An “Older Alum” (who has submitted this anonymously) writes in:
I have to say that it’s a real shame the way things have gone at Hillel. Since way back when, when I had attended the school, there was always this joke about Hillel being a ”camp”. But now it seems to have gone beyond that. People are praising all these wonderful new changes. I have heard SO many stories. About how great the changes are. About how horrible the changes are.
Interestingly, it seem the wonderful changes are in the elementary school and the horrible ones are in the high school. There is such an imbalance between both… however it wouldn’t surprise me if the majority of the board members only have children in the elementary school right now. But that’s besides the point…
The point is, we alumni don’t count. How are we supposed to know what is going on when we have zero communication from the school? The fact of the matter is that we alumni… those who graduated from the school… those who actually understand the inner workings… have been completely shut out. Not ONE of the members of the Board, and please correct me if I am wrong, to my knowledge, actually attended and graduated from Hillel. I don’t remember recognizing any of the names on that slate as someone I went to school with many years ago (long ago enough that I do have kids of my own and have finished graduate school a few years ago). It would have been nice seeing Isaac on the board. Although he is young and fresh out of college, he surely offers a perspective that no one else on that board has.
I contacted the school asking to please provide us more information on what is going on. The alumni are interested in knowing what is wrong with the school that there is so much controversy. I received absolutely no response. This year, the class of 1997 held, what is believed to be, the first reunion the high school has ever had. The majority of those teachers in attendance were actually no longer part of the Hillel community. They showed up out of respect for their former students. Alumni only know one side of the story… and it’s a side that I am really compelled to believe. I would be interested in hearing the other side of the coin from someone who truly can compare Hillel’s past to its future. I don’t want to hear from parents that can only SPECULATE on what it was like in the past (which are the only people that I have heard from that state all of these changed are ”good”). How are they supposed to know what is ”better” when they really know little about the past?
There has been so much talk about Hillel ”trying” to establish an alumni relations network. If they were really, truly interested, they wouldn’t be trying… they would have something in place by now. The lack of interest in building a long-standing relationship is disturbing. What is the point of fighting so hard to ”build a community” when you forget about the people who will hopefully one day send their kids back to their alma mater??
Why is there no alumni representation on the board? Why is there no interest in hearing what those of us who actually went to the school know? Why are alumni not welcome at the annual board meeting (unless we donate lots of money… which some may consider doing if there were actually some relationship between alumni and the school… ironic?)?
Unfortunately, I don’t see a future for my family at Hillel. I have three alma maters… Hillel, my undergraduate school and my graduate school. Unfortunately, Hillel ranks at the bottom for me. It seems arrogant for people to think that they are the only option available for Jewish kids in the North Dade/South Broward area. If they are going to go the route of secularizing the school (which is partially what i have come to understand), there are plenty of better options out there. It is a shame to act as if those who helped build the school from the inside are not worthy of taking part because they currently do not have children in the school or donate money to the school.
It also amazes me how insecure some people can be. There are so many people fighting for the betterment of the school, yet there seem to be a select few that just CANNOT let go of the reigns. They have a choke hold on their positions and don’t want to ease up. We try and teach our kids to play nice, yet the ones who play dirtiest seem to always be the adults.
For the sake of the school’s future, I think people need to be willing to open up more and welcome others. And i mean this from all sides. Open up more and welcome new teachers, new administrators, new ”blood”. But at the same time, open up more and welcome the thoughts and ideas of those people who have a vested interest in the future of the school. Open up to fresh faces on the board. Open up to thoughts and ideas from those that have been around the block MANY times (which includes the great teachers on staff). And for those who are so possessive of their positions and unwilling to play nice… open up to the option of moving on and allowing others to share in the task of making Hillel better.
49 responses so far ↓
1 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Very powerful words.
Hubris will eventually lead to downfall. The Roman Empire did not collapse overnight but it did collapse.
Alumni, although your input, (along with the high school parent body’s input and the teacher’s input ) don’t seem to count for much, it has counted far more than you will ever know.
Because the alumni cared enough to be vocal and stand up for teachers and for the school, and because they cared enough to try to get that chokehold of power to ease up on its grip just enough to let everyone come up for air, there has been a modicum of accountability.
There are a bit more checks and balances now.
The current board members will never publically acknowledge this fact, but the fact that alumni brought the issues of the school into the light of day and into the public eye has raised serious questions among at least 100 parents out there and countless alumni.
Community leaders at CAJE and Lookstein are also following the blog. Prospective teachers who would have walked into this minefield next year unknowingly have also been protected.
Do you have any idea what kind of public service the alumni has done for this community?
