The following letter to the editor currently appears in the Indy Star Focus section.
Board member’s actions don’t back up position
Barbara Thompson, secretary of the Perry Township School Board, wrote a compelling letter to the editor Dec. 18 in which she declared Doug Williams’ lack of leadership as her reason to place him on administrative leave to pursue termination of his contract. She wrote in great detail her thoughts concerning leadership.
How can she be an accurate judge of his leadership skills when she took office only on July 10 and then voted to suspend him on Nov. 13? All this when the previous school board unanimously extended his contract, gave him a raise and an above-average to superior performance evaluation in all measurable categories in late June.
Was she a leader when she and three other members of the board publicly violated no less than nine policies and bylaws written in the Perry Township School Board manual since July 10? Some of this included refusing to allow the public to speak to the Williams issue, lack of communication with minority members of the board, discussion of board activities and potential decisions behind the backs of the minority members of the board, and making decisions and administering action on those decisions before such matters were publicly discussed and voted on by the full board.
She has shown no tangible proof of Williams’ lack of leadership but has publicly shown on numerous occasions that she does not deserve any position of public leadership.
Dave Strietelmeier Member, Perry Township School Board 1992-2000 Indianapolis
I applaud Dave Strietelmeier for the de facto leadership that he and the rest of the community are providing. It is a sad fact that the School Board is accountable to no one; hence, we cannot hold the Gang of Four accountable for their unethical behavior by submitting their behaviors to a higher authority for review. We have now resorted to public outcry, such as the Boston Tea Party, when a government treated its people unfairly. It is really sad that we must resort to “gorilla tactics” to hold the school board accountable. You have my full support.
What?
The voters elected these people. Just because you don’t like their decisions on some matters doesn’t mean you cannot hold them acountable. It is called elections.
Get people to vote them out next election. We have all lived with decisions the federal government has made after we elected them. It is no different. Meanwhile, you and I must live with their decisions or move. That is simply how things change. Even our federal governement has operated that way for a long time. Nothing you can do but deal with it or move.
You’re right, there may not be anything we can do about the existing board members currently. However, that does NOT mean that I just have to suck-it-up and go on with my life and wait for two years. The final change may not get fixed until 2008, but between now and then there’s plenty of work that can be done to help educate more voters to how important these (and all) elections are in our country. Just voting isn’t enough either, voters understanding all the details and candidate’s opinions is also important.
Dear “Even More Confused”
The involvement of an informed and active electorate is critical to the functioning of a representative democracy. This involvement cannot be limited to the few weeks prior to each election. If you had paid attention in social studies class in an MSD Perry Township school you would have learned the following:
Indiana Academic Standards that apply:
Second Grade Social Studies
Roles of Citizens
2.2.5 Explain the roles people in the community have in making and changing laws. Example: People in the community vote in elections, run for office, attend community meetings, and voice their opinions.
High School Social Studies
Standard 1
The Nature of Citizenship, Politics, and Government
USG.1.2 Define the terms politics and government and give examples of how political solutions to public policy problems are generated through interactions of citizens with their government.
USG.1.7 Explain how civil society contributes to the maintenance of limited government in a representative democracy or democratic republic, such as the United States.
I can provide more examples if needed; however, for the sake of brevity let me express that the very ideas you espouse as being best for our schools contradict what our schools are to teach according to the Indiana Academic Standards. You should not ridicule citizens for demonstrating a desire to interact with a governmental entity such as a school board. My son learned this in second grade.
Dear Michael Taylor,
Wow, thanks for the Social Studies refresher.
I was not being critical of people being involved. I just think people should exhibit some restraint on this matter instead of letting it get emotional and making personal attacks. You wasted no time to jump on me and my comments. Most people are going to get defensive when somebody immediately jumps on them.
For one, you don’t know me or anything about me. Secondly, how do you know how much I paid attention in Social Studies class?
Dear Even More Confused,
Your statement, “Nothing you can do but deal with it or move.” does not indicate an understanding of the Indiana second grade social studies standard for the Roles of Citizens:
2.2.5 Explain the roles people in the community have in making and changing laws. Example: People in the community vote in elections, run for office, attend community meetings, and voice their opinions.
Your options of “deal with it or move” are missing the components of “attend community meetings, and voice their opinions” as indicated in the standard; hence, my conclusion that you did not pay attention in social studies class.
You are incorrect to state that, “…you don’t know me or anything about me.” as I can read your posts and at the very least know something about you. I do believe that your pseudonym is apropos as evidenced by your postings.
Well Mr. Taylor, aren’t you quite the academic? It is obvious to me that you are because you use strictly text book interpretation without the inclusion of real life situations or experiences.
