Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Colonial School District, What is Going On?

George Meney is going to consult with Colonial School District at $100 per hour after his retirement in July. These arrangements were arranged in a private meeting with the Colonial School Board. Meney also hand picked his successor with no job posting or public input and the board approved it.

They hold board meetings that only allow public comment every other month while the meeting is in session (alternate meetings allow it informally afterward) and a three-tiered meeting system that curtails public input.

To read the Delawareonline article, click on the link below.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100309/NEWS03/3090344/No-public-input-in-Colonial-choice

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

No biggie Red Clay had a retired district level administrator being paid as a consultant for years. Its standard operating procedure.

Anonymous said...

Kim -- Mind your own business. Let us in Colonial mind ours.

Anonymous said...

The current red clay super was pretty much hand picked. They wrote the job description to shut out outside applicants. They paid UD to set up a sham "search" process. Dr. Dauherty was a foregone conclusion. Maybe he will get the job done maybe he won't, I think it's too early to tell.

Red Clay recently had a retired district level administrator from Colonial hired as a consultant.

Anonymous said...

Christina makes Colonial look like a church choir. Backroom deals, no information, 12MM in misspent funds, consultants to hire incompetent supers....I wish I lived in Colonial!

Jack said...

Anonymous you are correct, although I do feel it is a biggie. The Red Clay Board has hired 2 consultants for several years including this year, and have paid them $100,000 annually, plus expenses. The Board hired these consultants using "Sole" Source procurement, no bids.
First I do not understand why this work cannot be performed by an employee working in the district office. Second if this work cannot be accomplished by an employee, with all the retired administrators, I wonder how the Board determined only these two individuals are qualified.

Anonymous said...

Colonial is our business, they are using our local school taxes.

Anonymous said...

well the handpicked ex-RC admin was under the radar for sure and that was several years ago.
I think Colonial runs a tight ship, I think Meney ran a tight ship--I don't see what the problem is?
Whenever you mention someones salary everyone gets all hyped up? How much do you guys think a superintendent w/35 years experience, a doctorate degree and runs a tight ship should make? And after 35 years of contributing to his retirement should he make on pension?

Anonymous said...

I think Colonial did the right thing by appointing a new superintendent without all the public hoopla that doesn't mean anything. We elect the board to do two things -- establish policy and hire and fire the superintendent. Why have a big public show over this. The board is in position to know what is needed and who is best for the job. I say, more power to Colonial for moving quickly.

BOILING MAD PARENT said...

TO ANON's 7:43AM @ 1:15PM You have my blood boiling now!!! What do you mean it is Colonial's business? I was appalled when I read the News Journal articles. I for one am glad Kim published this post. Everyone needs to know what is going on at all taxpaper's expense. I cannot believe how Meney informed no one of his leaving, and then had the audacity to have have Linn replace him behind closed doors to everyone even their school board who were told to vote (ironically when we had our worst snow storm). They voted her in. I knew nothing about Meney before I read the article today. To me he is an absolute egotistical and manipulative man. And to think that he is going to be paid $100 an hour to oversee heating and air conditioning. You people in Colonial who agree with this, are you crazy? You talk about politics at it's worst! Also the money he spent from taxpayer's money on breakfasts, luncheons, stc. is astronomical to say the least. Then Meney has to publish in the paper, it's business but he would rather be home in bed sleeping. WHAT ARROGANCE! You talk about no transparency, this is insane. The public was totally oblivious to all this due to Meney's coniving. I hope all you resident's read the paper today, and if not, know that there is a
PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM TONIGHT at GEORGE READ MIDDLE SCHOOL, 314 E. BASIN ROAD, NEW CASTLE. PLEASE ATTEND AND MAKE IT CLEAR THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND ARE NOT PUTTING UP WITH THIS!!! PS Excuse my french, what the hell does Colonial need to pay him $100 an hour for something maintenance at the school should be quite capable of doing?

