My Anonymous Message Board 10/29/99 11:58 pm Welcome to my Yahoo! GeoCities Message Board. Message: 1 of 200 Har-Mer by: Har-Mer parent 11/16/99 07:45 pm A building is more then walls. It is a reflection of the people and culture who built it. Message: 2 of 200 Har-Mer by: Taxpayer 11/16/99 10:32 pm I am a SRASD taxpayer, without any children in the schools. I can not believe that the school board can continue to debate renovating a school that does not have adequate facilities for instruction, closets for library and computer classes, none of the advantages of the other two elementary buildings and unsafe drinking water! This is really intolerable and I'm ashamed that my tax dollars are not put to good use. I don't want Bill Adams to save me $3.00 a year at the expense of the children of Harrisville. Message: 3 of 200 HarMer by: Concerned Citizen 11/17/99 09:14 am It's time for the school board to take action and bring the Har-mer building in line with other schools in the district. The teachers and children deserve a school building that is safe and sturdy. Too much time has passed. The board should worry less about making a statement about cheap construction and more about those who spend so much of their time in a rapidly deteriorating building. Message: 4 of 200 A question for Portersville by: Curious 11/22/99 07:28 am Why do you keep electing Bill Adams to the school board? Message: 5 of 200 Get your facts straight too! by: Har-Mer Parent 11/23/99 11:42 pm Like most of Harrisville citizens I don't want to see Har-Mer short-changed. However, when you can't even get a man's name straight (it is ROGER Weaver not RANDY Weaver) I wonder how much more of your "report" is inaccurate. Message: 6 of 200 Re: Get your facts straight too! by: RPratt 11/24/99 06:02 pm Sorry. I must have been thinking of Ruby Ridge. I will be sure to change it! Sorry Mr. Weaver. As for how accurate my report is- please check my "disclaimer". It clearly states" nothing on this page is guaranteed to be correct, complete or up to date or anything at all". I do my best. :) Thanks for your imput.RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 7 of 200 Alumni Information by: SusanP 11/29/99 10:04 am I just wanted to say thanks for the Unofficial Homepage! When I needed info about the reunion for the High School, your page was the only source I could find online. Thanks for all your help. I'm surprised that Slippery Rock dosen't have an official page! Maybe they will in the new century. In any case-thanks! Susan Message: 8 of 200 - by: D. 12/03/99 08:34 pm This page really stinks. If you would not lie as much, I would offer to help you make a decent design. Message: 9 of 200 - by: D. 12/03/99 08:34 pm <font color=blue>This page really stinks. If you would not lie as much, I would offer to help you make a decent design. Message: 10 of 200 This page stinks by: RPratt 12/04/99 10:07 am Hello D, Thanks for your input. Since the Slippery Rock School District has chosen not to build it's own "official" Homepage, I guess this one will have to do. Your interest in this page and your willingness to post here shows that there is a need for it's existence. I would suggest that you contact the district and ask why we don't have an "official" page. Board member Edwin Christmann is the chair of the Computer Committee. However, I learned at the last meeting that this committee has not met all year and Christmann didn't even know he was the chair. Perhaps Christmann could use your help in the design of a distrist homepage. But, given the apparent lack of interest on the part of our board in proper use of computers, and Christmann disinterest and lack of awareness in particular, we will have to get by with the Unofficial Slippery Rock School District HomePage. Even if it does "stink". RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 11 of 200 Official Page by: - 12/04/99 01:12 pm Hello, Given that you should make a better page, I will be talking to Dr. Duryea soon. A while back, he said that SR needed their own official Page. I am designing it now. If he approves of it, than it should be posted perhaps February of next year, maybe sooner. You seem like a nice person, but what is it that you have against Dr. Duryea? Message: 12 of 200 Web Page by: Interested 12/08/99 10:36 pm Just as a point of interest, several people, including professional web page developers, graphic artists and staff members, have offered to supply their services to the district, but received no reply. Mr. Pratt should be commended for his efforts. Message: 13 of 200 Photos by: John 01/18/00 07:16 pm Checked out your update with the photos today. Great! Now I can put faces on those that spend my tax money! Good job. One suggestion. Maybe you could label the pics with their names. This would help alot! Message: 14 of 200 An Educational and Exciting School Assem by: Brett Ridgeway (Program!) 02/04/00 08:15 pm Brett Ridgeway is offering a truly exciting educational opportunity to take a walk on the wild side with Brett Ridgeway’s Reptile Encounter reptile programs! Brett Ridgeway has been working with reptiles and capturing some of the world’s most exciting reptiles for nearly thirty years! A professional speaker since 1980, his Reptile Encounter programs will both thrill and educate in a memorable way. Brett Ridgeway’s Reptile Encounter is up and running with a brand new web site. Please check out this exciting new site with pictures,stories, program descriptions, references, and other information about these fascinating educational reptile lectures! We added a student interactive quiz page for school use. All this and more on this newly listed site! Check us out at: http://www.homestead.com/reptileencounter/ Please note that we have a new phone number, toll free for your convenience. We are on the road most of the time so please use our voice mail and remember to leave your complete phone number including your area code and we will get back to you immediately! CALL TOLL FREE: 1-888-942-1205 If you have not received our full color brochure and are interested in this educational opportunity, please call our toll free number or e-mail us and we will be glad to send one to you. If we can be of further service, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you! E-MAIL US: fbridgeway@juno.com Sample reference letter: "I wanted to take the time to thank you for the wonderful assembly you did for the Saxonburg Elementary School. Not only did I as a parent/helper learn a great deal about each and every reptile, but the way that you presented the information helped to dispel my fears... It was evident that the children, teachers and parents thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. As a former assembly chairperson, I will be sure to recommend you to other schools in the area for inclusion in their assembly programs. Thanks again and keep up the great work." Jan K.Tudor Saxonburg,Pa. Picture Attachments: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 15 of 200 Crappy Page by: Anonymous Joe 02/06/00 05:57 pm Your page really stinks. Not just from the Info, which I doubt you really look hard for, but also your design. For current issues, have you ever noticed how the background doesn't stay in place? As you scroll, you get the whole picture over and over again, and it looks completely retarded. All you have to do is add bgproperties=fixed in your background code. If you would keep your mouth shut and your fingers stop typing, then maybe you can learn descent scripting. Message: 16 of 200 Future Har Mer Student by: L. P. 02/08/00 01:20 pm As a mother of a future student of Har Mer Elementry, I'd like to know where the nearest nursery school is located. And if anyone happens to know when the registration is held for the upcoming fall school year? Message: 17 of 200 RE: Future Har Mer Student by: RPratt 02/08/00 09:03 pm Sorry, I don't know of any nursery schools in Harrisville. You might want to contact Slippery Rock University SGA Daycare Center at 738-2102. As far as reqistration at the Har-Mer school, call the school- I think they are already planning for the kindergarten registration. If you would email me I could get you in touch with the Har-Mer Home and School Asso. Hope this helps! RPratt www.geocities.com/srschools srschools@aol.com Message: 18 of 200 Thanks for th info! by: L. P. 02/09/00 06:58 am I appreciate the information concerning the nursery school. I'll look into it today. It's really nice to have this message board to see what is going on with SRASD. Message: 19 of 200 official web page by: - 02/21/00 02:27 pm Mr. Pratt and others: We are actually in the process of making a district web page. It is being done at the high school with the computer teachers. Hopefully, the board will approve of our work. We are actually working on the site without their knowledge or approval right now. Message: 20 of 200 Problems accessing my site by: RPratt 02/24/00 01:55 pm Over the last few months 2 people have emailed me to say they were having a problem with bringing my page up. I think the problem in one case was that they were using an older version of Netscape on an Apple. Seems like I remember reading that some users of older Netscape browsers might have problems bringing up geocities pages. Is anyone else having problems? If so please let me know and I will do whatever I can to get to the bottom of it. I don't think this is a problem for most visitors, I hope. Thanks, RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 21 of 200 Glass houses by: PROOFREADER 03/05/00 07:58 am I believe you meant "decent" scripting, instead of "descent", which means coming down, like a descent of a mountain trail. Slippery Rock graduate? Message: 22 of 200 no info on page! by: curious person 03/20/00 05:31 pm There is no information about Slippery Rock schools on here. You have strictly information about the school board. I do not understand your logic. Why is anyone interested in what the school board does if they do not like in the Slippery Rock district? Message: 23 of 200 no info on page! by: curious person 03/20/00 05:31 pm There is no information about Slippery Rock schools on here. You have strictly information about the school board. I do not understand your logic. Why is anyone interested in what the school board does if they do not live in the Slippery Rock district? Message: 24 of 200 RE: no info on page! by: RPratt 03/20/00 09:19 pm Hello, curious person. There is, in the "Contents" box a link called "District Profile". This site requires you to search on "Slippery Rock Area School District" and will give you a complete profile for each school in the district. You asked why anyone would be interested in what the SR board does if "they do not live in the SR district". I'm not sure what you mean by that question. A lot can be learned about how district schools are run by the politics that control them. I am interested in what the SR Board does because I live in the district. Many people visit this