Interested Reader wrote on Jul 18, 2008 10:02 AM:
" To the person who continually responds with nervy comments about grammar & spelling...
You pop up regularily in the blogs about school related issues. I can only assume you are one of those teachers who thinks they are a great gift to our school district. You are continually bringing up spelling errors as a means to put people down that you don't agree with. Get over yourself and find another way to incriminate anonymously. "
To Chicago Teacher wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:48 AM:
" Eye totly agre with yor post and eye no thes isnt abot the sobjict butt U mite want two spel chek befour ewe post. U R a techer aftr al. "
taxpayer wrote on Jul 10, 2008 4:57 PM:
" To: Here we go again, I agree with you. Enough bashing of the teachers, Ken and Roger. The teachers are doing there job; Ken and Roger were doing there job as members of the schoolboard. It seems like Mrs Burns just wants to be Schoolboard and Superintendent so she doesn't have to explain herself to anyone. Please lets look into her record more of how she is handling the school and don't blame the teachers, Ken or Roger "
Here we go again wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:13 PM:
" Like every other article on education in the Coulee News, this one has turned into a teachers vs school board or teachers are doing a bad job bashing. Isn't this article about what Superintendent Burns did? Shouldn't the focus be on what should happen, or doesn't she owe a better apology? No more about Ken, Roger or the teachers, this is all about the superintendent. "
Interested Reader wrote on Jul 9, 2008 6:48 PM:
" Wow! I just read all 51 blogs on this topic.
Thank you 'Chicago Teacher' for shaking your finger at our community members and teachers that are complaining about board members that care & ask too many questions! The teachers at West Salem Schools have had it pretty nice for many years and of course, morale was high.
Teachers say morale is low now because board members & community members want to make administration and teachers accountable, ask questions and make them follow rules. So much politics! I respect Gene Ertz however, teachers in our school system were pampered & catered to for many years before Gene retired. We allowed our educational system to become inflated in many ways and are suffering now for it. I like the idea of board members being demanding. Micromanaging isn't a bad thing. Although I agree that Nancy Burns was a bad choice, I also realize that if she's 'not' liked by the administration & teachers that maybe, just maybe, she is doing something right.
Thank you Ken & Roger for being contentious. The people I hear most complaining about you are school employees & teachers. These same people are also doing most the complaining about Nancy Burns. It's good to ask questions. It's good to make everyone accountable.
Do we have outstanding teachers at West Salem Schools? Yes, we have some. Teachers are a different breed. Many eventually think that they are the best thing to happen to their school district. I can't explain this and don't try to understand it. It's good to have a healthy ego and great self esteem but that doesn't mean your pay scale should be adjusted to match it. Administration & teachers pat themselves on the back for successful programs when the credit should go to the kids, the parents and the community. Effective or Uneffective ...let's keep them all accountable! "
chicago teacher wrote on Jul 8, 2008 5:34 PM:
" Your story about West Salems Superintendant has reached Chicago, IL. I work for the Chicago Board of Education and am appalled at Ms. Burns and her comments. For her to make those comments about board members was unprofessional and lacked any forethought. To community members and teachers who make comments about past board members actions, I am appalled. You should be thankful that you have members that care and ask questions. What do you want? Seven members that are puppets in Ms. Burns control that trust and pass everything she and teachers do. That would be a mistake. Nobody should be given so much power and the people who do give people that power to others, be ashamed and get a backbone. "
I sincerely hope you are not a school district employee wrote on Jul 8, 2008 1:18 PM:
" For the writer who double checked to see if they were Nancy Burns, all I can say is that I sincerely hope you are NOT a school district employee. If you would simply check the Wisconsin State Statutes that outline and govern the role of a school board, you would find this:
120.12 School board duties. The school board of a common or union high school district shall:
120.12(1)
(1) Management of school district. Subject to the authority vested in the annual meeting and to the authority and possession specifically given to other school district officers, have the possession, care, control and management of the property and affairs of the school district, except for property of the school district used for public library purposes under s. 43.52.
