In today's Tribune, we find this:
Communication Still Problem For Hillsborough Schools
Read more commentary here:
Lee Drury De Cesare's Casting-Room Couch: The "Poor Communication" Racket
and here:
TheWall: DON'T CALL US WE'LL CALL YOU
Are teachers and parents like the lead singer in this song by Lonestar?
For auditory learners, watch here:
YouTube - Lonestar - No News
For reader learners, read here:
"She said "It's just a woman thing" and pulled out of the drive
I said not to worry I'm an understanding guy.
I've heard that when you love someone, you gotta let em go.
She hollered "When I find myself you'll be the first to know."
Ooh No news
I learned to do the laundry, feed the cat, and clean the house.
I promised to be patient while she worked her problems out.
When she packed her bags, her destination wasn't clear;
But I sensed that her intentions were honest and sincere.
Ooh No news
She could telephone, tell a friend, tell a lie about where she's been.
Send a pigeon, send a fax; Write it on a post-it pad.
Send a signal up in smoke, tap it out in Morse Code.
I'd prefer a bad excuse to no news
Her mama's been a little vague as to her whereabouts.
Her sister says "I'm certain your romance is headed south."
I don't have a single doubt that she's still in love;
My level of anxiety is just a product of
Ooh No news
She could telephone, tell a friend, tell a lie about where she's been.
Send a pigeon, send a fax; Write it on a post-it pad.
Send a signal up in smoke, tap it out in Morse Code.
I'd prefer a bad excuse
She missed her bus, missed her plane; surely this can be explained.
Lost her car at the mall; got locked in a bathroom stall.
Playing guitar with The Band; on the road with Pearl Jam.
Buried with The Grateful Dead; came back as a Parrot Head.
Got derailed, got de-iced; offered as a sacrifice.
FBI, CIA; if they've seen her they ain't saying.
No news
Still no news!" Lonestar - No News
Showing posts with label Steve Hegarty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Hegarty. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Who Will "They" Hire- Part Three
Hillsborough School Bus Administrator Retiring
From the reader comments we now have this one. I have highlighted the sentence that got my attention:
"Posted by ( hhrusso ) on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jack Davis has been much more than Transportation administrator. After 34 years of service he is very deserving of his retirement. He served the district as an instructor, principal, and administrator. I wish he and his family much happiness in his retirement.
Some of these comments are pure trash. Some Board Members vote on something and then blame anyone but themselves. It is unfortunate that this transportation conversion had some very serious giltches. What you do not here is how everyone is pitching in to get it all on track. With a district the size of Hillsborough it is a difficult task at best.
If everyone would step back and take responsibility for their own that would be great. Parents - it is YOUR responsibility to get your children to and from school. Busing is a SERVICE!!!
Superintendent Elia you have my support. It is a pity that people are so narrow minded that they can't see the good you have done and continue to do for our children. Thank you. Board members take a hard look on what you have before you lose it. You have a leader that is recognized nationwide for her accomplishments. Pity you do not see it at home.
Now watch all the little minds jump on a positive posting with even more simple minded comments."
*****************
Remember when I talked about how the public school system decides to provide something to the public for "free"? Remember when I talked about that when this "free" provision becomes too costly for the school system, the system discontinues the "free" provision. Remember when I talked about how the public then becomes angry and frustrated when something is taken away? Remember how I talked about that when the parents get angry for losing this "free" provision, the school system blames the parents for being irresponsible? Remember when I said that everyone forgets that the school system started the mess by offering a "free" provision.
I conceptualized this when I read the article about "free" breakfast being offered by the school system. What do you think is going to happen when the "free" breakfast is taken away? Parents will be blamed for not being responsible for giving their children breakfast and everyone will forget that the school system was the one that started the dependency.
PRO on HCPS: Blaming Parents 101
From the reader comments we now have this one. I have highlighted the sentence that got my attention:
"Posted by ( hhrusso ) on August 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jack Davis has been much more than Transportation administrator. After 34 years of service he is very deserving of his retirement. He served the district as an instructor, principal, and administrator. I wish he and his family much happiness in his retirement.
Some of these comments are pure trash. Some Board Members vote on something and then blame anyone but themselves. It is unfortunate that this transportation conversion had some very serious giltches. What you do not here is how everyone is pitching in to get it all on track. With a district the size of Hillsborough it is a difficult task at best.
If everyone would step back and take responsibility for their own that would be great. Parents - it is YOUR responsibility to get your children to and from school. Busing is a SERVICE!!!
Superintendent Elia you have my support. It is a pity that people are so narrow minded that they can't see the good you have done and continue to do for our children. Thank you. Board members take a hard look on what you have before you lose it. You have a leader that is recognized nationwide for her accomplishments. Pity you do not see it at home.
