January 19, 2008

Parent Post:

I know Shelley Denton to be a good Mom and hard worker...BUT, her association with the Barnes' family is what seriously concerns me.  No offense against Dr. Shanbour, but we already have one too many doctors on the Board...his fate may be sealed on that consideration alone.

I've personally never talked to the man, but the impression he has always given over the years his kids have been at Deer Creek is that he is not approachable or the type of guy I would feel comfortable sitting down and talking to.  He keeps to himself, which I can't blame him for doing that, but if you want people to know who you are you can't expect your family's good reputation to be the only asset to your campaign. 

My vote is for change as well, and someone that will have time to spend talking to parents and not just the parents that are of influential families in the district.  Like I said before, we already have one doctor on the Board that is about as UNapproachable as they get...unless he wants your vote. 

And one more thing I have to add, if any of the board members think they can dismiss the DCS Post and trash the family that created it, they better be ready to answer to all of the loyal and ordinary contributors/readers to the Post, we're tired of hearing how bad the Post is and anyone that reads it is only gossiping.  If that's what they believe, they are deeply mistaken...be careful who you trash, my vote counts too!!! 

Loyal Reader of the Post & longtime parent in the District.

Our Reply

Until this year we have never met either David Miller or Tony Shanbour.  But both of them took the time to talk to us at length about who they are and what they stood for.  Both of them will be happy to talk with anybody and we would suggest you contact them if you have the chance.  In the end, both gentlemen care a lot about the district and have shown over time their commitment to the district as well.  We can criticize Shelley Denton for some of her actions and decisions, but we can’t criticize her for not caring.  Unfortunately too much water is under the bridge with Shellley and that is why we feel it is time for a change.

January 18, 2008 Take II

Parent Post 1: Dear Mr. Spoon, Don't forget to give Ms. Denton the credit she deserves in participating, not only in the hiring of Becky Wilkinson for Superintendent, but also in giving her a TWO year extension on her contract next year.  Should we call that a real "fork up"?

Parent Post 2: No, the glass isn't half-empty in Deer Creek...and that is precisely the problem!  So many things are GREAT, so much potential, that when the obvious is overlooked in solving the problems that it is maddening.

As said in a previous post, why are students bussed right by another school to come 8+ miles (each way) to another school, that is already overcrowded?  Why are school population numbers given at a board meeting skewed so it seems the situation at Rose Union is the same at all the elementaries?  Do I really care that teachers at DCES are having to give up their (GASP!) work room to make way for a class room?  We have had children (and teachers) in storage closets for MONTHS at RU! 

We need solutions that will benefit ALL the elementary students in our district and not have any of them (students OR teachers) in work rooms or closets. 

When elementary students are not being treated equitably, with access to the same services at each site, it is just plain wrong.  (Does a 1st grader in Passport-Reading at RU see the Reading Specialist there?  No, they don't, they see another teacher, not certified as a Reading Specialist because the number of students is so out of whack.)

Does it ever occur to anyone the insane probability of a school making a perfect API score at all, let alone 3 years in row?  Does it smack of "conflict of interest" that a Superintendent is "buddy-buddy" with one Principal?

So, back to the spoon and the glass - the spoon isn't stirring up things that aren't there to begin with.  There is no denying that there are many questions and issues in our district, DCS Post or not.  Defending a member of the Board should not be the point; the Superintendent and Board members should have the best interest of DC STUDENTS first and foremost in their minds.  If our glass wasn't half full, we wouldn't expect and be willing to do what it takes to fill it completely to the top.

With children in the secondary schools at DC, the environments there and at the elementary level are very different.  Until those that lead this district are willing and able to treat the elementary schools with some degree of fairness and equity at that level, the issues will not get resolved and problems will get worse for our elementary students.   

Parent Post 3: The above posts (January 18, 2008) give me hope (and a good belly-aching laugh!).  I couldn't agree more with both, regarding Denton and the facilities, etc. here in DC.  We need to make a change, NOW. 

It's time to rally, DC Patrons, and vote for a new school board member.    I also am leaning toward Mr. Miller - he has a nice website and responded quickly and directly to a question I submitted.  What a refreshing thing.   

This website has not created the issues here in DC and it does not make them talked about any less.  It merely reinforces that many others see the same issues, outside our own circles of friends, and are aware as well.   

Get to the candidates forum!  Ask questions!  Demand action!  Take action yourself and vote for a change!    

Thank you Mr. Spoon, Mrs. Fork and the hilarious Knife!!!

January 18, 2008

Parent Post 1: Well I for one happen to like spoons (forks too).   I am one of those PV parents who have been denied the chance to speak. I am a parent who has had a district rep come out mid-year to check my residency when I sent in my views on a matter directly involving my kids. I have heard board representatives tell people what they think they want to hear while knowing the truthful answers beforehand.

I am not a parent behind the scenes. I am a very active volunteer at all of my children's school sites (HS, MS, PV). I also volunteer my time with the youth of our community outside of school.  In my 10 years at DC, I have only had the “pleasure” of actually meeting Shelley Denton once. That happened to be last Friday when she extended her hand to me while campaigning at Prairie Vale.

