tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60079562339505340112024-03-07T19:07:08.610-06:00Greenbluff Views - !!We've moved!!Visit us at our new home at: http://greenbluffviews.com/
for a conservative viewpoint on local, state, national, and international current events from Baraboo, WI.Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-65738657953265281142008-04-04T04:24:00.005-06:002008-04-04T04:31:10.444-06:00Baraboo School District Fires Lance AlwinLast night (4/3/08) the Baraboo School Board bid farewell to one of its staunchest allies, Baraboo School Superintendent Lance Alwin. As you may recall, Alwin was at the epicenter of two referenda, the closing of Fairfield Center, the elimination of shuttle buses for city kids, the conversion of West School to a Kindergarten Center, and proudly promoted his perception of some community members toJay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-16955372930776236502008-03-20T05:31:00.000-06:002008-03-20T05:32:27.312-06:00Close...but no cigarLast night, the Baraboo School Board decided not to decide with finality on Baraboo School District Superintendent Lance Alwin and his dismissal/conditional resignation.As suspense builds, the more likely Alwin will be exiting his contract with a conditional resignation. In other words, it’s gonna cost taxpayers to provide Alwin encouragement to seek other employment opportunities. Time to get Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-6471061269010865322008-03-18T18:12:00.006-06:002008-03-18T18:31:08.369-06:00Bye-ByeThe school board is holding a meeting tomorrow night "for the purpose of considering dismissal proceedings and/or the conditional resignation of the Superintendent, and take action as appropriate."Looks like this is the end of the proverbial employment road for our impressive Superintendent, Lance Alwin. He has left many in our community with an impression of his work performance. It's finally Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-3116959625243643462008-03-11T20:17:00.010-06:002008-03-11T21:25:31.675-06:00Ethics in Journalism - A Thing of the PastAccording to one writer on today’s opinion page, the BNR should not be “forcing the news” regarding the school board’s investigation of Lance Alwin’s job performance.I find it amazing. The BNR puts up a poll on its website, just as it has nearly every week for at least the past few years. Nice idea. Get a feel for the pulse of the community. In the past, the BNR has conveniently placed poll Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-2117286655009081542008-03-04T04:20:00.008-06:002008-03-04T05:41:58.990-06:00Who's Zoomin' Who?The Baraboo School Board met last night to discuss the future of Lance Alwin with the district. Although officials remain tight-lipped on an investigation into Alwin's performance, one stated Alwin was put on paid leave to allow the investigation to be completed as necessary. If it were an unpaid leave situation, "you have no control over what they do."The school board is supposed to be Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-47599141800092978842008-02-29T21:49:00.004-06:002008-12-10T09:02:48.665-06:00When commerce cripples the hot lunch line29 N.J. Students Punished After Using Pennies To Pay For LunchSome Parents Think Detention Went Too Far; Others Think It Wasn't EnoughREADINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Sometimes a penny for your thoughts isn't a good thing.Readington Township school officials gave 29 students detention after they used pennies to pay for their $2 lunches.Superintendent Jorden Schiff said it started out as a prank. But Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-23221864126675651712008-02-29T19:34:00.003-06:002008-02-29T19:56:35.450-06:00Is Monday D-Day?The Baraboo School Board will be meeting Monday night, possibly to discuss Lance Alwin's future. Read about it here. If, in fact, the topic is Alwin, it's worth mentioning the open meeting law. The rules are: while discussion can take place in closed session, action by a governmental body must take place in open session. (I'm open for rebuttal on this topic if you read something I don't.)What Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-6487547071082887292008-02-23T15:08:00.004-06:002008-12-10T09:02:48.894-06:00Five percentIn an October 17, 2006 memorandum addressed to Baraboo School District Professional Educators, with copies to Dr. Peter Gust (teacher's union), Mr. William Froelich (BEA president), Board of Education, the school district leadership team, and posted on the school district website for a month, the author of the memo stated:"In any social organization, of which community is one, there will always Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-76279377234721770722008-02-18T20:14:00.004-06:002008-02-23T06:16:48.978-06:00BNR doesn't know what to think...until you tell them. They're withholding an opinion on Lance Alwin's performance pending the completion of the investigation. Stand for something or you'll fall for anything. I'm thinking of a word describing the BNR's position on the matter. Rhymes with jello. :(UPDATED!! Poll results inked in the BNR 2/23This question was on the BNR online poll, with the following selection of answers.The Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-92074419178314889742008-02-07T06:31:00.000-06:002008-02-07T19:00:40.133-06:00Alwin placed on paid leave-performance citedThe Baraboo School Board voted Monday to put School District Superintendent Lance Alwin on paid leave while an investigation is performed related to his job performance. Read about it here. Stay tuned for in-depth review and analysis.UPDATE: First, from the BNR website 2/7/08 at 5:55PM:most viewed (articles): - Baraboo school administrator put on paid leave - Storm doesn't stop bank robber - Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-62009189948489280522008-02-05T19:39:00.000-06:002008-12-10T09:02:49.176-06:00A picture...Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-55399243329939697712008-01-28T06:11:00.000-06:002008-01-28T19:02:54.149-06:00A Choice for School Board - At Last!We've already seen the "direction" and "help" over the last few years provided by the two incumbents running for the four open school board seats. Their voting history speaks for itself. What about the other four candidates, the new comers? Where do they stand on things?School board candidate Ed Mortimer provided his take on the January 19th BNR article about new phy-ed courses at the high schoolJay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-91190911934434964052008-01-07T21:06:00.000-06:002008-01-07T21:13:25.127-06:00Sad News...Well, one of my forecasts for 2008 didn't come true after all. The finalists for the Madison School District superintendent are from Green Bay, Racine, Miami-Dade, Boston, and Columbus, Ohio. Read about it here. It doesn't say whether or not Alwin was among the 25 applicants. While it's painful to be wrong, at least I'll admit it. It's much easier and relieving than covering up mistakes with lies.Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-79820002358445389522008-01-04T05:59:00.000-06:002008-12-10T09:02:49.411-06:00Six Candidates for Four School Board SeatsSource: Baraboo News Republic - 1/4/08Six candidates will compete for four spots on the Baraboo School Board on April 1, said Mary Howard, School District administrative assistant. Baraboo School Board members Gary Cummings and Judd Maxwell have filed candidacy papers to run for re-election. School Board members Mary Anne Stewart and Jill Ellinwood will not be running.Four other candidates have Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-72980949904581564472008-01-01T08:39:00.000-06:002008-01-01T08:42:15.555-06:00Happy New Year!Welcome to 2008. Time to set those resolutions in stone. It will be an interesting presidential election-school board election-leap year. Here’s my forecast for 2008:The presidential election will come down to Rudy vs. Obama. America needs leadership, and Rudy is the most proven candidate. Mitt will get caught up in some bad business deal, but will stick with the primary process to the end. Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-24725644808165274452007-12-30T19:01:00.000-06:002008-12-10T09:02:49.631-06:00WEAC - Another Milestone InitiativeToday's Wisconsin State Journal had an interesting article related to Wisconsin's Frankenstein veto. This priviledge is currently held by none other than our governor, "Diamond" Jim Doyle. The WI state assembly and senate have said "enough is enough" and it's time to remove the priviledge of the Frankenstein veto.Who is the lone supporter of Diamond Jim and his Frankenpen? WEAC. After all, they Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-57731132141918835952007-12-18T18:18:00.001-06:002007-12-18T18:20:34.996-06:00Hiss...In case you are considering voting for "the smartest woman in the world" for president (and no, Oprah isn't running), watch this first.Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-18056266843674209512007-12-16T09:04:00.000-06:002007-12-16T09:16:45.597-06:00Doyle Vetoes Virtual SchoolsGovernor "Diamond" Jim Doyle and his WEAC supporters were handed a victory December 5. WEAC professes, "Every child deserves a great school." Truth is, they want to indoctrinate our kids in person. (ie: We need more union due payers) WEAC used its most expensive political thug to maintain the stranglehold on school choice through Diamond Jim's veto pen last month. Educational options for kids whoJay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-79869822467549121812007-12-14T06:21:00.001-06:002007-12-14T06:33:46.035-06:00What was presented at the Capitol anyway?There were 62 people at last month's meeting on government education funding, and the BNR did an article stating that all but one spoke in favor of throwing more tax dollars at government schools.Here is the one who spoke against. The link is well worth the read.In summary: "Funding public education is not a revenue problem, it a local expenditure problem."Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-47792928205909290072007-12-10T06:27:00.000-06:002007-12-10T20:22:52.430-06:00Mandatory Union Education for Kids?Read a more complete article than printed in the BNR here. Ma Bell, head of WEAC, supports the bill. But why? After all, she stated she wanted to separate education from politics in a 9/15/07 feature article in the BNR. "Kids deserve great schools. Let's keep politics out of it." Bell went on, "In this spirit of renewal, let's decide that this new school year is the time to set politics aside Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-73032849445103164262007-12-07T06:37:00.000-06:002007-12-09T10:44:56.971-06:00School Board to Engage in Critical Thinking?Baraboo News Republic - Dec. 7, 2007Dateline: BarabooSuperintendent's contract on docket for February Baraboo School Board members will discuss Superintendent Lance Alwin's contract in February after voting against automatically extending his contract for another year earlier this week. The standard contract between a district administrator and the board provides for an automatic one-year Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-73554371332185703352007-12-04T20:06:00.000-06:002007-12-04T20:23:11.755-06:00The Lowering of the Bar/BoondoggleCourtesy of EdWeek.orgU.S. Students Fall Short in Math and ScienceTeenagers in a majority of industrialized nations far surpassed their American peers in mathematics in results that seem likely to add to recent consternation over U.S. students’ core academic skills. • America Idles on International Reading Test(December 4, 2007)Here's one take on the subject, supported by several different Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-75660779231289544182007-11-30T19:53:00.000-06:002007-11-30T21:05:34.573-06:00Do we have cooties?US News and World Report came out today with the best high schools in the country. See the Wisconsin schools listed here. The following counties are adjacent to Sauk County: Adams, Columbia, Dane, Iowa, Juneau, Richland, and Vernon. While I'm not sure how many high schools are in this geographic area, there are well over 500,000 people (maybe 750,000?) within it. Think of all the tax dollars Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-55048547130170093252007-11-30T05:57:00.000-06:002007-11-30T07:23:12.020-06:00...and the beat goes on...According to today's BNR, Mr. Mering is a committee member on Baraboo Community Ed, "an organization that advocates for public education." Further into the article, readers can get the school district's administrative spin from Ritzenthaler and Schwarz, the same two administrators that tried peddling the last referendum at town hall meetings. More doom and gloom about "reduced or eliminated Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6007956233950534011.post-9468438948189242162007-11-19T16:35:00.000-06:002008-12-10T09:02:49.808-06:00For those traveling this holiday weekOccasionally, humor is in order...Safe and happy travels to all.Jay Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09890518359229300926noreply@blogger.com0