PROPAGANDA AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD

The Union Members are First!

Students First is Just a Logo!

The local school board is supposed to represent the people of the district.   Unfortunately, that has not been the case for many, many years.   One of the most important consequences of teacher unionization is the erosion of school board authority.   This transfer of power is the result of union control and administrative control.   Administrators are chosen from the teacher pool.  Thus they are former union members and sympathetic to union demands.

Originally,  the elected school board determined the meeting agenda, the priorities of the district, terms and conditions of employment and so on.   When the union entered the picture "collective bargaining" determined everything.   The union decides everything from the number of students in a class, school day times, benefits, tenure, step raises, additional annual raises holiday calendar and everything that happens in the schools.

Today, the union actually chooses the school board.   Most school boards consist of teachers from other districts, retired teachers from the district, spouses of teachers and administrators, PTA leaders, and former administrators.   The public has been fed constant propaganda that the union's choice is the best choice.   Anyone that runs for school board that asks questions is attacked by the union and their leaders.   An independent person has a slight chance of getting elected.   The candidates without the union's help and endorsement simply have only a slight chance of winning.   Campaigns for any office require money and manpower.   The union has both.   

Often the superintendent and other union members will demonize people who question anything they do.   They resent any questions regarding curriculum, funding and spending. At the same time they claim transparency.   They don't want taxpayers to know how they spend their money.   The union requires control to get what they want.  The negotiation process is a farce.

When a contract is to be renewed,   the school board hires a professional "negotiator" to meet with the union leaders and the state NEA negotiator.    Usually there is a legal team sitting in on the negotiations.  To my dismay, as a former board member, I was told that I was not welcome to sit in on the negotiations.   If I chose to ignore that advice, I was "told" that I could not say a word and only listen to the "professionals."    The negotiators are given supreme authority.  

Of course, the whole charade is just for propaganda purposes.   The superintendent wants the district to get a big raise.   He knows his raise will be even bigger.   The treasurer sits there like a rock because the union knows to the penny just how much the district has on the books.    Their intent is to "bargain" for every cent and more.    Almost all of the general fund goes for salaries and benefits.   

Of course they will give press releases that say that the board does not care about the district, that they don't want the teachers to be professionals who only care about "the children."  The press is more than cooperative with the teacher's union.    Of course the superintendent gives a statement saying how he is trying to be fair for one and all.  He just hates to have to ask for another levy, but that is what has to happen.

This exact scenario is duplicated in every district.   They compare the salaries at other districts that are higher than those in your district.    They publish information that says something to the effect that another close district's teachers make 5% more than our district. We are so economical with the taxpayers money.  What they don't say is that district recently negotiated a new contract.   They had settled with the union's demands.  Of course your salaries and benefits are less.  You haven't finalized the new contract.  Then the same group of union officials and lawyers moves on to another district with the same spiel.

The local union follows the state and federal NEA/AFT policies and demands.   All levels of the union barrages the public with constant reminders of just how indispensable the union members are to the "children."  They get the students, parents, teachers and local business owners involved.   Usually the local bankers, architects, contractors and other businesses get involved.   If any business decides to not support the demands or the option of passing a levy to meet the unions demands, then they are threatened with a boycott.   This happens quite often.   I have seen a local restaurant go out of business because of the boycott threat and action.   Parents and citizens alike are afraid of the union.   They know children are at the mercy of these people.

If they don't get what they want then they threaten a "strike."  A strike threat gives them visibility.   They have professionally designed signs and matching shirts.   They wear large propaganda buttons on their shirts.   They have "Thank a Teacher" bumper stickers made up for parents, teachers and anyone that is willing to put one on their car.  THEY ARE ORGANIZED.

THE SCHOOL BOARD IS NOW AN ARM OF THE UNION.

80% of NYC grads cannot read properly,

but the mayor is worried about salt.

NYC schools have the strongest teacher's union

in the country.

HOW PROPAGANDA WORKS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

Parents and taxpayers have been inundated with propaganda on a daily basis from their local school districts.  This has been going on for many years.  They do organize campaigns against anyone that gets elected to the school board that wants to honestly make improvements to the educational process.   The union's way is the only way.   

They will circulate petitions to remove an elected board member. The union leaders will cause an uproar in the community to discredit the new board member as a person that will "destroy the district."   They will always get a few community members to do their "dirty work" for them.   These parents are usually people that will receive special favors for their children.  Test scores can be boosted, leading member of a sports team, raise grades, recommend the student for various and many scholarships or even jobs.   Believe me, these things do happen and probably in all districts.   