And if this school is too arrogant to include your voice, more parent voices, and teacher voices, MARK MY WORDS, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
A small handful of individuals do NOT have the right to make decisions for an entire community. This is not supposed to be an OLIGARCHY.
The Ben Gamla Charter school written up in yesterday’s Jerusalem Post will no doubt be giving Hillel a real run for its money too.
You will one day be able to build another school here in Florida. Parents are clamoring to have more options for their children and maybe you will even be able to recruit Howie Bald and Rabbi Dr. Grant.
I would bet that you’d be able to!!! These 2 men are loved by the South Florida Jewish Community at-large–from Miami Beach to Hollywood–and they still have their hearts closely connected to Hillel and Hillel Alumni as you are already well aware.
Parents want more options. If you start the process, we will help you.
And as for Adam Holden. The pressure is starting to wear him down. He is no longer prancing around like a peacock and I’m sure he will be severely micromanaged from this point on.
If you want to get him to feel the heat enough to get him to leave of his own volition already and not wreak further havoc on our beloved high school that is taking its last gasping breaths, I suggest that someone pick up the phone now and call the Florida State Attorney’s Office.
This was the last card to be played and it’s time to play it.
The school leaves us with no other options.
Parents tried to get on school committees and have been turned away. There is no other avenue of recourse left other than the legal route.
A COMPLAINT FOR ACADEMIC FRAUD MAY BE FILED WITH THE FLORIDA STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE -
ACADEMIC FRAUD IS A MISDEMEANOR IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
This may be reported to either the dade county state attorney’s office 305-547-0671 or 305-547-0669 or the attorney general’s office at http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.
In May 2004, The General Accounting Office referred to California Coast University as an unaccredited institution before the US Senate Hearings on Diploma Mills and Other Unaccredited Schools.
The GAO “searched the internet for nontraditional, unaccredited, postsecondary schools that offerd degrees for a relatively low flat fee, promote the award of academic credits based on life experience, and do not require any classroom instruction”.
California Coast University was one of the institutions that had conducted business in this manner.
ADAM HOLDEN’S DOCTORATE DEGREE IS A BOGUS DEGREE.
THE DEAN AT M.I.T. HAD TO RESIGN AFTER 28 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AFTER IT WAS DICOVERED HER RESUME WAS PADDED WITH FALSE CREDENTIALS:
1987: Bachelor of Education - South Hampton University - South Hampton, England
1987: LaSainte Union College of Higher Education - Certificate of Catholic Education
1996: Washburn University, Topeka Kansas - Master of Education (School Administration)
2001: California Coast University, Santa Ana, California - Doctor of Education (School Administration)
False Degree issues:
817.567 Making false claims of academic degree or title.–
(1) No person in the state may claim, either orally or in writing, to possess an academic degree, as defined in s. 1005.02, or the title associated with said degree, unless the person has, in fact, been awarded said degree from an institution that is:
(a) Accredited by a regional or professional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation;
(b) Provided, operated, and supported by a state government or any of its political subdivisions or by the Federal Government;
(c) A school, institute, college, or university chartered outside the United States, the academic degree from which has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education as equivalent to the baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States;
(d) Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education pursuant to ss. 1005.01-1005.38 or exempt from licensure pursuant to chapter 1005; or
(e) A religious seminary, institute, college, or university which offers only educational programs that prepare students for a religious vocation, career, occupation, profession, or lifework, and the nomenclature of whose certificates, diplomas, or degrees clearly identifies the religious character of the educational program.
(2) No person awarded a doctorate degree from an institution not listed in subsection (1) shall claim in the state, either orally or in writing, the title “Dr.” before the person’s name or any mark, appellation, or series of letters, numbers, or words, such as, but not limited to, “Ph.D.,” “Ed.D.,” “D.N.,” or “D.Th.,” which signifies, purports, or is generally taken to signify satisfactory completion of the requirements of a doctorate degree, after the person’s name.
(3)(a) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) or subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) In addition to any penalty imposed under paragraph (a), a violator shall be subject to any other penalty provided by law, including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation of the violator’s license or certification to practice an occupation or profession.
A complaint may be filed.
Regardless of the outcome, let’s get this man to want to go already.
——————————————————
He has also violated the motor vehicle law by not changing his license tag from Kansas (30 day limit).
THe Florida vehicle law:
In the state of Florida, a motor vehicle is required by law to be registered within ten days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school, or establishing residency. Registering your motor vehicle goes hand in hand with the titling process.
If I don’t register my vehicle on time, is there a delinqent fee?
Section 320.07(4)(a), Florida Statutes, specifically requires the delinquent fee to be imposed on any applicant who fails to renew a registration before the end of the month in which renewal registration is due.
