Okay. So there is an alien nation, going to take over the planet Earth. And all of a sudden you have all the countries that hate each other are bonded together for the good of the planet. People: Illinois State Board of Ed is using this classic tactic - and applying it to us so that we STOP reporting every little baby-move to them, pull ourselves together and "bond" together. This my friends is a "classic BOE move". Kudos to them. Time for you to stop fighting and tattling - and time to save our planet. :)

I think it is time the State came in and took over the money. The school board for the last 25 years has had the support of Lemont families. We should have incredible schools, but we don't. It is not the economy, it is the bad decisions repeatedly made by the school board. I would like the Patch to write a summery of all the bad decisions made. They can start with the bond issue to build Old Quarry, The electrical plant, the purchase of land on the corner of 131st and Derby. When members are voted out and replaced the cycle seems to start over again. The state needs to clean house.

What we really need to is this BOE to step up and make a change in the superientendent position, Ricker needs to go now. That negative cash balance with by far the biggest recent blunder. The state is sending us a message. We need to adhere to it.

No Ann sorry, I dont know your last name, I was not there last night. Like you and many others I can not make all the meetings, but I go to what I can. I am glad to see you were there, tho.

After doing a lot of research on the Round Lake School District (a district just emerging out of state "takeover"), and speaking with parents from the district that are friends of mine, the state coming in was well worth it. Yes, the state did raise taxes, but it was a blessing in disguise as class sizes were reduced, programs are up and running, and parents are much happier with the school district now than what they ever been. I voted for all the referendums because I wanted the tax increase. I researched the tax rate for 113a, and noticed it was going down, ever since at least 95 when I moved here. I don't believe TAWS is the answer because it is ultimately costing the district money in interest, and in articles I have read, the district can only borrow 75% of anticipated tax monies. So what does the district do in an emergency, such as the medical insurance that occurred at the end of the school year? Or something like a hole in the roof, and we can go on and on. So, my friends, we need a tax increase to alleviate a TREMENDOUS amount of issues. I don't believe it will hurt our community, because what do young families look at when moving to a community.......test scores, class size, programs........well, a tax increase by the state will maintain the good test scores, reduce class sizes, and bring back programs.

I'm not taking sides on either issue, but the way I see it, the only thing that will help is money at this point in time.

Mary, I do appreciate your comments. What was clear to me last night at the meeting is Lemont still has a strong tax base. I also think with the over$3M in surpluses every year ($19M by 2016) we could use towards restoring bus services and teachers in the classroom. I agree we should have surplus but I think the state only requires $6M. And if I heard correctly, there will no longer be a need to borrow within a couple years? Either way, I think we may have some means to restore bus service and get those teachers back in the classrooms.

First, I would like to say that I feel that the Editor of the Patch has been doing an outstanding job. I do not know her, but it is obvious by the quality of the stories, she is a professional.
Why would anyone question an unbiased analysis of the current situation?
That is why I ask her to do a "professional investigation" into the repeated mistakes made by the Lemont Board of Education over the years. The Tax payers of Lemont would like to hear an educated, unbiased, ego fee, account of what has happened in the past and the status of the board with the State of Illinois.

As far as the economy not being a factor impacting our schools, my point is a board should be able to operate properly knowing what funds they have and how to spend them, regardless of the economy. Lemont's grade school system didn't just develop these problems when the economy tanked, It was just more transparent to the citizens of Lemont and the State of Illinois.

Well said Nancy, but the only thing else I can say is we can't have the same people keep making the same mistakes. At least we need to make the appropriate changes to ensure it never happens again. Unfortunately, changes often mean changes in people running our district. We just can't have the same incompetence making the same mistakes.

Hi Patti, Thank you for your comments. While I understand your position, the financial plan passed with build surppluses of over $19M. The state recommends $6-$12M, and $6M is appropriate. So why such the extreme? Sounds like we have some pretty good funding there. And, what I also hear we can stop the borrowing in the next couple of years. The state said we could not have a negative cash balance and we still did. If the increase in expenditures was the cultprit, why did Ricker say "Now is not the time" everytime he was asked. He avoided that question for weeks. The state has clearly sent the message that they are unhappy with the fiscal year end accounting so I have to believe something was not done right. All I will tell you is the state is not happy with the way this district is being run, even our accounting "methods". The FOP has nothing to do with past referendums. They obviously have proof we are not managing our finances appropriately. The past referendums and the FOP are two separate issues. Given RIcker's tenure in his last two school districts, his track record speaks for itself. Just my opinion.

