The Debate begins….
Quick introductions – Basic rules are announced – candidates will have two minutes to respond.
First opening statements -
Cheryl Catlin – “I believe in education, I believe in quality education” mentioned her 8 point plan.
Jack Ford – “extensive teaching experience” went into other background and mentioned his daughter attends TPS and was there with him tonight.
Ted Jobe – “for the last 38 years have been teaching in the TPS system”, outlined his other experience such as coaching.
Harold Mosley – “been a detective for 20 years, a police officer for 27 years” focused on his relationships in the community to reach out to community.
Chris Myers – “listen to what we say and our depth of knowledge on the issues and what concrete solutions to we present”.
Lisa Sobecki – “I’m a democrat and a Mom on a Mission”. Talked about her service to the country and as a volunteer to TPS.
Laura asked the first question to Cheryl Catlin on the issue of test scores taking a hit. “We need pacing guides and skill mastering, we need to align our curriculum to skills, daily planners, weekly quizzes, immediate intervention. We need to have a plan like a blue print”.
Karl asked next question to Ford on special superintendent – Ford spending 350 million dollars now and getting mediocre results – we have two systems one that works well the Harvard then we have the schools where the poverty and the lower scores happen. Nationally you can see what schools are using strategies, a major initiative is coming from our teacher’s union to replicate our Grove Pattersons and our Old West End academy’s.
Michael Miller to Jobe on back pay to teachers – Jobe – if the back pay was promised the word should be kept. Teachers have had to go a long time without a raise and it is affecting their morale. He would support a levy to do that.
Laura – outlying areas have different challenges than the inner schools – Mosley fact that outlying schools are outtesting shows that -kids need more tutoring and more assistance and we have to look at the techniques being used outside then.
Karl gets applause for giving the microphone since there was tech trouble – Ted Jobe was asked to repeat his answer. Then Harold Mosley reviewed his answer for those in the back of the room.
Karl asks Chris Myers what he is going to do to reduce property taxes – Myers first we have to make sure that the money the district has is being spent wisely. TPS went to zero based budgeting and went from an 11 million dollar deficit to a 20 million dollar surplus. If we don’t have the right over sight the amount of money will ever be enough. Asked again if he would be able to reduce property taxes, Chris said if they could be reduced…
Michael asks Lisa Sobecki about budget – Sobecki looking at partnering with other non profits, would like to look at the budget and look at ways we can cut we also want to make sure we are not short changing our children, I understand how much technology costs and the costs of text books. We need to make sure we are spending our money wisely.
Cheryl took an extra minute to respond – she pointed out that the teacher raise was not approved by the Board it was an MUO and that she supports merit based pay, student based budget. “We aren’t just an open checkbook here”.
Jack took a minute to respond – not trying to contradict anyone here and that the audience has a tough job this is a great crop of candidates. TPS spends quite a bit on tutoring, millions are being spent on tutoring, 9 to 12 million dollars in the insurance fund and it is debated if that can be sent down. Property taxes are being lowered now through Anita Lopez.
Ted agrees that we have two sets of school systems with the more inner schools not doing as well. The idea of turning them into a charter type school. The principal of the Old West End gets to pick the students and if she doesn’t think she will get the proper support from you, you won’t get your child in there. Where would these other children go – take all of these kids who are not doing well and…send them to Sylvania.
Chris – two different school systems, if we have a failing school system we have a failing school system, pointed out that the district was not following NCLB. District can’t pay any raises because the contract language says it needs to be new money. We have a board and unions that need to work together, they need to re-evaluate that plan.
Lisa academic question that Harold was asked, I would be looking for parental involvement in all of our schools with wonderful parents. She would like to take from the areas that have high parental involvement to those with low involvement, bring in the churches, businesses, bring back the community into our schools.
Michael asked Cheryl where her son went to school, she stated St. John’s and was asked to explain why she did not send him to TPS. You only have 13 years to get it right, that while she got a quality education at Scott, she did not want to send her son to a failing school. She has volunteered at the school, make sure adults are doing the heavy lifting. (This is going to be an answer you want to watch on video).
Laura asks Jack Ford, for other achievements that qualify you to lead the schools, Jack responded knows the neighborhoods, the leaders, everyone up here is saying we need to have a community revival, what hasn’t be said, we need a tsunami of action. We need a “keep Jeep” type effort to bring parents into the mix. Some of our schools are good schools, there are alternative TPS high schools that are doing well.
