Citizens for Education

WHY won't Wanda answer questions about her background?

2008-05-02T12:06:00.003-04:00

THE SITUATION
Several people have called and emailed Wanda Spann Roddy about legitimate questions concerning her background. She refuses to answer, to date. WHY?

THE EVIDENCE
Compare the info from the 1991 grant which provided START-UP funds …. For a Teen Parenting Program at NCHS to Wanda’s program which didn’t start until 1997.

From a Health and Hospital Report dated May 7, 1992, the following grant was issued:
Grant # 91-11
Granted to: Washington Township Teen Parenting
Irene Krahulik
6295 N Olney Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Date 3/21/91
Amt $28,359.00
Purpose: Providing start-up funds for one year for a Teen Parenting Program at North Central High School

From the www.FriendsofMSDWT.org website describing Wanda Spann Roddy:
“Wanda is founder and director of a program for pregnant and parenting teens that operates at several local high schools, including North Central.” Elsewhere she has stated that this program was started in 1997.

QUESTIONS THAT ARE RAISED:
1. “Why does Wanda claim to be the FOUNDER of the NCHS program when it is obviously predated by the 1991 NCHS program?”
2. “Did Wanda use the 1991 NCHS program as the basis for her 1997 program?”
3. “If yes, did she give credit to the NCHS program?“
4. “If she used the NCHS program and did not give credit to it, is that plagiarism – or worse?”
5. “Should such a person serve on the WT School Board?”
6. “Is this the type of transparency in government that we must have?”

INFO NEEDED:
We need to get more info in order to answer those questions. Wanda should provide a copy of her original program proposal. MSDWT should provide a copy of the original program outline for comparison.

If such information is not forthcoming to clear up these questions, then are MSDWT and Wanda complicit in a cover-up?

Why isn't the School Board investigating this?

4/22 CFE Forum - UPDATED 4/17/08

2008-04-13T02:20:00.008-04:00

The 4/22/08 Citizens For Education Candidates and Property Tax Forum
DATE: TUESDAY, April 22, 2008
TIME: 7 to 9 pm
PLACE: Pleasant View Lutheran Church (NE door)
801 W. 73rd Street Indianapolis, IN
MODERATOR: Jim Shella
PROGRAM:
7-8pm SPEAKER: Greg Wright, Washington Township School Board Member
FORUM: Washington Township CFE School Board Candidates
Joanna Franklin and Jack Werner will answer written questions from the audience.

8-9pm SPEAKER: Steve Keltner
Indiana Senate District 30 Republican Candidates
FORUM: Incumbent Teresa Lubbers and Candidate Ken Morgan will answer written questions from the audience
NOTE: Only the Republican Candidates are included in the forum, since the other candidates are running unopposed.

Both program segments will have at least one speaker who will discuss various issues that pertain to Washington Township schools and/or property taxes.

Hosted by Pleasant View Lutheran Church.

The May 6 primary election will determine the fate of the candidates who will be at this forum: in the case of the School Board candidates, the May 6 primary will determine if they are elected. In the case of the Senate District 30 candidates, the May 6 primary will determine which of the two will be the Republican candidate for that seat.

Know the candidates and their positions before you vote on May 6th!

Greenbriar Candidate Forum - additional info

2008-04-03T09:38:00.000-04:00

Greenbriar Neighborhood Association Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008
Contact: Darien Tropf, President, Greenbriar Neighborhood Association
317.503.0000 / gna_indy@yahoo.com

Political Candidate Forum
Washington Twp. School Board and
District 30 State Senate seats

AT GREENBRIAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
8201 Ditch Road
April 29th 7-9pm (doors open at 6:45)
Enter Doors on North Side of Building (left of main entrance)

District 30 Senate Candidates Teresa Lubbers and Ken Morgan are vying for the Republican slot on the ballot in the May primary. The Democratic and Libertarian candidates are unopposed in their parties in the primary, therefore the focus in this forum will be on the two Republican candidates.

The School Board Candidates Tony Dzwonar, Jack Werner, Cheri Harris, Joanna Franklin and Wanda Spann Roddy are up for three seats being vacated this year.