I do know this to be true.....maybe the fact that the fop is being suggested has nothing to do with the referendums failing, however, if the referendum would have passed, the fop never would have been suggested at all. The fact the Deb Vespa said at a board meeting, "District 113a doesn't have a spending problem......they have a revenue problem", speaks volumes.....and maybe.....that's what the state superintendent is most concerned about, the lack of funding. Now.......I'm not on either side when it comes to Dr. Ricker, but I have witnessed three superintendents in action at 113. Dr. Ricker was the only one who had the guts to balance that budget, yes, through horrendous cuts, but they were done, of course ISBE forced his hand. Would he have done that if ISBE didn't force the issue.....the answer is yes, not to the extreme it is......but yes, ask any staff member who worked during that time. Supplies were cut, paper use cut, field trips cut, insurance renegotiated, and serious talk about reducing programs....and then getting to this year when many teachers at the higher end of the salary schedule are due to retire; all these things were being implemented to cut costs and help balance the budget, and by the end of this school year....it would have been done. But let's remember what really got us here......Cook County being seriously delinquent in getting out real estate taxes in fall of 2009, and the state being late on their payments, that's what red flagged us.

(cont'd) Now, like I said earlier, I'm not any any side with Dr. Ricker......I do know he does need to sharpern up his PR skills, and maybe public perception of 113 would be better if he just stepped down on his own, but that most likely won't happen. And as far as finding cause to terminate his contract....well, the state's attorney's office already noted that he did nothing illegal, and to fire him now would cost more money than it's worth....and if he's not fired and the school board tells him to leave, then they would have to buy him out of his contract, again, not worth the money.

Was the deficit spending right or wrong? Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. We know it was done because the board was counting their chickens before they were hatched......the high school, park district, and fire district all had passing referendums, and the 113 board thought the prospects were good for passing a referendum. So, they kept class sizes low (well, again what is low) and had terrific programs, academically and extracurricular, and I'm not sure how are teachers' salaries are in comparison with state average, but they didn't have a freeze. Lemont was booming and all seemed well to pass a referendum....a part of me doesn't blame them for that thought process. However, the if I were on the board, I probably would have tried to slow down a bit, but I'm not really sure how much of that was brought on by the previous superintendent......and remember, the past contract

(cont) was negotiated without Tim Ricker as superintendent. So......just an ugly situation all around, lawsuits, fop's, in fighting among board members (yet again), and a divided community. Certainly not why I bought a home here in Lemont. A silver lining.......we made AYP, but with large class sizes, will that last. Remember, last year was the first year with large class sizes, and this year they are bigger, and when they didn't make it before, IT WAS THE SUB GROUP. So, only time will tell with that, and if I can surmise, I bet a lot of people are spending a lot of money getting extra tutoring, so that always helps those test scores.

Now these are only my thoughts........I'm not on one side or the other, I see faults for both, and benefits to both.

Whatever side you are on, we need to find and appropriate solution

Money, that is what Ricker wants. The Board couldn't deliver it because they overreached on the april ask. The state (FOP) is his last chance. Help for this district seems to center around fiscal intelligence and long term planning. Pay for appropriate class size (proper Teacher census), tells us how many that is, and get it done. Non-mandated programs--field trips, athletics, etc etc, parents of those participants should pay for. taxpayeRs are already paying for everything else whether they like it or not, they are already on board. That is how to run a school district in 2011-2012 and beyond.

Okay Martin.....I'll bite. What do you think the appropriate class size is? Also, why do you think this is a "teacher census" information? Gee, I would think that you would want to go to those that are in the fox holes with the kids.....even those that teach in a parachiol school setting will tell you the 20-25 kids in a classroom is a great learning atmosphere.....not 35 and above like they have at Old Quarry. Believe it or not.....the teachers are not the evil villains like people are making them out to be, they are not the reason why we are in the situation we are in. My child's teacher spent $1500 of her own money last year for her classroom and her students, and would arrive at work at 7:30 and stay until 7:30, and attends classes during the summer, all for a whopping $56,000, and those classes were not reimbursed. So yes, take the teacher census, and they will always tell you what the best learning atmosphere is. Just like a doctor would tell you what the best procedure is to help treat a disease. I wish that my child's teacher could charge what my child's pediatrician does.......$210 for 5 minutes. I don't think she gets that for a whole day of work.