120.12(2)
(2) General supervision. Visit and examine the schools of the school district, advise the school teachers and administrative staff regarding the instruction, government and progress of the pupils and exercise general supervision over such schools.
120.13 School board powers. The school board of a common or union high school district may do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education, including establishing, providing and improving school district programs, functions and activities for the benefit of pupils, and including all of the following:
Keep reading the state statutes AND WS School District policies BEFORE you continue writing.
P.S. I am NOT Roger or Ken or even on the school board. Our schools are still GREAT in West Salem. There are indeed staff who are excellent and believe me, there are those that are not. Every school has weak links. If our schools in WS would do more to involve the parents, the kids and the community - it would be a far richer environment for all of us! If more of the community would "get involved" in our schools, the schools would benefit from a wide range of talent and resources!
These blogs are filled with venom. Turn the venom into something productive and positive! You will get more worthwhile results and might feel better. "
To Roy Roger Rogers wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:30 AM:
" Yes, I am quite certain that I am not Nancy Burns. I'll even double check...yep, it's me, not Nancy. Roger (you) started the downward spiral of staff morale with your obsession on employee absenteeism. You nitpicked and micromanaged the thing to death. You even questioned leave time used for family deaths and maternity leave!! The data that you asked for and were given, you managed to manipulate and twist into a fictional problem. WS has no higher absentee rate than any other districts around here. But instead of letting the administrators do their job (which they are paid to do), you felt it was your job as a board member to decide if leave time taken was legit or not. That is not the job of a school board member - that's the job of the building administrator!! A board members' job is to set policy and pass the budget, and supervise the superintendent and ONLY the superintendent. The board is not the boss of all school employees, only one employee: Nancy Burns. And don't get me started on Roger's letters to the editor, or Ken's dime a dozen remarks. Yes, these 2 men were only 2/7 of the school board. But they were outspoken and demanding and micromanaging members of the school board who would not simply let the administration and the staff do the job that they are hired to do. They need to learn that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Implying that employees are lazy and dishonest does not exactly make employees want to work harder. "
no expert wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:27 AM:
" I am no expert on meeting rules, but it seems like they go into closed session way to often. "
re denial wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:25 AM:
" I could not have put the description of Ken any better. Thank you. "
Follow Up wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:16 AM:
" Is there going to be anymore follow up on this story or will it get dropped to flop in the wind? I think that the school board should check in on the other situations that Mrs Burns handles to see if it was the correct procedure or if she does just what she feels like and then the school board has to handle it later. The school board was elected by the people of West Salem, but what kind of influence did she have on the election and what emails did she put out and who she was condemning. Lets check it out School Board, we are the EMPLOYER. "
Denial wrote on Jul 8, 2008 9:32 AM:
" Obviously Roy Rogers is associated with Ken and Roger in some way because any school employee will tell you that they had saving money as the top priority and education came somewhere down the line. Did you ever go to a board meeting RR? Ken was a constant negative influence on everything and had to speak to hear himself speak on every issue. It's fine to question things and look out for the taxpayer, but he went out of his way to challenge even the most basic items. And don't get me started on negotiations with staff. Do you know this is the man who said teachers are a dime a dozen? Really? Sounds like a man who values education. "
Roy Rogers wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:41 PM:
" To the person who commented to Roy - You must not have read my note or at least all of it. Same old tired story and diversion tactics. What are the facts? How much did Schlimgen and Henderson divert from the educational system? What were the topics of discussion? Gunderson has been interviewing for quite a number of years for the top job. Fernholz took a Professorship at a local college. Are you certain this isn't Mrs. Burns? "
To hes back wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:03 PM:
