Challenge Day Canceled For Good
Good.
The anti-bullying program scheduled to take place at West Bend High School this month was canceled — again.
“Challenge Day” at West Bend High Schools will not be taking place — in any capacity — district administrators said Wednesday.
Three daylong workshops for students were originally slated for Feb. 16 to Feb. 18 and were to be funded entirely by a state Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse grant.
It’s good because this was a program fraught with concerns that weren’t properly vetted.
But because a nonrefundable deposit of $12,800 was been invested in the program, district officials were working with event organizers to devise an alternative, staff-focused program.
After an in-depth review of the program’s materials and further communication with Challenge Day representatives, the district decided to again cancel the program.
“We really were not satisfied with the end product,” said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Ted Neitzke.
The district is obligated to reimburse the grant.
So here we have a situation where a program that never should have been approved was scheduled and dollars were committed. The superintendent canceled it because it didn’t go through the proper process. If the taxpayers are going to be stuck with a $12,800 bill, will anyone at the district be held accountable? Who approved it? Who decided to spend nearly $13,000 without following protocol? Will they be reprimanded or fired?
You want names?
According to the superintendent, Maryjane Burdge, Ted Neitzke, and Kathy Zarling were involved with putting this together. Will they be held accountable for their incompetence in this matter? Time will tell.
Owen, how many more times must people ask questions about who will be held accountable before they realize the answer is always ‘no one’? This has been going on for decades. People get mad about the lack of accountability and then rush out and vote for new government parasites because they promise more accountability. It never happens. So people get mad again and say the same catch phrases about accountability and the process repeats itself.
Just because the yard signs look different doesn’t mean the politician they’re promoting is.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 0930 hrs
This question was answered earlier. There are no taxpayer dollars involved.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1103 hrs
All schools are funded by taxpayer dollars. Whether it’s city, state or the feds, it’s taxpayer dollars that fund it.
Unless West Bend has a magic money tree growing somewhere I’m unaware of.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1126 hrs
Exactly. They are taxpayer dollars. Just because it’s a grant from the state doesn’t mean that taxpayers aren’t paying for it.
Posted by Owen on February 18, 2010 at 1129 hrs
This question was answered earlier. There are no taxpayer dollars involved.
This is the mentality that pervades our society today…. “oooh, it’s state money, we better spend it and spend it quick, because its not coming out of my pocket.” I wonder if ANON ever even bothers to look at the bottom of a receipt at the sales tax number tacked on to his/her purchases, or bothers to notice that he/she has to file a state income tax return as well as federal….
This is precisely how we have gotten ourselves into the kind of debt that we are facing. I wonder if ANON even realizes the dire financial straights that this state is facing over the next few years? This is $13,000.00 that should be going to pay for the zoo interchange, or widening I43 between milwaukee and mequon…. You know a project that has a potential ROI?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1135 hrs
As I understand it, anon, the taxpayers of the school district will be paying for the program that didn’t happen. The state wants its money back because the program did not run. It would not have directly cost the school district anything if they had run the program, but, by not running it, they will pay.
Maryjane Burdge, Ted Neitzke, and Kathy Zarling are unlikely to have been the people who all signed the contract without authority even if they put the program together. I do understand why districts have rules about these things, but the rules generally apply in a way that the vendor cannot make a claim if the contract was not authorized. I expect to see more interesting results from this yet.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1138 hrs
Where the hell was Pat while all this was going on?? Last time I looked she was hired to run the place!!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1214 hrs
TttM,
If you read the article, it appears that the school board hasn’t bothered with checking targeted expenditures that were funded by external grants since it didn’t come out of the general budget. It appears that the administrators understood that they had blanket approval to engage in such contracts. The article tells us that “Previously the board was notified, but not in all cases, and, as a courtesy.” Apparently the board didn’t care about those things, whether they should have or not. Well, it’s costing the school district $12,800 to have the board change their minds about how this should be done in practice.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1226 hrs
MJ Burdge is retired. How did she get involved in this, and where would she get authority to do so?
At any rate, the $12,800 must be looked at like this - lost money. Money that could have been used for something beneficial, but now is gone, gone, gone….. A real shame.
Posted by GAMazy on February 18, 2010 at 1338 hrs
Sunk cost - but those who signed up for such an unworthy program should be disciplined appropriately.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1345 hrs
That $12,800 could have been used to help “teach the controversy” of evolution vs. Creationism. It could have been used to make “Just Say No” shirts. It could have been used to teach kids that it’s OK to not accept homosexuals if it’s a core tenant of your religion.
Shame shame shame that this money is gone gone gone.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1519 hrs
How many of us in the private sector could make a $12,800 mistake and not fear any ramifications, not to mention failure to follow standard operating procedure.
Is management gutless, have they no power over these people. Who is running the farm?Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1530 hrs
Crusher,
Here’s a comment from another post, but shows the attitude of the Teachers and Staff.
Smeety, If we as teachers have it so good, get your application in to district central. If you are not licensed, just add a couple years to your undergrad, go to school as a baccalaureate, and get your teaching certificate. Then, beat out the other 100 applicants. That’s all you have to do to get “signed up”.
Pat won’t hold herself accountable, much less her Staff- Total arrogance!
Rather than thanking us, these jokers just want more and give us the finger.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1616 hrs
D.W.,
#12 In the private sector, you could tell the people calling in to “Get Bent.”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 1639 hrs
It’s just taxpayer’s money, no big deal. Look what Pe lousy spends on travel and liquor on the taxpayer’s dime. The way these people look at tax dollars is pretty much the same from the lowest division of Government to the top, and the culture of waste and theft that’s been created is epidemic.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 18, 2010 at 2227 hrs
Scott,
Isn’t it painful to be that cynical?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 0725 hrs
Jay said, “...how many more times must people ask questions about who will be held accountable before they realize the answer is always ‘no one’?”
