Comments on: Board of Education meeting 26 February http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/ School Information & Analysis by Gerald Totten Sun, 20 May 2012 12:29:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: gertot http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-12 gertot Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:10:26 +0000 http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-12 I'm sorry to be late in getting back but I was out of town until a few minutes ago. We grandfathered the seventh and eighth grade students themselves but not any siblings. The number of siblings would have made the overages even greater and would have left the need for two more classrooms . As to the members not knowing what has transpired, I can only say I believe Holly and Kathie did know the overall plans because the maps and dialog had been shared all the way through the process. When Ms. McManus made her comments to stop the process and continue the status quo after I made the motion to honor the hard work of the committee, each of us were surprised. I maybe more than the others because Ms. McManus had voted at the only committee meeting she attended to approve scenario D. Holly and Kathie probably wanted to confirm the committee's work by again looking at the maps. I know Holly and Kathie took this redistricting matter as seriously as did Norman and I so their review of Ms. McManus' unexpected, off the wall comments was reasonable. To think neither of those two are unprepared for our meetings is not what I think. Holly for her two years in office has been the best prepared of all of the board members. She studies the issues and makes intelligent comments and questions when needed. Kathie also has proven herself to do her homework before the meetings since she has been on the board. Please observe those two in action and I believe you will agree with what I have stated. Thanks for your comments. I welcome them. I’m sorry to be late in getting back but I was out of town until a few minutes ago.

We grandfathered the seventh and eighth grade students themselves but not any siblings. The number of siblings would have made the overages even greater and would have left the need for two more classrooms .

As to the members not knowing what has transpired, I can only say I believe Holly and Kathie did know the overall plans because the maps and dialog had been shared all the way through the process. When Ms. McManus made her comments to stop the process and continue the status quo after I made the motion to honor the hard work of the committee,
each of us were surprised. I maybe more than the others because Ms. McManus had voted at the only committee meeting she attended to approve scenario D. Holly and Kathie probably wanted to confirm the committee’s work by again looking at the maps. I know Holly and Kathie took this redistricting matter as seriously as did Norman and I so their review of Ms. McManus’ unexpected, off the wall comments was reasonable.

To think neither of those two are unprepared for our meetings is not what I think. Holly for her two years in office has been the best prepared of all of the board members. She studies the issues and makes intelligent comments and questions when needed. Kathie also has proven herself to do her homework before the meetings since she has been on the board.

Please observe those two in action and I believe you will agree with what I have stated.

Thanks for your comments. I welcome them.

]]> By: ditka http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-11 ditka Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:46:54 +0000 http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-11 I was informed that they said something to the effect of grandfathering 7th and 8th grade students, but not their siblings... but was this officially decided? I was informed that they said something to the effect of grandfathering 7th and 8th grade students, but not their siblings… but was this officially decided?

]]> By: silkhopemom http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-10 silkhopemom Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:23:39 +0000 http://chathamnc.net/tottenblog/2007/02/27/board-of-education-meeting-26-february/#comment-10 Did the Board make a decision regarding grandfathering Silk Hope 7th & 8th graders (and siblings) that are being redistricted? I was at the meeting last night, but did not hear a decision on this, nor can I find it in the meeting summary on the county website. Personnally, I was surprised at what appeared to be a lack of knowledge of a couple of Board members regarding the criteria used by the redistricting committee to determine the 3 proposed maps. These maps, and the criteria used to develop them, have been available to the public since mid-January, yet some Board members appeared to be studying them carefully for the first time last night. It scares me that some members of our Board of Education appeared to cast a vote last night without being fully prepared and completely educated before attending a meeting at which a vote is going to take place. Unacceptable. Did the Board make a decision regarding grandfathering Silk Hope 7th & 8th graders (and siblings) that are being redistricted? I was at the meeting last night, but did not hear a decision on this, nor can I find it in the meeting summary on the county website.

Personnally, I was surprised at what appeared to be a lack of knowledge of a couple of Board members regarding the criteria used by the redistricting committee to determine the 3 proposed maps. These maps, and the criteria used to develop them, have been available to the public since mid-January, yet some Board members appeared to be studying them carefully for the first time last night. It scares me that some members of our Board of Education appeared to cast a vote last night without being fully prepared and completely educated before attending a meeting at which a vote is going to take place. Unacceptable.

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