wreck and actually enjoying it. Hmmmm. Interesting. That would be a great example of what not to post. I started this blog to facilitate better communication in our school district, not to have anonymous posters call my intentions and integrity into question. Start your own blog, under your own real name, write your own commentary and stand behind it. Then you can sift through your own anonymous comments. Have fun.That being said, it seems that much of the current discord snowballing around right now can be traced back to questions concerning the appropriateness of a literature drop in Cottage Grove over the weekend. It seems that Jennifer Pickel and Peter Sobol's political literature were inadvertently stapled to a PTO flyer, most likely by a volunteer who didn't realize the error. Peter has already succinctly addressed this concern on his blog:
"Anonymous said...
Hey Peter, how can you and Pickel staple your political lit to PTO flyers? The PTO is endorsing the two of you? Isn't that against the rules? And why aren't you doing that in Monona, only Cottage Grove?
April 2, 2010 11:38 PM
Peter Sobol said...
I've not been endorsed by the PTO, and yes that would not be appropriate. I do know that the PTO is distributing a 'Get out the vote' flier about all the CG races - which is their perogative. It shouldn't be stapled to mine, however, that's not appropriate - and I had nothing to do with it. I assume it is individual volunteers doing the distribution just making it easier to do. I've asked that people stop."
Okay, so problem addressed and solved, right? Wrong. Apparently the bigger concern is the inclusion of a link to the mgsd.community on the flyer. As far as I know, that group endorsed two of the three candidates, hence qualifying their group as a politically active entity. As this flyer was clearly paid for by the Cottage Grove PTO, people are questioning the link between the two groups and the appropriateness of that link. Still with me? So who is the mgsd.community? I don't know. And I think that really is the underlying problem. What is this organization? Who runs it? Who is responsible? I have heard several concerns from parents in both Cottage Grove and Monona that whoever is moderating this group won't identify themselves and is pulling people off their email list if they question their identity. In fact, I just received one email on this group that the author wouldn't even let me quote from anonymously because she was so concerned about being identified as a naysayer. Huh? I was elected to serve the entire Monona Grove School District community, but I'm not on their email list. Why not? If their email address is printed on a Cottage Grove PTO flyer, does the mgsd.community speak for everyone in the Cottage Grove PTO? Every single one of them? Who is this group? Can someone please explain? And maybe, just maybe, this whole waste-of-my-time political literature debacle will be put to bed. As for the rest of this very public spat that continues to be played out in the blogosphere, I have only these words to all of those involved: knock it off already.
Good call on the comment moderation. I'm a firm believer in that.
ReplyDeleteYou find the coolest pictures....and the fish thing on the bottom is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat flier went home in the kids backpacks last week too. The Cottage Grove PTO (PTO president Jennifer Pickel, who was endorsed by MGSDcommunity), is sending home fliers paid for by the PTO with a link to the MGSDcommunity. That does not sound legitimate. The PTO is for all parents, not just those who support particular people. Who is going to take responsiblity for this? Mrs. Pickel?
ReplyDeleteI am allowing the above comment because I also want to know the answer to that question. When I ran for the Board last year I had to bend over backward and then some to avoid any crossover between my candidacy and my position of PTO co-president. I even deleted my entire email address book (a huge headache to this day) so people would not think I was using the PTO email list as a campaign tool. After being elected, I chose not to participate on the PTO Board because I don't want to muddy any waters (and I'm also alot busier now, but I digress) And please don't think that I am accusing the PTO, the mgsd.community and especially Jennifer of any questionable conduct, because I am not. I have never had any reason to suspect any of those organizations or Jennifer of doing anything inappropriate. I just want to know how this all fits together. And I think there are other people out there who do too.
ReplyDeleteStill waiting... can someone from the mgsd.community please tell me about your organization, who is running your email list and what your political agenda is? And again, can you please add me to the email list?
ReplyDeleteJessica said...
ReplyDeleteHow's that achievement gap going?
April 5, 2010 9:23 AM
Jessica said...
How's that racial intolerance working out?
April 5, 2010 9:24 AM
Jessica said...
How are those ACT scores?
