Gripe, Gripe, Gripe...

[Gary Rice]

Everyone,

It has come to my attention that lately, in spite of the gorgeous spring weather and sunshine appearing around us, that there seems to be an inordinate amount of griping and woe-is-our-town stuff coming out here on the Observation Deck.

Now, figuratively at least, this old 'Deck probably could use another coat of waterproofing anyway, but with all those salty tears falling lately, it seems to me that all that resultant corrosion just might cause this old 'Deck to be condemned.

Heck, even I almost started to join in with my usual "defend the teachers and our schools" paragraph on a recent thread, and then I stopped myself.

In the first place, I don't think that our excellent teaching and Lakewood Schools even require "defending". In the second, my post would only serve to continue to stir an already boiling pot.

I'm not suggesting that problems don't exist in Lakewood. It's just that this endless dialectic about negative thinking is certainly not the kind of thing that I want in my own life.

Negative stuff can affect us in ways that we might not imagine, too. I've certainly read about, and even experienced what the effects of long-term negativity can do to our health, our friendships, and our attitudes.

Get out and enjoy a day of Lakewood sunshine. You know the old saw about it taking less muscles to smile than to frown.

Save energy, smile more. Particularly when you see me. I need all the smiles I can get.

[Rick Uldricks]

deleted

[Dee Martinez]

Mr Rice, you sound from all of your posts like a very sweet and reasonable individual. This post sounds though like you've fallen into the category of people whom Mark Twain described as "not taking their own side in an argument"

When it comes to the issues of school spending, taxes, and teacher pay, there are people who are ready to be very, very "negative" If you choose not to help make the case yourself for your own livelihood and performance as part of Lakewood schools dont be surprised if there is a long, divisive, and very bitter episode coming in the years ahead. I was here in 1993 and 1994 , as you were, and it wasnt a happy time for the city or the schools. Programs that were the envy of other districts were sliced and some of your colleagues lost their jobs because the schools couldnt or wouldnt make an effective case.

The schools eventually won public support not by being negative, but by finally making a clear and compelling case for why they deserved our support.

Promoting the positives of Lakewood schools performance, particularly in the areas of financial responsibility, is hardly being "negative" I think its just the opposite. As I read the Deck I see a tremendous amount of criticism being levelled at the Lakewood schools and no one IN the schools even trying to challenge. Thats MY gripe.

[Jeff Endress]

As I read the Deck I see a tremendous amount of criticism being levelled at the Lakewood schools and no one IN the schools even trying to challenge. Thats MY gripe.

Dee: BINGO! It has been difficult for those in positions of authority, such as the schools, city government, etc., to see this forum for the tremendous communication tool that it is. More often than not, we, as outsiders, discuss the issues, try to glean the situational realities from bits and pieces floating around but, we have yet to truly engage those in the positions of authority with actual knowledge to enter into the disussions. Oh, it happens now and then, but irregularly. More times than not, even as we are all aware of various elephants in the living room....as we discuss their color and size, the powers that be simply wait out the discussion until it's time to make their case. Then they revert to the "informational" mailings to "educate" us on the need and numbers. An ongoing discussion and dialog would go a long way towards transparency and building consensus. The tool is here. It's free. It's accessable. It only remains for those in the positions with knowledge to get over their fears of using 21st century technology to help in educating and addressing 21st century issues.

Jeff

[Gary Rice]

Rick,

Was I griping about griping?

Whee! I guess you caught me in a classic conundrum! Very good!

Dee and Jeff,

One of the problems about communication these days is that there are very strict guidelines for people involved in a situation, whether for the schools, teachers, or even corporations, regarding dealing with the public.

Obviously the control of an information flow is one thing, but add to that, the legal implications of a statement made by a representative or an employee, and you could end up with a bigger mess than the one you are hoping to avoid in the first place..

The legal stuff seems to be everywhere these days. That's probably why just about everything goes through authorized spokespersons.

Still, your schools are about the most transparent form of democracy that I can think of. All you have to do is visit the schools, attend the Board meetings, and get involved, if you wish.

There are so many great things going on with the Lakewood Schools, particularly at this time of year. There are sports events, band festivals, senior activities (both for 12th grade seniors, and senior citizens) and on and on...

Please visit the Lakewood Schools website to learn more.

PS to Dee:

Thanks for your kind words, but...

Not taking my own side in an argument?

Oh yes, I do.

I just pick those battles REAL carefully.

For the record, I am a retired teacher. I simply chose ethically not to enter the discussion about Lakewood teacher pay, mainly due to my former position with a teacher's association in another district.

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
Mr. Rice, are you a retired teacher from the Lakewood School System?

[Gary Rice]

Hi Don,

No, I'm not a Lakewood Schools retiree, although I was an LD tutor here, and also a substitute teacher in the 1970's.

I am an LHS class of 1969 graduate.

I retired from the Parma City School District. I presently do volunteer work in the Lakewood Schools.

