I received the following e-mail from Tim Nance, a teacher at Homecroft Elementary. With his permission I’m posting his e-mail on this site.
I am astounded at the fact that four of you board members left tonight’s board meeting without listening to your constituents. I had prepared remarks, signed up to speak, and waited patiently to get a chance to propose a resolution to the turmoil we have with the school board and Dr. Williams. To say that I am disappointed and quite upset that the four of you would leave hundreds of people just because many of them disagree with your actions is a gross understatement. Do you not care to hear what the public thinks? That is the perception. We, the people of Perry Twp. are getting angrier with you four and your total disregard for us more and more at each board meeting. Please resign.
Tim Nance
Once again a total lack of professionalism and total disregard to their constituents. They’re like the little kid in the neighborhood, who when he doesn’t get his way, takes his ball and runs home. Grow Up!
Were you sitting patiently as the 70 people stood and shouted, “You Four Need to Go!” Because in my opinion, and note that I am not on either side here as I am listening to both sides to gather more information, I wouldn’t want to sit there and listen to people rant and turn into some kind of angry mob just because they didn’t agree with what was said. Just like you didn’t appreciate them leaving and not listening to you. As was witnessed at the meeting last night, the school board President, Susan Adams, gave a timeline to support what events had occurred to bring them to where they are now. Yes there was personal comment in there, but I believe there was also fact and isn’t that what we all wanted to hear? I believe whenever her website is available, those facts will be on there and then we can all do a little investigating of our own to uncover what is fact and what is fiction. It is all public record right?! It is hard to believe what is truth and what is fiction right now as it seems everyone is personally involved on both sides and obviously with that there is going to be emotion displayed. But why sit there for two hours being a disrespectful audience? Why do you think you have the right to be heard after disrespecting the board as a whole? And I am not saying you personally, I’m stating as a whole audience there was a lot of disrespect out there last night. I heard people talking when Steve Maple was speaking, I heard people whispering and jeering with things that Gayle Houchins stated as well as the other four “gang of four” as they are so often called. So even if you support Dr. Williams or are against Dr. Williams in that meeting last night, there’s no reason to react the way that the audience did. As of right now, in my opinion, the supporters of Dr. Williams that were in attendance last night spoke volumes to me. I plan on doing my research as others have done to find out the truth.
My question is did they call on the people that didn’t get a chance to speak at the LAST board meeting? There were 11 people at that meeting that were told they would be allowed to speak at this meeting.
To Kelly M.
I agree with you that the meeting got out of hand and I wouldn’t want to sit up there and listen to what is being said. But, they are elected officials. They asked for this position. It is OUR RIGHT to speak and THEIR RESPONSIBILITY to listen. If they are not going to listen to the people who elected them then why are they there?
I wish everyone involved would be respectful of each other, but since they are the elected officials, they should try to lead by example and be respectful to everyone even if they are not receiving that respect in return. That is their responsibility.
Kelly M, I believe the shouting of “you four need to go” didn’t start until they got up to walk out of the meeting. Yes, Susan Adams sat up there and gave us a time line, that is all we wanted? What I would like is to see the proof of what she is stating without out her personal comments. She is suppose to be representing us and her personal comments are uncalled for. In order to get respect you have to earn it, I have been to several meetings and they have in no way earned my respect. They are to be our voice, they are to stand up for us and they are not doing that. If they would just sit and listen to what others had to say without rolling their eyes, talking to one another then it would be peaceful. yes, some resort to name calling and distasteful tastics but it is the way of life we can’t all behave they way others expect. I believe that they started the name calling, and the disrepectful behavior. What comes around goes around, if you can dish it better be able to take it and they proved last night that they do not have the ability to stand up and take it.
I could not make last night’s meeting but I heard Ms Adams detailed some allegations. Would someone please list the high points of what she had to say?
What did she indicate were charges against Dr. Williams?
I was at the meeting last night. It wasn’t until the 4 school board members stated that they were leaving, picked up their items, and started to depart did the crown start the chant, “You Four Must Go”.
People have asked for supporting documentation. Presentation is everything! Mrs. Adams waited until the comments at the end of the meeting. It was unprofessional and inappropriate. The other three board members should have received that information prior to the meeting. In my opinion, she abused her authority. In addition, she blatanly added information to her finance committee report that others in attendance openly stated that they didn’t recall that information. She admitted that the way they behaved was “learned behavior” from Dr. Williams.