April 5, 2010 9:24 AM
Jessica said...
WHAT'S UP WITH THE BUDGET?
April 5, 2010 9:24 AM
Jessica said...
Or should we talk about cats and flyers and who likes who and who's mean to who and boo hoo hoo???????????????????????????????????????????
I thought you wanted to have the real conversations? So, how did that budget meeting go last night? Did everyone have enough information this time? How has the Board decided to handle the deficit for next year? These are some of the the questions that I would like to see answered.
The meeting was televised live last night. You can also watch it on-line. Our Board President, Susan Fox, also does an excellent job of coverly meeting details in her monthly Board update at www.mononagrove.org. And then, of course, there is the coverage of all Board meetings in the Herald Independent, both in hard copy and on-line. I don't plan to write a detailed synopsis after every meeting. That would give you my own personal take on issues, not the Board's. It is likely that your questions might have been answered had you watched the meeting. Our concerned public needs to invest a little time in staying informed and being involved.
ReplyDeleteThe last memo from Susan Fox on Board Business was February 28, 2010. I'd say quite a bit has happened since then, wouldn't you? When the going gets tough, the Fox gets going....
ReplyDeleteYou really need to FREEZE or CUT all district staff salaries and benefits (inluding teachers). Period. Your largest expenditure is in personnel costs. That is the only way to chip away at your long term deficits.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't public sector employees have to feel the same pain that the private sector employees have had to? Many people have taken pay cuts or worse, have been laid off. Even other public sector employees like Dane County employees have taken cuts? DO NOT be pushed around by the teacher's union. Do the right thing for our children and make all district staff understand that they too must make sacrifices.
I don't think that anyone on the school board has the guts to make this tough decision and it's unfortunate. Due to your (the school board as a whole) lack of leadership and vision, kids in Cottage Grove are going to suffer the most. And that's the real tragedy here.
Jessica, let me try again to clarify.
ReplyDeleteI would have watched the meeting or viewed it online if I could afford cable tv or a new computer (one that can actually play videos) but I can't. I would have attended the meeting if I could afford to pay a babysitter, but I can't. I would, and will read the article at the Herald-Independent, but it wasn't written yet, so silly me thought you might have some insights to share.
That being said, I too continue to muddle ever onward the best I can, trying to stay informed. Sorry I'm not in the same economic class as you. Not everyone in this district has the resources you mention available to them. I don't need to be chastised for it. You could try be more sensitive.
I apologize, I certainly was not trying to be insensitive. You reposted my statements concerning a ridiculous spat between some of our community members that I didn't want to get involved in, so I don't really see the correlation between your post and our meeting last night. If you have any questions concerning the meeting, please email me. I would be more than happy to answer all of your questions to the best of my ability. And I am rather interested in what your concept is of my "economic status"- kind of a strange topic to be having with an anonymous poster, especially considering you seem to know everything you need to know about me and I don't even know who you are. At any rate, I'm sure the bank will be overjoyed to hear of my newly-found financial independence.
ReplyDeleteAnd I forgot to add, I spoke with Susan Fox this afternoon about her President's Update on the district website and she reassured me that she would have it updated this weekend. Thanks for being patient. And please, email me with your questions and concerns (jessica.ace@mgschools.net) or call me at my home 249-7536
ReplyDeleteMrs. Ace, Have you apologized and made amends with your neighbor on Tonyawatha Trail after verbally abusing her and threatening her with physical violence? Besides being a bad speller, should elected officials behave in that manner?
ReplyDeleteI am assuming this is a joke, so let's pretend it's funny and not libelous, Anonymous. It never ceases to amaze me how rude and hurtful people can be when they think they can hide under the cloak of anonymity, as if it's impossible to identify anonymous posters. I am going to leave this comment up because it's kinda making me laugh, but also kinda making me want to call my lawyer.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't see the humor in bullying neighbors over their driving habits.
ReplyDeleteHey Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how you put up with it, but you certainly have my admiration! You have the patience of a saint. I'd not only call my attorney, I'd literally whack this "anonymous" nut bag. Keep up the great work! Chin up!
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