Recordpub.com - Parents, board member at odds with Waterloo superintendent Group questions security, policies, class offerings

By Deborah Guziak
Record-Courier staff writer
More than 50 parents in the Waterloo school district have joined together to air concerns about school operations, including what they say is a lack of security and the lack of advance placement classes. They also say district policies are not applied consistently.
"Our numbers are growing," said Melanie Perry, who coordinates the meetings. "People are upset with what's going on. We're trying to get things changed."
Some say Waterloo Superintendent Robert Wolf isn't returning phone calls or answering their questions about the concerns they have raised.
"Our levy will never pass until they realize it is not just about the levy, but it is about how the community has lost trust in our school system," said Marjorie Johnson, an Atwater resident. "Questions are not answered. Money is not accounted for. People, including the board members, are bullied and harassed by our own superintendent. Something needs to be done and soon."
Wolf did not return several phone calls requesting comment for this story.
Among the parents' concerns is school security.
Several parents who attended a parents' meeting in March said they were able to enter the school buildings and wander the halls.
"You can just walk in," Perry said. "They don't give you a badge or anything."
Waterloo Board of Education member Denny Hopp, who has been at odds with Wolf, agrees with the concern over security.
"Some people say they don't want their kids locked down," Hopp said. "Some don't want the schools locked because it'll damage the "rural, country-like atmosphere.' Security needs to be addressed. Times have changed."
Hopp said there have been incidents at the high school in which students have found dead animals and feces in their vehicles. He believes this is being done by a couple of students who leave the building during the school day.
"We need to control who comes into the building and why," he said. "We also need to keep the kids in."
Hopp and the parents also are concerned that the district does not offer Advanced Placement classes.
"Kent State and Akron U said it is very difficult to get into the Honors College or get honors scholarships without AP classes," Hopp said. "We've been asking why we don't do them? Why don't we have them? We can't get any answers."
Hopp said he was told by Wolf that an AP class could be started with a one-time cost of $1,000.
"We already have the college class books. We have teachers willing to get the certification. (He) keeps saying that our district is too small to have AP classes," Hopp said. "I'm willing to pay the cost out of my own pocket to give the kids an opportunity."
Hopp pointed to the Rootstown district, which has the same number of students as Waterloo. Rootstown High School offers four AP classes as well as honors classes. The Rootstown district also has a lower "per pupil" cost than Waterloo school district.
"Their administration has been able to figure out how to provide an advanced education to the students within their community," Hopp wrote in a statement to Wolf in mid-April. "We have the teachers that are extremely talented and can easily teach these classes, yet we will not use this talent to the fullest."
Wolf and Hopp have publicly aired their differences in an exchange that began when Wolf criticized Hopp in a recent superintendent's report to the school board.
Wolf said Hopp is unwilling to work as a board member. Wolf called Hopp's actions "inappropriate, embarrassing, uninformed and irresponsible."
"In my 21 years as superintendent, I have not worked with a new board member who had a personal agenda and caused so much dissension on the board as now," Wolf wrote in the report, which he said was "for board members only," but is in fact a public record.
"Continued comments regarding AP classes and weighted grades reflects an unwillingness to accept the consensus opinion of the board," Wolf wrote. "I have explained what we do and why we do it that way regarding our current educational program at the high school. The ability of our students to take the AP test as an option without restricting enrollment of the course offers important flexibility."
Wolf also wrote that weighted grades raise too many issues for the district at this time. He also wrote the district should not undertake another major project at this time, but instead, the board's efforts should be concentrated on passing an operating levy.
Hopp said he has no personal agenda.
"Am I not allowed to bring questions in front of the board that were requested by the community?" Hopp wrote in response to Wolf. "For you to say that you should not be questioned on your activities is completely irresponsible."
"Please understand that the superintendent position reports to the board. The board reports to the community. The community is my boss and I must discuss their issues. That is why they elected me," Hopp responded to Wolf. "We cannot consider recommendations from the superintendent without considering community issues also. ... I truly believe that we are treating our community as second-class citizens and do not care what they think. When I was campaigning for this position, I said that I would listen to the community. I keep my promises."
Perry said Hopp brings community questions and concerns to the board.
"He tries to get answers to our questions," she said.
The Waterloo Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Andrew C. Herchek Media Center, 1464 Industry Road, Atwater.

