Many emotional issues will be proposed before the next levy appeal – cutting busing, increasing fees for participating in sports and extracurricular activities, closing schools…The truth is, unlike many previous requests for new money, the public is demanding answers. So far, the “transparency” we hear so much about is becoming increasingly opaque.

This is exactly why I and others are taking the school administration to task. Citizens can work towards keeping the superintendent, treasurer and BOE accountable before voting day. It takes an incredible amount of commitment and time …time one could spend on happier things.

Agreed that SCRG made 4 errors. They do not dispute this. But, they are trying to make the point that this administration used unnecessary means to achieve community support.

Why doesn’t this administration opt for transparency of their affairs? Why doesn’t the BOE open up to more public comments like the previous board did? Why does the treasurer send public records requests to an attorney when the previous treasure handled them at no additional expense? Why did BOE disband the finance committee? Why did staff members take notes at “community engagment meetings and reject citizens ideas when it was time to report to the group? It goes on and on. This superintendent, treasurer and BOE have in actuality limited the citizens’ ability to question them.

The issues raised against the school administration have been done by citizens who do have much background knowledge and experience which they could effectively support and cite with reference materials, examples and dates.

Why not? The over compensation given to terachers is where most of the bloat is.

And I’m glad you’re learning to curb your HATE. It is not becoming.

+++

“Since you know the school has you on your radar, up the ante.”

Now this is true, but isn’t it ironic that a servant of the community (the schools) dares to put its critics in the community of the radar? This is backwards. It is something you’d expect to find in totalitarian countries, not America.

And please don’t cite the Constitution to me. I know what the Bill of Rights are and what your Freedom of Speech says. But you do not have the right to say whatever you want, without consequences. You can not defame, libel or slander someone/thing. Freedom of Speech does NOT give you that protection. I work in a specific industry that deals with this type of freedom everyday. So, spare me your citations as an attempt to think you know what you’re talking about.

It doesn’t matter how many were found to be factual. Taking a claim to the whatever OFFICIAL agency they did is no different than filing a lawsuit. One can make all the claims they want, but it is a matter of PROVING them. Just because most of their claims were unfounded, does not mean that the ones that were hold no merit or their complaint was a joke. Some of you seem to be missing the point because you’re so hellbent on “only” being found guilty of a few misstatements. That’s not the point.

Since you know the school has you on your radar, up the ante. Since you know this is the BS they’re going to go through, BEAT THEM at their own game! I am not defending the BOE in the least. But do NOT give them a reason to do this again. I DO question what they are doing. I stated this before. Heck, I would love to see them recalled and tossed, but that costs money and, quite honestly, is not very effective. But the TRUTH is effective. Misstatements are not. I would have no problem being a member of a group. But c’mon folks. I also stated previously this group can really have a voice. Just be responsible with what you publicly post. That includes writing — using your names — to the Letters to the Editors in the Stow Sentry. I am not a member of any part of the school district or board, but I will have a child going to the school in the next year.

I also hate (oops) when school levies come up because people vote “NO”, but it really hurts the kids, when people are taking their anger out on the Administration. When levies get shot down, the KIDS feel the hurt. We live here for a reason. We send/sent/about to send our kids to this district for a reason. I would vote for a levy if it was on the ballot because it affect US and the kids (although there are some changes I would like to see made that would save the school $$ — and I am not talking teachers salaries).

I’m just saying folks. Like I said, I’m not ripping you — but please — time to move on. Really. I’m going to start attending these board meetings when my schedule permits.

That our school district is so senstitive to criticism that it has to resort to bully tactics is a clear indication of just out of touch it is from the community it is suppose to serve.

And I’m not just speaking about the Mickey Mouse complaints against the Stow Citizens for Responsible Government (SCRG), but also the near habitual reluctence to be forthcoming with requested information, etc.

I can’t wait to see how the administration and its stooges in the community will act when information is pried out of them on the uncoming teachers union contract talks. Left to their own devices, I have the feeling that the Russ Jones administration and the sorry excuse we have for a BOE would like nothing better than to give away the store again.

What angers them …. and what generates their HATE … is that it won’t be as easy to do it this time as it was last.

I wish you held the school administration to the same lofty standards you do this citizens group. You seem to find the superintendent’s “facts” very palatable.

I’m glad SCRG gives people of varying opinions the opportunity to post here. I’ll bet they don’t even HATE you for it. They probably won’t even call you “irresponsible, baseless, uneducated, embarrassing or pathetic.”

So you are satisfied that SCRG is being held accountable for two “facts” that were incorrect. It is good that the public is reading. It would be better if the public did some questioning and research without the “same couple of people” doing it for them. Why aren’t more people concerned about the actions of the superintendent, treasurer and BOE?

Is it really factual to say that these same couple of people are innacurate and ignorant?

So much could be said here…..What about the majority of the information posted which was not be found to be innaccurate? If the postings here that were found to be innacurate by the commission are worthy of “HATE”, certainly the postings that ARE accurate should arouse more than “suspicion.”

This is a good opportunity to discuss just what is accurate and what is not. Let’s get down to the details. What do you think of the district spending over $20,000 for attorneys fees before the BOE voted to do so?