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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 12:36 PM
To: Jeff Charis Carlson
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: Equity Editorial
For at least fifteen years there has been a struggle going on in our community between two competing concepts of publiceducation. Some believe that the tax-supported educational resources in our community should be distributed equallywhile others feel that inequality is a fact of life and that it is desirable to have some schools with significantly betterphysical facilities, curricular opportunities and socioeconomic status than others. School board after school board andsuperintendent after superintendent have ignored the growing disparities and in some cases have even taken actions tomake them worse. As a result, the average school on one side of our district has gotten newer and newer while the averageschool on the other side has gotten older and older. The average school in Iowa City is now more than twice as old as theaverage school in Coralville and more than three times as old as the average school in North Liberty. Five new schoolshave been built in the latter two cities in the past 15 years while no new elementary or junior high schools have been builtin Iowa City. Schools in the newer parts of our community are much more likely to be air conditioned, ADA compliant
and free of lead paint and asbestos than schools in the older parts. During the past fifteen years our districts schools havealso become dramatically segregated along socioeconomic lines. Today, only 5.9% of the students in one of ourelementary schools qualify for free and reduced lunch while 78.6% of the students in another elementary qualify for thissupport.There is a large body of literature showing a relationship between the average socioeconomic status of a school and the
academic performance of its students. And, school districts that have taken steps to balance the socioeconomicparameters of their schools have found that students at both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum benefit from suchbalance.For these and other reasons some members of our current school board feel that equity of facilities, curriculum and
socioeconomic status are very important for public schools. They have drafted a policy that is designed to reduce thedisparities in socioeconomic status among our schools and to make sure that our existing secondary schools are fully andequally utilized before building new ones. This marks a very critical point in the evolution of our community. The
disparities in our schools are already so stark that if we do not take aggressive steps to reduce them it is unlikely that weever will. The effect of this disparity on our communitys many neighborhoods is nearing the point of no return becausein addition to their primary role of educating our children, schools set the tone for the economic health and well being ofneighborhoods. Dilapidated old schools foster dilapidated old neighborhoods and well-maintained schools foster healthywell-maintained neighborhoods.The board members who have crafted the equity policy deserve a
tremendous amount of respect and appreciation from our community.Equity always sounds great in principle, but it is usually very difficult to achieve in the real world. Fifty-nine years ago,the Supreme Court did the right thing when they acknowledged that segregation of schools was inherently unequal andhence unconstitutional. Our community should recognize the analogy between this landmark decision and our currentsituation and support our school board in the community saving actions they are taking.Ed Stone
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 11:42 AM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Draft editorial for your comments
I find your op ed remarkably conciliatory. Send it in, it is from you.
________________________________________From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 10:03 AMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Draft editorial for your comments
Any suggestions for mine or is it "good to go"?
Ed
On Jan 9, 2013, at 9:06 AM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> I am doing one, too.>> Sarah>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 11:34 PM> To: Sarah Swisher
> Subject: Draft editorial for your comments>> Hi Sarah,>> I will submit this shortly after noon tomorrow. Let me know if you> have any suggestions.>> Thanks,>> Ed>> For at least ten years there has been a struggle going on in our
> community between two competing concepts of public education. Some> believe that the tax-supported educational resources in our community> should be distributed equally while others feel that inequality is a> fact of life and that it is desirable to have some schools with> significantly better physical facilities, curricular opportunities and> socioeconomic status than others. School board after school board and> superintendent after superintendent have ignored the growing> disparities and in some cases have even taken actions to make the> disparities worse. As a result, the average school on one side of our> district has gotten newer and newer while the average school on the> other side has gotten older and older. The average school in Iowa City
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> is now more than twice as old as the average school in Coralville and> more than three times as old as the average school in North Liberty.> Five new schools have been built in the latter two cities in the past> 15 years while no new elementary or junior high schools have been> built in Iowa City. During this period our districts schools have> also become dramatically segregated along socioeconomic lines. Today,> 5.9% of the students in one of our elementary schools qualify for free> and reduced lunch while 78.6% of the students in another elementary> qualify for this support.
>> There is a large body of literature showing a relationship between the> average socioeconomic status of a school and the academic performance> of its students. And, school districts that have taken steps to> balance the socioeconomic parameters of their schools have found that> students at both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum benefit from such> balance. For these and other reasons some members of our current> school board feel that equity of facilities, curriculum and> socioeconomic status are very important for public schools. They have> drafted a policy that is designed to reduce the disparities in> socioeconomic status among our schools and make sure that our existing> secondary schools are fully and equally utilized before building new
> ones. We are at a very critical point in the evolution of our> community. The disparities in our schools are already so stark that> if we do not take aggressive steps to reduce them it is unlikely that> we ever will. It is also important to realize that in addition to> their primary role of educating our children, schools set the tone for> the economic health and well being of neighborhoods. Dilapidated old> schools foster dilapidated old neighborhoods and well-maintained> schools foster healthy well- maintained neighborhoods.>> The board members who have crafted the equity policy deserve a> tremendous amount of appreciation from our community. Equity always> sounds great in principle, but it is usually very difficult to achieve
> in the real world. Fifty-nine years ago, the Supreme Court did the> right thing when they acknowledged that segregation of schools was> inherently unequal and hence unconstitutional. Our community should> recognize the analogy between this landmark decision and our current> situation and support our school board in the very important action> they are taking.
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 10:03 AM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Draft editorial for your comments
Any suggestions for mine or is it "good to go"?
Ed
On Jan 9, 2013, at 9:06 AM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> I am doing one, too.>> Sarah>
> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 11:34 PM> To: Sarah Swisher> Subject: Draft editorial for your comments>> Hi Sarah,>> I will submit this shortly after noon tomorrow. Let me know if you> have any suggestions.>> Thanks,
>> Ed>> For at least ten years there has been a struggle going on in our> community between two competing concepts of public education. Some> believe that the tax-supported educational resources in our community> should be distributed equally while others feel that inequality is a> fact of life and that it is desirable to have some schools with> significantly better physical facilities, curricular opportunities and> socioeconomic status than others. School board after school board and> superintendent after superintendent have ignored the growing> disparities and in some cases have even taken actions to make the
> disparities worse. As a result, the average school on one side of our> district has gotten newer and newer while the average school on the> other side has gotten older and older. The average school in Iowa City> is now more than twice as old as the average school in Coralville and> more than three times as old as the average school in North Liberty.> Five new schools have been built in the latter two cities in the past> 15 years while no new elementary or junior high schools have been> built in Iowa City. During this period our districts schools have> also become dramatically segregated along socioeconomic lines. Today,> 5.9% of the students in one of our elementary schools qualify for free> and reduced lunch while 78.6% of the students in another elementary
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> qualify for this support.>> There is a large body of literature showing a relationship between the> average socioeconomic status of a school and the academic performance> of its students. And, school districts that have taken steps to> balance the socioeconomic parameters of their schools have found that> students at both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum benefit from such> balance. For these and other reasons some members of our current> school board feel that equity of facilities, curriculum and
> socioeconomic status are very important for public schools. They have> drafted a policy that is designed to reduce the disparities in> socioeconomic status among our schools and make sure that our existing> secondary schools are fully and equally utilized before building new> ones. We are at a very critical point in the evolution of our> community. The disparities in our schools are already so stark that> if we do not take aggressive steps to reduce them it is unlikely that> we ever will. It is also important to realize that in addition to> their primary role of educating our children, schools set the tone for> the economic health and well being of neighborhoods. Dilapidated old> schools foster dilapidated old neighborhoods and well-maintained> schools foster healthy well- maintained neighborhoods.