Answers. 1. i have never questioned teachers dedication nor fair compensation. Of course, I do hear about "perversities" re: retirement expectations etc which I cannot independinently pigeon hole local employees as participating in and only hope the marketplace will correct. 2. Let's face it, we quarrel because of the current situation which has alot to do with prior miscalculation. Much of which, in my opinion, was intentional and based on a certain feeling of entitlement. I do agree, however, that nothing can be done about that. 3. Solutions are hard right now, no doubt. I am left wondering about a loan from 210 over and above the TAW (seeing as it is 95% monies placed in 210 by 113A taxpayers) that would go to hiring teachers immediatedly and paid back over a longer period of time.

Martin, looking at #3 in your response. Are you saying you want 113A to borrow more money from 210 above a TAW to hire back teachers? I'm just wondering if I'm reading that right. You want 113A who is trying to stop TAWs, to borrow even more to hire back teachers? So you want 113A to go against the state plan they've been under for two years to do this? I hope I've misinterpreted your idea. Why have they gone through two years of enormous cuts if they can now just borrow more from 210! I know you're trying to possibly think outside the box, but do you realize the state is thinking about coming in?

Joe Farnray, what facts would you like me to state? The fact the Mr Ricker drove the former schools he worked at into similar financial messes?( You can google him and find news releases from the school disctrict's he worked at). Or do you want the fact that up until Aug 30 ( the morning of that school board meeting) the school board was still on the watch list. It wasn't until the 30th that Ms Vespa told Mr Ricker that they'd better prepare for the Sept. ISBE meeting to persuade them from assigning an FOP. Do you read the facts of the articles your self? Are you aware that we pay 7 adminstrative salaries a total of about $729,248.00 per year( Plus other benefits)? That is for 1 superintendent, 1 assistant supeintendent, 1 District Administrator, 2 principals and 2 assistant principals? I did not find any salary listing for the Business manager on the ISBE website. WHY do we need that many people running 3 schools?( sorry 2 schools).you can go to www.isbe.net., Illinois school icon, Report & statistic, Index, Administrive & teacher Salary and Benefits , enter the year, enter lemont bromberekSd113. You will see eveyone's salaries and "other" benefits that the tax payers of Lemon pay. Yes, I want the state to come in and help us fix the mess that began many years ago. Yes, I do spend much time finding facts before I open my mouth. THEN I express my opinions based on facts. thank you .

Also, did you know that both Round Lake and Hazel Crest are out of financial difficulty after the FOP was assigned? They went to the governor asking for immediate funds to bail the school out. Taxes were levied on the residents based on the sum the state gave the district. Did you know what other superintendents in the area make for a salary? I do and so I can speak about it. So, Joe what else do you want to know facts about??

Oh, I'm sorry, the $729,248.00 per year was for 9 salaries. 3 principals & 3 Assistants Principals and then the rest. I deleted 2 positions that I though were from Central- forgetting about Oakwood.sorry for the error. 3 schools, 9 administrators. They don't list the office staff on the ISBE website- so realize that we also have office staff at all schoosl and the district offices . Plus our volunteer school board members. That's a lot of people working for our district. Why are there so many financial mistakes ? Maybe if we didn't have so many adminstrative salaries to pay, we could afford to hire teachers back and give them a pay raise. Did you also know that teacher's salaries are on a tier level based on tenure and education? I don't know how many less tenured and less degreed teachers we have in our district- but that also affects our "average salary" level when you compare our teachers' salaries to other school district's salaries. Frankly, we have the best experienced and most highly qualified teachers in the area. It is a shame that they don't get more money.

Cathy....before you open your mouth....do a little more research. Our administrators are at average for this state for their years and college level. Again I ask, what does everyone think teachers and administrators should get paid?

public meetings have private, closed sessions. No one in the public, by law, is involved with those closed sessions meetings. Boards can vote to not release those closed sessions notes, and have and will continue to do so. NOT one person knows what really happened during these meetings. And everyone is speculating what they think happened.

