KIDS FIRST CAMPAIGN

Where are the savings?

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Interesting find on the MEA webpage - It's from their online magazine "MEA Voice"

Look at page 15 - Feature column on privatization of the Marshall custodians.

http://mea.org/voice/2009Sept/62AC8D517E82CF48BE494CCBC31C6FFC/index.html

Thoughts??

How about a little RESPECT

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Mr. Klochack, Principal at Marshall High School, reads along as the two MHS Graduates give their speeches.

We are told that the two graduates had to turn their speeches into Mr. Klochack prior to graduation - that's understandable. Obviously he was so concerned that the grads may add a word or two in, that he followed along with the copy they turned in to him. Both speeches were great - too bad he didn't pay attention to them because he was too busy reading them word for word.
Word of advice: Show respect, and you shall receive respect.

Huh??

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:11:00 +0000

Rumor has it that a top building administrator will be pulling their children from MPS and heading to Olivet Schools. Anybody have any confirmation on that?

It's official

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 06 May 2009 00:58:00 +0000

Bill DeSmet has beat Georgia Marsh in a landslide.

Vote for DeSmet for Marshall board

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:12:00 +0000

As seen in the Battle Creek Enquirer April 28, 2009

I wish to encourage people to vote for Bill DeSmet for the Marshall school board. Bill is a bright, energetic young man with children in the Marshall school system. He is concerned about the best education possible for them and for all of the students in the Marshall Public Schools. His knowledge of business, particularly in purchasing, should make him an important member of our school board.

It is time that we give more of the younger members of our community the opportunity to step forward to help for the betterment of Marshall. I encourage you to give Bill your vote on May 5.

Tom Franke
Marshall

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Wow. What a week it has been here at MPS Change is Good. Since Monday the 13th we have averaged 200 page visits and 300 page views per day. Keep spreading the word about www.mpschangeisgood.blogspot.com

What a meeting

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:22:00 +0000

Reports coming in from the Board Meeting tonight:

Meeting lasted 3 hours. Approx. 150 people in attendance. Vic did a horrible job in the final moments of the meeting representing the Marshall Public School Board. Yelling and raising his voice. John Coulter wanted the Hulkow issue on the agenda tonight - but was rejected. Dan Stulberg stayed silent during the whole Hulkow discussion - hmmmmm. Coulter & Paul Beardslee admitted this issue has gone on way too long.

What did we miss - comment about what you thought about tonight.

Joyce Phillips' Last Stand

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:33:00 +0000

As seen in this weeks Ad-Visor/Chronicle.

SUPPORT
"COACH HULKOW"!
ATTEND SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON
MONDAY APRIL 13 @ 7:00PM
AT GORDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

It has come to the attention of many school district supporters that a recommendation is being made by our Supt. at this coming Monday, April 13th school board meeting to terminate coach Rich Hulkow's contract with the district! Rather than serving as both Athletic Director and football coach, he has been asked by the Supt. to choose one or the other and the board is to act on this recommendation Monday night. Quite frankly, we find it hard to believe that such an action would even be considered by the board. Given that a new Supt. has been hired, such a recommendation should be deferred to the new Supt. in a similar and consistent manner as with the Asst Supt. and Curriculum Director's positions.

Rich Hulkow's effort as both A.D. and football coach over the past 25 years has been outstanding. It would be difficult to find a comparable record. In addition to growing the athletic program to provide equitable opportunities for boy and girls and managing it competently for 25 years, he has brought many dollars to the district via his initiatives. This would include starting the Redhawk Open (est. $500,000 over 25 years) and raising additional dollars through revitalization of the Athletic Boosters organization resulting in greater membership revenue and initiating booster activities such as the former bingo game and present tailgate sales, etc. Further, the present contract arrangement entered into by the board by way of a 3rd party on coach Hulkow's behalf two years ago, has resulted in savings to the district of over $25,000 annually. Board President Vic Potter at the time was heard to have said the cost savings agreement was a good business decision. In liht of the district's present finances, the decision to undo this arrangement looks foolish and suggests an ulterior motive on the part of the Supt. considering that Rich has continued to do an excellent job. As to Rich's coaching success, there are very few coaches who have won 80% of their games over this long a career, particularly considering that many of these games were played against larger Class A Schools. Additionally, his hiring and maintaining an excellent coaching staff in football and in other sports has allowed the continuation of a fine athletic program. Why change now? What's the rationale/motive? If the Board supports this change, it is a certainty that the district would lose booster support, Redhawk Open support and would most likely further undermine the prospect for passing a bond issue. We have even heard some booster suggest a Board recall if this change were to be supported by the Board.

If school district residents wish to support Coach Hulkow and maintain his outstanding leadership as both A.D. and football coach, please attend the school board meeting on Monday, April 13th at 7PM at Gordon Elementary School and tell the board how you feel!

Yours Truly,
Lou Giannunzio, Former Supt. 1983 - 2001
Paul Herman, Local Businessman and football coach
Steve Hageman, Former Booster President
Doug Jackson, Booster Treasurer
Jeff Albaugh, Former school board president (served 12 years)
Bob Lyng, School board 12 years, Boosters President 13 years
Lynn Kalinoski, Redhawk Open Chairman

Come one Come all.

