Here is a link to most of the Indiana papers:

http://www.statelib.lib.in.us/WWW/ISL/indiana/newspaper/newsmenu.html

http://imaps.indygov.org/GovntProfile/default.asp

Is she attempting to be a “behind the scenes” administrator? Her leave is questionable at best.

I have a few comments on the following statements:

“Good leaders are wise people. Wise people know when to be quiet. They listen. They know how to take advice from those with more experience. They show respect.”

“Adams openly challenged Associate Superintendent Bill Brown’s expertise on the construction matter. Brown, the poor man, is retiring. Board member Steve Maple thanked Brown for his “exemplary” service and noted that his departure was partly due to “despicable maligning” by some board members.”

Please read the following minutes from Franklin Township School. Start at the Paragraph titled “Appointment of Construction Management Firm For Bond Projects” It is a long read but I think you will find it very interesting. It starts about half way down on page 4 and goes Thur page 12.
The construction company Perry Township (Bill Brown) wants to hire for this 43 million dollar job is Skillman.
The board ask to have bids on this job rather than just assign it to Skillman.

http://www.ftcsc.k12.in.us/board/minutes/minutes012306.pdf

In reading these minutes you will find that Skillman was going to OVER CHARGE Franklin Schools when there were NO BIDS. When they had bids, Skillman dropped their price by ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS in one afternoon.
By having bids at Franklin Township, they SAVED ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. So, I’d say that the board did a GOOD thing by asking for bids. What do you say?
Just a point I wanted to make with proof to back it up.
Why does Bill Brown want to retire?
Investigation in the Finance Dept.? Makes one wonder.
Also, I watched the video from 11/13/06. Everyone talks about how rude Susan is with her timer. Watch the video, Gayle Houchin is the ONE WHO had this ideal, and to time them by 2 minutes. People gets your facts straight. It was Gayle who wanted the 2 minutes, and the timer.
The comment made by Steve Maple was, HIS OPINION. Completely out of line. Steve and Gayle do everything they can to throw road blocks in the road.

It’s people like this, Who call people liars, and have opinions, and when one does not agree with hers, then it is always the other persons fault. This teacher knows where I stand in all of this mess, and SHE personally has told my kids that “They were being winged by the wrong side.” In other words, Your parents are wrong. What right does she have to tell my kids this? NONE. She does NOT KNOW me only of me. And I don’t send my kids to school to have HER cram HER OPINION down their throat. That’s my opinion.

Taken from the TBPS’s web-site.

Janet Pernell Says:
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:43 pm
To John Smith:
I also work at Southport High School and you are not describing my school or my classroom. Do I sometimes have disrespectful students? Of course I do. In most cases, it only takes a phone call home to find out why the child is like he/she is. In those instances, you just have to teach the child the best that you can and hope to reach something inside them. There isn’t a John Smith that teaches at Southport High School. However, you have provided me with enough information to go to my deans and my principals to find out if anything that you said happened, actually did. I will find out the real truth and post later.

First, I am not a liar. This would be one more thing that you and I don’t agree on.
I would believe what my children tell me over what you would say any day of the week.
As far as your challenge, how stupid. Like any child at SHS is going to tell a teacher at SHS that he/she is a liar. But more importantly, I would never put a child in that position.
Are you also going to say that Jill Reynolds - Dean of Girls,(2004-2006) Didn’t get ran over in the parking lot by a student last year? And SHS let the student back into school in 5 days?
One more thing, I’m glad you teach Math and not English.

By the way…if you want to critique someone’s English, you should check you own. It’s “run”, not “ran” over.

“The New Dean” was not a dean UNTIL THIS YEAR. That might explain why he is in school this year after only spending about 4 or 5 weeks in alterative school. My point is that, 5 DAYS after he ran her down, he was back at SHS. He should of been put in alterative school and not allowed back into SHS.

BY THE WAY… I am not a teacher, nor do I claim to be. I’d think that a teacher would be able to write correctly or at least I’d hope so.
It’s “your” not “you” own.

