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| | Author | Messages | |
Phantom78
Posts:232
 | | 08/10/2007 11:17 AM |
 Alert | To try and create an avenue of dialog with the district instead of posting details about the districts actions I will instead give them the opportunity to report on specific questions I have concerning important issues.
This specifically goes out to Mr. Murriett...
1. What is the current state of the 21st century after school program?
Word is the program, as of right now, will not be happening? What are the alternatives for the teachers and parents of the community?
2. Teachers Contracts - Word is instead of teachers receiving contracts they will be given agreements...
Is this true, and if so how will this affect the districts ability to keep teachers we desperately need?
Will this cause any unwanted legal problems for the district?
Thanks in advance for your response!
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It’s not a glass half full (optimism) or a glass half empty (pessimism)—it’s half of a glass of water (reality). Expend your energy and mental capacity on something worthwhile!
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| | Pepperdog
Posts:230
| | 08/11/2007 7:16 AM |
Alert | Hmmm...new schedule, early release, no after school care? Nice...
Not paying teachers is a great way to retain them. THAT's stragic planning at its finest!
I guess we could blame it all on philosophical differences.
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Anyone who advocates a "one" world government, a "one" social order, or a "one" enviroment is a communist trying to take away your freedoms. Nature celebrates diversity! | |
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| | Phantom78
Posts:232
| | 08/11/2007 9:22 AM |
Alert | yesterday no asp middle program ,,,today there is
yesterday no agreements...today staff was given agreements....
There seems to be some confusion within the district as to the use of a agreements or contracts...Flores I believe is right in saying contracts are necessary...My question why send mixed messages in meetings.. This surely can't be confidence building.
Common since say's that with the start of a new school year problems will arise...I believe that planning, preparation, and follow through are the keys to success. Having said that, problems will still be part of the equation and how those problems are addressed will demonstrate what type of management this district has.
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It’s not a glass half full (optimism) or a glass half empty (pessimism)—it’s half of a glass of water (reality). Expend your energy and mental capacity on something worthwhile!
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| | nancyj1922
Posts:150
| | 08/11/2007 11:57 AM |
Alert | Phantom
First, Mr. Muriett works with the after school program, why would you be asking Mike about Teacher Contracts? He does not deal with those.
Next, Discussing people's contracts is not your place at all.
Did I not read that you moved your children to another district...I believe Horizon? If that is the case; why don't you join them and HELP that district!!!!!!!!!!
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A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown | |
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| | Phantom78
Posts:232
| | 08/11/2007 6:33 PM |
Alert | It is my understanding the mike announced the contract/agreements to the teachers...
Many of us believe that if teachers aren't getting contracts like their supposed to and are instead recieving agreements to sign the district might face legal issues.
I pay taxes here regardless if my children go to another school district.
Even if we sent our children to Hamiton is it wrong for us to care about the community we live in?
I would much rather have my children continue going to school here. If not for the crowded classes and minimal offerings they would.
We all care about our childrens education and if our teachers don't have security in their positions with signed contracts, trust will become an issue and we will lose valuable assests to our community. The district cannot afford to lose more teachers!
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It’s not a glass half full (optimism) or a glass half empty (pessimism)—it’s half of a glass of water (reality). Expend your energy and mental capacity on something worthwhile!
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| | thudsaz
Posts:129
| | 08/11/2007 6:39 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By nancyj1922 on 08/11/2007 11:57 AM
Phantom
First, Mr. Muriett works with the after school program, why would you be asking Mike about Teacher Contracts? He does not deal with those.
Next, Discussing people's contracts is not your place at all.
Did I not read that you moved your children to another district...I believe Horizon? If that is the case; why don't you join them and HELP that district!!!!!!!!!!