Posted by whatintheworld May 9, 2008

At the board meeting last night some new community members came that were obviously informed of PART of the story about certain issues. The fact Mr. Big Community member who came to their first meeting, that those mentioned in the above article that speak about security have spoken with administration previously. For months and months and months. With nothing. Slam on the community members as you may, but this is not about one name or one person and your demanding to know who the person was, was quite immature. How about asking why this even gets to be in the paper - ask the school board and see why they haven't done anything.

And your gesture of donating $1,000 to the school for security is also a mis-informed decision on your part. The fact is that the school just spent over $50,000 in Dec 2007 on new security equipment. They have no problem spending the money, its just the follow-thru they can't seem to grasp. Give that money to the teachers for use in the classroom, because in this, and so many other cases, the problem that exists, CANNOT BE BOUGHT.
I will continue to give to the school in ways I see fit, and will not rise up to you challenge of giving money to the school for something so 'unspecific' and unnecessary as security equipment. Maybe your donation can go towards paying the deputies from the sheriff's office that were outside from 7 until the meeting was done.
Some of your words are well received and you share our concerns, but I urge you to become fully educated on what is really going on before jumping to conclusions.

Posted by whatintheworld May 7, 2008

I think, when I hear someone say they've had 'backlash' from other community members over attending an open meeting that this is obsurd.
People in this town are SHOCKED that you don't care what others think of you. I actually had the same backlash from a family member. was I suprised or hurt? NO. I am not doing this for anyone but me and my kids. I do not need permission and I will not be quiet for anyone.

Understand that there are still alot of adult issues to deal with in this situation. Like: 1.) violation of the sunshine laws, too many to count 2.) passive-agressive attitudes that exist 3.) stigmas about our school, the leadership and finding out how to change it.

The community members that have allowed themselves to be scrutinized for the sake of their children: please do not give up. You are a select few who do not place importance on your status and friendships first, because if you did, you would have never spoken out. Surely not in this town where having a voice and making a few waves, whether or not people support you, can cost you socially. I commend you, though, for putting your children first; you are brave. You have support from many staff, teachers and community that cannot/willnot speak up.

I am not sure what to think of the letter from former superintendent Erickson, but find that his words are true and genuine. I thank you sir for sending your support to the community and to the administration. As a community member, I will tell you that I agree with every word of your opinion.

Posted by craftydyanne May 6, 2008

This was also in the paper today.
Opinions
Former Waterloo school chief urges unity

May 6, 2008
From 1978 to 1987, I served as superintendent of the Waterloo Local Schools. It was a challenging, yet extremely rewarding time in a career of more than 40 years. In the beginning, the citizens were divided on their attitude toward the school district. There were some contentious board of education meetings.
Eventually, however, the focus of those in the school district and the community was shifted to what we all could do to provide the best possible education for the boys and girls and young adults we served with the resources we had.
During those years, the community residents approved three operating levies and three bond issues. They were not always approved on the first vote, but they were approved so the district could move forward.
Jim Sikler, then superintendent of the Streetsboro City Schools, and I initiated meetings with Kent State University to offer college credit to outstanding high school students.
The staff recommended and the school board approved changes in the science program. In two of the final three years of my service, Waterloo High School students were the top award winners in science fair projects in all of Northeast Ohio.
My point is that by working together, many great things can happen for the students and the school district.
In closing, my hope is that every effort is made in the months ahead to secure passage of an operating levy so that the students can continue to receive a quality education. If it happens, everyone in the community can be proud of the Waterloo Local Schools.
George Erickson
Foxfire Village, N.C.