If I didn’t have my faith deeply rooted in my Christianity – I’d fold. I have been reading and commenting on the NJForum, something I have not done in months, and I am so amazed that the complaints are exactly as they were a year ago. It is as if we really do not want to do better. As if we are afraid of the success. As Marian Williamson’s says in her poetic piece a Return to Love, “What is our biggest fear? Not that we are inadequate but that we are powerful beyond measure.”
Everybody has an opinion, but where are the solution workers? It is not enough to suggest what might, if given, could possibly, if only -- work. There is no way to clean this district up without rolling up our sleeves and pitching in! And further, it is inconceivable that this can be done WITHOUT each and every stakeholder owning their stuff.
Outsiders would like the State to do it. Why not? After all it is not their children that are, or will be affected. Others suggest taking the vote away from the citizenry and appointing a BOE. While even more protest about this thing or that, are embittered and disingenuous. And not a bit of which works together for the good in improving the educational system here in Plainfield.
I asked my daughter a very simple question – "what could I do as part of the Board of Education to improve the schools in Plainfield for you and your classmates?" Her answer was equally as simplistic – “Ummm, to provide us with the best education possible.”
How about that!
We are a case study of modern day Israelites. You know the ones who wondered in the wilderness for 40 years on what should have been a few weeks journey all because they were too stubborn and selfish to get out of their own way in order to reach the promised land. And, so too we are like Job being tried and tested at every juncture, but will we like he, in the end, stand?
I’ve got 2 years and 4 months to help secure the best education possible for my daughter and her peers!
I thank GOD for His Grace that is sufficient for each day!
Is anyone interested in exploring further the fact that Plainfield actually consists of 5 distinctive public school districts?
ReplyDeleteHow many who read these blogs realize that each Plainfield charter school is a totally separate, legally defined public school district, not answerable to the PPS superintendent or Board of Education?
How many know that each charter school is (supposed to be) held as responsible as the PPS district to the NJ DOE, etc. and to the people of Plainfield, and that each charter school only answers to its own Board, who are not appointed by the Plainfield constituency? How many know that Plainfield charter school board members do not even have to be Plainfield residents?
How many here in Plainfield actually are aware that the 4 charter schools alone enroll close to 800 mostly Plainfield children, with one of them alone having close to 370 students and a publicly funded budget of over $4 million?
Should not these schools also be held accountable and also be reviewed by people such as yourself and the good Dr E. who understand the complexities of school law and public reporting and know how to go about asking the right questions in the proper, legal manner?
Are not OPRA laws, Sunshine laws, school law, etc. --- all the same types of reporting and questions that are being asked (and discovered)regarding the PPS district and schools, just as important for these other public school districts as they are for PPS?
What would happen if someone were to take a very close look at the ASK scores of one charter school in particular and compare them to those of PPS. What does SINI status mean for a charter school?
What would one discover of one were to take a very penetrating look at the members (both present and past) of the Board of one particular Plainfield public charter school (especially the President of the Board) and then take a look at who was voted in by that Board as the "lead person" of that particular school as well as the salary of that "lead person" and the credentials of this particular "lead person"?
Would not one assume that someone who is appointed by a Board as a "lead person" of a public school had some type of educational teaching or administrative degree such as Elementary Teachers or Principal / Supervisor?
How many are aware that Board members of public charter schools such as the ones in Plainfield are NOT appointed by Plainfield residents – that there is NO PUBLIC vote or input as to who can become a member of a charter school Board ? Just who are the members of these charter school Boards? Where do they come from? Where do they reside? How many are even Plainfield residents?
How many are aware that, even though charter school Board members are not appointed or voted in by the public, the Board is still the same legal entity as that of the PPS district Board and must follow all rules and regulations accordingly?
Who among the readers in here would be interested in discovering this information, all of which is (supposed to be) public knowledge as well as publicly disclosed?
Would it not make for some very interesting and important reporting – not only for the sake of Plainfield children and their families, but also for all Plainfield taxpayers?
Is it not about time that the people of Plainfield understood what is taking place in 4 of their other school districts?
I have to talk with my legal counsel as I would suspect, for myself specifically, as a Board Member I might not have as much leverage to inquire about all that you have pointed out simply because it can be misconstrued that I have a vested interest in seeing Charter schools fail, and thus any inquiries I make would be seen as biased regardless to how legitmate they may in fact be.
ReplyDeleteI'll check on it and let you know when we convene in a few weeks.
I did give a presentation in November about the performance statistics of charter schools vs. traditional public schools and how they ARE NOT performing any better, and in fact -- in large measure -- they are doing far worse.
I would like to see my fellow Board members take a hard stance on the charters in Plainfield and invite you to come to our next Business meeting in January to call us on the carpet about everything you've posted.
I will do what I can that is both legal and ethical -- as my goal is to provide Plainfield youth with the BEST EDUCATION possible.
Thank you and keep up the good fight! It is worth it! They (our children) are WORTH IT!