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Monday March 23rd - Marshall High School - 7pm
Public Forum regarding the upcoming budget

Please go and share your ideas!

Interest in Write-In Candidates?

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:06:00 +0000

It appears by comments on the last blog entry that there seems to be some interest in having a write-in candidate in the upcoming School Board election in May. Discuss.....

It's official

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Dr. Randy Davis is the new MPS superintendent.

Reposting blog entry from "Somber Reflections"

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:08:00 +0000

I am re-posting an excellent blog entry from "somber reflections". As the blogger mentions towards the bottom of their post - Get Involved! If you care about the future of Marshall Public Schools, speak up, contact the board members and let them know who is best to be the next MPS Superintendent.

Good point! This is the real world. We have unrealistic expectations of the superintendent and the school board. Reading in the paper how excited they got over some cliche answers from the candidates reminds me how out of touch our board members are. I am not saying their responses were bad, but any teacher would expect such responses and they are no big deal.

I do not expect the board to be experts in all areas of education but I do expect them to make a good faith effort to work with the teaching staff and do their best to learn what goes on and why? They have not done this very well, if at all. Joyce Phillips turned out to be arrogant, self-serving and of limited competence in managing the school district. She made many mistakes and made no attempt to improve or work effectively with the staff. She failed, period! She was not always honest and did her best to cover her mistakes. Many think she had even worse intentions, I do not know. Nobody feels she truly carried about the Marshall schools in any way, probably not even the board thinks anything good about her any longer.

What next? If we are lucky the next superintendent will be an improvement. Probably not great, but probably not worse. Expectations do need to be lowered. The Marshall schools do not have the reputation they once had. Enrollment and budgets are in decline. Many of the best teachers have retired or moved on. We have lost about 2,000 jobs in Marshall the last few years. It may be a long time until things get better.

As best you can everyone who cares should get involved. I agree, drop trying to hold Joyce accountable- it is not going to happen. Those who support her and protect her dominate the board and have very wealthy supporters backing her. That is simply the reality of this tragic situation.

Maybe, just maybe, things will get a little better next year. The victims will not be helped in this matter, they are out of luck. Life goes on. Life is not fair. Things are bleak and the sky is still very cloudy. At least try to find a superintendent who has been a building Principal and knows how to effectively work with the staff. That should at least be a bare minimum standard.

Discuss....

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:14:00 +0000

We know that members of the Marshall School Board frequent the blog. Let them know what you think of the final two candidates.

Bruce Burger - Morrice Area Schools Superintendent

Randy Davis - Athens Area Schools Superintendent

Dave Watson, Headmaster of Howe Military School was dropped from consideration. Thank you Mr. Watson for putting yourself out there during this process. We wish you much success in the future.

What's the rush?

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:29:00 +0000

Brian Metcalf will be leaving us for Hudsonville.
It's being reported that Amy Jones has accepted a job in Lakeview.
Next summer Joyce Phillips will be gone.
Discuss..........

Breaking News

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:22:00 +0000

**BREAKING NEWS**
10:35pm - 8/5/08

Marshall Public School voters reject $35.34 Million Bond

Unofficial Election Result for Marshall Bond:

No: 1807
Yes: 1452

See the break down of the vote here:
http://www.electionmagic.com/results/mi/C13results/C1300401101.htm

VOTE!

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:40:00 +0000

UPDATE 5:00pm 8/5/08 - City of Marshall had approx. 1100 votes cast.

UPDATE 1:00pm 8/5/08 - Reports are showing lower turn-out in the city during the early hours.
As reports come in, we will post them.

Voting is OUR civic duty. Tuesday August 5th - GO VOTE.

To see where to vote and to see your sample ballot, visit this web page:
https://services2.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

Throughout your day tomorrow, remind people in passing to go vote. Voting is easy, we just wish more people would exercise their right to do so.

Us against them fostered in district

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:03:00 +0000

"Us against them" fostered in district
Cathie Vaught, Marshall
as published in the Marshall Chronicle Saturday, July 12, 2008

