AVON CITIZENS FOR CHANGE MEETING
COMING SOON...
END OF JULY OR BEGINNING OF AUGUST  --
keep checking back... something big is in the works!

Last Updated Sunday July 13, 2008

An open letter to Avon Parents and Taxpayers,

This November, Avon Voters may be asked to support two levies on the ballot for Avon Local Schools. The Avon Citizens For Change would certainly support those levies, but at the same time, changes in attitudes on the part of certain Avon Board of Education members are required.

The past 4 months have been an emotional time regarding the Eminent Domain issue and the property of Mary Jane Wolfe. Over the past few months Avon Citizens For Change has submitted a number of Public Records Requests to the members of the Avon Board of Education. The purpose of these requests, was to help our group and our community develop a sense of understanding as to the process that the Avon Board of Education went through in arriving at the decision to proceed with the Eminent Domain course of action. The reason for our interest was that at the surface level, it appeared that there had only been two public meetings relative to the Middle School project: One meeting in January of 2006 and then, 25 months later, the February, 2008 vote to take Ms. Wolfe’s land.

The Public Records Request is most likely one of the most powerful tools that the taxpayer has at his or her disposal to look into the actions of government.

For years, the members of the Avon School Board have posted their personal e-mail addresses on the School Board web site. Very clearly, these e-mail addresses were posted as a means for the public to contact its Board members, and it is also becoming very clear to the public that these addresses were used by its Board to conduct or discuss Board business.

Within weeks of our Public Records Request submission, three of the Board members, Mr. Dale Smitek, Ms. Angela Marsiglia and Ms. Debra Polovich, had their personal e-mail addresses removed from the web site. We will also add that these three members are the same three who failed to comply with the Public Records Request.

Apparently Ms. Polovich did not even feel compelled to respond in writing at all. One can only assume that Ms. Polovich is not informed on the issue of Public Records Request and laws regarding compliance with such a written request

Board President, Dale Smitek and Board Vice President, Angela Marsiglia both responded in effect that they do not keep such e-mails, and had deleted them. Therefore they were unable to comply.

Ohio Revised Code 149.011(G) defines "records" as, "any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, including an electronic record as defined in section 1306.01 of the Revised Code, created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of any public office of the state or its political subdivisions, which serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office."

We would like to know, who were the decision makers regarding the removal of those three personal e-mail addresses from the Board of Education website?

Two of the Board members, Ms. Susan Harrison and Mr. Kevin Romanchok, did respond to our Public Records Requests. They were also the two Board Members who voted against the Eminent Domain action in February. Why is it these two members still have their e-mail addresses appearing on the website?

Additionally we would like to know what immediate corrective action the Board intends to take in order for them to comply with the law in the future?

The public deserves and expects accountability from public officials. Certainly a local school board is no exception.

 

Interesting article in July 4th's Plain Dealer about which kindergartners are "ready to read".  Of the 150 or so school districts reported, guess which district was the ONLY ONE with a double asterisk noting the district incorrectly coded its data, according to the Ohio Department of Education? Did you say Avon?  Yep, you guessed it!  Avon did report a whopping 15 correct test scores that put Avon in the lower half of the public school pool.  Pretty embarassing.  Read the entire article in the News Articles section. 


**VideoTape of the meeting coming soon**

 Please read the great article written by Bryan Story of the Sun Sentinel on the News Articles Tab... and then read Mr. Bresnahan's presentation to the Avon School Board on 6/24/08 - that can be found on the BOE mtg ?'s tab.

We are going to share some highlights, questions and comments regarding the meeting shared by those people that attended:  Lets call this the ACFC blog.............

Observations of last night:  Ms. Marsiglia and Mr. Smitek are control freaks.... Marsiglia couldn't handle things not going her way.   She expected Mary Jane Wolfe to publicly thank her for rescinding the eminent domain vote.. and now for Tim Bresnahan to publicly apologize?  In my opinion, that is someone that wants to manipulate things to go her way.  Did you see how badly she was shaking?  How about Dale Smitek hitting the gavel numerous times while Tim was speaking... again.. trying to dominate things.  How can it be tolerated for Marsiglia to curse at a citizen and walk out of a meeting.  Calling Tim Bresnahan a swear word is unacceptable.  When we left the parking lot when the board went into executive session, did anyone else notice that Angie Marsiglia was leaving the building too... what about the executive session that they went into?  She didn't have to attend?  Don't even get me started on the upcoming levies that will most likely be on the Nov ballot. 