</div>
Nancy, you took the words right out of my mouth. But I would take it one step further:
Phantom, why don't you go directly to the source, the various (appropriate) people at the district office, and call/email them with your concerns? Could it be that you wouldn't get nearly the exposure that you do here on the forum, perhaps? Or is it because you believe that all you will hear is the "company line?" If you have, indeed, moved your children to another district, why do you even care what goes on at MUSD? | |
Chris Thudium
"If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." Abraham Lincoln
<-- Our beloved Kaia
09/1996 - 10/2007 | |
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|  | thudsaz
Posts:129
| | 08/11/2007 6:50 PM |
Alert | Regarding contracts and agreements, certified staff who have all of their paperwork turned in, and who have taken care of their fingerprint clearance information, have signed contracts. Some of those teachers may not have yet been approved by the board, if they were just recently hired. Classified staff have agreements. They are not required to have contracts. That's pretty standard for all the districts in which I have worked.
That being said, some people who were hired by the district for teaching positions are not certified. They may have a substitute credential, or they may be part of a special program here in AZ that allows people who have been in the business community to work as teachers under the condition that they acquire a credential within a specified time period (that applies to teachers who have a substitute credential, as well). This practice is common in other states, too, when there is a shortage of certified teachers for the positions that need to be filled. | |
Chris Thudium
"If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." Abraham Lincoln
<-- Our beloved Kaia
09/1996 - 10/2007 | |
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| | thudsaz
Posts:129
| | 08/11/2007 6:56 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Phantom78 on 08/11/2007 6:33 PM
It is my understanding the mike announced the contract/agreements to the teachers...
Many of us believe that if teachers aren't getting contracts like their supposed to and are instead recieving agreements to sign the district might face legal issues.
I pay taxes here regardless if my children go to another school district.
Even if we sent our children to Hamiton is it wrong for us to care about the community we live in?
I would much rather have my children continue going to school here. If not for the crowded classes and minimal offerings they would.
We all care about our childrens education and if our teachers don't have security in their positions with signed contracts, trust will become an issue and we will lose valuable assests to our community. The district cannot afford to lose more teachers!
</div>
I don't know where you are getting your information, but why would Mike Muriett be making announcements regarding contracts/agreements other than to the members of his staff? I was informed of my agreement by the person in the district office who handles classified personnel paperwork. Once that agreement was signed by the board members, it was given to me by my principal.
Caring about your community is much different than disseminating false information. In fact, if you truly cared about the community, you would double check your facts before posting. | |
Chris Thudium
"If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." Abraham Lincoln
<-- Our beloved Kaia
09/1996 - 10/2007 | |
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| | nancyj1922
Posts:150
| | 08/11/2007 7:09 PM |
Alert | I know that one of your issues Phantom is that the afterschool program will not be running. As a teacher who worked for MUSD 20 for 12 years, I was offered the opportunity to come back and teach during the after school program. I know what the plans are and am sure that Mr. Muriett is more than capable to make this a great year.
I also know that if you turn up enough rocks you are going to find something you don't like. That seems to be your goal. If you spent half the energy you put into tearing down MUSD working to help it with actually productive comments, volunteering, etc., I would never once question your movtives. However, when your child doesn't go to school there and all that you can do is slam the district and administrators, besides Tim WHite, I really have to wonder what your motives and connections are.
MUSD is TRYING!!!!!!!!!!! THey have undergone incredible growth in the past 5 years. They are working around construction, class sizes are altering almost daily, schools are filled to the brims when they open and yet houses sit empty and the contractors keep building more. If you want to take on an issue, how about that one?
In the mean time, let the administration at MUSD have a chance at making positive changes. Support your teachers because it is going to take a lot more than a contract and pay to make teachers stay in a district that is being ripped apart by the community. The Maricopa teachers are an excellent bunch of dedicated professionals that give their all daily. Let admin work with the faculty, work with the students, work on the curriculum, work to address some of the concerns instead of spending their whole day fielding phone calls from people just wanting to stir the pot.
