Hillel has sent the following to parents, faculty, and staff:
June 1, 2007
15 Sivan 5767
Dear Hillel Parents, Faculty and Staff,
The bylaws of The Samuel Scheck Community Day School state that the “Nominating Committee shall prepare ballots and adopt election procedures” (ArticleVII, E, 3).
Election Procedures
Campaign
1. No Materials may be distributed on campus by anyone. This is disruptive and uncomfortable for faculty and students. School is in session and must move forward in the best way that is possible for the students.
2. Everyone that is a member is entitled to “inspect” the names and addresses of members during business hours within a ten day period (Article III, E).
3. Campaigning should be done in an honest and respectful manner. Remember that the school is a place of business and the staff must continue to do their work.
4. Any infractions of this will be noted and brought before the Committee on Governance.
5. No campaigning should be conducted on Shabbat or on a Yom Tov.
Check-in for the meeting
The meeting is called for 7:30 PM. Check-in will begin at 7:00 PM
Leonard Traub and 3 other Hillel staff will conduct check-in. All members in good standing are eligible to vote (Article II, A). There will be lists of all eligible members. Each eligible member must present to the check-in staff a valid identification in the form of a Florida driver’s license or a Hillel identification card. Upon check-in, the eligible family’s name will be highlighted on the list and they will receive a 3-page ballot along with all candidate bios. They will be compiled in the same order as the ballots. The ballots will be numbered to ensure that none has been added. The number of the ballot will NOT be written by the person’s name to ensure anonymity.
Teachers are welcome to attend but can vote only if they are a member.
Press is welcome inside the gate but may not enter the meeting.
If there is a question as to someone’s standing they will receive a ballot marked with a number and an “S”. They may vote but that vote will not count until their status as of the close of business on June 6, 2007, is determined. This determination will be made as soon as possible.
Anyone who is current with payments by the close of business on June 6 is in good standing for the purpose of this election. Due to concerns of confidentiality and the ability to become current with payment by the close of business on June 6, the parent list will not distinguish between who is and who is not current with their financial obligations. All people on the ballot have already been approved to run.
Members must be present to vote. No votes by proxy are allowed (Article III, D, 2).
There will be one ballot per family unit. As provided by the By-Laws (Article II, A, 4), “Parents of children enrolled in the SCHOOL and spouses of Contributors shall be considered a family unit for membership voting purposes and each family unit shall be entitled to only one vote, irrespective of whether a spouse qualifies independently for membership pursuant to any other provision hereunder. In the event parents of an enrolled child are separated or divorced, the primary custodial parent shall be entitled to vote.”
Agenda for the meeting
The chair (Rafa Russ) will call the meeting to order and appoint Mayra Lichter to be the Parliamentarian. She will enforce Robert’s Rules during the meeting to maintain order (Article V, A, 1). She will warn people publicly if they violate election proceedings. Any person who commits three offences will be asked to leave. Only the votes for which a member is present will count.
Rafa Russ will call the meeting to order.
The meeting will begin with a D’var Torah from Rabbi Druin.
The Chair and the Vice Chair (Gil Bonwitt) will each have 2 minutes to speak in support of their nominations, as per bylaws (Article VII, E, 1). We will have a voice vote for each of them, as they are unopposed as per bylaws (Article VII, E, 2).
Ballots
Each ballot will contain 3 pages. Page 1 will refer to officers, page 2 to parent nominations and page 3 to non-parent nominations. Each ballot will have brief instructions at the top of the page. This will include a list of the number of positions open for election. Each ballot will have a “Committee on Governance Slate” (COG) section and a “Petition Candidate” section. Anyone who is a candidate and cannot be present to speak at the election may submit a 2- minute statement in support of his/her nomination that will be read by Hedy Whitebook at the meeting.
The first page of the ballot will be for officers. The office up for election will be listed. The candidates will be listed side by side since they are in direct competition. COG will be on the left side of the page when looking at it and Petition will be on the right. The COG lines will be to the left of the name and the Petition lines to the right of the name. A space will exist between sides so that the names do not run into each other.
Treasurer will be first and then Secretary.