I did speak (or tried to at least) at the end of last night's meeting.  Angie interrupted me and Dale tried to as well--she kept talking to him while I was trying to talk to her.  So I waited, Dale was rude (shocking--I know).  All I know is I have very little patience for rude and disrespectful behavior.  If I were to walk out of a business meeting as Angie did last night, I probably would not have been asked to come back.  In my opinion, Tim was in no way rude to any of them, Angie and Dale immediately got defensive when he asked about their personal e-mails being used for BOE business and being removed from the school website.  Angie commented on her personal problems--so what--who doesn't have personal problems?  The point is, her personal life should should not impact her ability to conduct school board business and in my opinion, her behavior last night did just that.

Cartoon Editorials courtesy of Ed Kelly
The Press 2008

**Avon Citizens For Change is encouraging people to contact Vicki Fisher, director of curriculum & instruction at FisherV@avon.k12.oh.us / 937-4680 and sign up the Strategic Planning Committee. **

Great Article by Becky Turman from The Press.  She wrote about the lack of response from certain board members and also the 3 removed email addresses.  Please check it out under the News Articles Tab


VERY STRANGE...
On the Avon Local Schools Website http://www.avon.k12.oh.us/BOE/board_members.htm
Dale Smitek, Angie Marsiglia and Debra Polovich's email addresses have been removed, but Kevin Romanchok and Susan Harrison's are still there.  Ironic that Romanchok and Harrison complied with the public records request, but Smitek, Marsiglia and Polovich DID NOT and now their email addresses are gone?  Anyone else find this odd? 



News Article Comments and responses

News Articles & the responses from Dale Smitek and Angie Marsiglia for public records.. those can be found on the public records requests tab.  Kevin Romanchok and Susan Harrison have also complied... the only board member not to respond at all is Debbie Polovich. 

Please don't throw out your eminent domain signs.. if possible store them in your garage, or contact the website and we will pick them up.  Also, please consider contacting Mr. Romanchok and volunteering to be part of the committee he proposed at the April 15th board meeting. 

Questions Submitted to Jim Reitenbach, Superintendent of Avon Schools and his replies via email on 4/18/08

Good morning,

I have a couple questions about your meetings which are more focused on logistics of the set up than the actual content of the meetings and I am not sure who to ask so I have emailed all six of you:

Q   Is there a reason behind the way the meetings are set up as far as the table you sit at in a rectangle and not facing the audience as I have seen at other school boards?

A    Historically, since North opened, that is the way the table has been set up as the board meetings are business meetings between the board members and the Treasurer and myself.  The tables are arranged for the board to talk to each other and the two of us.  In addition, until this year we usually have no more than 5 people at a board meeting.  At the last 3 board meetings attendance has swelled. 

Q Why does the audience have to sit so far from where the board is? 

A   Perspective…you feel it is far away.  When we have only had 5 people in the public they have not had a problem hearing. 

Q I know in my experience at your meetings it is sometimes difficult to hear what you say probably due to the set up of your table and the fact that the audience is so far from you.  Have you thought about placing a microphone or other device to amplify what is being said?

A  Again, there has never been a need.  And, I know that the board, for the last 3 meetings, have spoken up when asked.

Q  Would any of you take issue if audience members were to move closer to the table over to the open area to the right of Mr. Reitenbach?  

A  I would, I would prefer not having anyone from the audience close to me.  I have had no problem being heard by the audience as I project my voice very well.   

Q  I think there would still be plenty of room for audience members who wanted to speak.

A   Any member that wants to speak has had no problem speaking in the past with the room arranged as it is now; and the board and Kent and myself (who are the furthest from the audience) have had no problem hearing them.   

Q Is there a way to get more chairs so everybody has a place they can sit? 

