The Theodore Newsletter

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-12^th 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.

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.