Below a local school district used these tactics against a great board member.   No fabrication was too evil for their agenda. They wanted her off the board and the SEA president described their success in the OEA (state wide) journal.  I am posting his article in it's entirety.

This photo is Springboro, Ohio

This gang is not from Chicago

"In January 2010, the Springboro community elected a resident to the school board whose campaign included many buzz words and phrases -work within budgetary means, fiscal conservative, and taxpayer control. She garnered enough votes to get a seat on the board and immediately announced that her goal was to "break the teachers'” union, first in Springboro and then across the state."

That statement was a wakeup call for the Springboro Education Association (SEA) who quickly realized the need to begin organizing - both internally and externally. By March 2013, the SEA's focus included three distinct, but related, groups: the SEA membership, community groups and parents.

Internally, the SEA began organizing its membership in a fairly typical fashion. Building representatives were trained and mobilized to disburse information via regularly scheduled newsletters, encouraging members to attend board meetings, and establishing a home-to-home e-mail system. Because Senate Bill 5 was solely sponsored by a senator who resided in Springboro, the SEA membership was also visible during the campaign to reverse SB5. SEA sponsored petition circulator training and encouraged members to collect signatures and participate in the campaign. SEA created its own private Facebook group page and began communicating and discussing both Springboro issues and statewide issues impacting education.

But by the November 2011 school board election in which two (2) additional "fiscally conservative" candidates won seats, SEA knew it was time to step it up, especially since negotiations were to commence in March 2013. The school board was freely stating its plans to move to a merit pay system, bring health insurance in line with the private sector and have teachers work in the same rigorous manner as others in the community.

In September 2012, a Bargaining Support Team was established with multiple representatives from each building. This team met on a regular basis and developed activities for the members in an effort to build and show unity. Sessions with small focus groups were held where contract issues were discussed and explored. Teachers organized to wear red on Wednesdays, encouraging and reminding peers via 10-minute meetings and phone trees that 100% participation was the goal. By the Spring, only red was worn by Springboro teachers. The "SEA News" bi-weekly newsletter was sent out to members on distinctive orange paper that contained multiple topics ranging from "rumor control" and "know your rights", to "bargaining news" and a "that's what solidarity looks like" section.

Because the Board placed its initial proposal and SEA's proposal on the district website (claiming that the documents were public record), a power point presentation was taken by SEA officers and the LRC to each building, explaining exactly what the Board's proposal would mean to their working conditions and career. This allowed the SEA leadership to control rumors and focus members on the facts. It was at this early point in negotiations that it was suggested the members begin to consider what to do with their personal belongings in their classrooms.

At the conclusion of the third negotiation session, the SEA members along with support staff, parents and other OEA members, gathered outside the Board office to demonstrate support. This garnered media attention and raised community awareness. At the last negotiation session prior to the end of the school year, the SEA membership gathered again and a sea of red walked across campus to attend a general membership meeting. Another power point was presented to provide an update on negotiations, but the informed and mobilized membership quickly turned the meeting to action. A motion was passed to provide the SEA negotiations team with the authority to issue a strike notice.

Even though dates for negotiations were scheduled, the SEA members went above and beyond, and literally emptied their classrooms of their personal belongings. The district demanded their keys as full, teacher-rented, u-hauls pulled out of the parking lots.

While the members were gaining strength, the SEA leadership was developing relationships with community groups and organizations. This began with SB5 as SEA partnered with the local firefighters, police officers, and other unions. The SEA was an active supporter of a community fire levy on the ballot in May 2013. SEA members wore "yes on fire levy" shirts, while firefighters attended SEA bargaining rallies. Community alliances were formed and public union leaders continue to communicate and support one another.

The final group, which was a major integral part in SEA's organizing efforts, was the parents. In the past, there have been several groups that have organized themselves in an effort to have a positive impact with the school board and the administration. Many of these groups centered around one of the many levy efforts and quickly lost steam, as levy after levy failed. However, in January a small group of parents met out of their growing concern for what appeared to be a political agenda of the current board. Efforts to begin a charter school in the district, arm teachers with concealed weapons, add creationism to the curriculum and teach the constitution from a religious perspective bothered the parents. Not to mention the fact that the board had been speaking about a strike by its teachers at least 12 months prior to the start of negotiations.