What kind of example are they setting for our children. As we all know, there are conversations that go on behind closed doors that we don’t allow our children to witness. For Susan Adams to publicly state that so sarcastically out in the open and for the papers to read is offensive. I don’t agree with all of the comments that have been posted by both sides. However, she is the school board president. She has higher standards to uphold. She is unprofessional, childish, unprepared, rude, arrogant,and the list goes on and on. I have told my children about her activities and used that as an example of how not to behave or act.
It was a shameful night for Perry Township Schools As Susan Adams remarked last night, they will not be remembered for the great things that they have done. I wonder why!!
I attended the board meeting yesterday, January 22, 2007. These board meetings are always interesting to say the least. I wonder how many present, realized that Susan Adams was explaining their position regarding Dr. Williams and trying to answer many of our questions?
In an earlier comment on We Support Williams (WSW) there were questions about Mrs. Thompson’s concerns and Mr. Bailey’s presence at the Finance Committee Meeting. I think Mrs. Adams was attempting to address these issues when she read what was discussed at the finance meeting. Additionally, I think she also touched on their other issues with Dr. Williams, (Mr. Maple was quick to point out that these additional issues were not discussed at the meeting). Some of the items related to the Coke Fund…was it a slush fund for DR Williams? Employee buyouts w/o board approval, paying for travel expenses w/o receipts, hiring consultants w/o board approval, incentives for Edison employees, and those $700 tenderloin dinners.
At the end of the board meeting, when the board members get to comment, Mrs. Adams read a multiple page dissertation. I had the impression that she was finally answering some of the questions we have been asking. She supported her position with dates, names and places. Some of the issues touched on was hiring Attorney Bailey, Dr. Williams last performance review, the controversial “burn your house down, shotgun - BB gun” comments., Edison contract renewal comments, etc. I commend her for attempting to explain their position in the DR. Williams investigation. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was immediately understood by most of the public in attendance. From my perspective in the audience, their points seemed to get lost within all the dates, names and places (although, I prefer facts to hearsay). I am hopeful, once we have the opportunity to read what they have written, we will realize they were trying to convey their reasons for the actions taken.
Emotions run high on both sides of the issue and these board meetings are a very hostile environment. I think we need to be mindful of how our tone and actions are perceived by others, especially those with opposing viewpoints. I may not agree with some point of view, but I do think they have the right to express it without being interrupted.
I do think the public has a right to be heard. Attempting to restrict the public comments to 15 minutes or closing the meeting after the first comment, only aggravates the hostility felt by others. If we are to resolve this quagmire, we need to keep the lines of communication open. I believe a public forum will benefit both sides, providing we can keep it civil.
Does anyone know where I can find a copy of the school board’s bylaws? I can’t seem to find them anywhere and I would like to be well versed in the rules and regulations that they should be following. Since I had never heard of the 15 minute rule before last night, I wonder what else there is that we should know about.
While I understand Kelly M.’s response to what happened last night with the chanting (I am assuming this may have been her first board meeting), I would like to say this. When the public has been oppressed, constantly lied to, belittled, scolded and humiliated because we want answers – sometimes you just can’t take it anymore and emotions get the best of you. After all, this is about our children and our hard-earned money. Those two things are very emotional items.
The fact that the board majority thinks they can interrupt anyone at any given moment, however not allow anyone to speak to them (even their own board members) is not what I would call a board that is working for the children or the residents of Perry Township. It’s called an abuse of power. This fiasco has been going on for months now. We, the voters, need to hold them accountable for their actions. What I witnessed last night was pure childish behavior on the part of the board’s majority and just plain pure frustration of the people in the audience – because the board majority will not sincerely listen to us. I have really tried to keep an open mind during this entire ordeal; however, they have not given me anything to work with. The public doesn’t walk out when we don’t agree with the actions of the board; however, they feel it necessary to walk out before people can speak? That is oppression in every sense of the word. What is extremely frustrating is that the business of education is not being conducted. Who is going to suffer the most in this? The children and the taxpayers! Because when our quality teachers start finding positions in other townships, the children lose! When the taxpayers have to start giving more of our hard earned money to clean up this mess, the taxpayers lose! I understand that there will be disagreements because people don’t always agree. However, when it has been taken to this extreme, there is a serious problem. I see the minority board members trying to stay positive and work on the issue of children, I do not see that from the majority board members. All we are asking for is a competent board that can work WITH our superintendent/administration, our parents, our teachers, our voters and work FOR our children! Right now, none of that is being accomplished!
