On the East Williston School District Parent Teacher Organization

February 27, 2013

March 1, 2013

This one’s about the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) of the East Williston School District (EWSD).  Since I’ll be talking about the teachers in the next issue, some comments regarding the parents need to be offered.

I was out to dinner (The Lobster Box) with a former student last week.  He had gone on to become a lawyer (!*?!) and Ph.D., and achieve the position of Assistant Provost (my boss).  For many years, he also served as President of a School Board at a Westchester school, similar in size to the EWSD.  He offered the following to me during dinner about parents: “Your analysis is not far from hitting the mark.  Based on my experience in dealing with the various interested parties, it’s obvious that most parents have shamelessly ranked their children’s needs – irrespective of the cost and impact on others – as a top priority.  The teachers, along with their union, have exploited the PTO’s misguided agenda over the years.  Thus, the PTO has been a willing partner and the disaster that has resulted was predictable.  Face it.  Look elsewhere if you are trying to implement reform.  For parents, whatever the cost, it doesn’t matter as long as their kids get what they want.”

I used to think that most of the parents either simply act out of fear or honestly believe that they are doing the right thing.  Now I have some doubts based on the above comments.  Obviously, some have to know that the EWSD is a dysfunctional organization that is not serving the best interests of the parents, schoolchildren, seniors and taxpayers.  As I have repeatedly stated, the District’s ranking and reputation is in a freefall decline, the student:teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0, the annual per capita student cost is $30,000+, there is essentially no accountability in the District, teacher absenteeism is rampant, Wheatley seniors are having difficulty getting into the school of their choice, and some seniors lack college preparedness.  The teachers are teaching less, their indifference has increased, and the teacher role model is a thing of the past.  Astonishingly, the parents have come to accept this.  The ax is certain to fall when their child(ren) reach graduation age.  Yet, the parents in our District appear not to be concerned.  You the parents – need to make the call at this point in time.

Our District needs to turn things around.  The 9.75/1.0 ratio is insane; it is simply not acceptable.  Our district needs an organization and/or a Superintendent who will correct this ratio.  This simple action, which will positively affect our community, is understandably opposed by the teachers and the administrators, as well as the present corrupt Board.  The self-serving PTO officers and many of the members are also willing to sit on the sidelines.

Here are a few points to keep in mind regarding the PTO:

  1. Remember the 2010 budget vote?  The PTO sent out a last-minute flyer to the voters that was full of lies.  I dissected the flyer’s contentions in a “Letter to the Editor” and proved that EVERY point they raised was a LIE.  Guess what?  They never responded.  Imagine being called a liar and not responding.  But then again, this is how this organization operates.  It is unfortunate that most parents are unwilling to accept the fact that lying and indifference truly characterizes the EWSD PTO.
  2. Most people I know believe the PTO uses resources that they are not legally entitled to.  I know it and can prove it.  The former Superintendent offered cunningly worded denials of this fact since she knew there have been too many parents involved in this improper activity (who can prove me right).
  3. Last year, there were large budget-related signs posted above the three EWSD schools.  I sent letters requesting an explanation as to who paid for the signs and who authorized the placing of these signs at the three schools.  Interestingly, the signs were taken down within a few days following my “FOIL” submission.  I received a signed statement indicating that “no such documentation exists” regarding the expenditure or authorization.  Well, how could this have possibly come about?  Here is how they got around it.  Later, buried in a Board agenda action item was the following: “Recommendation to accept with appreciation the gift of budget banners from the PTO Coordinating Council.”  This certified, beyond any doubt, the PTO is as corrupt as former Superintendent Lewis, the Board, the teachers, and the teacher’s union.  They were all involved (in my opinion) in this corrupt conduct.
  4. I’ve asked for an opportunity to address the PTO membership on numerous occasions.  Each request has been denied.  I believe the PTO officers simply want to retain an advantage for their kids over the children of the rank-and-file parents.  They have regular meetings, continue to congratulate themselves, conspire to squelch anyone and/or any group questioning their ineptness, and fiercely insist on maintaining the status quo.  Unfortunately, their policy of squelching the opposition is working.  Concerned parent members should demand an explanation.

What does all this mean?  The PTO leadership has sacrificed the best interests of the schoolchildren (and the taxpayers) in order to (perhaps?) gain an advantage for their kids with teachers and administrators, all at the expense of the children of other parents.  And if the other parents don’t believe this statement, I’ve got a bridge to sell them.  Simply put:  many parents have and continue to be duped.

I’ve concluded that the PTO will continue to ignore the call for reform in the future.  The parents, seniors and schoolchildren should not expect any relief in the immediate or near future.  It’s basically a lost cause.

I return next month to address issues involving the self-serving (or is corrupt more appropriate?) teachers and their union.

NEXT POSTING:      April 1, 2013 – The EWSD Teachers and Their Union

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On East Williston School District (EWSD) Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas

January 31, 2013

 February 1, 2013

This one’s about the present EWSD Superintendent, Dr. Elaine Kanas.  I have both good news and bad news for the community.  The good news is that we are rid of former superintendent, Dr. Lorna Lewis.  The bad news is that her replacement doesn’t appear to have what it takes to do the job of instituting reform.

Everyone in the District remembers Lewis.  Three years ago, a former board member at Lewis’s earlier home base (Three Island), chided our School Board for not doing its due diligence prior to hiring Lewis.  This unfortunate hiring decision only accelerated our District’s decline, initiated earlier by former Board President, Bergtraum.  I repeatedly warned the community that Lewis was not only incompetent and untrustworthy but also looking to leave.  But many parents, routinely and successfully duped by the Kamberg board along with teachers and their union, came to believe she walked on water.  And time proved me correct, a fact that my deterrents have difficulty accepting (I also believe that Lewis got the job because she was African-American and a woman).

Well, history repeated itself.  Our lazy, incompetent School Board didn’t do its due diligence on Dr. Kanas either.  However, we did!

On the positive side, Dr. Kanas impressed me as a dedicated, concerned educator.  Unfortunately, she also initially appeared to me as someone who could be easily manipulated – a perfect candidate for both Kamberg and the teachers.

I have had two meetings with Dr. Kanas.  I first met Dr. Kanas a few weeks after she arrived last August.  At that time, I presented her with a list of particulars detailing the shortcomings of our district and a call for reform.   A copy of that note follows.

Dear Dr. Kanas,

I believe that the following current problems are adversely affecting the East Williston School District (EWSD).

  1. The per capita student cost is $30,000+/yr.
  2. The student/teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0
  3. The EWSD employs 21 secretaries.
  4. There is rampant teacher absenteeism.
  5. The failure of some students to attend the college/university of their choice.
  6. The EWSD national ranking is in free-fall.
  7. The school tax burden continues to increase despite reduced enrollment.
  8. The lack of preparedness of some of the students for their post high school education.
  9. The failure of the previous administration to, in accordance with the law, act on FOIL       requests.

As a taxpayer and member of the EWSD community, I am requesting your assessment of the above nine problems, plus what steps you intend to take to either remove or reduce

these problems.  If a response is not received by October 1, 2012, I shall assume that you have concluded that there is no reason for concern. If you do respond, I would then appreciate a follow-up notification on the success/failure of your actions on or before December 31, 2012.

I await your response.