The delinquent fee is applied beginning on the 11th calendar day of the month succeeding the renewal period.
The exact expiration date is shown on the current registration certificate, therefore, the registered owner should be well aware of when their registration expires.
It’s time for this man to feel the Florida heat. He needs to leave and go back to Kansas where he came from.
TAKE YOUR SCHOOL BACK.
FILE THE COMPLAINTS NOW.
THIS IS YOUR ONLY OPTION LEFT.
2 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Several hearbroken alumni were turned away at the gate the night of the election;
Slamming the doors rudely in the face of your alumni does not bode well for the future;
Alumni get no response;
Teachers get no response;
Parents get no response.
This is not supposed to be an OLIGARCHY;
This is supposed to be a COMMUNITY school where community input is valued.
A bitter realization indeed: no one’s voice matters unless you are already part of a small exclusive clique that cares not to let anyone else in.
3 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Great job Alumni keep up the good work. Get all your alumni friends to call the number they posted.Alumni hopefully you all and the new board will get on the board soon. Alumni We really think you all need to do a protest.Start now by calling and telling the State Of Florida that Dr. Holden lied about his degree. We need to clean house . We want Hillel to be the best school in town but not with this board and these people running it.
4 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Parents need to be the ones calling - not alum
5 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Isaac would have been the most welcome addition of all. He loves all the people and things that made Hillel so great. He understands the inner workings better than anyone else sitting on that board, including 2 former alum who seem not to care about what this school needs to reclaim.
6 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 3:26 pm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228588927&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
7 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 3:35 pm
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228588927&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The new face of Jewish education?
By LINDA MAURICE
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Talkbacks for this article: 32
Some friends of mine lost their jobs recently. They were not only friends, but a few of them have also been my children’s teachers. Good people, wonderful teachers who helped impart important Jewish and secular values at our Hebrew day school.
As far as I am aware, no one lost their job due to incompetence or other negative reasons. What I have been told is that the school is facing a drop in enrollment, and therefore budgetary concerns are forcing cuts across the board.
I don’t need to ask for an explanation about why my children’s school is facing an enrollment decrease. I know.
For many, the main reason is the yearly, growing cost of a Jewish day school education. Some American Jewish communities have raised money for endowments or reduced tuition programs where families pay reasonable percentages of their income toward Jewish education. Unfortunately this has, of yet, not happened in our area of Florida.
The cost of our son’s kindergarten tuition at the David Posnack Hebrew Day School in August 2000 was around $6,000.
Parents of incoming kindergartners this coming fall will pay nearly double that amount. Add several other children into the picture and many families sadly opt out of such an expensive educational scenario. Sometimes they make an almost equally difficult decision and have to choose which of their children they can afford to send, and which they cannot.
There are many Jewish families in south Florida with broken hearts. Our local Jewish community and Federation are failing in what should be their mission to help raise money to support Jewish day school education.
TO GIVE THEM a bit of credit, I know that their failure isn’t completely due to lack of effort. They try, but a lot of the blame falls on the community who just don’t give.
I have debated this problem with knowledgeable friends, who say that the giving mentality has deteriorated with younger Jewish generations. Those that could afford to help, just don’t give like their parents once did. There are of course caring Jewish souls who open their wallets and hearts, but they are obviously in the minority.
Another reason students are being pulled not only out of our day school, but also other local schools, is because of a new public charter school, slated to open in August, which is being touted as “America’s First English-Hebrew Charter School.”
On the Ben Gamla Charter School (BGCS) Web site, the school is described as intending to “provide a strong academic program in a warm and nurturing environment. In addition to the traditional curriculum of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science, BGCS will provide specials classes in physical education, Hebrew language, art and music.” For free.
And guess what? Since opening their enrollment in mid-May, the response has been overwhelming. Eight hundred people have attempted to register their children. For its first year in existence Ben Gamla was supposed to be kindergarten through third grade. Now they are trying to extend through eighth grade. Existing day schools certainly have a right to be nervous.
An American public school education is required to have a distinct separation of church and state. While BGCS is touting itself as a secular entity, teaching Hebrew as well as Jewish history and culture, the school claims it will not include religious studies. In deference to its status as a public school, Torah and prayer will not be taught, but students will supposedly be allowed to form their own minyans.
Talkbacks for this article: 32
(Continued from page 1 of 2)
DEBATE IS RAGING in our community and over charter schools in general. Among those I have talked to, opinion is divided.
On the pro side, many people think that it is wonderful for some sort of free, Jewish education to be provided. I compare it to the state education system in Israel.
