August 23, 2006

Parent Post

First, may I say that I'm crazy about this website! It was long past time for DC parents and other residents to have a sounding board. Although I don't always agree with what's posted -- whether it comes from the Post or from a reader -- but, well, isn't that the point? I enjoy and am interested in reading other people's comments, concerns, criticisms and opinions -- good, bad or indifferent -- positive or negative. And I agree with you that even negative posts most generally have a positive result. Keep up the good work!

Now, I was not able to attend the last School Board meeting; but I understand the gentleman who was cut off was attempting to open a discussion about enrollment. (Read Original Pasture Patties Post) Following or not following Robert's Rules of Order is not the issue here. (see www.rulesonline.com for more info) Bringing up the subject of enrollment at the last Board meeting before school started was, in my opinion, not only appropriate but timely and necessary. Having myself fallen "victim" to the inconsistent and archaic enrollment requirements of this District, I would like to have heard what he had to say and what the response of the Board may have been, other than the standard, "That's the way we've always done it."

Sir, if you are able to get this issue back on the agenda at some future Board meeting, and if the Superintendent can see her way clear to give you more than a puny 3 minutes, rest assured that others will be there to support you and participate in the discussion.

For example: Perhaps the Board would like to explain why it is that the financial arrangements for my residence are the business of every District employee who has a duty or an opportunity to review my enrollment documents; i.e., how much is my rent or how much did I pay for my house, how much is my home worth, how much were my closing costs and my down payment, etc. Surely there is some other form of documentation that is less invasive that could be adopted, perhaps an affidavit from the closing agent bearing my name, the seller's name and the date of the transaction, among other less personal and private information. And, yes, I am aware that one could easily get on the Internet and find out at the very least what I paid for my house if I live in Oklahoma County. But if one has that much time on his or her hands and is compelled to do such snooping around into other people's personal business, then I suppose it cannot be helped.

And speaking of affidavits, perhaps we should take a look at the District's Affidavit of Residency, which is not even an affidavit. But, then again, that's the way we've always done it, isn't it? An affidavit is, by definition, a written statement of fact(s) which is signed under oath, swearing or affirming that the information contained therein is true and correct to the best of the Affiant's (or signor's) knowledge and belief. And it is signed before and thereafter signed by a Notary Public before whom the Affiant personally appeared and is known to be, or was proven to be based upon satisfactory evidence, that same person who signed that same document, etc., etc. -- the language is standard first or second year law school stuff and every Notary Public known to man can repeat it verbatim -- and then the Notary affixes his or her seal from the State of Oklahoma to that document. Even the broadest of scrutiny of the District's current so-called Affidavit shows that it is not, in fact, an affidavit. One of our Board members has a brother who is an attorney and the District has its own attorney also. Might one or the other of them -- or any of the capable and qualified attorneys reside within the District and whose children attend Deer Creek Schools -- be consulted to prepare an affidavit that is exactly that -- an AFFIDAVIT? But, as I said, that's the way we've always done it, I guess.

This school year was again not without its enrollment snafus. I've heard story after story from frustrated parents who claim that they know people who do not truly live within the District but whose children have managed to be enrolled when other children who DO live here have been turned away because of unacceptable enrollment documents. I have yet to hear such a story from anyone in the Edmond or Putnam City or Oklahoma City school districts.

Maybe there should be a committee for this issue as well? It seems that all the other committees that have been formed to resolve problems have been quite successful. Let's take a look at who really has the power in this District. I think it's high time to have a few less cooks and a few more bottle-washers, if you will.

Thanks for being an available place for me to silently vent. I feel much better now........

Our Reply

As you pointed out, at the previous school board meeting, the board did not hear what the gentleman had wanted to say about school registration (because it wasn't on the agenda). Since then the board has asked Superintendent Wilkinson to look into the subject. Her report will be reviewed in the next few months at one of the board meetings. Since the Superintendent is looking into it, we will cut and paste your message and email it to the board.

Read Original Pasture Patties Post >>

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