Parent Post:

I have read quite a bit about Mr. Vrooman and his poor performance.  Basically, he is not qualified for his position.  This position at this critical time in Deer Creek's "life" needs to be someone with a very strong background in construction and contracts.

I am not sure why he is even in this position.  He was the HS principal until he stood up against Coach Tucker a couple years back.  Once he crossed the Board, they "created" this new position for him as a punishment from what I hear.

The teachers are afraid to talk about what is really going on in our schools because they are fearful of losing their jobs or having a new one "created" for them.

The patrons of DC need to realize just how corrupt the administration is in DC schools.  We have three elementary principals, one who is best friends with Shelley Denton, and another who is good friends with Becky Wilkinson.  We have a MS principal who needs to be busted back down to elementary school if not completely gone for so many reasons. (Side note: Renita White who left a few years back, was the best thing the MS has ever seen and Jones ran her off - that's what happens to the better candidate for jobs here - they get run off).

Our personnel director is using the news media to TRY and make the Board look heroic in this election time (like we are stupid enough not to see right through it) and is advertising for HOA contact for Shelley Denton to go pitch her pile of junk she calls a platform, to patrons.  It is called corruption people.  The administration is backing Denton because they don't want anything to change as they are getting every bad decision rubber stamped by the Board and can do what ever they want!  Just look what the Personnel Director did to Tim Draper.  She is as corrupt as they get.

It is time to clean house at DC.  The superintendent needs to go along with many other key positions.  Nothing should ever be about elections, who is friends with whom, or anything else like that.  I hope the patrons of the District realize the architectural firm who gets ALL the contracts for DC has Pam Twidwell (past superintendent) as their liaison to DC on the payroll.  Talk about corruption.

Let's clean house DC parents!  Decisions made at DC should be about the children and the children only.  Let's start with the Board.  Each year one member "falls off" and there is an election.  Denton needs to go NOW!  Barnes MUST go next year.  We need fresh ideas, fresh perspective, better management and honesty from our Board.  I want someone that will talk to us, tell us what is going on, listen to us and tell the truth.  I want David Miller and will be voting such on April 1st.

This election is very simple.  You either want things to change and improve so you will be voting for Miller OR you have your head in the sand and think things are fine as they fall apart and want Denton.  Keep in mind too, a vote for Denton means a shoe in for Barnes next year.  We are said to be an educated parent base, let\'s show it and boot the Board!

It's Miller Time!

Our Reply:

We agree with your overall message of change. But there are a couple of points that we think need clarification.

Dick Vrooman was not given his current job as a punishment.  If anything it has been a reward.

Second, Pam Twidwell’s employment has nothing to do with the architectural firm be awarded the bids for the Deer Creek’s construction.  They receive those bids because they are the lowest bidder and it was once stated at a board meeting that they cut their prices in half when bidding.  Also if you talk with Pam Twidwell you would have a better understanding of her and might be surprised as to what she might say.  She certainly would not be part of any corrupt situation.

We also wanted to address one point about Lenis Derioux.  People have made the statement that she got Tim Draper fired so her husband could be hired.  If you attend any board meeting you would understand how ludicrous this statement is.  With the growth in Deer Creek there are so many open teaching positions each year nobody needs to be fired for someone to get a job.  We are not saying she didn’t do anything wrong, we are just saying that statement is just wrong.

Again we agree with you there needs to be some serious changes in the district and fully hope that people Vote for David Miller on April 1st.

Parent Post:

You asked: NO we do not have enough staff!  Every single day the maintenance staff (which has recently lost 3 people to better jobs and not filled) is pulled off of jobs after starting late due to driving the busses (9:00-9:15) at 2:30 to run the afternoon bus routes.  And, they have a lunch break in between.  So our maintenance crew works on any maintenance for 5 hours a day - that averages to less than an hour a day per building - for any maintenance - repair and prevention - and new construction.  That includes light bulbs, batteries for fire alarms, stopped up toilets, repair to buses, gassing the buses, cleaning the busses, everything inside and out of the buildings - including the principals who want "heavy items" moved, pictures hung, etc. 

We keep throwing Dick Vrooman "under the bus" but he doesn't have enough staff, has more buildings than ever and less people, plus new construction, and now when I want to apply I understand:  the job is for Mrs. Riggs friend - but she doesn't have the same experience, cannot work the required hours instead she is needing the hours changed to fit her schedule so she can apply for his secretary - not the hours that they need - instead it will be changed to be what is convenient for her - so don't bother applying.  

So I asked - and they do need someone there to answer phones when everyone is gone driving a bus filling in for the lack of drivers!  And yes, they need someone there early in the morning before the students arrive so sidewalks can be cleared of ice, buildings can be opened, no-shows can be taken care of...not someone who comes in after the day is in full progress!

So - here we go again! Ask some questions - every bus driver, maintenance crew member or staff in that area will tell you the same.  They are underpaid, over worked (driving buses and working maintenance, putting in extra hours to cover both - and not getting paid except for one job). What kind of mechanic do we have working on our buses?  The kind that knows what he is doing to keep our children safe?  OR what we have at Deer Creek - some maintenance guy with electrical experience so he knows more about how to change brakes on a bus than the janitor.

You people with your issues - try some serious safety ones! Our school board - once again - cutting corners where they can temporarily hide it.  They'll be gone when we have to pay for it again - so it simply doesn't matter to them.   TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON - NOT RUMORS - THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE SITES!  The truth can be quite frightening!  Go to a Board Meeting - listen to the lack of knowledge of construction, maintenance, prevention, staffing, even education..... WE ARE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE!

Our Reply

While you bring up great points, we want to address one.  Throwing Dick Vrooman under the bus for lack of staff is truly not fair.  What has following state guidelines have to do with staffing - nothing.

Dick Vrooman's decisions endangered children's lives and cost the district money. Public schools will always have money issues so make the right decisions that make the best use of the resources and ultimately benefit the children the most.