Littlestown School Discussions

There is a big difference between a nationally publicized election and a local school board election that isn't publicized at all.

Saying "I didn't know" is not a cop-out at all. It is a fact. I would say that the majority of people don't know how the election process works before the day of election. My friend who was interested in perhaps running for a seat missed the deadline to file by a couple of days. He did what he was supposed to do to find out how to file - he was being responsible - he just didn't do it in time because he didn't know.

It was only as he was looking into running himself did he find out that 5 seats were up for election. This is what I see as irresponsibility on the part of the school district - not keeping the community informed on what seats, if any, are up for election. Once the seats are advertised, then people can find out what to do if they want to run.

Besides, a precedent has been set in the past in this district. It is a known fact that school board members have personally called or emailed certain community members about open seats and what to do to run for them. Add to that the fact that when a seat becomes vacant - like in Bob's case or when Wantz resigned - the board advertises in the paper for a replacement instead of relying on people calling in or relying on the Littlestown grapevine. Of course, it is understandable that they would advertise these positions because they are board-appointed, not citizen-elected, and the board has the final say on who fills the position. They can put anyone they want in there and not have to deal with the ones who apply who might not agree with them when it comes down to a vote.

Alerting only some people - those they want to run - is not being responsible. It is stacking the deck and is shady politics.

And, just as an aside, the vocal minority are the only ones who complain because the majority knows most elected officials really don't listen. It might be interesting for you to know that I don't lump you into that category as a board member. I have heard from my most trusted friends that you are a different breed, boltpride, and will listen and investigate, so kudos to you on that. It is not like that with all elected officials, however, and I think you will agree with me on that.

For future reference all elections for school board are handled the same way every year and the county board of elections is the contact source. I for one was not recruited, for various reasons, but when I decided to get involved I did my homework. Not knowing the election process is the fault of the individual not the system. There are many things I do not know about, but I do not expect someone to walk me through it, I take it upon myself to get educated. Yes people have been recruited in the past to run and this was one of my reasons for running. As for vacated seats, by law we are to advertise for them and we have thirty days to fill a seat or a judge will assign someone. Those that apply are interviewed by the board and then a vote is taken. Now is your friends chance to apply and get interviewed. Call Dr. Wills if you have any questions on what to do.

Thank you for the compliment, but I think there are more people out there that listen and try to make a positive impact. Many times what we want to do and what we can do because of the law, finances etc. make it look like we don't listen. My short time on the board has been eye opening and made me more aware of what big government shoves down the pipeline for us little guys to handle, i.e. unfunded mandates, No Child Left Behind.

Please take the time to get involved by attending board meetings and the meetings Dr. Wills holds to update the community. Yes it takes time and we are all busy, but if it is worth the time to discuss here, it is well worth the time to share with more than this little group. Make you voice heard and you may be surprised by who listens.

Bolt mom- One more thing. While I don't always agree with what you have to say, I do enjoy the banter.

boltpride ... thanks. While I don't always agree with what you have to say either, I do enjoy the banter as well.

All school board positions are 4 year terms. Not all 9 positions turnover in the same 4 year cycle. They alternate every 2 years. If 4 positions are up after this year, then the other 5 will be up in 2011. It has always been that way, at least as far as I can remember.

Rarely are there 4 or 5 challengers to the 4 or 5 seats up for re-election. Board members have recruited people to run when a member is not running for re-election. The seat has to be filled either by election or court appointment. Better by election than by court appointment. I tried to encourage several people to run when I was involved. Getting good people involved is difficult and most have to be encouraged to do so.

What I don't intend to insinuate is that existing board members don't recruit or encourage others with like ideas or ideology to run for open seats. Of course they do, just like in any other similar situation.
 
One person equals one vote on a board or council. It takes 5 votes, or a majority, on a school board to get something approved. Getting anything of substance changed requires convincing at least 4 other board members to vote with you. Some are better at that task than others.

 Regardless, we are better served with people who are honest, have a high level of common sense, have no personal agenda to promote and have the very best interest of the people they represent at heart.

 Those are the one's I always still try to encourage to run.

"What I don't intend to insinuate is that existing board members don't recruit or encourage others with like ideas or ideology to run for open seats. Of course they do, just like in any other similar situation."

Thank you for clarifying, Cap. What bothers me is that this goes on without alerting the entire voting public to the open seats. If board members can recruit specific people, then they can make the rest of the public aware of the openings as well. An announcement should be put on the website concerning any seat up for election. It's the responsible thing to do.

Edited by author 03-29-2009 02:02 PM
Perhaps a "term ending ____" notation could be added to the "School Board" info. page on the web site.

I really wish more people would take enough of an interest to run every 2 years. But it really is tough to get people interested for the right reasons.
It really is a thankless job that takes much more time and effort, to be productive, than most realize. Not that most I know and knew ever served expecting any "thanks", but negative perceptions seem to be more the norm, sometimes deserving but often times not.

Cap- You got the thankless part right, except for the thank you for raising our taxes! Wait I guess that was a bronx cheer!! I wish more people would take an active role year round and not just when a hot button issue arises. Guess we can take comfort in the large salary and the bonuses. Sorry that is the AIG executives. Seriously though, it is a thankless job but one that those that serve take seriously and strive to make a difference. No money, no thanks, public scrutiny $0. One child getting a quality education, priceless!!!!

SO, there is a meeting tonight for support staff union to discuss the contract. Non union members can go, but cant vote or speak. But still need to show up to support the contract one way or another. HS library at 6:30pm.

Fall is upon us and soon it will be back to school. Coming up, Rolling Acres and Alloway Creek schools will receive flyers about joining us at Pack 501 cub scouts. I also would like to invite any Maple Avenue Middle school boys to join Troop 501 as well. We will doing a recruitment drive there also. Scouts is about learning to become the leaders of tomorrow, self worth, and respecting others. See our link under Civic organizations on the borough website for Littlestown or via Littlestown Area Historical Society.

ladybo7: I have been part of the support staff for a year now and haven't been approaced about joining the union. Do I need to contact someone?

UM. yeah if that is what you choose. Just ask any support staff person or bus driver and they can direct you to the person you need to speak to about joining. I MYSELF, am not in the union and have no plans to join. But that is me. Before the union came in, we got raises every year, pretty sad that we havent' had a raise in over 3 years. We aren't no better off then before. So who knows.

The Littlestown community and school district has lost a very committed and much loved educator and friend. Friday afternoon, George Wherley, husband of Diane, father of Doug and Lisa, lost his battle with cancer. George was a long time supporter of all things Thunderbolts, academics and athletics alike. Blue and gold throughout, George was an active supporter of all his "kids" and fought a brave battle against an indifferent disease that seemingly takes some of the most treasured, caring, and influential people from us too soon. George will be remembered as having a gentle and calming effect on people as well as an expectation for excellence for all his students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wherley family as we all remember and celebrate his life and his legacy.

Yes George will be missed. He was a great teacher and person. Thoughts and prayers will be with his family and friends.

A conversation I had last night with the parents of a 4th grader has me pretty appalled at what our elementary kids aren't being taught regarding basic math, vocabulary and writing. I encourage parents with similar concerns to meet with the Superintendent.
This website has much useful ammunition to counter the current politically correct, progressive curriculum in many of our schools. Of particular interest is the "lesson plans" link.

http://coreknowledge.org/CK/index.htm