site because they are considering moving to our area. Others have visited because they are alumni and are seeking information. Still others have visited, from around the world, because they are intrested in educational/political issues in general and find the information useful in understanding local issues and in some cases, teaching about these issues in their college classes. Many Education majors from across the country and world have found this site useful in their classes. Indeed, this site has an average of over 700 hits a month. And to my knowledge is the only one like it anywhere. Why did you visit? RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 25 of 200 RE: RE: no info on page! by: Webguy 04/01/00 01:48 pm One of the reasons WHY you have an average of 700 people a month is actually bacause your counter is a piece of crap. If you will notice, when you go back to the main page, it coutns you as another person. So, if someone is on your main page and clicks on a link and wants to come back to the main page to go somewhere else, it counts them again. Also, you don't know how many people came to your site, said "This stinks," and left. Counters don't know that. Don't brag about the people you get if you aren't getting as many as you think. Message: 26 of 200 View Replies to this Message Re: Visitors/counters and number crunchi by: RPratt 04/02/00 06:36 pm Hi Webguy. My counts per month are based on the number of "hits" on EACH page. Not the "counter" on the main page. The more Board meeting, and more "Board Updates", there are in a month, the more visitors. One thing is for sure- this site gets 100% more visitors then the Official Slippery Rock Area School District Homepage. Thanks for you continued interest. Visit again- real soon. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 27 of 200 counter by: Moraine Parent 04/03/00 07:41 pm It dosen't surprise me that you have 700 or whatever visitors a month. I visit at least once a week. I visit even more now that you have a place to search on yahoo and tell others about your site also. I for one would like to thank you for all your work and concern. THANKS! I think Webguy is just ignorant. Lynn Message: 28 of 200 SRHS SUCKS by: someone 05/22/00 11:04 pm SLIPPERY ROCK SUCKS at just about everything. nuff said Message: 29 of 200 Where's the news? by: Uninformed 06/07/00 09:38 pm What happened to the updates? I enjoyed keeping up with the School Board news. Message: 30 of 200 Yea! GO SR! by: Cheerleader 06/07/00 09:43 pm Yes! we're no. 1! We suck at everything! Seriously, sorry you have such a down attitude. Cheer up! Message: 31 of 200 new messages??? by: just wondering 06/11/00 09:22 pm Do you plan on continuing with the board updates? I like to know what is going on at the board meetings since I cannot attend them on a regular basis. Message: 32 of 200 General Comments by: David S. Ciochetto 06/12/00 06:46 am Good day all, The comments on this message board all serve a purpose. I came to this site as I was seeking email addresses for an old friend and mentor (Teacher at SRHS) 1. I agree the site is useful as SRHS does not have a web site, the middle school does have a start, and none of the elementary schools do... True it is focused on the Board and their decesions. I think some students do not like the overall concept and rebel against the apparent attacks to their school in the form of HTML coding, which leads me to my next comment. 2. The material presented by Mr. Pratt is of a highly cynical nature. True it is his site, true it is his perogative, and his intentions are good. However we are plagued by cynacism in today's american culture. I am of the opinion to try and not propagate cynacism but rather constructive energy and efforts. Obviously the however many independent hits that the site gets shows that there is a general concern for the state of the school district. It would be (in my opinion only) better to seek positive ways to approach the school board with constructive solutions and in mass. A more democratic means rather than expend energy on getting angry. Without quoting the many old sayings and proverbs, it is better to work together towards a brighter future than for many forces to oppose each other. Good so it is agreed that there are problems. Then use the power of the media to motivate and gather support constructively. I do enjoy the site, I have learned much in my visit. I will never understand why the culture of Tibet was banned. Life is short, lets work together to make tomorrow less dim. There are things I do not like as well, but it is an unregulated form of media and Mr. Pratt has his freedom of speach. The only thing I question the legality of is the posting of the contact information of the board members. I am sure he will inform us of the legality soon in response. Sorry to ramble on, education is important. When I went through the system, SR area schools did a fine job at preparing me to compete in the academic world. I commend the past educators on that. I hope that the problems that are perceived are not great enough to limit a good educational community for the future. And do not be afraid to disclose your identity with your opinions, Mr. Pratt is laying it all out there and revealing himself. For what it is worth, Slippery Rock does not SUCK my name is David and I am proud to be a SR Alumni! (Parody of a Canadian Beer commercial which the states may never see... for the sticklers, that was humor) Message: 33 of 200 Board Updates by: Robert Pratt 06/12/00 01:05 pm Well, I got soooo cynical for a while there I couldn't find it in me to write about our board. I continue to attend the meetings. Do I dare continue in my efforts to enlighten the public when the message is so troubling? I don't know. I sometimes wonder if our citizens are really apathetic, as some beleive, or do most of us accept the current state of education in our district? Perhaps some of both. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 34 of 200 Re:General Comments by: RPratt 06/12/00 05:11 pm I thank Mr. Ciochetto for his reasoned comments. Many in our district have attempted to work in "constructive" ways with our school board. Those who do have been the recipient of ridicule and name-calling. As you noticed, many who post on my message board do so anonymously. The fact that you didn't, indicates that you don't have a child in the district. Until our district develops it's own homepage, mine is all inquiring minds have. You are the second person to question the legality of me posting the names and numbers of our board members. What could possibility be illegal about publishing this information? Information that is public and published in both the phone book and district directory. Then again, maybe you're right. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that politicians may have made it illegal to publish their names and phone numbers. After all, we elected them, we should all just shut up, go away and let them do what we elected them to do. Right? What? Me cynical? RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 35 of 200 Re: Re: General Comments by: David S. Ciochetto 06/12/00 06:45 pm I just wanted to state here that even if I did have a child in the school district. I would still stand up and claim my own views and opinions, is that not what makes a Democracy great? It sounds like a political state if people need to hide in annonymity. If large groups or even a few people feel strongly enough to come forward about it they have to listen, are they not publically elected officials? Who put them there? Who can take them away? (Legally) Actually I do wish I could be back and have a child in the system. Barring the high rates of Cancer in the area, it one of the greatest places on this earth to live. Anyway. I just wanted to say do not be afraid to stand up and fight for what you feel is right. Mr. Pratt is out there, don't let him take the fall for you if you agree with his statements. Show them the strength of numbers and make them change things if you feel it is wrong. Get out share opinions and vote. Produce better candidates. Use the system. That's all. I will leave you folks to straighten it out. I do wish I were back there, but life is a curious vehicle. Cheers David Message: 36 of 200 Administrators by: No Name 08/09/00 10:00 pm You sound as though you believe Dr. Spinella leaving is a bad thing. Perhaps the Board finally decided they had had enough of his do-nothing style. Have you tried to reach him ANYTIME this summer? What about the curriculum? What about the math books? I believe clearing out this particular piece of "dead wood" is a definite plus for the district. Great Page by: Gunny 07/19/00 04:19 pm Mr. Pratt, thanks for a nice visit in my hometown. I left SRHS in 1964 and I see there are still some small town minds around who do not understand your putting your thoughts out as you see them is what helps to make change possible. Abraham Lincoln said "To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men". ..........Gunny Message: 38 of 200 Amen by: Anonymous 08/09/00 11:20 pm I agree. Sometimes the School Board gets it right and this happens to be one of those instances. What do we country people say? Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in awhile. And by the way, I think the Technology Coordinator is gone also but you probably wouldn't know that, since no one ever saw him. Message: 39 of 200 Admin by: RPratt 08/10/00 10:50 am While I agree that Spinella needed to go, (I was against his hiring in the first place)I think it's a bad thing that we are losing all our administrators at once. RPratt Message: 40 of 200 Amen by: RPratt 08/10/00 11:20 am I disagree. Our Board got it wrong to begin with. They hired Spinella in the first place. The hired him twice. First as principal of the Area Elem., then when that didn't work out, they moved him to the centeral office. In my opinion, Spinella was a "yes" man for Adams. In fact, the vote to make him Dir. of Curriculum and Staff Development was taken twice. The first time around Adams voted against hiring him. At the next meeting another vote was taken (don't ask me why, two votes is highly unusual. Adams voted yes this time stating that he had a "deal" with Spinella. This "deal" included Spinella implementing Core Knowledge, looking into grade inflation, and mandatory homework. So, while a blind pig may well find an acorn once in awhile, sometimes the pig and it's children starve to death in the process. I too have heard we are looking for a new Tech person. RPratt Message: 41 of 200 Math Curriculum by: concerned citizen 08/12/00 10:02 am I just would like to know about the time, money, and effort the entire math department spent this year writing curriculum. The books have not been ordered to my knowledge. Now that there is no curriculum supervisor, what are they going to do with the students that signed up for the new math programs? There are no books? Message: 42 of 200 Curriculum