Written questions to be submitted to the moderator before and during the forum. Brief period toward the end for meet and greet with candidates.
Interpreter provided for hearing impaired attendees.

The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend this event which aims to educate both candidates and voters on issues of importance in our communities.

Issue: Bells not working at NCHS

2008-03-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

From an email received from a NCHS parent on 3/21/08:

My children tell me that... the "school bells" don't work at N.Central. The teachers have to tell them when to pass classes. Teachers are mis-calculating and causing the children to be late to the next class at which time the children are sent to the "late room". Mr. Quandt told the children this will last until they come back from Spring Break! - Their last day is March 28th. Amazing.

So - children ... can we spell "someone cheated the REAL children" - because they can have a HUGE expensive pool... but no bells to tell them when to go to Math Class?!

And... their parents may not even be able to afford to buy them the essentials that the schools do not provide anymore anyway... because they have to pay for extravagant items that add absolutely nothing to their education!

WHAT is that about???? This has been going on for a few days. So - are they trying to make a statement they need more money? Or... are they just adding fuel to the "no fiscal responsibility fire" ?

What next??? No paper, leaky roofs, and now no school bells. Amazing.

Franklin Township School Board - Mischief afoot?

2008-03-24T13:57:00.000-04:00

There is documented proof that "Pepsi money" was taken from school vending machines (except for $2,500 per school) and allegedly misappropriately used by the Franklin Township School Board recently. Some of the documented money went to staff parties, superintendent meetings, etc., but the "worst cut of all" was $1,500 donated to the Parent group to fight a remonstrance!

See a brief story at:
www.indianabarrister.com/archives/2008/01/now_this_why_people_hate_school_districts.html

The next Franklin Township School Board Meeting is tonight, Monday, March 24 at 7 pm.
The address is 6141 S. Franklin Rd. in the Franklin Township Education Admin Ctr (named the Carver Center). There is always time for community comment set aside on the agenda.

The April Franklin Township School Board Meeting is the 4th Monday, April 28 at 7 pm, same place.

Stay tuned...

Election Day Information

2008-03-23T19:38:00.000-04:00

Election Day is Tuesday, May 6, 2008. You can vote between the hours of 6 am to 6 pm.

To find out where to vote (your polling place), go to http://www.indygov.org/eGov/County/Clerk/Election/Voter_Info/polling_places.htm
Currently, the site is down for updating. Check back in mid-April, just enter your street address and information about where you are to vote in the May 6 election.

What can I do to help CFE?

2008-03-23T17:51:00.000-04:00

1. VOTE

Voting for school board candidates requires special attention to the ballot on Election Day.

The school board is non-partisan, so whether you vote a straight ticket or “scratch”, you still must find the section for the School Board Election, then

vote for Franklin in District 1 and
vote for Werner in District 3.

Do not vote for a third candidate, even though the ballot says that you may do so.

And tell everyone you know to vote, following the above instructions.

2. VOLUNTEER

Email CFE at citizensforeducation@gmail.com to volunteer for the following:

I would like to support your campaign for better schools and lower taxes.

_____ I would like a yard sign for my home.

_____ I will pass out literature in my neighborhood

_____ I will pass out literature at the polls on Election Day

_____ I will contribute to the CFE website

_____ I will email your information to others who are concerned

_____ Other: _________________________________

3. MAKE A CONTRIBUTION

Citizens for Education will use your money to buy lawn signs, direct mail and campaign materials to win this election. A donation now can save you thousands of dollars in property taxes later.

I would like to support your campaign for better schools and lower taxes.

Please accept my contribution of
_____$10
_____$25
_____$50
_____$100
_____$200 or more
_____Other

Please make your check payable to: Citizens for Education
Mail back to: 1424 Sandi Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46260-2729

Thank you for your support.

How to vote for Franklin and Werner, the CFE school board candidates

2008-03-23T13:14:00.000-04:00

Voting for school board candidates requires special attention to the ballot on Election Day.

