1. From the middle school podium where members of the public are granted a two-minute opportunity to make comments and suggestions during monthly WW-P Board of Education meetings, I recommended and distributed in writing to the board and district superintendent that it start its public meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. I have mentioned it multiple times. I again reminded the board that Tuesday, June 14 (June 14th of every year) was Flag Day.
2. Despite a WW-P Public Information Officer, er, Communications Director earning $109,000+ to not attend board meetings, there was no mention of Flag Day on the WW-P school district website. Why? Is it no longer celebrated as recommended by former President Woodrow Wilson?
3. I submitted my 10 written suggestions in March while the board had concluded it could no longer find prospective savings. Ironically, the board passed next year’s per senior trip participant cost to Disney World on the same evening the tragic alligator incident occurred in Orlando. With fuel prices down, I don’t understand why the trip price for next spring wouldn’t be lower than in previous years. Or what the educational value is for Disney World while rejecting a more meaningful trip to Washington, DC, our nation’s capital?
4. Perhaps anyone reading this message will set aside some time in early July to come to the Taj Mahal, aka new WW-P Board of Education office at 321 Village Road East to see how your $14 million was spent without your permission. I remain confused as to why there was no referendum on this expenditure instead of returning that money to taxpayers.
5. Come listen to the board’s explanation of why the Taj Mahal could not permit public visits for tours of this facility since September, 2015.
6. However, if you are not taking a summer vacation with your family, please set aside Tuesday, July 12, between 6 and 8 p.m. Come see for yourself if the ground floor large conference room at the Taj would not be a superior setting for videotaping and conducting monthly board meetings. The current settings within the middle schools for board meetings are not ADA-compliant for those with hearing disabilities.
7. Ask your school board for a master list of school field trips for grades K-12 and what either the district pays or what you contribute toward each field trip. This will assist your planning.
Thank you! Have a safe and rewarding summer!
Pete Weale