The parents call themselves SURE, Springboro United for Responsible Education...and quickly jumped into action. A Facebook page and website was activated with the promise to disseminate facts. SEA was helpful in providing SURE with necessary research information (such as how to access the Ohio Revised Code), comparable data, and a contact person to provide assistance. SURE attended Board meetings and challenged the Board members.

SURE was also visible in supporting its teachers. They held several "show red for Ed" days and draped the community with red ribbons on mailboxes, poles, car antennas, etc. Magnets were made saying "I support Springboro teachers and staff" and displayed on cars throughout the community. Breakfast and lunches were provided to the SEA negotiations team by the parents. And their ongoing effort is to unseat this Board in November with a slate of pro-education candidates.

The end result is that, despite the Board's best efforts to force a strike, the SEA was able to obtain a settlement with a two-year agreement. A 2% salary increase is provided in each year of the contract and all rights/working conditions were fully protected. During the course of all this, sixty-two (62) teachers elected to retire or resign (out of 330) leaving a gaping hole in the membership. However, SEA ended the 2012-13 school year with 100% membership and, with the new year membership drive just concluded, will continue with 100% membership as new members are welcomed. SEA was never broken and remains strong and united, because that's what solidarity looks like!"

Submitted by: Scott Maney, Springboro Education Association President, and Marla Bell, OEA/LRC

Notice the tactics are straight out of the Communist play book.   Organize, organize and organize some more.   Get people excited and fearful that the district would diminish in quality if one non-union controlled board member was allowed to sit on the board.   Accusations of a "political agenda" and other outright lies were told about the single board member.   

They went on a letter writing campaign in the local newspapers and vehemently threatened her family and even her husband's job. Two particular parents were enticed to be especially vocal with their accusations. One of them was appointed to the board and the husband of another had a cushy non-teaching job with the district.  

Unfortunately, most people do not do their "homework."  They do not verify the information that has been fed to them.   When the propaganda machine gets in full swing, there is little the parents, taxpayers and especially the person being attacked can do.  The union has their militant and well trained "facilitators" that are willing to do anything to maintain the control the union has over the district.   Even the local paper takes sides with the union.   This is going on in all districts.   

I urge people to attend school board meetings.   See who and what happens at school board meetings.   Watch the pressure that is put on the school board by the union and their demands.    It is "never, never" about the children.

Yes, this is exactly what "solidarity" looks like.

UNION PROPAGANDA DELIBERATELY DIVIDES SCHOOL DISTRICTS

THIS IS A UNION RALLY

The teacher's union has been gaining more and more power through the years.   In reality we have allowed them to control many aspects of our communities.   They have even gained control in our churches.  They control many public offices and make every effort to control all school boards.  They have the power to get their people elected and they use the schools to do it.

School district administrators have made sure they have up to date computerized information on all students and parents.   They are able to send out messages in a short amount of time.   They can alert parent in short order that school has been called off due to the weather.    They can also remind parents to register, to vote, to work on the levy campaign etc.   They are able to hire consultants to run the campaign.   Few are wise to the tactics that are being used against them.   

When a local member of the community runs for school board they will do everything possible to make sure that person is targeted negatively and constantly.   I have served as a school board member.  I was targeted at every board meeting and by the media.   Every time I would ask a question the administration and their union hit squad would boo and hiss and make fun of me.   I usually requested a forensic audit to be made of the district's finances.   It had become apparent to me that funds were being wasted and worse.  The administration did not feel that they were accountable to the board.  They did as they pleased and no questions were allowed.   I can't count how many times I was given the "trust speech."    In other words just sit there and let us spend as we please.   

I ran for the school board because I wanted to have the opportunity to have a voice in some of the decisions being made by the district.   One of the things I hope to get implemented was a true gifted program.  The board is supposed to represent their community.   I had volunteered for years for the district and for the community.    To the administration I had the major flaw of actually wanting to perform my duties as a board member.   In the school business that is a no no.  You must be a rubber stamp.

Luckily there were a few honest people in the system.   They were willing to show me examples of outright theft and mismanagement.   For example, when the stadium lights didn't work (new stadium) and had to be left on all day during practice sessions in the middle of summer, I was told that "their friend" would redo the system and be paid the full amount for doing the job again.   Same with the roofs, plumbing, equipment, buses etc.   The superintendent once told me that his secretary's husband did all of the electrical work.  In every school district you will find these incestuous type of  relationships where friends and family are in on the scam.  Each one of them getting their share of the pie.