You are probably aware that I am no longer employed by Marshall Public Schools. It has come to my attention that there is a perception that I left MPS because I anted a "year round" position. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am heartbroken that I had to leave MPS.
The reason that I felt compelled to seek another job and express my personal opinions in this letter is only because of the appallingly poor leadership and treatment of my family and other staff and their families.
The district has pursued policies that abjectly favor the "us against them" mentality; protecting "yes men" while outsourcing anyone who has questioned the leadership and its policies.
You, as our elected, or in many cases "unopposed" elected leaders have dropped the ball for your electorate. You vigorously resist change and challenges to that leader to the detriment of the district she leads.
It is apparent that this administration's vision has lacked the ability to maintain effective or positive leadership with the employees and students of this district.
The superintendent and some of her direct administrative colleagues seem uncaring and unkind. They seem to have ignored and discounted the needs, wants, and wishes of most members of the Marshall teaching community, especially subordinates.
Past policies and practices in regard to hiring, discipline and budget expenditures have been thrown out the window with total impunity and this has been allowed by you, the school board.
I do need to say that I have been very impressed and encouraged with the newer member of the board; John Coulter, Ali Webb and, in the end, Chris Varvatos who have actually had the guts to ask questions. The other members of this administration's "rubber stamp committee" are an embarrassment to the Marshall community.
I find it amazing that a community such as Marshall can polarize itself for the "Redskin Issue,"but can't polarize itself for what I feel is the most destructive administration yet to hit Marshall Public Schools.
The harm that has been done to the teaching and support staff can be clearly observed by the psychological and, ultimately, physical ramifications that have occured to countless hard working people in the recent past.
Even many of our Marshall students have commented to me on their dissatisfaction with this administration. This is not, as some board members like to rationalize, a "small group of disgruntled employees."
This is a reality that is swept under the rug.
I know, because I was one of the people who suffered from this fear and have witnessed countless other teachers and employees who cannot speak out in fear of losing their jobs or their self respect. I am speaking for them!
I, and many of my neighbors, will not support a bond issue, at least for one more year, until the present administration has been replaced.
As a recent employee, I have seen in my opinion, what the public hasn't: A monumental waste of funds that we previously approved for the much needed improvement of our schools. I cannot, in good conscience support another waste of funds. I will be happy to support any bond issues after this year is over and a more honest and straightforward leadership prevails.
Marshall has a real opportunity to use their schools to draw in new members to our community. Larger class sizes, fewer college prep classes and continuously patching up our old school buildings is not the vision that we as parents and taxpayers should support.
There appears to be a pattern in Marshall Public Schools that can no loner be ignored: Award winning teachers, administrators and staff members that are honest, straightforward and are independent thinkers appear to be repeatedly singled out until they leave, retire before they are ready or worse. Who will be next on the list?
To the superintendent and also to her direct subordinates and those members of the Marshall School Board who have contributed to this situation I say shame on you! Again these thoughts are my own opinion. Please feel free to contact me regarding any portion of this letter.
Sincerely but sadly yours,
Cahtie Vaught,
Marshall

Can You Afford The Tax Hike?

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:56:00 +0000

Snapshot taken from www.marshallbond.org

Talk about the price of the bond proposal - Can you afford it? -Discuss -

Let the good times roll - -

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:53:00 +0000

Discuss..........
***Bryan Klochack - Principal - MHS***
We hear there are MAJOR issues at Marshall High School - Fill us in.
Is he doing a good job in his first year at the helm?

Please remember - Discussion can be had WITHOUT being rude.

Thoughts on Bond Proposal

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:41:00 +0000

Hey - We've been away for a looooong time.

But what do you think about the bond proposal that we will be voting on this summer?

What will come . . . .

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:29:00 +0000

The Marshall Board of Education, as expected, voted 7-0 to privatize our custodial staff. There really isn't much to say - it was very emotional.

Cool-Down Period

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:10:00 +0000

For whatever reason, people are starting to personally attack each other. I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS! So for the time being, I am suspending the MPS Change is Good Blog. I will open the blog back up for discussion after the August Board meeting. If you have any comments or concerns, please contact mpschangeisgood@yahoo.com

Fact Finding Mission

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:56:00 +0000

Longtime - No post. But we are back. We would sure love it if people can fill us in on the following items. Joyce: Maybe you can send out a Rumor Control e-mail informing people what the truth is.

Charlie McDonald - MPS Head of Technology
It is "rumored" that in the past 4 years he has received a total raise of close to $20,000. He is "rumored" to be making in the low $80,000 range.

Joyce Phillips - Superintendent
3% raise and buying of years at the past board meeting. Also MANY perks in her contract - We wish we knew what her "perks" are.

Custodial Staff
They are on the chopping block. The board is currently looking into privatizing our Custodial Staff.

It is hard to believe that people at the top keep getting FAT POCKETS, and the ones towards the bottom keep getting things taken away. Please fill us in on any information you may have.

Election Results Are Final!

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:24:00 +0000

Proposal 1 & 2 were passed by the voters today. Because of todays results, you will see some much needed improvements mainly at the High School!

In other election news
Kellogg Community College Board of Trustees
Top 3 vote getters were:
Reba Harrington
Brian Hice
Jonathan Byrd

Congrats to EVERYONE who got out and voted today!

Election Day

noreply@blogger.com (MPS - Change Is Good) — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:57:00 +0000

UPADATE as of 10:15p.m.

With 8 of 9 precincts reporting the vote totals are as follows:

Proposal 1
Yes 1525
No 483

Proposal 2
Yes 1176
No 831

As of 9:00a.m. today, voter turn-out is VERY low. Total votes were in the low 100's. We will keep you updated as we hear more numbers. Is low voter turn-out good or bad for the bond?

Update/Correction
Those numbers were from the City of Marshall Voting Area

Update as of 10:45am
The numbers for the City of Marshall Voting Area are in the low 200's
Please get out to vote, these numbers are not looking good.

Update as of 12:30pm
The numbers for the Township of Marshall Voting Area are in the mid 250's