Sincerely,

Lou Theodore

Instead of expressing dismay at my description of the current state of the District, Dr. Kanas indicated that there wasn’t enough proof to validate my statements and claims, and indicated that a committee would look into it in the near future.  I explained to the Superintendent that you didn’t need a Ph.D. to divide one number by another in order to verify my claims.  I also explained that committees don’t get things done and that any meaningful recommendations of reform to whatever committee would be ignored by both the corrupt Board and equally corrupt teachers and their union.  I became convinced that nothing meaningful would occur with Dr. Kanas as Superintendent…and my concerns have been confirmed at this point in time.

Two of Dr. Kanas’ favorite terms during our discussions were strategic and comprehensive, two popular Madison Avenue clichés.  Any time I hear someone using either or both of these words, that individual gets tuned out since I know from past experience that the individual is either clueless or trying to con me, or both.  Dr. Kanas appears to be in this category.

More than six months have elapsed since I tried to get to the bottom of class sizes and teacher absenteeism.  Thanks to Assistant Superintendent for Business Fitzpatrick, I still don’t have the necessary background information and data to perform a meaningful analysis of both these problems.   Although responsible for fulfilling FOIL requests, she has successfully stalled the process.  The bottom line is that my repeated calls for Fitzpatrick to go (and not be replaced) have been ignored.  Thank you Dr. Kanas.

Can Dr. Kanas turn things around in the EWSD?  I doubt it, given the past conduct of Kamberg, the present Board, earlier Boards, plus the teachers and their union.  The District needs a strong Superintendent who will stand up to the self-serving exploiters in our community.  Unfortunately, Dr. Kanas has not even remotely demonstrated either the willingness and/or capability to do so; six months have elapsed and she still hasn’t figured out what’s wrong with our District.

I return next month and will detail how the PTO leadership and membership are contributing to the demise of our school system and adversely affecting both the schoolchildren and taxpayers.

NEXT POSTING:      The Parent Teachers Organization (PTO), March 1, 2013

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ON THE EAST WILLISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

December 29, 2012

January 1, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.  First and foremost, I need to thank those who have continued to provide support and encouragement during this past year.  As many of you are aware, the newsletter was launched last year and addressed issues involving Hofstra basketball, the unfolding disaster associated with Barack Hussein Obama, and the continued deterioration of the quality of the East Williston School District (EWSD).

We now return to the EWSD, which was the major driving force in my attempt to provide our community with a voice regarding District matters.  This and the next four articles (with accompanying scheduled dates of posting) will address the following issues:

February 1:       Superintendent Dr. Kanas

March 1:           The Parent Teacher Organization

April 1:             The Teachers and Their Union

May 1:              The Budget Vote

However, an additional article (or two) may appear along the way.

No discussion of the EWSD would be complete without mention of the School Board and its members.  What follows is an edited and updated version of the article written approximately one year ago.

The EWSD is presently in decline with its national ranking having plummeted, rampant teacher absenteeism, a present superintendent that is both unqualified and incompetent plus an embarrassment to the District, difficulty in placing Wheatley seniors in the school of their choice, $150,000+  annual teacher salaries plus massive additional benefits, $30,000+ annual cost per student, a 9.75 student to teacher ratio that continues to decline, a refusal to eliminate waste, a refusal to eliminate self-serving polices of Israel (earlier) for himself and (presently) his wife Bartscherer, etc., etc. The end result is that EWSD residents pay the highest average school taxes in Nassau County (because of the massive waste), the economic effect of which has been to unnecessarily depress property value.   In order to explain this shocking predicament, one needs to examine both the past and present members of the EWSD Board.

Well, what about the past.  Here’s my take on what came down earlier.  It was Entine who started the massive giveaway program.  She was followed by Bergtraum who was possessed by a quest for power despite her incompetence.  It was Bergtraum, more than anyone else, who is responsible for the District’s present problems by allowing the self-serving policies of former teacher and Union President David Israel to run the EWSD; further, she refused to act on any recommendation that did not agree with her misguided agenda.  Then there was school board members Karol, Wasserman, Roher, Kaplan (a total incompetent), Ritz (a Delilah), etc.  This was the group that supported the teachers and their union as well as most of the measures discussed above that fostered the District’s present situation.  It was this same group who were campaigning/pushing for a fourth building (Bergtraum/Entine were on the board; Wasserman/Kaplan co-chairs of the campaign).  Where would our District (and taxes) be now with a 4th building?!?!  Other districts are closing schools, i.e. Mineola.  Thankfully, they lost that election—and no 4th building.   Along the way, the District was fortunate to have the services of Eleanor Zatlin, Robert Kushner, Sigi Huhn, and John O’Kelly who attempted—but unfortunately were unable—to mend a broken school district.

The present Board?  I shudder every time I think of them.  Once again, here is my take (on the four from last year).

  1. Kamberg:  He is President of the Board.  Some of us justifiably refer to him as Konberg since he is an untrustworthy, sweet-talking, self-serving con man.  My file on him is almost as thick as those for Superintendent Lewis and former President Ritz.

These cases come to mind regarding Konberg:

  1. He used any and all tactics to get elected to the      Board.  Some of us consider his tactics to be borderline      fanatical.  He and his supports spread vicious and (false)      anti-Semitic rumors attributed to Huhn.
  2. This desperado, in his frantic attempt to get      elected, also courted the senior vote with a free luncheon at      Jonathans.  I wonder what those seniors who got conned and voted for      Konberg think now.
  3. Following Wasserman’s removal from the Board, he      refused to allow an election.  Instead, he and his cohorts      “interviewed” prospective and interested individuals.  He/they chose      Freier, Konberg’s yes man.  Despite the Board lacking any financial      background/ experience/ expertise, Huhn was bypassed.  I also      interviewed for the job and outlined how they could better assist our high      school seniors in gaining admission to the school of their choice.       They frantically took notes, but in the end, they apparently did nothing      since it involved work on the part of some of the Administrators (guidance      counselors, associates, etc.), a part of the fat on the staff who are      there to simply cash their checks.
  4. Refused to ask teachers for any givebacks in      2010-11.  Provided, former Superintendant Lewis with a 5-year      extension, thus tying the hands of the District (Fortunately Lewis is gone      with the jury still out on Dr. Kanas.       The School Boards did not do their due diligence for either Lewis      or Kanas).  Also provided the teachers this year with a senseless sweetheart      contract extension.
  5. Lied to the community about the real salary      increases the teachers received and will be receiving in the future.
  6. Refused to comment when Lewis publicly drew an      analogy between me and the Gestapo.

Of course, there’s more. At my end, there are some of my academic and business ethics lectures (based on my book) where I have used Konberg—along with Israel, Bergtraum and Ritz—in case-study analyses.  But as far as I am concerned, Konberg should presently be barred from the school grounds.

  1. Freier:  Strictly Konberg’s stooge.  No experience with education or finance.  Where did Konberg find this guy (Fortunately, he is gone.   Why?  I’ve been informed that he no longer has children in the school system)?
  2. Keefe:  Keefe was “elected” when he ran unopposed.  He is a former teachers’ union president who is obviously a teachers’ union man.  Make no mistake.  He is there to represent the teachers—not the taxpayers, senior citizens, and, most importantly, the schoolchildren.
  3. Fallarino:  As a former Board member put it, “he has tried desperately to play both ends against the middle, and failed miserably.”  A major disappointment and an individual not to be trusted.
  4. Slone:  “Elected” when she ran unopposed.  An absolute zero, totally devoid of the minimum necessary qualifications, who simply should not be on the Board.  If she had any pride, she would resign.