Are you the Taylor that teaches at SHS? You have been teaching for how many years?
I am happy for you that you know the 2nd grade Social Studies Standards in Indiana, but that doesn’t mean you have to act like a 2nd grader.
This is for all Dr. Williams supporters. I don’t like how the Board went about doing this but some of Williams’ supporters make it just as tough to get behind him when they act just as juvenile and resort to childish behavior. At this time I do not want to be associated with either group.
I would love to get behind Dr. Williams but I do not desire an association with supposed adults acting like 2nd graders.
Have a great day.
I keep hearing about Dr. Williams’s contract renewal a few months ago being unanimous, and this is why so many people wonder why he was subsequently terminated. Has anyone seen the minutes from this meeting showing that it was unanimous? I’ve heard that it was not unanimous, that the vote was actually 4-3 for renewal.
Just curious…
Just wondering,
All past board minutes can be viewed at the MSD of Perry Township website. The minutes you refer to can be found on the website under the meeting date of June 26, 2006. The website is
http://www.msdpt.k12.in.us/
Just to clarify, Dr. Williams has not been terminated. He has been placed on paid administrative leave.
During that school board meeting, contracts for Dr. Williams and the Assoc. Super and Asst. Super were approved as well.
I doubt that you will put this on your web-site but here it is:
What about all the favortism that Doug Williams has done in the past?
What about when a white student ran down (in his truck) the Dean of Girls (her body) last year? This student was back in SHS in 5, yes I said 5 days.
YET:
A black student pushed past the Vice Princial and he is kicked out for the entire year.
FACT:
Both students had problems in the past.
I have police reports on BOTH cases.
I have found 2 MAJOR differences:
1. BLACK AND WHITE.
2. White student was friends with Gayle Houchins daughter.
Not favortism?
Please explain….
The White student hit the Dean of Girls with his TRUCK.(RAN HER DOWN)
The Black student pushed past the Vice Princial (NOT EVEN KNOCKING HIM DOWN) (”pushed past” this is how it is written in the police report)
Which of the 2 are the worst offence?
FAVORTISM for his Buddy/ landlord/ board member/ loyal supporter/ ect. GAYLE HOUCHINS…
THIS IS HOW A LOT OF US SEE THIS..
Joe Mamma, why wouldn’t I post it to the site. Since the very beginning I’ve asked for details on both sides of the line. If Dr. Williams has done all of these bad things, I’ve always wanted to hear about them. I don’t know any details about this situation, so I’m interested in hearing what the rest of the community has to say. I will say that if the school board can take the time to worry about whether or not the band can participate in an out-of-state competition, I think they should be talking about these issues as well.
Joe Mamma,
Your argument is weak. It is solely based on “hearsay” as you are not a witness to either of the incidents that you reference. Your argument is further weakened by the fact that you do not provide complete disclosure of the events cited in your example (nor can you as information contained in student records is confidential). Your argument is even weaker because you cite only one example to support your accusation (14,000 students, more than a decade as Superintendent and the example you provide does not directly involve you). If the allegation of favoritism is pervasive to the point that it should be used to place an individual on paid leave, there should be considerably more examples to provide. One in which you were involved would be even more meaningful.
Your attempt to validate your supposition carries little weight for anyone that actually thinks with their brain. Stop digging. Your hole is deep enough already. Additionally, the “Gang of Four” is digging a hole for themselves that is plenty big enough for you.
For additional information on the definition of “hearsay” in Indiana please see the following webpage:
http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/evidence/evidence.pdf
To Confused,
No, I am not an employee of MSD Perry Township; however, I would be proud to work with the fine educators that this school district employs. They have done and continue to do an excellent job of teaching my son.
Thus far my postings on this site have caused others to claim me as arrogant, using big words, and now I am academic and at the same time acting like a 2nd grader. I was hoping that those of opposing viewpoints would put forth something a bit more substantive than just name calling. Perhaps supporters of the “Gang of Four” are only allowed to use this tactic; perhaps because there is little basis in reality for their wholly inappropriate conduct in matters involving the paid administrative leave of Dr. Williams.
Michael Taylor,
You have added little to discussion that should be at hand. You are decent writer but you assalt anyone that post anything in opposition to you or something you disagree with (Mostly Opinions). You attack others asking that they put something a bit more substantive than just name calling but you turn around before the end of your post and do as they do.
There is a word for that. I think it starts with a H. Google it, you can do that. It begins with H and it is somebody that likes to tell people to do as they say not as they do.
