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Post by doctorwho on Apr 20, 2008 21:48:25 GMT -6
In my opinion, Mr. PR man is a day late and a dollar short. Yet another expensive salary for 204 that we should not be spending. Why spend that kinda dough to supplement Dr. D's weaknesses? I was told at the Fry meeting he was hired to supplement the weakness of Dr. D. in terms of public relations. Anyone else hear that? Why not hire a superintendent that is well rounded in terms of his job description? How many school districts have to hire others at a high salary level to supplement the weakness in the leaders they have have hired to lead their district? How many teachers, aides would Mr. PR man's salary allow the district to hire? Wouldn't hiring teachers, aides, etc. help the district meet NCLB guidelines? How does hiring a PR man help? Blech... Double Blech.... Mr. Altenbern (aka Mr. PR guy) isn't here in regards to the high school issue. He spoke recently and he told the audience what his job would entail and not once mentioned the high school issues. Believe it or not, this district has other things going on besides lawsuits. If you'd take a few minutes to realize what great things are going on in this district and the great things yet to come in terms of school, community(including the business community), and familiy partnerships, you will realize how much of an asset his position will be. Sometimes, "PR" is not always about changing negative images. Sometimes, it's promoting what is already there and building upon the good things that have already been done. But again, people have assumed the worst about this person and his position and he has had nothing to do with this issue. He's not here to do "damage control". The district has lawyers for that. If you really want to know what his job description is, then call the district and ask or attend a few more district events. You can ask him for yourself. I am not assuming the worst, but I can tell you if he takes the attitude that there is not a HUGE high school issue/ boundary issue/ site issue etc. and a divide in this district now as wide as the Atlantic caused by these things - than no amount of effectiveness on all the good things that go on ( and yes there are many) - is going to be heard by those who at this time feel disenfranchised by what has transpired. No PR person worth his salt is going to ignore that, and surely realizes trying to fix some of that is job one. For as much as he promotes the positives, there are 28000 sets of parents talking about the other things too. He needs to be able to talk to those looking from the outside as well about how this is going to get better hee. talked to a Parent today at VB who is moving after the school year is over ( for work) and is thrilled to be leaving the 'mess' here as they put it. If this perception is not changed and soon, this will continue to spread thru large corporations as people move for jobs and look for areas to move to. This will not be one of them if this isn't corrected - and soon. So while I cetainly recognize the job is larger than any one issue, if this issue is not front and center in his sights, we got the wrong person. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. btw - at the 2 track meets at WVHS this past week, the number one topic being discussed was the mess we are in and how many people are either very happy or very unhappy. So I disagree this isn't his main focus - and it goes much deeper than lawsuits - they are not the way to categorize how split things are here right now. It may be the party line to continue to state 9 people are unhappy, but if that is the approach they continue to take, this guy has signed on for Mission Impossible. |
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Post by eb204 on Apr 20, 2008 21:55:29 GMT -6
Mr. Altenbern (aka Mr. PR guy) isn't here in regards to the high school issue. He spoke recently and he told the audience what his job would entail and not once mentioned the high school issues. Believe it or not, this district has other things going on besides lawsuits. If you'd take a few minutes to realize what great things are going on in this district and the great things yet to come in terms of school, community(including the business community), and familiy partnerships, you will realize how much of an asset his position will be. Sometimes, "PR" is not always about changing negative images. Sometimes, it's promoting what is already there and building upon the good things that have already been done. But again, people have assumed the worst about this person and his position and he has had nothing to do with this issue. He's not here to do "damage control". The district has lawyers for that. If you really want to know what his job description is, then call the district and ask or attend a few more district events. You can ask him for yourself. Are your referring to the talk he gave to the IPPC? And, don't for a minute think I am unaware of the "great things" going on in the district. Fortunately, I don't need a high priced "talking head" to tell me what's great about 204. Don't assume! Also, I really understand