Posted By: Gloria M. Anderson
There are many reasons to support public education. However in Okemos, there is a stronger need to clean house of those individuals who live by threats and intimidation and shame education for those of us who were proud of our vocation and years of service. Materials are abundant from the last two years of Freedom of Information Requests, contact and in consultation with many officials at the Michigan Department of Education and the State of Michigan's offices of Campaign Finance, and Attorney General.
When citizens want to get serious about taking back the school system for your children, there are a tremendous amount of actions without litigation that can be done. Stay informed, or the 4-5 women who run the district will continue to take the monies raised by your student's to do the bidding of central office. These same women are telling parents they are not welcomed to join PTOs and the OEF president will call you at home if you write the school board or superintendent with an opinion that is your own.
This is what has become of the Okemos public school system. Shame on anyone that lets this continue. All of the technology in the world cannot replace the soul of what was a wonderful place to raise and educate our children.
Oh, and for the record, the complainant did win the lawsuit. The district was TOLD to settle. This case is in the books. Read the transcripts; they are public domain. The Board went through a training on the Open Meetings Act on September 18, 2006. They refuse to use new Board policies to the fullest intent. 32 new policies were written and signed into affect in July, 2006. They were written for the betterment of the district and your children. Hopefully, the next Supintendent will follow them like Mr. Tresize's boss in Lansing does. It is amazing to watch Lansing, East Lansing and Haslett school board meetings. Tune in and see what you are missing. And then we have ours. Keep thinking and asking tough questions. It wasn't always like this and our children have always been as successful as their families and support systems.
Sincerely,
My name is Gloria M. Anderson