>> The board members who have crafted the equity policy deserve a> tremendous amount of appreciation from our community. Equity always> sounds great in principle, but it is usually very difficult to achieve> in the real world. Fifty-nine years ago, the Supreme Court did the> right thing when they acknowledged that segregation of schools was> inherently unequal and hence unconstitutional. Our community should> recognize the analogy between this landmark decision and our current> situation and support our school board in the very important action> they are taking.
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2013 9:07 AM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Draft editorial for your comments
I am doing one, too.
Sarah
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 11:34 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Draft editorial for your comments
Hi Sarah,
I will submit this shortly after noon tomorrow. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thanks,
Ed
For at least ten years there has been a struggle going on in our community between two competingconcepts of public education. Some believe that the tax-supported educational resources in ourcommunity should be distributed equally while others feel that inequality is a fact of life and that it isdesirable to have some schools with significantly better physical facilities, curricular opportunities andsocioeconomic status than others. School board after school board and superintendent aftersuperintendent have ignored the growing disparities and in some cases have even taken actions tomake the disparities worse. As a result, the average school on one side of our district has gottennewer and newer while the average school on the other side has gotten older and older. The averageschool in Iowa City is now more than twice as old as the average school in Coralville and more thanthree times as old as the average school in North Liberty. Five new schools have been built in thelatter two cities in the past 15 years while no new elementary or junior high schools have been built inIowa City. During this period our districts schools have also become dramatically segregated alongsocioeconomic lines. Today, 5.9% of the students in one of our elementary schools qualify for freeand reduced lunch while 78.6% of the students in another elementary qualify for this support.
There is a large body of literature showing a relationship between the average socioeconomic statusof a school and the academic performance of its students. And, school districts that have taken stepsto balance the socioeconomic parameters of their schools have found that students at both ends ofthe socioeconomic spectrum benefit from such balance. For these and other reasons some membersof our current school board feel that equity of facilities, curriculum and socioeconomic status are veryimportant for public schools. They have drafted a policy that is designed to reduce the disparities insocioeconomic status among our schools and make sure that our existing secondary schools are fullyand equally utilized before building new ones. We are at a very critical point in the evolution of our
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community. The disparities in our schools are already so stark that if we do not take aggressive stepsto reduce them it is unlikely that we ever will. It is also important to realize that in addition to theirprimary role of educating our children, schools set the tone for the economic health and well being ofneighborhoods. Dilapidated old schools foster dilapidated old neighborhoods and well-maintainedschools foster healthy well-maintained neighborhoods.
The board members who have crafted the equity policy deserve a tremendous amount ofappreciation from our community. Equity always sounds great in principle, but it is usually verydifficult to achieve in the real world. Fifty-nine years ago, the Supreme Court did the right thing whenthey acknowledged that segregation of schools was inherently unequal and henceunconstitutional. Our community should recognize the analogy between this landmark decision andour current situation and support our school board in the very important action they are taking.
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 11:35 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Draft editorial for your comments
Hi Sarah,
I will submit this shortly after noon tomorrow. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thanks,
Ed
For at least ten years there has been a struggle going on in our community between two competing
concepts of public education. Some believe that the tax-supported educational resources in ourcommunity should be distributed equally while others feel that inequality is a fact of life and that it isdesirable to have some schools with significantly better physical facilities, curricular opportunities andsocioeconomic status than others. School board after school board and superintendent aftersuperintendent have ignored the growing disparities and in some cases have even taken actions tomake the disparities worse. As a result, the average school on one side of our district has gottennewer and newer while the average school on the other side has gotten older and older. The averageschool in Iowa City is now more than twice as old as the average school in Coralville and more thanthree times as old as the average school in North Liberty. Five new schools have been built in thelatter two cities in the past 15 years while no new elementary or junior high schools have been built inIowa City. During this period our districts schools have also become dramatically segregated along
socioeconomic lines. Today, 5.9% of the students in one of our elementary schools qualify for freeand reduced lunch while 78.6% of the students in another elementary qualify for this support.
There is a large body of literature showing a relationship between the average socioeconomic statusof a school and the academic performance of its students. And, school districts that have taken stepsto balance the socioeconomic parameters of their schools have found that students at both ends ofthe socioeconomic spectrum benefit from such balance. For these and other reasons some membersof our current school board feel that equity of facilities, curriculum and socioeconomic status are veryimportant for public schools. They have drafted a policy that is designed to reduce the disparities in
socioeconomic status among our schools and make sure that our existing secondary schools are fullyand equally utilized before building new ones. We are at a very critical point in the evolution of ourcommunity. The disparities in our schools are already so stark that if we do not take aggressive stepsto reduce them it is unlikely that we ever will. It is also important to realize that in addition to theirprimary role of educating our children, schools set the tone for the economic health and well being ofneighborhoods. Dilapidated old schools foster dilapidated old neighborhoods and well-maintainedschools foster healthy well-maintained neighborhoods.
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The board members who have crafted the equity policy deserve a tremendous amount ofappreciation from our community. Equity always sounds great in principle, but it is usually verydifficult to achieve in the real world. Fifty-nine years ago, the Supreme Court did the right thing whenthey acknowledged that segregation of schools was inherently unequal and hence unconstitutional.Our community should recognize the analogy between this landmark decision and our currentsituation and support our school board in the very important action they are taking.
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 9:10 AM
Subject: Please support equity in our schools
Dear Friends,
For at least ten years there has been a struggle going on in our community between two competingideologies. Some believe that the educational resources in our community should be distributedequally. Others feel that socioeconomic segregation is a fact of life and that it is OK (perhaps even desirable) tohave some schools with significantly better physical facilities, curricular opportunities and socioeconomic statusthan others.
The socioeconomic stratification of our community has been progressively worsening over the past ten yearsand has now reached the point that in one elementary school 5.9% of students qualify for free and reduced lunchwhile in another 78.6% qualify. One high school is 7.3% over its capacity while another is 11.7% under
capacity.
As you may know, the current school board has drafted and is poised to enact a policy that would put the brakeson this worsening disparity. I have read this policy in detail and I think that it is excellent and long overdue. Ithink that the board members who crafted it and who are now supporting it deserve our thanks and support.
Please take a moment to write an emailto the board([email protected]) and let them know that you favor equity in our schools and that yousupport and appreciate their efforts to restore it. It is very important for them to hear from you right nowbecause those who believe in maintaining and/or worsening the disparate status quo are actively making their
opinions known by multiple means.
If you have any questions about the equity policy or its potential effects on our schools and our community, Iwould be happy to discuss them with you. Please feel free to call me or send an email to this address.
Finally, if you can, please consider attending the special school board meeting that will be held this Saturdaymorning at 10 AM at 1725 North Dodge Street. Equity in public education doesn't happen by accident. It onlyhappens when the community works hard to make it happen. Thanks to the courage and vision of our currentschool board, we are closer to this goal now than we have been in decades.
Regards,
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2013 5:48 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: Governance Draft 1.7
Attachments: Draft 1.7.12 Governance.docx
Can you give me a call with concerns or questions? Also I really support an additional board meeting next Saturday tofacilitate community education, esp. given letters from Jerry et al last week.