Why do these people serve on the Board?  Reasons have already been documented but I believe they are there to primarily gain an advantage for their kids or grandkids at the expense (as noted in an earlier article) of the kids of other members of our community.  If you don’t believe that statement, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.  What parent believes that if their youngster and the child of a Board member were being considered for valedictorian, that—given how the District operates—their kid would be selected (I’m still trying to locate The New York Times when this happened at another District).    For example, Keefe’s daughter was recently hired for a EWSD position.  Innocent?  Was the hiring process truly objective?  You make the call.

I close by issuing a call to members of our district who are concerned about taxes, seniors, and (most importantly) schoolchildren to consider running for the Board this May.  I hate to put it this way, but almost anybody would be better than what we have now.

The EWSD annual budget/levy has INCREASED 24.7% over the past 6-year period, while enrollment has DECREASED by 112 students.  Many teachers’ unions, in cooperation with their boards, have agreed to freeze salaries and waive the step increase.  The district needs to ask Kamberg why it hasn’t happened here.  Waste, absenteeism, etc., is unfortunately the norm in the
EWSD, which in turn has reduced both the quality of education and the District’s ranking.  Since the value of our houses is inversely proportioned to school taxes, the impossible-to-justify tax INCREASES have also resulted in DECREASED house values.  Did we need any other justification to vote NO on the budget last year?

No doubt many of you read an article in Newsday last year reporting that our District’s ranking continues to freefall and is currently 246, down again from 55 the previous year.  In addition, the student:teacher ratio in the top four schools on Long Island is 12, 13, 14 and 16 – as compared to our 9.75.  Stuyvesant (my alma mater) is at 21.  21!!!  The figures simply don’t lie:  Kamberg and his crew, along with the teachers and their union, are destroying our District with the present waste plus their incompetence and indifference.   We are now officially an also-ran.   Even Governor Cuomo has described the school systems as “ineffective, wasteful, and bureaucratic.”  Folks, you had an opportunity to put a stop to this School Board’s conduct regarding financial matters by voting NO on the budget last May.  Unfortunately, it passed with flying colors – a tribute to the intelligence of some of the members of our community, particularly most of the parents who are gluttons for punishment and have been successfully brainwashed by the PTO.

Next Posting:  February 1, Dr. Elaine Kanas, EWSD, Superintendent

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Once Again, It’s Hofstra Time . . . Unfortunately

December 6, 2012

 

 

December 7, 2012

 

Each of the last eight years, I have had the pleasure and good fortune to attend and write about the men’s basketball team of Hofstra.  I have also claimed that attending these games at Mack Arena is the best sports buy in the metropolitan area.  But this one’s different, and it wasn’t an easy one to write.

 

Two weeks ago, the Hofstra community and part of the basketball world were rocked with the revelation that four Hofstra men’s basketball student-athletes (S-A) were involved (allegedly?) with stealing electronic equipment, including laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc.

 

My take follows.

 

I’m in the process of writing a book on college basketball.  In the last chapter, which is concerned with the future of the game, I predict another major scandal involving shaving points and fixing the outcome of games.  Why?  Because the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has put in place one of the all-time great scams on the public.  The S-As provide the entertainment that generates billions of dollars for the NCAA, and yet, they never see a piece of this monstrous, gigantic financial pie.  T-shirts and sweatshirts are marketed with their names and numbers on them, and yet, the NCAA makes certain they don’t get any royalties.

 

The NCAA has perpetrated this fantasy myth of a S-A that includes the requirement that the S-A live a life of poverty during their scholarship years.  Many of the S-As playing basketball (as well as football) in the major schools are not only poor but also anything but students.  Hell, some of them can’t even spell “student” after graduation.  For example, some time back, one S-A spelled student “stutan”; another worded the answer “yes’ on his application to the question on “sex.”  All of the above is compounded by the fact that they come from low-income families – in effect, they’re broke; which is why 3 of the 4 were not able to post a measly bail.

 

 

So back to the Hofstra players.   We are all a product of our society and environment.   These four certainly didn’t know the difference between right and wrong.  Who’s to blame?  Their parents?  Their church?  Their school?  The NCAA?  No doubt, a combination of all four.  And, no doubt, they will be made an example by District Attorney Rice and some school administrators, with all but the four kids essentially being absolved on any wrongdoings.

 

I am ashamed to admit that a well-to-do close friend of mine occasionally steals money from someone dear to him who is rich beyond words.  When I prod him on what his God would think and/or how he handles confessions, his response is that the person could definitely afford it and would not miss it.  How’s that for logic from a college-educated adult?  Can one draw an analogy between my friend and these four?  And how about the white-collar crimes committed on a daily basis on Wall Street, business,
and government?  And what about those who cheat on their income taxes? I kept this in mind when thinking of these four, realizing that although their crime was more personal in nature, none of the others described above would be punished, or even reprimanded.

 

It is also important to note that these kids did not commit a violent crime.  No rape.  No muggings.  No beatings.  No murder.  Should they be penalized?  Of course, but we should keep in mind that there are rapists and murderers walking around scot-free.  I do hope the four are penalized, but I also hope they will be given a second chance.  That is something we all deserve for our indiscretions, particularly those of a first-time nature.

 

I was asked how do I really feel.  There was essentially no surprise, but there was disappointment and sadness.  Sadness more than disappointment.  Sadness because of the impact the conduct of these four young men will have on not only those who love them, but also their coaches, teammates, friends and classmates, as well as all the legitimate S-As who do the right thing.  I also feel for these four youngsters (three are 18 years old) and hope they realize that their world has not come to an end; they still have a lifetime to live.

 

Here are comments from two colleagues/friends:

Jack Powers,former Executive Director of the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), picks it up from there.  “You have to feel sorry for everyone involved.  This was different from some of the recent battery and rape cases involving some basketball programs.  What they did was wrong but no one should jump to conclusions regarding punishment.  I would need to know more about each kid.  Perhaps a year’s suspension would be appropriate.  But they shouldn’t totally shut the door on some of these kids.  We all did crazy things when we were young.  I’m reminded of the saying ‘people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.’”

Dr. John Wilcox, former Director of the Center for Professional Ethics and my ethics book coauthor, continues the outside narrative.  “It’s important to understand that these four are not hardened criminals.  Putting them in jail really won’t serve any useful purpose.  Some form of rehabilitation is in order and one can only hope that they will become a useful and integral part of society.”

 

In the final analysis, it’s safe to say that this is a sad commentary for the four boys, their families, and the NCAA.  One can only hope that this will play out in a fair, just and compassionate manner, and others will learn from what occurred at Hofstra.

 

Visit the author at http://www.theodorenewsletter.com

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ON SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

November 11, 2012

October 31, 2012

The following articles on Barack Hussein Obama (BHO) appeared earlier

(and are located immediately following this commentary):

 June 15:          On Being Dumb

June 30:          On Being a Liar

July 15:           On Being a Racist

July 31:           On Being Nasty and Arrogant

August 15:       On Being a Socialist/Communist

August 31:       On Being an Egomaniac

September 15: On Being a Crook

September 30  On Being Lazy

October 15      On Being Un-American

   (Please excuse the unfortunate late posting of this article, but Sandy and the Northeaster created havoc.  Power and internet/phone service were not restored until November 5 and 11, respectively.  Hope all of you survived it all and are doing well.   LT)

I make it a policy of trying to keep up with the enemy.  Even though I would never subscribe to the New York Times or Newsday, reading their headlines (since my wife subscribes to both papers) has become a matter of policy.  What one regularly gets are statements like “white conservatists” to describe Tea Party supporters (white implying racists and conservatives implying they don’t give a damn) while emphasizing statements like “those individuals concerned about their children’s’ future” or “caring environmentalists” when, in realty, they are “white liberals.”  This sort of reporting on a regular basis, by the admiring lapdog liberal media seems to me to be not only biased but also un-American.

