If you saw the election results in this morning's Courier Post, it appears that they printed the numbers before the final count was available.
The budget passed.
Yes votes: 4,126 (53.06%)
No votes: 3,650 (46.94%)
The new Board of Education members are: Klukoff, Roth, Goodwin.
The breakdown of votes is as follows:
Muldowney: 2,546
Cheston: 1,156*
Klukoff: 4,198
Roth: 4,599
Chaifetz: 1,959
Goodwin: 4,699
*Note: A few people had emailed me to let me know that "Cheston" was directly under Nancy Muldowney's name and that Stu Chaifetz's name was one before the last. They were concerned that people may accidentally click on Cheston's name thinking it was Chaifetz. I didn't think that would happen, but later learned that my mother almost cast a vote for Cheston by accident!
I know that many people following this blog are not thrilled with the results, but I really think that we should give these guys a chance. They came into this knowing that there are many issues related to special education. In fact, one of their priorities was to address the special education challenges. We need to enlighten them to the specific issues, before we hold them accountable for addressing the problems.
I hope everyone understands that this is going to take some effort on our part, too. We have a small group of parents that have been bringing issues before the board. We should encourage other parents that are facing these challenges to attend BOE meetings and speak up on a regular basis. It is the collective involvement of everyone that makes a difference for our children!
I do not know if the K-R-G team follows my blog, but if they do -- I would like to say congratulations. We have many challenges that lie ahead and special education will most likely be a very big part of the issues that are brought before you. I hope we can all respect each others differences and work collectively at making our school district a better place to educate ALL of Cherry Hill's children.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Election Results
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14 comments:
I was just reading some of yesterday's comments on the CP site and stumbled on this one left by "teddi"
"chmom, jade5, ms magee,
what happened on april 15th? can you say landslide!!! Good always prevails. what a great year it will be!"
Kathi: I saw your comment that followed. You are too kind to some of these ignorant people. You should have told that witch off!
I love your optimism but I disagree with you that KRG will try to resolve SE challenges. You only have to look as far as their supporters to see the type of BOE members they will be!
I like to give people the benefit of doubt. We do not all share the same opinions or life experiences and that is precisely why we have choices when it comes to elections. I thought that most people were mature enough to get that. I admit, I was probably wrong!
I personally felt that Nancy and Stu were the better candidates. However, I am not closed-minded enough to believe that K-R-G are terrible people! I say give them a chance.
If Teddi wants to toot her horn, almost as if "she" won -- that only shows me one thing: That some people lack substance and have no clue what challenges our children (and parents) face.
This was never about who won or who lost -- it was about addressing the needs of Cherry Hill's kids -- every single one of them.
Stu and Nancy did a wonderful job of illuminating the special education concerns. We got people looking at the issues and that is what mattered. Now it is up to those that got elected to do their part.
Personally, I could care less what Teddi thinks, or says, or does. If she had any character she would become part of the solution, instead of part of the problem.
What many parents with typical children do not realize is that when you have a school district ignoriing the needs of certain childen, it puts their own children at a disadvantage.
More dollars are wasted on the legal battles that ensue as a result of not providing an appropriate education. Think about what those wasted funds could be used for -- perhaps something that would benefit their own child.
I wonder if Teddi realizes that she is paying part of those legal expenses. I wonder if she ever stopped to consider that her taxes would be lower if parents did not have to engage in these legal battles with the district?
I am fine with her candidates winning. They have an opportunity to get this right. If they do not, people like Teddi end up footing the bill for legal fees and compensatory education claims in their taxes!
You are absolutely right kathi.
In the end the people that don't get it do end up footing the bill! I am not sure if you realized this, but that young man you spoke about in a previous blog, the one that you were so glad was able to get up and speak so well about his education...
His mommy sued the district for major mega bucks! Someone mentioned that in a blog (maybe here?) or in a forum somewhere, so I asked around. I was told she won a million dollar settlement, plus legal fees!
How does it feel to be paying that expense Teddy? Still feelin' proud there, sweetie?
too funny! I would expect comments like that from Teddi.