For example:
Please mark one X on the line for your choice of Treasurer and one X on the line for your choice of Secretary.
Treasurer
Committee on Governance Slate Petition Candidate
____Name Name____
Secretary
Committee on Governance Slate Petition Candidate
____Name Name____
Each candidate will have 2 minutes to speak in support of his/her nomination (Article 7, E, 1). They will speak in alphabetical order. There will be 5 minutes to vote. After voting, each voting member will foldhis/her ballot to protect his/her privacy. Ballots will be collected.
Then we will proceed to the second page of the ballot for the “Parents” candidates. Each candidate will be allowed 2 minutes to speak in support of his/her nomination (Article 7, E, 1). The candidates will speak in alphabetical order. There will be 5 minutes to vote and the time period may be extended if people need more time.
Finally, we will proceed to the third ballot for the “Non-Parent” candidates. These candidates will also speak in alphabetical order for up to 2 minutes in support of his/her nomination (Article 7, E, 1). Once again there will be 5 minutes to vote and the time period may be extended if people need more time. These ballots will be collected.
Parent and Non-Parent ballots will have a “staggered” layout so that candidates do not appear to be in direct competition with one another. The top of the COG slate will begin on a slightly higher position on the “Parent” ballot and the top of the Petition candidates list will begin on a slightly higher position on the Non-Parent ballot. The Parent ballot will have the following instructions: Please mark an X on the line next to the name of 5 candidates of your choice. You may vote for any 5 candidates from the Committee on Governance Slate, or the Petition Candidates, or any combination from these lists but not more than a total of 5 or your ballot will not be counted.
The Non-Parent ballot will have the following instructions: Please mark an X on the line next to the name of 6 candidates of your choice. You may vote for any 6 candidates from the Committee on Governance Slate, or the Petition Candidates, or any combination from these lists but not more than a total of 6 or your ballot will not be counted.
For example:
Non-Parent Ballot
Please mark an X on the line next to the name of 6 Candidates of your choice. You may vote for any 6 candidates from the Committee on Governance Slate, or the Petition Candidates, or any combination from these lists but not more than a total of 6 or your ballot will not be counted.
Committee on Governance Slate Petition Candidates
____Name ____Name
____Name ____Name
____Name ____Name
____Name ____Name
____Name
After voting, each voting member will fold his/her ballot to protect his/her privacy. When all ballots are collected Rafa Russ will continue the Annual Meeting. The ballots will be counted.
Counting of the ballots
Hedy Whitebook and Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick, CAJE-Miami President/CEO, will collect ballots in plain sight. Ballots will be counted in plain sight.
Ms. Roberta London will place the ballots into random groups of ten and then distribute these groups of ballots among three (3) teams which will count the ballots. Each team will consist of a representative of the COG, a person representing the Petition and a person from CAJE. Each Team will initial and staple their groups of ten in case of a need for a recount. Each team will have a master tally list. They will enter the numbers from each group of ten and initial them on the master tally list. This means that 3 people will count each ballot. Then, each team’s tally will be counted by the CAJE representative and initialed by the team. Ms. London will add the 3 master tallies to determine the results.
A majority vote will determine the outcome of any contested office in which there are two candidates in direct opposition to each other. A plurality vote will determine the results of Board member positions since a majority vote may be impossible to obtain for each available Board position. A plurality vote means that those candidates who receive the five (5) greatest amounts of votes in the Parent Board Member portion of the ballot and the six (6) greatest amounts of votes in the Non-Parent portion of the ballot will be elected to the Board of Governors.
If there is a tie it is broken by Rafa Russ (who may not otherwise vote in the election) as per the bylaws (Article IV, F, 2). If a ballot has too few votes then those votes are counted. If a ballot has too many votes the team must initial and disqualify the ballot. Any other counting disputes will be settled by Ms. London.
Making the results known
If the number of votes from people with questionable voting status will not affect the outcome of the election within a ballot category (i.e. Officers, Parents, Non-Parents) then those votes will be discounted from the corresponding ballot category. Dr. Botwinick will then announce the results, by ballot category, during the meeting. On the other hand, if the number of votes from people with questionable voting status may affect the outcome of the election within a ballot category, then the tentative results will be announced at the end of the meeting by Dr. Botwinick. The questionable ballots will be verified as soon as possible. Ms. London will hold those ballots overnight, and they will not be released until their status is determined.
