The Observation Deck

Mr Markling. I appreciate the input. I dont want to get into a discussion about angels dancing on the head of a pin, but the difference between the school board and civil government is clear.
The schools only have jurisdiction over their own property and even then, if there is a violation, they have to refer it to police.
Thats what I meant by "policies" as opposed to "laws." The schools have no arrest or enforcement power, any more than Microsoft has police who can detain you
You must also admit that in Ohio local boards are boxed in by a variety of mandates and restrictions and since local boards dont really have the "power of the purse" they can only do so much.

I didnt in any way mean to demean the efforts you and other board members make for our students. I was only trying to make the issue clearer. There is much confusion on this.

Matthew John Markling wrote: For example, R.C. 3313.20(A) provides that: "The board of education of a school district or the governing board of an educational service center shall make any rules that are necessary for its government and the government of its employees, pupils of its schools, and all other persons entering upon its school grounds or premises."

By further example, R.C. 3313.47 provides that: "Each city, exempted village, or local board of education shall have the management and control of all of the public schools of whatever name or character that it operates in its respective district."


Matt

these powers are severely obstructed by any existing state, federal, and local....rules, statutes, codes, laws, court decisions, contracts, conditions for different types of funding, etc.

the most important adults in the school building are usually the boiler operators and cafeteria/recess aids.

Dee Martinez wrote:Mr Markling. I appreciate the input. I dont want to get into a discussion about angels dancing on the head of a pin, but the difference between the school board and civil government is clear.

...

I didnt in any way mean to demean the efforts you and other board members make for our students.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8100&start=15

Dee,

No offense taken. The "angels dancing on the head of a pin" is one of Linda Beebe's favorite lines. And Linda and I do not always agree either, but we follow the advice of Bill Bradley who opined,

Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.

Matthew John Markling wrote:Dee,

You and I should meet, in person, sometime.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7970&start=60

I think we can even get Stan and Jim to pick up the tab!

Stan Austin wrote:Dee and Matt-- I would love to listen to a conversation between two of my favorite posters.

I'll spring for the coffee if you two extend an invite!

Stan

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7970&start=60

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Dee

Call me, email me, let's have coffee.

http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8100

I would enjoy listening to your views on the schools, in person. We can even ditch Jim!

Matt

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Then who runs the Library? which is part of the school system. The School Board? The Library Board? One or two rogue members? Friends? outsiders?

Is there a secret "star chamber" that we never vote on?

Are you suggesting there is something like a local chapter of the Bildeberg Group or a few "Bonesmen" around town that control everything Lakewood?

The people who are invited to the Bilderberg Group, and the topics discussed, are official secrets which the media is forbidden from reporting. Bilderberg is effectively an elite secret society ruling the world from behind closed doors and outside the democratic framework.

http://www.illuminati-news.com/bilderbe ... rnment.htm

Charlie Page wrote:The people who are invited to the Bilderberg Group, and the topics discussed, are official secrets which the media is forbidden from reporting. Bilderberg is effectively an elite secret society ruling the world from behind closed doors and outside the democratic framework.

Charlie

Please let's not get so wrapped up in this! First off still not sure about the infamous Illuminati,
even though it is in my spell checker! Bilderberg aka W. H. Smith Ltd. does not forbid reporting
in papers. but the general beliefs is that they own most media so it goes unreported. Completely
different scenarios.

My question is, are they influenced by outside sources? Are they the cohesive unit they once were?
Were they ever? I mean W. H. Smith Ltd. actually is able to accomplish many of the so called goals
they "study." It would seem that the Lakewood version, stumbles and tumbles way more often. Also
just like the illuminati, W. H. Smith/Bilderbergs, it would seem that there are enough other clandestine
groups or just groups to try to keep them in check.

Just wondering, who runs the schools?

So to recap, Illumanti, folklore? Bilderbergs, real, but..., Schools?

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Jim O'Bryan wrote:Please let's not get so wrapped up in this!

So wrapped up? I'm just trying to figure out what you mean by "secret star chamber". Putting together litle snipits of your posts leads one to believe you are about to uncover the local chapter of the Bilderberg group in Lakewood.

Gifted (with $$$$)

Secret star chamber

What else is one lead to believe?

Charlie Page wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Please let's not get so wrapped up in this!

So wrapped up? I'm just trying to figure out what you mean by "secret star chamber". Putting together litle snipits of your posts leads one to believe you are about to uncover the local chapter of the Bilderberg group in Lakewood.

Gifted (with $$$$)

Secret star chamber

What else is one lead to believe?

Well, we must believe what is presented correct?

I am 100% sure there is no local chapter of the Bilderberg Group.

However, one could make a strong case for outside influences, the all too common
comment of "Why run for office I have more power not as an elected official." Of
the strange amount of times it would seem that those from outside have way to much
sway over various things in and around the city. The amount of non-Lakewoodites and
the power they would seem to have over some very serious parts of Lakewood life.

Maybe you do not hear the complaining that I do, but it would cause one to wonder
Who runs what, and how or why?

In a world of more and more transparency we have some very "important" civic
and public groups and people working overtime to control the message and kill
any meaningful conversation they feel like they are above to answer.