Where are we headed?  Perhaps the answer lies in the scriptures or the oracles at Delphi.  Some of my people will claim that – according to Greek mythology – Hermes, son of Zeus (and Maia) and the King of the gods, guides dearly departed souls down to the edge of the murky River Styx.  From there, the miserly unkempt boatman Charon will ferry them across the river to Hades, King of the underworld and the hidden wealth of the Earth, and into his realm.  It is here that decisions are made; heroes and men with good souls are either led to the Elysian Fields and live a new life happily ever after in a pristine environment with never-ending light or languish in darkness forever more.

In a very real sense, we Americans will experience an analogous either/or decision with the coming Presidential election, i.e., either prosperity via capitalism or entitlements via socialism.  However, this decision will be left to the voters – not to Hades who is a king.

Let us part company with my Greek ancestors and delve into reality.  Here is what a dozen great men have had to say in the past about the political arena.

  1.  What author said, “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul?”
  2. What famous television newscaster said, “We are not educated well enough to perform the … act of intelligently selecting our leaders?”
  3. What famous world leader said, “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”?
  4. What famous philosopher said, “In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party to give it to the other.”?
  5. What famous author said, “No man’s life, liberty or prosperity is safe while the legislature is in session.”?
  6. What famous individual said, “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free!”?
  7. What President of recent times decided to rewrite and reinterpret history?
  8. What famous world leader said, “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessing; the inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.”
  9. What famous American said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.”?
  10. What President said, “government’s view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases: if it moves, tax it; if it keeps moving, regulate it; and, if it stops moving, subsidize it.”?
  11. What famous personality first described Barack and Michelle as “The Entitlement Kid” and “The Last Lady,” respectively?
  12. What famous industry giant said, “It is not about charisma and personality; it’s about results.”?

Answers are posted at the end of the article.

BHO and his crew have successfully committed a significant percentage of those on food stamps to a life of dependency based on entitlements.  And the more the better for them since a decrease of government handouts also corresponds to a decrease in their voter support base.  Their best interests are served by keeping people on entitlements.  Thus, as entitlements and government handouts increase, our country will move to a socialist state due to the voters’ support of the liberal/democrats; BHO and his gang simply cannot survive without a significant number of our citizens on welfare.  Our great nation is doomed if corrective action is not taken in the immediate future…. and that means voting Obama out.  It may already be too late due to BHO’s disastrous economic policy (and an even worse foreign policy).

It is true that a Romney-Ryan will benefit the rich.  But, more importantly, it will benefit the poor more.  The quality life of the rich will not improve if their assets double from $100 million to $200 million.  But when this occurs, the quality of life of the poor will improve when their annual salary is increased from $50,000 to $100,000, and finally, be removed from BHO’s prescription of a life of dependency.  It is a win-win situation.

Remember when, as youngsters, we were told that anybody could become president?  Well?  And, whatever happened to the need for the President to handle a call at 3:00 AM in the morning?  Remember, it took BHO 3 months to decide what to do about troops for Afghanistan and nearly 2 months to clarify what happened in Libya.  Now, that is what I call quick action.  Had he been Commander-in-Chief on December 7, 1941, it probably would have taken him a month to conclude that the Japanese had indeed attacked Pearl Harbor.  One can only wonder how he would act in a real crisis.

The greatest concern is the fundamental changes BHO has brought to our foreign policy.  Voters should not underestimate the impact of BHO’s disastrous pacifist approach that is based on appeasement (appeasement:  the policy of giving in to the demands of hostile or aggressive power in an attempt to keep the peace.).  His inept policy has brought us closer to World War III that is sure to feature nuclear action.  The recent terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda in the Middle East are proof positive of BHO’s failures.  As with the policies of Nevelle Chamberlain, how many millions will either die or suffer if the threats to the world today are not addressed in the immediate future?  Make no mistake.  BHO is definitely the second coming of Nevelle Chamberlain.  Here is what the great Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia had to say about this issue:  “I am against war, and because I am against war, I went to war to fight against another war.   I don’t think we can end war by merely talking against war on the corners of the East Side … None of us wants war, but do you know anyone who can give us any assurances that it will not come again? … No country ever strikes at another until its military leaders believe they can win.  That is why it will be a good thing if we, who do not want war, make ourselves invincible.”

And what about the Presidential debates?  It was a man against a boy in an empty suit.  Governor Mitt Romney (MR) proved his worthiness to serve as our President, despite the attempt of three (3) liberal moderators to sabotage him.  Anyone who has debated or lectured knows that nothing could be more disastrous and embarrassing when your opponent confronts you with the statement, “I have no idea of what you are talking about.”  MR sledge-hammered BHO with this statement TWICE — with BHO choosing not to offer a response.  Since his lapdog media and teleprompters were obviously absent, it forced the egomaniac to parry the questioning of knowledgeable debater.  As for the Vice Presidential debate, it was a brilliant newcomer against a career civil servant inside-the-beltway moron.  Remember the phrase, “one heartbeat away” when comparing these two; it has to be frightening – even for Democrats – to think of Biden as President.  Who in his/her right mind would want Biden as our President?  It brought new meaning and concern to the aforementioned phrase, “one heartbeat away,” as applied to our VP.  As it turns out, both these morons hit a stone wall when their lies, distortions, etc., were challenged.

And what about the Vice Presidential debate?  It was a shocker to both liberals and conservatives.  Any honorable statesman, confident of the facts and the truth, would never carry on as did Biden.  His attempt to degrade, insult and embarrass Ryan was creepy.  Despite BHO’s earlier call for collegiality and civility, he has repeatedly rejected it as applied to both his conduct and his Administration’s conduct.  I almost felt sorry for Biden.  We all know Biden is dumb, but his conduct during the debate could only be explained in the following manner:  Biden is either mentally unstable or was on something, or is just simply nasty and arrogant like BHO, or some combination of these.

And what about the media?  The moderators for the debates were all left-leaning liberals who did their best to waylay MR.  Crowley (second debate) was the worse.  Given BHO’s lying and underhanded tactics, I believe there is a reasonable chance that BHO had worked in concert prior to the debate.  Here is what happened when the terrorist attack in Libya came up:  BHO lied when he claimed he called it a terrorist attack.  The following day, told MR to check the transcript, Crowley conveniently had the transcript and claimed BHO was correct, to which BHO requested Crowley to repeat her claim.  This exchange sequence simply didn’t jive considering that BHO was lying.  Crowley also interrupted MR three times more than BHO and eliminated MR’s closing 2-minute statement.  Ryan’s moderator also repeatedly interrupted him.  It was the representatives of BHO’s lapdog liberal media at work, personified.  I cannot believe the manner in which they have disregarded their responsibilities to the citizens of our great nation.  Whether it is the Black Panther fiasco, Fast-and-Furious, voter registrations, unchallenged lies during the debates, the embarrassment in Lybia, a blanket refusal to provide information on lies academic performance, the inexcusable personal attack on MR, the truth about Obamacare, etc., etc., etc., then have consistently chosen to ignore BHO’s shortcomings.  Even worse, they have repeatedly heralded BHO as the second coming of the Messiah.  And what about the Last Lady?  She has seething contempt for both whites and America because it is white.  She has conveniently forgotten that it was white Americans who gave their lives for her to carry on as a racist and it was white Americans who elected her fellow racist husband into office.  Add to this her extravagant vacations and entitlement lifestyle at the expense of white Americans.