Getting back to the issues at hand, this is exactly what we have been asking of the school board.

I think this is also another example of how if the board had not acted the way they have in the previous four months, this type of behaviour would have been more acceptable. The problem is that becuase there is no trust of the board on their intentions, motives or agendas, that every action they take is suspect and that is why this has quickly progressed far above the issue with them trying to terminate Dr. William’s contract.

It may be a dead horse in some people’s mind but I have thought long and hard about this issue.

Simply stated, there are children not receiving the same public education from the same school corporation. Some receive more education and resources.

I have asked this 100 times but nobody wants to try to answer this for me to understand.

If Edison is so great and doesn’t cost any more than any other Elementary then why don’t we use Edison for all school?

Truth is, as far as I can tell, Edison cost more. Period. The lucky ones get it and others do not. The beginning design of enrollment was simply done to avoid re-districting.

I HAVE 2 KIDS IN PERRY TOWNSHIP. ONE WENT K-5TH AT A “REGULAR TOWNSHIP ELEMENTARY”. MY OTHER WEN’T TO A EDISON SCHOOL. THE ONE WHO ATTENDED A REGULAR SCHOOL IS STRUGGLING IN HIGH SCHOOL. THE ONE WHO WENT TO A EDISON SCHOOL IS ON THE HONOR ROLL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. I FOR ONE BELEIEVE THE EDISON WAY OF TEACHING WAS A GODSEND FOR MY CHILD. I ONLY WISH MY OLDEST HAD THAT OPPURTUNITY. THE EDISON WAY OF TEACHING IS AWESOME AND THEY HAVE A WAY OF GETTING THROUGH TO THE KIDS. SO I AM TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF THE EDISON SCHOOLS.

Did you attend the school board meeting in which Max Oldham explained how some non Edison schools in the township actually cost more and that some cost less? While I am not an expert at the data, I feel you should contact Max for additional clairification. He could certainly provide you with some wonderful information.

You state that there “are children not receiving the same public education from the same school corporation”. Having said that, is it your opinion that every child receives the exact same education? Each elementary school offers something slightly different. Some focus on the arts, some the sciences, etc., etc. By offering something different does it make them wrong or unique??

I would urge you to contact an expert such as Max with your questions.

“Simply stated, there are children not receiving the same public education from the same school corporation. Some receive more education and resources.”

Is it more or different? To be fair, there is a different dynamic at any school and that dynamic is not dependent upon the material resources as much as the human resources.

Those who want their children to succeed academically know there has to be an active support system at home and some of us actively supplement our children’s learning through experiences, routines, rules, and expectations.

An education is what someone wants to put into it. Teach your children a lifelong love of learning and make resources available at home and it won’t matter so much what school they attend.

Ken, you are absolutely correct about the Edison issues. Max Oldham gave a fantastic presentation last fall, clearly detailing costs of Edison and comparing costs of all of the other elementaries.

In addition, we learned about how the Edison schools were a trial for many of the Edison concepts to bring to the other schools in the township. The other elementaries, as well as the 6th grade academies, have then adopted many of the concepts into their own curriculum. “Bench marks” is one example of what Edison has brought to the district. It is a terrific tool used to measure the individual student’s growth and progress. Students are then able to set goals and feels successful about their individual growth, even if they don’t ‘measure up’ to so-and-so who sits next to them.

