Pasco teachers declare impasse in negotiations

Two weeks before the superintendent's election, the United School Employees of Pasco has notified the Public Employee Relations Commission that it can't reach an agreement with the administration over this year's contract. It wants a special magistrate to help resolve matters.

"I think the superintendent's unwillingness to make good on her promises to guarantee employee benefits and to continually delay financial negotiations is disingenuous at best," USEP president Lynne Webb said in a news release.

Webb noted that that contract talks were scheduled to resume Wednesday, but superintendent Heather Fiorentino's team told the USEP that the earliest the district would return to the table is Oct. 31, after official student counts are reported to the state.

"These are the district's own numbers," Webb said. "Surely the district must have some confidence in its ability to count heads and can come close enough to make an initial response to USEP's economic proposal."

Fiorentino told the Gradebook she was surprised to receive written notices that the union had declared an  impasse after returning from a staff meeting.

"I thought we had at least agreed to talk and disagree," Fiorentino said, suggesting the timing might have something to do with the upcoming election.

The USEP PAC has endorsed challenger Stephen Donaldson against Fiorentino.

*

Comments

[To Oct 21 @ 5:55]

See? They have promised the benefits, but they won't sign that part of the contract. I think you owe the teachers on this board an apology, and that's a FACT!

[interesting]

There was a district email sent last Friday (after every school was done for the week) advising us that "The District Insurance Committee made a recommendation on a package that was approved by the Board on September 2, 2008. The package provides 100% of the cost of employees’ core benefits and reflects the exact same coverage and cost to employees that was provided last year. For clarification, this “employee only” package includes coverage for medical, pharmacy, dental, employee assistance program, mental health/substance abuse, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance and the annual $150 in flex dollars. Even though this coverage comes at an added annual cost to the District of $191.61 per employee, the Board has committed to absorbing this cost without increasing employee contributions."

Yet HF's negotiating team won't make a sign of good faith by signing off on the benefits portion of the new contract. The same "negotiating" team that refuses to meet with the union negotiators and acts in the most unprofessional ways imaginable (see Gail Spector's letter to the editor) when they do deign to sit at the table.

Makes you wonder why. Is HF planning on ignoring the wishes of the Board yet again and reneging on that promise, but waiting until after the election to do so?

After skimming these Blogs its easy to see.........HF can't make it to negotiations because she is too busy fighting with her split personalities on here.

[Patrick Kent]

Sorry for some of the typos. I was a little distracted because I am watching the Rays game at the same time as I was writing this and the Rays just came back and tied it up. Go Rays!

[Patrick Kent]

Dear Mr. Hobbes, Mr. Solocheck and the Voting Public,
I agree with Pat C. In the written form, words lose the verbal nuances of the spoken word. In this format you really have to be upfront in your views, otherwise your comments can be misconstrued and used against you by those who you are arguing against. I agree with you, the thoughtless waste of taxpayers money must stop. The Official Republican Party flier that I received in the mail is a Prime example of the kind of character that Scarf Girl has. There are for statements of accomplishments on this flier: "1) Heather has MORE THAN 20 years teaching experience 2) Under Heather's Leadership Pasco Schools have been designated an "A" district 3) Pasco's dropout rate has declined 37% 4) Pasco's Teachers Embrace Professional Standards, providing accountability and improving performance." Lie #1: Stating that she has MORE THAN 20 years Teaching Experience is a huge lie. Please show me the years and payroll stubs for all of Scarf Girl's Classroom Teaching Experience. She does not have MORE THAN 20 years of teaching experience. This statement directly contradicts the October 15, 2004 article when The St. Pete Times C.T. Bowen, Pasco editor of editorials, recommended Scarf Girl for Superintendent. CT Bowen wrote, "Fiorentino is a 14-year teacher and a three-term legislator who chaired the Florida House of Representatives' General Education Committee." Where does Scarf Girl get the 7 plus years of extra teaching experience that would make her statements on the Official Republican Party flier true? How does she get 7 plus years of teachinexperiencece from the St. Pete Times reporte 14 years of teaching experience in 2004? That would make it 20011, but last time I checked it is 2008. And don't tell me about special assignments. When you present yourself as having more than 20 years teaching experience you are presenting an image to the public as a teacher in a classroom filled with students. After Scarf Girl gets done equivocatingng her answer to this issue she will define what "is" means. #2 is True. #3-What years did this 37% dropout rate occur? When this claim is made it makes it appear to the reader that Scarfity must have done this for all 4 of Scarf Girl's administration. Not true. Lies. What data did Scarfatino use? How did Scarf Girl reach this number? Show us the proof behind your Fuzzy Math Manipulation Games that you are using which contradict the only data that is available to the public reported by the FLDOE in the St. Pete Times. Who is right? Scarf Girl and her team of Keystone Cops, or the FLDOE and the St. Pete Times? Remember folks, the What Would Scarf Girl Do Crew isn't even confident in their own ability to count heads of students in their own schools. #4 is True. Half of this flier can be called outright stretches of the truth, liesomissionsion, or outright lies. Is this what the public wants for the leadership of teaching the next generation of Pasco County. Is this the kind of character we want to be modeled for our greatest treasure? Lie, manipulate and stretch the truth and you will be rewarded. The St. Pete Times and Mr. Solocheck will be receiving this flier and they should report on the inaccuracies. The ball will be in their court. The Fourth Estate can be bold and shed light on these issues, or bury them and continue to reward Scarf Girl's poor character with their support. Don't reward this typical lying politician anymore Pasco County. Vote her out. Vote for a true American hero and leader. Vote for Major Steve Donaldson.