One of the problems I have regarding the comments from the board president last night was that the minority board members were not privy to such information before the meeting. She was hiding behind the comments section of the meeting. Another thing that was made clear last night, many of the “facts” were not truthful.
What will it take for them to bring this township back together? In my opinion – their resignations!
You can contact the Director of Personnel. Call the administration building and ask for that office.
Anthony,
I believe that you may take a look at the board policy manuel at the PTEC building. I also believe that it cannot leave the building but is open for public viewing. If you call the general number, 789-3700, and tell them what you want I believe they could point you in the right direction.
Good luck!
I must respectfully disagree with Owen. I feel most in the audience understood perfectly everything Susan Adams was trying to say. I just don’t think most people in the audience agree with her or even believe she is telling the truth. So much of her statement was fraught with inuendo and her own personal bias and disdain for Dr. Williams. Also, many of us know firsthand the reality of the incidents she was citing and realize they were bits and pieces, out of context, and partial truths at best. That is why she recieved the response that she did, certainly not from a lack of undertanding. The vast majority of the audience was clearly intelligent enough to understand Susan’s comments, and also to realize the lunacy of them.
A different perspective than Susan Adams.
In her closing comments, she stated that a headline read that it was the first no vote for Dr. Williams in twelve years. She went on to state that Dr. Williams never brought anything to a vote unless he was sure that he had a yes vote.
At one meeting, we are told that the board did everything that Dr. Williams wanted. I’ve personally heard that accusations that they were the cause of the problem. However, at last night’s meeting, we are told that Dr. Williams only presented to the board items that he knew would pass. So which is it — was the board irresponsible before or was Dr. Williams not airing differences in opinions of the school board and the superintendent? Did he pick his battles?
I’m not sure if that is the proper way to do things or not. However, it seems like a very politically correct and professional image to present to the public. It is an image that I was much more comfortable as a parent in the community over the current public image that is now presented which makes me very uneasy.
Owen,
controversial “burn your house down, shotgun - BB gun” comments., Edison contract renewal comments, etc. I commend her for attempting to explain their position in the DR. Williams investigation. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was immediately understood by most of the public in attendance. From my perspective in the audience, their points seemed to get lost within all the dates, names and places (although, I prefer facts to hearsay). I am hopeful, once we have the opportunity to read what they have written, we will realize they were trying to convey their reasons for the actions taken.
Those were your words, I would like to say that it should have been Mrs. Walsh that presented this time line because from what I have seen it is her time line again for Mrs Adams she was not at this meeting the context of which these statements were said could have been taken wrong, see Nancy is the one that attended the meeting when these things were said, the supporting documentation that she was waving around were mainly address to Nancy except for a 1 or two were sent to all board members, but the meeting information that you are referring too is all Mrs. Walsh information so why was Mrs. Adams presenting it, and if you have the supporting documentation put it up on the screen that is what it is for. I personally am at the point now I want to take back perry schools how ever that is going to happen it must happen. As for Tenderloin dinners and salaries really if our schools are good and our main funds are not in the negative what is it to us? I work for a large corporation that make lots of money, they take money from consumers left and right but you know what they supply me with a job, health insurance and security so what the CEO’s and higher ups do have at it as long as my stock is still there and no illegal action has happened. Personally I could care less about company cars, etc. if I wanted to put that much time into my job then I would I could move up the latter but that responsibility of taking care of MORE then myself and family I don’t want. That is why Dr Williams makes the money he makes, he worked hard, got his education and got himself where he wants to be.
It is all getting out of hand and someone needs to take control I just don’t think the board members have what it takes right now all the mediation and facilitators in the world are not going to help now. There is too much haterd.
The intricate details of running a multi million dollar corporation are daunting. I am certain that is why we pay people to look after those details. I don’t beleive it is up to the school board to micro mange these areas. If they have concerns about expenditures and procedures then create new policies to prevent problems for the future. Stomping around, and having temper tantrums like pre-schoolers is no way to resolve anything. These “four” are a blight to our township. They have no clue how a large corporation should be run.
Gail I hope you file charges against Nancy Walsh. It may be the only way to get her into anger management. Maybe the judge can get a multi patient discount!
Dear Mrs. Adams:
Why are you using school property, i.e. you computer to communicate your personal business related to Perry Township?
Ms. Decatur Twnshp,
If this is true, then I believe that it would be unethical and against the Decatur Township policy. I do hope that someone is investigating this issue. We certainly don’t want our ‘madam president’ to abuse her powers of administration in Decatur!! From what I hear, people get “put on paid administrative leave” for things like that!! :0)