Sarah
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:56 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Great response, Sarah.
Regards,
Ed
On Jan 4, 2013, at 7:33 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> What is the quality of your intent?>
> Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core.> Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is> shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the> words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it> happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent> always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of> hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore> what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way> we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine> the reasons of our true intent.>> My intent will be evident in the results.
>> Thurgood Marshall, Brown vs. BOE 1954>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:31 PM> To: Board> Cc: [email protected]; Stephen Murley> Subject: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists>> Dear Board Members,>
> On the 19th of December, Gregg Shoultz of Northwest Junior High used> his ICCSD email address to send an email to hundreds of families with> children at Northwest giving his personal opinions about the equity> policy currently under consideration by the board.>> I asked Mr. Murley on four different occasions (Dec 22, Dec 28, Dec> 31 and Jan 3) whether he thought it was appropriate, ethical and legal> for a secondary principal to use his or her ICCSD email address and> confidential address lists to express personal political opinions.>> Mr. Murley has chosen to not reply to any of these queries.
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>> Today, Mr. Schultz, Ms. Fry and Dr. Arganbright sent a jointly signed> letter on West High letterhead to a bit more than half of the families> in the district who have children in secondary school. The letter is> ostensibly informational. It tells the reader that the board is> "anxious for feedback" and provides the board's email address. You> have all no doubt received numerous emails today from recipients of> this letter who are now worried that their child will be reassigned to> a different school next year.
>> Are the east side secondary principals supposed to get together now> and hurriedly craft a letter/email to "their parents" with "their> summary" of what the equity policy may mean to the children of our> community?>> West vs East, us vs them, pitchforks and burning pine knots, right?>> WRONG!>> I believe that the majority of the community and the majority of the> current school board members want to use our community's educational
> tax dollars to benefit every child in our district equally. From my> perspective the board is on a solid course toward this outcome and I> believe that this outcome will be good for everyone in the district> for many years to come.>> So, how do we stop all of this "us vs. them" stuff? How do we stop> the fear mongering?>> 1) Continue to conduct televised public board meetings with published> written minutes and invite all members of the community to get their> information about board activities first hand, or from the newspaper,> or from some private citizen who is using his or her own resources to
> convey his or her own opinion (the cornerstone of our democracy).>> 2) Ask Mr. Murley to send a letter to all district principals telling> them that it is inappropriate to use district email accounts, district> letterheads, and district mailing lists to express any political> opinions and that this prohibition includes communications designed to> "alert" families to topics currently under consideration by the board> and/or suggestions that the recipients contact the board to voice> their opinions.>> 3) Pass the equity policy on January 15th and banish significant> educational disparity from the ICCSD forever.
>> Regards,>> Ed>>>>> Begin forwarded message:>> From: Edwin Stone
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> > Date: December 31, 2012 11:39:37 AM CST> To: Stephen Murley> >> Cc: Board ,> [email protected] > Subject: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists>
> Hi Steve,>> The question I posed last week (see below) seems pretty> straightforward to me.>> I remain very interested in your answer.>> Regards,>> Ed>> Begin forwarded message:
>> From: Edwin Stone> > Date: December 28, 2012 8:50:37 AM CST> To: Stephen Murley> >> Cc: Board ,> [email protected] > Subject: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists>> Hi Steve,
>> I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical,> and legal for a secondary school principal to use his or her ICCSD> email account and the email addresses of hundreds of families with> children attending his or her school to express personal political> opinions?>> Regards,>> Ed>>
>>
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:33 PM
To: Edwin Stone; Board
Cc: [email protected]; Stephen Murley
Subject: RE: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
What is the quality of your intent?
Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive,the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do.When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through. Wecannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what wereally want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is toexamine the reasons of our true intent.
My intent will be evident in the results.
Thurgood Marshall, Brown vs. BOE 1954
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:31 PMTo: BoardCc: [email protected]; Stephen MurleySubject: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Dear Board Members,
On the 19th of December, Gregg Shoultz of Northwest Junior High used his ICCSD email address to send an email tohundreds of families with children at Northwest giving his personal opinions about the equity policy currently underconsideration by the board.
I asked Mr. Murley on four different occasions (Dec 22, Dec 28, Dec 31 and Jan 3) whether he thought it wasappropriate, ethical and legal for a secondary principal to use his or her ICCSD email address and confidential addresslists to express personal political opinions.
Mr. Murley has chosen to not reply to any of these queries.
Today, Mr. Schultz, Ms. Fry and Dr. Arganbright sent a jointly signed letter on West High letterhead to a bit more thanhalf of the families in the district who have children in secondary school. The letter is ostensibly informational. It tellsthe reader that the board is "anxious for feedback" and provides the board's email address. You have all no doubtreceived numerous emails today from recipients of this letter who are now worried that their child will be reassigned to adifferent school next year.
Are the east side secondary principals supposed to get together now and hurriedly craft a letter/email to "their parents"with "their summary" of what the equity policy may mean to the children of our community?
West vs East, us vs them, pitchforks and burning pine knots, right?
WRONG!
I believe that the majority of the community and the majority of the current school board members want to use ourcommunity's educational tax dollars to benefit every child in our district equally. From my perspective the board is on a
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solid course toward this outcome and I believe that this outcome will be good for everyone in the district for many yearsto come.
So, how do we stop all of this "us vs. them" stuff? How do we stop the fear mongering?
1) Continue to conduct televised public board meetings with published written minutes and invite all members of thecommunity to get their information about board activities first hand, or from the newspaper, or from some private citizenwho is using his or her own resources to convey his or her own opinion (the cornerstone of our democracy).
2) Ask Mr. Murley to send a letter to all district principals telling them that it is inappropriate to use district emailaccounts, district letterheads, and district mailing lists to express any political opinions and that this prohibition includescommunications designed to "alert" families to topics currently under consideration by the board and/or suggestions thatthe recipients contact the board to voice their opinions.
3) Pass the equity policy on January 15th and banish significant educational disparity from the ICCSD forever.
Regards,
Ed
Begin forwarded message:
From: Edwin Stone Date: December 31, 2012 11:39:37 AM CSTTo: Stephen Murley Cc: Board , [email protected]: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
The question I posed last week (see below) seems pretty straightforward to me.
I remain very interested in your answer.
Regards,
Ed
Begin forwarded message:
From: Edwin Stone Date: December 28, 2012 8:50:37 AM CSTTo: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board , [email protected]: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for a secondary school principal to use his orher ICCSD email account and the email addresses of hundreds of families with children attending his or her school toexpress personal political opinions?
Regards,
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:32 PM
To: Board
Cc: [email protected]; Stephen Murley
Subject: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Dear Board Members,
On the 19th of December, Gregg Shoultz of Northwest Junior High used his ICCSD email address to send anemail to hundreds of families with children at Northwest giving his personal opinions about the equity policycurrently under consideration by the board.
I asked Mr. Murley on four different occasions (Dec 22, Dec 28, Dec 31 and Jan 3) whether he thought it wasappropriate, ethical and legal for a secondary principal to use his or her ICCSD email address and confidentialaddress lists to express personal political opinions.
Mr. Murley has chosen to not reply to any of these queries.
Today, Mr. Schultz, Ms. Fry and Dr. Arganbright sent a jointly signed letter on West High letterhead to a bitmore than half of the families in the district who have children in secondary school. The letter is ostensiblyinformational. It tells the reader that the board is "anxious for feedback" and provides the board's emailaddress. You have all no doubt received numerous emails today from recipients of this letter who are nowworried that their child will be reassigned to a different school next year.