A  Again, twenty chairs have been more than plenty for every board meeting until the past 3.   

Q  With a lot of important issues at hand there are more people attending the monthly meetings, so may be you should look into having more chairs available so that attendees don’t have to stand.

A  Now that the eminent domain issue is behind everyone, I believe we will see the attendance level back down and the chairs should be plenty.  Certainly if more than 20 people continue to come to future board meetings we can have more chairs.

These are just a few questions I had.  I would appreciate any feedback you could send me.

  I hope this answered your questions…have a good weekend…jim

**PLEASE READ!**

PLEASE HOLD ON TO YOUR SIGNS, WE MAY NEED THEM SOONER THEN WE THOUGHT.  A VICIOUS SMEAR CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN STARTED IN THE MEDIA AND ON LC.COM.  MS. MARY JANE WOLFE HAS NOT BEEN IN PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS TO SELL HER LAND
TO THE AVON BOE.  If Possible, store your signs in your garage,or contact us and we will pick them up. 

HER STANCE HAS BEEN, AND ALWAYS WILL BE THAT SHE DID NOT WANT HER LAND TAKEN AWAY OR TO BE DEVELOPED... SHE JUST WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE.  WILL SHE NEVER GET THE PEACE SHE SO DESIRES? 

Statement from Mary Jane Wolfe Friday 4/11/08

"First of all, there are not, nor were there ever several discussions going on with the Board of Education . There was one meeting (that Tues) with Mayor Smith, Dale Smitek , Jon Pinney, (attorney) and myself and one phone call (per Jon). 

Discussions at that meeting were very amicable and Dale Smitek agreed to rescind the eminent domain action after talking with Jon.  For that, I am truly grateful. And as a result of that action, and as a courtesy, we agreed to look at other proposals
they might have.  
There was no discussion in regards to price/or property values other than a statement that the offer was not appropriate and agreed by all.  

I truly feel in my heart that I still do not want to sell my property  - and have made no commitment whatsoever to sell or negotiate with anyone."

" I want to thank all of the citizens/residents from Avon and surrounding areas, especially the ACFC group, for all of their hard work and effort . Without all of your help and effort none of this would have been possible. I am so truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and work with some absolutely wonderful people. There are no words  to describe my appreciation for all of your help and support. Thank you again, to all of you and may God Bless you and keep you healthy and safe."


ACFC Has always maintained that this property belonged to Ms. Wolfe.  What she chose or chooses to do is her choice, we were fighting eminent domain.  There was never a plot on her part to hold out for more money.  She really just wants to live out her life on her land and to be left alone by the School Board or any other developers. 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO ATTEND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, THE NEXT ONE IS TUESDAY, JULY 22nd AT 6:30pm


As of 4/8/08 the Avon School Board has rescinded their vote to pursue Eminent Domain on Mary Jane Wolfe's property.  In the spirit of cooperation, they wish to continue open dialog with her regarding possible land purchase. 


CONGRATULATIONS MARY JANE & The Avon Community!!

  We are hopeful that this decision by the board will create an opportunity for community input and cooperation with the BOE for the benefit of the students
and residents of Avon, Ohio

Thanks to Everyone for their generous time, effort and donations.  Working together we can make a difference.


We will be having a Citizens for Change Meeting soon.. stay tuned for information. We would like to continue to thank everyone for their donations and words of support. 

Questions to Ponder:

 Why is the room always so hot? Couldn’t turn down the heat or turn on the AC? 

Why isn’t there a secretary to record the meetings minutes?  (we realize Mr. Zeman -the treasurer- is recording these... but there are several questions in regards to the accuracy of them)

Do you realize that we, the Avon Citizens had to pay the $250 an hour for Mr. O’Toole to be at the meeting, not to mention whatever the other attorney charges…… the design firm, etc… and then foot the bill for the eminent domain charges?  Wonder if the board members had to pay for this themselves, how quickly they’d be willing to work with the community instead of against them.. as their Mission and Goal states:

The mission of the Avon Local School District is to create excellence in education for all children through a partnership of home, school and community. 

The goal of the Avon Local Schools is to focus our efforts on improving the academic achievements for all of our students.