I talked to Barbara Thompson tonight and I ask her point blank, If she had ANY agenda’s when she was running for School Board. Her answer was yes, She wanted to help make changes to make our schools better and equal education for ALL of our children.
I asked her point blank if she had ANY “personal vendettas” or “axes to grind”. She replied “NO”. I told her rumor has it that you are “pissed” because of an incident that happened with her son, and I referred to her web-site. She said that the reason she wanted to get involved was to makes some changes with policies. She put her web-site out there, and she was contacted by many people who have dealt with similar problems, they also were seeking for a change.
( Obviously, there were enough who backed her, she got elected. That would make a lot of people in PT. who had “axes to grind”)
And I would like to say to you Jason, “Certain SHS employees” claims that “John Smith’s” claims that there are daily fights, knifes pulled out on teachers, getting to come back to school in 3 days.
Administrators being hit by a truck in the parking lot, student coming back to school in 5 days.
These things don’t happen in My School… Well, I have more than one police report, all incendents happening at SHS.
I would be more that happy to share them with you Jason. This would show that some of these things DO happen at SHS.

Don’t jump to conclusions about the cost of Edison until you have done your research. For those of you who have questions or wish to do research, once again I urge you to contact Max. He has the facts and figures and is certainly in a position to explain, in much greater detail, the costs but more importantly explain the comparisons.

Regarding the “Edison kids being funneled into the same middle school”. I’m very confused by this. The Facts are that one Edison school exists on the east side of the district (which feeds Southport High School) and the other exists on the west side of the district (which feeds Perry Meridian). This is a fact, so the information placed here by “we support adams” is incorrect.

His argument still doesn’t make sense. They don’t like Edison, but they want us to setup an entire 12-year educational program to totally segregate our students from the rest of the schools. I would support that too though, from what I’ve personally seen with the involvement of my family in Edison schools, I wouldn’t think twice about trying to get my son into a program like that.

Graduates from Harvard and local community colleges are funneled into the same workforce too, I guess he has a problem there too. Sounds to me like he’s dreaming of a very socialist society where the above average are held back and the below average are made to feel adequate.

Thank you for the clarification on what We Support Adams was saying. I apologize for my misinterpretation.

I think we need to be careful about saying that Edison is better. At least that is NOT what I am saying. I think it is different. It works for some kids/families and does not work for others. What it does give this township is the same thing that New Tech High would have brought…..a different way of presenting the same material and a different approach to learning. WHY IS THIS BAD??

In regards to different types of kids being funneled into the same school…..that happens with kids from within the same school. What is the issue? There are some kids that will learn and retain at a better rate than others. Advanced classes exist at non Edison schools…..should we target those kids? Those classes do not exist to set those kids apart; those classes exist to continually challenge those kids. The reverse is true for those that may need additional support or assistance. Kids that need additional support or assistance and kids that need to be continually challenged exist at ALL of the elementary schools so why single out Edison? It would be no different than singling out a non Edison elementary school.

Keep in mind that the same issues exist whether we are talking about an Edison or non-Edison school.

Every child should have the same access to resources to learning.

Yes I was at the Board meeting when Edison was outlined. Edison cost more. Period.

If Edison doesn’t cost more and as KELL indicates above, they are superior, wow, why don’t we do that for all the children in the township. Like it or not, the Edison schools have created classes in Perry Township. The Edison people love Edison and as KELL stated, they truely believe they are superior. WOW.

All I am saying is this. If it is so great, and doesn’t cost us more, then why do we just do it with two schools? I suggest we do it with all Ele. or none, that is all.

You guys are not hearing what I am trying to say.

I really don’t care about cost. If Edison is so great, then do it for all schools. Why create this Elitist attitide and perception from non-Edison parents that Edison people think they are better. Edison is Harvard while the others is a Community College, nice analogy.

Several of you posted to make my point for me on this matter. Several state how awesome and superior Edison is. I don’t need Max to show me the numbers either. You want me to ask Max because you didn’t understand the whole presentation of cost, and you were not alone.

Cost is not relevent to my arguement. At least to a certain extent.

Do it for all or do it for none. What is the arguement against doing Edison for all Elementary Schools?

If cost isn’t part of your argument, then why is it continuing to be brought up? The other part of your argument that you’re failing to understand is that Edison methods are being spread and used in the other schools in our township. It is very much a cooperative effort. The passion shown by Edison parents and families is no different than the passion shown by parents of private school or home-schooled kids. For us, it’s the way we want our children educated, and we don’t want someone telling us we can’t have it that way.