" As someone with firsthand knowledge, I can tell you that John Smalley is NOT, I repeat NOT returning to work for WS schools in any capacity. Why do you insist on spreading rumors? Please find another thread for you to share your thoughts on John Smalley. This thread is about Nancy Burns. "
re hes baaack part two wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:40 PM:
" I do not believe you! "
thoughts on morale wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:01 PM:
" Just remember the grass is not always greener. And some that left on part of the problem. Just as in any business, not ALL employees on superstars. "
BIg mistake wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:12 PM:
" Troy Gunderson could have been hired as superintendent two years ago. He would have stayed in this district and we wouldn't have to be talking about this story. Too bad our board didn't have the vision to hire him when they should have "
hmmm wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:23 AM:
" Sounds to me like someone needs to removed, plain and simple.. If I had been one of the people in her email I would be suing.. Doesn't matter if I win or not... The exposure alone would ruin her. "
Hes baaaacck Part two wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:21 AM:
" I apologize for the poor choice of words. How's this? Smalley is coming back and he is going to teach. Did you think Principals were born that way? Thay are teachers first, duh. "
To Roy wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:21 AM:
" No one left that you are aware of??? You only know of employees leaving because of retirement/promotion? A job in another district is a promotion, but the reason
WS employees apply to another district is because of the morale here. Troy Gunderson (principal), Dave Dinger (ES guidance), Penny Shafer (ES teacher), Maria Hellwig (HS office), Sue Kirscher (ES office), Lynda Fernholz (MS teacher), Sharon Cullmann (MS office)...and countless others who are actively looking for other employment. Ask any of them whether they left simply for a "promotion" (none of them retired). Publicly they may have a different answer than what they'd tell you privately. You simply have no idea of the low morale that Roger, Ken and yes, Nancy have created in our once fantastic school district. "
Roy Rogers wrote on Jul 6, 2008 6:43 PM:
" To the person who made comments to WOW - What are you talking about? Is this Nancy? Or, are you a politician or spin doctor? Your thought may be to give this article a different spin and blame the board members instead of commenting on her shameful remarks.
On top of that, I read the school newsletters very carefully. For the life of me, I can't figure out how Henderson and Schlimgen single-handedly brought the morale down to it's lowest level in, what did you say, 60 years? How did that happen? They are two board members with one vote each on a board of 7. Last time I had any knowledge of the matter of new hires, I'm told that we receive approximately 60 applications for a single job. Should be someone qualified in that bunch, don't you think? Who left West Salem? No one has left that I am aware and according to the newsletters much less because of Henderson and Schlimgen except for retirements and or promotions. For once, I would like for you and everyone else that wants to critize anyone to at least present some facts instead of the same old tired gossip and wild conjecture. What are your facts? "
If they force her out wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:55 PM:
" If the board forces her out, I just have one word to say....hurrah "
Background checks wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:54 PM:
" I thought that I read somewhere, that before she was hired, the board members went to Green Lake to ask the community their thoughts. Sounds like Green Lake pulled one over on West Salem. "
who is in charge wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:51 PM:
" Who is in charge of planning her welcome home party from China? lol Sounds like a lot of people are interested in attending. "
To WOW wrote on Jul 6, 2008 2:20 PM:
" As a result of your comments, I will place you in the catagory of those who truly have little concern for quality education of our students. It is quite obvious that over the tenure of Henderson and Schlimgen this school district has begun a downward spiral, with diminishing salary levels for teachers and staff resulting in low morale and staff resignations. For you to state "the only people who had a problem with that were the teachers and staff" is not accurate. I am not employed by the school district. I had a problem with those on the school board who demonstrated their desire to "save" money at the expense of the education of our students. Quality education begins with qualified, superior teachers and staff who are paid commensurate with their expertise. When you fail to attract and retain these professionals, the educational potential of this district is compromised. Board members such as Henderson and Schlimgen were instrumental in the continuing decline of our school district. As a result of their poor direction, this decline will be felt long into the future as we try to recover the excellent reputation we used to experience. I have no problem with board members asking questions and being responsible with taxpayer money (I'm a taxpayer). But when the focus changes to money at the expense of education, we all lose in the long run. What is more important than providing a truly exceptional education for your children and mine? "