When the next election came around a trio of candidates that were supported by the administration and the union ran for the school board.   Teachers went door to door campaigning for their "team."   They ridiculed my efforts as "sticking my nose where it didn't belong" and not supporting the "children."   This was, of course, not true.   I had three children in the system.   I had been president of the band organization - a full time job of raising money for new uniforms.   I was told by students that their teachers had told them that sports and band would be eliminated if I got elected.   These were students that I knew and trusted.   The"team"  even wrote a horrible letter criticizing one of their candidates.  They put it in the paper and said that I had written the letter.   This was just another dirty union trick put out at the last minute and difficult to refute. 

This is a common scenario of how the school districts operate.   The levies are never "for the children." They are always for higher salaries and benefits.    An extremely small percentage of the General Fund is used for other things.   They have to keep asking for more money because every union contract guarantees a "step raise" every year.   If the money runs out they go on strike to enlarge the district's budget so that there is even more of our tax dollars to pay for better benefits and raises in addition to their regular "step raises."

Locally we have two huge examples of how this works and how they control a community.  In Springboro a lady was elected to the board.   She was and is an extremely qualified person with a doctorate degree.  She was determined to serve the community with honesty and integrity.   In fact she had four children in the system.and it was important to her that all children in the district received an excellent academic education. As soon as this lady sat on the board the union went after her.  They spent her entire four year term making her life miserable.  They went on a letter writing attack in the newspapers and on a local blog site.  They sent out fliers to the community, they harassed her at board meetings.   They went into a planned chaos mode and orchestrated a power play in the community.   

The lady was trying to make sure that the district received a better bang for the bucks they were spending. The OEA helped with the plan of attack against her and her ideas.    A  few of the parents were convinced to join the union in the attack.  (Interesting to note that at least one of the worst of them was given a job and another was given a seat on the board.)  They even went after her children and her husband's job.   These are some evil people in charge of  your children all day.  Remember it is all about the money and power.   We all know that "absolute power does corrupt."

During this entire period and longer the district had a man that headed up the school sports association.  He managed to embezzle close to a half million dollars from the fund.   This thief did not receive anywhere near the hate that the decent board member has received. 

The district had a superintendent that had basically been run out of another district.   As soon as he arrived he decided to go on a major building spree.   (Many/most superintendents do this.)     The union got busy and worked to get a bond issue passed and unnecessary buildings went up.   (They even used a perfectly fine school for storage because they had overbuilt.)   He had built a large medical building with the hope of using space for doctor's offices. (WHY?)  One "trainer" worked in that huge building.   He got so lonely in that empty building that he managed to spend most of his time in the main high school building.   Soon the superintendent left town just ahead of an investigation.   (They always leave when the people start asking questions.)  I would bet he is doing similar damage to another district.   

The next illustration is the Kings School District.   This district has had one scandal after another.  They are currently fighting a lawsuit where a special ed teacher was abusing her helpless students.   The board and administration covered this up and did nothing for some time.  They knew this teacher was unfit for the classroom and yet she stayed.    Soon an aide reported the acts to someone that did bring this to the attention of the parents.   The administration's solution was to give the teacher a letter of recommendation, a buy out and allow her to resign.   The last I heard she was in a parochial school.   

There have been cases of administrators having affairs with other employees, mold growing in the duct work (that they denied) until people were getting sick, waste and constant levies.   The board consisted of the same kind of "yes" people (including a former King's teacher labeled the Queen of Kings by Michael Clark.    

At the last board election a new person was elected to the board.  Now they are going after her.   She has only had six months as a board member, but that is far too long for the union.   They have decided that she has to go.   (In the meantime the superintendent left before anything else was exposed.   She is now in another district getting even more money.)  

A former school board member is passing a petition to remove the new board member from office.  He has started up a committee called Concerned Citizens of the Kings Local School District.   I'm sure they will use all the same tactics used on me, the Springboro board member and others.  These people can say anything they want and the media will print it.   I know this lady to be a person of the highest integrity.  She only wants what is best for the students.   She has no agenda other than to be a part of making Kings a truly great district academically.   

Please note that superintendents move around a lot.   They go on spending/building sprees, put levy after levy on the ballot and them move on to another district ahead of any investigation.   The Little Miami superintendent did this.  Now he is at the Greenon school district trying to get a levy for new buildings there. They all use the same methods because the union and the Ohio School Boards Association have tons of money to pay for consultants that use their tricks of propaganda and manipulation to intimidate and convince the public that "in order for the children to obtain a better education you must pay high salaries and have new buildings."  You can see the same tactics all over the country.