Karl asked Ted Jobe, you stated parents are the engine in the car. Now citizens speak last, how are you going to – Jobe, they appear to be afraid of the parents and what the parents might have to say. It’s a decision that could be undone, a one way street can become a two way street. Parental involvement and a lot of board members and teachers are afraid of parents. Need an in service to teach teachers how to get in touch with parents. Need to increase the numbers of visiting teachers, if they still have a visiting teacher if a student did not appear in school.
Michael Miller asked Harold Mosley about his children attending parachoial school, “Mrs. Mosley is a catholic and she decided the children would attend a Catholic School”. When pressed for an answer, “Mr. Miller I don’t live with you”.
Laura asked what Chris learned his last experience in running for office. Chris stated he ran on the idea of radical change in 2005 and stayed involved and created the tps websites, reporting on the board meetings, he’s learned that can be done, not only has he demonstrated what changes can be done but has worked to make changes.
Karl, to Lisa, I see a lot of your signs with “mom on a mission”, break down the mission. Strengthen school safety, academic and parental involvement. Tired of seeing the hard work teachers, parents and students are doing not get the extra assistance and see nothing be accomplished. She said enough is enough it’s time to calm things down and get the job done, on time, on task and on mission.
All of the candidates took another minute to respond to previous comments (recommend watching these on Fox when it is online).
I’m down to two candidates…Lisa and J’Fo.
October 23rd, 2007 at 10:39 amWhy do people who send their kids to private school even want to run for school board? It really doesn’t make me want to put my trust in them.
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:44 pmRobin, but this is a free country and we shall choose to send our kids anywhere or even home-school them. I know it’s a catch-22 for ones who may run for school-board, but what if for an example an empty-nester or gay individual with no kids run for school board?
October 23rd, 2007 at 12:51 pmI saw you blogging your heart out Lisa
Cheryl C. was asked why she chose a private school and she gave the answer that we have the highest cost per pupil and the worst results – and that it’s just unacceptable. That we, as the adults, have ‘13 years to get it right’ and it isn’t getting done at TPS. I wanted to stand up and do cartwheels! That is very true – we need to do a much better job with public education.
I was disappointed to hear Jack Ford and Lisa Sobecki. They both dropped many names that I’m sure are some power brokers or well known politicians – I don’t know who they are nor do I care.
The one thing I did make my mind up about is that I do not think we can afford to have any professional politicians involved in TPS at this time. Maybe later when things are more on an even keel we could handle one, but not now. Playing politics and being hooked into the political scene has landed us where we are today. And the candidates all agreed, we need change and right away.
I liked what the other two men had to say, Jobe and Mosley but they were limited in scope – Mr. Mosley (rightfully so) is very, very concerned with safety. Mr. Jobe has quite alot of teaching experience. So from their professional experiences it makes sense that they are strong in those areas – I think we need someone who’s well versed in what’s going on in the district. Who can provide real information and step by step solutions on how we can get this thing turned around.
Chris Myers had so much information to get out he tripped over his own tongue a few times – but it’s nice to see an enthusiastic and informed person try to get information out quickly. Lots to put out there. Like the MoU’s for the teachers pay raise that was NEVER voted on by the board.
And Cheryl was just fantastic. I just really appreciated what she had to say and that she had the courage to say it.
I was shocked that Mr. Ford used the forum to push for a COSI levy. Very disrespectful.
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:54 pmI’ve not commented to date on any of the candidates, but I suppose it is time to provide information and opinion. So let me start by raising a question that should have been discussed at the debate but was not: Will the candidates elected represent our interests or those of the TFT, TAAP and AFSCME?
Lisa may well be a fine person. However….. She is endorsed by TFT, TAAP (through the UAW Cap Council) and AFSCME which are all TPS employee unions. This raises a big red flag (no pun intended). I believe that much of our problem in Toledo has been because ambitious politicians get supported by the same unions for which they negotiate contracts and in the process the public gets their wallet picked and union leadership gains enormous control over our public institutions and government. I recently formulated this equation – public service unions + beholding politicians = higher taxes + less oversight.
I believe voting for Sobecki is problematic. Watching the leadership of the TFT over many years, makes me believe that she will support higher taxes and cede further control to union leadership. I don’t see this as a positive development in improving public education and restoring an important pillar upon which our future (children) and economic prosperity depend.
Ford also has the endorsements of the TFT and TAAP – have not heard about AFSCME to date. While I believe that Ford has the stature to stand on his own, if he no longer wishes a higher political office, and wants to be the kind of elder statesman and community advocate we need, he would be a tremendous choice. However his political past would seem to say that is not going to happen.