by: RPratt 08/12/00 11:52 am Have the math books been ordered? I'm not sure. On May 22, the Board adopted a budget that allocated $47,640.64 for grades 6-8 (texts, materials, classroom calculators and assessment tests)and $69,590.00 for 9-12 (9 new texts, graphing calculators, assessment tests, supplies and a multi-media projector - and 17,000 complimentary materials...). No texts for the k-5 were adopted, even though the curriculum was revised, because the Board decided to adopt the Core Knowledge curriculum... If books weren't ordered, does the blame go to Dr. Spinella, the Board's fearless yes man? (We know who the Board will blame...) Or is it the fault of the Board's perpetual micro-management? Despite the fact that teachers developed a new math curriculum (has it even been approved yet?), and suggested books to be bought, the Board knows best. As late as June 19, a consultant came in to talk about a computer-based math program from Carnegie Mellon for the High School. Does this mean as late as June 19 the board hadn't approved the curriculum committee's proposed curriculum???? So...is there a new math curriculum? Who knows. Are new books on the way? Who knows. Whose to blame? The Board will undoubtedly say Spinella. But if you look closely, it's been the Board making decisions about curriculum - Core Knowledge, computer aided instruction, grade inflation, homework. After all, we have to remember, they are our elected officials and they do know what's best for us..... There has been so much confusion on the subject of curriculum, I believe the board dosen't even know what they have or have not approved. This confusion is because the board won't allow our administrators/teachers do their job. If books have not been ordered is because the board failed to vote to approve what the curriculum committees have recommended based on their professional opinion. If anyone out there can shed light on this subject, we would all like to hear from you. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 43 of 200 DISTRICT IMPORTANT!! by: Kelly McCloskey 08/13/00 11:08 am I'm a sophmore at Slippery Rock University and I just took my PIAA official's test to be crtifyed in track. I was wondering what district Slippery Rock is in? So I can register. Thank You.. Message: 44 of 200 Math Curriculum by: concerned citizen 08/15/00 08:54 am This is what I know. The books have NOT been ordered, however the kids have been scheudeled for the classes. Who is to blame? Look at Christman. He wanted to wait to approve the new books. Since Spinella left, there is no one with the authority to order these books. Yes there is a new math curriculum. The departments collaborated and worked very hard to hash out what they thought was the best for the kids. The biggest change comes in the "lower track". The math department wanted to implement a class called INTEGRATED math which focuses on all the math areas including algebra, geometry and even trigonometry and statistics. I know that if my kids were signed up to take this class and then it is not going to be offered, I would be outraged. Moreover, I feel bad for the teachers who spent all that time working out the curriculum that would best suit the kids' needs. Message: 45 of 200 Who, What, Where, When, Why? by: deeply concerned 08/17/00 09:44 pm One has to wonder what is going on at SR! Does the right hand know what the left hand is doing? If no one is in charge then no one is to blame but what about the studnets education. Parents and citizens of this community must be tired and out raged with this free for all. Not only is there a question about the math curricululm and books there is also the question of what happened to the reading curriculum and books? When are the citizens of this community going to stand up and say Chart a course and stay with what is best for students? Why are there so many unanswered question when school is starting in about a week? Message: 46 of 200 What is going on? by: RPratt 08/18/00 01:18 pm We are in freefall, meltdown. I am working on an analysis of how our board (those who are in charge)has gotten us here. The district has spent thousands (our money) to pay our teachers (and subs for our teachers)to write new curriculums last year. These new curriculums will not be in place when school starts. Why? Well, be checking the "Current Issues" page for my take on how we got here. I hope to have it up in the next day or so. In the mean time, if any of you want to offer your spectulations here or in an email to me, please do so. Also, I cannot urge you strongly enough to call a board member and profer your concerns. This issue directly effects your children. RPratt Message: 47 of 200 Hard to Understand by: Gunny 08/18/00 10:20 pm I do not know much about the current school board or for that matter Mr. Pratt. But there is a glaring fact that screams for an answer. Where are the imflamed parents that should be standing tall at the school board meetings? Slippery Rock area is full of academicians yet no one is yelling about the lack of academic excellence that should be demanded. At least look at the information that Mr. Pratt is presenting and check for yourself on the validity of the information. Your lucky to have someone willing to go the "extra mile"! Good luck. Message: 48 of 200 Three cheers for Mr. Pratt! by: concerned educator 08/21/00 04:41 pm Thank-you for your explicit accounts of how disjointed our wonderful school board leaders are. It's time we start looking at teaching our children and forget about teaching programs. Why don't we let the people who have the most expertise at doing this be decisive in choosing what's best!Keep up the good work! Would you consider a seat on the school board! Message: 50 of 200 Ya Know? by: DUH 08/30/00 08:02 pm You know if our allustrious Christmann knew anything about math books he would have a hard time finding one that did not follow the NCTM standards. What book company would print one without including those standards? Three cheers for those teachers who are doing a heck of a job with the resourses (NONE) that they have. They should strike over the lack of support they get from the board alone. Message: 51 of 200 so now we are back to 15 days of absence by: jsrmco 09/05/00 08:53 pm I once believed that nearly everyone had at the very least some credibility, albeit hard to see, but now you've lowered the bar to where it was prior to last year re: # of absences per school year. Correct me if I am wrong but is that not a state mandated number?. I sincerely wish someone would publish statistics on students who just gave up and quit, as a result of your arbitrarily massaging the #'s. But then again just think of all the money that could potentially free up for your sports teams. So perhaps you are now autononmically correct. Hey here is a thought, lets say everyone south of 422 shall attend Butler school district, and look at the money that could be saved in transportation alone. What tremendous teams you could field then. Having raised two children through your system, I can honestly say that there are many professionals who are very capable but they are (in some regards fortunate for us all) in instructing positions. Has anyone but myself ever noticed the frequency of the monniker Dr., applied in the address of so many esteemed colleagues. Get off of it. Lose the overpaid administration and farm the work to the teachers, and perhaps the students (they already run the office). I'm sure that the teachers would be more than greatful for an additional few bucks and would rise to meet the challenge. Unfortunately many in charge have been born here, raised here, schooled here, and never really quite left the sanctuary of high school. Even if it is only in their minds. So, honestly what do you think it would cost to run an effective educational system, I'll bet we could start with pink slips, rebates, and better served children. Message: 52 of 200 Re: so now we are back to 15 days of abs by: RPratt 09/06/00 04:13 pm jsrmco, Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts with the readers of the Unofficial Slippery Rock School District HomePage. Your points are well taken. Perhaps now is a good time to remind everyone that neither I nor the Unofficial Slippery Rock School District HomePage is in anyway associated with the Slippery Rock Area School District, it's Board of Directors or employees. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 53 of 200 have you heard this one... by: Bad JuJu 09/20/00 01:53 am Did you hear about the administrator that got caught with some naughty cookies(and i don't mean Girl Scouts)? No? Well, of course not. He had a super cover-up... Did you hear about the guy that thought that Granny's were great, and that some needed more? He took the first Shuttle out of town... Message: 55 of 200 Re: STOP THE INSANITY! by: concerned citizen 09/28/00 05:51 pm Dear Mr. Pratt, As a concerned citizen and parent I would like to know why some sudo teachers aka Dr Spinella are worth $64,000 and the rest of the teaching staff at Slippery Rock can't even get a decent pay raise and now must fight for what they are worth. Can you address this issue please. Message: 56 of 200 Re: STOP THE INSANITY! by: RPratt 09/28/00 08:05 pm Well.....if my information is correct, Dr. Spinella is now a $68,000 substitute/aid. Gossip has it that he no longer has a teaching position. So....., I quess the question is why are we paying him $68,000 a year to be a Sub/Aid! I can't answer that question. But, I figure it has something to do with his contract. RPratt geocities.com/srschools Message: 57 of 200 Re: STOP THE INSANITY! by: Reggie MakCessar 09/28/00 09:43 pm Mr. Pratt, you likely need to find a more current source of information. Dr. Spinella may NOT even be with the district now. People need to look harder at what is wrong with SRASD. Dr. Spinella is hardly an example of that. His situation and others in the district are just the more visible examples of a more pervasive decay. Let the blind pig see if it can find the acorn it this mess: What will it see? Will anyone notice the search? Message: 58 of 200 RE: meeting at the flagpole by: concerned citizen 09/30/00 08:40 am I agree that Spinella may be the most visible example of what is wrong in our district and I think your name highlights some other areas. I must disagree with your information, Mr. Pratt, about the flagpole controversy at one of our schools. I was there and your information about a parent recruiting students is totally false. There was a parent in the hall going door to door to let the teachers know they were going to start and the children would be supervised. Not one student was recruited. Your source of information was not there and before you go to the board with information you should make sure it is correct. I'm tired of good things that happen in this district being made to look like something they are not. Message: 59 of 200 RE: meeting at the flagpole by: RPratt 09/30/00 03:54 