The school board is non-partisan, so whether you vote a straight ticket or “scratch”,

you still must find the section for the School Board Election, then

vote for Franklin in District 1 and
vote for Werner in District 3.

Do not vote for a third candidate, even though the ballot says that you may do so.

And tell everyone you know to vote, following the above instructions.

Why the May 6 school board election is important

2008-03-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

The May 6th primary is an extremely important election. This is when three Washington Township School Board members are elected this year for four-year terms. (The other two board members are incumbents, elected in 2006 for four year terms.)

You have the opportunity to change the way school tax dollars are spent and control your school property taxes. Remember 45% of your property taxes go to Washington Township Schools. And any budget increase that the School Board votes for will increase YOUR property taxes.

Votes for Joanna Franklin and Jack Werner will assure a majority of fiscal conservatives on the School Board, since one incumbent has consistently voted against tax increases.

Currently, the Administration has proposed -- and the current School Board voted on December 12, 2007 to accept -- a $183 million construction project WHICH WILL RAISE PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS! Interesting note: after voting for this project, ALL THREE incumbents on the School Board whose terms end in 2008 have decided NOT to run for reelection in May 2008. This is another example of elected officials voting for projects that burden the taxpayers long after those same officials leave office.

Franklin and Werner have pledged to vote against ANY and EVERY property tax increase. They will redirect more of the school budget into the classroom to benerfit the teachers and the students. They believe in education first, not construction.

UPDATED Forums for school board candidates and others

2008-03-23T12:58:00.000-04:00

Three MSDWT School Board Candidates will be elected in the May 06, 2008 primary and will take office in early July, serving for a term of four years. Five candidates are running for the three vacant positions. (The remaining two board members, Greg Wright and Don Kite, still have two years remaining on their terms, so are not running in this election.)

Here are the forums that have been set up to date: (updated 4/13/08):
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TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 7 pm at Pleasant View Lutheran Church, 801 W. 73rd Street (SE Corner of Hoover Road) in the Fellowship Hall.
Enter through the NE door; proceed down hallway to Fellowship Hall.
Moderator: Jim Shella from Channel 8.
Sponsored by the Citizens for Education. Hosted by Pleasant View Lutheran Church.
For more info, go to: http://indianacitizensforeducation.blogspot.com/2008/04/422-cfe-forum-new-program-info.html

TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 7 pm at Greenbriar Elementary School,
Enter through a door on the north side of the building. Watch for signs.
This forum will also include the two Republican candidates for Indiana Senate for District 7, Teresa Lubbers and Ken Morgan. One of them will be the winner in the primary and will go on in the November election to run against the Democratic and Libertarian candidates, who are unopposed in the primary, so are not included in this forum.
Moderator: Darien Tropf, President of Greenbriar Neighborhood Association
Sponsored and hosted by the Greenbriar Neighborhood Association.

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 7 pm at Nora Library Meeting Room
Enter through first set of doors to library. Meeting room door is to your left. Do not go through second set of doors into library.
Moderator: A Board Member of Nora-Northside Community Council – TBD
Sponsored and hosted by the Nora-Northside Community Council

Please encourage people to attend every forum, in order to get a real feel for each candidate.

These are not formal debates, but rather are forums, with the following usual format:

Each candidate gets a few minutes to speak at the beginning of the forum. Questions are usually submitted in writing (in advance and/or at the meeting), so the moderator can combine them into topics or read them verbatim, at his discretion. (This is essential to keeping order and to prevent attendees from taking too much time up in asking the questions or getting too heated.) Unless the questions are directed to specific candidates, each candidate has a brief opportunity to answer each question. The number of questions is limited by the total time allotted for the forum. Each candidate then has a few minutes to summarize. If a social period follows, refreshments may be served and attendees may have an opportunity to mingle with the candidates and other attendees.

Each forum sets their own rules, so the formats may differ.

If you have any questions, please email us at citizensforeducation@gmail.com.

Regards,
Citizens for Education

CFE's endorsed candidates: Franklin and Werner

2008-03-23T00:55:00.000-04:00

OUR PRIORITIES AND OUR PLEDGE TO YOU:

Education in the classroom first, everything else second!