The barrage of  union propaganda constantly demanding more money so that the government schools can provide a better education is a fabrication made up to get the taxpayers to vote for a levy.   Tons of statistics, including a Harvard study, has proven, that the billions and billions of additional dollars spent by the government schools hasn't made a difference.    If you think about it, no matter how many raises you give a teacher, it is the same person that did a lousy job the previous semester.   I urge you to sit outside of the schools and observe the teachers leaving the building.   Tell me if you think they look professional. 

ALL PROPAGANDA MANIPULATES THE PEOPLE

Edward Bernays's "Propaganda" was published in 1928.   His uncle Sigmund Freud helped with adaptation of inserting psychological methods into the manipulation of the masses.   Today propaganda is being used in almost every aspect of our lives.   

Mass media has determined what we wear, what we eat, who we vote for, what movies we watch, what music we listen to and who is the most popular new star.   Consumerism has become a psychological disorder.

Public opinion has been determined to be a force that must be managed.  It is now managed by clever experts that know how to manipulate "the masses." Most school districts have a "public relations" expert trained to advance the public's view of the importance of the "district."   The districts have determined that they are entitled to everything they want and ask for.

The father of modern education, John Dewey, envisioned many ways that propaganda could be used to advance the power of the government school system.   He worked with Edward Bernays to "manufacture consent."  The educators figured out how to obfuscate and evade the facts in order to make their point of view appear to be the right view.  They always claim it is "for the children."  How many times have you been told that teachers are underpaid?   Have you examined just what they are paid?

Often outright lies, exaggerations and half truths are used to promote the wants of the school district, politician, government and product.  Even wars are fought with the support of "the people" using these tactics.  It is often called psychological warfare.   Far too often this warfare is perpetrated by people we trust.  Today support is called "consensus."  (Buzz word!)

Walter Lippmann and others believed that a modern society was incapable of lucid thought or clear perception and that people were driven by herd instincts and prejudice.  He stated that "the masses were not equipped to make decisions or engage in rational discourse."   In other words "propaganda could be used to make all decisions for the masses.   The people would believe that they had made the decision on their own.   They would not realize that psychological stimuli had been used by well paid Public Relations experts.

Most school districts do pay large sums to an on staff specialist.   They also belong to various groups (OSBA, NEA, OEA etc) and legal teams that make available (at a cost) experts to help them plan the attack.  You can notice the coordinated similar attack that is used in all districts.   That is because they are all on the same team.   

The taxpayers are not on their team.   They just fund their plots and plans for "more money."    The people have been convinced over the years that new buildings and plenty of money will create a great education.   The propaganda has been working.  The fact is that more money does not provide a better education.   

I will give you a simple example of how facts and figures are manipulated by the well trained experts of propaganda.   We often receive an expensive 5.5" X 11.5" postcard in the mail.   The return address is listed as a "Message from:  Mark North, Superintendent and Lebanon City School District.  (That means that the taxpayers are paying again for this "propaganda".) The card implies that Lebanon is in the top high school rankings.  It does not list how this was calculated or what criteria was used for this ranking. 

U. S. News and World Report lists schools in every state.  Many of the school districts are too small, have too high of a rate of poverty, minorities or other reasons why they are not counted in this list.  There are only 115 districts scored and the others are listed without scores.

The college readiness statistic is based on a score of 100%.   That means 100% of the senior students in a school took the test and 100% passed the test. Every student had to take and pass at least one AP class.  Few schools reach the 100% mark. The math and reading scores are based on the number of seniors that took and the number that passed the Ohio State Exit exam.  Listed below are some examples of the scores.