Roy Rogers wrote on Jul 6, 2008 1:42 PM:
" What in the heck have we done to ourselves? We have hired an administrator who seems to be out of touch regarding her employer. That's us, guys. We hire a school board to watch things including her. Good thing that she didn't get to pick her own board! Or, did she? She has three new warm and wonderful board members while her 3 contentious board members are not around any more to challenge and ask questions. That doesn't make me feel very good. Maybe there should be an investigation of her office and emails to see whether she had any influence on the election. I couldn't agree more that she needs to go down the road NOW! Maybe the three warm and wonderful board members with her if they don't take really swift action on her departure. "
cut it loose wrote on Jul 6, 2008 8:38 AM:
" I think everyone should do some snooping in the Green Lake School District or papers from around that district. This is why she was forced to resign from that district. She treats everyone like 2nd graders. She doesn't follow rules. Wants to enforce the chain of command, but doesn't follow it either. There was a huge article about her in the Green Bay Gazette or the Green Lake Reporter. We need to do our homework before we hire people to be in charge of the district, kids and employees. Soon we will have a bunch of employees who don't give a hoot about the kids and the educational system. Everyone will have their own agenda and our district is going to be in a big world of hurt. The moral in this district is at an all time low. Mrs. Burns bad mouths employees left and right thinking no one talks to anyone about her. This is no surprise that she got caught bad mouthing the board and is trying to talk her way out of it. It is obvious that she is not qualified to do this job. We should do as Green Lake did and force her out! "
toSeen Too Much of THis wrote on Jul 6, 2008 5:47 AM:
" Your post makes YOU sound like an idiot. I am sure Nancy Burns is more "intelligent" than you. How dare you make such a claim. "
How can wrote on Jul 5, 2008 9:58 PM:
" How can Nancy Burns expect respect from students, when she has no respect for her boss(School Board and tax payers.)It is sad when our students can see through her and can understand that our former Board Members were just doing their job. She must have felt threatened by them. We will see if the new board can control her or be her yes people. Henderson and Schlimgen were watching how our money was spent. We all know there is a lot of unnecessary spending. Maybe when the frill is stopped, we would have more money for education and wages!
I think she should do herself and WS a favor and resign. I'd hate to be her for the next 2 years.
Good Luck new Board Members. We will be watching all you "YES or NO" votes. "
Seen too much of this wrote on Jul 5, 2008 5:54 PM:
" This kind of a comment coming from her doesn't surprise me at all. In meetings with her if you disagree, she makes faces at you. She snubs you in the hallways if she doesn't want to acknowledge you. Mrs. Burns should have never been hired here. I have worked in the district for over 20 years and have never been treated like I don't know anything. Mr. Skjeveland and Mr. Ertz would say hi to you as you passed them in the hall, out on the side walk or anywhere. They would listen to your concerns and ideas. They would ask for your input if you had the background. She has called an employee "disgruntled" because they didn't agree with her, and voiced their opinion. Middle schoolers have made comments on how childish she is talking to them, saying things like "I'm super, your super." This lady is a 2nd grade teacher and has no idea what to do when dealing with mature adults. The district would be better off without her kind. We need someone who is intelligent and REALLY cares about our district, kids, and employees. She is all about herself and makes too many stupid mistakes over and over again. Let her go and teach someone else's children, not ours!!!!! "
tax payer wrote on Jul 5, 2008 2:22 PM:
" Don't you think it is time someone sits down with Mrs Burns and explains to her that she is the employee in this case, not the school board. "
maybe... wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:20 PM:
" Maybe thats why Burns doesn't care for Henderson or Schlimgen. They didn't want her pay to be increased. I've attended a few board meetings, and seen that those two tend to be the ones who question things the most. They should. They're on the school board. Maybe Burns doesn't like when people question her authority! By calling these former board members contentious, she is insulting the majority of tax-paying voters in the community. Obviously WS thought they would be good for the job, so they were voted onto the board. Maybe the Superintendent job should become a vote. Burns certainly wouldn't have my vote.
