New Website Draws Criticism

I know that I spoke the other day of the newly created website by Ms. Fisher and Mr. Torres, but I had to bring your attention to an article in today's Toledo Blade about it. Here are just a couple of excerpts from the article:

Board member Larry Sykes asked why the district and three other board members, including himself, were not made aware of its existence in advance of a public announcement that went out Monday night

"It's an elected official's Web site," Mr. Torres told Mr. Sykes. "It is directed toward my positions on education."

I'm sure that Ms. Fisher and Mr. Torres knew they would come upon this type of criticism when they created the site, but I still believe that with or without the entire board backing it, this site is genuinely needed! Hopefully the other board members will also realize the need for this site and join Ms. Fisher and Mr. Torres and show a little bit of unity among the board.

What I cannot believe is the fact that The Blade wrote an article showcasing this criticism! Is The Blade so against any type of improvement or feedback from parents and community members about TPS? It is blatantly obvious that people cannot speak their feelings openly at the board meetings, and most attempts to contact board members and administrators are futile, with exception of one or two. This website gives parents and community members the ability to post their thoughts and feelings, which is something that was way over due, in my opinion.

So check out the above mentioned Toledo Blade article and check out Talking Toledo Public Schools if you haven't already done so!
Thanks for reading!

Some updating

So, it's been almost a month since I've posted here and I do apologize. It is more and more difficult for me to address "problems" I see and hear about with TPS simply because it is no longer a part of my life.

There are a few things, however, that I thought I needed to post about.

The first is a website that Ms. Fisher and Mr. Torres have launched. Talking TPS allows us to "interact" with these two board members, giving them our thoughts about questions that they have put out to us. Although I do applaud Ms. Fisher and Mr. Torres for the site, I feel that it is not that much different that the "group" that Mr. Sykes, Ms. Barnett and Mr. Steele formed and is just another form of proof as to the split on the TPS board. I'd support the site more if it were a group effort rather, but that does not mean that I don't feel their website isn't something that is good. My hope is that all 5 board members will pay attention to what is being said by those that post their comments at the site.

The other thing is the Superintendent search. As there are many other sites that have posted information about the applicants, I will not take the time to post it here, but rather will send you to Glass City Jungle and Toledo Talk for starters. Both sites have all of the info that is currently available to the public about the applicants.

Sadly, I personally do not think that any of the candidates hold much promise for TPS, other than Mr. Foley. I think if those are the ones that we have to choose from, in the best interest of the schools, the best choice at this time would be to keep Mr. Foley on. My question is whether or not this was the true intention with this search. But I also can't help but wonder what "real" candidate would actually apply for this job knowing the burden that is going to be thrown at them the minute they take the position.

Just more proof for me that taking my children out of TPS was in all of our best interests! I'm so happy that I do not have to deal with any of this anymore. There is much less stress in my life these days, and I don't know about the rest of you, but less stress is always a good thing in my life!

And speaking of stress ;-) in case I don't get back here I'd like to wish each and every one of you that read this blog a VERY Safe and Happy Holiday Season! May your holidays be filled with joy and blessings and may you be surrounded by people that bring happiness into your life! May 2007 be a turn around year for TPS!

Thanks for reading!