On the con side, people worry that this will set the stage for extremists from all religious spectrums to set up institutions with potential radical elements taught in the guise of a public school entity.
Some say that such things are already are in existence, so why debate? Why shouldn’t Jewish kids get some sort of free Hebrew (whisper “Jewish”) education?
I understand that a meeting recently took place that included heads of local (and competing) day schools, yeshivas, Jewish federation bigwigs and other community leaders. Presumably they debated their own futures in light of this new charter school. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of that room.
If Ben Gamla turns out to be successful, then the American Jewish community has no right to complain. On the contrary, concerned American Jews should feel ashamed that they never came up with a viable solution first, offering an affordable educational option to anyone interested.
I, for one, say kol hakavod to the Ben Gamla people. And I will be watching carefully to see if it might be an option for my own children. I am certainly not sure if it is the ideal answer to the problem of Universal Jewish Education. But at least it might be an answer. And for right now, the only answer.
The writer, an American-Israeli citizen, is a former journalist, currently teaches media education and works in public relations. She lives in Hollywood, Florida.
8 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Alumni need to contact Chani Dennis - she is the coordinator. there is another alum on the board Dana Yemin Schrager - - perhaps the alum can contact her.
Just a thought.
9 sara // Jun 11, 2007 at 4:00 pm
And while you are at it, call SACS, too. SACS Standard 9.2 describes the way alumni should be treated–certainly does not say ignoring phone calls from alumni, kicking alumni off campus, or threatening alumni are acceptable practices. Standard 5.7 addresses appropriate systems of evaluation. Standard 5.11 addresses ethics being strictly observed in hiring practices.
It is my understanding that Hillel’s most SACS document—the once prepared for the most recent SACS visit— includes statements about alumni relationships. It appears that Hillel has not only violated what it promised SACS but also violated SACS Standards for Nonpublic Schools.
As stated on a previous post, “This [the legal route] was the last card to be played and it’s time to play it. The school leaves us with no other options. Parents tried to get on school committees and have been turned away. There is no other avenue of recourse left other than the legal route.”
I suggest we have more than one option.
10 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 4:57 pm
First call Chani or other alumni. Then if all else fails, take further action. You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.
If you cannot get any honey! ….then the only alternative is the attack of the killer bees!
11 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Call Robyn Baltuch
She is a caring alum and her family helped build this school.
12 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Robyn sits on this most newly formed committee
The blog is shaping the agenda of the school
Shame it has to be done this way but it’s better than nothing.
13 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:04 pm
who else is on that committee and any of the other committees?
14 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Rafa gave the list of the committees to a couple interested parents
Helen Broide basically turned them away
15 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:07 pm
who are the participants on these committees? does anyone have the composition? Are people who are not on the board, really participants - - or was this provided in a deceptive manner to the public forum?
16 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:09 pm
the board’s committees are composed solely of board members to my knowledge and have NOT opened themselves up to input from any other involved, sincere, dedicated parents contrary to what any school website claims
17 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:12 pm
the Alumni Committee is a separate committee and is not composed of any board members
this is the only committee that actually looks legitimate right now
18 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:15 pm
when does the board meet next? it seems to me they have a lot of work to be doing right now
several of them who know better should step up to the plate already
enough is enough
19 The "Older Alum" (original poster) // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:20 pm
I am sorry to say this but I want to ask the moderator to close this discussion.
I have been reading the posts that people put on this website since it started and it absolutely drives me INSANE.
I SERIOUSLY wish people would stop and THINK before they go on to write so much BULL$***. It is extremely aggravating to see this. I wrote the original post in order to get my point across about how the alumni are not being heeded. How we are being left out. And what does it turn into? A ridiculous rant from others about how to legally cause the downfall of the school!! This discussion has been hijakced by stupid comments, much like many of the other posts on this blog!
What is wrong with (some of, not all of) you people?? Academic Fraud?? Citing Florida statutes?? In case you haven’t read before… that statute is no longer valid!!
Why dont you people STOP, THINK and THEN WRITE. The reason so many people arent taking this website seriously (which is unfortunate) is because of the asinine conspiracy theories that people are posting. “Adam Holden got a bogus degree… let’s get him charged with a misdemeanor by the State of Florida?!” … “Hillel isnt posting the SACS information in the office…. DOWN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION!”.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Unfortunatley the idiocy of the minority opinions in this board are overshadowing the rational voices. There are so many points that are being made which are valid and can be used to help ADVANCE the school. Have those of you with the legal “expertise” thought of stopping to wonder… would this be in the best interest of Hillel to have a legal battle drawn out?? Are YOU going to foot the legal bills to sue to have Adam Holden removed?? Do you think the State of Florida has nothing better to do than investigate a claim about a school headmaster being called “Dr.” when he got his degree from what is purported to be a diploma mill? Did he intentionally deceive everyone? Did he intentionally sign up and pay for and do the work to get a doctorate knowing that it would hold absolutely no muster?
