April 20, 2009 PPS Big Ideas Q & A offers some insight into the future.  Pull your wallets out because it will require BIG BUDGETS.

Q9: Is high school redesign leading to a facilities bond for PPS?

YES. However, to make any decisions about high school buildings, we must make decisions about the programs within those buildings.  How many high school buildings do we need?  What size, and where?  Should they include special spaces such as labs, workshops and performance space?  This high school design conversation will answer those questions and allow us to finalize a long-range facilities plan for PPS that includes high schools. [Read more →]

Marshall small school principal Fred Locke showed up at last night’s community meeting to plead with the community to please, please support his dream of a focus school at Marshall.  The crowd overwhelmingly said NO.  They don’t want a small school at Marshall.

Give it up Fred.  Your dream is Marshall’s nightmare. 

If you want to be king of a small focus school, start your search here.

I’ve heard several stories of PPS retaliating against employees for speaking out just in the last couple of weeks.  I experienced that myself when working in PPS HR department.  I’d gone to the superintendent to complain of a hostile work environment and employment discrimination and a few weeks later my position was cut.  Imagine that.  

People need to fight back.  Here are some links that provide information about employee rights: 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) 

EEOC – Retaliation

Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) - Civil Rights Complaint Process 

BOLI – Whistleblowing

1-800-MIS-USED

I’m tired of PPS claims that they can’t do things because they don’t have the money.  PPS is arguing that the district needs to close high schools because they don’t have the $4.5 million necessary to create equitable programs districtwide.  Bullshit.  They need to quit wasting money and be honest in how they use it.  

The Office of the Inspector General is the government agency responsible for investigating fraud, waste or abuse of Department of Education funds.  Anyone suspecting fraud, waste or abuse of federal funds can report it anonymously and there are whistleblower protections for employees.