Are the east side secondary principals supposed to get together now and hurriedly craft a letter/email to "theirparents" with "their summary" of what the equity policy may mean to the children of our community?
West vs East, us vs them, pitchforks and burning pine knots, right?
WRONG!
I believe that the majority of the community and the majority of the current school board members want to useour community's educational tax dollars to benefit every child in our district equally. From my perspective theboard is on a solid course toward this outcome and I believe that this outcome will be good for everyone in thedistrict for many years to come.
So, how do we stop all of this "us vs. them" stuff? How do we stop the fear mongering?
1) Continue to conduct televised public board meetings with published written minutes and invite all membersof the community to get their information about board activities first hand, or from the newspaper, or from someprivate citizen who is using his or her own resources to convey his or her own opinion (the cornerstone of ourdemocracy).
2) Ask Mr. Murley to send a letter to all district principals telling them that it is inappropriate to use districtemail accounts, district letterheads, and district mailing lists to express any political opinions and that thisprohibition includes communications designed to "alert" families to topics currently under consideration by theboard and/or suggestions that the recipients contact the board to voice their opinions.
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3) Pass the equity policy on January 15th and banish significant educational disparity from the ICCSD forever.
Regards,
Ed
Begin forwarded message:
From: Edwin Stone Date: December 31, 2012 11:39:37 AM CSTTo: Stephen Murley Cc: Board , [email protected]: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
The question I posed last week (see below) seems pretty straightforward to me.
I remain very interested in your answer.
Regards,
Ed
Begin forwarded message:
From: Edwin Stone Date: December 28, 2012 8:50:37 AM CSTTo: Stephen Murley Cc: Board , [email protected]: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for a secondary school principal touse his or her ICCSD email account and the email addresses of hundreds of families with children attending hisor her school to express personal political opinions?
Regards,
Ed
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NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 2:13 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Time for a short call?
I am home now from 2 concerning meetings. will be here for duration of day. sarah
________________________________________From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 1:27 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Time for a short call?
What time is best for you?
Regards,
Ed
On Jan 4, 2013, at 10:39 AM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> Yes...things are heating up. Sarah>> ________________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:26 AM> To: Sarah Swisher; Sarah Swisher
> Subject: Time for a short call?>> Hi Sarah,>> Do you have time for a short call in the next few days?>> Nothing urgent.>> Regards,>> Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 1:28 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Time for a short call?
What time is best for you?
Regards,
Ed
On Jan 4, 2013, at 10:39 AM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> Yes...things are heating up. Sarah>
> ________________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:26 AM> To: Sarah Swisher; Sarah Swisher> Subject: Time for a short call?>> Hi Sarah,>> Do you have time for a short call in the next few days?>> Nothing urgent.>
> Regards,>> Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 10:39 AM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Time for a short call?
Yes...things are heating up. Sarah
________________________________________From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:26 AMTo: Sarah Swisher; Sarah SwisherSubject: Time for a short call?
Hi Sarah,
Do you have time for a short call in the next few days?
Nothing urgent.
Regards,
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2013 7:27 AM
To: Sarah Swisher; Sarah Swisher
Subject: Time for a short call?
Hi Sarah,
Do you have time for a short call in the next few days?
Nothing urgent.
Regards,
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2012 11:40 AM
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
The question I posed last week (see below) seems pretty straightforward to me.
I remain very interested in your answer.
Regards,
Ed
Begin forwarded message:
From: Edwin Stone Date: December 28, 2012 8:50:37 AM CSTTo: Stephen Murley Cc: Board , [email protected]: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for a secondary school principal touse his or her ICCSD email account and the email addresses of hundreds of families with children attending hisor her school to express personal political opinions?
Regards,
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 8:51 AM
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: ICCSD email accounts and parent mailing lists
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for a secondary school principal touse his or her ICCSD email account and the email addresses of hundreds of families with children attending hisor her school to express personal political opinions?
Regards,
Ed
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
-
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27
Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 9:35 AM
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Gregg Shoultz
Hi Steve,
Have you or a member of your administrative team sent any communication to the people under yoursupervision about the use of ICCSD email accounts and confidential email lists for distributing personalpolitical opinions?
Regards,
Ed
On Dec 26, 2012, at 9:40 AM, Stephen Murley wrote:
GoodMorningDr.Stone,
Thankyouforforwardingthemessageandforyourthoughtsregardingthecontent. Ididnotreceivethisemailpriorto
yourforward. Iwillworkwithouradministrativeteamtoaddressthecontentandprocess.
Steve
Superintendent of SchoolsIowa City Community School District1725 North Dodge StreetIowa City, IA 52245-9589Phone: 319-688-1000Fax: 319-688-1009Web: http://www.iowacityschools.orgCommunity Engagement: http://www.engageiowacityschools.org
From: Edwin Stone [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 4:35 PMTo: Stephen MurleyCc: Board; [email protected]: Gregg Shoultz
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for Gregg Shoultz to use hisICCSD email account and the email addresses of the hundreds of families with children at Northwest JuniorHigh to advance his personal political agenda (see below)?
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28
If the board wished to send out a factual message about the diversity policy currently under consideration tofamilies with students in the district, they could craft the language themselves and ask your office to send it out.It does not seem helpful or balanced to have a secondary principal send out a message with inflammatoryphrases like "surfaced last week", "even more muddy" "current 8th graders in our district will be assigned to aschool that they are not currently planning to attend", "extremely over-crowded before any new facility could beconstructed", and "accept the consequences later".
All citizens in our community are entitled to their opinions, but I do not think that school officials should beallowed to use their positions of influence and the confidential email lists that they have access to to amplifytheir voices -- especially if their voices are raised in opposition to equal treatment of all students in the district.I would appreciate it if you would communicate with Mr. Shoultz and all employees of the district and let themknow that it is improper to use school email accounts, email address lists, and other public resources to expresspersonal opinions in this manner.
Regards,
Ed
From:[email protected]
Date:Wed,19Dec201215:22:26 0600
Subject:NWeNewsletter
To:
DearParents,
Ihaveafewitemsofinteresttosendhomeforthewinterbreak:
BoardHappeningsEquityPolicy
IattendedameetingoftheICCSDschoolboardlastnightandlearnedalittlemoreaboutanewequitypolicy
thatsurfacedlastweek.Ihaveattachedthepolicytothisemailforparentstoreview.Inlookingatthe
elementarypartofthepolicyitseemslikeanhonestattempttoreigninsomeobviousdisparities.ItremindedmeofwhattheICCSDadministrationwasabletodowhenBorlaugElementarywasbroughtonlinethisyear.
PriortoBorlaugopening,Rooseveltwasahighpovertyschool(over50%)whileHornandWeberwere
relativelylowpovertyschools.WithBorlaugnowonline,allthreeschoolsareinthe3033%freeandreduced
lunchrangefortheirstudentpopulations.Thepolicygivesthesuperintendentfiveyearstobringthe
elementaryschoolsincompliance.Thisisenoughtimetoplannewbuildingsandadditionswhichcouldgoa
longwayinequalizingsomedisparity.