I sat and listened to her same old lines at the PTO meeting and then noticed David Miller, who is running against her, give applause when she was done. I then looked for her response during and after his address to us. No surprise to me that she sat there, expressionless, and couldn't even manage polite applause in the end. That simple little lack of courtesy solidified my impression of her and her lack of caring and respect for the patrons of DC. 

On a happier note, I enjoyed Mr. Miller's speech and agree with his views of what needs to be done for our district. I hope everyone gets a chance to read or hear his ideas. He appears to be an open and pleasant man who has a vested interest in getting DC back on track.

Parent Post 2: Dear Mr. Spoon & Mrs. Fork, I find you, your wife, and this website a VERY helpful utensil! I also appreciate your brilliant humor! ; )

Parent Post 3: Dear Mr. Spoon and Mrs. Fork:

I am writing on behalf of all the other utensils in the drawer who have had WAY TO MUCH of Shelly Denton and most of the School Board and we think this site is wonderful.

My family has attended Deer Creek schools for the last six years.  The only thing I have ever seen Denton at was the Football Homecoming and that was because her daughter was up for Queen.  Maybe she has been at other stuff, but I have sure never seen her.

I too am a "Deer Creek Mommy" and I am VERY VERY involved.  I can tell you that myself and all the other involved MOMMIES and Dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles and citizens of this district are fed up with Denton and most of the school board.  They just sign off on everything administration tells them, no questions asked, and are basically being run by the superintendent, instead of the other way around.

I too have emailed her.  I got a empty response where she hid behind the lawyers that represent the District.  I have not met anyone who has ever gotten an email with a real or helpful answer.

Our District should not be run by "Mommies".  I am all for women in the workplace and women having strong leadership roles, but Denton is not a strong woman. Take a look at other successful school boards of large and growing districts.  The Board members are either PAST parents or patrons who don't even have children in school any longer.  They are also all business leaders past and present. These are the people we need as they don't have an agenda for their own good or the special treatment of their child.

There is a Board candidate like this.  His children are grown and he has a great deal of experience in management and leadership.  Mr. Miller is getting the vote of this Mommy and everyone else I know.

On a side note, when I did finally spot a Denton sign the other day, I had to pull over as the laughter brought me to tears with the statement on the signs that read: "Keep Deer Creek Strong".  She is obviously living in her own special little world.  Deer Creek schools are not strong.  We may, at the moment, have good test scores, but education and a great District is about a lot of things.  We are 6-10 years behind in construction.  Our athletic facilities were embarrassing at 4A (with the exception of the baseball field) and now we are 5A. We have roofs leaking in most buildings, no air in some facilities, and mice everywhere.  We are light years behind the districts around us in technology.  Our special education programs need a complete overhaul.  Etc. Etc.  The list goes on and on.

Change IS needed. Anyone who doesn't see it is living in a bubble.

Since the label of spoon and fork are taken, I will sign off appropriately...

Thanks for the great site!
Mrs. Knife

P.S.  My email address is the real deal!!

Our Reply: As an aside, our softball field is also one of the best around and the thanks for that goes to the Softball boosters and Parents who built it.

January 17, 2008

Parent Post

Mess the school is in?  What mess?  One person, Mr. Talbot is the mess.  He is the spoon that stirs the pot.  The glass is always half empty isn't it.  Cashion is very similar to where Deer Creek was in 96, experiencing growth, property values increasing-it's not too late to move there and get a great deal on some land!  A new board member to make changes?  Be more accessible, Mr. spoon lists the ways to contact your board members, why hasn't anyone done that?  (Try getting in touch with a MD, let me know how that goes.)  You can find Shelley Denton at Rose Union touring portable buildings (her daughter has "the special treatment" and is in one.) You can also find her at most DC events and visiting one of the DC schools daily.  If you don't get out, email her.  She's emailed me back every time!  Moms are the wheels of the schools, thanks Moms, thank you Shelley.

Our Reply

Mr. Spoon.  I like that.  By the way my wife Daphne, you know Mrs. Fork, would like some acknowledgement for her part in this too.  Well enough of that let’s look at what you said.  First the wheels of the school are All The People who generously give up their time to support the district.  Which include but are not limited to Moms, Dads, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, and Patrons. 

Next, we are in total agreement that Shelley Denton is an active participant in the school district.  We also agree that Shelley responds to e-mail as well since she has always responded to ours.  If being an active participant in schools and responding to e-mail was the only criteria for being a school board member then she would be a great choice. 

Now let’s look at what else Shelley has done.

• She refused to meet with the parents of Prairie Vale
• She refused to allow people to talk at a board meeting
• She voted against allowing the school to be used by an outside organization
• She allowed a teacher to continue to work after hitting a child

These actions are not acceptable of a school board member.  That is why there needs to be a change. 

One last point, why do you give a bogus e-mail address every time you send in a post?  No courage to stand behind your words? And you say I am a mess. Have your ever noticed that what sinks to the bottom gets burnt if not stirred.

From Your Friend,
Mr. Spoon