I look forward to a fair election and working together for Hillel.
Thank you,
Hedy Whitebook
Chair, Committee on Governance
47 responses so far ↓
1 Anon // Jun 1, 2007 at 3:28 pm
“If the number of votes from people with questionable voting status will not affect the outcome of the election within a ballot category (i.e. Officers, Parents, Non-Parents) then those votes will be discounted from the corresponding ballot category.”
Can someone please explain what this means?
2 Anonymous // Jun 1, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Sounds like they’ll announce a winner if the votes in dispute will not change the result.
3 Anon // Jun 1, 2007 at 4:43 pm
why are voters in dispute being allowed to vote in the first place then?
4 Anonymous // Jun 1, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Babysitting services for children enrolled in Hillel’s ECE program will be available for the Annual Meeting. To register, please call Evelyn Rodriguez at 305.931.2831 x165.
Please tell all parents and teachers eligible to vote that babysitting services are available.
5 anonymous // Jun 1, 2007 at 5:31 pm
The letter stated that only eligible members in good standing would be on the list for check in - - hence, if someone is not on the list - - it is assumed by this - they would be questionable.
Perhaps this is just a numbered few. Should not be enough to make a difference.
Continue to get the word out! Time is ticking!
6 Another Teacher // Jun 1, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Excerpts of Adam Holden’s Friday Message:
“Those who attended Wednesday’s high school graduation will testify to just how wonderful the event was.
The Class of 2007 is a fine group of students and the product of the genuine partnership between school and parent.
The significant achievements of this senior class would not be possible without the support of the students’ passionate Jewish families. By choosing to instill the values of a strong Jewish education across both general academics and Judaic studies, you as parents have invested well in the future of your children and also in the future of the Jewish community. Thank you for affording us the honor of partnering with you. ”
HAS ANYONE NOTICED A CONSCIPUOUS OMISSION?
HAS ANYONE NOTICED THAT HOLDEN NEVER ONCE SAYS THANK YOU TO THE TEACHERS ?
SO REVEALING!!!
While the word “school” may IMPLY “teachers” and may imply that Holden deigns to include teachers in his thanks and praise, his word choice belies his true belief–namely that it is “the school” i.e. those who run the school (himself along with several of the current board members) who deserve the credit for partnering with parents to achieve these wonderful results.
NO MENTION OF THE WORD TEACHER ANYWHERE…and therein lies the entire problem…teachers are NON ENTITIES.
7 Anon // Jun 1, 2007 at 5:56 pm
are you surprised? Holden milks the parents’ money but knows he has to pay the teachers. That’s why he fires them, school by school, instead, especially teachers of more experience so that he can hire “better qualified” (read: lower salary-expectancy) teachers in their places.
maybe he’s considering this the way “business is done” - honor the people who feed you but blatantly disregard the people who help build your throne.
Newsflash, mr holden: The class of 2007 made it to the class of 2007 because of the teachers, not the administrators or the board members you are promoting in super-exclusive meetings. Schools cannot thrive without the aid of skilled educators. You owe the teachers a thank-you.
8 good wolf // Jun 1, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Duh!
9 In regards to ballot counting... // Jun 1, 2007 at 6:17 pm
What that means is that if the amount of questionable votes being held on the side does not have an affect on the final outcome then they wont be counted.
In other words, let’s say there are 100 votes cast. 10 of the are questionable (meaning that the status of the validity of the person voting needs to be checked). That means there are 90 immediately valid votes. If there are 51 votes in favor of a candidate, then those 10 questionable votes wont make a difference. Even if they are all valid, it will be 51 votes in favor of some candidate and 49 for others. If it were 50 votes, then it makes a difference because it goes to a tie-breaker. Make sense?
As to why people whose votes are disputable are allowed to vote… well, they are only disputable at the time of the meeting, but if the school records show that they are in good standing as of the meeting date (in other words, the check the records in the office the next morning and see hey the person’s check cleared) then their vote counts.