WALNUT HILLS - Rank: Ohio 1  National 77  College Readiness Score 81.3

College Readiness:  92% tested   78% passed   

Math - 100% proficient  0% not proficient   scored at 4.8

Reading - 100% proficient 0% not proficient scored at 4.4

WYOMING - Rank:    Ohio 2   National 110  College Readiness Score 74.4

College Readiness:  83% tested   71% passed

Math - 98% proficient 2% not proficient   scored at 4.6

Reading - 97% proficient 3% not proficient  scored at 4.4  

SYCAMORE H. S. - Rank: Ohio 23 National 514   College Readiness 46.6

College Readiness:  51% tested  45% passed

Math - 96% proficient 4% not proficient  scored at 4.5

Reading - 97% proficient  3% not proficient  scored at 4.3

KINGS - Rank:   Ohio 31   National 666   College Readiness  42.2

College Readiness:   52% tested   39% passed

Math - 94% proficient  6% not proficient  scored at 4.2

Reading - 94% proficient 6% not proficient scored at 3.9

MILFORD - Rank:   Ohio 32   National 707  College Readiness 41.4

College Readiness:   54% tested 37% passed

Math - 91% proficient  9% not proficient   scored at 4.2

Reading - 94% proficient 6% not proficient   scored at 3.9

MASON H. S. - Rank:  Ohio 34    National 720  College Readiness 40.9

College Readiness:   44% tested   40% passed

Math - 96% proficient    4% not proficient   scored at 4.6

Reading -  97% proficient  3% not proficient   scored at 4.2

LAKOTA EAST  -  Rank:  Ohio 36   National 750  College Readiness 40.4

College Readiness:  44% tested  39% passed 

Math - 96% proficient  4% not proficient   scored at 4.4

Reading - 97% proficient 3% not proficient  scored at 4.1

LOVELAND  -  Rank:  Ohio 43  National 955  College Readiness 35.7

College Readiness:  42% tested  34% passed

Math - 94% proficient  6% not proficient scored at 4.3

Reading - 96% proficient  4% not proficient scored at 4.1

LEBANON - Rank:   Ohio 51  National 1119  College Readiness 32.6

College Readiness:  41% tested  30% passed  (approximately 60 students)

Math - 92% proficient  8% not proficient   scored at 4.1

Reading - 94% proficient 6% not proficient scored at 3.9 (near OH Average)

LAKOTA WEST -  Rank:  Ohio 53  National 1178  College Readiness 31.3

College Readiness:   34% tested 31% passed

Math - 96% proficient  4% not proficient  scored at 4.4

Reading - 95% proficient 5% not proficient  Scored at 4.1 (above OH average)

CENTERVILLE -  Rank:   Ohio 70   National 1436  College Readiness 27.0

College Readiness:   32% tested  25% passed

Math - 94% proficient  6% not proficient   scored at 4.4 (above OH average)

Reading - 96% proficient  4% not proficient  scored at 4.2 (above OH average)

SPRINGBORO - Rank:   Ohio 84   National 1629 College Readiness 23.5

College Readiness:   29% tested 22% passed 

Math - 97% proficient  3% not proficient scored at 4.5 (above OH average)

Reading - 98% proficient  2% not proficient  scored at 4.1 (above OH average)

MONROE - Rank:  Ohio 93  National 1698  College Readiness 22.5

College Readiness:   38% tested 17% passed

Math - 89% proficient  11% not proficient scored at 4.0 (near OH average)

Reading - 96% proficient  4% not proficient scored at 3.8 (above OH average)

VALLEY H. S.(297 students)  Not ranked  College Readiness 18.3

College Readiness:   30% tested 14% passed

Math - 92% proficient  8% not proficient scored at 4.2 (above OH average)

Reading - 90% proficient 10% not proficient scored at 3.7 (near OH average)

The reason I am going to all this effort to post these scores is so that a valid comparison can be made.   Note that Walnut Hills has a college readiness score of 81.3 and that 92% of their senior class took the test.  Compare that to Lebanon where only 41% were tested and 30% of those passed the test. If you calculate that out you will find that only 60 AP students passed the test. That is 60 out of approximately 500 students.   I just can't see anything to rave about with that score.   Propaganda works.   I bet most of you were impressed with that post card because you didn't have all of the facts.

Also note that after Walnut Hills and Wyoming there is a huge drop in the percentage of students that even take the test.   It drops over 30% at Sycamore and more after that.   The reading and math scores are comparable and leads me to question the validity of the state test.   Even Valley H.S. which is not ranked had high scores in math and reading scoring above or near the Ohio AVERAGE.

I noticed that many schools are using this report for bragging rights if they think it will be effective propaganda  just as Mr. North surmised.   

*I tried to copy these facts accurately.   I hope you will compare your district to the others.   I was surprised by the low Springboro scores.  They have been pouring money into that district and with new schools.  

  

WHO BENEFITS FROM THE TIME THAT STUDENTS START SCHOOL?

Why do students sleep in class?

