8/16/2011 11:26 AM
McMURRAY – As Monday’s meeting of the Peters Township School District was about to adjourn, member Julie Ann Sullivan said she had a statement. After reading a brief, prepared announcement outlining her feelings about the nearly four years she has served, Sullivan abruptly resigned.
“I now find myself in a situation where the life of being a school board director and my personal life are no longer compatible,” Sullivan read. “I no longer have the ability to work for this school district at that high level of commitment that I promised myself I would have.”
The board immediately appointed Ron Dunleavy to fill Sullivan’s unexpired term that ends in December. Dunleavy successfully ran for school director and will appear on the November ballot. Sullivan also ran for re-election. If she is unable to have her name removed and wins in the fall, she said following the meeting that she would resign, again.
Dunleavy was not at the meeting to learn of his appointment. A friend in the audience sent him a text message. Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
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36 comments:
Hooray!!!!!
One down one more to go....
Anonymous said...
One down one more to go....
August 16, 2011 11:34 PM
ONE? At least three...need to go.
Could we PLEASE get someone on this school board with interests in the EDUCATION of ALL students?
As many saw it she was the swing vote to get NZ her new contract. Is this a tale of things to come? The kids sure hope so. Maybe just maybe it will no longer be as comfortable as it was when there were 5 votes there to protect her.
Dear School Board Members Who Care,
As a parent, I am just confirming that the information I have received is the truth. I was told by a teacher that the PTSD teachers received information in their agenda for next week with a title of
F*n around with the Superintendent. Even though she wouldn't have meant F'N in the severe vulgar level, this wouldn't be put out in print to every teacher in the district, even as an eye catcher? If a teacher would have done this or the union she would have --
I can't imagine what kids of teachers whether in this district or another would say or will say when they find this. Don't tell me they say worse, we are NOT talking about teenagers, or are we? Anyhow, if this is not true, great! If it is, this is another example of lack of and/or incorrect ways to communicate by the top level of the school administrator. I do NOT believe that any other superintendent would have this sent out to staff. So school board, integrity? Character? The implications and suggestion of this title IF TRUE, is unacceptable. And if it is true, the board won't do anything about this either. Come on members who care, if it is true, don't laugh this off. As a parent and someone who cares about this district I am highly disappointed. Putting this in print!!!!!!!!!! But if what I was told was not true, shame on who told me.
Regarding:As a parent, I am just confirming that the information I have received is the truth. I was told by a teacher that the PTSD teachers received information in their agenda for next week with a title of
F*n around with the Superintendent.
It is absolutely true, and crude, and sad.
“F’in Around” with Dr. Zetty or Things I Learned from Jay Suszynski’s Retirement Speech; Foundations with Matt Cheran, Federation with Kris Bergman; Family & Friends with Shelly Belcher
hmmmmm....this verbiage looks familiar. i love perpetuating gossip.
good stuff pt teachers!
To August 18 11:44 am.
YES it is true and was sent to all staff as the agenda for the upcoming start of the new school year in-service agenda.
Oh. My. Gosh.....
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11230/1168071-55-0.stm?cmpid=localstate.xml
Read this article. At the VERY END it says, and I quote....."Several school board members said they felt it was unfair to this year's seniors and juniors to alter the system,"....This is in reference to modifying a school district policy.
IT IS BECAUSE IT IMPACTS THEIR CHILDREN!!!! They thought nothing of fairness when passing policy that impacts the curriculum plans of other students mid high school career!...
Oh. My. Gosh.
Where was their "concern" for fairness when THEY DID THIS to other kids? I do not think I could be any angrier with a school board.
I have an idea, let's get our article out that says F*n around with the kids, the parents, and the community. Because this is what the superintendent and most board members are now doing. You are correct who wrote that folks on the board didn't want things changed FOR THEIR KIDS. Former school board members and former admin. who left, though we didn't always agree and though there was some people who probably dislike some things you did, THANK YOU for caring, working hard, and putting the kids first. I believe PTSD is now at Rock Bottom. This would be a great article for the Post-Gazette. The decline and Fall of PTSD. But, this article won't happen, or will it? Come on Toni S, we need you to run! How about that title the not-super came up with, can things get any worse?????????
hmmmm...and who heard the retirement speech? teachers and staff! sorry, most of us were not privy to that retirement speech or to teachers email. it is nice that you and other ptsd staff answered your own question! i find it highly disturbing and unprofessional, that teachers divulge private ptsd business on this blog.
in all honesty, if i were going to any type of professional meeting i would view "f'in" as "foolin'"......i find it appalling that a teacher would make such a vulgar reference in a retirement speech.
of course the self serving board members speak up when it impacts their kids, but really do not give a crap about anybody else's kids. that is why they need to go.