My two major concerns at this time are the economy and terrorism.  Ask yourself these two simple questions relative to BHO and MR:

1.  If you owned a major multi-enterprise business who would you want to run it?  Given their work ethic, vacation history and   business experience?

2.  Who would you want as our Commander-in-Chief if a major military crisis arises?

Here are some reasons why one should not vote for Barack Hussein Obama (BHO):

  1. Check      the cost for a full tank of gasoline.
  2. Check      the cost for home heating oil (mine is in excess of $5,000/yr.).
  3. Who      is attacking his opponent rather than discussing the issues of concern to      the American public?
  4. Who      never worked an honest day in his life, and has no business and foreign      policy experience?
  5. Which      of the two candidates has management skills?
  6. Who      was elected because many Americans wanted a black president, irrespective      of his qualifications?
  7. The      Congressional Budget Office stated in no uncertain terms that Obamacare is      destined to be terribly expensive.
  8. Think      about credibility and leadership with regard to both creating jobs and      keeping our nation safe.
  9. Teleprompters      are required for important speeches and messages.
  10. Consider      whether leveling the playing field will benefit our nation.

It’s decision-time.  Those who choose to vote for BHO will be joining a special group:  nearly all of the Blacks, most of the Hispanics, a handful of academics who are poisoning the minds of the young, a few of the Hollywood elite who have no need to balance their checkbook at the end of each month, nearly all civil servants, many union workers, those who have been successfully brainwashed by the leftist media (CNN, NBC, CNBC, the New York Times, etc.), young single women who have yet to experience life-learning activities and remain influenced by the distorted mentality of the Liberal Arts educators, and the entitlement (food stamp) recipients who no longer need to work.  What a group of quality supporters.  I’m glad I’m not in their ranks.

Lou Theodore

Answers:

1)      George Bernard Shaw

2)      Walter Cronkite

3)      Winston Churchill

4)      Voltaire

5)      Mark Twain

6)      P. J. Rourke

7)      Jimmy Carter

8)      Winston Churchill

9)      Thomas Jefferson

10)  Ronald Reagan

11)  your author, Lou Theodore

12)  Steve Jobs

NEXT POSTING:

“On an Analysis From Afar”      – November 15, 2012

“On a School Board Revisited”  – January 1, 2013

As a senior citizen, I would be remiss not to include a slightly edited recently forwarded email note of interest to seniors (like yours truly) in the reading audience.  I doubt anybody could have done a better job in expressing the frustrations and fears that we seniors are experiencing.

I know some of you are not old and have never done without or worked without a minimum wage.  You spend all your free time playing with a hand held gadget that accomplishes nothing but passing your time so you don’t get bored.  However, its time you started spending time doing something for your country!!

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs who have been retired for some time.  We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were.  We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true.  But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.  We studied English, history, math, and science in school, which enabled us to lead America into the technological age.  Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience.  We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes.  For those of you who don’t know what an icebox is, they are electric today and referred to as refrigerators.  A few even remember when cars were started with a crank.  Yes, many of us lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and outdated by many.  But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off.  We won World War II and fought in Korea and Viet Nam.  We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so.  We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield.  We didn’t fight for the socialist States of America; we fought for the United States of America and for the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”  We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America, and America the Beautiful, by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing.  We have lived what many of you have only read in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are older and slower these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us.  We have loved this country, fought for it and died for it, and now we are going to make every effort to save it.  It is our country and, hopefully, nobody is going to take it away from us.  We took oaths to defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep.  There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.  It was mostly the young people of this nation who elected BHO and the Democratic Congress in 2008.  You fell for the “Hope and Change” line which, in reality, was nothing but “Hype and Lies.”  You have tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don’t like it after all.  You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or “Climbing the Social Ladder” to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting.  Many of those who fell for the “Great Lie” in 2008 are now having buyer’s remorse.  With all the education we gave you, you didn’t have sense enough to see through the lies and brainwashing, and instead, drank the ‘Kool-Aid.’ Now you’re paying the price and complaining about it … no jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom.  This is what you voted for and this is what you got.  We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and many of you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don’t worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here.  We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we’re going, and in 2012 we’re going to the polls by the millions.

This land does not belong to the man in the White House today or to the likes of Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.  It belongs to “We the People” and “We the People” plan to reclaim our land and our freedom.  We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren.  So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the old geezers of the “Grey-Haired Brigade.”

Contributed by Gene B.

1 Comment | Barack Obama, East Williston, Economics, Education, Politics, Uncategorized, Views from Others | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

ON THE BUDGET VOTE

May 31, 2012

The EWSD annual budget/levy has INCREASED 24.7% over the past 6-year period, while enrollment has DECREASED by 112 students.  Many teachers’ unions, in cooperation with their boards, have agreed to freeze salaries and waive the step increase.  The district needs to ask Kamberg why it hasn’t happened here.  Waste, absenteeism, etc., is unfortunately the norm in the EWSD, which in turn has reduced both the quality of education and the District’s ranking.  Since the value of our houses is inversely proportioned to school taxes, the impossible-to-justify tax INCREASES have also resulted in DECREASED house values.  Did we need any other justification to vote NO on the budget?

No doubt many of you read (Newsday, 5/9) that our District’s ranking continues to freefall and is currently 246, down again from 55 last year.  In addition, the student:teacher ratio in the top four schools onLong Island is 12, 13, 14 and 16 – as compared to our 9.75.  Stuyvesant (my alma mater) is at 21.  The figures simply don’t lie:  Kamberg and his crew, along with the teachers and their union, are destroying our District with the waste and indifference.  We are now officially an also-ran.  Even Governor Cuomo has described the school systems as “ineffective, wasteful, and bureaucratic.”  Folks, you had an opportunity to put a stop to this School Board’s conduct regarding financial matters by voting NO on the budget earlier this month.  Unfortunately, it passed with flying colors – a tribute to the intelligence of the members of our community, particularly most of the parents who are gluttons for punishment.

To see what happened in neighboring Syosset, please view: http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/161948656800/.  Obviously a high school senior was able to figure out what the parents haven’t been able to figure out, i.e., that School Boards are both corrupt and wasteful, and that there is a need for change.  Perhaps that is the solution for the EWSD.  We need Wheatley seniors to ignore the useless PTO and replace our presently corrupt Board.

With the 2012-13 EWSD budget vote behind us, I now plan to turn to the November Presidential election.  As many of you know, I am an independent who is now anti-Democratic (party) and fiercely anti-liberal.  The coming issues will primarily examine President Obama.  I believe that Obama is not deserving of another term because he is a liar, incompetent, racist, nasty, unqualified, a crook, an egomaniac, a socialist/communist, and (finally) anti-American.  Because of the importance of this election, there will be an article on the 15th and last day of each of the coming months.  Article dates are provided below:

June 14                  Being a Liar

June 30                  Being Incompetent

July 14                    Being Racist

July 31                     Being Nasty

August 15              Being Unqualified

August 31               Being a Crook

September 15       Being an Egomaniac

September 30      Being a Socialist/Communist

October 15            Being Anti-American

October 31             Final Thoughts

Here is a warm-up of what’s to come.  This involves some of Obama’s cohorts.  Here are some beauties – talking about liars and dumb people.

