Comments on: MDUSD contract extensions, bylaws and Points of Order

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:23:20 +0000

At Monday’s meeting, Hansen volunteered to donate her stipend to help fund the televising of board meetings. Perhaps that will mean she won’t be able to donate to UMDAF anymore, if the board takes her up on her offer.

Regarding what most parents do, I haven’t seen a Northgate Bronco’s Athletic Booster sticker on Lawrence’s red truck. Maybe his wife’s car has one.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:20:04 +0000

Don’t forget Cheryl Hansen donated her stipend to UMDAF . . .

But Lawrence hasn’t done more than most other parents . . .

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:20:16 +0000

Dr. Alan Young, the former associate superintendent whose position was eliminated after Eberhart and Whitmarsh were elected (and who was recruited by former Superintendent Gary McHenry) worked with UMDAF to keep sports alive in the district after the board eliminated funding for it.
Former board candidate and UMDAF member Jeff Adams was a strong force in proposing that the board accept some financial responsibility for sports this year, which has helped the low-income students to whom the UMDAF rep referred in his Monday comments.
Superintendent Steven Lawrence’s wife, who is a Northgate parent, helped drum up support for the UMDAF 5k run, but I’m not sure if the family participated. Lawrence’s daughter plays volleyball. Lawrence played water polo in high school, he told the PAC at its last meeting. Lawrence also attended the UMDAF auction fundraiser that was held at the Pyramid Brewery.
Former interim superintendent Dick Nicoll prevously ran the 5k and posted a pretty good time, as I recall.

By: Wait a minute

Wait a minute — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:09:00 +0000

If it hadn’t been for CVCHS’s Pat Middendorf’s tireless work to raise funds for athletics UMDAF wouldn’t even be relevant anymore since without money their can be no athletics.

Nice to know they are now a political front for all the stupidity that is going on here.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:43:32 +0000

Employee#45-Theresa put the video on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTaBv7VbquY&context=C4ec1372ADvjVQa1PpcFN_iQ2YF2MUL_vguM3ElIVqjbSVHaudAwg= and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tFTznvBNQ&context=C4afa03dADvjVQa1PpcFN_iQ2YF2MULweR38qIBKJOlcmRXzF_s1c=

By: Doctor J

Doctor J — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:26:06 +0000

@Employee#45 I have asked with no answer — why are ALL of the Boy’s Basketball coaches at Northgate “vacant” ?

By: Mdusd Employee

Mdusd Employee — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:23:32 +0000

I was stunned to read of UMDAF’s support of Lawrence. Athletics were already defunded when Lawrence got here and they are still dependent on a shrinking number of people willing to raise money to keep athletics going. Lawrence has done nothing to help them. As for me, I’ve donated to, participated in, and supported UMDAF but if they wish to support Lawrence, not any more.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:14:35 +0000

Seriously: It was my impression that the district was relying on bond counsel Meredith Johnson’s opinion. I don’t know if it was an official opinion or just a verbal assurance. As our editorial pointed out, the new bond structure contradicts what voters were told in the ballot tax rate statement and impartial analysis. At the time, that appeared to be why the district claimed it was locked into that structure, even after opponents objected to it. I don’t know what changed to make them decide they could change it now. The Times has asked the district for the legal basis of the decision.

By: Hell Freezing Over

Hell Freezing Over — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:02:22 +0000

And while the students and teachers wait and wait and wait for technology & 21st century classrooms, district staff is enjoying brand spanking new iPads complete with cases.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:30:24 +0000

Homeowners do the math!!-instead of making a second attempt for a parcel tax that was flat rate $99, Lawrence sold us on a bond with exorbitant interest that for a modest $400,000 house for example is $240 and now increasing to $356 and soon $380. The increase alone is more than the parcel tax would have been! If we can’t make payments then we risk foreclosure and for what? We were promised technology and 21st century classrooms-where is the plan? We’ve had a textbook shortage, books falling apart, and teachers at impasse, to name a few of many problems. Someone should follow up with the mom-of-3 and the UMDAF president who spoke in favor of Lawrence’s contract extension to find out if they can do the math!!