These resignations follow the December resignations from the Riverdale Foundation of two long-time supporters (and the past president) of the Foundation. These resignations were again in protest over School Board policies relating to the building plan at RGS.
These resignations point to serious problems with the management of our $20M. Every citizen and taxpayer should be concerned with these ominous developments. Something is desperately wrong in Riverdale.
Ominous developments??? a few people resigned for various reasons. These are voluntary positions and we are in busy and stressful times.
ReplyDeleteYou are deluding yourself if you think they resigned because they are busy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - the pressure you have created to choose sides is working.
ReplyDeleteSome of our neighbors, who only want to serve the school district - and thereby all of us, may have sided with you, and feel they can not stay on these committees for fear of "looking like they are on the side of the board."
Others, with friends on both sides, may feel it necessary to step off their volunteer committees so as not to offend either side, and hence put long-time friendships at risk.
Some, frankly, are so put off by the trouble you have caused they are checking out of the process all together.
Yes, it is ominous. (and it has nothing to do with fiscal stewardship - as the processes and structures are in place to assure that - as long as you don't drive everyone away.)
It what happens when a community comes apart. You had every right to disagree with the school board's decision. We all have that right.
But with rights come responsibilities. You had a responsibility to your neighbors for how this community would come out and feels at the end of this process.
In your zeal to win, you've lost sight of that.
Again, you are spinning and looking in the wrong place for the reasons for these resignations. The quality of the public process on this issue has been abysmal.
ReplyDeleteThe public was not permitted to ask direct questions of the School Board at the November 19 Forum or at the two subsequent Board meetings dealing with the Doyle building. That is not how an open, democratic process works. That is a railroaded process. Look there for the reasons these worthy neighbors have resigned.
Pointing out these problems is not the root of discord. Faulty leadership and poor public policy are the sources of these resignations.
Wake up.
Deluding myself? Maybe? There are still very capable people on the safeguards committee and I have confidence in them and all of the other hard working volunteers involved in trying to improve this district.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if more of those interested in saving the Doyle were involved early on this issue could have been avoided.
This was a tough decision that has proven to be divisive.
This is an important community issue, but it pails in comparison to the many bigger issues in life.
This is all just part of the process. When the new school is built and the school looks great and enrollment is growing and the district is thriving most of this will be forgotton. Only a few hardline grudge holders will be left to complain
Wake up?
ReplyDeleteMaybe if your group had not spent hours filibustering at the open gym meeting about how great all of the other buildings in Portland are the board might have been willing to allow public comment at its meetings.
The process was not the problem. The whole purpose of the board meetings was for the board members to ask questions regarding the School design options with the goal of making the best decision for the education of children now and in the future.
Why did you need a public forum to voice your opinion? the School Board Members have email addresses and phones that work. I assure you that they had received communications (some very nasty) voicing a wide range of opinions.
The School board meetings you reference were for the board to ask questions of those indviduals that could provide useful information in order to make the best decision possible. It was not desiged to be for public comment (that neeting was held earlier).
Where were you during the previous 18 months when this process started??
Wouldn’t a simple yes or no vote on whether to demolish the school be a better solution then all of this bickering? We voted yes for the money; now let’s vote on what to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThat would make no sense at all. It would be very costly to stop progress and wait and or re direct the project.
ReplyDeleteThis is not about bickering. This is about providing the best possible educational facility for my kids' education. Unfortunately retaining the Doyle Building does not do that.
ReplyDeleteAh ha! That’s it... You people think "This is about providing the best possible educational facility for my kids' education." at least you are honest about how selfish you are being. Why consider anything other then what’s 'best' for yours? Why compromise? Why consider our heritage? I suspect you are spoiled rotten and so will be your kids with the example you set. Life requires compromise and sacrifice; and we learn, adapt and grow to value and appreciate things. Unless of course, you're you…
ReplyDeleteMaybe a bit too harsh... but maybe true. We will never agree because we don't share the same values.
ReplyDeleteAre you seriously just coming to the realization that I value my childrens education over your attachment to a bunch of bricks??? NO SHIT SHERLOCK!!
ReplyDeleteListen to yourself!!! I should compromise education for my kids and for those in the future so you and your "altruistic" band of "good guys" can look at your old school building until you die?
There are things in life that require compromise. Education for my kids is not one of them.
If you would compromise your childs education for a building then you have your priorities messed up!
I am not sure what you are trying to acomplish by calling me names, but suffice it to say that all that know me would not agree with your characterization of me.