[Pat Connolly]

Mr. Hobbes, the problem with this style of argumentation (reductio ad absurdum, was the phrase I was looking for earlier) is that it too easily flies over the heads of those you are lampooning. They will take your words at face value and say "Yeah, right on!" Kind of like the people who think that the Phil Hendry Show is real. Sometimes I wonder about Rush, Hannity, Beck, and Schnitt.

[publicschoolteacher]

Sorry for the hostility, Hobbes (I believe Thomas spelled his with an "e"). Thought you were another HFanatic come to tell us to suck it up and be happy to have a job. =)

Pat C, Call Me Hobbs, Thomas Hobbs. And I like things shaken, shaken up that is....the current state of things must change in this school district, how many other teachers lives will be ruined. How many other students won't get the best education they could. How much more tax dollars will be thrown away, misused, mispent, mis...!

Pat C. Very astute of you. Thank you for putting up with the ruse. Proved my point didn't I. Vote Donaldson.
signed ____________

[publicschoolteacher]

5:47, so you are on of those part liners who would vote for Michael Jackson if he were on the republican ticket? You are exactly what is wrong with society, and your idiotic train of thought just lends further support as to why the superintendent should be appointed by the board!

[Pat Connolly]

4:02/5:47,
I sure hope you're trying to pull our legs, while making the point opposite the one you are professing. Pointing out the absurdity of an argument by taking it to its logical, yet clearly insane, extreme. Very Colbert of you. May I call you "Steve"?

Patrick, Yes I would vote for Bush a third term is my livelyhood was at stake. McCain is my man, Good Strong Republican. Palin finalized my vote. Shes a strong, far right republican woman. That's all I need to know. That is why I'm voting for Heather Fiorentino. She has the perfect idiological background, and she'll make less mistakes this term, after she wins. Besides, we can't have a Dem in office regardless of his background.

[Patrick Kent]

Joe Maddon, the manager of my beloved Rays (And no folks, I am not a band-wagoner. I go back to the days of Hitshow, Vinny Cashstealer, Wilson Alvarez, etc.) said about having to change the culture of the Rays organization, "We needed to change the way we think, period. And for me, that is the accountability. That is about trust. Nothing, nothing, no group or organization works without trust. So I thought we totally were a low-trust organization. There was no accountability whatsoever. There was no consistency from what I can gather. So for me, if I wanted to create a mission statement, it would be about accountability, consistency, trust, and those are the factors that permit you in a relationship ... permit you to take something to turn it into something good." If you won't believe the teachers when they tell you why morale is so low (Scarfatino's constant lying,incompetence and abuse of power), maybe you will believe the advice of a man who turned around the worst sports franchise in sports history. How is the trust relationship between the Teachers and the School Board? Just Something to think about. Vote Major Steve Donaldson for Pasco County Superintendent. This great patriot and leader who we thank for his 25 years of service and sacrifice for helping protect the very freedom we enjoy will restore the trust in the relationship between Teachers and the School Board.