Also, I completely agree with the statement about Burns alsway blowing people off. I am a former journalism student of West Salem and had the pleasure of interviewing Burns a couple times. Oh everything is 'confidential', or she'd tell me the things that were obvious. Does the public not have the right to know what is going on within our schools? "
Something to think about... wrote on Jul 4, 2008 5:11 PM:
" Mr. Gene Ertz was a great superintendent in West Salem. Could you even imagine him making such a comment?? How about Jerry Kember (La Crosse), John Burnett (Onalaska) or Fred Frick (Holmen)?? I cannot imagine any other superintendent being so - what's the word - cocky. What is with Mrs. Burns?? "
Whos your boss Mrs. Burns wrote on Jul 4, 2008 4:20 PM:
" I think Mrs. Burns needs a refresher course as to whom she works for, and that is the School Board and the tax payers that elected these these people. The School Board is not an easy job, and then to have to work with ignorance like her, they have my sympathy in West Salem. I thought this would be a great community to raise a family. I will have give that idea a little more thought now. "
WOW wrote on Jul 4, 2008 3:51 PM:
" I am ashamed and embarrassed that the superintendent of our schools would stoop to such a low level with her comments. Not only was it a slap in the face to the elected board members, but it was also a slap in the face to all of the people that voted for these elected members. They did what they were elected to do, and the only people that had a problem with that were the teachers and staff, and now the superintendent. WOW! "
OMG if you only knew wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:29 AM:
" I agree with "truth". We have a great staff of wonderfully educated and caring individuals, who are extremely underpaid. A school district in a town population of 850, pays their staff an incredible amount more than what ours gets paid.
Nancy Burns has cooked her own goose with many of the employees in the district, I hope this just opens the eyes of the community to whom we have to deal with. We have all had enough of negative degrading looks and conversations with her. How many more "Excellent Educators" do we have to lose before the board realizes who is responsible for their exit. "
To Taxpayer from Oh Boy wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:01 AM:
" According to the Thursday, August 17, 2006 edition of the Coulee News the paper states Burns was hired unanimously. Here is info and quotes from that article "The West Salem School District unanimously voted Monday to offer its superintendent position to Nancy Burns of the Green Lake School District." The article then quotes Errol Kindschy stating "hes glad the board voted unanimously to offer her the position. The 7-0 vote was really encouraging in uniting who to offer the contract to. My facts are correct about her hiring are correct. According to the minutes from the January 28th school board meeting. 5 out the 7 school members voted to give her a pay increase and contract extension. Schlimgen and Henderson voted against the pay increase and extension. I believe Scafe was not on the school board when she was hired. The rest were. "
If the district wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:33 PM:
" isn't "paying" for her trip to China, then where did her "professional development money" come from?? And just what IS she doing in China? With the cash-strapped situation that all district are in at this point, why China, and why now?? What a waste this woman is. Maybe is should be called the School District of Nancy Burns. Try to have a conversation with her about anything. Her ears are closed to you if your opinion differs, and everything is I I I. She needs to hone her listening skills. "
Also funny... wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:35 PM:
" is how she digs pretty deep to try and save herself. Re-defining the word "contentious" and trying to make it sound like she was complimentary toward the three former board members. Hard to make a negative comment sound positive when you cheer Harrah! I like the example of passing notes. What about using the school e-mail for personal reasons anyway? Is there a rule? "
clarifications on this hilarious story and the comments wrote on Jul 3, 2008 5:09 PM:
" Please know your facts before you post. Even though I don't care for Mrs. Burns, I would like to dispell any rumors that may begin. The district is not "paying" for her trip to China. Every superintendent in the state receives professional development money. How they use it must be approved by a school board. Our board approved her trip, but she had to personally cover all costs above and beyond the professional development money. If you protest this, you should have attended the board meeting to speak about the matter.
Also, no one knows the real story with John Smalley. I also do not approve of what he did either personally or professionally. However, please do not state what you think is happening as if it is fact.
