Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Statement of Debra Carlier
Member of Pickerington Local Board of Education
August 9, 1999
Regular Meeting

Continued readdress of falsehoods is necessary by the issuance of a written statement at the 8-1-99 meeting by my colleague, Mr. Rigelman. My statements have been from the beginning necessary by my position as Board President. It is important to maintain order and fairness for all. Falsehoods stated impair the integrity of this board and school district. They must be addressed.

Mr. Rigelman requested to read his statement at the beginning of our levy discussion. I told him, when asked just prior to the beginning of the meeting that I would prefer that go after the levy discussion was concluded, but would comply with the consensus of the board. The consensus was to wait till the end, but Mr. Rigelman made a motion himself to adjourn the meeting instead of giving his statement at the conclusion of levy discussion. Even though his statement was never spoken, Mr. Rigelman passed out his statement first to the press, then to the audience in spite of the consensus. No one forbid him the opportunity to speak, but preferred to attend to the business at hand with later address. This is on audiotape. Again, instead of giving the board the courtesy of address, he chose to adjourn.

I am providing copies of my correspondence to and from my colleagues. These copies are also under distribution to each one of us at this time. A complete set will be left at the district office to be made available for copy by the public as requested. These are memos and emails I have given and received this year as Board President. In addition I have included a prior memo regarding the administrative analysis. Until this year, I rarely wrote a memo. I started this practice to provide a written record since my tenure as Board President began in January 1999. This has proven to be a necessary task for the sake of credibility. The emails are made public as evidence of notice provided to my best ability with a board member that planned his vacation at the time all board members know is important to consideration of any ballot issues and election deadlines. He did not leave me any means of contact. This is each board members responsibility.

Continued reference to the need to present arguments to Mr. Rigelman appear to minimize our responsibility to inform the public, provide opportunity for the public to address this board at a regular board meeting and take care of necessary district business. Our 7-23-99 meeting was necessary to take care of staff hiring for this coming school year. Any board that has potential levy issues before it must discuss this at any and every time we assemble. If this board were to wait as demanded by Mr. Rigelman, the public information and opportunity to be heard would have been denied. That is unacceptable. Again remember that this vacation schedule was Mr. Rigelman?’s choice. He did not notify me until the 7-12-99 meeting of his unavailability.

I provide both of my public statement copies as solid evidence of specific address to my colleagues and to the public.

To Be Continued...

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Both members of the minority faction allege that they have been denied information about the following:
1. 1999-2000 school year budget
2. Recent collective bargaining negotiations
3. How the school district will use the 2 million dollars that will likely be saved in the construction of the new middle schools
4. The pre-school programs in operation at Tussing Elementary
5. Laidlaw?’s plans to relocate its operations
6. The administrative analysis
7. Contracts (copiers and transportation)
8. Auditor?’s report

I offer to you the following:
1. The budget process requires several updates and massive information distribution during the course of the year. Financial updates are given at each monthly regular meeting of this board of education. Each month board members are given a packet of financial information. Budgetary updates are given every month through the update of a spending plan as well as forecasting documentation. I find myself wondering if some of my colleagues just don?’t understand what they are given. I am further frustrated by a total lack of the minority faction willingness to address any questions to our treasurer for clarification. Board members have individual responsibility to do their own homework. They need to take the time to ask questions. So far it continues to be reported that the minority faction does not.
2. Collective bargaining discussions are done during several executive sessions with all board members. The agreement sets out specific procedures for negotiations. The executive sessions were attended by the members of this board of education as evidenced by the board minutes. I am not able to present anything from these meetings other than a final contract accepted by all members and the prior contract for procedures. The sharing of information received during executive sessions is illegal.
3. The 2 million dollars will be used just as the board resolved it would do on October 23, 1997. It will be returned to the taxpayer. After the construction and renovations are complete, the dollars will be returned to the taxpayer in the first one or two years. This will be returned in the form of reduced millage on property taxes. This is a short-term reduction for a finite amount of dollars. After the total dollars are returned equitably to the taxpayers the millage level will return to the previous millage rate.
4. Mrs. Oakes previously presented a report to the board on the preschool programs at Tussing Elementary. This was unsolicited by the board and not validated by experts. This could not have been prepared without free access to information. Mrs. Oakes had asked for information as evidenced by memorandum but was given an indication of the need to clarify her request. The minority faction never responded to a memorandum given requesting this clarification. This continues to be a reflection of poor and lacking communication.
5. Mrs. Oakes publicly asked about the relocation of Laidlaw Transportation operations and its progress at a recent meeting. Superintendent Yocum had already prepared to address this with the most recently received facts at this meeting. He had also addressed this matter at an earlier opportunity. I also might note that this has also been discussed in media publications. Mrs. Oakes had several conversations with school employees and board members regarding the same. Denial of information continues to be false.

To Be Continued....