Now watch all the little minds jump on a positive posting with even more simple minded comments."
*****************
Remember when I talked about how the public school system decides to provide something to the public for "free"? Remember when I talked about that when this "free" provision becomes too costly for the school system, the system discontinues the "free" provision. Remember when I talked about how the public then becomes angry and frustrated when something is taken away? Remember how I talked about that when the parents get angry for losing this "free" provision, the school system blames the parents for being irresponsible? Remember when I said that everyone forgets that the school system started the mess by offering a "free" provision.
I conceptualized this when I read the article about "free" breakfast being offered by the school system. What do you think is going to happen when the "free" breakfast is taken away? Parents will be blamed for not being responsible for giving their children breakfast and everyone will forget that the school system was the one that started the dependency.
PRO on HCPS: Blaming Parents 101
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Who Will "They" Hire- Part Two
Embattled Bus Administrator Retiring
As always, read the public comments.
My previous post asked the question "would the person be hired by how long they have worked for the District?"
Please read "Peas" post - the last two sentences (copied below).
Am I the only one that thinks that promotions to administrative positions are based on the "life time of sacrifice" that one has given to the District, therefore they will be rewarded simply based on this criteria?
Does the District promote "The Peter Principle"?
Are people promoted to positions of responsibilities based on their qualifications to meet the job requirement?
Does a person who was first a teacher and then a principal gain the required knowledge to "Direct" or "Supervise" any area in the District?
Has anyone looked at the job history of the current Director of Exceptional Special Education? Is there anyone out there that knows what qualified her for this position?
The same question could be as asked for all of the ESE positions.
"Posted by ( Peas ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cannot in any way say that what happened is acceptable. However please consider, Hillsborough County Schools has 193K kids and 40K employees in one county almost the size of Rhode Island. It is inconceivable that any business process being recreated from the top down would not cause construction inconveniences/mishaps. I do not in any way mean to down play the problems. But it was NO ONE PERSONS GOAL to ever cause this intentionally to the parents or students of this county. Employees of Hillsborough County Schools are expected do more and more with less and less. Ask anyone who works there in any capacity and you will develop an understanding. Although he made a good salary, he was one individual. His job description shows his responsibility. In every aspect of industry the county school system pays its employees FAR LESS than that of private sector employees for the work performed. Maintenance staff, custodians, BUS DRIVERS, food service workers, clerical staff...etc...etc... receive nickels and dimes comparatively and are expected to produce superior results. This administrator did not start off making this salary. He worked in the school system and contributed to the greater good for decades before making the money he made. ANYONE would expect that kind of compensation after that personal investment of time and dedication vs. responsibility."
As always, read the public comments.
My previous post asked the question "would the person be hired by how long they have worked for the District?"
Please read "Peas" post - the last two sentences (copied below).
Am I the only one that thinks that promotions to administrative positions are based on the "life time of sacrifice" that one has given to the District, therefore they will be rewarded simply based on this criteria?
Does the District promote "The Peter Principle"?
Are people promoted to positions of responsibilities based on their qualifications to meet the job requirement?
Does a person who was first a teacher and then a principal gain the required knowledge to "Direct" or "Supervise" any area in the District?
Has anyone looked at the job history of the current Director of Exceptional Special Education? Is there anyone out there that knows what qualified her for this position?
The same question could be as asked for all of the ESE positions.
"Posted by ( Peas ) on August 28, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I cannot in any way say that what happened is acceptable. However please consider, Hillsborough County Schools has 193K kids and 40K employees in one county almost the size of Rhode Island. It is inconceivable that any business process being recreated from the top down would not cause construction inconveniences/mishaps. I do not in any way mean to down play the problems. But it was NO ONE PERSONS GOAL to ever cause this intentionally to the parents or students of this county. Employees of Hillsborough County Schools are expected do more and more with less and less. Ask anyone who works there in any capacity and you will develop an understanding. Although he made a good salary, he was one individual. His job description shows his responsibility. In every aspect of industry the county school system pays its employees FAR LESS than that of private sector employees for the work performed. Maintenance staff, custodians, BUS DRIVERS, food service workers, clerical staff...etc...etc... receive nickels and dimes comparatively and are expected to produce superior results. This administrator did not start off making this salary. He worked in the school system and contributed to the greater good for decades before making the money he made. ANYONE would expect that kind of compensation after that personal investment of time and dedication vs. responsibility."
Who Will "They" Hire- Part One
Embattled Bus Administrator Retiring
I first met Mr. Davis in the early years of the 90's. Colson Elementary was opening. Since I do not have time to elaborate, I will just say that I encountered both pros and cons with Mr. Davis. Maybe I could write more on that later.