No property tax rate increase, find a way to spend less not tax more!

Reduce long-term debt... it’s the tax you keep on paying
long after those responsible leave office!

Joanna Franklin has 16 children ages 5 to 33 that have attended many Washington Township schools. She also has 7 grandchildren. Joanna is president of her neighborhood association and was elected Secretary of the Crooked Creek Community Council.

As a parent, Joanna Franklin strongly supports “academics first”, but she is also very concerned that many in our community are losing their homes because of high property taxes including the elderly, the young and poor families. Her experience with the bussing of her children convinced her of the value of neighborhood schools. Joanna is a fiscal conservative and wants the maximum amount of money directed to the classroom for education – while keeping costs and taxes under control. Contact Joanna at (317) 479-1036 or at schoolboardjoanna@hotmail.com.

Jack Werner has been a resident of Washington Township for twenty-eight years and married his wife Elizabeth two years after moving here. In the insurance business since he moved here, Jack operates his own independent practice, JCW Financial Services. He attended Cathedral High School and graduated from Butler University with a BS in Business Administration.
Jack was first elected to the Washington Township Board (Civil) in 1996 and currently is serving in his twelfth year on that Board. He is one of the MSDWT Board’s current appointees to the Washington Township Fire Protection Contribution Fund. He understands governmental budgeting and how expenses can be cut, leading to tax relief. Jack stands for a strong educational system that graduates students who can compete in the outside world, while keeping costs and taxes under control. Contact Jack at (317) 259-7141 or at schoolboardjack@hotmail.com.

MSDWT School Board Meeting Schedule through July 9, 2008

2008-03-23T00:12:00.000-04:00

Published dates as of 3/22/08:
Check website http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/Administration/Board/meetingdates.htm for updates. See additional information about these meetings below.

March 26, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

April 9 , 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

April 14 , 2008 - 6:00 p.m. Study Session at DECEC

April 23, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

May 5 , 2008 - 6:00 p.m. Study Session at DECEC

May 14 , 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

May 29, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

June 2, 2008 - 6:00 p.m. Study Session at DECEC

June 11, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

June 25, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Regular Board Meetingat DECEC

July 9, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. Board Re-Organization Meeting at DECEC

July 9, 2008 - 7:30 p.m. Regular Board Meeting at DECEC

GENERAL DATES and INFORMATION:
1. BOE (Board of Education or School Board) Study Sessions are usually held the first Monday of every month at the Dean Evans CEC Building (DECEC), SW corner of 86th and Woodfield Crossing Blvd. Study Sessions are informal discussions among Board members, lasting until 8 pm. Only if there are a few minutes available at the end of the meeting does President Kite allow any public discussion or questions from the audience. Meeting dates and brief descriptions of meeting topic(s) are on their website at http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/Administration/Board/meetingdates.htm

2. BOE Regular Meetings are usually held the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at the Dean Evans CEC Building (DECEC), SW corner of 86th and Woodfield Crossing Blvd. There is a public comment time set aside in every meeting. Limit is 2 minutes per speaker. Written guidelines for public comment, agendas and pertinent documents to the agenda are available at the information table at the back of the meeting hall, where the sign-in sheet is.
Meeting dates are on their website at http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/Administration/Board/meetingdates.htm
Agendas, past minutes and recordings of board meetings are on their website at http://www.msdwt.k12.in.us/Administration/Board/agendasminutesindex.htm

For those who are interested in the other local governmental branch:
3. WT Township Board Meetings are usually held the third Thursday of every month at 6:15 pm at the WT Administration Building. DIRECTIONS: Heading east on 86th Street, go past the intersection at Westfield Blvd. Turn into the first (hidden) driveway past the drugstore on the SE corner of Westfield and 86th Street. Parking is available in front of the building.
Currently no calendar or agenda information is available on their website, www.washtwp.org.

Victory: Mervilde's MSDWT ordered to court over controversial blight of White River School

2008-01-12T13:50:00.000-05:00

Ironic sign of "supportive community" at White River School