Having said that, I have over 7 years experience with DM and am just as passionate about that school. I watched 2 family members attend DM and receive a wonderful education from a wonderful staff!! I have other family members who attended Burkhart; they also received a wonderful education from a wonderful staff!!!

My personal conclusion is that MSDPT offers a wonderful education to the residents of Perry Township. The township offers things not found in surrounding districts or in districts state wide. Those things are:

1. Limited school choice
2. Alternative school
3. Rise learning center
4. The Edison concept (NOT elite, but different)
5. The slim possiblity of New Tech High

I have friends who CHOOSE not to send their kids to Edison school. They have a variety of reasons, but it is their CHOICE!! I was scared to pieces to send my little boy to Edison. I interviewed Mr. Robinson for 1 1/2 hours before the school was even built. I researched the Edison concept thoroughly. I didn’t even plan to send my child to a MSDPT school at all, but I decided to give it a chance. I put his name in the ‘draw’ and prayed that if it wasn’t where God wanted him to go, that he would not be chosen to go there. Well,..he was chosen, and I had to trust in God that it was what was best for him.

Do I think it is best for every child and every family? No. That’s why there are choices. Just like there are choices on a menu, choices of cable companies, choices of physicians, choices of professions, and the list goes on and on. If every elementary was an Edison school, then it would take away CHOICES!!

I do find it interesting that Mrs. Thompson declared that her son attends a charter school in Decatur, and that if someone tried to take it away from her, that she would also be upset. She said that she thought the Edison schools were good, but then voted against the contract renewal just 2 weeks later. Will the real Barbara Thompson please stand up??

I applaud the free enterprise system as competition excites innovation in product and service. However, free enterprise belongs in the private sector. Turning the management of public schools supported by public tax dollars to a private enterprise violates this principle.

Since Edison is a private company and they manage Rosa Parks and Jeremiah Gray, those schools should be considered private schools and should be financially supported 100% by the parents with kids enrolled at those schools, not with the tax dollars collected from the parents who have kids in non Edison schools. How many parents would send their kids to an Edison school if they had to pay private school tuition in addition to their property taxes?

You said “passion shown by Edison parents and families is no different than the passion shown by parents of private school or home-schooled kids. ”

This is one of my points.

Secondly, my point has nothing to do with getting the “same” education. I am talking quality. If Edison’s quality is better and more effective then why not do it everywhere so that we don’t contribute to the thinking that Edison kids are different than other kids in the township.

Why is it so difficult for Edison people to understand what I am trying to say?

Why do you have to continue to shout that you don’t think you are superior? There is a reason you have to keep defending yourself. It is the actions of Edison parents that created the perception that their children are better due to Edison. Edison kids are continually compared to private schools etc…

Were you at the Board meeting when Edison parents stood up and defended Edison? I was and it was clear to me and many others that some have an Elitist attitide.

One parent if I remember correctly stated Edison kids are different than the other Perry Township kids or something like that.

You guys are missing my position. I am not against Edison. I just don’t understand why it is not corporation wide if it is so awesome and doesn’t cost that much more.

I am sure every kid would like a laptop for their homework. I wish my kids had Spanish while in Elementary school. These are differences that make a difference to me.

Yes, Clinton Young offers the same classes as any other non-Edison shool. Try taking Spanish at Clinton Young though.

I am sorry but your post is something else. You weren’t going to send your “little boy” to MSDPT. Humm??? That is until Edison was available. That, by itself indicates that you think Edison is better than other MSDPT schools.

Also, I am getting tired of certain religous yanks. I am a Christian and apparently you are too, but God doesn’t desire your child to go to any school over the other.

God doesn’t want your child to go anywhere but only to follow him.

I don’t believe any parent really believes their child has more worth or intrinsic value than any other child. Our passion for our children may overshadow the message we’re trying to send, and that is that we value our children and we value the choice we have in Edison for our kids.