Ask her how many votes "she" received. I know you got at least 2because we wrote your name in!
Sue & John
Many people had a misconception about Stu. They thought that he's upset/angry/crazy/bitter because he did not get what he wants for his child. This is completely false! Stu is figting & working for all children with Special Needs.
Let's stay stronger together & Let's Izzie-Moody know that we are not going away. we will be @ every BOE's meeting or whenever people need us to be there.
If Teddi is for all children like she says, I wonder if the proceeds from Dancing With The Stars - Cherry Hill Version - will go towards replacing the playground equipment at Mann.
These children have no playground equipment and yet its not in the budget. People are foolish to think that everything is going to be ok.
I think playground equipment for Mann would be a wonderful idea. Are they the only elementary school in the district that doesn't have equipment? Isn't one of our new Board of Education members, Seth Kluckoff on the board of the foundation that is having that fundraiser ? If he is truly going to advocate for all children, this would be a good way to start. Why isn't playground equipment in the budget for an elementary school? According to the Mayors Special Briefing article dated April 15th, the district has approximately 8.5 million dollars in surplus. We will hire additional administration but we will deprive the children at Mann a slide? And people claim that everything is alright in this district?
How could Mann not have playground equipment with a surplus of approximately 8.5 million (figure according to the Mayors Special Briefing letter posted on the township website)? That's a disgrace! We are spending money on additional administrators , but our children can't have a jungle gym? And people don't think we have a problem in this district?
http://www.cherryhilleducationfoundation.com/grantapplications.php
"Classroom Grants Assist Teachers and Administrators in the Education Process
The Cherry Hill Education Foundation makes funds available to Cherry Hill public school educators to create new and innovative educational programs that could not normally be accommodated by the typical school budget. A classroom grant can make learning exciting for teachers and students because it gives teachers an opportunity to be creative and innovative.
Grants to Support Classrooms and Schools
Schools could often benefit from discretionary funding to achieve school-wide goals such as increasing reading comprehension or math scores, addressing minority achievement concerns or implementing innovative special education programs. The Foundation offers grants to address specific school-wide as well as classroom-specific issues or goals."
I am not sure that this is the type of thing that CHEF would fund. However, there is still hope. I have been at many BOE meetings and do not recall a playground at Mann being rejected or being mentioned at all. If you want to get the ball rolling, you need to go to a BOE meeting and request a playground.
I am surprised that the school principal did not push for this in the budget for Mann School. Did you address this with Mann's principal?
A playground is something that benefits ALL children and not just because it is fun to play on monkey bars! There are a great number of skills that are improved during interactive playtime -- socialization skills, sharing, taking turns, etc. Not to mention that physical activity is essential for all children.
I would suggest that several parents from Mann join together and request that the BOE look into replacing the playground equipment at your school. Don't forget your school's PTA too. Maybe they could even come with a fund raiser to offset the costs.
Kathi
I believe (someone can jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong) the principal was refused and the PTA wanted to raise money but the district refused. They claimed they would not do the upkeep on the equipment. This was what I was told from another parent. Anybody out there have any additional info?
I certainly think that the Foundation could donate playground equipment. They donated a rock climbing wall to Harte.
I am not sure where to post this so I thought this might be a good place to release some steam!
In this age where the board has to approve donations - and have the audacity to say no to donations, example Mann's playground equipment. When PTA is not allowed to supplement, it is absolutely unacceptable that the Harte Principal can purchase soccer goals with his own money!
Dr. Campbell needs to do his job and now buy all elementary school soccer nets because this principal over stepped the boundaries.
If parents were to spend their own money and pay for OT in school, they would be told no.
This is just not right that this purchase was allowed. There are many other elementary schools who would benefit from soccer goals as well.
Imagine how many soccer goals, physical therapy equipment, alpha smarts that could be purchased with the salary alloted towards the new assistant special ed supervisor or the discretionary income from building principals.
I do not like the direction that this district is going.
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