I am confused. While I have never, ever seen anyone us F'n as meaning "fooling"--seriously?--
Are you saying that the Super titled an address to the faculty this way or that Mr. S did? What was the actual title and who thought it up?
."Several school board members said they felt it was unfair to this year's seniors and juniors to alter the system,"
HAHAHA....but it was ok to alter the actual graduation course requirements after the class of 2013 entered high school. That would be fair because it does not impact their kids. That comment is priceless and says it all!
I hope a board member or two went to the school and saw the dress code violations associated with football camp. I hope they did some screaming about the language too!
We are in deep trouble people.
There will be another board resignation soon and it will be a loss for our community.
Lynn is not as scary as Cindy or Lori. With Lynn, you know that her only agenda is sports. Lori is only interested in what impacts her children (and watch her temper!) and Cindy tries to schmooze everyone and pretend she's on "your" side. She doesn't get that actions speak louder than words- we can see right through her bs! Those 3 are married to Nina and have never thought independently on anything.
It's a terrible waste what they have done to our school district. Bring back the Sandy Teodoris, Denise Abrahams & Sandy Gregs. They actually cared about ALL students.
Wow. F'n around, huh? Nice schools of character.
With all the budget cuts and busing changes within the district, PTSD better not forget they are required to provide bus transportation for the Junior class that is required to attend school while the other students in the school district enjoy a longer Spring vacation. I am sure that extra day of busing transportation is not free!
I am for almost any candidate that is not a current sitting board member. What they have permitted the administration to do to the curriculum and education of students at that high school is unconscionable.
Why is that students participating at a school sponsored, outdoor, extra curricular activity practice, were not permitted to enter the school building when a sever thunderstorm suddenly came up? They were told there is another activity in that building and told to stand under the overhang while a thunder and lightening storm was in progress. Nice way to care for the well being of students...NOT!
August 20, 2011 9:27 AM
Interesting points. Did you know at the last board meeting one of those three now want some kind of sports committee? (I am basing that on what someone else told me. I have not seen it myself yet!)
I wish this board paid half of the time, and attention, to education and academics, that they spend on sports! I would love to see Sandy, Sandy and Denise on the board again! They asked all the right questions and actually got answers from district employees!
Oh there was certainly room in the budget for the little pet projects that board members want. This board has lost transparency and has completely forgotten they are to represent all stakeholders, not just themselves.
"Why is that students participating at a school sponsored, outdoor, extra curricular activity practice, were not permitted to enter the school building when a sever thunderstorm suddenly came up? "
Does that surprise you? I know of a group of students that were representing the school district, at a school sponsored event, that were not permitted to enter the building to use the restroom after a two and a half hour bus ride.
When do we officially find out that parking passes probably more than doubled?
When will we officially learn that transportation to academic competitions are cut, but transportation to athletic competitions are not cut?
"...We are in deep trouble people."
We have been for the past year. Actions, or lack thereof, certainly do speak much louder than words!
WHOA....What is this?
http://www.thealmanac.net/alm/story11/08-17-2011-PT-bus-changes
Wait, my kids can not take the bus after school to their day care center? This is an outrage.
My neighbors daughter goes home on the bus twice a week with another student for purposes of child care.
What the heck is this school board doing?
"Wait, my kids can not take the bus after school to their day care center? This is an outrage.
My neighbors daughter goes home on the bus twice a week with another student for purposes of child care.
What the heck is this school board doing?"
I was stupid enough to try to get permission to do something similsr a few years ago. I was told to csll the bus garage. I was told I could not let my kid ride different buses due to childcare. Good luck with that.
I can see sometimes there IS a problem when a bus going home is inundated with a large group of kids who decide to visit the middle school to reminisce or all ride home to one kids house to hang out. Happens a lot.