ImlesscertainwhatthepolicywouldmeanforNorthwestandthetwohighschools.Inadditiontoequalizing
thefreeandreducedlunchpopulationbetweenandamongtheschools,thepolicyalsohasstrictlanguage
regardingbuildingutilization.Therearetimeswhenthepolicycallsforthejuniorhighstofallunderthesame
categoryas
the
elementary
schools,
and
other
times
the
policy
refers
to
secondary
schools.
NW,
South
East
andNorthCentralaretypicallyconsideredsecondaryschools.Undermyreadingoftheproposedpolicy,there
wouldhavetosomeshiftingofstudentsintheshorttermfromeitherSEorNCinorderforNWtobeutilized
at90to95%ofcapacity.Ithinkitwouldbehelpfultounderstandhowthepolicywillbeenactedpriortoit
becomingthelawoftheland.Thehighschoollevelseemsevenmoremuddy.Accordingthepolicy,the
superintendentwouldhaveonlyoneyeartocomeintocompliancewitheitherthebuildingutilization
provisionortheequityprovision.Thiswouldmostlikelymeanthatcurrent8thgradersinourdistrictwillbe
assignedtoahighschoolthattheyarenotcurrentlyplanningtoattend.Mostlylikelythiswillmeanmore8th
gradersfromNWorNCassignedtoCityHighnextyear.Itisalsolessclearhowanyothersecondaryschool
-
7/30/2019 E Stone Emails Nov Dec
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29
couldbebuiltwiththispolicy.TheutilizationrequirementswillmeanthatbothWestandCitywillhavetobe
extremelyovercrowdedbeforeanynewfacilitycouldbeconstructed.
Whenpassinganewboardpolicy,thenormalpracticeistopresentthepolicyatanopenmeetingthreetimes.
Thereisapossibility,however,thatboardwillwaivethesecondreadinginordertopassthispolicyonJanuary
15.Ihopethisisnotthecaseasthisisanimportantpolicypropositionanditdeservesthoughtful
consideration.Theimpactofthispolicyislikelytobedramatic,soitisimportantforourcommunitytoknow
andunderstandthepolicynow,inordertoaccepttheconsequenceslater.Ihopethediscussionofthispolicy
willbeahealthyone.Ourcommunityshouldbeabletoseriouslydiscusstheimpactofpovertyonourschools.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank
you.
-
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30
Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 10:40 AM
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Gregg Shoultz
Thanks, Steve.
It would be good if you could deal with this quickly and visibly so that some stability and predictability can bebrought to the manner in which the Diversity Policy and the RPS are presented to the public by districtpersonnel.
Regards,
Ed
On Dec 26, 2012, at 9:40 AM, Stephen Murley wrote:
GoodMorningDr.Stone,
Thankyouforforwardingthemessageandforyourthoughtsregardingthecontent. Ididnotreceivethisemailpriorto
yourforward. Iwillworkwithouradministrativeteamtoaddressthecontentandprocess.
Steve
Superintendent of SchoolsIowa City Community School District1725 North Dodge StreetIowa City, IA 52245-9589Phone: 319-688-1000Fax: 319-688-1009Web: http://www.iowacityschools.orgCommunity Engagement: http://www.engageiowacityschools.org
From: Edwin Stone [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 4:35 PMTo: Stephen MurleyCc: Board; [email protected]: Gregg Shoultz
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for Gregg Shoultz to use hisICCSD email account and the email addresses of the hundreds of families with children at Northwest JuniorHigh to advance his personal political agenda (see below)?
-
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31
If the board wished to send out a factual message about the diversity policy currently under consideration tofamilies with students in the district, they could craft the language themselves and ask your office to send it out.It does not seem helpful or balanced to have a secondary principal send out a message with inflammatoryphrases like "surfaced last week", "even more muddy" "current 8th graders in our district will be assigned to aschool that they are not currently planning to attend", "extremely over-crowded before any new facility could beconstructed", and "accept the consequences later".
All citizens in our community are entitled to their opinions, but I do not think that school officials should beallowed to use their positions of influence and the confidential email lists that they have access to to amplifytheir voices -- especially if their voices are raised in opposition to equal treatment of all students in the district.I would appreciate it if you would communicate with Mr. Shoultz and all employees of the district and let themknow that it is improper to use school email accounts, email address lists, and other public resources to expresspersonal opinions in this manner.
Regards,
Ed
From:[email protected]
Date:Wed,19Dec201215:22:26 0600
Subject:NWeNewsletter
To:
DearParents,
Ihaveafewitemsofinteresttosendhomeforthewinterbreak:
BoardHappeningsEquityPolicy
IattendedameetingoftheICCSDschoolboardlastnightandlearnedalittlemoreaboutanewequitypolicy
thatsurfacedlastweek.Ihaveattachedthepolicytothisemailforparentstoreview.Inlookingatthe
elementarypartofthepolicyitseemslikeanhonestattempttoreigninsomeobviousdisparities.ItremindedmeofwhattheICCSDadministrationwasabletodowhenBorlaugElementarywasbroughtonlinethisyear.
PriortoBorlaugopening,Rooseveltwasahighpovertyschool(over50%)whileHornandWeberwere
relativelylowpovertyschools.WithBorlaugnowonline,allthreeschoolsareinthe3033%freeandreduced
lunchrangefortheirstudentpopulations.Thepolicygivesthesuperintendentfiveyearstobringthe
elementaryschoolsincompliance.Thisisenoughtimetoplannewbuildingsandadditionswhichcouldgoa
longwayinequalizingsomedisparity.
ImlesscertainwhatthepolicywouldmeanforNorthwestandthetwohighschools.Inadditiontoequalizing
thefreeandreducedlunchpopulationbetweenandamongtheschools,thepolicyalsohasstrictlanguage
regardingbuildingutilization.Therearetimeswhenthepolicycallsforthejuniorhighstofallunderthesame
categoryas
the
elementary
schools,
and
other
times
the
policy
refers
to
secondary
schools.
NW,
South
East
andNorthCentralaretypicallyconsideredsecondaryschools.Undermyreadingoftheproposedpolicy,there
wouldhavetosomeshiftingofstudentsintheshorttermfromeitherSEorNCinorderforNWtobeutilized
at90to95%ofcapacity.Ithinkitwouldbehelpfultounderstandhowthepolicywillbeenactedpriortoit
becomingthelawoftheland.Thehighschoollevelseemsevenmoremuddy.Accordingthepolicy,the
superintendentwouldhaveonlyoneyeartocomeintocompliancewitheitherthebuildingutilization
provisionortheequityprovision.Thiswouldmostlikelymeanthatcurrent8thgradersinourdistrictwillbe
assignedtoahighschoolthattheyarenotcurrentlyplanningtoattend.Mostlylikelythiswillmeanmore8th
gradersfromNWorNCassignedtoCityHighnextyear.Itisalsolessclearhowanyothersecondaryschool
-
7/30/2019 E Stone Emails Nov Dec
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32
couldbebuiltwiththispolicy.TheutilizationrequirementswillmeanthatbothWestandCitywillhavetobe
extremelyovercrowdedbeforeanynewfacilitycouldbeconstructed.
Whenpassinganewboardpolicy,thenormalpracticeistopresentthepolicyatanopenmeetingthreetimes.