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6. The Administrative Analysis report was given in its entirety to all board members as addressed in my 7-23-99 statement. I never had a copy even in part until 7-8-99. Mrs. Oakes had also picked up her copy earlier in the day. Lori and Larry initially gave parameters of focus in a meeting with the consultants. Lori and I then met with them just prior to compilation of the report to discuss presentation form and give further guidance of parameter questions from the consultants. The initial request for this analysis had come from Lori and I as evidenced from our memorandum.
7. In regard to copies of transportation information, I told Mrs. Oakes early in the year what was available originally and specifically at the time of the Laidlaw contract consideration. Mrs. Sanders reported that Mrs. Oakes had given her copies as well. Copier request for information has caused the generation of an analysis report. Mr. and Mrs. Oakes also had the opportunity to talk to our business manager about the district copier machines.
8. Mr. Rigelman alleges that he has never received a copy of our auditor?’s report or has never met with our auditor to discuss such a report. As evidenced by my memorandum, I provided a copy in April to all. I had also called all to see if they had received a copy from the State as I had. I was willing at that time to quickly distribute this but was told that the next meeting was fine. The next meeting after my conversation with my colleagues was in April. In addition, due to questions asked by my colleagues, a meeting was set up to have an overview with the independent auditor for all board members at our retreat on June 17th. Mr. Rigelman left at lunchtime that day. He never notified me that he was unable to stay. The opportunity was open to all.

I continue to implore you all to verify these facts. Please!!

Mr. Rigelman contends that he does not believe that this board is sufficiently involved with other units of government in planning for our community?’s future. Various memorandums reveal that this is false as well as citizen commentary from the 8-1-99 meeting. Forest, Lew, Larry, Lori and I have all been involved with various aspects of involvement with the Tussing Area Coalition. This group is very organized and cognizant of their surroundings and their newly found voice. Lori and I have been working on the economic incentive devices agreement discussions. Lori gave each update at our board meetings as any new information came available. All of this is a slow process.

Time management is a key element. When the minority faction states they don?’t have the information, but do not set up a time period to get their questions answered with the appropriate personnel, this is a choice made. Board members receive so many reports and updates. It is an absolute that we need to take the time to learn about those items we do not understand. Our personal organization is our own responsibility. Instead of accepting the responsibility, it appears as though it is easier for them to scapegoat their perceived lack of information.

To Be Continued....

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Continued issuance of false statements whether about financial projections as referred to in my 7-23-99 statement or purported denial of information is still despicable, unethical and dishonest. A self-proclaimed ?‘tough taskmaster?’ with the aim of healing deep divisions in our community only further muddies the community well and destroys credibility for all. Three citizens contended that the divided board is a positive for our community. None of these people were present for my statement.

I continue that this divided board affects our effectiveness with others. The end result can be poor communication and poor decision making. Some divided boards can learn to work together. Most divided board situations create far more problems than benefits.

In spite of frequent reminders through talk and memorandums, I am not seeing any improvement. I had not made any public statements of this division until allegations and falsehoods affecting the public good were made by the minority faction in our 7-12-99 meeting. As Board President, I still must request purposeful and concentrated participation to strive for improvement. I reiterate again, I do not see any attempt of such by recent incidents.

Instead, I see continued and further willingness to state falsehoods as an attempt to discredit others that cannot be tolerated. These falsehood statements are not only directed at board members but administrators as well. The refusal to talk about individual concerns and a lack of talking to the appropriate administration for additional questions has not improved.

On multiple times I have stated that debate as the free and orderly exchange of ideas is a critical purpose and duty of a board of education. Please note the operative words are free and orderly. It is a lack of order and respect for others that is of concern to me as Board President. Our diversity should provide an interesting debate on any occasion. Statements by the minority faction of ?“My vote is no unless?…I?’m a firm no?…?” concern me when made before any facts are heard. This is the poor decision making process to which I have already referred. Listening to others is key to the decision making process.

My job is to ask and strive for participation. I cannot read minds! I cannot control your will, nor do I have that desire. I also do not wish to be controlled through the issuance of ultimatums, outbursts, or tantrums.

I offered suggestions. I asked for suggestions from the board. Ground rules as suggested by my colleague on his 8-1-99 statement continue to take any previous concerns out of context and further distort matters. It would actually be much simpler if we all committed ourselves to just walking our talk. If walking of the talk were actually being done, we would not be at this point.

I am devoting myself to resolution of division and demand honesty with the public. I must ask you all, will you do the same. Gail? Larry? Lori? Bruce?

ALL ANSWERED AFIRMATIVELY. YOU BE THE JUDGE. HAVE YOU SEEN MORE OF THE SAME DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS? I HAVE SEEN IT REPEATEDLY. ALL FROM THOSE THAT SPEAK OF RUBBERSTAMPING AND STATUS QUO. I DON'T CARE HOW YOU LOOK AT IT YOU WILL BE PICKING A RUBBERSTAMP OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER ON NOVEMBER 6TH. WHERE DO YOUR PHILOSOPHICAL BELIEFS FALL? VOTE ACCORDINGLY.