pm Thank you for responding to this issue. First, I was careful to say "if this is true". Second, one of my sources of this information was at Har-Mer. Third, I didn't go to the Board about this issue. Fourth, you say that my "name" highlights what is wrong "in our district", care to elaborate?? By the way, I also wrote in the update concerning the "Meet you at the Pole" issue that "teachers also left the classroom to join the students", since you were there, can you comment on this? Is this incorrect information too? Once children enter the school bus, or the building, "in loco parentis" comes into play, and the District is responsible for that child. "See you at the Pole" sponsors recommend having children gather about 6:30 in the morning to avoid this issue altogether. Once children enter a school building, is it ok for them to leave the building without a note from their parents? Recess is one thing, since it's part of the regular school day. But leaving the building for something not school realted seems like a security issue. I know my child better never be allowed to leave the building without my permission. Would a Buddhist parent be given the same access to the classrooms??!! I want to make it clear that I support students' right to pray around the pole-BEFORE OR AFTER school. But, if what you are telling us is true, and, you were there, the school day had already started when they left the classroom and met at the "pole". Again thanks for your input, and helping to set the record right. Open dialog such as this is a good first step in working together to make this a district we can all be proud of! RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 60 of 200 RE: meeting at the flagpole by: concerned citizen 10/01/00 08:48 am I did not mean your name highlights a few of the problems, I meant Reggie MakCessar, the message prior to mine. Sorry about the confusion. Didn't your wife go to the board with this information? Why bring something up if your not sure it is true? I saw one teacher at the flagpole who was there because of the children. I don't know if there were any others because that is not where my focus was. I thought it was a good thing. Message: 61 of 200 RE: meeting at the flagpole by: RPratt 10/01/00 11:53 am I invite anyone who knows the "real story" to post it. I'm stickin' by my story. Just remember... nobody ever said I wasn't full of crap. Judge me and my version of the story as you will. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 62 of 200 Re: Thank You Mr. Pratt! by: Proud SRASD Teacher 10/05/00 07:51 pm Dear Mr. Pratt,<br> I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to the teachers at SRASD. The teachers in this district are highly educated and dedicated professionals. I believe that the quality of education is directly proportional to the quality of the educators. How does the school board expect to attract the best quality educators to our district if we continue to fall behind in salary and benefits as compared to other districts? The future of our district and the students is at stake! Will our teachers choose to leave and go to another district where they are paid what they are worth? Wake up school board our kids are counting on you! Message: 63 of 200 Re: Thank You Mr. Pratt! by: Proud SRASD Teacher 10/05/00 07:53 pm Dear Mr. Pratt, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to the teachers at SRASD. The teachers in this district are highly educated and dedicated professionals. I believe that the quality of education is directly proportional to the quality of the educators. How does the school board expect to attract the best quality educators to our district if we continue to fall behind in salary and benefits as compared to other districts? The future of our district and the students is at stake! Will our teachers choose to leave and go to another district where they are paid what they are worth? Wake up school board our kids are counting on you! Message: 64 of 200 "What do you say, Watson?" by: Conan Doyle 10/06/00 10:56 am It shouldn't take a Sherlock to know that a comparison with all other IU4 districts has been done, unless board members aren't paying attention, or attending meetings. Maybe the board never really had an interest in fact-finding. "Yikes, lookout, it's the facts!" As in the classroom, participation is essential. There is a lesson to be learned here from 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', ch. 10: “What do you say, Watson?” I shrugged my shoulders. “If he<the board> were safely out of the country<SRASD> it would RELIEVE the tax-payer of a burden.” Need a clue? Find a quater and see if you can go buy one... Message: 65 of 200 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT by: SRASD TEACHER 10/06/00 05:24 pm THANK YOU MR. PRATT FOR YOUR SHOW OF SUPPORT. JUST ONE SUGGESTION WHEN YOU SAID THE BOARD MEMBERS LOOKED AT US AND VOTED NO IT SHOULD REALLY SAY THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT US BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE ONE OF THEM MADE EYE CONTACT WITH US. HMMMMMM... Message: 66 of 200 Re: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT by: RPratt 10/06/00 07:52 pm You're very welcome! Ok. I get your point. It would have been more descriptive to have said: "Mr. King, district solicitor, nervously counted teachers with his astonished eyes, while the Board members averted their cowardly eyes from those who only ask for respect." Good luck and keep the faith! RPratt Message: 67 of 200 Re: Fed up with high teacher salaries!! by: Joe Public 10/07/00 09:50 pm Just like our Board, I'm fed up with teachers and their huge salary demands. Many people around here can't afford the taxes we pay now! If it was up to me, I'd pay them baby sitting wages. I'd be glad to give them $3 an hour out of my own pocket - and I'm only going to pay them for 5 hours - no lunch, coffee breaks or planning periods. That would be $15 a day - every parent can afford that. It's cheaper than private daycare. Now how many in a classroom? Let's say 20. That's $15 x 20 = $300 a day. And since they only work 180 days a year (I'm not paying for all those vacations!) $300 x 180 = $54,000 Now I know lots of teachers will complain that they have advanced degrees and are more than babysitters. OK. Maybe to be fair, they could get minimum wage, maybe read the kids a story instead of just babysitting. I'll round it to $5 an hour, times five hours, times 20 children....$500 a day times 180 days.That's $90,000...UH??? Wait a minute. Let's get some perspective here. Baby-sitting wages are too good for these teachers. Maybe our Board should just go ahead and settle!!! Message: 68 of 200 Wondering by: Miss Curious 10/07/00 10:59 pm Is there any truth to the rumor that the Board renewed Dr. Spinella's contract for 3 years in July 2000? And then demoted him, etc. in August 2000? If so, this would be typical of the actions and knee-jerk reactions taken by this Board. So now we have a teacher's aide (with a PhD) making $68,000 a year. I am also wondering how the teacher's aides who make $9,000 a year feel about that. And while I am wondering--why are these people on the Board when they obviously are against the public education system, teachers, and students? One more question, are the students in Harrisville able to drink the water yet? Show some decency, settle with the teachers, and take care of business in a responsible and humane manner. It probably wouldn't hurt to have some goals and plans for improving the school district, other than trying to make negative headlines in the Butler Eagle. Message: 69 of 200 Re: Wondering by: RPratt 10/08/00 11:27 am Hello Miss Curious! Our Board is always leaving a trail of puzzling evidence! I don't know if he got a new contract in July or not. Anybody out there know? Dr. Spinella is indeed a $68,000 aide? Certain Board members,in my opinion, (Adams, Youngman, and Christmann) are on the Board to do everything they can to destroy public education. In doing so, they can then prove to you and me that public education doesn't work. It's scientific! In the mean time, while collecting the numbers, they are doing their best to spend as little as possible, which of course, only adds to the destruction. No, the students at Har-Mer can't drink the water. Our Board has delayed the renovations there and at the MS, so those expenditures would come during these contract talks. Why, you ask? So they can declare that we can't afford to give the teachers a fair salary when the taxpayers face the finacial burden of renovations. Call me insane, but we are witnessing the calculated destruction of our educational system. Proving that our system doesn't work IS the long term plan, and not paying our teachers a fair wage is a goal to complete that plan (among others). One of the mandates of Chapter 4 is to develop a long term strategic plan. Teachers and community members are to be involved with the planning process. Of course our board, with the help of our attorney, rejected Chapter 4. Seems like our attorney helped Karns City reject Chapter 4, too, but that's another story. "A threat to local control", the board cried. Of course it is. If anyone besides the Board is involved, it becomes a threat. I wonder what the State would think about the Board's REAL strategic plan? First, take control of the curriculum - reject any ideas teachers/educational experts have in favor of fiscal and cultural conservatism. This way the public will believe we have a bunch of incompetent teachers. Next, throw out all of the administrators (well, some are staying for lots of different reasons....) - try to attract those who think like the board by advertising the Superintendent and Asst.Superintendent position on the Core Knowledge Web site (Hey, did you know we have official core knowledge schools in this district? I read it on their website, it must be true). Then make sure the board themselves interview All new employees. Then delay school renovations for three years. Such brilliant timing! That way when the teachers' contract comes up, the Board can poor mouth and say that they don't have the money to pay them. Hey, teachers don't work nearly as hard as those poor factory workers we'd have to tax...A raise? Those greedy teachers. I don't think so. Lest you think these ramblings are the product of a paranoid personality..... As Mr. Adams said to State Rep. Frank Lagrotta at a tax hearing last year, "One has to use an unpleasant word like 'insanity' to describe the mindless shoveling of more money to an institution that has failed so dismally." he commented further, "in less than a lifetime, we've gone from fair and equitable taxation to outright confiscation." So what would the State do if our Board sumbitted their real strategic plan, a plan that leads to the destruction of public ed in Slippery Rock? Maybe it's time our Board started their own charter school, since kingdoms are illegal in a democracy.... In the words of Dennis