Teachers, staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, maintenance, admin, and those in the after school program, I wish you all a wonderful year and I know that your goal is going to be to make it a great one for the students at MUSD. I hope the community will rise to support you. I do. | |
A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown | |
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| | Phantom78
Posts:232
| | 08/11/2007 9:33 PM |
Alert | | Back on Topic... | |
It’s not a glass half full (optimism) or a glass half empty (pessimism)—it’s half of a glass of water (reality). Expend your energy and mental capacity on something worthwhile!
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| | Pepperdog
Posts:230
| | 08/11/2007 9:54 PM |
Alert | I love how when you question this administration's actions there is always someone close to the board that tries to spin it. Questioning the administration in no way demeans the teachers. In fact it gives the SUPPORT to teachers you so crave.
So far Phantom has been right on the money on every issue he has brought up. The attempt to discredit him because his kids go to another school is lame. Very lame.
I refuse to use my name because of the grief I got last year. I honestly believe my kids will be retaliated against if the opportunity arises. I am positive Phantoms' kids would be. Again not by the teachers but by others. Others who post on this site attacking him personnally and some who don't openly post on this site.
As for TRYING!!!!.....Well effort is great. Nothing gets done without effort. Effort without efficient guidance ends up be wasted and that is what I see happening alot. The "growing pains" excuse we hear about both from the schools and city government is getting old. People are hired to do a job, they are supposed to be professionals and have experience. Trial and error is not professionalism. We are not paying for rookies. It is time, this is Flores second year, it is time to make it happen, to get the job done like the professional he is supposed to be.
Nancy, you may be comfortable with errors and excuses, you may have much lower expectations, but that is a philosphical difference. We in this community expect much more. | |
Anyone who advocates a "one" world government, a "one" social order, or a "one" enviroment is a communist trying to take away your freedoms. Nature celebrates diversity! | |
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| | CandyGir1
Posts:60
| | 08/12/2007 7:41 AM |
Alert | | Keep posting, Phantom. Some of us want answers also and we appreciate your persistence. | | | |
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| | nancyj1922
Posts:150
| | 08/12/2007 9:42 AM |
Alert | I think that if you were to speak to ANYONE in this community that knows me as an individual or as a teacher you would find that my expectations are much higher than most and that I have a history of accomplishments that will back that up.
I just believe that you are going to get more done if you stop attacking and presenting all you do in such a caustic matter. It gets to the point where constant ranting goes ignored by most; No matter what you are saying.
Instead be supportive of your district and work to make positive changes; volunteer, be active on campus, help inside the classrooms, attend parent meetings and campus activities, be involved!
I can't believe that "kids will be retaliated against if the opportunity arises" based on their parents participation. Unless what you are doing is being done so loud and so publically in front of them and their friends that they have no choice but to defend their parent. Why else would they be invovled?
This school board and administration was chosen by the people! During the whole process for the superintendent, including the open house where there were maybe 100 people in attendance. You were all invited to meet the candidates and express your thoughts; ask them questions and submit your own feedback about what was said by each. Where were all you people then? Since I was there, I feel I have the right to ask. I also can say that I recognized the majority of people that were in attendance as being those same parents that are always on campus helping in the district.
Now, instead of screaming about what you hate and all the changes you want made, why not become involved and work towards accomplishing some of the goals stated for this year. It is obvious that if all you do is yell; reaching those improvements is not your true mission.
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A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not. ~Author Unknown | |
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| | courtneysmith
Posts:21
| | 08/12/2007 10:18 AM |
Alert | Nancyj,
it seems to me that phantom is supporting the district, he is simply trying to get everyone to understand that the top adminstrator in this district is inept and has a history of inadequte performance. Seems to me if you are going to be paid over 100,000 a year, you would certainly see alot more being done to address the problems this district is having. I have previewed, Coolidge, Florence, Jo. Combs, Queen Creek, and yes they struggle with the same problems, but the biggest difference between all of them and MUSD is that the processes at the district office, the communitcation to the public and even the budgets are sound and they are making changes on the spot as they discover new and better ways to spend thier funds. Did you know that every classroom in J.O Combs has a smart board for teachers and students? They have the same budget constraints that we do, yet they have mangaed to build bigger more efficient schools with better technology. I think it is time to ask the board to realize they made a mistake and get someone in here who understands Arizona funding regulations and has some background in organizational management, because it is quite clear that this adminstration does not. Dr. Flores is coming from a district that had all these things in place before he arrived, and now that he has come to a place that is growing and does not have these large oraginzational structures in place he is floudering becuase he is used to everyone else doing the grundge work. He is used to being a figure head not a problem solver. That is evident in the depositions I have read.