what a PR person does. Trust me! I wasn't saying that YOU or anyone else was "unaware" of the great things going on in this district. It's just the focus is on the lawsuits, where Metea is being built, who's upset with who, picking apart every single sentence that is written or stated and even comparing written vs. stated comments. I guess what I was trying to say is that we need to go back to those things and let our focus be on those good things and realize that this isn't such a bad district to be in. Maybe then this district can start to heal. However, it seems that some prefer to pick at a scab. Perhaps his job is to re-focus that energy and if that's because of the fallout of the land, Metea, etc. then I stand corrected. Why is it that someone can't voice an opposing opinion or different perspective over here without being jumped on? Many people seem so quick to spin the "topic of the day" out of control and get everyone riled up. How sad for this district. |
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Post by eb204 on Apr 20, 2008 22:03:36 GMT -6
Mr. Altenbern (aka Mr. PR guy) isn't here in regards to the high school issue. He spoke recently and he told the audience what his job would entail and not once mentioned the high school issues. Believe it or not, this district has other things going on besides lawsuits. If you'd take a few minutes to realize what great things are going on in this district and the great things yet to come in terms of school, community(including the business community), and familiy partnerships, you will realize how much of an asset his position will be. Sometimes, "PR" is not always about changing negative images. Sometimes, it's promoting what is already there and building upon the good things that have already been done. But again, people have assumed the worst about this person and his position and he has had nothing to do with this issue. He's not here to do "damage control". The district has lawyers for that. If you really want to know what his job description is, then call the district and ask or attend a few more district events. You can ask him for yourself. I am not assuming the worst, but I can tell you if he takes the attitude that there is not a HUGE high school issue/ boundary issue/ site issue etc. and a divide in this district now as wide as the Atlantic caused by these things - than no amount of effectiveness on all the good things that go on ( and yes there are many) - is going to be heard by those who at this time feel disenfranchised by what has transpired. No PR person worth his salt is going to ignore that, and surely realizes trying to fix some of that is job one. For as much as he promotes the positives, there are 28000 sets of parents talking about the other things too. He needs to be able to talk to those looking from the outside as well about how this is going to get better hee. talked to a Parent today at VB who is moving after the school year is over ( for work) and is thrilled to be leaving the 'mess' here as they put it. If this perception is not changed and soon, this will continue to spread thru large corporations as people move for jobs and look for areas to move to. This will not be one of them if this isn't corrected - and soon. So while I cetainly recognize the job is larger than any one issue, if this issue is not front and center in his sights, we got the wrong person. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. btw - at the 2 track meets at WVHS this past week, the number one topic being discussed was the mess we are in and how many people are either very happy or very unhappy. So I disagree this isn't his main focus - and it goes much deeper than lawsuits - they are not the way to categorize how split things are here right now. It may be the party line to continue to state 9 people are unhappy, but if that is the approach they continue to take, this guy has signed on for Mission Impossible. Agreed...he does need to put this "mess" on his radar, otherwise it will always be the white elephant in the room. But I don't think it is fair to say he was hired to deal with this mess only, as some have suggested. Janet Bruglio (sp?) has been the one and only person handling PR for the entire district and the district felt it necessary to hire someone else to help in that area, regardless of this whole mess. I'll concede that maybe this mess made it that more urgent. doctorwho, I appreciate the thoughtfulness in your post. At least you haven't attacked every word that I've posted. Thank you for that. |
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Post by macy on Apr 20, 2008 22:04:38 GMT -6
eb204
I meant no offense at you! I'm just jumping on what I heard from CB as to why the district hired the PR guy.
I'm off to bed right now, no further comment. I am a little skeptical right now about Mr. PR guy based on what CB told the Fry PTA about rationale behind bringing that position onboard.
I didn't mean anything nasty or "jump down your throat" in my response to your posts. I sincerely apologize if you thought I was being nasty towards you. I did not intend for you to interpret my post that way. If you did, I'm sorry.
