TOO MANY LOOSE ENDS in Milton School District!
TOO MANY LOOSE ENDS in Milton School District!
I realize that Milton Board President Rob Roy asked the Janesville Gazette to stop reporting on the Milton School District “MESS,” BUT I think that the Milton Board needs to tie up LOOSE ENDS with WE THE PEOPLE of the School District of Milton before we can agree, “CASE CLOSED.” What do YOU think?
I noted the Board’s request – I assume it was the BOARD since Board President Rob Roy speaks for the WHOLE board – “Why does Milton Board President want Gazette to stop investigating?"
I read with interest the reprint of several of the COMMENTS on my WE THE PEOPLE blog by The Janesville Gazette last Friday, January 11, 2013 (see p. 4A):
To John Eyster:
"As a Milton School District taxpayer, I want to know the whole truth. I’ve read every story in The Gazette and Milton Courier and see no reason why Mr. Garrow should have been let go. The only thing I take away from all the information so far is that Mr. Garrow displayed a lack of judgment/maturity. There has to be more to the story. —sleeponit"
"Just wondering if it is true that nobody on the Milton School Board ever saw the picture that the superintendent had shown to others. It would be nice to clear the air on that one: 1. Did you see the picture? 2. Was it in bad taste/nudity? … The social thing that they were concerned with sounded pretty silly. —yada"
"I suspect that Garrow did not 'click' well with the 'clique' and they (the board) went on a mission to find something to hang him on. The 'clique' had influence over the board and pushed to get the ball rolling. The board reacted by going off half cocked and really screwed things up. —hooters"
"I also think someone had it out for him. I wish Mr. Garrow the best of luck wherever he goes. I'm sorry we're losing him, but I can't blame him for leaving. —in_my_opinion"
From me to the Milton School Board: How about a FULL DISCLOSURE FULFILLING the requirements of our WI STATE OPEN RECORDS law?
I hope you - the Board - and your attorney have now reviewed the decision of our WI SUPREME COURT on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin Supreme Court backs newspaper in open records dispute.” Again, OUR WI SUPREME COURT has stressed the legal requirements of our WI state open records law! Does one need to sue the School District of Milton to gain FULL FULFILLMENT of the LAW? I HOPE NOT!
In this context, how about a straight forward OUT OF THE CLOSET confession as to what REALLY happened from the Milton Board? Did the Board really get inadequate legal advice from its board attorney? Why did the Board go to FENNIMORE, WI to hire an attorney for an investigation of hits superintendent? Why did no one in the whole investigation see the “alleged picture” which was allegedly “inappropriately shown” on a school computer somewhere (location NOT disclosed!) in Milton schools? Why has our Milton Board as a WHOLE – each and every member – joined the SECRECY CONSPIRACY? WHY? WHY? WHY?
As I stated when I first blogged re. our Milton School Board, “Vote of NO CONFIDENCE! Milton Board of Education,” I was totally shocked by the attitudes and behaviors of the Board. I thought I knew the board members and I had had total confidence in their integrity. Now that confidence has been totally undermined. Remember: The Board does NOT operate legally as individuals but ONLY as a BOARD with participation of a quorum. So? What happened?!
Reading and studying the comments coming from readers of my WE THE PEOPLE blog, I am convinced that they have astutely analyzed the information available and come to the CORRECT clarification as to what REALLY did happen. I would assert that IF the Board had been forthcoming with FULL DISCLOSURE when the crisis erupted, the whole situation would NOT have become such a MESSY “MESS” and would NOT have cost WE THE PEOPLE of the School District of Milton – taxpayers and voters – over $179,000!
What is the TRUTH? WHY will our Milton School Board NOT tell WE THE PEOPLE of the School District of Milton? WHY have the remaining documents requested under PUBLIC DOCUMENT filings not been made public?
AND NOW, is the whole “MESS” going to be swept under the carpet? Consider the fact that we learned from our Milton Courier last week (issue of January 10, 2013) that ONLY the 2 incumbents have filed for candidacy for our Milton School Board with the election coming on April 2, 2013.
Not only does this mean that barring a successful write-in campaign, but a quiet/silent time between now and that election with the candidates running unopposed. No public discussions with the candidates as to their attitudes and behaviors during their present term with reasons for re-election. No public discussion of what the 2 candidates will be doing for WE THE PEOPLE of the School District of Milton IF re-elected both in terms of cleaning up the “MESS” they helped make OR in terms of moving ahead to a healthy and effective K-12 school district again. Do WE THE PEOPLE of the School District of Milton prefer IGNORANCE to KNOWLEDGE & TRUTH? What do YOU think?
I have been told in comments to my WE THE PEOPLE blog that I ought to be a candidate for the Milton School Board with a general attitude of “put up or shut-up.” I understand that expectation. I need to clarify that I did assess candidacy. With careful consideration, I decided that I would not be the person needed to be an active school board member. I know from experience the intensity of serving on a school board. I would NOT be able to do justice as a Milton School Board member in terms of energy and time. I have significant personal (parent and grandparent) and professional (Adjunct Professor, UW system) commitments which are on-going. I am not able to ADD to my commitments. I want to note in response to comments that I am the parent of 2 alumni and the grandparent of 2 current students of the Milton K-12 school district. I do have personal interests and involvements in addition to being a voting and taxpaying citizen of the district.