While I know it reads like Gary talking of trash, at some point Lakewood residents
need to wake up, do the math, and make these people and groups work for us,
not their own agendas.

FWIW


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Gary,

Talking of trash?

Who, me?

Interactive urban dynamics are in play here...that's all..

Let's dissect...

It's not too difficult....

Economic and business interests are both strong in-town motivators of course, but there's more in play. The Federal Government has brought unfunded mandates into the schools' dynamics that affect virtually every aspect of a district's daily functioning.

Add to that, state standards, and the various myrads of rabbit-warren requirements for both staff and students, and no one cabal can step up to the plate; either as a cause of it all, or as policy dictators.

Of note here would be that School Board members serve for salaries that are virtual pittances, and while it might be argued that such service might serve as political springboards to higher ofice, I would suspect that more often than not, board members are serving for very positive reasons.

Remember too for those inclined to give credence to "back-room" workings, that for public officials to engage as such would put them at risk for major prosecution. Sunshine laws help to ensure that, for the most part, public stuff stays public.

It's been argued that teachers and administrators might be more closely aligned with their communities, or perhaps should work cheaper, but the reality of school district salaries means that Lakewood must pay their staff competitively in order to attract quality employees, and that often means going out of the District to hire, and having to pay for that quality accordingly. The fact that the Lakewood schools continue to enjoy the fantastic successes that they do, speaks well to their ongoing effective management of available resources and personnel.

As far as performance records are concerned, remember that aspects of any personnel or governmental activity remain sealed for legal reasons, or otherwise. Utter transparency, while admirable in theory, may not always be advisable in reality, or in real time. There are far too many dynamics and laws that come into play for a one-size-fits-all answer for public accountability.

In short, I do think that, as a general rule, schools are run fairly transparently. While there might be those from time to time who attempt to exert more or less influence on this or that point relating to their particular efforts of individual persuasion or expertise, I do believe that public schools are run publicly and well so.

Back to the banjo.

We need a hero, we need a jedi knight!




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Charlie Page wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote:Please let's not get so wrapped up in this!

So wrapped up? I'm just trying to figure out what you mean by "secret star chamber". Putting together litle snipits of your posts leads one to believe you are about to uncover the local chapter of the Bilderberg group in Lakewood.

Gifted (with $$$$)

Secret star chamber

What else is one lead to believe?

No, for whatever reasons, Jim just wants to NOT name names and just implicate, hint at, etc.... I hate this secretive crap. If you are going to quote people and act in the know, cite your sources. This cat and mouse game gets old.

Matthew John Markling wrote:

Jim O’Bryan wrote:Do we really feel secure "letting the few gifted people" run it for the rest
of the unwashed huddled masses? As it was told to me.

Jim,

I know that comment was not made by me. Nor do I believe that it was made by any current member of the Lakewood City School District Board of Education. Correct?

Matt

http://lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8100

Jim,

I do not mind you keeping your sources to yourself. I understand that, really. But, since this thread is entitled, "Who Runs The Schools?," it would be nice if you would respond to the above question. Or, is this one of Christopher Knight's Jedi Mind Tricks?



Matt

Valerie Molinski wrote: This cat and mouse game gets old.

ok

No school board member has every told me they are gifted.



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Gary Rice wrote:It's been argued that teachers and administrators might be more closely aligned with their communities, or perhaps should work cheaper, but the reality of school district salaries means that Lakewood must pay their staff competitively in order to attract quality employees, and that often means going out of the District to hire, and having to pay for that quality accordingly.

There is no relationship between teacher pay and performance.

Who really runs the school system? Cui Bono?

If you compare area school district performance on the proficiency tests with salaries paid to employees, I think that you will discover that higher paid (read wealthier)districts do indeed tend to perform better, generally speaking, on the tests. Wealthier districts tend to attract and pay for quality staff, buildings, and educational materials.

Of course, this is an overly simplistic response, as there are a variety of other factors involved, but the correlation can be made nonetheless, and has been central to the case for better school funding arrangements needing to be addressed in this state.

As for school salaries comparatively in Lakewood, we usually are at around the middle of the pack in Cuyahoga County.

...and of course, as to who runs the schools, it is YOUR school system. YOU run it through your elected representatives.

Back to the banjo...

This entire thread is ridiculous.

First, as Mr. Markling suggested, this thread is misleading. No one is actually talking about who runs the schools. This is just talking about comments made by unnamed sources as to who runs the schools.

But my question is.....Why do you all of the sudden care and what do you hope to achieve by asking this?

Understandably, people all over the country are complaining about the general structure of the educational system in the United States, but this thread seems much more specific, and I think one of the flaws is that there is no point.

So you suss out who "really" runs the schools and what their hidden agenda is. Does that mean that anyone on this thread is going to do anything to actively improve the school community, or just make a stink on a message board?

But everyone here seems to just be content playing Woodward and Bernstein via the internet. I mean, everyone claims to be so interested, and yet no one comments on the school newspaper or any of the active student civic groups, or is really involved at all (aside from Mr. Markling) If what Jim suggests is true, that's the kind of caring that let these clandestine groups "take control".