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
So, if I may ask, Mr. Rice did Parma City Schools pay all 24% of you STRS or did they pay 14% and you contribute the other 10%?

[Phil Florian]

Lakewood Observer Observation Deck- Good Neighbors Griping over the Digital Fence

[Gary Rice]

Don,

I truthfully cannot answer you, as I've been retired for a couple of years.

I will say this. Teachers receive a salary and fringe package, just as many other groups do in our society.

Initial teacher salaries are often relatively modest, in my opinion, but the benefits can be fair. Exactly how fair might be arguable, but I would surmise that for the first 10-15 years or so of a teachers' career, that their wages are often well below those offered in the private sector. With the required continuing education coursework, particularly with the "highly-qualified" mandate, that situation can also cut into take-home pay. That's why, I would think, that teacher benefits have been of the nature that they are.

While teachers generally do receive longivity and education-related annual incremental pay increases based on length of service and educational coursework taken, the actual pay and benefit package issues transpire through the collective bargaining process. That's the law.

In that respect, individual school districts do have individual variances.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Get out and enjoy a day of Lakewood sunshine. You know the old saw about it taking less muscles to smile than to frown.

Save energy, smile more. Particularly when you see me. I need all the smiles I can get.

A day of Lakewood sunshine.



As the sun climbs into the sky, the spring fog burns off.


.

[Suzanne Metelko]

I'll take honest reflection over Jim Jones anyday. I love the sunshine and those big puffy clouds but sometimes those big puffy clouds are indications of an ugly storm brewing. If you aren't paying attention, you may find yourself over the rainbow, along with your house and your little dog TOTO.

[Gary Rice]

Great pictures, Jim!

As for the rest of it?

Well...

My dear late mom used to be so optimistic and positive, and so often, I did not try to understand why. With so many serious problems with her health, I just had no idea what she was thinking.

Fortunately, one day, she told me.

"Gary, she said, "You have to MAKE yourself be happy. You must control your own thinking". Of course, her optimism was combined with a wonderful personal faith, as well.

Because of her wisdom, and that of so many other wonderful people, I have learned so many lessons about positive thinking over the years.

Yes, some clouds do indeed carry storms.

Still, I think, or perhaps hope, that most people would rather be a part of the solutions, than of the problems in life. We can work together to better prepare for those storms, or we can choose to cry and commiserate about them when they occur.

For this reason, I saw a beautiful Lakewood evening tonight, and I hope for a beautiful day tomorrow; whether or not the sun happens to shine.

I hope the same, for you all.

[Jim O'Bryan]

For this reason, I saw a beautiful Lakewood evening tonight, and I hope for a beautiful day tomorrow; whether or not the sun happens to shine.

I hope the same, for you all.

Gary

True Story.

I posted one of my defensive responses to a post that need not carry one. Returning the heat so to speak. Left and took the series of photos in my blog. Starting with this shot of the Emerald Canyon.




Went to a wonderful breakfast with friends at The Place To Be, and returned to take this photo, seconds after you posted "Gripe, Gripe, Gripe."





Gary maybe you have the power to clear fog and make sunny days!


However, there is much afoot ion this city, county, region, state country and world. I am glad that the Observation Deck and Observer Media Project gives a space to vent, and vet.

When the heat comes as it often does, or when the big push comes as it often does, and when the good words and thoughts come as they often do. I find nothing wrong with answering with the same passion, or level of push to move it back to the middle.

This is the nature of the beast, of the Pandora's box called the Observer.

As long as we have you and Bob to help make sense, and calm the storms, I feel in the end it all works out.

The Rices are magical people.


.

[marklingm]

As I read the Deck I see a tremendous amount of criticism being levelled at the Lakewood schools and no one IN the schools even trying to challenge. Thats MY gripe.

Dee: BINGO! It has been difficult for those in positions of authority, such as the schools, city government, etc., to see this forum for the tremendous communication tool that it is. More often than not, we, as outsiders, discuss the issues, try to glean the situational realities from bits and pieces floating around but, we have yet to truly engage those in the positions of authority with actual knowledge to enter into the disussions. Oh, it happens now and then, but irregularly. More times than not, even as we are all aware of various elephants in the living room....as we discuss their color and size, the powers that be simply wait out the discussion until it's time to make their case. Then they revert to the "informational" mailings to "educate" us on the need and numbers. An ongoing discussion and dialog would go a long way towards transparency and building consensus. The tool is here. It's free. It's accessable. It only remains for those in the positions with knowledge to get over their fears of using 21st century technology to help in educating and addressing 21st century issues.

Jeff

Jeff,

I agree with you in general. The Observation Deck is underutilized. While I try to jump in as often as I can, I am always balancing whether my comments will be viewed as speaking for the School Board - disclaimer or not. And I would not dismiss the power the Observation Deck has in getting opinions and facts across to elected and appointed officials. It is an important tool for me.

Matt