May 6 at 10:51am
Woolley School board -"The Skagit-Valley Herald reports that the Sedro-Woolley
School Board passed a resolution Monday saying strikes of any length by any
employees are illegal and do irreparable harm to students."
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http://www.seattletimes.com/.../sedro-woolley-school.../ Sedro-Woolley
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RemoveJim Scott I believe I read about his comments in the Herald over
the weekend.
Once again we are in agreement. It is absolutely crazy that a legislative
leader would think a bill would be necessary when if he had the knowledge
necessary to do his job to any degree of quality he would have already known the
teachers wouldn't be paid for any days they are on strike. The sad part is that few
in Olympia understand school funding to any greater degree than does the man
from Ritzville.
There have been no discussion at the board level regarding a potential
local strike. The special meeting held Monday did not allow for any such
discussion as it was not on the published agenda and neither was any general
comment opportunity.May 6 at 2:42pm Like 3
RemoveJim Scott As far as whether or not there should be a discussion
on the matter, in my personal opinion, since the courts have long refused to
impose sanctions when teachers strike, any such discussion for or against would
be wasted effort. Our teachers will make their decission and the district will
respond as required by the laws that are enforced.May 6 at 3:56pm Like 2
RemoveDebra Kolrud The problem has not been the courts refusing to to
impose sanctions, but the problem has been with local school boards that refuse
to take the required step to pursue legal action. Example; the longest strike in
Washington was Marysville, which finally ended once a group of parents took it
upon themselves to purse legal action against both the district and the union, only
then did the local school board pursued legal action against an illegal strike,
bringing in the court system which quickly imposed a $250.00 day fine per
teacher if the strike continued - and just like that the longest teacher strike ended!
May 6 at 4:29pm Like
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RemoveDebra Kolrud Director Jim Scott - has the MEA shared any
information with the school board or the Superintendent of their intentions to
strike or do a walk out even for one day?May 6 at 4:32pm Like
RemoveJim Scott A letter went to all families this Monday stating that
MEA would be making a decision next Monday and if they chose to strike it would
be on Friday the 15th. If that is their choice, June 16th will be the new last day of
school.May 6 at 4:35pm Like 1
RemoveDebra Kolrud Question Director Jim Scott - you said there has
been no discussion at the board level regarding a potential local strike, so how
can you state the school calendar would change from the last day of school on
June 15th to June 16th? Extending the school calendar to accommodate this
strike requires school board approval!May 6 at 4:47pm Like
RemoveJim Scott I reported what parents were told so they would be able
to make appropriate plans. If the teachers choose to walk out the calendar
change will have to be made official by the board once the facts are known.
Whether that will happen Monday or at the following regular board meeting
depends entirely on the timing of the union decission. While you may see this as
a terrible overstep on the part of the administration, I see it as the most logical
solution to a problem that may or may not occur.May 6 at 4:55pm Like 4
RemoveDebra Kolrud Director Scott- Even though the words " a terrible
overstep" were your chosen words, and not mine, I must say I have to agree with
your choice of words. You stated "There have been no discussion at the board
level regarding a potential local strike school", but regardless of the lack of
discussion by the school board, the administration none the less, took it upon
themselves to send letters to parents/guardians that if the MEA makes such a
decision the calendar would be extended. Your personal view that the
administration decision is the most logical solution, has no baring as it doesn't
change the fact that the administrations made a decision to extend the calendar
without board discussion or approval. You may agree, but other directors may
have other options they would like to propose and have the board consider.
I hope you will consider respectfully reminding administration as to the
proper role of the school board to ensure those elected to make the decisions are
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RemoveJim Scott While no discussion has been held at the board level,
the administration did not operate in a vacuum, but within the powers it has been
delegated. Yes, formal boartd action must be taken, that doesn't mean tenative
information should not be released prior to that action when it benefits the
community. Making parents wait until the last week of the month for necessary
information was not a viable option. The community is well aware of your views
regaring the last several district administrations, and there is a reason you are no
longer a director.Yesterday at 11:09am Edited Like 1
RemoveCindy Cook I support the teachers and DO NOT support any
legal action against them. I appreciate them taking a stand for all of us and
insisting on fully funding education! I sent my emails today. Yesterday at 9:11am
Like 6
RemoveDebra Kolrud Director Jim Scott my comments have been
focused towards the issue of who's in charge. This isn't about being against the
administrations as you may be trying to imply, it's about the fact that if the
teachers do vote to go on strike, it's the role of the school board to makes the
decision what will happen next, as there are many options available to the board
besides accommodating a calendar change, options that the school board should
discuss if it happens. However, now that the administration sent out a letter
without seeking board input, stating it would be resolved with calendar change,
the administration is guaranteed the board will follow suit and approve their
recommendation.12 hrs Like
RemoveJim Scott right3 hrs Like
RemoveDebra Kolrud Director Jim Scott, consider reviewing Sedro
Woolley school board resolution, which states the one day strike is illegal and the
union should immediately cancel the strike, and yet over here in Monroe our
school board has yet to discuss this issue, yet the Administration made the
decision to send out a letter citing the calendar change plan! I know, crazy me to
think the school board should have a say in this!
http://www.goskagit.com/.../pdf_a2c51180-ed64-11e4-abfc...S-W
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school board was left out of the discussion, and as a member of the board you
need to hold them accountable to ensure this doesn't happen again!1 hr Like
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opinion.
As I have said previously, just because the board has not had a discusion
on the issue does not mean the Superintendent did not consult with individual
directors prior to sending the letter as he is allowed to do under the authority
delegated to him under board policy and under the law. He did so knowing full
well the board would have to take specific action if the hypothetical situation
actually came to pass.
Your repeated representation of the facts as you understand them is in
error as are the many assumptions you are making regarding your
misrepresentation of the facts.
Enough - Let's Move On !!!
- We call this the elmo card. We use it in board meetings when
conversations become circular as this one surely has. Have a great week end.1
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RemoveDebra Kolrud Director Scott, if you are wishing to make
claims of stating errors, that would be on you, not myself, as I asked you if the
board has had a discussion on the matter and you state they had not, however
now you're claiming the Superintendent consulted with individual directors prior to
sending out this letter, and if that happened that would be even a graver concern.
Such individual discussion with Directors is called a serial board meeting, and as
you know from first hand experience serial meetings are a violation of the Open
public meeting act. These discussions are required to be conducted in an open
public meeting.2 mins Like