Vice President Joe Biden:

“Between tax relief, direct and shovel-ready prospects, the Recovery Act has created or retained between 2.2 and 2.8 million jobs.”

FACT:  Hardly any new jobs were created.

“The Stimulus is doing more, faster, more efficiently, more effectively than most expected.”

FACT:  Some voters actually believe this.

“I think I have a much higher IQ than you do.  I went to law school on a full academic scholarship and ended up in the top half of the class.”

FACT:  He may be confused.  He received a half scholarship and finished 70th out of 85.

Remember, this guy is 1 heartbeat away…….

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:

“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”

FACT:  Wow!

“Republicans are destroying the public space of clean air, water, food safety, the education of our children and the health, financial security of our seniors.”

FACT:  There are also voters who actually believe this.

“Democrats intend to lead the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history.”

FACT:  There are also voters who actually believe this.

“We have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in our country who need our help.”

FACT:  Quite frankly, I’m not willing to provide more benefits and entitlements.

“It (unemployment insurance) injects demand into the economy.  It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.”

FACT:  Would you work if you were paid not to work?

Robert Gibbs:

“The bill contains unprecedented accountability and transparency.  There are no earmarks in the bill.”

FACT:  There were over 8,000 earmarks.

Tom Daschle:

“Make no mistake; tax cheaters cheat us all, and the IRS should enforce the law to the letter.”

FACT:  He is a tax cheat who has not been prosecuted.

President of the Service Employees InternationalUnion:

“We spent a fortune to elect Obama – $60.7 million to be exact.”

FACT:  Obama had promised: “We’re not taking any contributions from Washington, lobbyists or political action committees.”

Janet Napolitano:

Described homecoming veterans as “right-wing rednecks”, preferred “overseas contingency operations” to “war on Terrorism”, described the Islamic Fort Hood murderer as “an isolated extremist”, and does not support voter ID requirements.

FACT:  This woman is an Obama-appointee andU.S.citizen.

Anita Dunn (Communications Director):

“Mao Tse Tung is one of my favorite philosophers whom I turn to most for answers to important questions.”

FACT:  What most of us now know is that this guy was worse than Hitler and Stalin combined.

USEPA Administrator Lisa Jackson:

“For every $1 we have spent, we have gotten $40 of benefits in turn and the USEPA is one of the most successful programs in American history.”

FACT: Truly incredulous statements.  I wrote an article in 1995 (EPA’s Silver anniversary) justifying it be dissolved.  It is now significantly worse.  This woman is dumber than Obama, Biden, and Pelosi combined.

The Last Lady, Michelle Obama:

“Most American lives have gotten progressively worse since I was a little girl.”

FACT:  Could she be that dumb?  Nah!  I believe it is just a lie.

“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.”

FACT:  I’ve been proud of my country my entire life.

Senator Barbara Boxer:

“Industries that provide environmental protection have created more than a million jobs.”

FACT:  But at what cost to our economy and loss of other jobs?  Has she (or any environmentalist) ever done a cost-benefit analysis?

Senator Chris Dodd:

“One of the great success stories of all time – one of the great engines of economic success over the past 30 or 40 years.”

FACT:  Get this:  He was talking about Freddie Mac and Fannie May.

Representative Maxine Waters (voted the most corrupt elected official):

“We do not have a crisis at Freddie Mac, and in particular at Fannie Mae, under the outstanding leadership of Frank Raines.”

FACT:  Raines was an economic adviser to Obama and was forced to resign.

Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner:

“There is no risk theUScould lose its AAA credit rating.”

FACT:  Well, we all make mistakes.

Yep, we all make mistakes.  The key is to learn from our mistakes.   Hopefully those of you who voted for Obama have……

The next posting is scheduled for June 15th.  It will be concerned with Barack Hussein Obama and is entitled “Being a Liar.”

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Economics, Education, Politics, School Board | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On Teachers

April 1, 2012

BLOCKBUSTER NEWS!!!  I’ve just (3/31) been informed by two sources that Superintendent Lorna Lewis is finally gone, and has accepted a position atPlainview.  Was it her yelling and nasty exchanges with some parents who were unhappy?  Was it my February article that detailed her incompetence and questioned her qualification?  I don’t know yet.  But, I really believe at this time (11:00 PM, 3/31) that my sources are correct, and she will be leaving.  This may be the beginning of the process that will provide an opportunity for the EWSD community to not only put an end to the self-serving of this (particularly Kamberg) and previous Boards but also set in notion the return of our District to one of prominence.  The selection of the new Superintendent should be made by the community, including the PTO membership, and NOT Kamberg and his cronies.

On Teachers

Folks, this one is about East Williston School District (EWSD) teachers.  Four words come to mind when I think of most of the EWSD teachers:  indifference, mean-spirited, greedy, and parasitic.  What follows is an attempt to provide the basis for this statement.

As I’ve indicated in the past, the teachers’ union and the teachers themselves have consistently exploited both the schoolchildren and the taxpayers with rampart absenteeism.  Here are some of the problems that exist in the EWSD—problems that continue to go unchecked.  In addition to just simply and regularly taking off days at their whim, our teachers have been known to take leave from class for l or 2 periods.  An in-house teacher with a free period replaces the absent teacher.  There is no impact on the teacher.  The impact on the schoolchildren is a class with a replacement who may or may not be qualified and/or concerned.  The impact on the taxpayer is that the replacement teacher is paid, including additional retirement benefits, by our taxes.  The net effect is that the teacher is provided free time (an expense-paid vacation), the schoolchildren are short-changed in the classroom, the replacement teacher is provided a hefty “consulting” fee, and the taxpayer, as usual, gets shorted.  Teachers also take leave (they have unlimited sick leave) based on his or her own children being sick at home.  (Folks, I’m not making this up).  The net impact of this outrageous conduct?  I think you can figure this one out.

Eleanor Zatlin kept information in the past on teacher absenteeism.  I’ve requested but been denied this information by school administrators—in violation of the law.  But it is the job of Lewis (our superintendent) and/or the principals to maintain records and stop the abuse.  And, it is the Boards’ job to demand this information from Lewis and her principals.  Will any of these “concerned and dedicated” individuals take action?  Does anyone really think that Lewis, the principals, the Board, and/or the PTA, etc., are going to look into these abuses being perpetrated on both the schoolchildren and the taxpayers?  Of course not.

A January 3, 2010 Sunday The New York  Times article by Carolyn Bucior had this to say about teachers (not taken out of context):  “Nationwide, 5.2 percent of teachers are absent on any given day, a rate three times as high as that of professionals outside teaching and more than one and half times as high as that of teachers in Britain . . . Teachers in America are most likely to be absent on Fridays, followed by Mondays (parents should check the parking lots on these days if they don’t believe this) . . . This means that children have substitute teachers for nearly a year of their kindergarten-through-12th grade education . . . principals should keep track of all teacher absences.”

For what it is worth, a colleague (who recently passed away) NEVER missed a day of school during his 44 year tenure.  I missed one day (while in the hospital) in 55 years.  How does this stack up with EWSD teachers?