[Patrick Kent]

Wow, anonymous 4:02 PM poster, I wonder if you would vote for Bush for a third term if you could. Your reasons for support are that Popularity is Best. What? Name Recognition. Really? Pinning your hopes on an uniformed public? Isn't that elitist, presumptive and insulting? Cronyism is the reason to vote for Scarf Girl? Vote Major Steve Donaldson for Pasco County Superintendent. This great patriot and leader who we thank for his 25 years of service and sacrifice for helping protect the very freedom we enjoy will restore the trust in the relationship between Teachers and the School Board. Major Steve Donaldson has the military experience, academic training, teaching experience and successful business background to lead our County. Wow, 4:02 PM poster, your logic is impeccable and without flaws. Your reasons for voting for Scarf Girl over my reasons for voting for Major Steve Donaldson are awesome. DE DA DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat, I must admidt, your logic is sound and I admire your creativity. Unfortunately, most voters will never see your well thought out posts and exquisite prose. Therefore, the candidate I'm supporting, HF will still have a chance to get re-elected. Argue all you want. Most voters aren't educated on these matters and HF's name recognition will hopefully rule the day. While I admidt she has made mistakes, she has helped my career and has provided me with a secure job. Go Heather!

[Pat Connolly]

I wonder if the Times has ever changed an endorsement? If you read their article endorsing HF you'll find it's full of glowing praise for Donaldson, with only a few minor concerns, and full of concerns about HF's screw-ups. The "pluses" for HF were giving her credit for things she didn't really influence.

Built 15 new schools? All were on the drawing board before she arrived. But she did get MOST (her words) completed on time and on budget. MOST???? That's little comfort to those schools that weren't finished on time and had to start the year in portables in one location and move midyear into the new building. Little comfort to those schools that had their buildings done on time but didn't have books, supplies, or installed equipment. I wonder what the people at these schools think of HF's skill as a "planner"?

Improved District grade from B to A? Mostly the result of changing standards and demographics. The DoE has never had a consistent grading scale, but changes pretty much from year to year. So comparing one year's grade to another is truly comparing apples to cows. As Pasco transitions from rural to suburban, with a corresponding increase in the affluence of the population, FCAT scores will naturally increase, as studies have shown that FCAT scores increase with increased socio-economic status. And how high was the previous B and how low was the current A? And where is HF's "contribution" to this rise anyway?

Improved the dropout rate? Maybe. The way dropouts are calculated was changed, so you can't really compare the data the way HF did. But what we DO know is that the GRADUATION RATE UNDER HF DECREASED WHILE THE STATE GRADUATION RATE INCREASED, even though she won't tell you that. Is this "moving in the right direction"?

The tipping point for both the Times and the Tribune seemed to be her "experience". Her breadth of experience is certainly less than Donaldson's, so it must be her "experience" as the incumbent. But her term has been rife with mistakes and turmoil. Supporting HF because of this "experience" is equivalent to citing Britney Spears and Michael Jackson as child-care "experts" because of their "experience" with children.

[classroomteacher]

Even if Mr. Solochek gets and sees the mailer that touts HF's pseudo "20 years of teaching", he probably won't bring it to Joe Q. Public's attention since the StPtimes has already endorsed HF as the better choice.

So bringing a "white lie" out to the public , when they have already endorsed her, would probably be unlikely.

Wonder if Mr. Solochek, truly knows what is going on inside the hallowed halls of District offices in LOL?

Mr. Solochek, how about spending a couple of days as a substitute in a classroom, so you can truly see how wonderful the situation is. We have a sub shortage and we could really use a good journalist or two, to join our temporary ranks.

Now that would be true reporting.
Walk a mile in my shoes.......

[Patrick Kent]

Hey one mole,
Your name made it appear like you were one of Scarf Girl's moles. I don't want any teacher threatened for practicing their First Amendment Rights, and I will offer free legal advice to any teacher who might possibly feel threatened. Your name, like Scarf Girl's claims of 20 years of teaching experience, are misleading. Love what you do for our community onemole, keep it up. We appreciate you. Pat and insider, dude your info is awesome! Love it!