Joe Mamma = Rhonda Harvey
You’ve made the same statements at a board meeting… same incorrect statements.
You are not factual in your accusations and should not be allowed to post on this website.
Wow! Who knew that this website would be such a source of entertainment? With creative names like “joe mamma”, “creating havoc”, “william-ized”, and now “smack that”! You all must have excelled in creative writing! You’re our new “WSW gang of four”! We have GAMES like word searches, Guess Who?, and hide and seek the information. Thank you for pointing out to the concerned taxpaying citizens how immature we are and how we should sit back and do nothing. Where were people like you throughout history when people were standing up for what they believed in? With the “sit back and wait” attitude, perhaps slavery would still exist, women would not be voting, the South would have succeeded in becoming the “Confederate States of America”, or better yet….we would still be under the rule of England.
I would think such mature, concerned, thought-provoking individuals would be proud to boast their “real” names!
Dear Smack That,
More name calling? How original; the “you are a hypocrite” argument. This provides another example of why you are losing the battle of public opinion. It takes more than name calling to govern effectively. One cannot just put a label on others, disregard their opinion as invalid and ignore the reality that a significant percentage of the electorate is not satisfied with how the school board is operating.
The placing of Dr. Williams on paid administrative leave was not handled appropriately or effectively. It demonstrates a mode of operation by the “Gang of Four” that quite frankly scares me. I do not believe that individuals placed in a position of public trust should handle the public’s business in the manner that they have. Yes, you will express that Dr. Williams is guilty of violating the public trust; however, there are proper ways for these accusations to be handled. The manner in which this board has sought to resolve these issues is not one of them. It is reminiscent of a Star Chamber (more Goggling for you, Joe Mamma, Confused and Even More Confused :).
I will ply my thoughts in the free market of ideas. If you do not agree with them, then so be it. If you can, counter my points with something substantive. If you cannot, my point is made whether you like it or not. If you cannot handle the critiques of a hypocrite, then your future as a community leader is not so bright.
By the way flattery will get you nowhere.
I thought this website was an opportunity for people to voice their opinions and if people were not comfortable in providing their name they had that right. It is starting to become a website where people are gaining false power by exposing who people are. You need to pay careful attention to what’s going on. For example the above “To Joe Mama” stating who Joe Mama is. Is there sufficient evidence that Joe Mama is the person mentioned above? or is “To Joe Mama” making false accusations? Why is it people think it’s okay to expose others when they won’t expose themselves? How weak! Is this the path your website is heading? Even if you know the name of the anonymous blogger yourself, you should honor their request to remain anonymous. The key word is “honor”!! If you want this website to maintain its integrity, then you must accept the responsibility that you have taken upon yourself to operate this website. You are treading on serious legal ground. I will make an assumption that you could not afford to finance a major libel lawsuit. Not many people could. Let us get back to the question of “Good” Leadership from the title of this post.
To the person that posted the posting of “To Jason Bean,”
I can see that the “Silent Majority” is becoming the “Silence the Majority” as indicated by the desire for censorship. Yet another reason why I fear what the “Gang of Four,” what they stand for and what their supporters believe to be appropriate conduct.
Though the “I will sue you” threat is feeble and baseless, it indicates a desire to censor opposing views. I admit that we live in a litigious society; however, it is still a shame that the “Gang of Four” will lead us into a legal settlement with the current superintendent and their supporters will threaten legal action against those that express differing opinions.
Surely this is a bad joke. I am not aware of any confidentiality statement being signed as a condition of use. Nor am I aware of any guarantee of anonymity.
It would seem that the expression of an opinion in regard to linking the statements made by an individual at a public meeting and those posted by an individual on a publicly available Internet discussion forum would be legitimate for conjecture without fear of litigation. My goodness, how desperate are you to silence the majority?
Michael Taylor -
You are not comprehending what my intention was. I write to be informative. What do you write for? I have told you before, your “big words” and arrogance do not impress me. No one is trying to censor anyone. This website is not the “Guess Who” game. I applaud you and others for being comfortable with stating who you are up front. You or anyone else for that matter does not have the right to start “guessing” who people are on this board and placing a name with someone’s alias. That is a bully tactic that doesn’t need to be exercised on this website. This website is about facts and information. Reread my message - I never said I was going to sue anyone. I only stated that if someone wanted to they would have recourse to do so. I am concerned and trying to be helpful to Jason not intimidating. I believe Jason sees that as well. Obviously he has taken it into consideration and has made a statement in his message “Moving Forward”. As I stated before, let’s get back to the task at hand and focus on what we as taxpayers, parents and community members want for our children in regards to their education.