Here is more on my recent experiences.  Unfortunately, it is limited to contact with only exchanges with three Wheatley students:

  1. This summer at the Williston Park Pool, a youngster was dribbling a basketball alongside me and the two Lumpp brothers (Ray and Wil).  We started a conversation with the boy on basketball and found out that he attended Wheatley.  I proceeded to ask about the quality of education he was receiving and teacher absenteeism.  Although not having a true basis for comparison, he indicated that he was satisfied with the teachers.  He also indicated that, on average, one teacher was absent from class every day.  I indicated that the absenteeism figure was too high, but he stood firm.  The three of us couldn’t believe what we were hearing.
  2. Later last summer, I ran into another Wheatley student working as a cashier in a local supermarket.  He too noted that there was widespread absenteeism but not to the same degree as the other student.
  3. I met another Wheatley student (a senior) working as a cashier in a supermarket late last Fall.  I also questioned him on both concerns.  Surprisingly, he stated that recent Wheatley graduates (presently in college) had indicated that they were not as prepared as they could have been, particularly in English.

I want to once again comment on the teachers and their union’s arrogant and greedy position on raises and benefits.  Given the union’s insistence during contract negotiation that they be provided raises and benefits that other working individuals are not provided, does anyone question their greed and insensitivity to community concerns.  Their past history of student and parent intimidation, unprofessional behavior, unreasonable demands, and work ethics is a sad commentary on the present state of our District.  I wish I could detail comments from parents explaining their unwillingness to either speak out for fear or retaliation by some teachers.  Only time will tell on how long the community will continue to ignore this teacher blackmail.

How the teachers’ conduct continues to go unchecked without a responsible individual raising a red flag and demanding answers is absolutely amazing.  Where are Kamberg, Freier, etc., the PTA, and the Principals?  No one is surprised with do-nothing Lewis.  But what an embarrassment and disgrace Kamberg  (as President) has turned out to be.

Here’s what local resident and teacher Bill Wickes had to say earlier.  “I have come to be embarrassed to be included in the heading of teacher.  Teachers in my home district of East Williston have lost sight of why they chose this profession.  They have attempted to intimidate parents and students with their protests at awards nights and field days.  They do not show the respect that they demand.”

I have been accused by EWSD teachers of “hating” teachers.  This, despite the fact that I have dedicated my life to education, and have served as a mentor to numerous teachers and administrators (details available on request).  In addition, most of my friends are teachers or retired teachers, and nearly all of them support my position.  All of us are disgusted with the conduct of the EWSD teachers, conduct that includes the aforementioned intimidation tactics against parents and retaliation policies against 6 year old and older schoolchildren.

Suburban teachers maintain that they are dedicated professionals.  What in the world is the rest of the work force?  To hear the EWSD teachers, you would think they were God’s gift to society.  Regarding these teachers, I have more respect for the NYC teacher, who I believe is as dedicated, if not more so, because they are exposed to combat duty, often on a daily basis.

Although part of the above is rhetoric, one needs to examine teachers’ salaries relative to others.  As with some other professions, e.g., medicine, I believe it is disproportionate relative to the rest of the work force.  Present-day salaries simply cannot be justified, particularly for those whose salaries are approaching $150,000/year.  When one considers the salary, perks, health benefits, abbreviated work days, extensive vacation periods, workplace environment, other educational opportunities, retirement plans, etc., of the suburban teacher, it is hard not to conclude that these individuals have it made.  Make no mistake about it, they have it made!  I ought to know, because I was part of a similar system—only at another level–with lower salaries and reduced benefits.

And then there is job security.  Today, most taxpayers no longer have the luxury of job security.  In the old days, one might receive a DCM at any time, as it was called during the depression era—Don’t Come Monday.  Being tenured means not having to worry about losing your job.  What is this worth?  When I was growing up, it was worth enough that teachers who earned significantly less than the rest of the work force were grateful for their job.  I know when I accepted a teaching position in 1960 for $6,000 a year, a salary substantially below what my colleagues were accepting in industry and business, I did so for two reasons:  the desire to teach and the benefits mentioned above.

In any event, I am still waiting and hoping for the day when some EWSD teachers will stand up and be counted.

P.S.            Lewis and her crew continue to be in violation of the law, a violation that could result in reduction of state aid.  It is now three months and they have failed to deliver on all my requested material, without even an apology.

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Education, Politics, School Board | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On the PTO

March 1, 2012

Folks, and those who are presently incarcerated or institutionalized.

This one is particularly directed toward the EWSD parents as it is about their Parent Teachers Organization (PTO).  It really should be the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), as with many other schools, but then, the group would be constrained by the requirements of this national organization . . . something they are unwilling to do—for their self-serving reasons.  In any event, I have regularly referred to it as the Select Parents Scamming Other Parents (SPSOP).

Obviously, the EWSD is a dysfunctional organization that is not serving the best interests of the parents, schoolchildren, seniors, and taxpayers.  Do I have a basis for this statement?  You tell me.  The District’s ranking and reputation is in a freefall decline, the student:teacher ratio is 9.75:1.0, the annual per capita student cost is $30,000+ (not the lie being perpetrated by Lewis), there is essentially no accountability in the District, teacher absenteeism is rampant, Wheatley seniors are having difficulty getting into the school of their choice, seniors lack college preparedness (I’ll have more on this next month), etc., etc., etc.  Are the parents in our District concerned?  Apparently not, thanks primarily to an ongoing brainwashing campaign.

Did I say brainwashing?  Perhaps duped is a better word.  Our parents have been successfully conned by a well-orchestrated campaign.  And it’s not Lewis’ lying, or conman Konberg and his group, or the teachers, or the teachers’ union.  It’s their own PTO leadership.  I remember sometime back when two totally untrustworthy PTO leaders—Cassali and Golden—attempted to con me.  The leadership has since changed, but the organization’s misguided objectives have not.  Here’s more from my PTO file:

  1. Remember the 2010 budget vote?  The PTO sent out a last-minute flyer to the voters that was full of lies.  I dissected the flyer’s contentions in a “Letter to the Editor” and proved that EVERY point they raised was a LIE.  Guess what?  They never responded.  Imagine being called a liar and not responding.  But then again, this is how Lewis and Konberg operate.
  2. Remember Finkelstein?  He’s the Wheatley science teacher preaching impossible to prove environmental information to our kids while refusing to allow another opinion (from a PhD in the field) to be heard.  Wheatley Principal Feeney obviously could care less.  But, what about the PTO?  They refused to object and take action, just like Lewis and Konberg.
  3. Most people I know believe the PTO uses school resources that they are not legally entitled to.  I know it and can prove it.  Lewis has offered cunningly-worded denials of this fact since she knows there have been too many parents involved in this improper activity who can prove me right.
  4. As I noted earlier, teacher absenteeism is rampart.  (I’ll also have more to say about this next month.)  The PTO has steadfastly refused to address this problem and insist on some form of accountability.
  5. The student:teacher ratio is 9.75:1 and the annual per capita cost is $30,000+.  One has to be ignorant and not realize that this translates into massive waste, particularly since it has been repeatedly documented that higher taxes do not equate to better education.  And where is the PTO?  Right in step with Lewis and Konberg.  It’s simply ignored.  And then there are still 22 secretaries; one can only imagine what they do with their time.
  6. Wheatley seniors aren’t getting into the school of their choice.  PTO and parent concern for our seniors is nonexistent; the same can be said for Lewis and Konberg.
  7. Wheatley’s ranking is plummeting.  Again, no concern.
  8. I’ve asked for an opportunity to address the PTO membership on numerous occasions.  Each request has been denied.  I believe the PTO officers simply want to retain an advantage for their kids over the children of the rank-and-file parents.  Parent members should demand an explanation.