STOP. THINK. WRITE.
Three very simple words to understand.
Do you want to help the school advance? Then be PROACTIVE. Emphasis on the PRO. If you want Adam Holden removed, then make a case for it. Do not use his filing for the job as a “Dr” to be the issue because no one will listen. Do you want a new headmaster… then get the 50 signatures needed to request a hearing of the school board as the bylaws mandate. Present your rationale and a list of viable candidates.
I am in no way condemning nor condoning the actions of the school and its administrators. I am looking at this from the outside in (I guess it does have its advantages to not be in the loop on everything). I am looking at the comments people make and realizing that if I were a member of the board, I would think “you have got to be kidding me!”.
For the sake of those people who REALLY, TRULY want to make a valiant effort to get Hillel on its feet and do what truly is best, stop the conspiracy theories. Stop the calls to legal action. Get involved and be persistent. If you are calling to be on a committee, call again. Write emails. Write letters. Do not stop at ONE rejection. Try and form your own Parent/Teacher Association. Help the teachers form a union. DO OTHER PROACTIVE WORK!
I am done with this rant and I wish those that are working hard to make a difference all the best.
20 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Listen, the point is to get Holden to GO so that teachers will STAY because they’re ready to bolt en masse.
If you have a better idea, let us all know right now.
We are eagerly awaiting to hear.
21 admin // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:29 pm
FYI: This thread was closed and I was asked to revisit the issue with the original poster. In doing so, we agreed that we can keep this thread open as long as discussion continues in a positive manner. Thank you.
22 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:30 pm
This is inappropriate! …and a violation of best practices.
Who do these people think they are fooling? The parent body of our beloved school is highly educated and well versed in corporate governance. There are many well versed in Educational Governance.
At this point, it can be clearly inferred that this board lacks integrity! They have intentially misrepresented with an intent to deceive - - these misrepresentations are synonymous with defrauding the parent body! Is this best practices? Is this how they conduct their personal business and companies?
Is this how you operate Mr. Russ, Mr. Bonwitt, Mr. Woldenberg? Is this best practice - - ONLY for loss of integrity and credibility!!!
The population whole-heartedly suggests the board, its communication advisors, along with its head of school and judaic counterpart - reconsider the manner in which it communicating and obtain and provide clear, concise guidance and honestly provide opportunities for individuals to participate in these committees. If they are not going to allow individuals to take part in the process, it is the best practice to just say it and not provide opportunities that do not exist.
23 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Here! Here!
Either this alumnus doesn’t know what he or she is talking about or he is a current board member in disguise.
There are several defectors on the other side.
24 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:32 pm
ACCOUNTABILITY NOW!
25 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:34 pm
WE must proceed in a positive manner! We must do what we can to take an active role.
Therefore, continue to contact the board - - ask when they intend to include people.
Make your presence known. Alumni need to continue to contact the school - - -do not give up
IT IS FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL. WE MUST DO ALL WE CAN TO SAVE HILLEL!
26 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:38 pm
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
27 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 5:47 pm
To the Original Poster:
How many hours have you put in to save this school?
Are you all talk, or are you action?
28 Golda Meir // Jun 11, 2007 at 6:13 pm
“For the sake of those people who REALLY, TRULY want to make a valiant effort to get Hillel on its feet and do what truly is best, stop the conspiracy theories. Stop the calls to legal action. Get involved and be persistent. If you are calling to be on a committee, call again. Write emails. Write letters. Do not stop at ONE rejection. Try and form your own Parent/Teacher Association. Help the teachers form a union. DO OTHER PROACTIVE WORK!”
I hope everyone on this thread is willing to put their money where their mouth is - Alumni included - Original Poster included
29 Anon // Jun 11, 2007 at 6:18 pm
“In case you haven’t read before… that statute is no longer valid!!”
I have done much research now-Avi Frier was not entirely correct in this regard
30 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Let’s move forward in a positive manner! Join the HIP (parent teacher association) and put the TEACHER back in the PTA. Who is the new president of the HIP now?
Continue to try to get involved in committees. Don’t back down. Have people read the website. Make the calls.
Let’s continue to push the envelope and get the board to acknowledge the help and stop making empty promises.
Make an appointment with the headmaster! Make a difference.
Let’s get to it! Post positive - for the sake of our kids, school and teachers. Save HILLEL!