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Post by doctorwho on Apr 20, 2008 22:14:32 GMT -6
I am not assuming the worst, but I can tell you if he takes the attitude that there is not a HUGE high school issue/ boundary issue/ site issue etc. and a divide in this district now as wide as the Atlantic caused by these things - than no amount of effectiveness on all the good things that go on ( and yes there are many) - is going to be heard by those who at this time feel disenfranchised by what has transpired. No PR person worth his salt is going to ignore that, and surely realizes trying to fix some of that is job one. For as much as he promotes the positives, there are 28000 sets of parents talking about the other things too. He needs to be able to talk to those looking from the outside as well about how this is going to get better hee. talked to a Parent today at VB who is moving after the school year is over ( for work) and is thrilled to be leaving the 'mess' here as they put it. If this perception is not changed and soon, this will continue to spread thru large corporations as people move for jobs and look for areas to move to. This will not be one of them if this isn't corrected - and soon. So while I cetainly recognize the job is larger than any one issue, if this issue is not front and center in his sights, we got the wrong person. I will give them the benefit of the doubt. btw - at the 2 track meets at WVHS this past week, the number one topic being discussed was the mess we are in and how many people are either very happy or very unhappy. So I disagree this isn't his main focus - and it goes much deeper than lawsuits - they are not the way to categorize how split things are here right now. It may be the party line to continue to state 9 people are unhappy, but if that is the approach they continue to take, this guy has signed on for Mission Impossible. Agreed...he does need to put this "mess" on his radar, otherwise it will always be the white elephant in the room. But I don't think it is fair to say he was hired to deal with this mess only, as some have suggested. Janet Bruglio (sp?) has been the one and only person handling PR for the entire district and the district felt it necessary to hire someone else to help in that area, regardless of this whole mess. I'll concede that maybe this mess made it that more urgent. doctorwho, I appreciate the thoughtfulness in your post. At least you haven't attacked every word that I've posted. Thank you for that. thank you eb204 I can't speak for macy but it didn't seem she was attacking you either, but basically what a SB member said was the role. Let's face it , miscommunication has been raised to an art form right now in this district. This guy has a huge task ahead of him -- and until he can get the SB abd SD admin to actually address some of the issues that have people so upset right now, the rift is never going to heal. And if it keep sgetting wider, no one will hear a thing he says about the good things in 204. Watts is not going to get happier if nothing changes, nor will Fry and I won't speak for other areas but large portions of them simply don't trust a thing that comes out to us any more - and I believe for good reason. They have serious concerns, so when they read the company line that this is all about 9 people being upset - it only fails to recognize these other issues exist - yet again. It's like screaming in space and no one hears Remember, I was once in the same spot as you when it comes to support, trust me that can change overnight. If some of the things you have been told suddenly all go out the window, and end up contradictory to what you were told...and when you respond you are ignored -- you will feel as I do today. It's not something that I wanted - it was something thrust upon me. I hope it doesn't happen to you alo, it's very disillusioning. |
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Post by sleeplessinnpvl on Apr 21, 2008 5:15:41 GMT -6
I agree with eb204. It is so sad that we have been dealing with this for so long. I guess this is why I display my "I want this to be over" mentality. I wish the SB could finally focus on our kids, education, programs, etc. and how to make THOSE better.