[Pat Connolly]

6 of HF's "years as a teacher" were, as have been stated, as a "teacher on assignment", not as a "teacher in the classroom".

But she didn't even work at the District Office, she was "legislative liaison" to the State legislature in Tallahassee. She drew a teacher paycheck and years of service toward retirement to liaison with the very legislature in which she was serving. And if I'm not mistaken, it would have been her political responsibility as a legislator to liaison with her constituents anyway. I guess every time she talked to herself she was earning her paycheck.

She didn't so a very good job though, because during this time Pasco's share of the educational budget decreased relative to other counties.

There was also an ethics issue in which she claimed to be working for both the legislature and the board at the same time. Her "defense" when brought up on ethics charges was that "her staff prepared the documents and she simply signed them without reading them." Her cronies in Tally let her off the hook, but where I come from "you sign, you're responsible." But in HF world you let other people do your dirty work and take the blame for your mistakes.

[insider]

to 9:25 post,.Good try in fooling Joe Q. Public, but the rest of us know the real truth.....HF, was a teacher on assignment while in Tallahassee simultaneously, double dipping...so there is the discrepancy.

She was not in the REAL classroom any more than other Teachers on Assignment are...they are all doing jobs at the DISTRICT offices, but on teacher payroll.....SO the public is fooled but not the insiders again.

Mr. Solochek can check on that himself.
Easy enough. Paychecks and Tallahassee attendance rolls don't lie.

There is an overlap in time and she was doing both jobs while a legislator.
In fact the st. pete times questioned her conflicting "receipts" while on the Tallies clock or Pasco's clock.

[publicschoolteacher]

*morale

(typo)

[publicschoolteacher]

Well, then, thank you for your concern. Your name "onemole" made it sound like, well, you were one mole here in the blogs! My mistake!

And thanks for doing your part to support Steve Donaldson in his campaign. Change will be a positive thing this year in Pasco County, and he really has his finger on the pulse of teachers, moral, and the state of affairs right down to the classroom level!

[onemoleNOT]

Boy Patrick are you really threatened that you have to spew FStatutes?

Wow, I am merely warning people like,
Public school teacher, a colleague, and I am sincere in that I do know of moles inside many schools. I am just another lowly teacher, who has seen the moles inside my own school convey facts/ or half facts to admin. to promote their own motives, and then act like they are innocents. Their venom reaches many newbies and poisons the whole environment.

If you have been in the system long enough, like me you have seen it all.
Don't you know that certain "family" names get "in" much easier into the
3rd floor jobs than those who aren't part of those families?
Outsiders need not apply.

My own motives are along the same lines as yours, doing things in my power to make sure that HF does not get elected again. She, unlike Dr. Long and Mr. Weightman, did not give us the respect we deserve.

And people quickly forget that her election was a dirty game played by Bill Bunting as many have forgotten, when she ran against Chuck Rushe. The dems. were eliminated from the election when Bunting threw in a 3rd rep. candidate, thereby closing out the dems.

She was not sincere then, and she is not sincere now. She is a politician through and through.

Had HF been sincere in her requests for cost cutting measures, then teachers would not be complaining so much....because we do see the waste, and know there could be cuts made elsewhere.

[Patrick Kent]

Dear anonymous 9:25 PM poster,
I will never say anything negative about Scarf Girl's years as a teacher. In her time in the classroom she was one of the best. She was awesome and inspiring. Period the End. Unfortunately, Scarf Girl has been corrupted with power like so many other politicians before her. Like Anakin Skywalker transforming into Darth Vader. And by not including details and contexts about her 20 years of teaching experience the Republican Party is lying by omission and deliberately creating a false impression for the general voting public. 20 sounds more impressive than 14. It is a round number. When you say 20 years teaching experience you think of a classroom full of students. Not 14 years of a classroom full of students and the other years on special assignment at the district office. How often was she in contact with students then? Details count. And by the way, I don't wear knickers. Mostly I go Commando, except on special occasions with my wife when I break out the thong. Gotta Run. I think TV Land is having an I Love Lucy Marathon. Score!

[Susie]

Help me get this straight, HF gets 6 years of credit for teaching during her 6 years in the legislature when she didn't teach and we teachers ("thank you for all you do")who taught last year under her leadership in Pasco don't get credit for the year we just taught?
What's up with that?