31 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Bitter Alumni/Original Poster:
Alumni have no right to be bitter.
Hillel now has an alumni association.
If you care to get involved, then call the school, get on the committee and stop complaining and ranting yourself.
Start practicing what you preach. As you said, be PROACTIVE.
Call Chani Dennis this week so that all voices can be heard and everyone can work together to SAVE HILLEL.
32 Shlomo Bolts // Jun 11, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I actually agree with much of the original poster’s ideas, if not his tone. Much longer post is coming soon.
33 sara // Jun 11, 2007 at 10:02 pm
I would like to add the following: People have made an honest attempt in good faith. They followed protocol; that is, they garnered sufficient signatures to create a new slate. The new slate– to no avail–attempted to negotiate with the board. And even after losing the election, some parents heeded the new call to become involved. They responded to the board’s public invitation to call a committee member, etc. Again, they were rebuffed. So, after months of “doing it the right way,” one person speaks up to say he/she has had enough. Is this not understandable?
34 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 10:26 pm
understandable - you bet! ….but follow it by the need to make a difference. Call, get active - -if then you are turned away, there is an issue.
35 sara // Jun 11, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Original Poster:
You say: “I wrote the original post in order to get my point across about how the alumni are not being heeded. How we are being left out.”
And so many that have posted here have said they are not being heeded.
You said: “There are so many points that are being made which are valid and can be used to help ADVANCE the school. ”
What are they? It appears, as I said in my last post, that sincere and devoted people followed all proper channels and avenues. We welcome specific suggestions and input from you.
36 sara // Jun 11, 2007 at 10:33 pm
anonymous, you say “Call, get active - -if then you are turned away, there is an issue.”
They DID call. They WERE turned away.
37 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 10:52 pm
That relates to the committees. Perhaps the committees are not meeting over the summer. Many of these individuals are off on the mission to Israel or other family trips, etc.
It is not far fetched that they are not meeting at this time.
However, board meetings are different from Alumni who want to be involved. Several alumni events were held within the last 2 months. There was even an alumni section at the High School graduation.
It is important that these alum contact the appropriate people and get on the list to be involved. Chani Dennis is the coordinator - Dana Yemin Schraeger is also on the board and is an alum, and there may be others.
this is from the website:
Calling All Alumni
As we approach the 15th anniversary of Hillel’s first graduating high school class, we are reaching out to alumni. Please complete our alumni questionnaire so we may keep in touch with you and your families. If you have information about alumni or would like to learn about our alumni initiatives, please contact Chani Dennis, director of alumni relations, at
305.931.2831 x149 or dennis@hillel-nmb.net.
The Class of 1992 reunited thanks to the efforts of Dana Schrager Yemin, who along with her husband, Josh, hosted a memorable evening in their North Miami Beach home. Ten classmates along with their spouses,significant others and other alumni attended this event and set the standard for future Hillel alumni events.
There are events taking place. You may read the information on the website:
http://hillel-nmb.org/Alumni/alumni.htm
Be counted - - email today!
38 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 11:01 pm
On the night of the election, the current board felt victorious and therefore gracious and willing to include more voices - that all changed 36 hours later once Holden said no way
39 anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Interesting - are you sure? Is this fact or conjecture?
40 Anonymous // Jun 11, 2007 at 11:37 pm
“Who is the new president of the HIP now?”
Lynn Elovic, HIP/PTA President
Is it HIP or the PTA? One has teachers. One does not.
“Have those of you with the legal “expertise” thought of stopping to wonder… would this be in the best interest of Hillel to have a legal battle drawn out?? ”
When someone is under investigation by legal authorities - regardless of whether they are prosecuted or not - they are in no position to sue anyone. And you can’t sue a school because the state attorney investigates…there is no grounds for that ? What kind of illogical thinking is that ?
It’s irrelevant whether there’s a prosecution or not - if the state is willing to investigate it, that is good enough - and don’t be so sure that they’re not.
41 anonymous // Jun 12, 2007 at 12:01 am
Each year HIP has elections - - are you sure she (Lynn) was re-elected?
42 Anonymous // Jun 12, 2007 at 12:38 am
yes
43 The "Older Alum" (original poster) // Jun 12, 2007 at 10:20 am
Okay, to respond to my critics, first and foremost, I am not a member of the board. Some may want to think that, however, again those are most likely the conspiracy theorists I was talking about previously.
Second… by “having a legal battle drawn out” I meant does everyone want to see the school thrown into the spotlight of the media (which would surely grab the story) if the State decides to file charges for whatever fraud people believe has been committed? Of course I did not mean individuals suing because he is under investigation!