What it comes down to, based upon recent actions of this administration and school board, is that they do not care at all about the students, families or education within this school district. Someone else here said it, and it is true, actions speak louder than words. All these people care about is sports and that they get their raises and paychecks.
Several of us were told when calling for help with powerschool, over at the DAO, "you know, we were not trained for this". The district has had this system for over 5 years now and the functionality that was promised to parents is STILL not available. Just like the online classes they promised are still not available nor is the help they promised students with the graduation project!
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!
Sue Smith and Diane Ritter bring up educational issues, while other board members sigh and roll their eyes when academics are mentioned. Perhaps this new guy will also actually care about kids too! I sure hope so. A change is needed.
How sad is that?
Kids in the class of 2013 signed up for the online graduation project for the first half of the year because the school could not provide the kids with the help they were originally promised. That is a great way to take a students desired elective away from them. I am sure it is viewed as 'trying to help the students with the project and getting in the online requirement too!' by district administration. They conveniently leave out the part that they didn't bother to provide the students with any help on the project as they promised two years ago nor have they provided the online classes as promised either!
I am really looking forward to heading to the polls later this year; however, once again, there are not many choices. PT is going to have representation on the school board that have never been to a school board meeting; out of "professional courtesy"? Sounds like he already recognizes the conflict of interest, enough that he does not attend meetings, even though he currently can not vote on anything!
The way this school district has headed within the past year is down, down, down; with no bottom in sight.
"The way this school district has headed within the past year is down, down, down; with no bottom in sight."
Sadly I agree.
According to recent news articles, it looks like Sandy Gregg is going to be on the ballot again. The article also stated it was unclear what was happening with Mrs. Sullivan, as it was too late to remove her name from the November ballot. Does that me Mrs. Sullivan can be re-elected then have to resign again. That is pretty dumb, on the part of the department of elections.
I say out with the "F'in" current board with a couple of exceptions! And the "F'in" superintendent! How unprofessional for her to even think her email was cute!
How unprofessional for her to even think her email was cute!
August 29, 2011 2:28 PM
I fault the SB for allowing this type of behavior. They have made a big deal out of less with others but for some reason they do not deal with her the same. We do not know all the behind the scenes things but it seems obvious they do not want to admit they made a huge mistake hiring her and even a bigger one renewing her.
CHARACTER COUNTS!!!!!!!!!
With the exception of Sue Smith, who is not afraid to publicly question the status quo, this board is a cancer to the community. When the cutesy buzzwords "Character" "Excellence" etc. are displayed on tv, the scene reminds me of the "Mission Accomplished" banner behind George W. Bush. The student achievements are remarkable, especially, despite the ineptness of the board. I've dubbed the inept bunch within the board as "the real housewives of Peters Township" with the intellect to match their counterparts on tv. What a shame to think what this community could be!
I want to add Diane R, Tom M, and Dr. B. to the folks who care and try hard as does Sue S. But it will not change until the majority of the board changes and the superintendent changes. It is not what the community could be?? I think it is a nice community. It is what the school district could have been under different leadership. Go out socially and have a Peters Township shirt on. It is mind boggling how people come up to you and ask what is going on in the district. Why has it gone down hill. Why don't people want to work there. Is it true that ... What is really scary, is that the majority of the board thinks everything is fine.
Yes, it's a shame what the community could be, not just the school district. Just ask the residents near the ballfield renovation project!
Which school board member has enough confidence to ask the superintendent why she doesn't have listed the 3.7 QPA requirement on the web-site for elementary teachers who want to be an every day sub, or a full-time teacher?
Which school board member has enough confidence to ask the superintendent why she has chosen this 3.7 QPA ON HER OWN that NOT ONE building or central office administrator has ever supported in the past or does now. BTW, this specific QPA does NOT exist in ANY other district. Another reason why we are the laughing stock of other districts. You should hear our administrators trying to explain this one to other educators in districts.
Which school board member has enough confidence to ask the superintendent if she made an elementary principal tell a substitute teacher who did not have an exact 3.7 QPA to leave the building and not come back? (Another example of how not to treat people.) We DO know the answer.
But don't worry, you will not get yelled at, have a door slammed, or be given a dirty look because you are a school board member.
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