The past year has been a long and arduous one for staff and community. The struggles associated with a number of personal agendas taking priority over the education of children; the continued assault of Dr. Collins by a small faction of the community as well as two members of the Baord of Education; the irrational and unwarranted re-call effort launched against Mr. Patapow; and the lack of professionalism and integrity of two board members, have all taken their toll.
There is hope 2016 will be a better year for the district, kids and education. The assaults of good people will no doubt continue, by a small group of single focus individuals. The focus and direction of the Board will be lead by Ms. O'Connor-Ratcliff, who has shown her desire to do what is right and put aside any personal agenda she may have. Ms. O'Connor-Ratcliff has proven to be honest, caring, thoughtful, and most importantly, focused on kids and education. She has shown a willingness to work with the Superintendent and staff to do what is right and to avoid being drawn in by those with personal agendas.
Changes are sure to come in 2016 for PUSD. How those changes are received will be key to moving the district in a positive direction. The votes on the Board will no doubt reflect the split that continues to divide the Board. Kids and education will return to front and center and the re-call effort will fade away.
As we prepare to move into the new year, thoughts of the election in November 2016, begin to take priority. Mr. Patapow and Ms. Beatty will be up for re-election. Mr. Patapow will most likely retire after 50+ years in education, opening his seat. Mr. Patapow has distinguished himself as a caring, honest, thoughtful and valuable man during his distinguished career, serving the students of PUSD. He will retire with the admiration of thousands of past students, colleagues and the voters who supported him through his time as Principle and Trustee. It is NOW time to begin the search to replace Mr. Patapow and Ms. Beatty.
Ms. Beatty has earned being replaced on the Board of Education. She has demonstrated her inability to separate her personal agenda, from her role as a Trustee for the PUSD. Beatty has repeatedly skirted the rules, side stepped the law and pushed hers and others personal agendas, at the expense of good people and the education of children. It's time for a change.
So as we move into 2016, let us all focus on building the new. Place personal agendas aside and work collectively to do what is right and just. Remember the goal and mission is the education of children. Place them at the beginning of every discussion and avoid the fodder of old.
http://www.recallpatapow.org
ReplyDeletehttp://www.recallpatapow.net
Both worth the read
Board President Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff had been trying to arrange this meeting since Monday, January 4th and both Mrs. Beatty and Mr. Sellers were unresponsive as she attempted to close in on a date. The meeting time was specifically moved to accommodate Mrs. Beatty, yet she still chose not to attend. Since this is all documented via emails with dates and times listed, there should be no dispute.
ReplyDeleteWhy Kimberley and Charles wouldn’t respond to her email and help settle on a date and time for the special meeting earlier in the week, is only known to them. Clearly, any scheduling conflicts could have been avoided if Beatty and Sellers had done so. All of the board was fully aware for 6 days that a meeting was trying to be scheduled.
Board service is a ton of work and requires sacrifice of some personal and family time. While it is a professional courtesy to try and get confirmation from each board member that they will be able to attend an upcoming meeting, it is not required, especially when some members refuse to cooperate in the process. Each member has to decide if their public duty to attend the called meeting is more important than other plans they have made. That choice appears to have been made in this instance, and should speak for itself.
Thank you for this blog. I appreciate the information and insight. I have been a part time participant of the poway school district. I served on a couple committees and have been a room mom and helped in other ways. I have never seen it so bad. Teachers are fearful of parents and two board members. I listen to teacher friends talk about the actions of Charles Sellers and Ms. Beaty and I can't believe what I hear. I agree Ms Beaty needs to be replaced in November. Please let us all know how we can help and what candidate should be given our votes. I know it is not Beaty.
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