I am hoping that our MILTON SCHOOL BOARD will now be PROactive to tie up the loose ends of the “MESS” so that it does NOT dominate our school district for the remainder of school year 2012-13. I am waiting. I am NOT optimistic. I am NOT holding my breath. What do YOU expect?
Here we go…
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jan 15, 2013 at 11:12 a.m.
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You must have a lot of times on your hands if you can write all these long blogs and read all the publications you refer to.
Jan 15, 2013 at 10:26 a.m.
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What a lame excuse for not running. Who do organizations go to when they really want to get something done? The busiest person in town that's who, they are highly organized and know how to get things done. So what was your excuse again Eyster?
Jan 15, 2013 at 10:17 a.m.
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The Hitler analogy is always an act of desperation.
Jan 15, 2013 at 8:53 a.m.
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JoyM: Yes I read eysters blog (not article) all of the way through, and even though this so-called teacher and man of higher education stated why he didn't run I don't believe it, as I wouldn't believe anything that he says with-out ilreputable proof as he has been proven wrong so many times in the past.
Jan 15, 2013 at 12:18 a.m.
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wislady sure does her darnedest to try to deflect attention from the real issue.
She comes up lame though.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:56 p.m.
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Would be interesting to see a Janesville Gazette poll on whether or not the actions of the Milton School Board should be investigated further. And why should those outside of the Milton School District care? Because we can all learn from the mistakes of others.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:37 p.m.
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Thank you for clarification. Even though we have history to learn from, it's interesting how many times history repeats itself! I am thinking that Milton needs to put some systems of checks and balances in place where decisions are made concerning large sums of money...or if the possibility of having to spend large sums of money might be the case.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:31 p.m.
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Maybe his excuses are simply a cover for the fact that he would not want to be subject to the criticism, or constant finger pointing (such as he is doing).
"did you selectively read the article"
No more than Eyster has done in "selectively" promoting his views on this same subject numerous times.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:21 p.m.
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"How can we learn from past mistakes if the history is not thoroughly understood and evaluated"
Your statement applies to a great many issues in society.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:17 p.m.
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wislady, I briefly looked up the Nazi Weapon Law of 1938...but not really sure what it was you were attempting to communicate to me in your post.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:17 p.m.
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wislady and johnnyreb6977 - did you selectively read the article? He made it clear that he did contemplate running and realized that he could not do justice to it with other aspects of his personal life. It's better than the actual elected officials not doing the position justice.
Jan 14, 2013 at 4:01 p.m.
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Perfect, hooters.
The Nazi Weapon Law of 1938.
Jan 14, 2013 at 3:52 p.m.
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How can we learn from past mistakes if the history is not thoroughly understood and evaluated???
Jan 14, 2013 at 2:38 p.m.
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Nothing new to see here...move along.....
Jan 14, 2013 at 1:35 p.m.
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NoT ONLy do ..We HAVE weIRD tyPinG. NoW we HAve AddED ColoR..??!! WOw.
We all want to know the truth. I am starting to believe in the didn't "click with the clique" Those kind of people ar evil! Remember going to school in Janesville?
Jan 14, 2013 at 12:39 p.m.
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Good point.
From the people he quoted, at least he has 4 votes.
Jan 14, 2013 at 12:27 p.m.
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wislady: More than likely eyster didn't run is because he realized that the majority of the voters in the milton area wouldn't vote for a extreme left winger such as himself.
Jan 14, 2013 at 12:22 p.m.
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John Eyster, don't let the previous coments of critisism towards you deter you from seeking the full truth.
At the end of your article you ask "What do YOU expect?" I expect the Milton School Board to follow the open records law. If they do, this "mess" will go away after a couple days. If they don't, it is just going to keep festering like an open sore.
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:55 a.m.
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Why didn't JE run for a school board position?
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:23 a.m.
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Here are some interesting quotes from your post, John. After each are my observations.
"Does one need to sue the School District of Milton to gain FULL FULFILLMENT of the LAW?"
"FULL FULFILLMENT"? Don't you perhaps mean "FULL COMPLIANCE"?
"Why did no one in the whole investigation see the “alleged picture” which was allegedly “inappropriately shown” on a school computer somewhere (location NOT disclosed!) in Milton schools?"
I allege that if one uses allege too often in an alleged sentence, it calls into question the level of the author's alleged literary acumen, allegedly speaking that is.
"I was totally shocked by the attitudes and behaviors of the Board. I thought I knew the board members and I had had total confidence in their integrity. Now that confidence has been totally undermined."
Whew! I totaled it all up and I find that in toto, those sentences are totally tubular. I'd say you must have eaten your Wheaties this morning, but obviously you had "Total" instead.
"Not only does this mean that barring a successful write-in campaign, but a quiet/silent time between now and that election with the candidates running unopposed."
I allege that this segment totally fails to achieve full fulfillment of the minimum requirements of a discernible sentence.
I realize that you are highly emotional on this subject, John. Perhaps in the future, a not so quick proof reading before posting might help, especially on subjects in which you are as excited as this one.
Jan 14, 2013 at 6:32 a.m.
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Of course they dont want the media to know the truth.... welcome to the USSA. Seems that 90% of everything fed to the media lately is either a flat out lie or twisted a little to distort the truth.
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