Now you want ideas? Thoughts? Proactive ways people can get involved? Here are some ideas:
1 - Think politics. And i do not mean partisan politics. I mean how do you think people get their voices across to their Congressional and Senatorial representatives? Call and write. One way that many Congressmen are informed as to the interests of their constituents is by postcards. Many organizations that want to show a unified front do not just sign a petition and send it in to their representatives. They print up postcards which are pre-printed stating their organizations POV and ask members to sign them and mail them in. The address is pre-printed… depending on the organization, the postage is pre-paid…. but what ends up happening is the representative gets flooded with postcards demanding action on a particular issue. This is very effective in getting your voice heard. Now it may not be thousands of post-cards being sent in to Hillel, but it will be a strategy that they have surely never seen before.
2 - Teachers should look into options for unionization. Now it has come to my attention that this has been thought of in the past, HOWEVER… based on the way I currently understand unionization rules, they would have to do it very discreetly. Could a labor lawyer assist in the logistics? If there is someone in this community interested in helping, how about providing some free advice? Maybe it’s possible for the unionization effort to begin from the outside in. Not sure if this would work, but how about a close knit group of teachers get together to start up a union board, but allow someone from the outside to work on recruiting the teachers to approve the union. That way when the necessary majority is signed, the only person who knows is this person on the outside who is the only person with a “master list” to be presented to the school. Again, I don’t really know a lot about labor law, but maybe there is a member out there who could provide more insight?
Current laws do not protect people from being fired for trying to form a union. However, going back to my previous point, you can go online and support the Employee Free Choice Act which will provide employees the opportunities to form unions without fears of management interference. Here is more information on what the EFCA is about:
http://tinyurl.com/yt2kvv
On that same page you will find a link on the right side which lets you sign an online postcard to your Senator. This act has already passed the House and is awaiting Senate approval.
3 - Have a “Hillel Town Hall Meeting”. No one ever said that there needs to be a meeting of the board for concerned parents (and teachers if they wish) to get together to voice their opinions openly. Use your network of friends to get the word out. Hold a meeting at someone’s house. Hold a meeting at a restaurant. Get people together to voice your concerns. But do it face to face. This blog is a great starting point, but the problem is that an open discussion is limited here by timing of the posts. If you cannot be a member of the Board, then make an effort to strengthen HIP/PTA/whatever it’s called. Look at that as a union of parents that want change. I am not saying threaten to pull your kids out of school. But I am saying that an organized effort from parents can show the dedication of the many to see change. And this can again be done by doing postcards mailed into the school. You can even form a phone chain to assure that at least one person calls each day of the school year to request to be on a committee of the board. Persistence, not nuissance, is key. At this meeting you can also put down your thoughts and ideas to present to the board and other parents. Which leads me to my next point…
4 - Use the school’s bylaws to work in your favor. If the bylaws really do state that a petition of 50 parents may be used to call for a meeting of the board, then do that. Present those great ideas and concerns to the board in an open board meeting. And if you keep the unified front, you can continue to request meetings of the board. As long as those bylaws are there to help serve you and your interests, use them.
An effort for change is going to take more than a few weeks or months. The effort to push to get a new slate installed in the board was a great one however it may have started a little too late, which is no one’s fault. There just needs to be better timing. Use these summer months to get in touch with your friends. Start forming your “parental” union and welcome the teachers to discuss their opinions. I would even go so far as to suggest having private meetings with teachers and a few parents, and keeping those name a secret if there is a fear of retaliation from the administration. You can speak to teachers all you want. You have a G-d given right to speak to anyone.
These are just some thoughts and ideas. I am just trying to give positive, proactive ideas as to how people can move forward. Unfortunately one of the tough situations Hillel parents and current stakeholders face is that it is a small, private institution with a lot of close-knit people running things behind the scenes. However I think that those are just a few people. If there is a unified front that can go beyond this blog, then its a major step in the right direction which can lead to real change.
Do I plan on getting involved beyond this blog. I honestly don’t know. But what I will say is that every bit of effort counts. As I said, I am an alumni and do not have children in the school, but I do have family there. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be taking time out of my busy day to write up this post, research the employment laws, and get more information which could hopefully be helpful to moving forward. This blog has been a tremendous stepping stone in that facilitating change. Each person gives in their own way. I will give by providing my points of view and do my best to give POSITIVE approaches which can be used to help instill changes that will work towards the betterment of the school. If that is not enough for some, then I am sorry to say that nothing will ever be enough.
Now, in moving forward, I would like to see if from this post on, POSITIVE plans of action can be listed as ideas. Think of this as a drawing board to get the ideas flowing. I look forward to seeing what POSITIVE ideas others come up with.