So let’s not get sidetracked with the obvious loss of $$$. Who exactly is responsible, and what is being done to hold them accountable? Actions = consequences.
What say you, Kris?
Posted by GAMazy on February 19, 2010 at 0853 hrs
Painful to realize the truth? Yes! But it allows me to see what is going on and reminds me that no matter what, Governments entities can not be trusted. I no longer feel I am merely paying my fair share on April 15th, but rather I’m having my pockets rummaged through and my shoes checked to make sure I’m not hiding extra money somewhere. At some point you have to pull your head out of the sand and understand the Government isn’t a compassionate friend, but more like a bully who doesn’t give a damn about those they constantly torment. If no one is to be held accountable for wasting nearly $13,000 in school funds from a district that constantly yammers about being underfunded, then obviously there is enough money operate with, with some to spare. And if they can afford to spend $70.00 an hour on a part time administrator they must have more money than they know what to do with. How do you know when someone asking for more of your money in taxes is lying? Their lips are moving.
DON’T PISS ON MY HEAD AND TELL ME IT’S RAINING.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 0949 hrs
As a parent of a high school student I asked to sit in and observe the training for Challenge Day. Ted Neitzke told me that I would not be allowed to observe the training. No explanation. After pressing the issue he sent me an email which stated:
“I have cancled the Challnge Day training. There was not enough interest amongst staff.”
The explanation given to Owen was: ” After an in-depth review of the program’s materials and further communication with Challenge Day representatives, the district decided to again cancel the program.
“We really were not satisfied with the end product,” said Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Ted Neitzke.
Which is it? Any WHY is it so difficult to get a straight answer from this school district? Don’t they work FOR US?
Owen, I loved the post “Too Late to Apologize”!
Mary
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1047 hrs
Mary,
So it’s finally cancelled and now you are upset that two different people gave two different answers as to why? Had they each given the same answer you would be talking about how there is some conspiracy, everyone is telling the same story and that can’t possibly be the REAL story.
I personally wold LOVE to see your husband elected to the board so everyone can skewer him and hold him personally responsible for every mistake the board makes.
Love ya, don’t change.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1059 hrs
Sorry - the same person gave the different answers, but still, does it really matter? Will you ever be happy? Maybe, JUST MAYBE, BOTH are true? Maybe the staff wasn’t interested because they weren’t happy with the end product?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1102 hrs
I think their answer about “not being satisfied with the end product” is interesting. Ted continued to tell me that Challenge Day was a good thing and wanted me to view their public relations DVD in lieu of observing the training. I told him I wanted to see what it was really about and attend something that was publicly funded in a school my child attends. He did not want to allow that. It concerned me.
I never asked for Challenge Day to be canceled. I only asked Mrs. Schug, East Principal, about it. I looked at the unaltered website for Challenge Day and was concerned. We send our child to the high school to be EDUCATED, and not RE-EDUCATED. I never heard back from her until it was canceled. No explanation.
Was it a board problem? My understanding is that the administration used their authority to go ahead and do this without anyone else knowing about it. Again, concerning.
I am still trying to figure it all out too, but it seems the administration has moved on to other things…..........or at least wants to.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1140 hrs
Pope,-“I personally wold LOVE to see your husband elected to the board so everyone can skewer him and hold him personally responsible for every mistake the board makes.”
So are you saying your voting for Weigand? -AWESOME!
I think you’ve made a terrific choice, welcome!Lynn and Kathy don’t stand a chance!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1150 hrs
Mary,
You know, there is a good business op for you in all this. You and Dave ought to start a company that is the counter point to Challenge Day. Call it Avoidance Day. You can teach kids how to harass people with different beliefs, that your version of creation is the only truth, that being straight is a choice… The way things are headed in this country you guys could really clean up at $13k a pop.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1155 hrs
Yup, I totally support Dave simply for the amusement it will provide.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1159 hrs
Hey Pope,
Welcome to the team!
But, For someone who wants to preach tolerance and understanding to our kids, you sure are angry and judgmental. Might be time for the Pope to get to church.Hopefully you’ll feel better after you vote for Weigand.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1217 hrs
All, please stop feeding the troll named Pope.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1220 hrs
Oh I’m not angry at all! Really! I would like to see Dave have a crack at things just to see how Mary/Ginny (and to a lesser extent Owen) will change their tune once their boy is in. Since Ginny’s library book moving efforts fizzled out like a weak fart (altho with a much longer lingering stench) and Mary was denied by Tyree as well, West Bend’s only hope to remain interesting is to get Dave on the school board.
VOTE WEIGAND!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1516 hrs
VOTE WEIGAND!
How kind of you, PJ! I’m sure the Weigand’s are happy with a vote from even YOU!
P.S. - Don’t forget to tell your congregation!
Posted by GAMazy on February 19, 2010 at 1622 hrs
No problem Ginny!
“Keep West Bend Interesting - Vote Weigand”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 19, 2010 at 1723 hrs
Total Entries: 19997
Total Comments: 134029
Most Recent Entry: 05/24/2012 06:25 am
Most Recent Comment on: 05/24/2012 03:59 pm
Total Members: 9751
Total Logged in members: 0
Total guests: 102
Total anonymous users: 0
Most Recent Visitor on: 05/24/2012 04:40 pm
The most visitors ever was 538 on 12/01/2007 02:11 pm
Protected and licensed under a Creative Commons License (some rights reserved).