[Patrick Kent]

Dear anonymous 9:25 PM poster,
You just proved my point and provided an excellent example of falsely creating a perception in the voting public with misleading statements with your statements. When one states that they have 20 years of teaching experience, the general public instantly thinks of one image, a teacher in a classroom filled with students. That is it. Period the end. The general public does not think about special assignments at the district office that have to be explained in greater detail and context. Those are details and contexts left out of the Official Republican Party flier to create a false perception. Got it. Love the facts and straight talk dude. And by the way, I don't bully people. I throw figurative punches only when I have been attacked or others in the teaching profession have been attacked. I stand up for teachers. The general public is not used to somebody connected to the profession fighting back. The general public is very use to the pacifist nature of most teachers. My philosophy is when a bully punches you, literally or figuratively, the best thing to do is fire back. It does not matter if you are defeated in the battle. The bully will not pick on you because you have shown that you are not weak. He will chose another target that will not put up the same resistance. Period the End. And trust me, teachers and myself are attacked constantly on this blog by numerous people. People just don't like it when you call them on their BS treatment of teachers. They are schocked by it. I don't pull any punches and I am smart, good looking, and gosh darn it people like me! Humor is awesome! Good night now!

[publicschoolteacher]

onemole,

I am shaking in my proverbial boots! Since I will do everything in my power to make sure that HF is not reelected, your powerless threats really have no effect on me. Or maybe it was a sincere warning. Either way, I am not concerned. I am a good teacher, do my job well, and don't violate any of the terms of my contract (unlike some superintendents I know...), so there is nothing for me to get my panties in a twist about.

Plus, only one other person one this blog knows my mild-mannered alter ego (and I KNOW he's not a mole!), so bring it on, sucker! I haven't said anything on this blog that I didn't have the guts to say directly to HF at the school board meeting on Sept. 16.

That's just ONE of the differences between HF and myself. I do all of my dealings out in broad daylight. I don't need to be sneaky or devious or have spies or surround myself with a "yes" mafia. I just worry about being the best teacher I can be.

[Patrick Kent]

Hey Jeff,
Don't you find it kind of concerning that in this blog that a person named onemole at 9:08 PM posted a statement that any civil court of law would construe as a threat made by this individual against publicschoolteacher and others like that person on behalf of Heather Fiorentino. Dear Teachers who feel threatened by onemole's statements, please write Scarf Girl and state that you have been threatened by an individual who is claiming to be a representative of her administration or a person claiming to be connected with her administration. In that letter state that you were exercisingg your Freedom of Speech in an Educational Blog sponsored by the St. Pete Times concerning the 2008 election of the Pasco County Superintendentt Position. State that your Political Speech has been threatened by a person claiming to be a representativee of her administration either indirectly or directly. This will cover you in two cases. Sections 112.3187-112.31895 cited as the "Whistle-blower's Act" and also the ACLU will have a field day and create a media circus protecting your Freedom of Speech Rights. According to Florida Statute 112.3187-112.31895 you must write this letter to Scarf Girl and sign it to be protected by the law. Mr. Solocheck, do these kind of claims made by a person, onemole, claiming to have inside information and connections pertaining to the administration of Scarf Girl disturb you? It kind of reminds me of Hitlers regime of Nazi Totalitarianism with SS Leader Heinrich Himmler in charge. What a crazy world we live in when a Superintendant who is an elected official would try to silence the very gift of Freedom of Speech that our Constitution guarantees. As an elected official participating in the political process you would think that Scarf Girl would encourage all sides to speak. But, sadly according to onemole, this is not the case. Are you sure the St. Pete Times wants to be associated with Heather Fiorentino? Please investigate this Mr. Solocheck and I thank you in advance.

Kent- check the records, she was a teacher 20 years- 14 at my school and 6 as a teacher on assignment at the District Office. Then, she was elected Superintendent. Its on her website and many people are around who worked with her during this time. She has 24 total years employeed in the District. Before you attack me like the big bully you are, I am not a huge fan of Heather- but I thought you might like the truth before you get your knickers in an uproar over nothing. Yes, Republicans do lie, but it doesn't appear like they did this time.

