I think this is very premature. Matters of employment cannot and will not be discussed with the membership due to California law. I only know this because I was on the Board many years ago when another contract was not renewed. No details can be revealved. That being said, Kelly, I think you are completely out of line talking about bullying and things of that nature. You were not in this class and you are not aware of what went on in class or at the Board meetings so I think that is very unfair to the parents and the Board. Saying she is bullied is very serious today. Get your facts before you start pointing fingers at anyone.
K
kathleen nagel
12 years ago
I was not aware I was signing the petition, I was just commenting
K
Kelly
12 years ago
Kathleen you probably pushed it over the edge. Be a little nicer.
U
Ursula d'Angelo
12 years ago
I don't know Mrs. Botting very well nor was my son in her class this year. I also don't pretend to understand what went on or precisely why she has been asked to leave. Perhaps the specifics of her employment cannot be discussed with membership as per CA law, but that does not mean that this issue should not be discussed at all with the membership, especially if the Board did not follow protocol by working with Mrs. Botting to address the concerns that were obviously present in the classroom. Why, Kathleen, is this a premature discussion? When then should we discuss it? Next fall after the board had selected a new teacher? It seems entirely relevant to be having a conversation about this now. If the membership majority feels as though the Board's call to remove Mrs. Botting was incorrect, then why shouldn't we have every right to reverse it? I feel that it is entirely appropriate to bring this issue to the full membership now as is being done, if only to keep accusations relevant to the issues at hand and the conversation civil.
S
Steve Ladrech
12 years ago
One of the difficult aspects of the parent advocate in a classroom is that the parent is advocating from a very passionate and personal perspective. It is very difficult to separate oneself from the wanting/demanding the very best for "my" child as I see it and the role of stewarding/managing the school itself. This is why all good/great schools have a very strong Principal who filters the complaints and presents those that have merit and relevance in the most effective and productive manner. Those complaints that are not valid or meaningful enough are filtered out and the parent is educated and supported as best is possible. In many cases, a strong minded/demanding/angry parent is never satisfied. That does not mean that a school should change its philosophy or its principles because some or many parents are concerned. A teacher is hired because they show the potential to manifest what you want from a teacher. After that a good school nurtures and supports that teacher until they demonstrate that it is not possible for them to be the teacher you require. Our issue as a cooperative is that there is no such Principal. We require a cooperative advisory process that is much more demanding of time and patience. The managers of the school and not her professionally and are here only temporarily as they advocate for their child. I am not saying that altruism is not possible or somewhat present. I just do not see it in this case.
K
kathleen nagel
12 years ago
You called people in our class bullies and I don't think that was fair or kind especially considering you don't know many of us at all. Name calling is not going to help.
K
kathleen nagel
12 years ago
I felt it was premature to post a petition when we had not even heard from the President yet.
K
kathleen nagel
12 years ago
I don't think it is wise to try and determine who feels one way or another without speaking to people individually. My comment on this petition board was to give you my experience from the past in terms of what information we will be allowed to hear in a public forum and to try and stand up for the parents in my class that didn't deserve to be called a bullies.
R
Ria Christensen
12 years ago
Kelly, what offended you in this statement? I didn't read anything that "pushed it over the edge" and there certainly isn't anything unkind about it?
K
kathleen nagel
12 years ago
Kelly you are now stating I did something to fast track Ms. Botting out of the school? I am hopeful that I misunderstood your last comment.
R
Rob Gardner
12 years ago
Featured
I saw Mrs. Botting quite a bit after I picked up my son and she was so nice and always had a smile on her face... I just don't understand how this decision could have been made. My last day at housing and maintenance I overheard some of the parents talking about how great Mrs. Botting was and how they were looking forward to having their children in her class. A week later I heard she was no longer going to be at CPC... It should not take just one or two people to change a life. I feel that everyone should have been on board with this decision.
We so Love Mrs.Botting!!!
Let Mrs. Botting teach!
LET MRS. BOTTING TEACH
I think this is very premature. Matters of employment cannot and will not be discussed with the membership due to California law. I only know this because I was on the Board many years ago when another contract was not renewed. No details can be revealved. That being said, Kelly, I think you are completely out of line talking about bullying and things of that nature. You were not in this class and you are not aware of what went on in class or at the Board meetings so I think that is very unfair to the parents and the Board. Saying she is bullied is very serious today. Get your facts before you start pointing fingers at anyone.
I was not aware I was signing the petition, I was just commenting
Kathleen you probably pushed it over the edge. Be a little nicer.
I don't know Mrs. Botting very well nor was my son in her class this year. I also don't pretend to understand what went on or precisely why she has been asked to leave. Perhaps the specifics of her employment cannot be discussed with membership as per CA law, but that does not mean that this issue should not be discussed at all with the membership, especially if the Board did not follow protocol by working with Mrs. Botting to address the concerns that were obviously present in the classroom. Why, Kathleen, is this a premature discussion? When then should we discuss it? Next fall after the board had selected a new teacher? It seems entirely relevant to be having a conversation about this now. If the membership majority feels as though the Board's call to remove Mrs. Botting was incorrect, then why shouldn't we have every right to reverse it? I feel that it is entirely appropriate to bring this issue to the full membership now as is being done, if only to keep accusations relevant to the issues at hand and the conversation civil.
One of the difficult aspects of the parent advocate in a classroom is that the parent is advocating from a very passionate and personal perspective. It is very difficult to separate oneself from the wanting/demanding the very best for "my" child as I see it and the role of stewarding/managing the school itself. This is why all good/great schools have a very strong Principal who filters the complaints and presents those that have merit and relevance in the most effective and productive manner. Those complaints that are not valid or meaningful enough are filtered out and the parent is educated and supported as best is possible. In many cases, a strong minded/demanding/angry parent is never satisfied. That does not mean that a school should change its philosophy or its principles because some or many parents are concerned. A teacher is hired because they show the potential to manifest what you want from a teacher. After that a good school nurtures and supports that teacher until they demonstrate that it is not possible for them to be the teacher you require. Our issue as a cooperative is that there is no such Principal. We require a cooperative advisory process that is much more demanding of time and patience. The managers of the school and not her professionally and are here only temporarily as they advocate for their child. I am not saying that altruism is not possible or somewhat present. I just do not see it in this case.
You called people in our class bullies and I don't think that was fair or kind especially considering you don't know many of us at all. Name calling is not going to help.
I felt it was premature to post a petition when we had not even heard from the President yet.
I don't think it is wise to try and determine who feels one way or another without speaking to people individually. My comment on this petition board was to give you my experience from the past in terms of what information we will be allowed to hear in a public forum and to try and stand up for the parents in my class that didn't deserve to be called a bullies.
Kelly, what offended you in this statement? I didn't read anything that "pushed it over the edge" and there certainly isn't anything unkind about it?
Kelly you are now stating I did something to fast track Ms. Botting out of the school? I am hopeful that I misunderstood your last comment.
I saw Mrs. Botting quite a bit after I picked up my son and she was so nice and always had a smile on her face... I just don't understand how this decision could have been made. My last day at housing and maintenance I overheard some of the parents talking about how great Mrs. Botting was and how they were looking forward to having their children in her class. A week later I heard she was no longer going to be at CPC... It should not take just one or two people to change a life. I feel that everyone should have been on board with this decision.