Monday, April 1, 2013
PART 2: Making changes was a common thread throughout the specific questions and answers at this forum for Rockwood School District Board of Education candidates.
A candidates' forum for Rockwood School District Board of Education contenders was hosted March 23 at the Eureka City Hall by Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions (RS for RS), a self-appointed watchdog group of the district. Two of the four board candidates attended: Jeff Morrell and Steve Banton. The other two candidates are Loralee Mondl and Janet Strate. A small crowd of eight attended Saturday's forum, besides moderator Eileen Tyrrell, co-founder and RS for RS spokesperson. Read the first part of coverage from this forum published last Monday, including videos of the participating candidates opening remarks: Rockwood BOE Candidates' Forum Hosted by Citizens' Group Attendee Paul Bozdech asked about district issues for which he …
Monday, March 25, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: "Don’t let a small, angry group control your public schools. Go to the polls and vote to pass Prop S and support current members of our School Board," says a Chesterfield parent.
“Houston, we DON’T have a problem”: There has been an ongoing campaign by a small, perpetually dissatisfied group (Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions or “RS for RS”), who have seized upon the recent Rockwood School District (RSD) state audit report to further their self-important agenda, manipulating facts and fabricating issues while attacking our School Board, seeking removal of our current Superintendent, and campaigning to defeat Prop S. RSD is fiscally responsible: The recent state audit identified possible over-payments totaling $1.2 million for construction projects spanning the last 10 years, and RSD is pursuing this finding. Not to trivialize this (I am a RSD taxpayer), but for perspective, these potential overpayments, …
VIDEOS OF OPENING REMARKS: A Rockwood School District Board of Education candidates' forum was held Saturday at Eureka City Hall. Part 1; return to Patch for a summary of candidates' responses to questions from attendees.
A candidates' forum for Rockwood School District Board of Education contenders was hosted Saturday at the Eureka City Hall by Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions (RS for RS), a self-appointed watchdog group of the district. Two of the four board candidates attended: Jeff Morrell and Steve Banton. The other two candidates are Loralee Mondl and Janet Strate. A small crowd of eight attended Saturday's forum, besides moderator Eileen Tyrrell, co-founder and RS for RS spokesperson. Tyrrell said RS for RS was formulated during July 2011 to give "a voice to parents who are not PTO parents, teachers who are not in the union, and the district's taxpayers, in general." "Rockwood prides itself in getting community input, but we saw missing …
Friday, March 22, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: "Thoughtful individuals who seek 'truth' attempt to weigh and evaluate the expertise, professionalism and credibility of those making claims," says one Rockwood School District parent.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” Marcus Aurelius Well, there are some facts, but then there is a LOT of opinion swirling around some parts of our community. Let’s start with some known facts, and then we’ll take a look at some opinions. Fact: Rockwood School District received a “Fair” rating in the February audit by the Missouri State Auditor team. Fact: Only two school districts, both much smaller than Rockwood, received higher ratings from the state auditing team. Fact: “Fair” is the most common school district audit rating. Now, let’s look at the opinions. Some opinions are worth more than others. Everything we hear or read is someone’s opinion, based on their …
Monday, March 11, 2013
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: "A top-rated school district deserves the best school board and the best people to run it," states one alumnus of the Rockwood School District.
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…
Monday, March 4, 2013
Following last week’s State Auditor report of what was called mismanagement within the Rockwood School District by some residents, a watchdog coalition group says more changes are needed in the district's leadership.
Public trust in the Rockwood School District superintendent and Board of Education continues to plummet—as do the chances of passage for the upcoming April bond issue “Proposition S”—indicates Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions (RS for RS). The watchdog coalition is a non-partisan group of taxpaying Rockwood citizens. RS for RS issued a Monday morning press release, calling for most of the district's leaders to step down. However, Rockwood's Board Director Steve Smith already resigned Sunday, per the breaking news from Patch: Resignation Comes from Rockwood Board of Education Director Steve Smith Update to article at 8:51 a.m.: RS for RS co-founder Eileen Tyrrell tells Patch they called all Rockwood board members and Superintendent …
Friday, February 1, 2013
Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions representatives say a pending Missouri auditor’s report is expected to be on the mind of voters on April 2.
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Friday, February 1
Editor's Note: The following was provided as a news release from RS for RS, which is a self-described non-partisan group of taxpaying Rockwood School District citizens who seek transparency, fiscal responsibility and inclusion of parents and taxpayers in the decision-making process of the district. Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions coalition citizens announced their concerns over the Rockwood School District Board of Education directors voting to put another ballot issue on the April 2 ballot. As an advocate group for taxpayers, parents, employees and students of the Rockwood School district, RS for RS feels the Board and district officials need to work on rebuilding the community’s trust and credibility, which was lost over the …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions members encourage people to consider running for the two Board of Education seats that will be available in the April 2 election.
Beginning Dec. 11, applications are being accepted for strong decisive leaders on the Rockwood School Board of Education. Qualified citizens may apply in person at the Rockwood Administrative Offices located at 111 E North Street in Eureka. Dear Rockwood Stakeholders: The community of the Rockwood School District is in desperate need of strong, decisive leadership on its Board of Education. In 2007, the Rockwood School Board began discussing unsustainable budget shortfalls for 2013 and beyond. Here it is the end of 2012 and there is no real vision or direction for the future; except more taxes. Click here to view the pictures that represent the potential future of Rockwood. The claim (from Rockwood administrators and board of education …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions says Rockwood School District administrators and Board of Education are "simply a strong-willed bureaucracy that doesn’t like change."
“Rockwood District officials clearly do not accept the fact that, at some level or another, RS for RS is a fair representation of the 46% of stakeholders who voted against the tax increase ballot measure this pass April. As a result, they do not value the input and representatives of Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions”. RS for RS Advisory Board – September 1, 2012 Sorry, folks, we tried and, they are not listening. We have brought to the forefront your concerns. We have educated and informed you on issues and decisions facing your district that are otherwise not detailed within the district’s communication apparatus. In turn, you came to your own decision and spoke at the ballot box in April and, they didn’t hear you. We have …
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
On Saturday, Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions hosted their first in a series of three candidates' forums. Another forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of St. Louis occurs tonight (March 6).
Three of the four Rockwood School District board of education candidates attended Saturday's candidates' forum hosted by the Rockwood Stakeholders for Real Solutions at The Pointe in Ballwin. William "Bill" Brown of Eureka and both candidates from Chesterfield—Sherri Rogers and Jennifer Kelly—answered questions that came from the approximately 40 attendees. A fifth candidate this year, incumbent Geoff Rigabar, withdrew from the race in January. Former state representative and budget Committee Chair, Allen Icet of Wildwood chaired the forum. Icet is a former director and past president of the Rockwood board. RS for RS co-founder Eileen Tyrrell said questions came from the audience or were submitted prior to the start of the forum. Each …
Paul Bozdech
3:32 pm on Monday, April 1, 2013
Larry, the schools are great, the leaders.. well are more nonexistent. I believe there are people who are willing to show up and do their best for the students and the tax payers and not for their own egos or Bruce Borchers' ego. I went through proper channels. Coach, AD, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Coordinator, Superintendent, new principal, and finally the Board. I didn't run into one … more ›