44 Good Wolf // Jun 12, 2007 at 10:24 am
Unionization can work. Most Teachers Unions are (at least in South Florida) members of the AFL CIO, ultimately.
However…
When I was in public school sometimes even the union was not strong enough to prevent arbitrary firings although grieves could be filed.
45 Anon // Jun 12, 2007 at 10:45 am
Original Poster:
Your last post suggests several significant proactive ideas that I would love to see implemented immediately.
“Do I plan on getting involved beyond this blog. I honestly don’t know.”
Talk is cheap. What I find so irritating is that you fail to realize that the majority of bloggers on this particular thread are individuals who laboriously went through every appropriate channel — whether they are teachers, parents, and yes, even current board members are blogging too, believe it or not!! — individuals who have now given up 2 months of their lives to this cause and have spent hours trying to DIPLOMATICALLY AND VALIANTLY resolve the situation through every available means of protocol to NO AVAIL –and you, Older Alum, come along preaching on a soapbox berating our disappointment and momentary negativity for being turned away. Then you devise a brilliant list , and yet, you are not even sure you’re willing to follow through on your own ideas.
Many of us have spent hours of our own time and even invested hundreds of our own dollars to better the school. WE are the people being turned away.
What the heck have you done? TALK IS CHEAP.
EITHER WALK THE WALK OR STOP TALKING THE TALK.
Personally, I hope you jump into the fray with us because alumni like Shlomo , Isaac, and Tamar have done so selflessly. They too have given over hours of their personal time to better the school situation.
For that reason, I am much more inclined to listen to them than to you at this point. They put their money where there mouths are.
Your involvement would be much appreciated and is desperately NEEDED at this time. You have some BRILLIANT ideas.
If you’re not willing to help though , you should be the one to stop blogging now. You have not EARNED the right.
Decide what you want to do quickly because Hillel needs you RIGHT NOW.
Next year, frankly, may just be TOO LATE.
46 The "Older Alum" (original poster) // Jun 12, 2007 at 10:49 am
Good Wolf… the AFL CIO is a proponent of this bill. It is an amendment to the National Labor Relations Act. It would be illegal for an employer to fire an employee for attempting to form a union. If they do then the employee will be entitled to back pay as well as the employer being subject to civil penalties of up to $20,000 per infraction.
If you would like to read the bill, you can find it by going to http://thomas.loc.gov and searching for “Employee Free Choice Act”. It is not a long bill but from what I was able to gather, it will do two things:
1 - Streamline the process of unionization by bypassing any election by the board to approve the union. It would require certification of the union as long as there is a valid majority and require a collective bargaining meeting to be held within 10 days of receiving the written request.
2 - Protect individuals or employee groups who are petitioning for unionization from being fired for doing so. It strengthens enforcement by providing for back pay and civil penalties against the employer for any retaliation.
47 The "Older Alum" (original poster) // Jun 12, 2007 at 11:02 am
Talk is cheap, yet the ideas presented are so brilliant and valuable?
Again, I do as much as I can. I give insight where I can. I don’t just shoot off my mouth and give meaningless points. I take valuable time to present ideas and information, and yet the only response is that “talk is cheap”???
I do not have the time to dedicate to forming these groups that I mention. I do not have the connections with the parent body to get them together. I am traveling quite often and am not even in town to give more. Are you going to tel the people that don’t even live in Miami that their ideas are worthless because they cannot do more than just present the ideas?? The time I am in town I dedicate to my family and my business.
So if my thoughts and ideas are not worthwhile because I cannot personally take them and run with them myself, then I will just shut my mouth. There are MANY people on this blog that want to help but may not have the ability to do more than present helpful ideas and give logistical support for those who want the ideas and direction in implementing them.
If you don’t like what I have to say, then ignore the ideas. If you do like them, then please by all means build on them. It is a starting point. I may not have kids in Hillel, but I do it because I know so many other people do have a vested interest in advancing the school and whose kids are affected by the changes.
So again, if you think I am full of it for just “talking”, then from now on skip any post that I write. If not, then please do me a favor and do not berate me or anyone else for attempting to help.
Thank you.
48 Anon // Jun 12, 2007 at 11:32 am
” If not, then please do me a favor and do not berate me or anyone else for attempting to help.”
That is exactly my point. LIKEWISE.
49 Anon // Jun 12, 2007 at 11:36 am
Let’s hope that our collective bitter realizations will energize us all to move forward in a positive direction and that the input we are contributing may eventually be valued by the powers that be for the benefit of all stakeholders.
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