High school starts before daylight.   Most teenagers simply do not get enough sleep.   This deprivation of adequate sleep affects the student's ability to learn, listen and concentrate.  It also affects their mood and health.   

If school would start at a later time most students would have a much better academic performance.   Some districts have shifted to a later start time. Those that started later did support the medical evidence that well-rested individuals perform much better.  

Statistically academic performance and attendance improved.  The tardiness rates declined in schools that started at 8:35 a.m. or later.  The number of car crashes involving teen drivers went down when the schools started at 8:55 a.m. or later.  I would suggest that high school should start at 9:00 a.m. Teenagers need a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night.

The teacher's union and school administrators have known for years that a later start time for high school students is much better for their attention and for their health.   They refuse to change the schedule because it is not convenient for them.  Teachers prefer the early exit time.

We should regard the health of the students as a mandatory first priority.  We monitor the food they eat and drink as an issue to be addressed.   Mrs. Obama has drawn up mandatory menu selections for all meals served.   She demanded that healthy drinks and snacks were put in the vending machines. Yes, nutrition is important, as is recess and gym class.  Exercise is part of health. (Many school districts have abandoned recess.  How sad!) 

Puberty creates a later shift in the teen's sleep cycle and we cannot expect adult sleep schedules from teenagers.  Doctors attest to the fact the adolescent brain is still growing through age 25, and chronic sleep deprivation does significant harm.  Our children have plenty of time in their lifespan to rise before dawn and clock in 40+ hours of work.   Let them do that once puberty is done.  If teens are allowed to grow up healthy they'll be more productive adults with less substance abuse, diabetes, and heart disease. This is a win/win for our children and our economy.

There is overwhelming research that exposes the public health issue for sleep deprived teens.  A public health issue requires action and leadership.   Too bad that in the case of the student's health versus the dictates of the union and administration you can guess who wins.    

This change can and should be implemented.   This should not be negotiable. After all every time a levy is put on the ballot the administration sends out a multitude of cards, flyers, signs and phone calls touting the message that "it is for the children."    I say prove it.  Parents should demand the change.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER - COST VS BENEFITS

Does this small child need a classroom or his parents?

Head Start is an $8 billion per year federal preschool program.  It was designed to improve kindergarten readiness of low income children.  It was implemented in 1965 and taxpayers have spent more than $180 billion on the program.  

The HHS tracked 5,000 children.   Half of these children attended the Head Start program and half did not.  This study followed their progression from ages three or four through the end of third grade.  

The first-grade evaluation found that any benefits of the Head Start program were gone by the time they reached first-grade.  The  study revealed that Head Start failed to improve the literacy, math and language skills of the the four year-olds and had a negative impact on the math of three year olds.

The third-grade evaluation was even worse.  How could it be better if any benefits had dissipated by the end of the first-grade?  The third-grade follow-up study found that Head Start had no statistically measurable effects on cognitive ability including numerous measures of reading, language and math ability.

Additionally the evaluation examined the effects of Head Start on social-emotional development.   The results were that children in the 4-year-old age group reported worse peer relations in third grade than their non-Head Start classmates.   Teachers reported "strong evidence of an unfavorable impact on incidence of emotional symptoms."  

Head Start also failed to improve the parenting outcomes and child-health outcome of participants.  In other words, the program is an abysmal failure.

The bottom line:  Washington's 48-year experiment with federal preschool has failed to deliver long-lasting positive developments for its participants.  

Head Start fails children and costs taxpayers exorbitant amounts of money every year.  And it is just one of 69 federal preschool programs.  Small children do much better within the family unit. The government cannot provide the love and affection needed for healthy psychological growth.

With all of the studies that have been written the government just doesn't give up.   Their idea is to throw more money at a proven failed program.

Now comes the community school districts.   Every school district is on line to build new Early Childhood Development Centers.   These centers will take the child from the home into an institutional setting.   The property owners will have to pay more taxes to support these centers and to build them.   Even though these centers have been proven failures (they are Head Start with another name) school administrators have decided to keep on building them without informing the public and by passing bond issues without mentioning their plans.   

In Lebanon we receive an oversized-expensive post card quite often.   This is a public relations piece to keep the schools in our minds.   We are to believe that the district's superintendent and board really care about what we think.   They have a word that they use quite often and a word that taxpayers should be worried about hearing.    That word is "consensus."    The "consensus" that they arrived at was an agreement among themselves.   The public was not invited to the meeting where the decisions were made.   I urge everyone to start calling the Lebanon School Board office and ask questions.   Ask the superintendent to answer your questions as to exactly what will be built, where it will be built, if there are new administration offices in the plans and where will the Early Childhood Development Center be located.   