Miller, then again, I could be wrong, that's just my opinion! RPratt Message: 70 of 200 Re: Re: Fed up with high teacher salari by: SRASD Teacher 10/09/00 08:45 pm Loved your mesage joepublic Message: 71 of 200 Re: Wondering by: Miss Curious 10/10/00 07:02 am Don't school board members take an oath to uphold the state constitution or something? And wouldn't that include obeying the law? And if you have objections to that law, working within the system to change it? In ways that would not be harmful to your community schools--the same community schools you were elected to serve? I assume lawful means of change would be something other than a pouty statement of "No! Don't wanna! You're not the boss of me!" I hope the citizens are paying attention--election day is almost here. Thank you for your reply--very illuminating. Message: 72 of 200 Oops--hold that thought... by: Miss Curious 10/10/00 07:07 am I see by your election information that the opportunity to elect different school board members will not come up until 2001. However, the deadline for filing is February 2001--it would be great to see some candidates who support public education, teachers, and students. Message: 73 of 200 Free Speech/Free Assembly by: Outraged Citizen 10/12/00 10:19 am I hear that the Parent Teacher group at Har-Mer has been forbidden to use the school building for a meeting to discuss the fact finders report and the potential teachers' strike unless Board members and their attorneys are there. What could they be afraid of? What do they think would happen? Loss of total control? Sympathy for the teachers? I guess the Board believes it's time for hardball and dirty tricks...Can't wait to see what happens next - and I can't wait to see what happens in the next election. Message: 74 of 200 give them a circus... or a TV by: Jacob Riis 10/13/00 11:14 am What is all this concern about curriculum, quality teachers and building a future? The three "R-s" of the 40's and 50's are all people need to build a life around TV the three "B-s": Beer, babes, and brawls. Let's face it, the core point is, unless you have aspirations of being a factory owner, dentist, funeral home director, or college prof, your future doesn't demand much more than discounted out-moded textbooks, and "babysitters" for teachers. Besides, with more education, people are generally less willing to settle for 5$/hour factory jobs. And Sheetz might have to raise their pay from $7.20/hour. What was it the ruling French once said... Message: 75 of 200 How much of a raise did you get last yea by: No Name 10/13/00 11:48 pm How many people out there in the SRASD expect to come up with a $10,000+ raise over the next five years? How many of you got $2,500 last year? Or will get that much this year? I think it is time for teachers and bleeding hearts to get off their high horses and realize that MOST of the teachers are getting paid MORE than they are earning. They spend their time figuring out how to get out of doing the work, finding ways to get out of the classrooms, deciding where to park their BMWs (YES, check out the teacher's parking lots!!!), and complaining because the doors are locked and they can't get back in after sneaking out of their classrooms for a cigarette. I believe that most of us get about as much respect as we deserve and as much respect as we display toward others. As for Spinella. He does not have a contract (only protection under the administrators compensation plan and now, the infamous teacher's union). He has been a complete waste of taxpayers dollars from day one. But try to eliminate that waste and watch the union stand up for him (these would be the same teachers who spent last year laughing at him behind his back). Message: 76 of 200 Re: How much of a raise did you get last by: Worthy 10/14/00 02:22 am Well, actually, I got a $5,000 raise this year but that's another story. If Spinella does not have a contract, why can't this "waste" be eliminated without causing all of this waffling, confusion, humiliation--and probably just a bit of disruption for the class he was supposed to be teaching? Problems with specific teacher performance should be addressed by the administration. They are the ones accountable for classroom observations and evaluations. It is not impossible to fire a teacher with tenure; it only requires that you follow procedures, do your paperwork, and document substandard performance. It doesn't seem fair to punish the good teachers because you have issues with some or don't approve the type of car they drive. Communities used to be able to require that teachers remain unmarried and board with families in the district, chop wood, haul water, and fire up the school stove in the morning. Of course, that was 100 years ago. You realize, don't you, that the unsatisfactory teachers you complain of will be the only ones left? The good ones will get jobs in other districts where they can get some respect and a decent raise...and then you will have what you deserve. Message: 77 of 200 Upset! by: Proud Mama 10/14/00 07:48 am All I have to say is I hope for the sake of my childs education that there is no strike. I myself went through a strike when I was in 7th grade at Armstrong School District. It went on from September 3-November 12. I went to school until June 30 plus had to go on Saturdays for 5 different days. I don't want something as outrageous as this to happen to my child. She deserves her education and shouldn't have to sacrifice her summer vacation for one. I feel for the teachers who want a raise and benefits but try and work with the school board to get what you need. According to the Butler Eagle in last nights paper the avg teacher makes 45,000 in SRSD. Well my husband and I both work fulltime jobs and we only make about 36,000 combined! I love my job as a bank teller and I feel I am under paid for all the work I do but we sure can't strike to get what we want. They would just replace me with someone who they could pay less. All I ask is think before you make this strike happen and ruin this year for all the students of the district. Message: 78 of 200 Re: How much of a raise did you get last by: RPratt 10/14/00 03:17 pm Hello No Name. Thanks for the insightful info concerning Spinella. Could you explain the compensation plan that you mentioned? If the Board made him a teacher, why shouldn't he be "protected" by the teachers association? Ya know, during a school board meeting in the recent past, I heard Bill Adams make the same exact comment concerning cars parked in the parking lots. Seems he too has "Beamer" envy. Perhaps the BMW belongs to the new superintendent, who I hear will be making $101,000 or 7% MORE then the state average, while our teachers in this district make 7% BELOW the state average! Hmmm. More puzzling evidence! RPratt Message: 79 of 200 Driving Directions by: Amerigo Vespucci 10/15/00 11:00 am I was distressed to read (Butler Eagle, 10/15/00) that Dr. Duryea has been trying to reach the teachers for negotiation since Oct. 3. Please pass this information along to him as soon as possible-- Travel south on Main Street in Slippery Rock until you reach the traffic light at Keister Road (you will see the University on your left). Turn left at the light and go straight for about 2/10 of a mile. On your right, you will see two large buildings marked Slippery Rock School District. These are the Middle (the black and white one) and the High (the brick one) Schools. Teachers may be found there between 7:30 and 3:00 (and in many cases, earlier and later). Also, you may call direct by dialing 794-2960. It is not necessary to use the area code if you are calling from Slippery Rock. Slippery Rock Elementary School is located north on Main Street, Rt. 258, I believe. Message: 80 of 200 Re: How much of a raise did you get last by: high horse 10/15/00 11:01 am You cannot put a pricetag on what dedicated teachers do for the children in their care. They teach manners, respect, love for life, how to cooperate with others, how to be patient, how to cheer for another's victory, how to hurt for another's sorrow...This district has MORE than its share of dedicated teachers. Bill Adams needs to attend third grade again. Maybe he'll learn what he should have been taught years ago. The heart of teaching is teaching with the heart. It goes beyond facts, figures, and "core knowledge" (the Fall of the Roman Empire in third grade...be serious!). The majority of the teachers in this district nurture the children and build self-esteem IN ADDITION to teaching facts and figures. Dedicated teachers are gifted individuals who deserve every penny they earn and then some! Message: 81 of 200 Re: Upset! by: Imateacherlover 10/15/00 11:02 am If you have attended any meetings or been at any board meetings you know then that the teachers DO NOT want to go on strike. The teachers have been trying to negotiate with the board of education but it is the BOARD that you elected who is choosing not to negotiate with the teachers. Concerned for the students welfare? GET INVOLVED! Go to a board meeting and express your concerns, call a school board member, talk to others in your community and GET INVOLVED! As per the Butler Eagle's article please keep in mind that in order to make $45,000 you must be a teacher in THIS district for 16 years. Many of our teachers have their master's degrees plus. If the teacher's do not get the compensation they deserve then they will leave and be replaced with less competent teachers just like you will be replaced by someone just to save a buck. Do you want your child taught by an employee who was acquired for the lowest possible wages? Think about it! Message: 82 of 200 Re: Driving Directions by: MAD1222 10/16/00 11:53 pm That has to be the best post I've seen yet!!! Maybe Dr. Duryea will get the hint... Absolutely Insane by: In a state of disbelief 10/17/00 06:14 pm I guess that I would like to know what ever happened to the "representatives" voting the way their constituents wanted. This has become a playground for personal interest. You can add on to Har-mer all you want to, but you cannot find a place big enough for some people's egos. This is not a game. Then I read that Duryea is disappointed because they have been trying to negotiate. Let me put it nicely, HOGWASH!!! How can you negotiate when board members do not show for meetings, or refuse to talk at all. Message: 84 of 200 Are you lining the pockets of several sc by: it's a free for all ( board members?) 