10 Mindy // Jun 1, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Interesting… I had another take on the Kol Hillel. I saw a message trying to be “Jewish.”
“students’ passionate Jewish families”
“values of a strong Jewish education”
“future of the Jewish community”
“mazel tov”
11 A TEACHER // Jun 1, 2007 at 6:59 pm
In fairness- The teachers were thanked three times at the H.S. graduation by Holden, Russ and Rabbi Kaplan, inaddition to being thanked repeatedly by various student speakers.
Does anyone know: It says that a teacher can vote is he/she is “a member”. How is membership defined? Is it only if the teacher is a parent? What is a teacher is a contributor to the school?
12 Another Teacher // Jun 1, 2007 at 7:06 pm
That’s great! and that’s no reason not to thank them in public written communiques as well, “TEACHER”!!!
13 Anonymous // Jun 1, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Teachers with children in the school CAN vote.
or their SPOUSES can.
14 Another Teacher // Jun 1, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Interesting… I had another take on the Kol Hillel. I saw a message trying to be “Jewish.”
“students’ passionate Jewish families”
“values of a strong Jewish education”
“future of the Jewish community”
“mazel tov”
I noticed that too. No doubt the board and Holden take their cues from this blog and are listening and trying to improve their image based on the criticism they’ve read here (particularly on the scathing STAND UP post) …and yet….STILL the omission of the words “thank you teachers” is a GLARING omission.
Rest assured, after he and the board read today’s posts, he will be sure to thank teachers in his next written message. This would almost be comical if it weren’t so tragic.
His omission is a “Freudian slip” so to speak for it reveals how he really feels: Teachers are a NON ENTITY. Only parents and the board count.
Rest assured, that thanks to this blog, he won’t “slip” up this way again.
But we still know the truth.
All that glitters……….
15 Hillel Teacher for Too Many Years // Jun 1, 2007 at 7:34 pm
We all do sure know the truth!
16 good wolf // Jun 2, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Is neither gold nor a good geology sample….
17 Hillel Teacher's Association "Wanna-Be" Member // Jun 3, 2007 at 10:12 am
It really does not matter much if Dr. Holden does or does not praise the teachers in the public arena. The words, as we know, are meaningless and just serve as damage control for poor behavior displayed in past performances. At this point in time, I don’t think that Dr. Holden can do or say anything to mend the spirits that he and Rabbi Druin have broken. Their behavior is unprecedented and I can’t imagine that there is one faculty member that has been left unscathed by the insults of their actions and their rhetoric.
As you are aware, we have been told that we by definition are not considered “school members” and therfore not eligible to vote. That’s really too bad, because our teachers are the ones most qualified to attest to the current atmosphere at Hillel. Most of the voting audience does not have a clue!! How convenient! This isolation of teachers in regard to the voting process and many other issues certainly adds to the feeling that we are truly not “stakeholders” in the scheme of things at Hillel and further fuels the hopelessness that the faculty feels.
Being that the teachers have no say in the outcome of the election, our only hope is that whichever group “wins” will work on restoring the respect and high regard that we as teachers deserve and always took for granted, that is… until now
18 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 10:22 am
maybe the teachers should get a clue and leave hillel then. a lot of new schools are opening up and the teachers would be better-received in any other atmosphere.
as I’ve said before, a school cannot thrive without good teachers. If there are no teachers left, there is no school. maybe the responsible individuals will learn what can become of Hillel as they molded it when all the teachers leave the school.
19 Anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 10:22 am
The board is absolutely taking their cues from this blog. We have all noticed how many times the topic we’ve been discussing here has almost immediately been followed by an update to the blueprint or some other communication from the board, directly addressing the topic of discussion. It has been almost comical. They refused to meet with the community, but ended up responding to the very instrument of communication that they despised and threatened, on many occasions, to shut down.
I once again offer my gratitude to the courageous site administrator. I don’t believe we would be where we are today — poised to take our school back — without her.
20 Hillel Teacher's Association "Wanna-Be" Member // Jun 3, 2007 at 11:03 am
To Anon:
Of course, your option of “jumping” ship is a viable one that some have already done or are in the process of doing. But there are others who are more concerned with “justice” being served (now) rather than a lesson being learned (too late). To further hit the point home , in sports lingo, when there is a problem, “You fire the manager, not the TEAM!”