In addition as you will recall, he did not screen with the Democratic Party because he was standing on principle: they did not endorse him as the incumbent mayor in the last election. That certainly makes me wonder if Ford is ready to move to the future or just even old scores.
If you can overlook these issues, then you have greater faith in our current political environment than I.
So standing on my own principles, I will not be voting for Sobecki or Ford. As to my choices, not today.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 pmSteven, while I understand your concerns, we both know with the changes in the law the power of some of these union endorsements is not what it used to be. Considering the amount of financial contribution is limited to between one thousand to two thousand dollars, these union endorsements whether they be TFT or Building Trades don’t have the impact as what happened the last election.
All of the candidates will have closer ties/relationships with one group or another and will most likely be forced to make unpopular decisions at times that could make one group of supporters unhappy. Having watched and spoken with Lisa on more than one occasion, I would not expect her to agree with any of the unions just based on the support given in the election. I’d be more concerned with a candidate who was a teacher or was married to a teacher as having more difficulty in trying to remain unbiased when it came to certain issues with the TFT.
I do agree though that a question concerning unions and how the candidates relationship either pro or con would affect their decisions as a school board candidate would be an interesting one for all of the candidates to answer. As you pointed out, some of the concern comes from past situations.
October 24th, 2007 at 12:04 amLisa Renee, I see your point. But an ambitious politician with plans to advance (and Sobecki did according to my sources screen for a city council position with the Dems which demonstrates interest beyond the school board) would still want to have the support of these powerful unions for future races such as city council where financial support is not limited by the law. Also, I have watched Sobecki get involved with the save Sanders movement, support of all things “status quo” TPS including siding with the 3 for Children faction (Sykes, Barnett and Steel) to the point of asking for Fisher’s resignation just 3 months after she was elected. She was far more visible on these issues than just a mom and this situation began about 18 – 24 months ago.
We also know how the TFT leadership acts and what kind of support they demand. Besides direct contributions are only part of the support – we have volunteers (TFT has a large membership) and the indirect financial support of their members. Except for the recent issues where she bucked the TPS administration on what she perceived as lax security procedures, I have not seen her take any stance, especially with action, that went counter to the TFT leadership. Her answers at the debates did not demonstrate any independence in that relationship.
We also know that there may be ways around this law. Such as having the state organization or an affiliated union make the contributions. There will be loopholes found! You and I discussed that this might happen.
Yes, I think the situation with Steel is much more of concern. If I thought Sobecki was one of the two best candidates, I might have a dilemma. However, her answers were short on substance as his her platform and knowledge of the issues, for example, her answers in the Truth regarding the Toledo Plan. Add the union endorsements and it suggests a “flawed” candidate.
So I respectfully disagree with your conclusion, but understand that changes in state finance laws make it less of an asset. However, as we know Strickland tried to get the courts to set aside the law after he was elected on a technicality. A change in Columbus in the legislature could once again change this law.
So I still see this as a significant cause for concern.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:48 amAll these acronyms are giving me a headache. NBC, CBS, NAFTA, TLC, LOL, TARTA, OSU, UM, TFT, ACGT, TAAP, AFSCME, BGSU, TPS, COSI, AFL-CIO, NFL, MLB, MBA, WTOL, WTVG, WUPW, BFF, BRB, UAW, etc, etc, etc….ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
October 24th, 2007 at 5:50 amhow do you calculate merit based pay? i come from a long line of teachers. contracts were designed for a reason. you do your job you get paid. you inspire your students they do better. we need more teacher involvement in creating more for our kids. teachers are people with a calling. with what i heard from thes debates i’m having a deja vu feeling. also, the children of these candidates should be in the toledo public school system. they are running for the local school board.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:27 amSue, start giving the children in Toledo schools such as, Fulton and Scott, a quality education, and then maybe parents won’t have to make a choice. You’re a teacher? What school are you in? When the choice represents a great sacrifice to try to give your child(children) quality education, then I think that parent needs to be lauded. Also, what are the candidate’s motives for wanting to be on the School Board. I think it cruel for anyone to say to any candidate,”If you want my vote, sacrifice your child.” It is up to all of us, including teachers, Board, administration and community, especially parents, to try to get it right. To censure a parent for doing the best they can for their children is shameful. Shame on those who say “Throw him to the wolves. We don’t care that you want to help other children.”
October 24th, 2007 at 3:11 pm