10/17/00 06:43 pm If you attended last night's board meeting you know that even the public can't change the minds of several high horsed, ego blown, ignorant board members towards doing the right thing for the Slippery Rock School District teachers and the students they educate. My question is ......how can these men refuse to approve the fact finders report when they themselves make "BIG" money. Have you had your teeth cleaned by Dr. Dureyea lately? Do you have magnet men on your refrigerator at home? Do you pay tuition at Slippery Rock University for your children? Well, if you answered yes to any of the above....remember that you have just lined the pockets of Dr. Dureyea, Dr. Christmann, Dr. Watson, and the millionaire Mr. Adams. Think about that when the teachers go on strike and you are struggling to pay child care costs, or when your child is sweating at Slippery Rock and Harmer Elementary schools in the middle of June. Do these people care about your children as they sit their counting the money from their paychecks? Just something to think about! Message: 85 of 200 Re: How much of a raise did you get last by: boardgoer 10/17/00 08:33 pm Must have been the new superintendent's BMW in the district parking lot. After all $101,700 does go a long way. Message: 87 of 200 Re: Communisim revisited by: a lowly peasant 10/17/00 10:12 pm Perhaps it's time for a revolution. Let's continue to unite after this strike is settled and overthrow the board. Mutiny! Look at the Kuamontang & Mao in 1940's China. Education became the elite and were persecuted. The peasants had an uprising, they beleived that everyone should be equal, completely equal, Mao knew that education created thinking and dissention. Then the peasants realized they had to be educated and so had to rebuild their schools. Let's take back our educational system. We're being treated like the peasants, the board is the "party", controling us as we sit by and let these few people destroy our school district. Even the presidential debates are focused on education, how can a community sleep if the ship is going down, grab the lifeboats!!!! Get the 18 year olds to vote, call your neighbors, have your minister talk in Church about the need to be involved. The crime is being committed by Volunteers!!!!! Let's volunteer to stop the crime, let's take back our schools......Take out your appointment book, put in 1 Monday a month, think about your great ideas, you just might be great board material, this job is not for men only, this job is for mom's, single adult's, retired educaters, try to consider the opportunity to make a difference, Volunteer. Message: 88 of 200 Public Support by: RPratt 10/18/00 11:40 am Just wanted everyone to know that there seems to be a massive amount of public interest in the situation we find ourselves in. Yesterday this site received a record 275 visits. It's great to see this kind of involvement. The following is a list of this sites number of visits for the last 6 months! May 344 visits June 428 visits July 454 visits Aug 869 visits Sept 559 visits Oct up to the 18th 805 visits! I want to thank you guys for all the support! I would like to remind people that I do have a mailing list. I use it to send out updates and important info. If you would like to be on this mailing list, just send me your email address. WE ARE ROCK SOLID! Thanks again for your support! RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 89 of 200 Re: Ever consider getting a parent group by: REVOLT! (ether?) 10/18/00 07:41 pm Seems to me that a revolt by the community is needed if the school board is to keep the children's best interest at heart. A parent group should be organized to stop outrageous and expensive programs that are being shoved down our teachers and eventually our childrens throats. This has worked in other school districts and should be considered here at SRASD. Message: 90 of 200 Bad to the Core by: Empowered 10/18/00 08:21 pm Check this out: http://www.pde.psu.edu/issini/edempfacts.pdf Where is our new Superintendent from? Message: 91 of 200 Re: Bad to the Core by: Missi DiBiccaro 10/19/00 12:38 am This is who we're paying $101,000 a year? This person comes from an area that ranks second in students failing? I'd like to know how this happened! Maybe the board will answer this...oh, I forgot, it's the Slippery Rock Board. (I guess we're all a little cynical, right Mr. Ciochetto?) Message: 92 of 200 board didn't have prof negotiator by: concerned parent 10/19/00 10:06 am I heard that board member, Mr. Giesler, has been saying that the reason he didn't vote for the fact finding report is because the board didn't have a professional negotiator like the teachers did. Is this true? One other thing. I heard at the meeting at Har-Mer that this core knowledge thing might be a a research project. why would our board be doing research on our children? Message: 93 of 200 Re: board didn't have prof negotiator by: Aren't you sick of the lies? 10/19/00 07:19 pm Mr. Giesler is so misinformed. The teachers and the board paid for the same fact finder. Each side paid equal amounts and now they want the public to think that they didn't have a professional negotiator. Whine , whine, whine, get out the crying towel. Another fact the public needs to be aware of is that Mr. Youngman and Mr. Angerett were the only two board members on the negotiating team. Confused by Dr. Duryea's recent comments in the Butler Eagle? I was......where has he and the rest of the school board been since negotiating started in January? It has also be rumored that a certain board member is pushing core knowledge on the teachers and students because he could use this information to profit both himself and the university. It's getting to the point where the public doesn't know what to believe....with the bombardment of lies told by the school board who knows when they are telling the truth. Got your shovel ready.... I'm sure more will follow! Message: 94 of 200 Re: My Anonymous Message Board by: Anonymous 10/20/00 09:11 am The morning kindergarten students at Moraine<br>Elementary received the<br>same Press Release, but none of<br>the other children in<br>the school did. The teachers<br>sent a letter home the<br>next day saying to disregard<br>the letter, it was<br>unauthorized. I don't think<br>there is one person in this school<br>district on the<br>same page. Message: 95 of 200 Re: Press Release by: RPratt 10/20/00 09:44 am Thanks for the info! I agree, no one seems to be on the same page, cept maybe this one, I hope! RPratt Message: 96 of 200 Re: Press Release by: Disillusioned 10/21/00 12:05 pm How would you like your job and future determined by this process? How about your standing in the community where you have gone to church, raised your kids, and tried to do a good job for twenty years? There are no winners in this situation. If board members leave before this process is over, then where will we be? And how about the new super and her agenda for the future? I guess the next two days will determine a lot of our fates. Thanks for providing a forum, Mr. Pratt. Message: 97 of 200 Re: disillusioned. by: RPratt 10/21/00 07:51 pm Well, I think the collective bargaining process is a good thing. But, the situation in our district sux. You are right, this is a "no win" situation. When this is all over, I hope we can all still speak in the Eagle, at our children's Bday parties, church etc. It is truly sad that our board has chosen to create an adversarial relationship with the public and the teachers. Truth is, they have chosen to follow the advice of Mr. King, their attorney, and say as little as possible to ANYONE, to avoid liability. This has led to zero communication. This board has forgotten that they are accountable to the community, this includes everyone! After attending nearly every board meeting in the last two years I feel I can speak to this phenomenon. I have seen citizens told to shutup and sit down. I have heard them tell the public they didn't have to explain their votes. A citizen speaks and asks questions and they just sit there like bumps on a log! They do nothing. They can't pass policies, we are still waiting (2 yrs) for revisions at a cost of thousands. The renovations are behind at least 2 years. They aren't even planning for growth. They can't approve new curriculum. They can't even buy books. Administrators leave screaming if they leave at all. My child has had four principals in 6 years! Core Knowledge and the hiring of the new Super is all designed to "teacher proof" the curriculum ( after all, according to Bill Adams, teachers don't have any business developing curriculum, calling them "amateurs"! Parents don't have a say. No one has a say. Just nine white guys have say and look where we are! I could go on and on. Where would we be if they resign before the teachers have a contract? THE SAME PLACE WE ARE RIGHT NOW! After years of watching the slow destruction of the system and the arrogance of these guys, I can confidently say A LOT BETTER OFF TOO! The sooner these guys leave the better for everyone. Sure, it might delay the contract and the much needed renovations. But, we would be that much closer to getting back our schools and uniting our community. Remember, as our board forgets, this is bigger then a teacher contract, bigger then renovations. This is about our children. Throw the @!#$%$# out. Just my opinion. RPratt Message: 98 of 200 Re: Upset! by: Anonymous 10/22/00 12:46 am I feel that you do not know everything you need to know about the strike... Just keep reading these pages of forums and you should understand everything. Teachers do a lot more than people think... dont just take my word from it, I'm not a teacher. Message: 99 of 200 Also disillusioned by: appalled citizen of SR 10/22/00 11:23 am The profession of teaching has become synonymous with panhandling....holding our empty bowls pleading,"Please,sir, I want some more." Appreciation for the ability to orchestrate, in a class of 25-30 students, a blend of respect for themselves and others, an appreciation for learning and a desire to learn more, while teaching and evaluating subject matter has gone by the wayside. The profession, which requires 50-60 hours a week when you add in planning, checking, and organizing, has lost respect. Maybe it's time to pay teachers what child care workers get, $3 per hour per child. That works out to $630 a day. Or let's even make it a bargain....