21 Another Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 11:07 am
The board is indeed reading. They’d be more lost without this blog then we would be at this point. I think they might actually shed tears if the blog went down for all their claiming otherwise because they’d be given no heads up as to what people really think and they’d never be big enough to ask them personally. Such cowards!!
22 Anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 12:23 pm
All the teachers leaving might be exactly what Holden wants. Then he can bring in new teachers loyal to him, just as he is cleaning house with the administrators. Good luck to him if that happens - I sure as heck won’t stick around. There are plenty of other schools in town and our teachers are the only reason I am still attached to Hillel at this point. Many parents feel the same. So to the board members who are so diligently following this blog - you’d better be prepared for one heck of a marketing campaign if changes are not made on June 6 - you will need to populate the school with a whole new crew of teachers and students.
23 Another Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I think that must be what they want. Many teachers are just plain fed up and ready to walk. The board should be careful what they wish for.
24 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Yes, hillel teacher “wanna-be” member, I am in 100% agreement with you. I would much rather see justice being served than continue reading of these upsetting incidents at hillel.
however, it would be ironic if all the teachers would leave, leaving Holden and Druin with a much bigger mess to clean up: finding new teachers to educate the students, especially since Hillel is boasting higher enrollment under the current administrative leadership.
Nobody should fire the team, and the managers certainly don’t deserve to be there. But if the team walks away, the managers will have damage control matters to deal with beyond comprehension. what will hillel parents do when they find out that their students have nobody to teach them?
The question I’m trying to get at is this: do Holden and druin want to keep the lifeblood of hillel or do they want to continue destroying them?
I think that if all the teachers leave at once, hillel will have a difficult time finding so many replacements, even if that is what Holden wants.
25 Anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 1:32 pm
The school is already experiencing a critical teacher shortage for next year. They are unable to attract and hire some of the much needed teachers.
If teachers walk out en masse the school will have to close its doors.
That administration should be kissing their teachers butts right now.
Groveling, if you know what I mean…Like that line in the movie Pretty Woman “more groveling, more groveling”
26 Icecube // Jun 3, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Interesting…
27 Anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Judy and Ellis are running scared. They have hit the phones big time LMAO.
28 Hillel Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 3:52 pm
From: A Hillel Teacher who loves Hillel as you do:
To: Hillel Teacher’s Association “Wanna-Be” Member:
Yes, many of us do not want to resign our positions at Hillel- YET! Yes, many are already making plans to do so. Yes, many of us want justice, NOW rather than a lesson learned LATER. Yes, many of us do not want to leave Hillel. But, you know, as I do, if changes do not take place after June 6th, some of us who never envisioned working in any other school than Hillel, will feel we have no other choice but to leave-for our own sanity and well-being; not because of lack of love and devotion for OUR HILLEL.
29 Anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Let’s make sure we take it back.
30 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:16 pm
A lot of parents are worried about this point.
Please stress this to anyone you speak to:
“The number of the ballot will NOT be written by the person’s name to ensure anonymity”
31 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:19 pm
It would be nice if Hedy Whitebook could announce this fact at the meeting as well
32 Hillel Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:22 pm
To: THE BOARD
Do you really want many of your devoted Hillel teachers to leave? Holden does! But, do you? Holden wants to replace us with “HIS PEOPLE.” But, do you? As you continue to give your undying support for this man, think about what your support is doing to the bigger picture. What do you see in this picture? I see your best teachers leaving because they have no choice. I see not being able to replace these teachers with new teachers, because no one wants to work at Hillel. I see many parents taking their children and leaving. I see prospective parents not even considering sending their children to a school in so much turmoil. So, if you stay in your positions on the Board, you really need to take a hard look at the role you play in the future of Hillel After you take a long, hard look- what do YOU see? And, what are YOU going to do about it?