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Post by snerdley on Apr 21, 2008 5:53:20 GMT -6
Yes, I see where you are coming from macy. It's just my opinion that the SB may have felt they had to move on after the jury verdict and this was the best solution in their eyes. And many don't agree with that. Hence, the conflict. You can't always be buddies with your kids but it doesn't mean you hate them. In order to have a stable running body, someone has to be in charge. This whole thing is unfortunate and I continue to feel for all who are unhappy about this. I'm just trying to put out a thought to you that maybe the SB doesn't hate you all and wants revenge. Maybe they are just trying to painfully guide a family to the best of its abilities. Sorry, I know that sounds really really corny. I'm getting indigestion just re-reading my post. I'll also add while I am in this analogy mode, that not all parents do a good job of raising their kids either. Judge them how you will. I guess we will find out how good a job they did after all the trials pan out. I would suggest that you go on the district website and pull up the video feed from 3 meetings: the site selection, boundary selection and last Monday's meetings. Perhaps then you will begin to understand how some areas feel. Since you haven't been to the meetings and your area stays at your existing high school, you are in a completely different situation than some of us. In addition, I believe the divide in our district was instigated and has been perpetuated by the SB and district. Given that, people aren't going to "just get over it." If they were truly trying to guide the district and do what was best for everyone, they wouldn't have done some of the things they have. |
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Post by jftb on Apr 21, 2008 8:28:54 GMT -6
I was moving in the middle of this craziness, so I was one of the few who were able to choose the high school my kids would attend based on the current boundaries. So, yes, "I got my way," but that does not negate the huge concerns I have about the leadership in this district. What are we doing buying up land all over town with lawsuits hanging over our heads? We were very sure, as I recall, that the BB land price would go our way. Now we're really sure that the current BB case has no merit. What happens if we are subject to damages? Maybe they won't come to $60 million, but I'd say we'll be on the hook for something. By the time that happens, since it takes so long to hear these cases, Metzger and crew will be long gone. Who will want to step up knowing this mess is on the horizon?
We have to let go of our personal situations, those of us who get to attend the neighborhood school we had hoped for, and look at this district as a whole. This divide the school board has created has put up a smokescreen for their inept dealings. I know these middle and high schools are crowded, and I know we need to get some room for our kids, but a quick fix in the short run may cost a great deal more in the long run.
This is about a lot more than which high school your kids will attend.
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Post by doctorwho on Apr 21, 2008 8:42:05 GMT -6
I was moving in the middle of this craziness, so I was one of the few who were able to choose the high school my kids would attend based on the current boundaries. So, yes, "I got my way," but that does not negate the huge concerns I have about the leadership in this district. What are we doing buying up land all over town with lawsuits hanging over our heads? We were very sure, as I recall, that the BB land price would go our way. Now we're really sure that the current BB case has no merit. What happens if we are subject to damages? Maybe they won't come to $60 million, but I'd say we'll be on the hook for something. By the time that happens, since it takes so long to hear these cases, Metzger and crew will be long gone. Who will want to step up knowing this mess is on the horizon? We have to let go of our personal situations, those of us who get to attend the neighborhood school we had hoped for, and look at this district as a whole. This divide the school board has created has put up a smokescreen for their inept dealings. I know these middle and high schools are crowded, and I know we need to get some room for our kids, but a quick fix in the short run may cost a great deal more in the long run. This is about a lot more than which high school your kids will attend. Kudos to you napermom -- trying to wake up the true silent majority in this district - those who have what they want - or are unaffected by these changes. I am not sure they realize just how much they really are affected. great post. |
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Post by d204mom on Apr 21, 2008 22:54:59 GMT -6
HEY anybody know if there's any truth to the rumor that Macom dropped their price last week and the school board and Daeschner ignored it?
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Post by d204mom on Apr 21, 2008 23:01:28 GMT -6
Mr. Altenbern (aka Mr. PR guy) isn't here in regards to the high school issue. He spoke recently and he told the audience what his job would entail and not once mentioned the high school issues. Believe it or not, this district has other things going on besides lawsuits. If you'd take a few minutes to realize what great things are going on in this district and the great things yet to come in terms of school, community(including the business community), and familiy partnerships, you will realize how much of an asset his position will be. Sometimes, "PR" is not always about changing negative images. Sometimes, it's promoting what is already there and building upon the good things that have already been done. But again, people have assumed the worst about this person and his position and he has had nothing to do with this issue. He's not here to do "damage control". The district has lawyers for that. If you really want to know what his job description is, then call the district and ask or attend a few more district events. You can ask him for yourself. Are your referring to the talk he gave to the IPPC? And, don't for a minute think I am unaware of the "great things" going on in the district. Fortunately, I don't need a high priced "talking head" to tell me what's great about 204. Don't assume! Also, I really understand what a PR person does. I'd just rather see the money spent (in terms of salary towards this position) on things that will impact children directly. Mr. PR man was likely brought in to deal with the teachers too. |
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