$2 per hour per child, $420 a day. And that's only figuring a 40 hour week. Hmmm...over 9 months that works out to $75,600. I think we taxpayers are getting a bargain! Message: 100 of 200 New Superintendent's Vehicle by: No Name 10/23/00 04:03 pm I don't know or care what the new superintendent drives. The BMW IS driven by one of the teachers (you know the ones who are severely underpaid). Envy? I think not. I'm just tired of hearing all the moaning and groaning done about how hard the teachers work before, during and after school. I agree that SOME may do that, but I also know there are a lot more who come in just at the nick of time and leave exactly one time. Perhaps they are worried about core knowledge because it will mean changing lesson plans they have prepared years ago. I am no fan of the Board, but I think it is time for the teachers to be treated like human beings NOT the gods you people seem to have created. They are NOT remnants from the one-room school era. Message: 101 of 200 Re: No Name by: Observer of schools 10/23/00 08:41 pm I think the response to your message has to be.....get out there in the classrooms and check it out! The one room school is actually very alive and well! In a class of 25 students, at the very least, 6 different levels of learning are represented and all have to be met by the classroom (human being) teacher. In every profession, job, walk of life, there are people who do not do their job, and in every profession, the vast majority DO! Teaching is no exception! Before you criticize, go find out! P.S. Drop the car issue...it's a silly, irrelevant point....family income is not always, I'm sure you realize, based on salaries alone. Message: 102 of 200 merely a thought to ponder by: isn't it true 10/24/00 06:55 pm Think about it! Those who can....... ..TEACH, and those who can't.... sit on the school board and complain about those who can TEACH! Message: 103 of 200 Re: merely a thought to ponder by: Confused 10/26/00 01:10 am Since formal negotiations between the teachers and the board have been in the process since January, why has the rest of the board been clueless until recently? Were the two board members on the negotiations committee not communicating with the other members? Did the other seven members not ask questions concerning negotiations? Have any of the board members gone to school board training sessions offered at the IU IV or by the PSBA in Harrisburg? If not why not? Would we not be upset with our children if they were so uninformed and unprepared? Message: 104 of 200 Re: merely a thought to ponder by: RPratt 10/26/00 09:35 am It seems to be a pattern with the board. Too many of the members don't have the time or interest to informed or prepared. So decisions they make come late and cause everyone a lot of grief and aggrevation. Do they ever go to PSBA training? They argue every year about even joining PSBA. If it wasn't for the insurance, they wouldn't do it. They will, however, pay PSBA lots of money to re-do policies (stay tuned...). I guess they thought Mr. King could handle negotiations for them. The time commitments are too great for many board members to handle. I guess they didn't understand what the job entailed when they ran for office or were appointed. Too many personal politics at play here. It's time to clean house... Our current and future Board members need to understand that what this district needs is a vision for the future. We need to develop goals and work hard to realize these goals for the good of the children and the community. This takes commitment and hard work. Unfortunately, to date, there has been No vision for the future and way too much partisian devisive politics. RPratt Message: 105 of 200 Re: How much of a raise did you get last by: surveyor 10/26/00 05:08 pm People ought to understand that a raise of $1,850 is a MAXIMUM raise a teacher could get, but that most will get much less than that. Why? Because teachers get raises if they get more education. So, if a teacher went from a college degree to a PhD in one year [impossible while being a teacher] they could actually get an $1,850 raise. Some teachers will get raises of as little as $300 per year, much less than the cost of living. Some will get more, but the average increase will be much less than $1,850. As for BMW's in the parking lot, no one, I assure you paid for that on a teacher's salary. Most teachers are married. Some are married to doctors, lawyers and yes, even University Professors, and some have inheritances. So if they have a BMW, then you should be thankful that they are blessed and don't have to rely on a teacher's salary for all of their needs. So, because they married well, they should work for free or get a poor salary? Sure... I guess if you are a Communist or Socialist, you'd think that way. Hmmm... As a matter of fact... it sounds as if Bill Adams is a Communist, since he wants all teachers to get next to nothing for their labors. Yes... teachers should work for $10,000 a year like all of his other employees, with only the Party Bosses like him being able to drive Jaguars and have 10 houses. I never realized it before... Bill Adams is a Communist! Message: 106 of 200 Re: SR Head Has Big Agenda by: No Disagreements Here 10/29/00 11:14 am Did you see the article in Sunday's Butler Eagle about our new superintendent? It sure slammed anyone out there who is against Core Knowledge. The super is quoted as saying, "When people are totally opposed, they haven't studied it enough." Does this mean that to know Core Knowledge is to love Core Knowledge? If anyone in the District had bothered to do any research, they would have become Core Knowledge converts, too. Why can't they see that Core Knowledge is the one true path to cultural enlightenment? A lot of teachers and parents in the District do know a lot about Core Knowledge and they still oppose it. I guess those people just need a little more brainwashing (I guess all the speakers and the California conference didn't work). Good thing the new Superintendent is ready to straighten them out. Can't wait for the fun to begin! Message: 107 of 200 Lawyer King and Butler Eagle Collusion by: surveyor 10/30/00 10:49 am Did you know that the school board's lawyer makes more money if there is no agreement and a strike results? Did you know that the longer a strike goes on and the longer there is no settlement, the more money King makes? Did you know that many of the school districts his firm represents are on the brink of strike right now? Did you know that while many issues were close between the school board and teachers and could have been worked out that King made no effort to encourage the board to work out these differences from Jan to July, but helped them to make no proposals or even offer alternatives the whole time? Did you ever wonder why King's press releases are published in the Butler Eagle almost verbatim as News reports, when they are not accurate, honest, and when they don't even bother to present other sides? Did you know that the King family and the Wise family, who owns the Eagle, are third generation FRIENDS of each other? Is it any wonder that the Eagle is a mouthpiece for King's press releases rather than a true, fair, and impartial agency that seeks to report just the facts? Why don't they even bother to question or investigate the press releases? Don't believe the press. It isn't fair. It isn't even journalism. It is part of the propaganda machine. Want the truth? Ask both sides for the history and their positions, and then decide for yourself. Don't be as lazy as the Eagle when it comes to investigating the issues. Message: 108 of 200 Butler Eagle&SRASD - All The News That F by: George Seldes (their agenda)) 10/31/00 08:29 am Let's not get carried away with calling the BE a newspaper. Fact is, the "Pennysaver" might be as much a newspaper as the BE is. Perhaps the SRASD website has taken a lesson on newsworthiness from the BE: was the creation of the SRASD website the result of an informed, collective and cooperative spirit? Or was it the offspring of a secretive, mean-spirited, agenda-driven group of men? What spirit of "ownership" can the district's staff and students take in some web pages that were likely created "in secret" by an ex-superintendent, middle school principal, business manager, and a guidance councilor? The result is an "official" website, that seems to be no more current than February 2000! This creation is as newsworthy as the agenda driven BE - old news, ultra-sanitized for THEIR protection. If the district wants to truly use new technology, forget old backroom secret deals. Be inclusive. Don’t dictate to capable people. Of course, this might mean painting new stripes on old tigers. Or maybe removing them from the grounds... Given the politics at SRASD, how will the district ever honor this: DISTRICT VISION STATEMENT The vision of the Slippery Rock Area School District is: · to maximize individual student potential; · to create a partnership among the home, school and community that promotes the entire educational process; · to equip our students with the skills needed to meet the demands of an advancing technological society; · to enable our students to be problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and life-long learners; · to prepare our students to become responsible citizens. Message: 109 of 200 Let's Get on With It by: No Name 10/31/00 01:36 pm Now is the time for us to get on with the business of educating our children. One of the best ways we can do that is to teach them that in a democracy we don't always agree with one another BUT we collectively work with what we have decided. Perhaps it is time to quit worrying about WHY the contract passed and be glad that it DID pass and our students are in school today. Five more years of hard feelings? Sure, as long as we dwell on that and continue with the name-calling and finger pointing. As adults we need to set the example that we want our children to follow. I do not agree with Mr. Adams' ideas and rantings either, but he did not prevail so why give him the attention he wants? I, too, think too much money has been thrown into the premise of investigating Core Knowledge. We sent a crew of professionals led by the incompetent Dr Spinella to California to investigate it. We are spending more dollars for in-service. The public needs to be brought into the discussion and brought up to speed on what the value IS versus the downside. Message: 110 of 200 ??? by: -- 10/31/00 01:44 pm Spinella, the disk, the secretary, the cover-up -- what's the story? Message: 111 of 200 Re: Let's Get on With It by: RPratt 10/31/00 02:07 pm It has always been the time for us to "get on with the education of our children". I think the teachers have always been doing this, even thru these contract talks. Who's worrying about why it passed? I'm worried that some of our board members, some that voted no and some that voted yes, will have hard feelings about the process that led to the outcome. These hard feeling may have a negitive effect for years to come. While I am happy this contract passed, it is not the time to become complacent. It is time to become politicaly active, and in order to better do that we must all try and understand the reasons that these Board members brought this district to the brink of a strike. You call it "name-calling and finger pointing". I call it being a responsible citizen. A good start in setting a good example for our children is understanding what is going on around us and not being afraid to express our opinions in public and in the voting booth. Thanks for your post- No Name. