Up until this point (on this page) I've been silent about the Guilderland School Teachers controversy.  I've certainly covered the issue in-depth on the air.  Just look at all these pod-casts!  Phew.   

Here, here and here are just a few of todays articles written about the subject.

And now the "smoking guns".  Right here is the districts overview on the situation.  

Here's the "redacted" Culture Climate Inquiry:

View PDF Document

Last, but not least, the "redacted" sexual harassment investigation:

View PDF Document

Wow.  I guess this whole thing started with the alleged telling of some "dirty" or off-color jokes?  Is any workplace safe?  More on that at the bottom of this "blog".  Speaking of "blogs", I propose a new word for those who engage in anonymous "bloggery" -  Bloogers.  Use it as you see fit.  In fact, even out-of-state teachers are engaged in some Bloggery.  Check this (warning "R" language ahead) out.    
 
Now back to the issue at hand:

During todays School Board meeting the board *again* refused to let the public (students, graduates, parents, and tax-payers) speak in a public forum.  Three meetings, three rejections.  Unreal.  It's pathetic when a body of government, large or small, denies it's constituents the opportunity to speak.  It's even more pathetic when those same constituents are referred to as a "mob".   

The board is certainly aware of the anger associated with the School Superintendent's decision to transfer two award winning teachers, Matt Nelligan and Anne Marie McManus, to the middle school.  Instead of letting people speak, vent, or make a case of support, the board again today rejected any opportunity for public comment.  Without talk-radio or the internet those concerned in Guilderland would have had nowhere to speak their minds.  Certainly the board can legally refuse to open the floor to discussion, but was it the right thing to do?  No, not even close.  
 
Whether you support the two teachers or not is irrelevant.  True leaders "listen" to the people they work for and in this case the board should be "working" for the community.  It seems obvious that they aren't (to be fair, two board-members did vote to object to the Superintendents decision).  The board is in desperate need of a P.R. 101 course. 

Some comments I've received ask why are these teachers complaining?  In other words, If your boss says move, you move, end of story.  I get that, in part.  The problem is when the decision is made in secret, it's reasons are lame, and/or based on flimsy reports.  Most of all when the decision has a negative impact on the community.  

Even in the private sector, bad personnel decisions do come under scrutiny.  Say when a CEO fires a well-liked employee.  If that negatively impacts the bottom-line ($), that CEO is in trouble with his stockholders.  Next thing you know that CEO is gone.

Right here is a student designed web-site of support if you want more info.  I'll be adding more links as I go along.  

Trouble is my days are short. 

Next week, as part of the inconclusive findings of a Culture Climate Inquiry here at the office, Justin (call screener/producer extraordinaire) will be taking over the show and my position of full-time host.

I do look forward to screening your calls.         

I'm surprised it took this long. 

Since we've already taken the time machine back to the 70's with the economy on a downturn, gas, and alternative energy stuff we may need to break out these bumper stickers again:



Someone cue Sammy Hagar's hit from 1984 "I Can't Drive 55"!  It's back!  The call for a lower national speed limit. 

Read about it right here.

Ugh.  Yeah, I know we use too much oil (20-million barrels a day), but a National Speed Limit?

I'm thinking maybe cars a bit different these days and pinning one speed as being "optimal" for fuel savings on *all* vehicles may be a wee bit off.

Anyway, this outfit loves the idea.  For the opposite point of view check this and this out.  

I'm no speed freak, but I shudder to think about the idea of federally imposed speed limit again.  I say leave it up to us if we want to cruise at 55 in the slow lane.  Of course, knowing New York it won't be long before the state imposes it's own slower speed limit.  

So what's next on our trip back into the past?  Perhaps, two sure signs of the apocalypse, Leisure suits and Disco.