Thereisapossibility,however,thatboardwillwaivethesecondreadinginordertopassthispolicyonJanuary
15.Ihopethisisnotthecaseasthisisanimportantpolicypropositionanditdeservesthoughtful
consideration.Theimpactofthispolicyislikelytobedramatic,soitisimportantforourcommunitytoknow
andunderstandthepolicynow,inordertoaccepttheconsequenceslater.Ihopethediscussionofthispolicy
willbeahealthyone.Ourcommunityshouldbeabletoseriouslydiscusstheimpactofpovertyonourschools.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank
you.
-
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33
Chace Ramey
From: Stephen Murley
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2012 9:40 AM
To: Edwin Stone
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: RE: Gregg Shoultz
GoodMorningDr.Stone,
Thankyouforforwardingthemessageandforyourthoughtsregardingthecontent. Ididnotreceivethisemailpriorto
yourforward. Iwillworkwithouradministrativeteamtoaddressthecontentandprocess.
Steve
Superintendent of Schools
Iowa City Community School District1725 North Dodge StreetIowa City, IA 52245-9589Phone: 319-688-1000Fax: 319-688-1009Web: http://www.iowacityschools.orgCommunity Engagement: http://www.engageiowacityschools.org
From: Edwin Stone [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 4:35 PMTo: Stephen MurleyCc: Board; [email protected]: Gregg Shoultz
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for Gregg Shoultz to use hisICCSD email account and the email addresses of the hundreds of families with children at Northwest JuniorHigh to advance his personal political agenda (see below)?
If the board wished to send out a factual message about the diversity policy currently under consideration to
families with students in the district, they could craft the language themselves and ask your office to send it out.It does not seem helpful or balanced to have a secondary principal send out a message with inflammatoryphrases like "surfaced last week", "even more muddy" "current 8th graders in our district will be assigned to aschool that they are not currently planning to attend", "extremely over-crowded before any new facility could beconstructed", and "accept the consequences later".
All citizens in our community are entitled to their opinions, but I do not think that school officials should beallowed to use their positions of influence and the confidential email lists that they have access to to amplifytheir voices -- especially if their voices are raised in opposition to equal treatment of all students in the district.
-
7/30/2019 E Stone Emails Nov Dec
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34
I would appreciate it if you would communicate with Mr. Shoultz and all employees of the district and let themknow that it is improper to use school email accounts, email address lists, and other public resources to expresspersonal opinions in this manner.
Regards,
Ed
From:[email protected]
Date:Wed,19Dec201215:22:26 0600
Subject:NWeNewsletter
To:
DearParents,
Ihaveafewitemsofinteresttosendhomeforthewinterbreak:
BoardHappeningsEquityPolicy
IattendedameetingoftheICCSDschoolboardlastnightandlearnedalittlemoreaboutanewequitypolicy
thatsurfacedlastweek.Ihaveattachedthepolicytothisemailforparentstoreview.Inlookingatthe
elementarypartofthepolicyitseemslikeanhonestattempttoreigninsomeobviousdisparities.Itreminded
meofwhattheICCSDadministrationwasabletodowhenBorlaugElementarywasbroughtonlinethisyear.
PriortoBorlaugopening,Rooseveltwasahighpovertyschool(over50%)whileHornandWeberwere
relativelylowpovertyschools.WithBorlaugnowonline,allthreeschoolsareinthe3033%freeandreduced
lunchrangefortheirstudentpopulations.Thepolicygivesthesuperintendentfiveyearstobringthe
elementaryschoolsincompliance.Thisisenoughtimetoplannewbuildingsandadditionswhichcouldgoa
longwayinequalizingsomedisparity.
ImlesscertainwhatthepolicywouldmeanforNorthwestandthetwohighschools.Inadditiontoequalizing
thefreeandreducedlunchpopulationbetweenandamongtheschools,thepolicyalsohasstrictlanguage
regardingbuildingutilization.Therearetimeswhenthepolicycallsforthejuniorhighstofallunderthesame
categoryas
the
elementary
schools,
and
other
times
the
policy
refers
to
secondary
schools.
NW,
South
East
andNorthCentralaretypicallyconsideredsecondaryschools.Undermyreadingoftheproposedpolicy,there
wouldhavetosomeshiftingofstudentsintheshorttermfromeitherSEorNCinorderforNWtobeutilized
at90to95%ofcapacity.Ithinkitwouldbehelpfultounderstandhowthepolicywillbeenactedpriortoit
becomingthelawoftheland.Thehighschoollevelseemsevenmoremuddy.Accordingthepolicy,the
superintendentwouldhaveonlyoneyeartocomeintocompliancewitheitherthebuildingutilization
provisionortheequityprovision.Thiswouldmostlikelymeanthatcurrent8thgradersinourdistrictwillbe
assignedtoahighschoolthattheyarenotcurrentlyplanningtoattend.Mostlylikelythiswillmeanmore8th
gradersfromNWorNCassignedtoCityHighnextyear.Itisalsolessclearhowanyothersecondaryschool
couldbebuiltwiththispolicy.TheutilizationrequirementswillmeanthatbothWestandCitywillhavetobe
extremely
over
crowded
before
any
new
facility
could
be
constructed.
Whenpassinganewboardpolicy,thenormalpracticeistopresentthepolicyatanopenmeetingthreetimes.
Thereisapossibility,however,thatboardwillwaivethesecondreadinginordertopassthispolicyonJanuary
15.Ihopethisisnotthecaseasthisisanimportantpolicypropositionanditdeservesthoughtful
consideration.Theimpactofthispolicyislikelytobedramatic,soitisimportantforourcommunitytoknow
andunderstandthepolicynow,inordertoaccepttheconsequenceslater.Ihopethediscussionofthispolicy
willbeahealthyone.Ourcommunityshouldbeabletoseriouslydiscusstheimpactofpovertyonourschools.
-
7/30/2019 E Stone Emails Nov Dec
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35
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosure
under applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
-
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36
Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 4:35 PM
To: Stephen Murley
Cc: Board; [email protected]
Subject: Gregg Shoultz
Hi Steve,
I am writing to ask you whether you think it is appropriate, ethical, and legal for Gregg Shoultz to use hisICCSD email account and the email addresses of the hundreds of families with children at Northwest JuniorHigh to advance his personal political agenda (see below)?
If the board wished to send out a factual message about the diversity policy currently under consideration tofamilies with students in the district, they could craft the language themselves and ask your office to send it out.
It does not seem helpful or balanced to have a secondary principal send out a message with inflammatoryphrases like "surfaced last week", "even more muddy" "current 8th graders in our district will be assigned to aschool that they are not currently planning to attend", "extremely over-crowded before any new facility could beconstructed", and "accept the consequences later".
All citizens in our community are entitled to their opinions, but I do not think that school officials should beallowed to use their positions of influence and the confidential email lists that they have access to to amplifytheir voices -- especially if their voices are raised in opposition to equal treatment of all students in the district.I would appreciate it if you would communicate with Mr. Shoultz and all employees of the district and let themknow that it is improper to use school email accounts, email address lists, and other public resources to express
personal opinions in this manner.
Regards,
Ed
From:[email protected]
Date:Wed,19Dec201215:22:26 0600
Subject:NWeNewsletter
To:
DearParents,
Ihaveafewitemsofinteresttosendhomeforthewinterbreak:
BoardHappeningsEquityPolicy
IattendedameetingoftheICCSDschoolboardlastnightandlearnedalittlemoreaboutanewequitypolicy
thatsurfacedlastweek.Ihaveattachedthepolicytothisemailforparentstoreview.Inlookingatthe
elementarypartofthepolicyitseemslikeanhonestattempttoreigninsomeobviousdisparities.Itreminded
meofwhattheICCSDadministrationwasabletodowhenBorlaugElementarywasbroughtonlinethisyear.