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 112 of 200 Re: ??? by: RPratt 10/31/00 02:10 pm I don't know. Why don't you TELL us? RPratt Re: Let's Get on With It by: Gary Dunn 10/31/00 02:38 pm Not living in your area (I live in NY, I heard about this site on the K12 listserv) I hesitate to post, but felt I had to comment. In my opinion, your district is in deep trouble. No help to high and mighty Mr./Ms. No Name. A quick scroll through this message board shows that Mr. Pratt is one of the few that has the balls ( excuse the term) to put his name to a post. Your district will continue to sink to the lowest levels (if it can go lower) if everyone, like No Name, is too scared to put their name on their posts. It seems to me that if you want to teach your children something, you should teach them you are not afraid to back up your opinions with your name. No Name, you are hardly an example to your children hiding behind anonymity. Until your community can find enough people to stand behind their words and actions with their name, you will be failing all the children! Good luck Mr. Pratt and God help you all! Why are you people so afraid to speak up? This is why your district has gone to hell. Gary Dunn Message: 114 of 200 Re: Let's Get on With It by: Socrates 11/03/00 08:03 pm I have to take exception to the issue of speaking freely anonymously. It would be admirable to be able to always speak freely in our society. But in this vindictive world, sometimes anonymity is the better part of valor. Why do teachers insist upon tenure in 2 or 3 years? It’s obvious - agenda laden board members and administrators. Others in our society do not fare so well. You can be fired from most any job for no reason at all: Or often a wrong reason. When getting up on the soapbox, the speaker's identity should not matter - the ideas, facts, and concepts should live or die on their own merits, their own empirical value! Cyber media is the new town square of the new millennia. It doesn't matter who delivers the words. We should not make up our minds based on the looks or background of the talking-head messenger. What a wonderful political process we could enjoy if we were not umbillically connected to the sound bites and photo ops of the talking heads! There is nothing shameful in writing anonymously. But at some point, you must be prepared to drink your cup of hemlock. Message: 115 of 200 Where'd everyone go?? by: T. Consbruck 11/15/00 04:57 pm Has the Slippery Rock School District suddenly been delivered unto heaven with the resolution of the contract dispute? What has happened to the many voices heard in the month of October?? (Even if those voices felt the need for anonymity Mr. Socrates). Are there not other pressing issues in our district, our community?? Speak up people, for it is this very type of silence that historically allowed conditions in our community to evolve to the point of the October strike crisis. Open, honest, respectful discourse is the essential ingredient for the PROACTIVE resolution of problems. I encourage everyone to actively seek out information, then express their ideas and opinions in this wonderful open forum provided by Mr. Pratt. Message: 116 of 200 Re: Where'd everyone go?? by: I know! 11/16/00 12:25 pm All the teachers who posted here last month have all gone to the Outlets to spend their new raise! They got what THEY wanted and now have nothing to say. Why? Because it's all about them, them, them. It's never been about the children. What say you Mr. Pratt? Post your "this is all about me and not the children" hit totals since the teachers got what they wanted from their neighbors pockets. I bet they fell to new lows! It appears that only our school board cares about issues that effect all the citizens. Well, ok, maybe Mr. Pratt cares too. God help the children- the teachers/community won't! Message: 117 of 200 Re: I know! by: T. Consbruck 11/16/00 03:55 pm To they who seem to know! Let me fill you in a bit. Most of the voices on this message board during October were from the community...NOT teachers. But my request is to have ALL voices speak so as to be heard. Additionally, the teachers have not received that whopping raise yet...and when they do it will translate to about an extra 30 dollars per paycheck...not much to do at the outlet mall with 30 bucks. My point is this, the level of community engagement with educational issues (above and beyond the contract issue) over the last couple of months has been terribly refreshing. I hope and pray that this level of engagement is not waning again, like it did after the Tibetien Monk Fiasco. Yes, we as humans are inherent reactionary creatures; acting only when forced. However, with our God given intellects, it does not have to be this way. Issues and concerns must continuously be brought to the forefront for reflection, debate and decision. This is where I fear Mr. Dunn's condemnation of anonomous postings may have dampened the spirit of this page. I lay down the gauntlet to those with the will to enjoin the battle. The fact is teachers continuously help the children, and the community will as well, if the dialogue and flow of information continues. Message: 118 of 200 Re: Where'd everyone go?? by: katherine 11/20/00 08:37 pm It is not that the teachers are not still charged up, nor the public. We are at this time thankful to have the situation resolved momentarily. the issue at hand is now the presidential election. Will we have a department of education???? the next issue to attack is to get someone to replace Mr. Adams whose forum is the Butler Eagle. More education is needed. Too many parents are in the dark about the educational system their children are in. We have a very fast paced society. Public education is in a turmoil and the only way is for each person with passion to convince one person at a time to participate. I rely on Mr. Pratt for his information on the board. Look in on this forum after the holidays. The war is in a cease fire, we must prepare the troops through more information. Pass on Mr. Pratt's site that's how I found out, from a friend. Just like every vote should be counted, every voice in our district is important. Thanks Mr.Pratt Message: 119 of 200 Re: My Anonymous Message Board by: Gunny 11/21/00 02:42 pm Please say it ain't so: "Adams then went on to say he would rather have his kid drinking beer than playing soccer"! Knowing a little about being a teenager,having been one many years ago in Slippery Rock, I can tell you what the excuse will be for the next youngster caught drinking. Let's hope it is not in a case of a serious accident. If Adams said that, he needs to resign and slink away. Message: 120 of 200 Re: drinking by: RPratt 11/21/00 07:20 pm He did say it, but I don't think he was trying to encourage underage drinking. Of course killing brain cells playing soccer is much healthier then drinking. This all points out the need for a change by way of the next election. RPratt srschools@aol.com Message: 121 of 200 Random thoughts by: graduate 11/26/00 09:48 pm First, I would like to comment on the contract situation that just passed. Why did the board not sit down with the teachers prior to the expiration of the last contract and work out a deal that would benefit both sides? My guess is that a few certain board members hadn't seen their names in the newspaper for awhile and were starting to get a little anxious. It seems to me that these four board members don't like to, or can't, vote on their own. As for "Mr." Adams, I guess every organization has to have it's trouble maker. Time and time again he has berated members of the public at the school board meetings. He even goes so far as to belittle the faculty and staff of the district. If they were not there to teach, he wouldn't have anywhere to go to release his frustrations. Not once during my years of schooling did I see him in the building during an actual school day, which would make me think that he really doesn't have a clue as to what is going on with the students. I guess the board meetings are his idea of a stress management program from his long days of suction cups. I could go on for much longer about his antics, but that would give him even more satisfaction. Who would want to do that, since he seems to do it himself enough in his rantings anyway? Finally, I have read articles on Mr. Pratt's website mentioning Dr. Barnett and the maintenance department. I use both Dr. and department very loosely. While I'm sure Barnett has a very worhtwhile reason for accusing the various organizations that use the high school baseball field during the summer months of destroying the field, this does not warrant the fact that Barnett and his staff do nothing to maintain the facility during the summer months for the community other than mow the grass every three weeks or so, if we're that lucky. Both of the organizations using the field left the facility in better shape when they were done with it than when their seasons began, no thanks to Barnett. I would just like to know why the district has been paying this man to head the maintenance department when he really does very little for the facilities and tends to cause more problems than he's worth (ie. those wonderful speed bumps that we all love). Maybe a better idea would be to slow the bus drivers down and not let them fly around the school like they accuse the students of doing every year. Alas, the faculty of the district have my utmost respect, well most of them anyway. They stood together as a group and fought for what they deserved in the raise. They have provided me with many experiences to draw from in my first three years of college, and this has been a great benefit to me as well as many of my classmates. As Mr. Consbruck said in his last posting, "Issues and concerns must continuously be brough to th forefront for reflection, debate and decision." I hope this dialogue continues between the public and the board so that the relationship can be productive and beneficial to all parties involved in the future. Message: 122 of 200 Re: Duryea by: wondering 12/01/00 08:22 pm I hear that Dr. Duryea has quit the school board. Is this true? Message: 123 of 200 Re: Duryea by: RPratt 12/02/00 09:13 am I have heard this also. First, he hasn't done so in any official way. Second, I will believe it when I see it. Maybe this Monday night? RPratt Message: 124 of 200 Re: SRHS Athletic Director's position by: b.dabaldo 12/05/00 05:05 pm Does anyone know if the board has hired anyone yet for this position? The vote was supposed to happen on Nov. 21 and I cannot get any official confirmation. The posting for this position had a qualification requirement of FIVE years experience and the SUPPOSED recomended candidate only has one SEMESTER experience. How can this be? The recommended candidate by the Principal has ten YEARS experience and was the only final candidate (their were four "finalists")that met the experience qualification. HOW CAN THIS BE SRHS SCHOOL BOARD? If anyone has any information as to the name of the individual or WHY the board decided against the recommendation of the principal I would like to know. I review this website on a daily basis. Thank You. Message: 125 of 200 pink and blue assembly by: a mother 12/05/00 08:37 pm Why did Mr. Adams cancel the assembly for Moraine? I thought it was my option whether or not my child attended. Oops, silly me! I am only a parent. . .