Finally, I find this story truly hilarious. No one that knew what was going on in board meetings or the school district really cared for Roger, Ken, or Nancy. Isn't it coincidental they don't care for one another as well? "
technolarious wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:55 PM:
" What might even be more hilarious than all of the other comments is that Ms. Burns considers herself a techno-genious and is making marvelous technology strides in the buildings...just check out the posting for the new HS principal. "
Tax Payer wrote on Jul 3, 2008 4:11 PM:
" Better check your records. It wasn't a 7-0 vote to hire Mrs. Burns two years ago or to keep her this year!! "
too funny wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:41 PM:
" It is extemely funny to see that Ms. Burns still has not learned to use email. It is no wonder that the district website is so out of date. I have called numerous times to point out some things that needed to be changed or updated. She continually blows it off. "
to hes baaack wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:39 PM:
" Smalley was not a teacher in the district! "
just a couple of things wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:37 PM:
" While I agree that it was good to get one of the board members voted out of office. I am not a fan of Ms. Burns. I have talked to her on numerous occasions and it is apparent that she has her own agenda and refuses to listen to anyone. "
To hes back wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:27 PM:
" You don't know what you're talking about. Smalley is not a teacher, thus he will not be "back to teach". He is a principal, and he will never be allowed to be principal in the WS schools again. The "fat settlement" is confidential, so whether it is fat or not is your speculation. And P.S., this blog is not about Smalley. Start a new thread if that's your interest. "
oh boy wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:13 PM:
" Burns makes another mistake. Hopefully she doesn't make a mistake and hires a cheap inexperienced principal who can't do the job. People should be concerned about this. Burns has made some poor judgements which is starting to cost the district. This email saga is another example. However, keep in mind two of these former board members voted to give her a pay increase and contract extension and it was a 7-0 vote to hire her two years ago. Maybe, Gunderson should have been hired superintendant two years ago. "
Tax payer wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:06 PM:
" Somebody in this position who makes over $100,000 a year should not be making these kinds of mistakes. No wonder these board members were "contentious"! Mrs. Burns continues to make mistake after mistake. I only hope the new board members can learn from this mistake of hers and be as contentious as the former board members. Superintendents should not have to be watched. However, this one definately needs some looking after. "
Hes baaaaack wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:30 PM:
" Don't worry about the exodus of teachers. Smalley is coming back to teach AND with a fat settlement. "
Bad pattern wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:36 AM:
" Yet another mistake from the superintedent office. "
Sea Docker wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:40 AM:
" Appearently Ms Burns didn't learn what many of us learned from passing notes in the second or third grade. Never put in writing what you woulld not read to the whole class! "
Not surprised wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:05 AM:
" Mrs. Burns if you can read this e-mail from China (where you are this week courtesy of the school district), this is one huge can of worms. Now the public gets a picture of what kind of a "leader" the WS school district has. No wonder there is a mass exodus of employees from the district. "
truth wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:51 AM:
" Mrs. Burns is right about some former board members. The teaching staff and administration have been degraded, and villified for years by certain "former" board members.
Staff is starting to "jump ship". Great teachers and administrators are just fed up.
West Salem used to be considered a top notch district to work for, but not now. West Salem is one of the lowest paying districts in the state, but yet we (staff) are made to feel like whining tax dollar vampires.
Constantly writing editorials about the perceived negatives of the district staff, and discussions to take away hard earned benefits, has worn down the staff.
The exodus has just begun. "
Superintendent wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:31 AM:
" "hurrah" What kind of Superintendent makes this kind of comment? "
Are you kidding wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:18 PM:
" And she used school district e-mail services for personal reasons? Isn't there some sort of new rule or policy reading against that and then she decided it didn't apply to her? Use paper and pen next time, lady. "
It seems wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:08 PM:
" Burns has gotten rid of a few other people she didn't figure measured up to her higher expectations. She isn't the friendliest person, is she? "
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