As I’ve repeatedly stated, the EWSD is broke beyond repair thanks to Bergtraum, Israel, Karol, Wasserman, etc., and more recently with Konberg, Freier, Keefe, Fallerino, and Slone (anybody notice that she has miserably failed to live up to her election promises).  The only possible hope is the PTO, an organization that unfortunately continues to dupe its members.  Only when its members come to their senses will anything meaningful take place.  Parents, it is really up to you to step up and put a stop to this exploitation of our schoolchildren.

Of course, there is more.  Here is something the PTO, as well as the EWSD community, is not aware of.  I submitted a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request on December 19.  Assistant Superintendent Fitzpatrick (another Lewis?) responded on December 21, acknowledging my request.  It is now March 1 (65 days hence) and there has been no response.  None of the requested information has been received, nor notification of when it will be forthcoming.  Here is the New York State Education Law regarding FOILs:

“If circumstances prevent disclosure to the person requesting the record of records within twenty business days from the date of the acknowledgement of the receipt of the request, the agency shall state, in writing, both the reason for the inability to grant the request within twenty business days and a certain date within a reasonable period, depending on the circumstances, when the request will be granted in whole or in part.”

Thus, they are in violation of the law by denying me information I am entitled to.  I have not taken any further action (at this time) since this violation will lead to a loss of State funds by the District.  Does anyone think Konberg will take action on Lewis violating the law?  Can a responsible PTO officer help me?  You make the call with these self-serving PTO administrators.

Finally, last month I noted: “(Board Member) Keefe’s daughter was recently approved as an EWSD substitute.  Innocent?  Was the hiring process truly objective?”  At the recent February Board Meeting, a new position was created (part-time monitor at Wheatley).  Who do you think was approved for this job?  Keefe’s daughter!  Innocent again?  By the way, this does not conflict time-wise with the other job she was approved for.  There are currently 9 monitors at Wheatley.  This now makes 10?  Do we really need another monitor?  You make the call.   Look out folks—there is a past history that part-time positions turn into full-time ones!  You make the call.”  I guess Keefe, with Konberg and his Board, decided to add to the waste, despite their commitment to reduce waste.

I return next month to discuss our teachers.  If this topic wasn’t so sad, it would b a fun endeavor.

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Education, Politics, School Board | Permalink
Posted by The Theodore Newsletter

On Lewis

January 31, 2012

The East Williston School District has a Superintendent named Lorna Lewis.  I have repeatedly referred to Lewis as incompetent, unqualified, a liar, a sweet-talking con artist (just like Kamberg), untrustworthy, a liability to the EWSD education process, an embarrassment to our community, a person who has adversely affected our school’s ranking, reduced the likelihood of Wheatley seniors’ acceptance into the school of their choice, who’s policies has senselessly increased property taxes which has reduced property values, etc.  What a mouthful!  Could an administrator be this bad?  To answer this question, I went back to my “Lewis” file and came up with the following:

  • Allowed the School Board to abuse Huhn
  • Allowed community members to abuse Huhn
  • Refused to have the teachers’ contract typed for viewing by the entire community
  • Refused to put the teachers’ contract on the District’s website
  • Did nothing about 22 secretaries.  (That’s right!  There are still 22 secretaries on the staff.)
  • Did nothing about excess administrators
  • Compared me to the Gestapo
  • Attempted to intimidate an auditor
  • Provided blanket support of the teachers at the expense of the schoolchildren, senior citizens, and taxpayers
  • Did nothing about teachers wearing black shirts
  • Did nothing about anti-Christian activities in the District
  • Continues to claim there is no waste
  • Has done absolutely nothing about the rampant teacher absenteeism;  keep in mind that teachers have UNLIMITED sick days, and have they mercilessly exploited this giveaway over the years
  • Has ignored the effect of teacher absenteeism on the schoolchildren (particularly at Wheatley)
  • Provided support (with her silence) of a sham Board election instituted by Kamberg
  • Was described an an individual with “limited capabilities,” “did nothing to improve the quality of education,” and was instead “an advocate for the teachers” by a former school board member at Three Villages
  • Was rejected at her own school (prior to coming to EWSD)
  • Was initially unanimously rejected by the EWSD Search Committee
  • Applied elsewhere while Superintendent at EWSD
  • Despite the documented massive administrative waste, continues to attempt to hire more administrators
  • Provided inflated numbers of  students per class
  • Denies the fact that the student:teacher ratio is 9.75:1
  •  Denies the fact that the EWSD cost per student is in excess of $30,000/year
  • Apparently approved an illegal banner to be placed at the school (having refused to provide information on who approved and paid for the banner)
  • Subsequently, refused to allow my banner to be placed at the school
  • Despite massive administrative assistance, never acknowledged receipt of three applications for my involvement in school activities (this was true with others)
  • Despite massive administrative assistance, I (as well as others) never received a notification of rejection
  • Despite being acknowledged as an international expert in the environmental field, allowed Finklestein, a Wheatley science teacher,  to ignore my offer to provide the students with a fair and balanced (as apposed to a totally biased) analysis of environmental issues
  • Also allowed Finklestein to ignore former Board member John O’Kelly’s offer to provide another viewpoint
  • Deceived the community regarding the true raises granted the teachers by the Board
  • Provided prejudicial and disrespectful remarks, as reported in the May 21, 2010 Williston Times, of the inordinate turnout of elderly people at the May 2010 vote grouping them all as voters against the budget; true to form, she later claimed the remarks were misinterpreted
  • Do you keep score?  Wheatley had no Intel semi-finalists this year . . . andThreeVillagesSchool District(where Lewis came from before EWSD) had FIVE?  Our neighbors,JerichoandRoslynSchool Districtsalso had seven and four semi-finalists, respectively.  Two finalists emerged from this group.  Again, we didn’t even have a semifinalist!  Who’s to blame?  It’s your call, but not surprisingly, there has been no comment from Lewis

Of course, there is more.  What does the reader think?  I have leveled these labels and facts at Lewis in the past with no response.  After all, I’d be in trouble if the above statements could not be supported.  There has also been  no response in her defense on my statements by Entine, Bergtraum, Kamberg, Freier, any Principals, any teachers, community members, and, of course, the hapless PTO (who I will discuss next month).

One more thing about Lewis:  she has no professional pride.  If she did, she would respond to these accusations made by me and others.  I know I would defend myself if these accusations were leveled against me.

Just a couple of weeks ago (December 20th),  I requested District information on contracts, personnel, class sizes, teacher assignments, absenteeism, etc. As part of the Freedom of Information requirements, I am entitled to receive this information within a month.  The next day I received a letter from Ms. Fitzpatrick, Assistant Superintendent of Business.  How’s that for an administrative title?  (One can only wonder what the Superintendent of Business does.)  I was told the charge would be 25 cents/page when the material was prepared.  I’ve yet to hear from her as of the posting of this article (January31st).  I guess she’s too busy to help a taxpayer who pays her salary.

How did we ever get stuck with someone like Lewis?  Ask Kamberg.  He recently inexplicably provided her with a multi-year contract extension. There is no way that could be justified given my comments above.  And, please get back to me if I have misrepresented and/or distorted any of the information provided.  Hopefully, every reader read Newsday’s January 29th front page article titled “LI School Administrators Pension Spike.”

Leave a Comment » | East Williston, Education, School Board | Permalink
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