[Patrick Kent]

Jeff, I did not read your post until now, but I can get the flier faxed to you on Monday. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! THIS IS ANOTHER FUZZY MATH ALERT! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I REPEAT, THIS IS ANOTHER FUZZY MATH ALERT! On the official Republican Party Flier Heather Fiorentino claims to have 20 years of TEACHING EXPERIENCE. Let's everybody get into our Dalorean and travel back in time to the date October 15, 2004 when The St. Pete Times C.T. Bowen, Pasco editor of editorials, recommended Scarf Girl for Superintendent. CT Bowen wrote, "Fiorentino is a 14-year teacher and a three-term legislator who chaired the Florida House of Representatives' General Education Committee." Did you catch that? 14 YEAR TEACHER is what the Times reported. Where is Scarf Girl and the Republican Party getting the other 6 Years of teaching experience in four years time from 2004 to 2008? Do her years in a position such as a Guidance Counselor or Superintendent make up the difference. If that is the case she is once again misleading the public by craftily using words to manipulate to create a false perception. By stating 20 Years of Teaching Experience most of the general voting public thinks of a teacher in a classroom. According to CT Bowens, Scarf Girl's classroom teaching experience consisted of 14 years. The Times should be concerned with this Official Republican Party Flier, because the Times name and logo is plastered all over this misleading piece of literature. Once again I ask you if the Republican Party has ever deliberately used data to manipulate and lie to the public? Have they? This is just an honest mistake right? Two instances of false or misleading statements on one flier. Is it a coincidence? I will fax the flier to you first thing on Monday morning Mr. Solocheck.

[onemole]

Hey publicschoolteacher....be wary because HF has big time MOLES inside this blog. ....they are the ones that can retaliate against you in HF's name but leave HF innocent of wrongdoing.

She obviously hasn't the time, but her ole boys...oops sorry...puppets, oops sorry again......NOT!

They are the ones who are the "yes" men and women with family names that occur repeatedly in the administrative rolls...check out the admin. roster and click alphabetical and see how many are in the SAME family.....yes they are alive and well......

she rewards the production of more and more MOLES from the same families.

WATCH out.

[publicschoolteacher]

10:08- If you don't want to hear educators speak out against the deplorable treatment we are receiving ("whining" as you call it), then don't read the comments on the EDUCATION BLOG, moron!

[proud to be me]

10:08, I hope you choke on your dinner. Then you can call 911 so someone who was educated by a teacher to save your life can save you.

[Joe]

Patrick, I was just trying to help you out so you sound more intelligent instead of some loud mouth, and you lash out at me....it seems to be a picture of your character. I am done trying to help people like you who don't appreciate it.

[Mc.S]

teachers should do what ever! they can to get the media more involved after all Scarf Girl is like every other public official they hate to be exposed! specially on your local TV news network's so all of you should do what ever it takes to get the TV news network attention maybe you all should wear your school faculty shirt backwards on the same day are what ever it would take to get their attention! I'm not a educator and you probably can tell by my post
I'm just a concerned citizen and I'm tired of our teachers and students being constantly abused by their districts cool boards members. Please! if not for yourself do it for your students! please just give it some thought.

[Rae]

Post 10:08, who the heck are you anyway? We are trying to educate the kids and that's why we are finally getting vocal. It's pretty scary when a whole bunch of people finally have had enough. Isn't it? That's why you have to resort to insults. You're the minority, buddy, and you don't like it. Hence, these moronic attacks. Most people are actually thankful for their kids' teachers. Get over yourself.

The only thing you whiners haven't done is burn HF in effigy. Perhaps you should do that, maybe get arrested and then be forced to spend some time in the slammer. The general public wouldn't have to listen to you weep, babble and continue to observe what a bunch of fools you really are. You grossly overate your abilities, your worth and your impact on society. Get real. Get a life. Be thankful you have a job in these hard economic times. Focus on what you think you do so well: educating kids!

