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ISD/Pathfinders

Last activity Mar 10, 2010 7:46 AM

Bippus a finalist for city manager in Jackson

Three Rivers Area • Jul 30, 2010 2:28 PM

I think that you make some excellent points. Especially the point regarding "I do not know if any of us are qualified to judge another until we walk in their shoes." I did not think of it that way. Some of the others we may have a difference of opinion, but I respect what you are saying

Bippus a finalist for city manager in Jackson

Three Rivers Area • Jul 30, 2010 8:00 AM

I am not involved in Three Rivers "politics". While reading these post(s) it occured to me that it may be beneficial for each of you to step in and run the city for a while until they are able to find a replacement. I do not know if any of us are qualified to judge another until we walk in their shoes. Your comments are very unkind and I do not know that you would be able to do a better job. I do not know Mr. Bippus or the others that you are talking about. I am suprised about all of the negative comments as there must be some positive things that they have accomplished. There are many complaints about Three Rivers and I understand that there are problems, but many of you seem to be the problem with your negative attitude. Why would you drive around town to check out political signs and where they are placed at? I would not have time to do that. I

TRSchool Board--Budget Cuts

Three Rivers Area • Jul 4, 2010 11:36 AM

I was recently at a community gathering and the topic of the recent changes at the TR schools were being discussed. I understand that there is a position at the Middle School that is titled "At Risk Coordinator." The question came up - What is an "At Risk Coordinator?" Are they a social worker or guidance counselor? What degree, training or qualifications do they have if they are not? What is their job description? I am not judging this person as I do not know who they are, but there is concern as to what they do and what qualifies them to do it. Is this the same job that the social worker or guidance counselor will/should be doing? Who monitors this person? Is the school board aware of this position and the qualifications that this person may or may not have?

TRSchool Board--Budget Cuts

Three Rivers Area • Jun 14, 2010 9:13 PM

Wouldn't it be eye opening if the school board members could send a "secret student" into the schools to see what was really going on? I think that they would learn a lot of valuable information. What made them determine that the guidance counselors were no longer needed? Do they know what was stated in their job descriptions? Did they look at their last evaluations? Did they ever meet the guidance counselors or know what they look like or who they were? Had they ever received feedback about them from students, parents or teachers? Did they ever meet with the counselors and ask their opinions and show respect for their knowledge and years of experience? I am sure that there are good and bad guidance counselors and that is something that the school system must deal with. I hear a lot more complaints about the middle school from parents and the community. This may be something more serious that you want to concentrate on

ISD/Pathfinders

St. Joseph County • Mar 10, 2010 7:46 AM

Thank you for your response. I am happy that they are attempting to put interventions in place to prevent this from happening again. They deserve credit for that. I feel that most staff members are there because they care and are doing a fantastic job. Did anything happen to the staff that witnessed this abuse and did not report it? If the information that I received was correct this was not the first time that this had happened and may have been common knowledge that this teacher was verbally/emotionally abusive. Where were the staff when this happened? They must have been nearby as special needs children with severe disabilities require extra help/care in the classroom. The teacher does not teach in that classroom without assistance. I think that if the proper personnel were aware this would have been stopped immediately. If the information that I received was not true, I apologize to the staff that I am referring to. Was CPS involved? (I do realize that CPS does not do a good job but they are also overworked and need more workers and help). Were the police involved? Did the teacher receive any significant jail time? I feel very strongly that we all need to be advocates for others who are unable to speak for themselves and that is why I am upset about this. I do not have a special needs child but that does not mean that I don't care.