Common Core is designed to change the attitudes, values and beliefs of our children.   Change them from the values they learn at home and in church to the values of "the state."   Common Core values of values clarification and Secular Humanism.

We cannot trust the bureaucrats no matter where they lurk.

  

HERE THEY COME AGAIN - ANOTHER LEVY ON THE AUGUST BALLOT

 The Lebanon School board has decided to put another levy on the ballot in a costly special election.   This levy will be for 5.38 mills.   That will be approximately $412.00 annually for a $250,000.00 house.  This levy will generate approximately $4.2 million per year in operating funds.  $412.00 is huge in our family.  

Add that amount to the other levies that have been added to our tax bills in the past ten years.

Last August Lebanon put a levy on the ballot.  That passed with flying colors.   In November of last year they put two new levies on the ballot.   One is a 37 year bond issue with an additional millage listed as a “maintenance” levy.  The maintenance levy is supposed to generate an estimated $1,180,670 annually.   

In November of 2005 the district was, again in crisis mode and managed to closely pass 6.5 mills.   The count was 51.73% for the levy and 48.27% against.   This levy was a replay of a 5.9 mill levy that had been resoundingly defeated in May 60.28% against the levy and 39.72% for the levy.  Note that their needs went from 5.9 mills in May to 6.5 mills in November.

In November of 2011 Lebanon voters “avoided $3 million of additional budget cuts” by approving a five-year 3.78 mills operating levy by just 129 votes or 50.5% for and 49.5 percent against.

Most of us remember when this district had to go under state control because of the unconscionable poor management of district funds.  The waste and total lack of fiscal responsibility is still evident.   The more money they get the more they spend.  

They now have hired a person to manage the demolition of district buildings and construction of the new buildings.  What does Mark North do?   What does the architect do?   What does the construction companies do? 

The public has not been informed via public meetings or per the constant postcard that is sent to everyone in the district.  What are the plans?  What will be demolished?   Where will the board office be located?   Where will the school clinic be located?   How many children will you be adding to the district per the Early Childhood Development Center?   They managed to pass a levy with zero information as to your plans for the Lebanon children.

Your card gives mundane information that does not apply to over 67% of the homes in the district.   We do not need to know when kindergarten registration commences or how students may earn “extra credit.”  

The district does have access to every student’s email and their parent’s email.   They also have their phone numbers and addresses.

I would think that an email to one and all with this “post card” information would save money and time.    Alas, this district is not in the business of doing either.    Yes, and they could save even more money by doing their jobs and cutting the position of Public Relations.  The post card is part of their vague public relations.

I have listed just a few of the levies that have been passed and spent by the people who are in the business of running this district.  These people are insatiable.   They will never have enough money.    They spend it as fast as they grab it from us.   They take people to court that can’t afford to pay their taxes.   Those people are put out on the street.   They don’t care.  They will line their pockets and strip ours.  

They may claim that they operate in a fiscally responsible manner, but the facts tell a different story.

These people are ingrates.   They are union thugs who don’t care if they put granny on the street.   The union, the OSBA, the ODE, the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the Ohio Council for Elementary School Science, the OEA, NEA and other school related groups teach all of the locals how to manipulate the public and get more money from every property owner.   

They are experts and have years of experience in this “extortion racket.”    I feel free to call it that because they always promote each and every levy as “for the children.”    It is never ever for the children. 

Yes, the district does also receive federal grants, state money and other income.   When they accept certain federal funds they are obligated to implement Common Core.   The more of your tax dollars that you send to the local schools the easier it is for them to buy the entire Common Core curriculum and the computers necessary to indoctrinate your children. 

If you will notice every district is in the business of building new schools.  These schools are being planned and built for Agenda 21 – Sustainable Development.   This will be followed by The New World Order. 

 

Please wake up and see what your schools are really doing to your children.  Please monitor what they are being taught and what they are not taught about our country and how we are the last glimmer of light and of hope and liberty left in the world.    People die trying to immigrate to this great nation.   Our children are only taught negative stories about the United States. 

Yes, we are talking about a levy, but with our money the government school systems are destroying our country child by child.  Please do work to defeat this levy and every levy until the school leaders do their job . . . . . . educate our children how to think critically.   How to extrapolate facts from fiction would be beneficial to every person.