The Observation Deck

Matt, I thought the Phase III committee was formed to be unbiased.

Corey Rossen

Corey Rossen wrote:Matt, I thought the Phase III committee was formed to be unbiased.

Corey Rossen

Corey,

You are correct. And I am not basing my decision on how many parents from one school show up to ANY meeting. But, I encourage parents from all schools to attend EVERY meeting and share their comments.

Matt

Hello Mr. Markling and Corey,


Let me clarify some of the information that you are referring to on your post.

Corey:

Thanks for posting my flier regarding the meeting tonight at the BOE. So many of our Grant families are still so unaware that their school is one of three being considered for closing.
Also, I want to make it clear to everyone reading this that you posted an email that I has sent to personal friends of mine, mostly from Grant School, to encourage Grant parents to get involved.
Of course, I did ask them to forward the message. I know that it is important for our Board of Education members to hear from our Grant families.

Mr. Markling.

Again, the information that Corey posted was a personal email sent to those who I knew understood what Phase III meant (maybe 20 or so). Many of whom was directly involved in the process and know
that a decision has yet to made. Unfortunately, with the poor communication to the media about the result of the second Community Forum many of our Grant families are confused. And so,
over all the general population doesn't understand "Phase III" or what it means to them.

And yes, the Phase III Steering Committee did not make a recommendation to the Board of Education. When we started the process we really wanted to be able to do this. However, in good
conscious with so many failings of the process we know we couldn't make that recommendation.

As far as moving the BOE building, it was pretty clear to me that it would cost too much to move and that no future plans are being made to move it. However, if the administrators who conveyed
that information as the last BOE Phase III meeting or during the Phase III process were not speaking for the Board, the so be it.

Kristine

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:Thanks for posting my flier regarding the meeting tonight at the BOE.

Kristine,

Other than the e-mail header (i.e., from, sent, subject), is this not that same flyer that was being handed out to Grant parents yesterday? If not, can you share with everyone that flyer as well?

Matt

Matt, I thought the Phase III committee was formed to be unbiased.

Corey,

If this statement is in reference to my flyer then you are correct. The Phase III process, for now, is over. The Committee made its report on October 19th.
That is the date in which I hung up Phase III hat. As a Lakewood citizen and member of the Grant community I am able to inform parents and motivate
them to get involved. However, I don't think that there is many who worked with me on Phase III who could accuse me of being biased in my participation
on the committee. Most of the leadership tried their hardest to make this process fair and unbiased. However, overall we weren't able to move enough
members to see a broader picture. My preference for Grant based on the data has been no secret. If fact, if you look over the posts from the last month or so
you will see that I speak out very openly about my feelings on these issues. Just because some of served on Phase III doesn't mean that we shouldn't have an
opinion now that the process is over.


Kristine

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:Just because some of served on Phase III doesn't mean that we shouldn't have an opinion now that the process is over.

Kristine,

That is true.

Matt

And I am not basing my decision on how many parents from one school show up to ANY meeting.

Matt,

I understand your position on this. You have been presented the data as well as other information and I think that
is all we (the community can ask).

However, I think the voices of our families in our school district should make a difference. After all, isn't this what our
democracy is built on? That citizens feel that they a say in their child's education, on where the schools are, and how those
choices will affect their lives? You do encourage all people to attend tonight's meeting? I take that as you are truly
interested in what they have to say. Over the last years parents have felt their concerns, voices, and opinions have been
discarded by the District leadership. I think it is important to our families that they know ehy were able to be heard.

And yes, the flyer was handed to any parent who wanted the information. Also, permission was granted to hang these fliers
on the doors after it was reviewd.

Kristine

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:The BOE has told us repeatedly through the process that the BOE will not be moved because it would cost too much (6 million which Lakewood residents would have to pay for without State help). My point has been all along that if we know the BOE buildings will remain ...



Kristine,

For the record, the Board of Education has not told you the above ... although similar statements were made by Administrators to both the Phase III Committee and the Board of Education. Again, the Board of Education has not made a decision. The Phase III Committee that you led, deferred the decision to the Board of Education. And, we are in the process of doing just that.

Matt

So are telling me that these historic buildings may be in "play" during this process of Phase III evaluation? Just to be clear. Are these buildings in jeopardy if Grant is closed?

I don't think that has made clear. I would appreciate if you can clear this up for me before I make any additional postings or comments.

Rhonda

Rhonda,

I took was told to us during Phase III from the administrators and what was discussed at the last Phase III
Board of Ed. meeting regarding the BOE building as representing what the BOE felt on this issue then I apologize.
I certainly never meant to put words in the Boards mouths.

I have explained why a recommendation was not made to the Board. Yes, it is the Board's decision. It always has been.
We all understood that even if we made a decision that the Board did not have to follow it. Tonight they are asking for
public comment. It is an opportunity for our community to talk to their elected school leaders.


Kristine

Rhonda loje wrote:So are telling me that these historic buildings may be in "play" during this process of Phase III evaluation? Just to be clear. Are these buildings in jeopardy if Grant is closed?

I don't think that has made clear. I would appreciate if you can clear this up for me before I make any additional postings or comments.

Rhonda

Rhonda,

Yes. As no decision has been made by the Board of Education, what happens to every remaining building is, as you say, "in play." That would include Taft, McKinley, Grant, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Franklin, the High School, the Central Office, and any other remaining building that I am missing.

Matt

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:You do encourage all people to attend tonight's meeting?

Kristine,

Yes.

Matt

Rhonda,

Yes. As no decision has been made by the Board of Education, what happens to every remaining building is, as you say, "in play." That would include Taft, McKinley, Grant, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Franklin, the High School, the Central Office, and any other remaining building that I am missing.

Matt

Matt,
Thank you for your honesty.
I was not aware that during this Phase III process that the BOE Central Offices were part of the conversation.
Thank you for the clarification.

Rhonda Loje

Kristine Pagsuyoin wrote:I understand your position on this. You have been presented the data as well as other information and I think that is all we (the community can ask).

Kristine,

Thank you.

Matt

[/quote]


After all, isn't this what our
democracy is built on? [/quote]

Kristine, I thought that is what the the last comminty meeting at the high school was. There was a clear result as to what was in favor.

Also, for the record, I did not post the flier or email, I believe that was someone else.

Corey

Rhonda loje wrote:
So are telling me that these historic buildings may be in "play" during this process of Phase III evaluation? Just to be clear. Are these buildings in jeopardy if Grant is closed?

I don't think that has made clear. I would appreciate if you can clear this up for me before I make any additional postings or comments.

Rhonda

Matt Markling wrote:
Yes. As no decision has been made by the Board of Education, what happens to every remaining building is, as you say, "in play." That would include Taft, McKinley, Grant, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Franklin, the High School, the Central Office, and any other remaining building that I am missing.

Matt

Rhonda wrote:
Matt,
Thank you for your honesty.
I was not aware that during this Phase III process that the BOE Central Offices were part of the conversation.
Thank you for the clarification.

Rhonda Loje

Matt,
Will there be another public conversation if the BOE will change the historic BOE Central Offices or will that public conversation be part of this Phase III conversation? Can you please clarify for me?
Thank you.
Rhonda