33 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Parent’s You need to open your eyes and see the new slate is who you want to win. These people are honest and know what they are doing. Remember we need to make this HILLEL COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL THE BEST IN TOWN. SO PLEASE TELL ALL TO VOTE FOR THE NEW SLATE THEY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR CHILDREN EDUCATION. JUNE 6, VOTE FOR THE NEW SLATE YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY DO. REMEMBER FANNY AND DIANA HAVE BEEN ON BOARD SO THEY KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY HAVE TO FIX. DENISE
JESSICA and JILL And the REST OF THE TEAM WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE OF HILLEL. Go to www.hillel4change.org you will read about the new slate. This slate will do the best of best job.
34 Hillel Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:34 pm
A PLAN FOR THE CURRENT BOARD AND THE NEW SLATE:
This election is ripping the school apart! All of you can put an end to this. Here is what you can do. MEET TOGETHER-you, the Current Board, and you, the New Slate. Find a way to compromise and negotiate an ENTIRELY NEW BOARD-keep some current Board members and include some New Slate members. You must find a way-TOGETHER- to keep Hillel in tact. This is turning out to be a heartbreaking election. ALL OF YOU can put an end to this by working together. COME UP WITH A NEW BOARD so you won’t need this heartbreaking election!
35 Hillel Teacher for Too Many Years // Jun 3, 2007 at 4:57 pm
TEACHERS PLEASE ENDORSE THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES WHEN YOU SPEAK TO PARENTS.
SUPPORTERS OF TEACHERS:
Treasurer: Diana Kahn
Secretary: Denise Tamir
5 Parents:
1. Fanny Hanono
2. Joseph Batat
3. Marsha Gilbert
4.Helena Broide
5. Diana Mundlak
6 Non-parents
1. Jill Shockett
2. Bonnie Schwartzbaum
3. Jessica Fishbein
4. Isaac Sapoznik
5. Sherrie Lebwohl
6. Anita Lapco
GET THE WORD OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
36 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Hillel Teacher
I believe I heard that the new slate did try to negotiate. You read on one of the posts what “knows too much” said. Rafa had no interest in “arbitrarily” negotiating people on to the board.
From everything I’ve been hearing it sounds like this board has no interest in negotiating or listening to what the stakeholders have to say.
37 Hillel Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Anon- If that’s the case- it’s pretty sad. But, I guess this whole thing is pretty sad. If the current Board will not negotiate, then we must continue to support the NEW SLATE and try to get them the votes they need to win!
38 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Agreed . get the word out-the clock is ticking
39 A veteran Hillel teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Hearing “this is ripping the school apart” is tearing me apart! In-fighting. Students leaving to go to the new charter school. Teachers leaving of their own accord. What have we come to? Like Humpty-Dumpty– will be able to put our school together? Who would have ever thought……………
40 Upset alum // Jun 3, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Does the election of the new slate guarantee that Holden and his cronies will be told to go elsewhere? If that isn’t the case at least you can rid the school of the board members that thougth it was an excellent idea to hire non-jews into leadership positions of a jewish school (Papir and Dachs). FYI the head of humans resources isn’t Jewish either. How does she know which resumes qualify for Judaic positions makes no sense.
41 Mindy // Jun 3, 2007 at 7:05 pm
To upset alum: The NEW SLATE has openly stated its desire to work with Board members and Adam Holden. As you know, Ana Baker has been at Hillel a number of years. We have often had non-Jewish teachers. The issue is not non-Jewish teachers— the issue is non-Jewish administrators. I don’t believe she has anything –other than the paper work– to do with the hiring of administrators. Upset alum, I hope you are doing something to help the NEW SLATE get elected.
42 Anon // Jun 3, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Indeed it is very sad.
why do the board members take cues about this site but ignore the obvious?
1- holden/druin and the BOARD needs to admit they made a mistake when they fired the teachers to begin with.
2- more teacher appreciation is needed.
the hilllel situation is hardly a good one at the presnet. nobod y should be complacent with hillel’s current state of affairs. if these elections don’t work out for the incumbents, the currnet board still needs to work out a slew of problems within hillel or it will fall apart.
43 Hillel Teacher // Jun 3, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Upset Alum- Between now and June 6th, we should have one and only one goal-get as many people as we can to vote for the New Slate. Let’s stay focused on this. There’s time after June 6th to bring up other issues. Now, is not the time. We have to stay FOCUSED on getting the New Slate elected!