The question we should all be asking today is what will be the hiring process to replace Mr. Davis. Will the new person be picked simply because how long they have worked in the District?
I first met Mr. Davis in the early years of the 90's. Colson Elementary was opening. Since I do not have time to elaborate, I will just say that I encountered both pros and cons with Mr. Davis. Maybe I could write more on that later.
The question we should all be asking today is what will be the hiring process to replace Mr. Davis. Will the new person be picked simply because how long they have worked in the District?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round
In today's Tampa Tribune, we have this:
Parents Right To Be Upset Over District's Debacle With Bus Stops
As usual, read the comments.
Am I the only one that thinks that the District people think that the transportation department should be graded on effort, not, as the Tribune states, on "create(ing) a system that met their constituents' needs."?
Communication is a reciprocal relationship. I know that school systems are not businesses, but simply making a check mark that a missive was sent does not mean communication occurred. There is nothing more frustrating for the top dog person to be told "well, I handed out the flyer, I left a message on the phone, or I sent a note home with the kid". If the question is asked "did communication occur", and if no one knows the answer, the attempts fell short of their goal.
Salespeople know this well. They send the message, and then they follow it up with a personal connection. That is how salespeople make money. Like it or not, without true communication, school systems need true communication with parents and students.
Blame everyone you want, without real communication, systems fail.
Parents Right To Be Upset Over District's Debacle With Bus Stops
As usual, read the comments.
Am I the only one that thinks that the District people think that the transportation department should be graded on effort, not, as the Tribune states, on "create(ing) a system that met their constituents' needs."?
Communication is a reciprocal relationship. I know that school systems are not businesses, but simply making a check mark that a missive was sent does not mean communication occurred. There is nothing more frustrating for the top dog person to be told "well, I handed out the flyer, I left a message on the phone, or I sent a note home with the kid". If the question is asked "did communication occur", and if no one knows the answer, the attempts fell short of their goal.
Salespeople know this well. They send the message, and then they follow it up with a personal connection. That is how salespeople make money. Like it or not, without true communication, school systems need true communication with parents and students.
Blame everyone you want, without real communication, systems fail.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Sex At The Bus Stop
Maybe it is just because we have too much information.
Remember the good old days when ignorance was bliss?
It appears from the public education system, parents just can't ever get it right.
Today we have two articles about the HCPS:
Try All Routes For Bus Stop Details
School bus stop, close to known sex offenders, worries Hillsborough parent
In the first article "Try All Routes For Bus Stop Details", the public just can't get it right. If the public tried to plan ahead and called earlier during the summer, they were told to wait for the mailer. Now that the mailer didn't get there, the public didn't get it right because they should have called two weeks ago: "It's two days before school," Hegarty said. "It was much easier to get through two weeks ago."
In the story "School bus stop, close to known sex offenders, worries Hillsborough parent", it is unclear about the timeline of when the parent first knew about the original bus stop site, but it appears that she knew it a while back. One could make this assumption because she became concerned when she found out that the bus site had been moved closer to the cluster of sex offenders which also includes a sex predator. Having a sex predator close to a bus stop along with the fact that it has now been publicly brought to the attention of the school system must increase liability to act, I am guessing.
According to the story, the parent had called the system to report the issue, but it wasn't until the parent contacted a reporter who then asked questions to the system did things start to be looked at. I am willing to bet that there will be no record found that the parent had contacted the District. But that is just me.
Remember the good old days when ignorance was bliss?
It appears from the public education system, parents just can't ever get it right.
Today we have two articles about the HCPS:
Try All Routes For Bus Stop Details
School bus stop, close to known sex offenders, worries Hillsborough parent
In the first article "Try All Routes For Bus Stop Details", the public just can't get it right. If the public tried to plan ahead and called earlier during the summer, they were told to wait for the mailer. Now that the mailer didn't get there, the public didn't get it right because they should have called two weeks ago: "It's two days before school," Hegarty said. "It was much easier to get through two weeks ago."
In the story "School bus stop, close to known sex offenders, worries Hillsborough parent", it is unclear about the timeline of when the parent first knew about the original bus stop site, but it appears that she knew it a while back. One could make this assumption because she became concerned when she found out that the bus site had been moved closer to the cluster of sex offenders which also includes a sex predator. Having a sex predator close to a bus stop along with the fact that it has now been publicly brought to the attention of the school system must increase liability to act, I am guessing.
According to the story, the parent had called the system to report the issue, but it wasn't until the parent contacted a reporter who then asked questions to the system did things start to be looked at. I am willing to bet that there will be no record found that the parent had contacted the District. But that is just me.
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