opposition? The members obviously made their votes known.

Show me the evidence, convince me that this is a "personally", "Jealousy" or "politically" motivated act. I see a lot of finger pointing without any evidence backing it up. So what makes YOUR allegations more believable then the districts?

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

ateachertoo — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:32:41 -0000

The Open Meeting Law of the State of New York law specifies which topics are defined as confidential and may only be considered in Executive Session. Those topics include collective bargaining negotiations, certain real estate transactions, matters leading to PERSONNEL decisions, proposed, pending or current litigation and items which could endanger public safety. All Executive Sessions are closed to the public. The Board MAY NOT VOTE during Executive Session.

The agenda and supporting documents are sent to the Board in advance of the meeting to allow the Board members to review and study information. Decisions are made by a majority of the Board. During the meeting, IT MAY APPEAR as if some items are being voted upon with little or no discussion. However, some items may have appeared on a previous agenda or may have been discussed at length at a special or Executive Session.

There are two opportunities for the Board to hear from the public - near the beginning of the public meeting, when members of the community may address the entire Board on any item of interest, and toward the end of the public meeting, when community members may address the Board on agenda items only. It is expected that speakers will observe the commonly accepted rules of COURTESY, DECOURUM, DIGNITY, AND GOOD TASTE. The Board MAY RESPOND to comments on agenda items ONLY for purposes of clarification or information.

The fundamental mandate of the Board is governance through an oversight role. The Board is responsible to oversee the District’s affairs – student education, personnel and properties – and to set the District’s direction, but not to engage in the day-to-day management of the District’s operations. Board members are often privy to confidential information about issues and people THAT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS DO NOT KNOW, and they have a duty to maintain that confidentiality.

New York Education Law outlines a school board’s general powers and duties. The Board has broad legal powers and responsibilities for determining educational policy, for supervising the administration of the schools, and for levying taxes on properties to support the District’s operations. Board members take official action only by majority vote at a public meeting.

Generally, the Board is responsible:

· for the admission, instruction, discipline, grading, and, as appropriate, classification of students attending public school in the District

· to develop, approve and amend policies, as required for the governance of the District

· to employ the Superintendent of Schools as chief school officer, who will implement the educational programs and policies adopted by the Board

· for the employment and management of the necessary professional and support staff

· to annually present the District’s voters with a proposed budget (a detailed statement of estimated expenditures for the ensuing school year) for their approval

· for insuring school buildings, properties, equipment and supplies

At every public Board of Education meeting, there are two separate opportunities for visitors to participate. Both are listed on the agenda as "Recognition of Visitors." Visitors are asked, upon being recognized by the Board President, to introduce themselves and identify the organization they are representing (if any).

The first "Recognition" occurs early in each meeting, and at this time, the Board is open to comment on any subject which is on that meeting's agenda. This guarantees residents the chance to offer opinions on actions slated to take place later in the evening. Individuals are asked not to speak longer than THREE minutes. A total of thirty minutes will be allowed for public comment at this time.

A second "Recognition" is on each agenda at the conclusion of regular business, and residents may then speak to the Board on any school-related subjects. Again, individual speakers will be limited to THREE minutes, with all discussion at this time limited to 15 minutes.

Dr. Waltz was offered no more and no less then anyone else. The description in the article and in your last post of the board's behavior and response, or lack there of, to Dr. Waltz's comments are the only way they CAN respond legally. SHE is fully aware of the reasons behind her dismissal as are the board members and they are FOBIDDEN by law to discount her assertation that its personal.

I am not a BC teacher or employee but I am an educator, administrator and a community member and I feel that people need to understand the LAW surrounding these issues before carrying on about a perceived miscarriage of justice.

Supporting one side of an issue while demonstrating an obvious lack of information of the appropriate laws and constraints on the parties to the issue betrays ignorance of publicly accessable information, aversion to rules and regulations, and an obvious personal agenda against the existing "power structure".

Trumped up charges or not, they do NOT have to give an untenured teacher ANY reason for a non renewal of contract and Dr. Waltz's public behavior to what should be a personal and personnel issue will NOT reflect well on her should she pursue another job in K-12 public education.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

ateachertoo — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:52:05 -0000

The district obviously has reason to basically vote non-confidence in this teacher. Discussing the reasons for it should ONLY take place in executive session as it IS a personnel matter. Waltz is fully aware of the reasons behind her termination.
It is interesting that they are even referring to this as a teacher firing. As a first year teacher in the district Waltz is not tenured. A school district has no requirement to continue the contract of an untenured teacher, particularly in the first 2 years.
Speaking out in her own defense as she did in public forum rather then in executive session is not only unprofessional, but not likely to have won her any support from an independently minded board member. I hope her future employer googles her.
In addition, these are NOT political appointees. They are VOTED onto the board by the community. Instead of complaining, act, attend meetings and vote for change.