[Linda]

I hope everyone takes my posts seriously inspite of my last name being omitted. I have a lot to lose, my livlihood, my pension and my dignity. I stand up for the rights of all teachers, I represent for them when I am getting myself in trouble. We found out that if we cry and grovel for things we did not do wrong we are forgiven if we explain our actions in a factual way we are punished. For crying out loud we are adults, teachers, human beings. We are demeaned. If you were at the School Board meeting where we were rallying to encourage the board to turn down the budget as it stood you would have seen the following: At least, thirty or more employees from every discipline got to make a plea to the Superintendant and the Board. My brave co-workers poured their hearts out, giving deeply personal reasons for needing their steps and bonuses. They were sincere and some even cried in front of everyone. When they were finished and only when they were finished, they were told that all that didn't matter, all the heartache they put themselves through was for nothing. Mrs. Whaley had the unfortunate task of telling all of them that because of the "law" the budget HAD to be approved that night. Letting those unfortunate people now that news prior to allowing them to grovel might have been a better plan don't you think? Many other districts did not pass their budgets but said no we will work longer. So why us? Because our politicial HF has to look good for when she is back in Tallahassee where I hope she will be very soon. I am sorry this is so long but you wanted to know why I was so bitter, that is part of it.

[Pat Connolly]

HF is using data for '07-08 (numbers that seem to be not released to the general public) compared to '06-07. It is my understanding that the method of computing dropouts was changed for '07-'08, meaning that comparison of '07-08 to prior years is invalid and that the only valid comparison is county to county or county to state.

There is a link to the PASCO data in a story from 09/22, but this only includes Pasco data and therefore does not allow comparison of Pasco performance with other counties or the state.

If you do the INVALID comparison of dropout numbers from '06-'07 to '07-08 you can come up with HF's numbers. (maybe) The raw number of (differently defined) dropouts decreased by 32.2%, but this is statistically invalid for drawing inferences. (If you redefine "poverty" you can claim a "drop in poverty" even if incomes decline.) If you continue with this INVALID comparison and convert these dropout number to dropout rates, the rate would drop even more than 32.2% because of the overall population growth. It could even drop to as low as 2.2% from the 3.5% from'06-07 (or 2.6% from the 4.2% of '05-06). While the actual rate dropped only 1.3% or 1.6%, these could be construed as 37% decreases. Of course, this is not only an invalid comparison, it is a deliberately misleading use of statistics - using the percent change in a percent.

Given the change in the way dropouts are calculated, the only valid comparison is county to county or county to state. Unfortunately (for the public, not for HF) the Pasco school administration has chosen to pass on to the press only data for Pasco County.

[Jeff Solochek]

I don't have the brochure. Can someone please fax a copy to me? 813-909-4611. Thanks.

[Patrick Kent]

Hey Jeff,
Could you please ask Heather Fiorentino and the Republican Party where they are getting their numbers from to be able to proclaim on an official campaign flier that the Drop Out Rate decreased by 37%. This directly contradicts the FLDOE'S numbers. I have cruched the numbers myself and can not find any statistical way to be able to base those statements on. This is a direct manipulation and misrepresentation of statistics and the Fourth Estate needs to investigate these claims which are being perpartrated on the general voting public. Thank you for your time. Have a good day Mr. Solocheck and Go Rays!

[Patrick Kent]

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! THIS IS A FUZZY MATH ALERT! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! I REPEAT, THIS IS A FUZZY MATH ALERT! The Republican Party sent out a flier to my house about our favorite Tootsie Pop Owl Look Alike candidate for Superintendent, Scarf Girl. On this flier it states that Scarfatino has lowered the rate of dropouts by 37%. What? This is from the Times, "According to the DOE, Pasco had 566 students drop out in 2007-08, compared to 835 in 2006-07. That's a 32.2 percent decrease." That statistic is based on the NUMBER OF DROPOUTS ONLY. The problem with the 2007-2008 numbers is that Pasco County doesn't even trust their own numbers. Jimmy Davis must be leading the reading group regarding this topic. Psst, Word of advice Scarf Girl, always check Jimmy's work, he is a little SPECIAL when it comes to his reading abilities if you know what I mean. The more reliable stastic from the DOE for the dropout rate (Percent of Students Droping Out from the total student Population of Pasco) The Doe states that the DROP OUT RATE for PASCO was 3.5% for 2006-2007, down from 4.2% for 2005 - 2006. 32% looks more impressive than 0.7%. The part generaly looks better than the whole. Hey Scarf Girl, Why don't you and my party state to the readers that your percentage claims are based on the TOTAL NUMBER OF DROPOUTS, and NOT ON THE DROP OUT RATE OF STUDENTS IN PASCO FROM THE TOTAL POPUALTION? What a tangled web you weave as you attempt to decieve. Why are you lying? Secondly, where are you getting the extra 5% for your numbers? THE DOE STATES THAT THE DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DROPOUTS WAS 32%? Again, Scarf Girl I ask, where are you getting the extra 5% for your numbers? The Republican Party has never ever deliberately used data to manipulate and lie to the public. Have they? This is just an honest mistake right? You would never lie, right Scarf Girl? You only lie when it comes to breaking agreed upon terms of a legal contract which you signed. But hey, it's America, signatures on a legal contract don't count right? I wonder if the voting public is buying what you are shoveling.