So, first let me propose a couple of questions for each of you to ponder:

1. How do you know that the Feds aren't researching and building a case against various people and firms?
2. How do you know what really happened to the money?
3. Why is publicly outing a man, who by law, can't defend his position or has been asked not to defend his position?
4. How do you know the things you are speculating?

I've worked around educational boards my entire adult life. I may live in Lemont, but I don't use the public school, for a variety of reasons. I love education; but sadly, this is a ll a game, a political tactic and this is sometimes how education works.

YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS. YOU ARE NOT PART OF THOSE CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS. YOU ARE NOT THE ONES MEETING WITH THE TOWN'S ATTORNIES. AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD - STOP SPECULATING AND STIRRING THE POT.

The shear level of cattiness and name calling and accusing here is a disgrace to women and our community!

Here is some information I found that explains closed sessions, aka executive sessions.....Executive session: What is it and why do we need it?

In general, organizations use executive sessions or non-public meetings to address sensitive issues and to protect against publicly airing sensitive information. The concept originated with the Executive Branch of the Federal Government to allow the U.S. Senate and the President to deliberate on such matters as appointments, treaties and nominations.

Confidential sessions are used only for disciplinary action and for sensitive issues such as work in progress, an organizational crisis, employment matters or details of negotiations. What is discussed during these sessions never may be divulged to anyone. Only the end result is revealed, and sometimes not even that. Minutes are kept separate from the regular meeting, and they also are confidential.

So, to everyone who cites how experienced YOU are for attending the meetings - then get this: You were not privvy to the closed sessions. YOU don't have all the facts.

Education 101....PERIOD.

Ms Stukel, I cannot dispute your premise, but, I do think i know something. The vote in april needed about 330 no voters to vote yes to pass. Were there that many who firmed up on voting no because of the last minute decision to ask for 20M rather than what was advertised. What was the motivation to increase the number? I can't answer those questions and won't speculate publically (but I do have my opinion) but in light of the defeat and the consequences of that loss, this decision seems factually catastrophic.

No, I'm not breaking the law........everything I posted was discussed during open session. For the record.....I'm not a board member.......now.

I acutally think the school board members that hired Mr. Ricker were geniuses. They had themselves a fall guy from the start. When the public would finally demand to know who is to blame for the financial problem- Mr. Ricker would be the first in the line of fire.Given his prior track record at other schools- they probably hoped the inquisition would stop with him.They could cut their losses by dropping him. But Mr,. Ricker did not make the final decisions on our school finances. It is the past school boards members fault, he may have just helped . How many people sat on that board for several terms? I don't know that info. But I'm askiing? Who really is to blame? Why did we get into this situation? We really need to know so that we don't make the same errors again. We must learn from history before it repeats itself. If a person serves in a public role they are accountable to the public for their actions. I want to know where our school district's money went. period.

Amen Cathy! I am baffled that there are people who say let it go, keep your eyes open and shut up? To me it's a no-brainer, it is our money after all. Like you, I want to know how my money is being spent. Can you imagine what Mehlville & Francis Howell school districts are thinking?

Just curious....How many of you voicing the biggest displeasure with the board (currrent and former) and Dr. Ricker have kids that made it through 113A without the cuts? Show of hands please. I have a feeling most of the people voicing their displeasure kept their mouths shut when their kids were in 113A and enjoyed all of that “spending” on their kids. When it came to continue that “spending,” now that their kids are out of 113A, they said "where did the money go", there must have been pilfering and mishandling of money so we are saying NO to the referendum. Funny how they had no problem with 113A deficit spending while their children where in school enjoying smaller class sizes, music, art, and field trips yada, yada, yada (I mentioned the lobster bisque, HA).

Don't get me wrong...something should have been done long ago (Where were all the watchdogs then?) with the reeling in of the expenditures and the board should not have counted on a referendum passing. Regardless, we as a community need to work together (board included). Just get whatever it is that needs to get done, done. Enough said. If taxes go up...so be it...deal with it or move. I have too many years left in this town to have my two boys go to a district that is crap. Goes for 210 as well....figure it out before you are in the same boat.

and....Go Bears!!!

OMG - Jack! You are so right. Where were the watchdogs when the last superintendent got fired for buying a prostitution in Lyons? And why did they get rid of him so quickly? Because it was a cut and dry case.