Anonymous said...

If it is nobody's business, why did it make front page headline???

Anonymous said...

Why did it make a headline? Because people out there over react when they hear about a well educated, hard worker who puts up w/the publics crap and makes a few bucks for it! thats why!
You all should quit your job, go to wilimgton college, get a teaching degree, then a masters degree, then a doctorate. Spend 10=12 hours a day running a school making a $100g's putting up w/all the crap, kiss some butt and maybe you too will be super some day!
Then one day you can get blasted by a half illiterate rag and a bunch of cry babies on a blog!

Anonymous said...

It made headlines because they (you) voted, with no public input. They (you) were not upfront about this. to me, you seem a little over the top and angry about this. Is anonymous a board member from colonial or maybe the super himself? hahaha

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 1:15 - you r right on target. Don't accept any of Red Clay's money and then we will mind our own business.

Anonymous said...

"If it is nobody's business, why did it make front page headline???"

Slow news day for a pathetic newspaper.

Anonymous said...

You voted for the board to make decisions. The public gives their input when they elect board members. They don't get input over day to day decisions.
Staying on the inside in Colonial works very well. If you want public input and a long search check out the results for Christina.

Anonymous said...

Anon 6:08pm It sounds like Colonial wants to keeep everything mum. What are you all hiding? Afraid of some investigating?

Anonymous said...

It appears some believe that the "Public" in Public Education has no role except vote and pay school taxes. I totally disagree

Anonymous said...

So why have a school board if the public gets a say in every little decision. Maybe each decision, personnel, student discipline, bid on toilet paper should be voted on by the entire public?
What input does any citizen have in who their elected officials hire?
Your tax money pays for all kinds of things that you get no input in? No one asks me about which road projects the state should take on, which war to fight and certainly not whom to hire!
the publics input is their vote, its been that way since about 1776.
If you want more input run for the thankless, VOLUNTEER job of school board.

Anonymous said...

public input is ELECTING officials, the public is never consulted when an elected official makes a hire. And yes that is your role elect people and pay taxes. At least with schools you have a vote for taxes...with the boys in DC and Dover they never ask you before they raise your taxes. Not sure why some people think they have a 'right' to be involved in this particular decision. You aren't asked your input on thousands of school decisions a day and you don't complain. Now all of a sudden because the man makes a nice salary for a tough job you all want input?

Anonymous said...

The rag journal throws out his salary to incite people. I still want to know how much a person should make that is educated, has a huge responsibility and has every blogger in the world jealous of said salary? How much should he make after 35 years? And his pension, he contributed to it for over 40 years, How much should it be?

Anonymous said...

If you believe the public should not be involved in public education except to elect school board members and pay taxes, please do not use the lack of involvement by the public as an excuse when children fail to achieve or they drop out.

Anonymous said...

They should be involved with their childrens day to day needs in school but overall running of the school or district is not their job unless they run for and win a school board seat.

Inquisitive said...

Absolutely agree with Anon 8:32AM. It is such a shame that it is always the students that suffer because of the greed, better than thou attitude, politics, etc of the so called adults running the school systems.

Uncle Bob said...

They actually have two retired administrators in RC serving as consultants--one from Colonial and one from Caesar Rodney (I think). And the consultants each get paid $100,000 per year, plus travel.

This may be their 3rd or 4th year. That is a lot of green.

Nice work if you can get it.

Anonymous said...

Uncle Bob You don't seem to be totally sure of your statements. Maybe you could find out the names of the 2 people and what their consulting jobs require of them. Thanks! Would like to know. Maybe more transparency needs to come out.

Anonymous said...

http://www.redclay.k12.de.us/boardmeetings0910/meetings/fullagenda/BoardAgendaJuly2009.pdf

page 48/54 has the two consultants in question.

Anonymous said...

Just took a look at that link and it makes me ill. How many years have they been collecting $100,000 a year?!!