The Texas Education Agency has asked Lancaster school officials to answer 15 exhaustive questions about their proposed four-day school week that could spell the end of the controversial plan.
The News is reporting that LISD is withdrawing this ill conceived plan but will reintroduce. I especially note that the questions published in the news are the major concerns of the parents submitted in a letter to the TEA.
Also, the TEA maintains that the proposed schedule will actually reduce instruction time instead of increase it.
It's not over, the fat lady is on a diet and can't sing. Continue the struggle.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The Truth comes out
The Dallas Morning News reported Saturday that Lancaster schools superintendent Larry Lewis said Friday that the district won't face a shortfall next academic year even if the state does not approve a four day schedule that he initially proposed to save money.
In this must read article, the news goes on to say that if the 4 day school plan is not approved, the district will only have $971,000 in reserve which is far short of the $8 million recommended by the TEA. Also w hear of the $3 million understatement in 2005-2006, and the use of bridge loans to supplement funding during certain periods.
You will of course remember that $1.9 million that Lewis said we would save in the beginning. It morphed into something around $700,000 and now in this article Lewis asserts that some cuts may never materialize. Apparently TEA thinks the district has a budgeting problem absent in other districts.
My question is how much smoke does there have to be in order for it to be obvious that there has to be some fire somewhere and we have either already gotten burned and don't know it or the that light you see in the tunnel, just around the bend is going to be more cataclysmic than the Krakatoa?
And begging the next question how much financial mismanagement does it take to demand use of article 21.211.21.212 of the Texas Education Code describing the grounds for dismissal for cause?
The truth will set you free but for some people it will just get them fired.
In this must read article, the news goes on to say that if the 4 day school plan is not approved, the district will only have $971,000 in reserve which is far short of the $8 million recommended by the TEA. Also w hear of the $3 million understatement in 2005-2006, and the use of bridge loans to supplement funding during certain periods.
You will of course remember that $1.9 million that Lewis said we would save in the beginning. It morphed into something around $700,000 and now in this article Lewis asserts that some cuts may never materialize. Apparently TEA thinks the district has a budgeting problem absent in other districts.
My question is how much smoke does there have to be in order for it to be obvious that there has to be some fire somewhere and we have either already gotten burned and don't know it or the that light you see in the tunnel, just around the bend is going to be more cataclysmic than the Krakatoa?
And begging the next question how much financial mismanagement does it take to demand use of article 21.211.21.212 of the Texas Education Code describing the grounds for dismissal for cause?
The truth will set you free but for some people it will just get them fired.
Friday, July 27, 2007
The courage of trustee Morris
This link leads to the DMN story of trustee Morris' meeting at Cedar Valley. The news reports "Ms Morris said that Dr. Lewis wouldn't authorize security for the meeting, so attendees took up a collection to raise the $350 dollars needed for two security guards from Cedar Valley College."
This is absolutely amazing. With all of the millions of dollars of campuses, administration building and police force riding around in $35,000 chevy crew cab pick up trucks, trustee Morris has to go to Cedar Valley to hold a meeting and pay for security herself.
Fast forward to Thursday when Larry Lewis spirits away a group of his yes people to Austin on a school district bus. Earlier he told trustee Morris that he did not have resources for security to support her meeting.
This of course begs the question "whose money is it and whose resources are they?"
Ordinarily I would stray away from a word like hubris. It is a little pretentious and I would use the more common, simple and direct arrogance. You have probably often heard that word in the same sentence as the words Larry Lewis. But when confronted with the actions of this man the word hubris leaps to the fore. It is arrogance taken to an unbelievable other level.
I think it is clear that standing up to the powerful and malevolent forces arrayed against her is an incredible act of courage by trustee Carolyn Morris. Thank you Ms. Morris.
This is absolutely amazing. With all of the millions of dollars of campuses, administration building and police force riding around in $35,000 chevy crew cab pick up trucks, trustee Morris has to go to Cedar Valley to hold a meeting and pay for security herself.
Fast forward to Thursday when Larry Lewis spirits away a group of his yes people to Austin on a school district bus. Earlier he told trustee Morris that he did not have resources for security to support her meeting.
This of course begs the question "whose money is it and whose resources are they?"
Ordinarily I would stray away from a word like hubris. It is a little pretentious and I would use the more common, simple and direct arrogance. You have probably often heard that word in the same sentence as the words Larry Lewis. But when confronted with the actions of this man the word hubris leaps to the fore. It is arrogance taken to an unbelievable other level.
I think it is clear that standing up to the powerful and malevolent forces arrayed against her is an incredible act of courage by trustee Carolyn Morris. Thank you Ms. Morris.
LISD goes to TEA
The Dallas Morning News reported that Lancaster ISD officials, supporters and opponents of a measure to adopt a four day school week met with the Texas Education Agency. Follow the link to read the article.
It's a good article but it says nothing about the administration kept this trip a closely guarded secret. If trustees Carolyn Morris and Marjorie King had not gone to Austin to hand deliver a letter to the TEA it would have seemed as if the entire town of Lancaster were Larry Lewis lovers and think that the 4 day school week is a jolly good idea.
These events underscore the differences between opponents of this measure and proponents. The opponents welcome discussion and debate and hold open meetings for anyone to attend even spies. The proponents sneak around surreptitiously in the dead of night attempting to rig the outcome in their favor.
Note Lewis' statement that parents would overwhelmingly support the plan after it is implemented. I wonder what in that Thursday meeting last week with the overwhelming opposition to his plan would make him think that anyone is ever going to like it.
The forces arrayed against us are cunning and smart. We showed up ready for a fist fight while Larry Lewis and his pocket sized board showed up with artillery and close air support all financed with our money. Lesson learned, next time we'll bring nukes.
It's a good article but it says nothing about the administration kept this trip a closely guarded secret. If trustees Carolyn Morris and Marjorie King had not gone to Austin to hand deliver a letter to the TEA it would have seemed as if the entire town of Lancaster were Larry Lewis lovers and think that the 4 day school week is a jolly good idea.
These events underscore the differences between opponents of this measure and proponents. The opponents welcome discussion and debate and hold open meetings for anyone to attend even spies. The proponents sneak around surreptitiously in the dead of night attempting to rig the outcome in their favor.
Note Lewis' statement that parents would overwhelmingly support the plan after it is implemented. I wonder what in that Thursday meeting last week with the overwhelming opposition to his plan would make him think that anyone is ever going to like it.
The forces arrayed against us are cunning and smart. We showed up ready for a fist fight while Larry Lewis and his pocket sized board showed up with artillery and close air support all financed with our money. Lesson learned, next time we'll bring nukes.
Save our school district
I have created this blog to use as an organizing tool for parents and other interested citizens of the Lancaster independent school district. I will post everything I can find concerning the operation of the district and our current crisis. Like minded individuals are encouraged to join and contribute to the discussion and the struggle.
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