I have no personal conflict of interest here. I live in Lemont. I have never minded paying more taxes as I believe it helps my own community. I work in education, as a tenured community college professor. I pay private tuition at a Catholic School.

This problem started long before Ricker. And no one here knows what happened in closed session.

Let the cards unfold folks. They will. But to bash someone and not have all the facts is shameful.

Marcus--i'm here all week...have you tried the veal?!

4:21pm on Thursday, September 8, 2011

Jack! No soup for you. Marcus, I know you love my commentaries, too. :) Finally a voice of reason!

Cathy - Glad to know your conflict of interest has been removed from the school....but still wondering how many closed door, executive sessions you were invited to?

Also, Cathy - to learn a little bit more about what happened to our economy, you should really wonder why the Lehman Bros had a triple AAA rating the day before they declared bankruptcy. Only then will you beginn to understand the financial difficulty and mismanagement of money the whole country had. Throw into the equation the massive predatory lending, and the other financial institution messes - along with the systematic fraud committed on education, housing and pensions. And it is still going on. If it continues our country will have a total financial collapse - and all the while you were worried about Lemont?

There is so much more to our little towns mismanagement. And if you take the time to keep your eyes open you will see the systematic failiure and bubble bursting of academic insitutitions of higher learning in the next 2 years.

You have valid points of view - you just "were" too personally involved. And you feel the need to keep blowing the whistle that has been blown over and over again. WE ALL GET IT. EVERY DARN LAST ONE OF US.

All of these whiners are doing a disservice to the community.

Dear former SD President that I talked about in my previous post. I want to express my deepest apologies for the posting I made yesterday about you.When I wrote those words -I was not mindful of the extremely deep hurt and potential damage my words would cause you and your family.This is not a venue for such statements to be made. I apologize to you for my lack of courtesy, respect, and compassion in my comments about you.Words cannot describe the guilt and anguish in my heart for what I said..
Catherine Stukel- I have never sat in on any closed session meetings.
You and Jack are right. The school financial problem don't concern me any longer since I don't have kids in the school.That was very wise of you to say it. Thankyou for releasing me of any further responsibilty to care. Best wishes for the future of Lemont's schools and students.

Cathy - To have passion and concern for your community is never wrong. NOW is the time the school system needs you. You have no personal interest. Once you remove your conflict of interest, and yes, I believe people who have kids in the school have a conflict of interest - only THEN can you and should you be involved.

There has to be a way for someone with your passion and compassion to wok on this in a positive manner. I believe you'd be a good bet.

Catherine

Yes Lee. When we run a board that specifically benefits our own family; it is run less like a business and more like "ameteurs-night". So, yes Lee. I do believe that when one lines their own pockets by giving their vote towards things that would benefit their children and their friend's children - that you get the SHAM that we all got. So, again I stand by my theory that Doctor's should NOT operate on their own children. It is called a conflict of interest. Also people on the boards don't have academic qualifications to make the decisions that they are. YES - conflicts of interest caused us trouble --

Susan, You are an educator and that's the best you got? Really? Parochial schools are doing the public schools a favor? And you throw out the bus card and the special needs card? First the 750 students don't attend the public schools and yet we all pay full taxes. We take burden off of your educational system and we pay you on top of it. Then you talk about us using those very services we pay for? And you assume this is some sort of conflict?

P.s. board member training? That makes me laugh. I'm speechless. Guess the board over the last 20 years did well. Lol

I guess community college training makes you an expert on this topic?

Catherine,
With all respect due an official Lemont Patch blogger, is it really necessary to resort to flippant, personal attack comments to make your point? I think there are several flaws in your opinion that having children in the district and being a member of the BOE is a conflict of interest. Of course there could be a conflict if a board member holds interest in any business or contract with which the district is involved. Simply having children in the district may meet your standard for a conflict of interest, but certainly does not meet any legal standard. Your concern that board members may "line their own pockets by giving their vote towards things that would benefit their children and their friend's children" suggests that even having friends with children in the district poses a potential conflict. How about grandparents, aunts, uncles, or relatives of district employees? Could that also lead to potential "pocket lining" and /or conflict? I think if we all held your standard of CoI when voting for board members, we would have a lot of empty seats come election time. Who would be left to serve on the board? Those with no friends or relatives in town? I do not always agree with board members opinions or decisions, but I try to always remember that it is a very time consuming, onerous, and thankless "job." (...to be continued)

Yes, they are "ordinary" members of our community, some with advanced academic degrees and some without. In a perfect world the board would be balanced with members who have a variety of education, interests and skills. This is not a perfect world. What I am sure of is that regardless of what I personally think of the decisions being made or the job current or past board members have done ( at least for the last 36 years that I have lived in this town) they are all extremely dedicated to public education. As to your comment that the school is not run as a business, Education is Not a business, but that discussion will have to take place on another thread. Maybe you can blog about that to get the discussion moving.