Please stop harrasing Phantom for bringing truth to the community, and if you want to be a positive voice, be one for the teachers who have no aides, no support, and from what I have heard (from teachers) no voice to this board.
Courtney | | | |
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| | nitwit
Posts:95
| | 08/12/2007 9:42 PM |
Alert | I hate to point out that Queen Creek Unified School District is 3.8 million in the hole to the state of Arizona. They had to "freeze" salaries, layoff some classified, and cut hours for many school employees for next year. I have a feeling it will be more than a one year deal.
Kyrene School District restructured their district two years ago. Many teachers positions were eliminated and they cut the Fine Arts, Music, P.E, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, etc.. Some certified /highly qualified teachers left because of the philosophical change. Some who wanted to stay were offered jobs in subjects they had never taught but had some background in (like a class). However, they were told they had to either take classes to get certified or take and pass the Arizona Teachers Exam in that subject by the next year. The teacher would also have to absorb the cost of these themselves. Why the change? Declining enrollment. Kyrene needs our kids for enrollment purposes. Don't think they send buses down here because they are being nice. Those buses cost them money and the upkeep is expensive as well. Other districts are having difficulties as well.
Don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution. Go to the school board meetings. Ask your questions and more importantly get the answers. Go to the source! But what do I know, I am just a nitwit. | | | |
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| | DesertNewbie
Posts:531
| | 08/13/2007 7:07 AM |
Alert | Posted By thudsaz on 08/11/2007 6:39 PM
If you have, indeed, moved your children to another district, why do you even care what goes on at MUSD?
I am so tired of this question. If this were a court of law, attorneys on BOTH sides would be screaming, "Asked and answered, Your Honor...ASKED AND ANSWERED!"
Phantom has EVERY RIGHT to continue being concerned about the district IN WHICH HE LIVES, whether his children attend school here or not. Moving them out was probably (and hopefully) a temporary fix until this school district meets with his and his wife's approval. It's the people who take their kids out and then turn their back on this district who aren't contributing to a solution, but rather sitting around bad mouthing MUSD and bragging about how much better off they are elsewhere. Truth be know, their kids are probably facing some of the exact same problems - just in a district where there isn't a chat forum or close-nit community to let people know what's going on. Out of sight, out of mind.
Every parent has to make an individual choice for what is best in their own household. Where we lived before, I chose to home school my daughter for a year because of problems within the district where we lived. That did not mean that I didn't still attend board meetings for the district or help other parents to resolve issues they were having with the school, hopefully to make it a better district to which my daughter would return. I pulled her out to avoid the fall-out some kids suffer when they have vocal parents and because the situation we faced was actually one of physical violence from another student on the bus, but the plan was never to home school her forever. It wanted her out of the line of fire while I went to "battle" with the district. I won, by the way, but life dictated a move so she never returned to that district, however I get emails all the time telling me how much better things are there, in the wake of the efforts of other parents and myself.
So please, don't worry about Phantom's motives. They truly are none of your business and he's well within his rights. Continuing to use this as a rebuttal to anything and everything he posts is weak at best.
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| | pfunk
Posts:78
| | 08/13/2007 7:52 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By nancyj1922 on 08/12/2007 9:42 AM
I think that if you were to speak to ANYONE in this community that knows me as an individual or as a teacher you would find that my expectations are much higher than most and that I have a history of accomplishments that will back that up.
</div>
I'm sure the same could be said about former Principal Lowey. She held her staff to a higher standard and led the district in scores. It means nothing in this district.
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