PriortoBorlaugopening,Rooseveltwasahighpovertyschool(over50%)whileHornandWeberwere
relativelylowpovertyschools.WithBorlaugnowonline,allthreeschoolsareinthe3033%freeandreduced
-
7/30/2019 E Stone Emails Nov Dec
37/173
37
lunchrangefortheirstudentpopulations.Thepolicygivesthesuperintendentfiveyearstobringthe
elementaryschoolsincompliance.Thisisenoughtimetoplannewbuildingsandadditionswhichcouldgoa
longwayinequalizingsomedisparity.
ImlesscertainwhatthepolicywouldmeanforNorthwestandthetwohighschools.Inadditiontoequalizing
thefreeandreducedlunchpopulationbetweenandamongtheschools,thepolicyalsohasstrictlanguage
regardingbuildingutilization.Therearetimeswhenthepolicycallsforthejuniorhighstofallunderthesame
categoryastheelementaryschools,andothertimesthepolicyreferstosecondaryschools.NW,SouthEast
andNorthCentralaretypicallyconsideredsecondaryschools.Undermyreadingoftheproposedpolicy,there
wouldhavetosomeshiftingofstudentsintheshorttermfromeitherSEorNCinorderforNWtobeutilized
at90to95%ofcapacity.Ithinkitwouldbehelpfultounderstandhowthepolicywillbeenactedpriortoit
becomingthelawoftheland.Thehighschoollevelseemsevenmoremuddy.Accordingthepolicy,the
superintendentwouldhaveonlyoneyeartocomeintocompliancewitheitherthebuildingutilization
provisionortheequityprovision.Thiswouldmostlikelymeanthatcurrent8thgradersinourdistrictwillbe
assignedtoahighschoolthattheyarenotcurrentlyplanningtoattend.Mostlylikelythiswillmeanmore8th
gradersfromNWorNCassignedtoCityHighnextyear.Itisalsolessclearhowanyothersecondaryschool
couldbebuiltwiththispolicy.TheutilizationrequirementswillmeanthatbothWestandCitywillhavetobe
extremelyovercrowdedbeforeanynewfacilitycouldbeconstructed.
Whenpassinganewboardpolicy,thenormalpracticeistopresentthepolicyatanopenmeetingthreetimes.
Thereis
apossibility,
however,
that
board
will
waive
the
second
reading
in
order
to
pass
this
policy
on
January
15.Ihopethisisnotthecaseasthisisanimportantpolicypropositionanditdeservesthoughtful
consideration.Theimpactofthispolicyislikelytobedramatic,soitisimportantforourcommunitytoknow
andunderstandthepolicynow,inordertoaccepttheconsequenceslater.Ihopethediscussionofthispolicy
willbeahealthyone.Ourcommunityshouldbeabletoseriouslydiscusstheimpactofpovertyonourschools.
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
-
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38
Chace Ramey
From: John Bacon
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 7:30 AM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: Re: Letter for naming
Excellent.Thanks,Ed! John
On12/16/122:49PM,"EdwinStone"wrote:
HiJohn,
Iputthefollowingletteronletterheadinthemailtoyoutoday.
Regards,
Ed
Dear Mr. Bacon,
I am writing to convey my very enthusiastic support for naming the new performing arts centerafter Candace Wiebener. Her four decades of outstanding instruction of Iowa City studentsalone would merit this honor, but Ms. Wiebener has contributed much, much more than that toour community.
Ms. Wiebener is a living symbol of the uncompromising pursuit of excellence, a trait that is rarein any sphere of human endeavor but is extremely unusual in the context of public education.
Throughout her career, she made students believe in themselves to the degree that they weretransformed from average musicians living in a small university town to Grammy Award winners.
One of my neighbors played football in the NFL for a number of years but was also Ms.Wiebeners student. He told me that Candy Wiebener was able to motivate people to performmore effectively than any coach he ever had in his professional career.
One of my fondest memories is that of watching my sons class perform in the Luther Platz inWorms, Germany during his senior year. The plaza was packed with hundreds of appreciativepeople who heard each piece announced in flawless German by one of Nicks classmates. Andthe performances of the pieces themselves were worthy of the symphony orchestra of a largeAmerican city. To think that these musicians were students in a public high school! What a
wonderful reflection on our country. I am so, so pleased that my son had the chance to be partof such a thing.
Candace Wiebener is one of the most gifted educators who has ever taught public school in ourcountry and it would be a fitting and well-deserved honor to name the new performing artsbuilding for her.
OnDec7,2012,at4:19PM,JohnBaconwrote:
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Ed,
IknowyouareaverybusymanandyouhavedoneSOmuchforourschools.Ihatetoaskyouforanotherfavor,butdo
youthinkyoucouldwritealetterofsupporttonamethenewfineartswingafterCandyWiebener?Theletterdoesnot
havetobesuperlong,asIthinkthiswillbeaslamdunk.Ijusthavebeeninstructedtogatherlettersfromseveral
parentsandfacultymembers.I'dneeditbymidJanuary.Thanks! JohnBacon
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policyand procedures. This email communication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/orlegally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The information is intended solelyfor the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received this communication in error,please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intendedrecipient or believe you received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution,or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thank you.
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 3:55 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Word change
Thanks, Ed
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2012 4:14 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Word change
Hi Sarah,
The following is a paragraph from the equity policy. I believe the word in red is an error and should be removed.
Thanks,
Ed
Fail to achieve at least one diversity or capacity or utilization goal at the 9-12 level withinone year of adoption of this policy in the special case that differences in both diversityand capacity utilization exceed 10 percentage points between two comprehensive 9-12schools in the district.
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 2:50 PM
To: John Bacon
Subject: Re: Letter for naming
Hi John,
I put the following letter on letterhead in the mail to you today.
Regards,
Ed
Dear Mr. Bacon,
I am writing to convey my very enthusiastic support for naming the new performing arts centerafter Candace Wiebener. Her four decades of outstanding instruction of Iowa City studentsalone would merit this honor, but Ms. Wiebener has contributed much, much more than that toour community.
Ms. Wiebener is a living symbol of the uncompromising pursuit of excellence, a trait that is rarany sphere of human endeavor but is extremely unusual in the context of public education.Throughout her career, she made students believe in themselves to the degree that they weretransformed from average musicians living in a small university town to Grammy Award winneOne of my neighbors played football in the NFL for a number of years but was also Ms.
Wiebeners student. He told me that Candy Wiebener was able to motivate people to performmore effectively than any coach he ever had in his professional career.
One of my fondest memories is that of watching my sons class perform in the Luther Platz inWorms, Germany during his senior year. The plaza was packed with hundreds of appreciativpeople who heard each piece announced in flawless German by one of Nicks classmates. Athe performances of the pieces themselves were worthy of the symphony orchestra of a largeAmerican city. To think that these musicians were students in a public high school! What awonderful reflection on our country. I am so, so pleased that my son had the chance to be paof such a thing.
Candace Wiebener is one of the most gifted educators who has ever taught public school in ocountry and it would be a fitting and well-deserved honor to name the new performing artsbuilding for her.