I am more that disappointed by this dialog. Let me explain why.

1. I came here to say that ISBE wants us to pull together. They want us strong. We need to come together. And I used a humorous example to convey that. And then? All bets off. People became vitriolic toward Ricker. I don't even know him. None of us were part of closed session. He can't defend himself. And so people became mean.

2. Then I say that parents have a conflict of interest. This doesn't mean that every parent on the board is bad but EVERY parent on the board does have a sense of inpropriety. I truly wonder if those parents would be on the board if their children weren't at the school. Inpropriety - or the appearance thereof, should never occur.

3. Then I was told I had a conflict of interest. Because Catholic Schools use the bus and special needs services. Well Catholic School families pay full taxes to live here. We can use those services and the public schools are not doing us a favor.
I, however, do not use either of those services.

4. And my favorite logic? That the "church" gives to Catholic schools. Somehow comparing manditory taxes with that of a church stipend?

5. And when all else fails -- did someone really ask me who pays my salary? I mean, really?

6. And then someone says, quite flippantly, that schools shouldn't be run as businesses? I mean really? Isn't that what got us and other institutions in the country in trouble?

How very sad.

Still redirecting? How very sad. You continue to miss my point... You need to look in the mirror and keep an open mind. Point 1: You need to have a friend reread your first comment that began this thread and explain to you how what you wrote came off as pointing fingers. You assume a tactic based on what? You made an assumption that the people of the community and authorities weren't working together. Point 2: Why were you on your child's BoE? Point 3: Citizens pay full taxes to live here, but those who choose to send our children to higher education institutions other than community college, are doing a favor by keeping those classes down even though many don't use those services. Point 4: So, you address the burden of other's paying for private education beyond the families, verses the community paying for public education whether it is a "gift" or not? Point 5: Yes, I did ask who pays your salary...You felt compelled to remind me that tax dollars pay mine. Don't tax payers contribute to yours? Point 6: Schools aren't businesses!

God bless you Susan. You have a hard job.

Okay everyone......we know this town is divided, and very, very sensitive when it comes to this issue......so, I'm going to give the bloggers of this thread a challenge: Let's redirect our energies this weekend to remembering those lost in 9/11 ten years ago, we came together as a nation then, we can come together and calm down a bit now, even if it is until Monday! May God bless them, and most importantly their families that go on without them. May God bless our troops, firefighters, and police for they have the hardest job of all.......fighting for freedom, and keeping us safe. The best picture that I have seen in recent years was of that Iraqi woman coming out of the polling place with black ink on her finger, showing that she just voted for the first time in a fair and open election. NOW.........that is something! God bless all of you as we remember and stay ever vigilant of freedom's foes.

Susan: I will answer your BOE question. But first I must explain the basic. The School Advisory Council that I served on was not a board in the traditional sense of the meaning. We were involved in fundraising and were asked to be involved in the set up of booknight, and the organizational function of the school.

If you go back and read my post, I did cite a board of specified juristiction. I fully support the concept of a board of specified juristiction. The concept is that less that 25% of the members of that board are school families. Everyone else is a community member, church member or civic leader. They have NO conflict of interest. I am not on that board.

So, in essence the board I served on was more a "service job" and one that was not an elected official.

Now - my concern is your attack on this. I did write that I did fully support the Board of Specified Juristiction - but you never once asked what that was. You were just willing to jump on me.

I seriously - wish you well Susan. You have such an awesome passion for your school and community. I do feel it is misguided because you are too heavily focused on other stuff.

I wish you the best on your journey - and pray for your inner peace. God bless.

I'm sorry that you feel I was misguided and mislead in my journey to understand your posts. But, you did say you were "on the school board for your daughter." I wasn't clear that your position was more like a PTO position. That's why I asked in many of my post for you to correct my thoughts on your posts, which you evaded.