As one of the first students to attend Lafayette High, my wife and four children are all alumni. When asked what high school did you attend, we are ready and proud to say “Lafayette High School."
Rockwood has always provided a good education, and is rated a top school district in Missouri. Some of the Rockwood schools are even ranked nationally. The alumni of Rockwood remember their high school teachers and many have come back to work in Rockwood. But when alumni and voters are looking at the actions of the school board, it is like a “Ripley’s Believe It or Not."
Congratulations to Steve Smith for resigning. If the actions of Steve Smith and Glenn Construction were 100 percent in the interest of the schools, it doesn’t appear that way. I’m sure there are other good local companies that would have jumped at a chance to bid.
It’s now time for the rest of the board members who voted for Glenn Construction projects without competitive bids to resign.
The school board hired Dr. (Bruce) Borchers in July 2011. They paid a premium salary to a man who never was a superintendent and then, to make sure he didn’t fail, they approved $250,000 to hire two crony consultants at outlandish salaries.
Current board members just voted to extend Dr. Borcher’s contract through June 2016, while at the same time, asking voters to approve a $38 million bond issue. I don’t believe the voters will approve a bond issue with the current board directors still serving.
The voters see a school board of cronies making deals. We need a new school board with some Rockwood alumni and members with common sense. Rockwood alumni who are proud of their school district. A top-rated school district deserves the best school board and the best people to run it. Hopefully, more Rockwood alumni, teachers union, along with Eileen Tyrrell, spokesperson for Rockwood Stakeholder for Real Solutions, will speak out and demand a change in the school board.
Conrad Schuessel Sr.
Wildwood
Editor's Note: This letter to the editor indicates "current board members just voted to extend Dr. Borcher’s contract through June 2016." That vote was 4-3. Read Patch article from Feb. 26: Rockwood's Superintendent Contract Extended Just as State Audit Results Are Expected
In This article
-
Lafayette High School
17050 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO (Actually located in Wildwood but uses a zip code stemming from Ballwin Post Office) -
-
Martha White
9:46 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
I agree that something needs to be done to try to restore the positive attitude and outlook of the Rockwood School District. As a former student, employee, tax payer, mother and grandmother of Rockwood, it is very discouraging now to talk to employees of the district. I seldom hear positive....it's all about what is WRONG with the district. Nobody in power seems to receive any respect from their "supporters." It's obvious that the people in power need to do something to try to regain the respect of its patrons. If that is resignation, then so be it. Perhaps the district needs some "new blood" to try to answer patrons' questions and gain their support. It is my understanding that a recent survey stated the populace did NOT want to add more administrators to the district....the district's answer: 3 New Administrators Hired in Rockwood! When did the English language become so hard to understand. As well, I'm certain that the combined salaries of 3 administrators would probably fund at least 5 new teachers! Wake up Rockwood....you need to manage according to NEED not according to desires or impressions of others.
Mary
5:56 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
If there is anyone who still thinks that the board and administration made financial decisions that were even remotely intelligent, I hope you'll read 'Rockwood approves $6.3 million deficit budget, hires public relations firm' available online at http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/2012062220892/rockwood-approves-6-3-million-deficit-budget-hires-public-relations-firm/.
Was it really necessary to spend nearly $50,000 to find out why we don't trust them with school district funds? Oh, and, surprise! One of the PR firm's executives is RSDs former communications chief!