44 anonymous // Jun 3, 2007 at 8:34 pm
It is obvious by now that the current board is not admitting any mistakes. To the contrary, they are continuing to downplay the website, they are engaging in political conversations on campus (including kindergarten graduation - Mr. Russ) and continue to boast about the successes they have accomplished (WHATEVER THEY ARE).
Unfortunately, there is a whole contingency of individuals who vote, not based on what is good for the school, but what makes them popular with their friends. They don’t understand that you can still be friends even though you may not disagree what is best for the school.
As far as the teachers - - OUR BELOVED TEACHERS. THEY ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE SCHOOL. IF THESE TEACHERS CONTINUE TO WALK OUT, PARENTS WILL CONTINUE TO LEAVE. ASK YOUR FRIENDS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - - So many have told stories of how the new teachers hired were sub-standard - to the point where they were demoted to assistants, midyear. They had no dual curriculum experience and were set up for failure. Unless you are an educator - -who is familiar with teaching in this environment, and sometimes as we see with the current administration, it takes a special person to be able accomplish this.
To our teachers - - please do not leave - -OUR CHILDREN NEED YOU. YOU ARE THE REASON SO MANY OF US CONTINUE TO STAY! If you leave, there is no reason to stay - - certainly not for the board or administration!!!
Additionally, if our school wants to build strong bonds with its alumni, it should consider the affect a new faculty will have. Alumni do not want to come back to visit the walls of a school - they come to visit their teachers who have played a role in forming and transforming their lives. If there are no teachers to visit, the alumni will not come back. Many keep in touch with their friends and do not need the school to provide that for them.
Look at HBHA, they hardly have and alumni return because it is all new to them and there is no one left to visit. IS THAT WHAT WE ARE STRIVING FOR? IF SO, THE BOARD IS SORELY MISTAKEN.
The direction this board and the school, under the direction of this administration, is taking is unconscionable. The board is encouraged to examine and rethink their position before it is too late. Within one week, the new charter school had enrollment of 800 students. These privately run charter organizations will see this need and will plan for additional schools immediately - - afterall, they are funded. It is supply and demand.
Remember, Holden is a master of articulation. He will try and mesmerize the crowd in order to win votes for his supporters. Hopefully, those in the audience will be wise enough not to fall into this trap. This is what they are banking on.
Let’s work hard to make a difference and SAVE HILLEL from this disaster.
45 good wolf // Jun 3, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Charter schools are not the be all and end all of schools, some of them are known for firing teachers enmasse after a quarter (one school did that twice in one year) and replacing them with non-qualified in the least people…
I am very wary about charters…
And the people who own the charters are not necessarily nice.
Public has its own issues, school food for one and class size but especially Behavior and Discipline issues (over the top, ex middle school is awful)(kids have been beaten up in full view of teachers and security guys and almost nothing is done in many schools).
That is why a lot of us have fled public for religious/private schools where we know a love of learning is usually there and that it is wanted!
46 Icecube // Jun 3, 2007 at 9:32 pm
I BELIEVE THIS FITS
http://www.slack-time.com/music-videos/Pop-Music/Pink/Stupid-Girls.shtml
47 Akiva Cohen // Jun 4, 2007 at 10:54 am
Odd that nobody has pointed out the new restriction on campaigning on campus. According to Ex-Exec Board member, Rafa Russ did exactly that several years ago. Yet today, it is “disruptive and uncomfortable for faculty and students”.
On the other hand - take it from a lawyer and note the precise wording of the restriction:
“No Materials may be distributed on campus by anyone.”
That means you cannot hand out materials on campus. It does NOT mean that you are prohibited from speaking to people on campus, and you are entirely within your rights to set up just outside the gates with whatever materials you feel like handing out.
So . . . if you were planning on handing out materials on campus, make it a two pronged attack:
1) Have people on campus, talking to parents about the new slate; and
2) Hand out materials just outside the gates.
Ideally, the people talking to parents on campus should mention that materials are available outside the gates and - consistent with my “take what they give you” theme - mentioning that you can’t hand it out on campus because the board has restricted you from doing so.
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