On Dec 7, 2012, at 4:19 PM, John Bacon wrote:
Ed,
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I know you are a very busy man and you have done SO much for our schools. I hate to ask you for anotherfavor, but do you think you could write a letter of support to name the new fine arts wing after CandyWiebener? The letter does not have to be super long, as I think this will be a slam dunk. I just have beeninstructed to gather letters from several parents and faculty members. I'd need it by mid-January. Thanks! --JohnBacon
NOTICE: All email communications to and from the Districts email server are archived in accordance with District policy and procedures. This emailcommunication, including attachments, contains information which may be confidential and/or legally privileged, and may otherwise be exempt from disclosureunder applicable law. The information is intended solely for the use of the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient or believe you received thiscommunication in error, please reply to the sender indicating that fact and delete the copy you received. In addition, if you are not the intended recipient or believeyou received this communication in error, any unauthorized retention, copying, disclosure, distribution, or other use of the information is strictly prohibited. Thankyou.
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2012 4:15 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Word change
Hi Sarah,
The following is a paragraph from the equity policy. I believe the word in red is an error and should be removed.
Thanks,
Ed
Fail to achieve at least one diversity or capacity or utilization goal at the 9-12 level withinone year of adoption of this policy in the special case that differences in both diversityand capacity utilization exceed 10 percentage points between two comprehensive 9-12schools in the district.
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 9:25 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Cc: Edwin Stone
Subject: Re: Policy with associated Superintendent Limitations
Wow, Sarah. This is really, really well done from start to finish. Simple, elegant, powerful. I am reallyimpressed. It has the potential to truly have an impact on the future of our children by assuring equity foreveryone.
Thank you so very much for your great thinking and writing and your commitment to this important cause.
The invitation to come enjoy wine and fudge is open. Come on by if you can.
You will sleep well tonight knowing you have done such a great job.
Again, thank you very much,
Sarah
On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 6:53 PM, Edwin Stone wrote:Two versions attached. The one ending in "a" is a clean copy without visible edits.
The one ending in "compare" shows the few changes that I suggested in color.
Bottom line?
bee YOOO tee fullFeel free to call me again tonight if I can be of further help.
Regards,
Ed
On Dec 12, 2012, at 8:09 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
give a call, one of you.
________________________________From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]
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Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:04 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Sarah,
My suggestions attached.
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 8:54 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Policy with associated Superintendent Limitations
Attachments: PoliyDraftThree12.12.12a.docx; 12.12.12.compare.docx
Two versions attached. The one ending in "a" is a clean copy without visible edits.
The one ending in "compare" shows the few changes that I suggested in color.
Bottom line?
bee YOOO tee full
Feel free to call me again tonight if I can be of further help.
Regards,
Ed
On Dec 12, 2012, at 8:09 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
give a call, one of you.
________________________________From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:04 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Sarah,
My suggestions attached.
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah M. Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 8:33 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Cc: Edwin Stone
Subject: Re: Policy with associated Superintendent Limitations
Sarah,
Good job! I am buried in kid duty so cannot comment in detail right now, but after quick look they look good. I am sureEd will be able to comment more.
I have fresh homemade fudge and good red wine, Sarah if you want to walk over sometime between 9:30 and 10. Ed youcertainly are most welcome too.
Sarah R.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 12, 2012, at 8:09 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> give a call, one of you.>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:04 PM> To: Sarah Swisher> Subject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself>
> Sarah,>> My suggestions attached.>> Ed>>>
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 8:09 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: Policy with associated Superintendent Limitations
Attachments: PoliyDraftThree12.12.12.docx
give a call, one of you.
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:04 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Sarah,
My suggestions attached.
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 10:05 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Attachments: PoliyDraftThree12.11.12.3b.docx
Sarah,
My suggestions attached.
Ed
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 9:34 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Attachments: PoliyDraftThree12.11.12.3.docx
?????
Highlighted changes
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 8:42 PMTo: Sarah SwisherSubject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Sarah,
I have attached the current version as a clean copy with trackedchanges turned off.
My problems with this version are that it allows insulargerrymandering and it permits one school to be 130% full while anotherat that grade level is 70% full. You couldn't build a new schoolwhile the underfilled one was at 70% but according to this policy youcould leave one school much more filled than another until you wantedto build a new school. Why not address this type of disparity in thedocument?
Ed
On Dec 11, 2012, at 4:17 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> Reply...thanks for the help and adopted most changes in document but> do NOT want to use this editing tool. Tool complicated and too many> tracking entities. Thanks though. Have NO idea how to get out of> edit mode so will send you newest version and ask YOU to get it out> if edit mode, if mode shows up. We WILL discuss all of your
> suggestions in committee, especially if not included here.>> Sarah>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 11:18 AM> To: Sarah Swisher> Subject: Suggestions for the equity document itself
>> Hi Sarah,
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>> Thanks for sharing the equity drafts with me.>> Attached are some suggestions for the equity document itself in a> "tracked changes" format.>> I would be happy to discuss these suggestions with you if you have any> questions about them.>
> Regards,>> Ed>>>
>>
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Chace Ramey
From: Sarah Swisher
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 9:25 PM
To: Edwin Stone
Subject: RE: Suggestions for the equity document itself
OK, I get that. I might have misread your document.
"Secondary facilities must be within 10 percentage points of filled capacity"
????
Sarah
From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 8:42 PMTo: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Sarah,
I have attached the current version as a clean copy with trackedchanges turned off.
My problems with this version are that it allows insulargerrymandering and it permits one school to be 130% full while anotherat that grade level is 70% full. You couldn't build a new schoolwhile the underfilled one was at 70% but according to this policy youcould leave one school much more filled than another until you wanted
to build a new school. Why not address this type of disparity in thedocument?
Ed
On Dec 11, 2012, at 4:17 PM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> Reply...thanks for the help and adopted most changes in document but> do NOT want to use this editing tool. Tool complicated and too many
> tracking entities. Thanks though. Have NO idea how to get out of> edit mode so will send you newest version and ask YOU to get it out> if edit mode, if mode shows up. We WILL discuss all of your> suggestions in committee, especially if not included here.>> Sarah>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 11:18 AM> To: Sarah Swisher
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> Subject: Suggestions for the equity document itself>> Hi Sarah,>> Thanks for sharing the equity drafts with me.>> Attached are some suggestions for the equity document itself in a> "tracked changes" format.>
> I would be happy to discuss these suggestions with you if you have any> questions about them.>> Regards,>> Ed
>>>>>
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 8:47 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Education
Thanks, Sarah.
On Dec 11, 2012, at 11:09 AM, Sarah Swisher wrote:
> What a lovely essay and obviously a girl with heart and intelligent> vision. You must be proud of her. Did she send it to the PC?>> ________________________________> From: Edwin Stone [[email protected]]> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2012 9:51 PM> To: Sarah Swisher
> Subject: Education>>>
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Chace Ramey
From: Edwin Stone
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 8:42 PM
To: Sarah Swisher
Subject: Re: Suggestions for the equity document itself
Attachments: PoliyDraftThree12.11.docx
Sarah,
I have attached the current version as a clean copy with trackedchanges turned off.
My problems with this version are that it allows insulargerrymandering and it permits one school to be 130% full while anotherat that grade level is 70% full. You couldn't build a new schoolwhile the underfilled one was at 70% but according to this policy youcould leave one school much more filled than another until you wantedto build a new school. Why not address this type of disparity in the
document?
Ed
On Dec 11, 2012, at 4:17 P