To answer your question about a quality education not an identical education is a tough subject. The methods being tested and used at Edison schools are being shared across the township to the other schools. But as was stated before, making all schools Edison schools would eliminate choice in the township and we’re not interested in doing that either. As a specific response to you, I’m sure Spanish could be offered at other elementary schools, and absolutely should be at this point, however I’m sure it’s a condition of financial costs. I’m sure the costs that have been incurred by the current board could supply a floating Spanish teacher or two for the district.

I wasn’t going to send my child to an MSDPT school because I was afraid of a large township. I moved here from a much smaller district after my “little boy” was run over by a garbage truck. After he nearly died, I felt compelled to protect him because he suffered from post traumatic stress in addition to his life threatening injuries. I was certain that I would send my child to the Christian school where one of my other children attended. I was curious when I heard about Edison and wanted to know more. My husband had known Mr. Robinson for many years and trusted him completely, which is why we considered sending our son to his school. I was so pleased with the school once my son started there, that I realized my fear of the large township was fading. I realized that my son was happy, he was making lots of great friends, and we felt that it was going to be an option for him to continue his education in the MSDPT system throughout middle and high school. Stop judging me until you’ve walked in my shoes. You can’t imagine what it was like for me to watch my little boy suffer while my husband was also fighting for his life in another hospital. God saved my little boy’s life(and my husband’s), and I trust Him in every decision I make for my son. My faith has sustained me, so don’t mock me for praying about where my son goes to school.

Yes, I heard the comment that one parent made about Edison kids being better. One parent does not represent the whole. Surely you must understand that. I did not agree with the comment then, nor do I now. I know a lot of terrific, well-behaved children who attend Lincoln, Burkhart, MacArthur, and Glenn’s Valley, as well as St. Mark, Calvary, St. Jude, St. Roch, and St. Barnabas.

My correspondence with you will cease from this point on. Your only interest is to fight and mock me. I’m finished.

First, there is a sense of school pride that occurs at every school. When I was in K-12, the Braves were the best. The were better than the Tigers, the Pioneers, the Kings, etc. We were the best!! It didn’t matter that the Tigers beat our football team, basketball team, swim team, track team, debate team, etc. We were the best!! We did beat the Tigers, too. However, if we didn’t, we were still better than them or so we thought.

It is a sense of pride. It is team spirit. It is school pride. That occurs within our school system. We are on the PMS side. However, PMS is better than Southport. HOLD ON!! This is for demonstration purposes only. When you remove yourself from the school pride, Perry isn’t better than Southport. They are in the same school system - MSDPT. They have the same opportunities. However, we are rivals. Southport thinks they are better than Perry. Perry thinks they are better than Southport. That is human nature. We are proud of our schools — as it should be!!

It goes down to the elementary schools. My kids went to Glenns Valley. I think Glenns Valley is wonderful. You wouldn’t believe the rivalry between MacArthur and Glenns Valley. We started out at Glenns Valley and then choiced when we moved into the MacArthur district. If we would have moved before the kids started at Glenns Valley, we would have gone to MacArthur. Guess who we would have thought was the best if we went to MacArthur!!

So, don’t take it so out of context when someone thinks that Edison is the best! Would you rather that people that went to Edison hated it and thought it was a terrible program? If people are so happy about Edison, then we must have something right going on with Edison

Second, the comment has been made on several occassions that we are a township divided. I agree. However, I firmly believe that if you look at the pie graph of the people in Perry Township who are interested in what is going on with the school system, 85-90% is orange. The other part is comprised of the “We support Adams” and the Undecided.

Mrs. Butler, I am so happy that you found a wonderful educational program for your son. I love that Perry Township has options. I have said on several occasions that I feel that attracts citizens to our township. I was happy to read your confirmation of that fact. I am involved with TBPS as a citizen and parent of students. I am not a vendor nor am I an employee.

Thank you!
Go Bulldogs!