[Ed I didn't put my last name because I'm to tired to write it right now]

Patrick, I am LOLROF!!! "You're lame..." OUCH! my sides!!!

?2, Obviously you don't get it because what you have written is pure flatulence reverberating through your cranial-rectal insertion, so why don't YOU shut up! Evidently Linda has had experience(s) in which she was retaliated against and does not feel comfortable using her last name, unlike you who uses a rather obvious pseudonym and pseudowit!

[JoeQPublic]

Insiders know the waste and they are putting District's feet to the fire. They know that the top floors are overpaid for what they do, just as Joe Q. Public sees CEO's getting overpaid for what they do.

Teachers are the insiders and see first hand what is going on. They need to keep talking to let the rest of us outsiders know what waste is going on inside.

I am on a school's SAC committee and was quite insulted when the DISTRICT representative said that another local county was hiring outside consultants for 165K to do what he and others were doing in Pasco for far less, from the planning department.

Hum...where did he get his math degree I wonder. One shot deal of 165K is far less than 2-4 employees at 80k plus 25 years of benefits, plus pensions, plus DROP....ad infinitum.

The DISTRICT rep may think the teachers on the SAC committee bought his BS but the businessmen on the committee knew it was a typical "sales pitch" with "fuzzy math".

Vote Donaldson , HF is another old boy with a scarf.....and stop the fuzzy math from DISTRICT.

[Patrick Kent]

This song is dedicated to you Joe Joe and you ? 2. I set the words to the theme song of the Pink Panther. You're lame. You're lame. You're lame. You're lame. You're lame. You're lame. You're laaaaaaaaaaaaame. You're lame. You pulled out the old you can't write and shut up your stupid insult. I am expecting to see any time from you some more classic golden oldies: "I know you are but what am I. I'm rubber your glue; everything you say bounces off me and sticks on you. I don't make trash I burn it." Instead of addressing Scarf Girls inability to accomplish a basic and fundamental task of her office in 150 days because Scarfatino is incompetent and lacks leadership abilities you two write that. What you wrote is a non sequitur to my question. Your cognitive abilities need to Cialis and have a Viagra chaser. Your responses are lame, limp and flacid. I hope for your sake that your mental performance dysfunction is not also combined with any sagging physical problems. By the way, if you have a mental erection for over 4 hours, don't seek help. You will only have joined the land of thinkers and the public will thank you for it. DE DA DE!

[? 2]

Obviously you don't get it! That says a lot.

[Susie]

?2

What does "Can't put your name behind it then shut up. This is why I used ?2." mean? Is ?2 your last name? Is ? your first name and 2 your last name? Could your parents not spell? Or can't you spell?

Oh yeah, your grammar's not so hot either - "makes me wonder if your ..." should be "makes me wonder if you're ..."

My last name is Q.

[? 2]

Can't put your name behind it then shut up. This is why I used ? 2. See it is easy to attack others when you are hiding, but when the shoe is on the other foot, it isn't so nice, is it?

[linda]

We all have an axe to grind honey, yes I am bitter, I want some equality. I don't care who you are or what you do but I will bet you would not tolerate the shameful way "some" people are treated here in jolly old Pasco County Schools. I have been Linda all 45 years of my life, Sorry no deception here just can't put the last name for obvious reasons. I have been retaliated against, asked for help and yet nothing is ever done. I couldn't take it again.

[? 2]

Obviously you don't get it!